Covepointcruiser

Your sailing on the Queen Elizabeth would be very like our sailing on the Victoria.   We enjoyed the QG experience including the separate deck but it was not like the QG on the QM2.   The suites are much larger and the possibilities in the Dining Room are endless.   One thing we miss on the Ovation is any real entertainment or really anything interesting to do onboard.  In our 10 days so far there has been one “lecture and no activities while we are in port.   This is not the case on the QM2.    Both lines are nice, at times exceptional, but there is a different experience on the QM2.

We volunteered for every vaccine trial but were never accepted.   Finally received Moderna in March after spending hours on the internet each day trying for a vaccine slot.   Very glad we received the one that appears to be working against the variants.

We liked the CC suite because of the included Specialty Dining.   Never ate in the regular restaurant, alternated between the two Specialties.    Never had the Butler unpack our bags, even when in the top suite on Azamara.

So glad to hear that the crew are not masked on your sailing.   That is the only change on our current, non celebrity, sailing in the Mediterranean.    We have self serve buffets for breakfast and lunch with table service available.   I would love to see the full faces of our outstanding crew.   Under the new rules it may be worth a quick Edge getaway.

Seabourn Ovation is currently in Crete.   Looking right at it!

Don’t they have Sky Suites for the handicapped?

Hope your children will be okay.   How many unvaccinated adults are on board and are they subject to the same restrictions?    I thought everyone had to be vaccinated and also tested.   In Maryland, vaccines for the 12 and over have been available since late May so most had them in time for camps and summer travel.    The Delta variant is especially hard on children.

On the Ovation now and our next port is in Cyprus, no hint of any change, although I would love to go to Croatia.

Believe we have Florida to blame for this.   Need to screen Vaccinated/Not vaccinated and attach wristbands.   Believe the unvaccinated have to be tested, Suite or not.   What are the percentage of suite guests on the Edge for the Florida sailings?   If they fill up the suites there could be a significant suite line if everyone decided to board early.   What about unvaccinated Suite guests?   Will they eat in a separate area of Luminae?   What about the Retreat areas?   

That would have been an easy and cheap way to extend suite benefits to low fare paying family members.   What a cost savings that would be.   Maybe you can still pay to have them dine with you at Luminae.

I know the U.S. and U.K. are recommending and/or advising we avoid cruising because of the pandemic.    Neither my DH or I have CPAPs or other health problems but our doctors have said if we weren’t so healthy he/she would advise against air and cruise travel even while vaccinated.

We are currently in Greece but things are far from normal and we are noticing the “cruise cough” on our second leg.   I hope these folks are just smokers with their ever present lung disorders but if they are sick they are certainly spreading their infections to the rest of us.

Actually the COVID test is comfortable but Greece in the summer is hot and that includes the testing area.   The Celebrity Apex was at the larger (possibly air conditioned) terminal.   We also had a Windstar and Celestyal ship in Piraeus yesterday.  At least two children under the age of 12 embarked and I hope they re vaccinated. 

 No Marina day in Spetses,  also no caviar in the surf.  The short Tender ride into the town was choppy and this probably negated any Marina day.   They did have an “Officers on Deck” party at 6 pm but I don’t know if Caviar was served.    It was sparsely attended because of the heat.    The weather is perfect if you like sun and warm weather, not a cloud in sight.

Many Brits on board the Ovation right now and I have not heard an outcry.

Entered a bar today on Spetses, no vaccination proof required and no mask while seated.   Where in Greece are you with new rules?

Actually Greece does not require your vaccine card once in the country.   

On the current Greek, Cyprus cruises passengers are only required to wear masks in Cyprus.   That’s in all indoor areas and some outdoor areas.   You must also carry your original vaccine card in Cyprus and this is required for proof to enter indoor areas.   We didn’t leave the ship in Cyprus but had reports from other passengers.

 The change in itinerary is due to the Delta COVID outbreak in the BVI.   Don’t know where it came from as I don’t think the BVI are approved destinations for British tourists.   This new variant is causing huge upsurges in infections and the small Caribbean islands can’t cope with any sort of outbreak.    If you believe the news, the Pfizer vaccine is not as effective against this variant.   You won’t get very sick or sick at all, but you can easily transmit the virus to the unvaccinated on the islands, hence the restrictions.   This has not been a problem on the Greek Islands as they have had more folks vaccinated and better medical facilities.

The test given on board today, 7/16, was just a quick Nasal Swab.   No pain or discomfort, an antigen test suitable for travel back to the U.S.

Well it would depend on the sea states between Southampton and the Isle of Wight.    If you miss the ship can you rejoin at the next port?   Some cruise lines are not allowing this under the pandemic rules.    

We have 300 fully vaccinated guests on Seabourn and over 400 crew also vaccinated.   Can’t imagine being on a ship with over 1400 passengers and a fully booked suite class.  We have only had company at one Greece Port, the Silver Moon.  Think we will stay with the small ships for now.

Are dressy jeans similar to dressy athletic shoes?   I know someone on the board said he wore his dressy athletic shoes on the chic night.    Wonder if he was just speaking about the cost of those athletic shoes, expensive equals dressy.

Be aware if the heat in Greece especially for embarkation.   There is a tent but no air conditioning.   Suite or not, once you are at the tent you will have your COVID test.   You will then wait 20 or so minutes for the results in the hot tent.    Dress for the heat when boarding.    We were on a different, smaller, ship but I assume the process at the Athens port will be the same for all lines.

The test given before we boarded our 7/10 was quick and not uncomfortable.   Will let you know about the test at the end of the cruise.

Great news for anyone sailing this year!   Now, if only the crew could take off their masks.    If they are all vaccinated there shouldn’t be a problem.