Covepointcruiser

Now we need great tasting non alcohol low calorie drinks.   It’s very easy to get a full days of calories in 2 or 3 virgin cocktails.    The virgin mary is one exception.   Calories are so easy to come by on cruises that I would rather not drink them.

Antigen is fine.   We did ours at the airport two days before the ship left.   Received the results in 15 minutes.

We have seen mostly jackets on the current cruise on Ovation in TK.    It was cold when we boarded in Miami a lot of men were wearing them to board.   Mostly navy sport jackets.

No different than airlines.   If you need a larger seat or more leg room you will pay more $.   My husband and most n his family are very tall and cannot fit in normal airline rows.   Fortunately, he is healthy enough to sit in an exit row but that also frequently requires extra money.    

Currently on the Ovation.   The first formal night was our first day at sea.   We had dinner in the grill and everyone there was dressed at least in a sports jacket.   There were many suits and tuxes and of course the women always dress up on Formal night.    We have a second formal night on 2/8.   If you can’t take a sports coat, eat in an informal type restaurant such as the Colonnade or outside in Earth and Ocean.    We’ve not tried the Sushi restaurant so I don’t know if it’s a dress down spot. TK Grill seems to be dressy to the point of a Sports Coat every evening on this cruise.    Don’t worry about being too warm, the air conditioning is really working well (and cold) everywhere.

I am sure the crew testing positive are being quarantined ashore if not on a quarantine ship.   Neither COVID node the Flu can be called minor illnesses especially if you are frail.   It is also possible to have both at once and you can be tested for that.   We are on a Seabourn ship right now and we were tested at the pier and also had to bring a negative test and vaccination card with us.    I have noticed one cabin/suite that appears in quarantine and they allow you to remain in your suite.   Not sure about your cabin partner, maybe they stay with you or move to another suite, they are all nice.    We have to wear masks except when eating or drinking so it is a bother, but doable.

No photographers on Seabourn.   It was formal night and I was surprised at the number of tuxedos 

on a warm weather cruise.   Of course most of the ladies really dressed up, some in very formal gowns.    Too bad my husband did not pack his tux as we had plenty of room.  Definitely will pack our best formal wear for our Cunard voyage.   We don’t wear masks in the bar or while seated and dining.

Guess I should have actually looked inside the cloth bag in our stateroom, there are 2 KN95 masks.    There are quite a few passengers wearing the Seabourn cloth masks so I guess the masks are from prior cruises.

We are onboard right now.   As we all hoped Seabourn did test us for COVID before we could board.    This caused a bit of a delay but we were glad for the additional safety precaution.

We ate last night in TK and it was wonderful.   Bruno is still playing in the bar so we were able to enjoy his talented performances. The Dover Sole and Lamb were perfect as was the spinach and the potatoes.   Everyone is complying with the indoor mask mandate.   A few are using cloth masks but most passengers have the KN 95 or KN 94 masks.    A few have the blue paper masks.

Seabourn on,y left cloth masks in our suite so we are thankful we brought the better paper masks.

Tonight is French night and it is one of two formal evenings.    In TK Grill last night blue blazers were the uniform for men.   The ladies were dressed nicely and some even wore their sparkly ensembles.

We also would have waited S long as the previous poster if  relied on my husband’s hearing. The gentleman calling out the names was masked so it was not easy to understand.   I watched to see when the folks in front of us were called so I knew we would be next.   Being an antigen test it would take 10-15 minutes for the result.   People were talking as they waited so your hearing had to be good.   Too bad about the positive results but at least they double checked

 it with the PCR test.   We were only given cloth masks in our stateroom (suite).   Glad we brought lots of N95 and KN 94 masks.   The CDC announced recently that the cloth masks provided little protection from the Omicron variant.

Lucky for us we have not been sick since COVID began and we started wearing masks.   If you have the sniffles, at least use a home COVID test and make sure you didn’t pick up Omicron.   You will soon have “free” tests provided by the Government if in the U.S.

