Floski

On our first cruise in 2015, we just took a taxi to Orient Beach. Other than the disappointment that The Greeter wasn't there, it was absolutely phenomenal. Of course, the weather in April was gorgeous and we had a blast. The taxi doesn't take too long. Our two subsequent visits, we took Bernard's tours and they were awesome! The rum punch is tasty, and they stop at some interesting and cool places. Maho Beach is a must, and hopefully a big'un will land while you're there.

God bless those poor people. Per the BBC (link here) - 227 dead so far. I'm sure it will rise. Oh, and hurricanes/TDs.

Well, I'm a medium

Well, unsurprisingly, it appears that lowly gold members are not getting invites for the test cruise. Man, I would have gone in a second. Bot - have a great time! Matt - enjoy your fourth cruise already!!

Missed it by that >< much. We were scheduled for Allure on Aug 1, and they cancelled until Aug 8. ? Now we're 129 days away until Harmony (the first of 3 straight on HotS). Once we board, it will have been 3 YEARS since our last cruise.

We leave on Sunday after Thanksgiving. I don't reckon we'd be able to enjoy any BF deals for that sailing, eh? Maybe Labor Day.

Congratulations, Chris!!

Ummm....y'all did smell what I was cookin', right? Am I right?? I got two "sad" reactions, so I'm not sure. Nothing at all against the bot - I love the bot and can't wait to meet him.

A lot of people who live here call Hyman's a huge "tourist trap", but I've always enjoyed it. So they hit up every pair of shoes that walk by; that's just good, smart, marketing. I've lived here since '71 (save for military time) and really, really miss the old downtown. There are so many new buildings, that Charleston looks more like Charlotte. Still a great place to visit, though.

I would never sign up for the "Friends of Twangster" club.

I saw that earlier - very happy for you!!!! I've loved your blogs from your previous two ships, now I can't wait for the AMPED version!!

I put on real clothes and dragged my butt out TWICE to get jabbed - for this??? The fates are playing with my emotions like a kitten with a ball of yarn.

SONOFA!!!!

Oh, don't tell me that. I have to hope that once they get back in, the cdc will sign off and we'll be underway!!!

Oh man.... With this Sicilian blood, I guarantee I'll be boo-hooing my fat butt off, probably as I walk the gangway. 1) Get a squirt of sanitizer (i can't stand the stuff, but I'm all in for cruising) B) Take in such a huge breath that people within 100' will feel the breeze headed toward me 3) Get a drink (still not sure what'll be first (kraken colada, painkiller, mai tai?) 4) Walk through Central Park, grab a second drink and maybe a sammich, and head up to the Solarium. 5) Give the Solarium bar tender a tip first, then get a drink and hit the hot tub. I hope to stay in until dinner.

Make it so, TwangsterBot

Hotel prices for Port Canaveral are stupid high. A room I used to get for about $140 for Saturday night pre-cruise is now $249 for 7/31, and a whopping $349 for 3/26/22.

2015 - my first ever cruise, on Freedom. It was gorgeous. So relaxing and serene. I was wading in the water, just amazed at how clear it was, and totally forgot my phone in my pocket. At least it died a heroic death in a glorious place. God willing, I'll be back (although in a theme park instead of beautiful, quiet greenery) in just over 2 months.

Thank you, Jeff for your service. I've met a lot of super impressive Marines in my job. Thank you for all of the great posts and clarifications.

My concerns exactly. Are we/aren't we?

Funny thing about living in a historic, trendy town like Charleston - as long as I've lived here, I've seldom gone to the places where people want to visit. I've never been to Jestine's ? I did go down to the market on Friday in a futile attempt to find a certain thing for my lovely wife for Mother's Day, and it was packed! Charleston is still under a mask mandate in public buildings, but I was thankful that a number of folks at the market were wearing them. It was much more crowded in the market than anyplace I know of on a cruise ship, except maybe when a show lets out.

I've read about a number of RC ships in port for vaccinations for the crewmembers, but haven't heard anything about Allure. Since we're due to board on Aug 1, I'd love to start hearing some positive news.

Laying out by the pool or in the Solarium in only my bathing suit (swimming costume!). When i try to lay out at the beach here, inevitably some well-doers will try to drag me back out to deep water. That's bad enough, but when they start trying to pour water down my blowhole, then I get upset! IT'S NOT A BLOWHOLE!!!

I went to the market downtown yesterday in hopes of finding a proper Mother's Day gift for my wife. Lemme tell ya - if there is a pandemic, you can't tell. It was packed, and very few masks. People were in much closer proximity than practically anywhere on a cruise ship. Frustrating that we can't sail.