Moby Dick

15 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Though they vary by ship class on how many of each and the location of each

Exactly, every ship I've been on, both Brand X and Royal, has both.  It's just a matter of how many of each.  

NO TRAVEL IRONS ALLOWED.  

Now, this is the way to handle an issue.  

22 minutes ago, CruisingNewb said:

After 9/11, TSA and the governments initiated many, many protocols for safer travel.  Two (2) decades later, many of those protocols are still in place.  This is one example of how the system and society learned to evolve and learn from a horrendous disaster.

The Princess ship that was in Tokyo in February of 2020 set the tone for several scientific, medical, and logistical studies.  Seven people died and at least 30 people had severe outcomes from the coronavirus.  

Eliminating all current protocols, even with two and a half years of hindsight and experience, even with vaccines and masks, is somewhat unlikely.  Eliminating most protocols is also unwise in my opinion.

Again, its no longer the dying part of Covid I am personally concerned with.  Its the continuing quarantine procedures in place.  My family household income is very good.  Yet, we cannot afford to go on a 2 week vacation only to come home and quarantine another week and a half.  Otherwise, we are looking at burning all of our vacation time for one cruise.  

Economically speaking, if the monetary bottom line and continued profit is the priority, so too should be the cruisers' health.  We are planning our next cruise right now.  Had we had to quarantine and lose out on almost 2 weeks of salaries and additional vacation time, we would not be booking another cruise this year.  So if repeat customers are a basis for things, health and safety should go hand in hand with profit.  

Those persons who have abundant resources and time are outliers.  I respect those opinions, but we cannot easily cruise multiple times a year if it means having to take time off after each vacation.

I don't know what protocols I would suggest eliminating, and I am in favor of change, but not to the extent that we forget the great losses from the last 2.5 years.

If protocols work(ed) so well, why don't the work so well?

1 hour ago, JasonOasis said:

Actually it is the Islands that are requiring this.  While you can visit the Bahamas unvaccinated if you are flying you still must present a negative covid test taken within 72 hours of your arrival. Many of these islands are no longer requiring airlines to check and verify documentation but your documentation (vax card or test results) will be checked upon arrival in the Bahamas and the Bahamas according to their website can refuse entry to unvaccinated individuals if they believe there are issues with the documentation or if they think you have covid. Other islands in the Caribbean have similar policies in place.  

Jamaica also updated their policy on July 5, 2022, they no longer require unvaccinated individuals to present any covid test to enter Jamaica however it isn't a free for all or business as usual.  Jamaica has warned unvaccinated individuals who choose to travel to their country if you should test positive you will be required (not optional) to quarantine for 10 days at a government quarantine facility.  You may be released from quarantine to travel home but only if the medical officer at the facility signs off on your release and the destination country allows covid positive individuals to travel.

St Maarten another popular destination also allows unvaccinated individuals to fly into their country.  In addition to presenting a negative covid test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival, all unvaccinated guest flying into St. Maarten must purchase (prior to arrival) covid-19 insurance it is mandatory and will be checked upon arrival in St Maarten.  In addition to having covid-19 insurance and a negative test, unvaccinated travelers will be tested (at their own expense) at the airport upon arrival and must quarantine in their hotel room until the results of that test come back.

I could go on and on about the restrictions still in place in the Caribbean for those who are unvaccinated.  The responsibility to check this documentation should have never rested on the shoulders of the airlines but just because airlines have been removed from the equation does not mean they've flung the doors open to those who are unvaccinated.

Having said that I do think the pre-cruise testing requirement will go away by the fall at the latest.  If you're expecting cruise lines to drop the vaccine requirement I've always stated I think that requirement will remain in place through the end of this year. 

I read an article, don't remember if it was in the actual CDC website or written by a CDC official.  But, as far as MOST Caribbean Countries are concerned, that countries don't have a CDC type department that is capable of it's own research and public safety decisions.  So, the mirror what the U.S. CDC does/says/declares.  So, I wouldn't think it is going to be long before the majority of the smaller Caribbean countries start changing their protocols to mirror ours. Especially if enough of the Cruise Lines threaten them with going elsewhere if they don't change.  Many Caribbean Countries, their economy is totally dependent on tourism of which cruses are a major part of.   So, stay tuned and watch as the dominos start to fall.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/07/18/cdc-ends-covid-19-program-cruise-ships

BTW, I know this is brand new.  But, I just looked into Royal's FAQ and nothing has changed.  You'd think that they would be ready to go with this kind of change and just tap a computer button and there it is, their new policy/protocol that was probably written up days, weeks, months ago.  

The cruise lines will have to come up with their own protocols.  We'll see!

1 hour ago, CHRIS WONG said:

I don't know who John Heald is...

Got to Facebook, which I don't visit anymore, and type in John Heald.  He is, or at least was the Brand Ambassador or Brand X Cruise Lines.  I think he does a great job for Brand X but, Brand X shoot themselves in the foot, way to often.  But, that's a whole different thing.

2 hours ago, leesam82 said:

My First experience on a Oasis Class was the Allure OTS in August 2019. That happened to also be our first RCCL cruise. I knew before going on the ship that I wanted to go an Oasis class ship due to its sheer size. Everyone in the family had a great time and I think that when many of our family members caught the cruising bug. We also lucked out and due to the hurricane our cruise was rerouted (western Caribbean instead of the eastern Caribbean as originally planned) and extended (7 night turned into a 10 night). Since then I have only cruised with RCCL. The family did try the quantum class (Anthem OTS) and had a good time as well. I think for me I still prefer the larger Oasis class. I will also say that for me since majority of the time is spent on the ship than at ports, I am very particular in what I like and didn't care for on the ships. I am looking forward to the ICON whenever it comes out. I want to see how RCCL changes with this new class. 

