Rose City Cruiser

We were blessed that my 81yo other with emphysema and in a nursing home had the virus and never had more than a fever. She is doing great now.
My wife and son both had it - were in bed for a couple days and then fine.
In 59 years I got one flu shot and got the flu. Will never get another......
I won't sail if I have to wear a mask.... with all the eating and drinking (non-alcohol) I'd need one with a motion detector that would remove it as a water bottle, glass, straw, fork or spoon approached.

Mongolian night, every night?  Sign me up!

Mongolian night, every night?  Sign me up!

Mongolian night, every night?  Sign me up!

I don't see the buffet being eliminated.  It really caters to families really well.  Families and new cruisers are Royal's cash cow.  I do think we will see more health and food handling measures being implemented at the buffet.  Honestly, some of those measures were a long time coming.  

Now that I agree with. I get sick at some of things I see inconsiderate people doing in there. Servers are just fine to me. Keeps unwashed pigs from touching everything. If it's servers at each station I'm good. 

I don't see the buffet being eliminated.  It really caters to families really well.  Families and new cruisers are Royal's cash cow.  I do think we will see more health and food handling measures being implemented at the buffet.  Honestly, some of those measures were a long time coming.  

Yeah that would stink to be honest. I have to say, and I don't want to but I could see Royal looking at this elimination of the buffet as a cost savings thing too. I mean the buffet has got to be a money eater as well. It costs a lot of money to keep up with and maintain a buffet, especially of the size on cruise ships. 

They could use the Windjammer and Star Lounge space as a satellite MDR.   Not ideal but would satisfy proper distancing protocols.  

It would be nice if they have an expanded room service breakfast menu at no additional cost if the buffet is shut down.

That opens up another conversation.  How much information about your vacation does an employer have the right to know?  There are many who refuses to wear a mask.  I am certain most will not disclose their actual travel plans to their employers.    

That opens up another conversation.  How much information about your vacation does an employer have the right to know?  There are many who refuses to wear a mask.  I am certain most will not disclose their actual travel plans to their employers.    

That opens up another conversation.  How much information about your vacation does an employer have the right to know?  There are many who refuses to wear a mask.  I am certain most will not disclose their actual travel plans to their employers.    

There will never be 100% compliance.  It's like seat belts.  To this day people still get ticketed for not wearing one even though there is proven data it may save your life in a MVA.  People are still driving under the influence.  There are a lot of things that are out of our control.  Only thing we can focus on it how we feel will keep ourselves and families safe. 
With that being said, it's been a while since my Leafs are still in the season in the month of May.  

Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, I present a piece of credible evidence that my 1 August Symphony cruise MAY be sailing :
Today, the cost of the day pass at Coco Cay nearly doubled !!  Yesterday, it was $79 and today it is $149.
Of course, there are other reasons for this price jump - it could be selling out...but I choose to see it as being evidence that we are going !!
This cruise goes to both Labadee and Coco Cay, which would make it, seemingly, a top candidate for a "go" if ANY of the ships are going.
Fingers crossed....

You need an AWESOME TA to negotiate the Lift & Shift Royal wedgie!! I have one!!
A HUGE HUMONGOUS "HAT'S OFF" TO SHARLA at MEI! She Lifted and Shifted our Dec 28, 2020, Galveston Adventure 7 Nt Western Caribbean to Dec 26, 2021, Miami Oasis 7 Nt Western Caribbean with Coco Cay in a Crown Loft from a Grand Suite on Adventure. With Allure being doubtful in Dec 2021 and no seven nighters in Dec 2021 in Galveston, this was a good substitute (better than the original cruise, I think). This task was dicey since we used partial FCC from our canceled March (last month) sailing on the Adventure sailing. So pleased!  

I wonder if they will ban smoking at least temporarily in the casino post-COVID-19.  I would think touching the chips/cards/slot machine and constantly having your hand close the mouth would put you more at risk.  What do you guys think?  Will they expand the smoking area on the pool deck/wrap-around deck to give proper spacing?  

Here is a speculative musing:
What if Royal Caribbean is not only delivering current crew to various places throughout the world, but they are also picking up NEW crew who have already been quarantined and tested ?
With airlines still not flying reliably, maybe they are picking up new crew when they go to the Philippines and Malaysia and Indonesia, etc.  Of course, if they have not already been isolating these new crew and tested them, then it wouldn't be a reasonable plan but maybe they had planned ahead and have new crew ready to board ?  Just thinking of possibilities....

YIPPEE !!!!!  We are only 1 August Symphony.  HOPE it goes.

I think aft facing cabins are overrated on Freedom class. These types of rooms are great for Radiance, Vision ships, but skip it and get a room closer to elevator for Freedom class.

Well our FCC was just issued! Very excited, just received an email from John Ames from MEI. Now going to apply to Oasis cruise Sept. 6th and get this, have 1003 left over for 2021. Looking at Freedom of the seas 9 nights to Canada/NE. How are AFT balconies on Freedom? I mean AFT like the very AFT looking back at the wake made by the propellers. The balconies look a bit bigger but then there is that super structure on that class on the back of the ship. Well I'm excited now our 2020 is going to be paid off and I'll see it on our upcoming cruises section and still have 1000 bucks left over.  Thanks for any advice on Freedom cabins.

Having spent a lot of time on these forums my experience is very different from yours.  Over countless threads there is good input and information from most regions around the world.  I can recall no thread where a poster from a non U.S. region has been frowned upon in any way and certainly not deemed or labeled inferior.  

Bring Jim back!

LOL, I only know this because I’m a (Canadian) Tigers fan and have made quite a few visits to attend games in the past: https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g42139-d146680-Reviews-Mexicantown-Detroit_Michigan.html
(Judging from their user name, @Rose City Cruiser is from Windsor whose train and bus stations I know pretty well.)
Back on topic though, I don’t see the border opening anytime soon and I’m fine with that. As much as I love cruising, I don’t want to risk my health and my family’s health for non-essential travel. I’m a big baseball fan, and I’m also okay with the season being cancelled until next season. 
I’m totally in the minority on this of course, but my family is taking a serious stance against Covid-19. I’m worried about my sister who is a nurse. 

I think cruise travel will remain as a Level 3 advisory for Canadians even if the cruise ships start sailing in the summer and fall.  It is just a lot of effort and resources to repatriate back to Canada once there's another outbreak onboard.
I live in a border city.  Our people and economies are connected.  A trip across the border just for some Mexican food is the norm.  Our local economy will start whenever Detroit is ready to start.  We are really in this together.