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@melmar02 Curious which June 22 sailing you are on, as I may need to move my June 21 sailing to next year soon once RCI cancels?

@Bryresangel Normally they will only issue a new FCC for that canceled cruise, as it was paid with FCC.

This is honestly starting to read like a bad horror movie. With vaccines cutting down numbers of hospitalizations and deaths they still only want to look at "case" numbers. So glad I staggered my future sailings and have one that has nothing to do with US ports.

@Flopper they could name it "Ruby" or "Sapphire".

Some news on shots: People Who've Had COVID-19 Need Just One Coronavirus Vaccine Shot (businessinsider.com) According to the article there are several studies in review right now, so hopefully once the studies are published the guidance from CDC will also change to allow one shot vaccine regimen for anyone who had Coronavirus infection.

I can tell you that in the past (7 years ago) RCI contracted with one of the largest fresh food delivery cos. that had a huge distribution center in Tampa.

@MatthewG Go to YouTube. Look up "The Cruise" from itv. Watch all the seasons. It is a reality show about cruising, from the crew's perspective. Lots of your questions will be answered. Here is a link to Season 1, Episode 1 The Cruise - Season 1 Episode 1 - YouTube

You only get the points if you sail on the ship. If you don't go on the ship you don't get the points.

I have just used the CLIA site to email my Congressman and Representatives. Very easy to use.

Unless it pertains DIRECTLY to cruising. Which, in this case, it does.

I haven't double booked, but I do have lots of "If-then" scenarios and staggered cruises. Eventually I will be back on a ship!!! June- Ovation - Alaska - probably not happening ? August- Explorer - Caribbean from Galvestion no idea??? December holiday - Grandeur from Barbados *fingers and toes crossed*

I read this article as well. I was happy to finally see someone actually doing JOURNALISM.

Running to YOUTube to watch Chris's latest.

It was ten, 1-0. Ten cases among 100,000 passengers.

I've sailed both Royal and NCL. One thing that I have noted is that if you aren't careful, NCL will nickel and dime you to death. My experience has also been to watch prices on excursions. I really like Royal, and have several cruises booked with Royal, but I also have a 2023 cruise booked with NCL. The itinerary for that particular trip was hard to pass up (ABC islands during Spring Break) and they had some great specials running for airfare.

There have been mentions that there may be medical exemptions. It would be best to wait and see. I know many who are not able to have the shots due to different medical reasons. The hope is that there will be a medical exemption if you provide adequate proof from your doctor that you are not able to get the shot. I do have the feeling though that this will be a process and not super easy to do. You may have to sign a release of liability or similar.

Yes, yes and yes. I work in corporate America and my company, like almost every other company in America has gone to zero travel. All meetings are done via conferencing (Teams, Skype, Zoom, etc.). No one travels anymore for business. Every conference is now virtual.

You and me both! We have bookings in June (probably a goner), August and December this year. Just wanna get on a ship!!!! NEED to get away from my house. ? Even if I have to mask up. I'll do it- happily!

Yes! This and volunteering has gotten many of my friends the vaccine who have health issues that are not listed on the precious CDC list a chance to get the vaccine before their age group. If you get on a "waste" list or volunteer they will give out the jabs to you typically at the end of the day before the vaccine goes outside of its 'safe to use' window. I have a friend who was volunteering in Galveston County this weekend so that she could get the shot and be safe soon to visit with her grandparents. She was able to be vaccinated at the end of her shift Saturday with leftover vaccine that would otherwise have to be thrown away.

Does no one realize that there is a highly effective RT-PCR test done by swabbing one's cheek? My 11 yo son has had it done 3x now. No one has to do the "nasal swab" test. The cheek swab is called the "buccal" swab. Look it up in your area. They are available. Results usually take about 24-36 hours. Having done both versions of the test myself, the cheek swab is much more pleasant and doesn't make you cry (lacrimal reflex).

Because cruise ships employ dock workers here in the U.S., Because cruise ships buy supplies/food from U.S. companies. Because cruise ships buy fuel and pay taxes in U.S. ports.

Two things that have worked for my friends here in Texas. 1. Volunteer at a vaccination site (don't have to be a medical worker, they also need people to run paperwork, guide traffic). 2. Sign up on lists everywhere you can (hospitals, county sites, pharmacies). In some cases friends have been able to get vaccinated because pharmacy had "leftover" vaccine that would otherwise go to waste because some people that had appointments didn't show up.

@twangster As usual, you hit the nail on the head with this analogy.

Encouraging news from NY Times on vaccination efficacy, "In Britain, the daily number of new Covid cases has fallen by more than 90 percent since peaking in early January. The decline is larger than in virtually any other country. (In the U.S., new cases have fallen 79 percent since January.) Given that the contagious B.1.1.7 variant was first discovered in Britain and is now the country’s dominant virus form, “Britain’s free-fall in cases is all the more impressive,” Wachter told me. “Clearly their vaccination strategy has been highly effective.”"