Cruiser4Life

1 hour ago, Neesa said:

@MamaG We were on the Oasis March 13, 2022. I haven't felt motion like that since about 15 sailings ago when we first started cruising. Yes on the smaller ships I became acclimated  but I never even felt motion on the Oasis class. I bring a little first aid bag with me every sailing & the first evening after dinner I turned green. I have sea sick patches prescribed & I usually wind up throwing them out, oh boy not this time. All I kept thinking was I NEVER felt movement on this class before. I am so glad I had those patches, no alcohol and nasty cotton mouth until probably Tuesday but I was so happy I wasn't arrogant in thinking I would never need them on the big ship. By Tuesday though things calmed down, yes aqua shows were cancelled but I'm just glad my sailing wasn't ruined by my pretty shade of green, albeit St Patricks Day was that week. Moral of this story better to have and not need then to need and not have, I was very uncomfortable for a hot second. 

We were on oasis the following week so doing the western itinerary instead of eastern…. It was still rocky at times and extremely windy… top deck was closed the last two days and we saw multiple people stumble… got to the point where my daughter would actually walk closer than normal to older guests and reach out a hand to help them… proud mama moments…. Also, the aqua show went without a hitch the first night available but our show on the second day was cancelled about 10 minutes in because a diver slipped off the board due to motion and injured himself. They stopped the show immediately and rescheduled to the last day of the cruise hit at 7pm… I had honestly never been to an aqua show in daylight before but it went off without a hitch and we were happy to see it… as we were leaving the cancelled show, we walked past the cruise director on his walkie and he immediately knew the day and time he wanted to reschedule it for due to when he knew the ship would be in calmer ocean…. I was impressed and thought it a great touch that he made that call immediately and it was updated in the app, announced and reservations transferred all within 15 minutes. 

52 minutes ago, Vancity Cruiser said:

I feel this could be a highly likely scenario. In order to board you need to show either proof of vaccination OR a negative covid test. 

Agreed. That’s what centers for performing arts have been doing since they reopened down in south Florida. Makes no sense from a health standpoint since vax can carry it around unknowingly and spread it but it’s just for show and I believe they feel it makes them look like they are doing their part to have some sort of rule… while not excluding any potential customers or discriminating. It’s a win win.

We disembarked the oasis Sunday and they were not yet open for breakfast.  

Oh no. Awful. Prayers for them and their family. Other than a traumatic injury sustained onboard, other reasons could be hemophilia, cancer-related issues such as radiation/chemo complications, internal bleeding such as an ulcer…. So unfortunate to happen at sea. Will be praying for a positive resolution 

2 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Seems  reasonable to me.  The loinge hasn't been close to being full

Same here. It was packed on night 1 as per usual but sparse and relaxing since then.

Oasis last night…. That’s my daughter dressed as a hippie Street parties are back, baby!!

Maybe it depends on the ship? And how many pinnacles are on board… currently on the oasis and they aren’t doing that in the suite lounge here….

Try synergydx. We get ours at the Davie location (5 minutes from ft lauderdale) and they do 10 minute stay in your car rapid antigens. Best testing facility in south Florida to us. My daughter is on a national team and we’ve had to get rapid testing for tournaments on a moments notice and they always come through if you are in a pinch in the Miami/fll area. If no appts show on their website, they still take driveups.

Last August, we did a helicopter tour where you landed on one of the glaciers and you could walk around, fill your water bottle at one of the little rivers.. It was amazing.... I can find the name of the tour and post pics if you are interested.... There was also an airboat ride that took you close enough to touch them.... It was the most magical RC tour I have ever been on

14 hours ago, Drew5441 said:

Anyone have the email address for the Suite Concierge on Oasis?  Departing on Sunday and still have not received the initial email from them.  I tried the one I had from my previous cruise pre-pandemic on Oasis but received no response so figure it must have changed.  Thanks 

Here you go… there are two if you want to copy them both….

I’m jealous! I missed meeting you guys by a week… I board the Oasis the day you return…. Different spring break week… everyone is so lively and talkative on this blog, I feel like i know you all.  Alas, I am in a CLS and only a sky class, though. Have a great time, everyone!

On 2/28/2022 at 12:58 PM, CGTLH said:

Diamond at 140 points, then every 70 points.

