RickinSTL

Exactly!!! And if nothing changes then it creates vaccine hesitancy!!!

whats the point of vaccines if nothing changes for receiving it....

Cruising is the only vacation you cant do wrong.. 
 

Truth! If you can't find a way to have incredible fun on a modern cruise ship, you're gonna have a problem finding fun anywhere! ?  

Cruising is the only vacation you cant do wrong.. 
 

Cruising is the only vacation you cant do wrong.. 
 

Cruising is the only vacation you cant do wrong.. 
 

I completely agree, and I was talking about this with @MelKaps last night.
The issue, as I see it, is cruise ships are incredibly under the gun not to have even ONE case onboard. Media is waiting with baited breath for a case so they can jump on the "ANOTHER COVID OUTBREAK AT SEA" train, followed up with the "WHAT WERE THEY THINKING" trash.
There will absolutely be a certain level of health theater onboard, because they have to do every little thing they can to mitigate the chance of a case onboard.
Dollywood just rolled back their restrictions, but no one cares when there's a case there because it's not gonna get clicks/views like "CRUISE SHIP PETRI DISH DISASTER" stuff.
It's the sad reality cruises are in right now.

I like your prediction. May it come true! ?

I actually expect the opposite (although i will comply if they are tight) .. i think two more months from now the masks are going to be largely history, especially in 100% vaccinated environments.
The rules on only Royal excursions might still be in place and i think things like no self-serve buffet, limited capacity, distancing might all still be in place but I dont think masks (especially outdoors on open decks) are going to be required.

I'll take "Things You Don't Hear Every Day" for $1000, current Jeopardy host.

Yes! I also believe a certain segment of our population is approaching going off the deep end. A fully vaccinated acquaintance recently posted that she and her husband finally ate at a restaurant “don’t worry! We ate outside!” 
 
These are the same people that have now been conditioned to avoid Level 4 countries and if you do visit a restaurant and eat inside or travel to a Level 4 country you’re labeled reckless and putting others in danger. It’s past ridiculous in my opinion. Life is full of choices but I fear our freedom of choice is being smothered to put it mildly. 

It is past time for action, both legislative and legal action should be initiated ASAP.
I'm not a Lawyer but I think it is high time the cruise industry files some lawsuits against the CDC challenging their actions.  Heck if attorney Michael Winkleman can file an absurd lawsuit say the fall was Royals fault, I'm sure he could come up with a strategy to sue the CDC

Reminds me of the “I’m just a Bill” video by Schoolhouse Rock. Anybody remember that? LOL
Oh I hope and pray that I will! But today I am still just a bill!

Keep my name out of your mouth. I posted 1 link and it didn't stir anything up

That letter reads like it was written by someone unaware that there are now several very effective and widely available vaccines for COVID-19.  We're in a totally different place today than when the CSO was issued.
If the lines sail with fully vaccinated crews and pax, plus the mitigation measures in place, the chance of a COVID outbreak is virtually nil.  

100% agree!!

Most of these jobs look like they will require sobriety to perform. I'm out!

My wonderful TA just forwarded me an email from RC.
RC changed our itinerary 
itinerary.
Day
Port of Call
Arrive
Depart
Sat
Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida
 
4:00 PM
Sun
Cruising
 
 
Mon
Cruising
 
 
Tue
Oranjestad, Aruba
9:00 AM
11:00 PM
Wed
Willemstad, Curacao
8:00 AM
10:00 PM
Thu
Kralendijk, Bonaire
7:00 AM
2:00 PM
Fri
Cruising
 
 
Sat
Cruising
 
 
Sun
Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida
7:00 AM
 

If you get the chance to go, do not hesitate.. The first thing you should do when you get there is the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit.. All i can say is OMG what an experience 

They could have picked a better backdrop ? 

So my son just turned 18 and asked if he could get vaccinated, jumped online and in about 5 minutes found over 200 appointments within 15 minutes of our home all within the next few days.
At this point anyone in Florida that wants to be vaccinated can be (Maybe other areas of the state aren't quite as strong so lets give it a couple of weeks extra to be safe). Add a couple more weeks for second shots and a couple more weeks for the "ripening period" post shots to full strength on the vaccination effect. 
So amending my statement, by the end of May every resident of Florida that wants to be vaccinated can be vaccinated and the vaccine fully in effect.
At that point asking people to wear masks, socially distance, shut their businesses and their lives down is no longer about me keeping "you" safe because their is no other way to counter the virus, its about me affecting my life to keep "you" safe because you refuse to take the step of getting vaccinated to keep yourself safe. At that point there is no reason to keep anything shut down. (You in this context does not mean ChessE4 since I have no idea if you have been vaccinated or not but refers to the "you" that demands protection by me doing things instead of "you" taking responsibility for doing what you need to do to protect yourself).
If you aren't comfortable getting the vaccine, great do so at your own risk.
If you aren't comfortable coming to Florida to get on a a cruise, great, don't.
 
In terms of following CDC COVID protocols, I think pretty much everyone knows they aren't exactly proven to be effective.
They already admitted they made up the 6 foot rule, before amending it to the 3 foot rule so that we can safely send kids back to school (footnote Florida schools have been in session since August).
They now admit the whole sterilize every surface you can find, every time you see it phenomenon wasn't accurate either ...
Anyone that thinks that haphazardly wearing a random assortment of cloth masks while wandering around outdoors has had a huge impact should immediately contact me about some fantastic waterfront property for sale down in the Everglades.
 
We are at the point where cruising in July should be a non-issue. By then truly we should be at the point where every one who wants want can have one, so make the decision now that by then life will be as normal as it ever will be again and let everyone start planning on it.
 
 

CDC has an office we can stand in front of? I thought they had taken refuge in one of the "nuclear winter survival bunkers" ??

Personally I would love to see DeSantis declare Florida ports open for business and wait to see who decides to overrule him and how ... the port authorities arent going to refuse ... anyone want to take odds on a coast guard cutter pulling over the Oasis ... and then doing what with it ??

Whenever I visit a new port I always do a general overview kind of excursion to just get a taste of what is there...then if something peaks my interest, I do that the next time I go there.  I think your Discover St. Thomas excursion is perfect !