RCVoyager

I would say yes, or at least they used to be.  Of course, the next photo in the series is the one without the robes!http://successfulperformercast.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/BNL_Cruise_1387.jpg

Thanks to all for your thoughts.

Do I understand correctly that ships are still not at full capacity because of Covid concerns or are they back to full use?  I'm asking specifically about Royal and Celebrity.  Thanks.

It is to the North of the Port, so you will not go by it on your way to the open sea which is to the Southeast.  If you have a few hours, you can get pretty close by taking the Staten Island Ferry over and back (from Battery Park I think).  I'm sure there are safe and closer viewing points right there on the NJ shoreline that could be done in a hour or so from the port.  It's only a few miles.

I'm not a smoker.  In fact, I've never taken a puff... not once in my 56 years.  I hate the smell of smoke and that it gets in my clothes and hair (what little I have left).

However, smokers and drinkers, and to an extent casino goers are the easiest people to tax. Politicians across the country take advantage of these people by hiking taxes on their vice and rolling like pigs in a trough in the money they raise and then continuously restricting where and when they can use the products.  

I like the move by RCCL.  Banning smoke will cost them some customers, but will gain them others.  Whatever cruise line doesn't ban smoking will gain smoking customers, but lose non smokers to RCCL.  I'm not sure I agree with the last minute change.  I don't think that's an appropriate way to treat a customer.

Thanks for the help.  I was also able to get it to work.  I use that site often.

Is anyone else having trouble reaching cruisetimetables.com?  I'm getting a security error.  It's probably something with my system.  

3 hours ago, Jennifer Burke said:

Hey Matt. I am going on a Dec cruise. Mexico and Honduras. Is there ever rain or cold weather in December that you can remember? 

I'm not Matt, but I can give a little bit of an answer.  It has been my experience that the long sweeping cold fronts that cross the States in the Winter have pretty long tails that can reach way down into the Western Caribbean.  For instance, three of the roughly 12 times I've done a land vacation in Grand Cayman (not Mexico or Honduras, but close) in Winter, we had a week of cool, cloudy, rainy, windy weather.  Twice, I've seen the main oceanside street through downtown Georgetown closed due to high surf flooding.  Each time it was because of a long cold front in the States.  So will it be cold like in the 30s?  No, but the above description with steady temps in the upper 70s happens fairly often there in Winter.  Having said that, it would not alter my travel plans if I were planning to go there.  There is about an 80%+- chance you will have beautiful weather.

On 9/22/2021 at 12:10 PM, KLA said:

I would add on the argument that if learning a new skill in a unique setting and creating that memory of doing something for yourself would add to your vacation, I would say absolutely. Based on the review my husband and I are considering this. 

I agree if you and your husband are traveling alone.  Any other party, children, friends, ect. will grow tired of their vacation being spoiled by the constraints of your obligations toward your goal.  That's the biggest point I'm trying to make.  It will dominate your vacation.  I saw it happen with our good friend.

39 minutes ago, Christie said:

Hi there!  This is something I've been eyeing up for many years.  We are going on a cruise at the end of the month with 3 sea days, St Thomas, St Maarten, and Perfect Day at the end.  We have no plans for St Thomas and St Maarten and my husband wouldn't mind working from the ship while the 7 year old is in adventure ocean (she can't get off in the other ports without an excursion anyway).  

But we do have the ultimate dining package.  

Think I should still do it?   The early mornings don't bother me.  We often cruise with extended family and I never wanted to tie up too much time... but I was just sitting here wondering what the heck I'm going to do all day and this crossed my mind.  

I've stated this in earlier posts here.  I don't think you should do it.  It will dominate your vacation.  Do it at home either before or after so you can enjoy your vacation.

16 hours ago, barbeyg said:

I’m a planner. Heck, most cruises are booked right after they go on sale, just so I can reprice as time passes.  

We have multiple FCCs plopped on our AK cruise next May, enough so that it is just about paid off with FCCs, and most of them are from deposits only!  We have another cruise booked for next December, to belatedly celebrate our 35th anniversary.
 

Other than that, we cancelled our Dec 2021 cruise on Odyssey that we were really looking forward to, because of lots of reasons, not just the testing beforehand. A lot of it had to do with the uncertainty of the ports of call, and the ever-changing Covid rules by each island. 
 

We are now just going to observe for the rest of this year, and when we get about 2 weeks ahead of upcoming vacation dates, see what the current rules are for sailing and the islands.  If it looks good, we will check around for a cruise to hop on. If that happens, great, if not, we will do another land vacation. Figure it will be a great rehearsal for retirement, when we plan to somewhat ‘wing it’ for cruising anyway.

Anyone else decide to just book close-in for cruises right now? Anyone do this regularly, and have tips for newbies to this practice? 
 

 

My wife and I are planning a land based post Christmas trip.  San Francisco is one of the options.  Because of the possibility of CA being shut down again, we are not booking until we see where Delta goes.

This subject comes up from time to time.  Pretty much everyone here loves the islands and Buffett and Zach Brown are what we all listen to, and for good reason:  it's great music, and it's about a subject we love.