Really?? I have 238 points and I have never received a coveted crystal block! I board Oasis next week, do you think its a better bet to call C&A ask about it, or suite concierge on board? 

4 hours ago, smilechav said:

Dang, so sorry for your cousin. It’s unfair, though I understand the (CYA) reasons behind it. It makes those who truly can’t get vaccinated feel like social pariahs. I just had covid too, so I most definitely have more antibodies than all those due for boosters. That’s the idiotic part of it. I’m a critical care nurse and worked all throughout the heights of the pandemic. When no one knew what Covid was I was caring for these patients, so it’s just frustrating that now being vaccinated is being held against me, when it was perfectly okay for me to risk my life daily (my choice, of course). It felt like a HIPPA violation asking my doc to write out the reasons explaining why I can’t be vaccinated for a cruise line….
I love children but I deserve a vacation too

I’m disappointed but it’s obviously something out of my hands. Venting session over lol 

Thank you for this. She is a physical therapist working for a small private practice so thankfully kept her job through all the mandate nonsense. Having an autoimmune disease, she was the first in line to jump for a vaccine due to fears, but her drs said no…. Inflammatory vaccine response would be too high a risk for her. hopefully, things can change for her soon.

9 minutes ago, Leighq said:

I haven’t seen this at all so here it goes.  Let’s say as a woman I need time of month products and or advil.  Is there a place to get that or do I have to go to the medical bay?  

Yes, there is an equivalent on the ship akin to a general store that has simple OTC  medications and first aid items available for purchase. 

14 hours ago, smilechav said:

I'm sailing Oasis on 4/7/22 for a wedding and applied for medical exemption for my covid vaccination. I know how unlikely it is that I will actually be approved, but I was curious if the <95% includes everyone on the ship, even the children that are ineligible to be vaccinated? The most passengers I've seen is 3800 during Spring Break, which would be less than 190 unvaccinated children and/or adults. Yikes, my chances are slim.

My cousin applied for a medical exemption onboard the Oasis for our cruise this month and was denied. This was however, about 3 months ago when they denied her. Even with medical records corroborating what they asked for, the response was that hands were tied due to the Bahamian requirements…. The agent was sympathetic and said the only real chance she had was to choose an itinerary (probably non Caribbean) that did not include Nassau or coco cay or any other destination that required mandatory vaccination of all passengers over 12. However, you can fly into the Bahamas without being vaccinated so I understand how ridiculous the rule is and how high the frustrations levels are. She was incredibly disappointed and it has definitely put a damper on our trip.

4 hours ago, JohnK6404 said:

Thank you so much! Yes, Oasis class is our favorite by far… Allure (2019) was the best cruise for us to date until Oasis last OCT… I’m sure Wonder next JAN will top that too! Odyssey was amazing, but we liked Oasis better overall.

Funny story (at least now, lol)! We booked Harmony pre-Covid for APR 2021. Royal cancelled that sailing as the plan was to move up Harmony’s 5-year maintenance dry dock up to APR. So, Royal provided alternate sailings and moved us to Symphony in that same month, froze the cruise fare, and gave us OBC. We were so excited by the switch! Covid hits… Symphony cancelled. 

Last OCT while on Oasis, we booked Harmony yet again for JAN 2023 at NextCruise… Royal announced their redeployments not too long ago and moved us to Wonder. So excited for Wonder, but Harmony and Symphony have been very elusive! One day we’ll nail those ships down! I hear they have the best entertainment with Grease, Hairspray, Columbus and Flight! Can’t wait!

Columbus and Flight were two of the best shows we have ever seen! Loved the original productions…. Hope it works out for you soon!! 

There are a few news articles out about this right now... Here is a link to one of them... Most of them seem to believe the consensus among the lines will be finishing out 2022 with the requirement and lifting it early next year if the fall and winter prove to be mild.... Hopefully, you would be ok....

When Will Vaccines No Longer Be Required on Cruises? Dr. Scott Gottlieb Weighs In… | Cruzely.com

Royal and Celebrity have opted in. 

Per the CDC dashboard, 67 ships have now opted in... including Carnival and Disney...... Royal is not showing a decision yet....