Yep, we've been on 2 Quantum class ships, that's about as small as I want to go.  Oasis Class is always my goal/desire.  

Our next booked cruise is on the Harmony in Jan 2024.  Oh Oh, my wife is looking for something sooner.  I feel extreme happiness coming on.  

When I was in Barefoot Beach people were climbing over the rock/concrete wall to get in.  The good news, the employees were very responsive and escorted those individuals out of the exclusive beach.  Man the people that got caught weren't happy at all.  A few of the authorized guests within Barefoot Beach were applauding the employees actions, me included.

2 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Unfortunately, DuckDuckGo is no longer the "secure alternative" that it once was (or was supposed to be, at least).  Amazon bought it so it's just another main stream browser now.

Really!  I haven't heard of that.  Thanks for the most valuable info.  Any suggestions for an alternative?

Okay okay okay, I found it.  As stated earlier, I use duckduckgo as my browser through Chrome.  Well, I just went into chrome without using duckduckgo, I put in the address bar "chrome.com", typed in royalcaribbean.com then drop down and "desktop site", and what do you know, the real desktop mode with logout capabilities.

THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR EFFORTS!

10 minutes ago, RWDW1204 said:

@Moby Dick.Just looked at my desktop mode. Did you try clicking on your name? This is what I got in a drop down box. 

 

This is not a wise guy comment and I do appreciate your attempt.  I just want it known that in Desk Top mode or Mobile mode, there is nothing there.  My name, nothing shows up on the top right where you would expect it to be.  In fact, there is less there in Desk Top mode than Mobile mode, there isn't even shown the "MESSAGE BOARD" banner at the top.  I am perplexed.

20 minutes ago, teddy said:

Promenade View cabin ftw for people watching.  We had a ball looking down to n the Promenade. 

Ya, on one cruise I was walking through the Promenade and saw a guy that I almost dropped to the floor laughing so hard at.  It turned out the crew was moving huge mirrors around.  Can you imagine how sorry I felt for that guy?  

14 hours ago, twangster said:

Be careful what you wish for:

https://www.pcmag.com/news/starlinks-massive-growth-results-in-congestion-slow-speeds-for-some-users

I do think Starlink will improve in the years ahead.  Right now they are a victim of their success.  This July should or could see a few hundred more satellites going up but no one knows when they'll go into service or when relief will come.  Meanwhile they sign on more subscribers.  Maybe in 2023 or 2024 it will be a viable option.  

Just looked at their availability map and it doesn't make sense to me.  I guess it does if the intent is for the rural areas to get it first.  But, there are a lot of major metropolitan areas that don't have service, yet.  I would think that at start-up they would concentrate where the masses and money is to help pay for the expansion.  But, my name isn't Musk.  

42 minutes ago, CrznTxn said:

Definitely saw that this past week on our Caribbean cruise. I spent hours behind dark shades admiring all the "unique" things that folks wore and they probably thought the same about me. I will say that on Halloween day last year I did wear a large T-Rex head to board and all day to the delight of passengers and staff alike. Later that evening many other guests joined in and there was a great party that the ship threw.

LOL, I've said in another thread that I enjoy people watching on a ship (anywhere actually but especially on a ship). I also said that it isn't so amusing when you look at someone looking back at you and they look like they are amused.  That's when you start checking your nose, mouth, crotch, what ever.

On 7/15/2022 at 6:00 AM, Jersey Judie said:

On a side note!...I love Bavaria! I've been there multiple times. Garmisch being my favorite. 

Yep, we lived in Vilseck, which is near Grafenwoehr for 3 years.  Garmish along with Berchtesgaden and Chiemsee are some of my favorite places to visit.  We live another 3 years in another part of Germany, but it wasn't in Bavaria.  I love the Bavarian Ratsherrnschnitzel and Spaetzle. Not to mention the bier, the hefeweizen.  

8 hours ago, DeOndra said:

We would love to know if RC celebrates Halloween all month in October with costume contest, or is it only on Oct. 31st?

We are cruising on SOS in October and wanted to dress up but will be on the Oct. 22nd sailing.

Not to worry, if you do a lot of people watching, it'll be like Halloween all year long!  

10 minutes ago, jbrinkm said:

Welp, I don't think I can help you then. Sorry! I'm using Chrome if that makes a difference - maybe it is the browser? 

Hey, I do appreciate the effort.  I'm using Chrome, too.  

EDITED IN:  I'm using Chrome but I use DuckDuckGo as my browser.

9 minutes ago, Moby Dick said:

Could it be because I have a VPN on my phone?  I'll turn it off and try.

 

Nope, No change

Could it be because I have a VPN on my phone?  I'll turn it off and try.

Sorry, as you can see, I'm in Desktop Mode as the option now is Mobile Site/mode

1 hour ago, KevinK said:

I am the type of person don't like to return food or waste food.  If it's elidable I will finish it, unless if is really awful or taste bad, then I won't finish it.  No I didn't try any of the concerts in central park, since I had a central park room.  there's were time I listen the music.  I also try the rising tide bar it was a fun experience.  Wanted to try the  bionic bar also, but the timing is never on our side.  Hopefully I will get to try that next time.

I'm with you on one thing.  I never return food to the kitchen.  You never know what you get back if you piss off the cook (or anybody in the food chain)!

9 minutes ago, Moby Dick said:

I'll try

It's the same, no log off option.

8 minutes ago, jbrinkm said:

Can you get into the boards first, then put it in Desktop Mode? Also, are you on an Android phone?

I'll try