KLA

The thing that I think I see as a key difference (and why I don't think sailings will cancel - although I do think they'll reduce capacity where they can) is that if you are vaccinated (as everyone on board these sailings are) is that Omicron will not put you in the hospital if you are vaccinated. While it is more contagious, it is also reportedly more mild. The main purpose of the vaccines is to keep you out of the hospital and keep those who are vaccinated from overwhelming the hospital system (or, the on board medical center). 
The concern remains that the virus will continue to mutate and we'll see a variant that is both more contagious and deadly, but for the reasons I stated above I don't think that we will shut down. We are much better equipped to understand this now than we were in March of 2020. The only thing we can do is control our own actions (and, continue to work to help keep others safe where we can). 

The thing that I think I see as a key difference (and why I don't think sailings will cancel - although I do think they'll reduce capacity where they can) is that if you are vaccinated (as everyone on board these sailings are) is that Omicron will not put you in the hospital if you are vaccinated. While it is more contagious, it is also reportedly more mild. The main purpose of the vaccines is to keep you out of the hospital and keep those who are vaccinated from overwhelming the hospital system (or, the on board medical center). 
The concern remains that the virus will continue to mutate and we'll see a variant that is both more contagious and deadly, but for the reasons I stated above I don't think that we will shut down. We are much better equipped to understand this now than we were in March of 2020. The only thing we can do is control our own actions (and, continue to work to help keep others safe where we can). 

My 2 cents, as a highly trained internet googling expert,  The government is going to shift or attempt to shift the focus from # of case to # of hospitalizations.  If hospitalizations and death go up to taxing the health care system then cruises are getting another stop sail order.  The good news is that whiles cases are and will continue to rise hospitalizations are not climbing in sync with them as they were last year due to the vaccines. 
 

Very true. The ventilation on the newer ships do an admirable job of trying to contain the smoke smell, but it doesn't eliminate it - you'll still smell of smoke if you're in there for a while.
The thing about this smoking ban is that we've seen this play out before in restaurants, on planes and even in casinos (in Ontario at least). There will be noise about it for a month or two, and once people get used to the new normal, it dies down. Smokers complain, but they are, by and large, an adaptable bunch, and they'll adjust accordingly.

Just noticed that Online Check-In is now up!  (We are 33 days out).  

Smitha suggested we take the tram but we thought the walk would be good after all the food that we have eaten the last few days. Anyway, turns out after all around the island, the walk is not bad at all. Our main mission was checking out Oasis Lagoon to see it in person. What do you think? Did I get it right? 😉
Oasis Lagoon





The @Lovetocruise2002Lagoon 🙂




 

Ugh... I really need to book a star class cruise - the lofted rooms are my dream cruise rooms. 
The key here will be getting my husband on the same page... we only just started booking Junior Suites 😅
It looks like you are having an incredibly relaxing time. So glad it worked out and you were able to get back to sea! 

Based on my small, unscientific sampling of 36 years in supermarkets….the last 23 in the same large regional chain, I can tell you all the retail workers I know are exhausted and fed up with people. 

Customers range from passive aggressive to just plain aggressive to blissfully unaware of their actions.
I can’t even imagine how current events and protocols are affecting crew members onboard ships.  From my observations, the customers onboard a cruise ship are 100% more demanding than the ones we deal with in a supermarket.  The entitlement attitude I see in some guests is through the roof  
I know how we feel with all the maskless people shopping around us while we are masked up.  I suspect it’s even more relentless for crew members….I can leave the area at the end of my shift and take my mask off.  They really don’t have that kind of option unless they’re in their own personal space.
Here’s an anecdote from our last cruise:
I pull my mask up when I interact with a crew member when we are in a “maskless” area.  In this instance, I was getting towels on the pool deck.  Another guest commented to me that we didn’t need masks out there.  I told him that I was doing it out of respect to the crew member who I was standing right in front of.  He thought I was being ridiculous.  When I was handed my towels, I got a very heartfelt “thank you” from the crew member.   