Although not a single parent, I have cruised solo many times with my now 12 year daughter since was she was about 4 due to my husbands extensive travel schedule. The two of you alone are going to make wonderful memories together…. If she likes music, I suggest sitting in schooner listening to the piano player and having a cocktail while she enjoys a smoothie or Shirley temple…. It’s where my daughter gained her obsession with jazz music at a young age… I found that taking a portable DVD player with some Disney movies in tow helped to keep her attention at the MDR and we could watch together and still enjoy our meal. If she enjoys dressing up, maybe a stop at the salon before formal night for a cute updo would please her and make for great pictures of you two….Also, check the cruise compasses on this blog and see if there could be any theme nights on your ship… my daughter and I bring along some 70s outfits or clothes for white parties and it gets them excited…..  Any time you want to sit and relax somewhere on the ship, it may help for her to bring along a coloring book and some colored pencils to keep her occupied while you sit and …. enjoy every moment, it’s a great age…. Will keep thinking of tips.

The Mexican restaurant is Carlos and Pepe’s and while not cheap, we love it when we are out East. 

Haven’t yet been on Symphony but I do the same! For my last cruise, I chose and recommend The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware. I will get a copy of the Stowaway for next month. Thanks for the tip!

3 hours ago, GregD said:

728 days, and three cancelled cruises and we are finally getting back to sea! I feel like I have been waiting so long to start this blog I now feel like this lady......

We are headed back to sea sailing on Oasis of the Seas in a 2BRATS. This will be our first star class experience, so to say that we are excited is a massive understatement. Behind all that excitement is that looming fear that one of us tests positive just before we leave. Thankfully though with numbers in our area plummeting, that fear is getting less and less. Originally I would have started this blog a long time ago, and probably have gladly taken the "earliest blog crown" but like @Lovetocruise2002 said in her last blog, I'd hate to start this and then, poof never mind! All of us in our travel group are still wearing masks even though the mandate has been dropped. We want to do everything as possible to make sure that we don't test positive prior to this cruise. Being that my wife Heather and I work in health care, we REALLY need this vacation! 

Okay, enough doom and gloom, let's get into the fun stuff. 

Who's sailing:

Me, obviously...The wife, Heather, Daughter Lydia 12, Son Johnathan 8 and my sister Julie. 

Stateroom:

We have the deck 9 2BRATS. We booked this cruise the day the itineraries were released. With two kids in school this one coincided with their winter break, and we are basically stuck with this week. Had COVID not struck, this actually would have been our second time in this room. We had this same cruise, eastern itinerary, booked for 2021, and we all know what happened there. 

Itinerary:

This is a Western Caribbean and perfect day that leaves out of Miami.

Day 1: Miami

Day 2: Perfect Day at Coco Cay

Day 3: At Sea

Day 4: Cozumel

Day 5: Roatan

Day 6: Costa Maya

Day 7: At Sea

Day 8: Worst day ever

We are excited about this itinerary. This will be our first time back to Perfect Day with the beach club open, and the kids are old/tall enough to fully use the thrill water park. We had such a blast at Roatan the last cruise we are on, so we are excited to go there again....okay...okay...its really because of the sloths....but I digress. We have not been to Costa Maya yet, so this will be a new one for us. 

More to come. I'll try to break up these first bunch of posts to make this easy to read.

 

 

Day 8 worst day ever… love it! Congrats on back to cruising!

Oof.... These caveats should make all cruise lines think twice about opting into the program... especially the refund part..... a government agency making a private company offer full refunds... Ouch.

† If CDC is considering assigning a cruise ship “Red” status, CDC may require ships to do one or more of the following:

• Test all passengers mid-voyage, and/or prior to the end of the voyage, regardless of the passengers’ vaccination status;
• Increase routine screening testing of crew;
• Require mask use by all passengers and crew indoors and crowded outdoor areas;
• Send written notification to passengers on the current, previous, and subsequent voyages informing them of the COVID-19 conditions and measures being taken to reduce transmission on board;
• Offer a full refund for the cruise to any passenger who decides not to sail on the subsequent voyage; and
• Submit specimens for genetic sequencing.

2 hours ago, Vancity Cruiser said:

I find it interesting that the first cruise line to supposedly ‘opt in’ to the CDC’s ‘voluntary’ program is the first line to announce they are going totally mask free.......

Looking at the dates, it seems NCL announced no masks beginning in March on Feb 8th…. The new CDC program hit the news Feb 9th… is it possible it was just bad timing and now NCL will have to walk back the no mask rule because it was more important to them to opt into the CDC program?