Well, here's a new entry for you to check out.  Gramps Morgan.  I'm not kidding, the guy's name is Gramps Morgan.

Listen to these two songs:   "If you're lookin' for me" and "Float ya boat".  Fantastic island loving music

       "Two piece bikini or one birthday suit, whatever floats ya boat"

I look forward to hearing what you all think, and no, I'm not his mom.

https://nypost.com/2021/07/13/royal-caribbean-cleared-of-negligence-in-toddler-chloe-wiegands-2019-death/?utm_source=url_sitebuttons&utm_medium=site buttons&utm_campaign=site buttons

I know they will appeal, but I continue to hope the family doesn't recover as much as a thin dime.

For me, if I am paying, I will be selective and will choose based on a number of factors.  But, I have said, if someone else is paying, I would not look a gifthorse in the mouth.

Has anyone flown to Grand Turk?  I can't find regular flight service to there.  It may require a major airline to Providenciales and the an island hopper.  Any help would be great.Thanks.

On 6/21/2021 at 4:17 PM, smokeybandit said:

You're in luck

 

https://www.cruisehive.com/royal-caribbean-in-discussions-to-begin-cruises-to-grand-turk/52279?fbclid=IwAR1ZDuFyJCoS9_1y31PJUUniaK8WI20B2WLzsWcsGwsiy6Fdcpb_18rnxdU 

Thanks for that update.  One of the great things about it, is there are not a ton of ships that go there.  I don't want it to become another St. Maarten.

23 hours ago, badhacker74 said:

Carnival really beats Royal on complimentary food options- we were able to have lunch at the Asian, Italian, BBQ, Mexican, and Guy's Burger for no charge which were all excellent and better than the equivalent Royal offerings.

I think you are spot on here.  We prefer to do complimentary food as much as possible.  That Lido lunch on RCCL gets tired pretty quick.  There are tons of options, as you mention, on the newer Carnival ships.

You don't want it in your stateroom.  You'd have to go into the hall to change your mind.

5 hours ago, Zacharius said:

I personally think Turks & Caicos Islands are one of those places that just needs a land-based vacation. I've been a few times to a few different islands, and the place is just...outstanding. Out of this world. I couldn't imagine rolling in on a cruise ship and only spending a few hours. Just my opinion (and I have not been to Grand Turk, just Providenciales and a couple of the Caicos islands). 

Funny thing about the Turks and Cacios Islands, is that people don't know about them.  I work with several people who have been on a few cruises to the islands and think they know everything there is to know about that part of the world who have never even heard of those islands.  Their loss.

1 hour ago, Zacharius said:

I personally think Turks & Caicos Islands are one of those places that just needs a land-based vacation. I've been a few times to a few different islands, and the place is just...outstanding. Out of this world. I couldn't imagine rolling in on a cruise ship and only spending a few hours. Just my opinion (and I have not been to Grand Turk, just Providenciales and a couple of the Caicos islands). 

Agree Zacharius.  Providenciales is our favorite of all the islands, and it is not close.  I'm not talking about staying at one of the mega resorts.  You can get that a lot of places.  Grace Bay is 15 miles long.  Find a small place away from the resorts.  It is amazing.  Gorgeous EMPTY beaches.

As far as Grand Turk, I haven't looked lately.  There is little lodging there, and little to no international flight service.  Best way to get there is to use Carnival's Dock.  Which of course means, in most cases, on a Carnival ship.

As long as the comparison is not with one of Carnival's old ships, many of which are now gone anyway, the two are very similar.  I like Carnival's food better.  I want to go the Grand Turk.   Carnival owns the dock.

I love so may things about RCCL.  The Lido lunch gets old by about the 4th day.

6 hours ago, twangster said:

There's always local LEOs.   

I'm also TWIC card holder.  That's my favorite ID to use when returning to a ship at a US port.  Works good at TSA as well, since it's their program  

Twangster, I always read and appreciate your thoughts on most subjects, and mostly agree.  But, what is TWIC?

2 hours ago, SpeedNoodles said:

I thought you were going all Bronx on us for a moment there. 

As for your friends, that's simply the way they're dealing with it that helps them cope.  Some people are serious germaphobes and it's a way of coping that allows them to feel as if they have better control of a situation that gives them great anxiety.  I am very close to one myself, and his routines have nothing to do with "this country".  Just continue to be kind.  

I appreciate and agree with your sentiment.  It is a compliment to my wife that the two times she's chosen to leave home in 12 months was to have dinner with her.

I think the "what country is this" portion of my comment was probably related to my own frustration with the situation.

My wife had dinner with a friend this week.  She and her family are so petrified that she has been off her property exactly twice in the last 12 months (both times to have dinner with my wife).  Both parents are working from home.  Their 7 year old is being home schooled.  All groceries are delivered.  The husband has left home a few times when it was absolutely necessary.  Upon return he removes is clothing in the garage, the clothing is put into a trash bag for two weeks before it comes into the house to be laundered, and he sprays down with disinfectant before coming into the house.  Of course all deliveries are handled appropriately too.

What country is this?

Sorry, wash YOUR hands and don't touch YOUR face.  I got to typing too fast.