 
Here’s a thought to take with you today:  It costs nothing to be kind to another person even if you don’t agree with them  
 
 

I agree that the protocols work. Along with the fact that the vast majority of vaccinated guests who get the virus seem primarily asymptomatic and discovered during contact tracing. The medical facilities are not stressed and the following cruises still sail. The major distinction (on land and onboard) is between the number of positives vs the number of people requiring medical intervention. In my opinion, that distinction seems to be purposely obscured so as to increase the perception of danger in the effort to get more people vaccinated. I still think cruising is safe and will continue to sail...with whatever healthy sail protocols are in place now or in the future. It's my choice.

Day 3 - Coco Cay
Today is our first time back since Coco Cay turned into Perfect Day. We were last here when they were in the middle of renovations so it will be nice to see it completed now, especially seeing that the Oasis Lagoon pool was my inspiration for our backyard design last year.
 
We have nothing booked for today. Since we don’t have our girls with us on this one, we did not really see the value in booking anything. We really only have one goal today and that is to try out the famous Crispy Chicken sandwich that @Matt goes on and on about lol.
Smitha has informed us about what @Jaxhas already mentioned in her blog yesterday. Star has no priority on the trams here but Smitha has still offered to meet us and walk off with us as far as the trams. Will be meeting her shortly. 

So interesting update; our original itinerary as I mentioned was Nassau, Falmouth, Labadee, and PDCC. I have not received any notification from Royal about any changes at all. When I login to my Cruise Planner, I still see those ports listed, and the excursions for sale are based on those. However, because my final payment is due 12/24 I went in yesterday to look and make sure our prepaid gratuities were included, and the itinerary is shown on that page as well. Here's where it gets interesting. On that screen, and that screen only, it now shows our itinerary as two sea days, Basseterre St Kitts, Charlotte Amalie St Thomas, Sea Day, and then PDCC. It's the only place it shows it, and again nothing has been confirmed by Royal, but at least now I THINK I know what we're getting as the change and honestly I like that switch! Both St Kitts and St Thomas are new ports to us, and the additional sea day I know we'll enjoy. So FWIW, if you check your payment page, you may be able to see a change! 

This is actually the second story of a cancelled cruise in this same fashion that I've seen posted here in the past week - definitely think this could be a genuine IT issue. 

My motto…YOLO Book It now, ask for forgiveness later 😉
If it were up to Hubby, we would still be sailing in inside cabins. He claims he would still be totally content. Lol

Ugh... I really need to book a star class cruise - the lofted rooms are my dream cruise rooms. 
The key here will be getting my husband on the same page... we only just started booking Junior Suites 😅
It looks like you are having an incredibly relaxing time. So glad it worked out and you were able to get back to sea! 

So, it happened!!!  🤩😍   CLS #1726   What do you all think of that location??  I saved about $7000 off the going rate so pretty happy...  
 

Next up in the adventures of @Lovetocruise2002 and Hubby…

In room movies free with star class 😉

Friendly or predator behaviour? 🤔

Is it bad that I never feel awful about eating at Johnny Rockets ?

1000% - it's SO true!! 

1000% - it's SO true!! 

Everything right now is just speculation. I would be surprised if there was another full cancellation to the scale like we saw a couple years ago, since now we are better equipped with an understanding of how the virus works to protect ourselves and for Royal Caribbean to make recommendations to provide a safe vacation. 
It is what it is for the moment - nothing we can do but wait to see what happens next. 

I have been all along and will continue to by booking more Royal cruises.
Penalizing Royal isn't going to make the virus go away.  

I often find advice offered by the phone reps to be varied and contradict the website a bit. For example, I was told that my Covid test needed to be within 48 hours of sail away time, when the policy is clearly posted that it's anytime 2 days before you board. 
Another case where 1) It helps to review the policies on Royal's website directly (and often, the closer you get to sail away to be familiar with the changing landscape of protocols) and 2) work directly with a trusted travel agent. 

I agree.  I think it's unlikely.  Just saying what is possible.