cmcclelland

I'm on this one, too - 1st one going solo

much desired - especially corner afts - as to soot - years ago on Empress we had that issue ...

hope this all changes by Nov - we have a b2b in early Nov - 1st leg is 4 night - 2nd leg is 5 night - duh?? how will they handle? sign up to be tested onboard? or require us to debark completely for terminal testing?? yikes ...

I'm wondering if & when any invites for this one will be sent out ... just like all the rest of you who cruise from Canaveral ... will it be after this week's tests? also wondering ... after this week's test cruises go well - if THEY decide it's not needed on Mariner or other ships???

we still watch every day ... sigh ... ships at St Maarten & planes at Maho ... & some movement in Miami ... Juneau looks so desolate

& wishing YOU folks the best as it heads your way - we're starting to get effects now in Beaufort County, SC

I heard that the D Lounge will be taken away?

someday we will have to try Celebrity - likely when we no longer feel like driving 5 hrs to FL & resign ourselves to packing light & flying

indeed, as to Charleston, SC - we live 2 hours south - so would definitely sail from there - Grandeur does come in as a day stop; we cannot bring ourselves to try Carnavel - haha

sad, but true

Does anyone besides me wish that Royal would build some new mid-sized ships? Even with periodic upgrades these older ships will be fazed out ... it would be sad to only have the Oasis & Quantum classes in the fleet

thanks - we'll do the same - on Oasis on 4/22

yikes - not worth it for a bogo milkshake

we always carry on 1 or 2 bottles depending on cruise length & also have ordered the scotch pkg for the room for Bud - if he wants drink before the D Lounge hours ... we're not big drinkers so are satisfied with that for the day & the drinks before dinner ... & whatever they offer at C&A party & over on Coco Cay, etc.

indeed - & as to the Sovereign - we were on her final sailing with RCL - they did some nice farewell parties on that sailing; wonder if she is still afloat & will be sent back like Empress was - if Cuba takes off someday when life for the masses improves there - someday - but don't hold your breath ...

we have friends on a Holland America world cruise right now - they are keeping a journal & reporting on all these issues - some of the cruise is broken up in segments so not all onboard are doing the whole thing - entertainers will fly in for some ports & they have many themed events - & sometimes are 2-3 days at the same port - the ship is smaller but still over a thousand passengers; the crew is apparently the same - but - is it any different than our shorter cruises where the crew has signed up for a 4 month contract?

a lady of mature years in a thong suit at the Solarium pool on Freedom - like we heard many years back the first time the tour went by a clothing optional beach - "don't expect to see Bo Derek"

glad some is still free - plus tip - we always order coffee & juice & cereal & rolls & fruit - to enjoy on the balcony & not rush getting dressed - later we sometimes stop & grab something else if we're planning a late lunch ... God forbid we starve, huh? ...

It appears that Majesty is still in port - hope it's not a repeat of last week's safety issue?

I thought that passports ARE required - hmmm???

someone on one of the other groups I subscribe to sent a link to purchase the plastic covers (Amazon) - they are sized to each cruise line - inexpensive - set of 8 for under $10 - AND - reusable - I ordered them a couple days ago - will use for our Oct cruise on Freedom - sounds much better than the stapling & taping we've been doing - always concerned if tags got wet - from my ink jet printer ...

agree with WAAAYTOOO as to shorts especially on our earlier cruises Bud would bring his tux & duds & me semi-formal or dressy attire - but we'd need a 3rd bag for it all - & get a porter at the dock - so it WAS more of an effort ... on shorter cruises recently Bud just brought a sport jacket, etc & we'd skip the 3rd bag - & he looked fine one cruise we had early dining & were late & decided to skip the MDR - we were dressed up anyway for pics & then went to WJM - some folks in bathing suits snickered at us for being overdressed - we laughed it off - but I guess it bothered me a little that they were judgmental - in reverse - I'm all for comfort but think the MDR code is there for a reason - & it IS nice to see everyone looking good & enjoying dinner - fewer men are going formal

we're going on Oasis in January 2017 - 22 January sailing - 1st time on the larger ship

the few times we've done MTD we didn't reserve far enough in advance & we missed some parts of the nightly shows as we had to leave early to make our reservation - so - we have gone back to the 2nd seating for dinner & it also allows more time to meet folks in the D lounge

so do we - & also Maho Beach - plan to go there on our next visit to St Maarten :)