Covepointcruiser

Mexico has been in the “Do not Travel” list since at least January and many U.S. traveler have ignored the classification.   It won’t be any different for Greece and at least they offer decent medical care.

Bring your own speaker.   If you are used to a quality speaker you won’t be happy using any supplied by Celebrity.   The speaker on the TV is always bad.   Bose makes some nice portable speakers, always take mine but I also use my Bose headphones so I don’t disturb neighbors on the ship.

Getting a COVID test is not rocket science!   Get on the internet and you will find many options for COVID tests.   We live in a very rural area but CVS, Walgreens and Urgent Care Centers offer the tests.

On the Greek Cruises men did wear jackets at dinner, especially the formal dinners.   We were on the 7/10 and 7/17 cruises.   We are talking about what was worn in the Restaurant and in the TK Grill.    It was very warm and we did not eat outside but the dress code is more relaxed there.

I thought they only had Gelato in Seabourn Square, did this change last week?   The Gelato was always creamy but some of the flavors were unusual, one I remember was carrot.

As for improvements, I would say the beef served was the best ever on a ship.

I much prefer the 100%  vaccinated and 100% tested policies of other cruise lines.   It still does not guarantee someone won’t ring COVID on from a port but it’s much better than 95%.

We had a lab PCR test done at San Francisco airport where we had results in 20 minutes.   They had the special lab machines there and we waited, outside the airport in a seated area, until our results came through.   The results were digitally uploaded to United and to Hawaii.   Most major airports have these facilities.   Our tests were expensive $200 each but that was back in Feb.

For those flying in to the port early, most airports have testing facilities so you can get one at your home or arrival airport.   In Miami and Fort Lauderdale there are many locations to get the test including CVSand Walgreens drugstores.   Make an appointment before you leave.

Seven are now positive on the Edge.  For the poster worried about her children having 4 tests, testing is better than having them exposed to a potentially deadly virus.   If you are taking children on this type of vacation during a pandemic testing should be the least of your concerns.   The test is just a swab in the nose and is not anything to get your children upset.  However, if it was me, I would not be taking my children on a cruise with the Delta variant as it is highly contagious.

Jim, since COVID United has not been playing so nice with their overseas flights.   Our flight from Athen was changed leaving three hours later.  Meanwhile, they added a non stop flight to our destination.   Were we allowed to change at no cost, NO, but we could have changed for an additional $1600 each, one way.   If they cancel your flight expect to be changed to a worse, not better flight.

It took us 60 + minutes to get to the airport on 8/24 (Saturday).   Your flight might be okay if everything goes right.   What’s a little stress at the end of a cruise, do you understand or speak Greek as that would help.  We made a 2 PM flight with no problem ( business class).

Will Australia and New Zealand be open for tourists next year?   I spoke to someone with a home in Melbourne and she is pretty certain, as an American, she won’t get back there until 2023.

Too bad but with unvaccinated passengers on board we are likely to see more of this.   On our cruise, Seabourn, we were all vaccinated plus we each had to take a test before boarding the ship and towards the end of each week.   They are as careful as they an be but you could still have a passenger with a compromised immune system bring a COVID infection onboard.   The vaccine works well for most people but not as well for the immune compromised.  Unfortunately, quite a few cruisers are immune compromised and won’t have enough protection from the virus.

Seabourn does have a salad station by the pool, at least on the Ovation last week.   Have you sailed on Seabourn before?   They have the Patio and  “Earth and Ocean”.   I know the Patio is open for Lunch, not sure about the other.   You will not have a problem getting salads on Seabourn, sorry I don’t have pictures.

Never had my request for a main course type salad refused on Seabourn.   Usually ask for shrimp or chicken to be added for protein.   It’s never been a problem.

Appears another thread started and ended quickly about WEB issues.   I also believe the health questionnaire are very often tweaked with adjusted questions.

We were asked to wear masks inside stores and in outdoor crowded areas.   We also had a temperature check in Mykonos.

By the way today 7/23, we are having a Marina day.   The Captain repositioned the ship so we could use the platform.   Kayaks, sailboats, and jet skis are available with a sign up.   So this means Seabourn does actually use the Marina on the Ovation on the Greek sailings.

I have not found a way during the last two weeks on the Ovation.  You may have success calling the engineering staff once onboard.   We always bring another universal remote onboard but have had no success in accessing any menus.

Love the Lawn Grill on both Silly and Rreflection.   Way too much food, especially the meat servings.   When we were in a RS so we ate there and at the Porch frequently.   At the Lawn Grill we would often have salad and the wonderful pizza for a light dinner.    On a transatlantic it was often cold and windy so we would have blankets and heaters.   You would need to eat quickly so your food (pizza) did not cool down.   It is not an “elegant” venue as you “used to” get your salad at a self serve bar.   You can also get lessons and cook your own steak.    Once we even made our own pizza, DH dropped his on the floor.

It is preferable to wait at the airport with air conditioning.   The tent by the ship is not but hopefully by September it won’t be as uncomfortable as July.

Does anyone know what will happen in 100 days?   I would wait to get worried but be prepared to make your final payment.   Our cruise on the Seabourn Ovation is going smoothly in Greece and Cyprus.   Many folks from the UK, boarded before the current no UK passport rules.   Passengers, all vaccinated, are not masked on the ship.   The crew, also vaccinated, are masked.   It will be interesting to see the rules in Nov/Dec, especially the UK rules.    Here’s hoping for a fully vaccinated trip on the QM2.

Only if you prefer the Q5 locations.   The suite is the same just less central locations.

You can also order a private transfer through Celebrity in the Retreat.   It will use up more OBC but you won’t have to bother with a bus transfer.   The driver will be there with your name on a board to greet you and handle your luggage.   It’s a more relaxing way to get to or from the airport.

We are sitting right now in Cyprus next to the beautiful Harmony but we see no passengers so I guess she is not sailing yet.    
 

As for MCO from Port Canaveral, if the transfers are using Interstate 4, good luck.   We have been totally stopped by traffic and construction most of the time.   If you add accidents to the mix, not uncommon, you are in for a long journey.   There may be another way other than that interstate for travel to MCO.   In January you will be at the height of the holiday and winter season.

What high COVID rate at Disney??    The folks working at WDW in Florida are not aware of this?!   Vaccinated guests are mask free in most areas, except for transportation.   Are you speaking about Florida as they have always had high infection rates.   Definitely safe for vaccinated visitors.