We are onboard right now until 2/13.     We were tested at the pier, antigen.   The unlucky few who had a bad result went on to the PCA test.   I know of one couple who did not board because of a positive test.   So far no cancelled but they may have been rearranged.   Can’t answer the other questions yet but we just boarded this afternoon.

We are sailing today (pier side COVID test depending) on the Ovation.   It will be different with masks required inside unless you are actively eating or drinking.   We brought a huge stack of N95 and KN 94.   I prefer the later while hubby prefers the former.   Seabourn is always wonderful, but it will be different with masks.   My husband is hard of hearing and the masks make it much more difficult so I will translate.   You are never short of places to eat and you can scan the menus the evening before to help with your decision.   Did Crystal have hosted tables?    If Seabourn has them on this cruise they are a great option to meet officers, entertainment staff, lecturers and other passengers over dinner.   You will get an invite a day or two in advance.   The casino is quite small so if you like a large casino you will miss it on Seabourn.

Always risky to fly in the day of the cruise, especially in the winter.   We sail tomorrow, 1/30, and luckily flew down on Friday morning.   Many airports in the Northeast have cancelled most flights this morning so bad luck to anyone trying to catch a sailing.

This island country is making so much money in the banking industry it has no need for day visitors.   If you are sheltering your money there and want to personally visit your financial institution you will find grand places to stay and upscale shopping.   Visited there on a small cruise ship once and remember a turtle farm and a post office in a place called “Hell”.   They did sell tortoise shell items but these are illegal to bring into the U.S.     It s certainly not a normal cruise port although the seven mile beach is nice if you are into sea and sunning.

Actually there is no charge to have Celebrity handle your luggage.   Passengers with bags large enough to require checking at the airport should not be trying to roll them off the ship.   Put your bags out after you return to your cabin the final evening.   Keep a carryon for electronics, toiletries and meds.    This is the way seasoned cruisers travel.

 Key West does not depend on cruise ship visitors.    They get plenty of tourists traveling by land and flight and those tourists spend more money.    When a ship is docked it really detracts from the whole Key West vibe.

The number of days you will enjoy will depend on how well you get along with your friend.   I have been on longer cruises with my spouse and it was fine.   Sharing a stateroom and a bathroom with a friend could get trying after a number of days.

Is this another bad experience or are you repeating a prior discussion?

One difference on Seabourn is that all passengers are treated the same.   The large room will give you more space, an additional powder room and a bar area in case you want to throw a party.   The suite faces the bow of the ship making the large balcony very windy when you are underway.   You will love the Seabourn experience.

I found the Celebrity smoothies lacking.   They were served closer to room temperature than the cold slushy kind we enjoy.   They were served at the Aqua spa cafe in the Solarium.   

Very excited that we are still going on our 1/30 cruise from Miami.   I understand they are still requiring negative COVID tests and are now testing you at the pier before boarding.   Seabourn is doing everything possible to give us a healthy cruise.   We were at 99% booked before Omicron so we are selfishly hoping for a lower passenger count.   Now we just hope we clear the COVID tests but we have been very careful and will wear N95 masks in the airport and on the plane.   Believe we will have the best cruise ever.

Even budget airline Southwest allows two bags per passenger.   I would hesitate in this time of COVID and FLU and who know what else to have my clothing washed in a cold wash!   Definitely would kill no bacteria or viruses..    In a Royal Suite and above and also for Zenith member they take more care of your items and actually deliver the, pressed and on hangers.    The regular passengers get wash and fold so you are guaranteed wrinkles.   We pack enough so we won’t have to send delicates to the ships laundry.   Their dry cleaning is excellent and reasonably priced.

Mine didn’t start working on my 1/30 cruise until 1/15.    Now I can see the menus and some 

Excursions.   Didn’t use it much on our last cruise but you need it to fill our the health questionnaire.

We plan on being tested at the airport on Friday before we fly to Miami.  The antigen test is less expensive and you get the results in a few minutes.   The PCR test is more accurate but if they are satisfied with the antigen that’s what we will get.