tonyfsu21

Personally I would avoid a card tied directly to a bank account under almost every circumstance. The negatives outweigh the positives and most credit cards offer excellent fraud protection. 

12 minutes ago, Matt said:

Oh, I see. Just a one-night performance in the AquaTheater?

Yes, not really sure why other then the venue was open due to show cancellation. For NYE the aquatheatre was transformed to a location for the unvaccinated to watch the ball drop thus no Phoenix. 

1 hour ago, Matt said:

@tonyfsu21 That looks like Music Hall. Did they not perform in AquaTheater?

For NYE is was back to the music hall. Great show!

NYE Phoenix! 

6 minutes ago, Swar said:

What about drinking while playing games in the casino? Masks?

I played the machines all night w/ a beer in hand and a lowered mask. In between beers walking around casino I had my mask on. Not really sure about the tables but I’m assuming the same. At the end of the day, there are no police and this is not like a prison it’s vacation and the staff knows that.  

3 hours ago, Seafarer said:

Hoping they're still be onboard for our Feb 12 sailing. Someone onboard soon please ask and share back. Thx!

Unfortunately I talked to their manager last night and the contract has 2 more sailings taking them into early January. Maybe they re-up? 

Also- important to note that the majority of people are adherent to the rules. Some folks even prefer to go above & beyond and wear masks outdoors regardless of whether this provides additional protection or not. No judgement anywhere on the ship regarding protocol. It’s a positive experience and RC is doing what they need to do to stay safely afloat. 

3 hours ago, MickeyDog said:

If someone is cruising at the moment can answer a couple of questions  Do you need to wear your mask from the time you leave your room until you get back?  Do you have to wear it while sitting by the pool outdoors?  Do you have to wear while you are off the ship in port?  What about while dining, only while eating or the whole time you are sitting?  Thanks we leave next week.

Currently based on Oasis of the seas which I am sailing:

masks indoors on ship. You can remove while dining and drinking at restaurants and bars. You DO NOT need to wear a mask outdoors on pool deck and other areas. Outdoor in ports (no mask) inside vehicle on way to an excursion you must be masked. 
 

Thoughts: No big deal at all. 

Despite the media & CDC “doom & gloom” campaign all is perfection on Oasis of the seas. We made all of the port stops (currently in costa Maya) w/o issue. It’s been a voyage filled with sun and fun. The crew is upbeat, attentive and safe. I have yet to notice a single hiccup in service on this voyage. There are tons of events planned for NYE this evening (an entire pamphlet inside the cruise compass)! We look forward to another pool day tomorrow for our last day at sea before arrival back at Miami. If you are sailing Oasis 1/2/22 then you’re in for nothing but a great time on this ship with this crew!

32 minutes ago, Va4fam said:

Outdoor rock concert!!!!  What band is playing this week?

I will update tonight on name but it’s the Mandalay Bay Hotel Las Vegas house band. 

So the rock & roll band which plays nightly in the music hall has changed venues. They moved to the aqua theatre presumably amid new Covid protocols & the temporary closure of the water show. Here is a pic of the crew setting up. I’m actually excited about hearing them outdoors although the acoustics may be questionable. This sailing has been absolute perfection despite the additional protocols in place. We personally don’t miss the lack of theatre shows. So far we have made every port of call w/ only Costa Maya remaining tomorrow. I couldn’t tell you how many people are on this voyage or how many people (other then crew) are sick because I haven’t asked the question. Looking forward to 150 CP tonight & some rock & roll!

Here’s an early AM arrival from a couple days ago:

Uber or Lyft will be perfect. 

5 hours ago, Eli3 said:

Hi all,

I have a Western Caribbean cruise booked on Symphony of the Seas in March  but after reading a lot from you on this forum and hearing of all the cruise changes I'm worried I made a mistake.

Can anybody who has gone on this cruise recently (Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, Puerto Costa Maya) give me any feedback? Were you able to port? Really hoping to go on excursions, that's really the big reason for booking.

Also, was your entertainment/dining on board still functioning and worth it?

Any feedback would be appreciated as my husband is military and we don't have much flexibility in changing vacation time so we need to decide asap. Thank you all!!

Please DO NOT base a March sailing on the current situation. If it’s of any use, we are currently sailing this itinerary and in Cozumel today with no cancellations noted. Today was an amazing day spent on the beach with my family. 

38 minutes ago, recogneyes said:

Can  you share any other info on your current sailing on Oasis...what is capacity like, is entertainment running and anything else you think is worth sharing?  We are hoping to be on the next sailing.  Thanks!

I don’t want to expend too much time posting while I’m enjoying the ship. I will post something more extensive upon return. The quick & dirty is business as usual w/ the exception of masks indoors which is not a big deal. All venues open! 

Oasis: confirmed all games open in casino. 

Not true. I am currently sailing Oasis with my family. The casino is wide open w/o smoke pouring out which is a nice touch. I spent 3 hours in the casino last night so I can certify it is as open as it’s ever been. I followed that up with watching the ice show with my kids and also listening to the live house band in the music hall. Please don’t let the media rain on your parade. We feel safe with zero doom & gloom on this ship. Mexico bound!   

I’m really happy that this may be nothing but poppycock. We are at the terminal now ready to board and it’s going to be a great cruise! Happy New Year!

There is a rumor floating around that 125 total Covid positive cases on a voyage will result in the entire ship quarantined to staterooms? If true, is this 125 total inclusive of crew? Assuming all passengers quarantined would the ship return to home port regardless of what duration was remaining on the voyage? I have to admit, this would really be bad if true. Thanks in advance. 

Once again the media casts the dark cloud over the cruise industry & everything is completely blown out of proportion. I’m already getting the “Are you sure you should be cruising” and the “didn’t you see that the ships aren’t allowed to dock anywhere” usual crap from people who don’t cruise. Personally my family & I have been to every single one of these islands so many times that we cruise for the ship and not the destinations. I really don’t care if we get 6 sea days + perfect day because Oasis is enough for my family. The haters will do whatever they need to do to make the cruise industry a scapegoat for Covid, and that won’t ever change. 

This will be our 4th cruise after the re-start and I don’t have any reason at all to feel unsafe. RC has done a great job! The more people that cancel the better because there’s absolutely nothing like sailing at a lower capacity on an Oasis class ship! Can’t wait.

To add to the above, do you think Oasis will be at or close to capacity for 12/26 sailing? 

6 minutes ago, twangster said:

Ironically Star Class during the pandemic may be more valuable compared to pre-pandemic. 

100% on point. This is the time to do star class! 

Anyone getting on Oasis tomorrow 12/26 for the Holiday sailing what are your thoughts going into this? We all have are negative results on hand and we’re ready to get on the ship! So far, we received the 2 hr delay email and I’ve been reading about the new mask protocols (no big deal). Being in SoFL the talk of the town is Odyssey & Symphony so hopefully Oasis stays out of the news! 

Received the same notice for Oasis leaving Sunday.