Catnip

2 minutes ago, deliver42 said:

As of today the only island requiring vaccinations is Grand Cayman. St Kitts eliminated it yesterday.

That's good news.  I am still getting conflicting info about the Bahamas.

On 8/18/2022 at 8:05 AM, AnnaNicole said:

 

 

I just renewed my passport.  I paid extra for expedited service and shipping (5-7 weeks).   I sent my passport application express mail on July 26 and received it yesterday.    It took three weeks.

I was wondering about that.  Mine has expired and I'd like to book a cruise for Dec.  Was just wondering how fast an expediter was.

2 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

 

Covid protocols have been fluid since the beginning of cruise resumption and remain fluid to this day. 

 

The only thing we can be sure of with Covid is that cruise protocols are always changing. Every single line has had to shift protocols as time elapsed and inevitably someone is caught in the middle. Example: I remember when NCL removed mask mandates only to bring them back a few weeks later. 

 

We must make our best guess, and insure against unforeseen changes in policy. Eventually things will all settle down (hopefully), but the upcoming flu season could bring additional changes to current protocols. 

 

 

 

 

 

I realize that.  It's just frustrating because cruises and travel is expensive so you don't want to get to the port only to be told you can't get onboard.  If everyone was "on the same page" and you didn't get conflicting information, it would be decisions easier. 

I am in a similar dilemma.  I am looking to book for December.  My family will not get the jab, so we are happy that the cruise lines are starting to come to their senses.
It seems this is not an easy quesiton to answer.  One agent tells you one thing, and another agent a few hrs later tells you something different.
I just don't want to pay for the cruise and then get to the terminal and can't get on the ship.  I am thinking about calling the Bahamian Consulate/Embassy tomorrow and ask them.

On 8/8/2022 at 11:23 PM, Ravensfan1973 said:

I usually sail RCI, but may switch over to Norweigian if they got rid of the vax mandate.  My family is unvaxxed and ready to cruise.

Ditto for my family!  I haven't sailed on NCL since the mid 80s, but we are going to book a cruise (or 2) on NCL next week for being the frist to come to their senses and do away with the "vaxx" mandate!  We usually sail on RCCL/Celebrity also, but now NCL is getting out business!

6 hours ago, roboref said:

Neither does testing. Think about it a test 48 to 72 hours pre-boarding is negative, but the person has Covid, but not enough to test positive. Then the cruiser flies to the port, unmasked, eats unmasked, stays in a hotel that doesn't require masks and gets on the ship. Now they are fully contagious and capable of Covid spread. Explain to me what testing did? NOTHING! Plenty of studies as well that masking doesn't really do anything either. Time to get back to normal. If people are fearful, then isolate and stay at home.

 

100% correct!

7 hours ago, Redtravel said:

NCL will become the New Covid Line.  
sorry, but I will not book on NCL. 

and I will be booking a cruise (or 2) on NCL next week!  I haven't cruised since covid started, so I am more than ready!   Finally they are coming to their senses!

13 hours ago, MotownVoice said:

We're back to normal.  And normal means every time you go on a cruise you have to watch out for sick people, and avoid going anywhere near people going directly in to the dining room without stopping and disinfecting their hands.  Covid, and Norovirus are now an endemic part of traveling in enclosed spaces.

 

EXACTLY  right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

1 hour ago, Joebucks said:

 

 

There is a huge lack of evidence that people who have previously been infected would benefit from it. The evidence also becomes increasingly shaky by the day that those who were at low risk in the first place, are actually benefitting from it. The CDC's lack of counting breakthrough cases is just an attempt to further fudge the data in favor of vaccination.

 

 

 

Bingo!   Spot on! 

On 8/7/2021 at 12:38 PM, zanydoc said:

2) Ovulation of The Seas 😁

That's exactly what I think of when I hear Ovation OTS.  😂

9 hours ago, Jasukkie said:

 

 

Honestly, some of my favorite dinners have been at Windjammer. Bottle of wine, sitting outside at sunset, and great service. It's a totally different vibe for dinner. 

I totally agree.  Very relaxing with a great view!

7 hours ago, SherriZ366 said:

I hope RCI Florida RCI cruises switch to 95% vaccinated.  Celebrity is doing this -- in fact I think Celebrity Florida cruises are 100% passenger vaccinated.  I know that the Celebrity Edge has had some cases but this protocol may cut down on infected passengers.  

are you saying the vaccine will cut down on infected passengers, or that the swabbing will?

14 hours ago, BecciBoo said:

But, whilst we're cruising, you and your family will most likely be subject to new mask mandates and distancing where you live....on land...daily.  Right, so what's the difference?  That's life with Covid.  Unless of course, you elect not to follow the mandates..."not that there's anything wrong with that" (Seinfeld)

Thankfully, I live in a free state that does not have a mask mandate. 

1 minute ago, norboy76 said:

Nice. My jacket was for the QE2 and was a reversible, black water proof on one side and when reversed, it was red and sorta fuzzy.

I would have loved that!   Mine is solid black with the gold QE 2 embroidered on the left side ( I think) chest area.  I thought I had a photo of it, but I can't find it now.    Oh, I just remembered that I also have a red fleece pullover (crew neck) with embroidered Queen Elizabeth 2 across the chest.  It's really nice.

4 hours ago, voyager70 said:

 

 

 

Testing and masking is not my idea of a vacation.

 

Land trips from now on, or at least until cruising does away with it.

 

Hear, hear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    Ditto for my family 

On 7/28/2021 at 11:41 PM, norboy76 said:

I had a nice Cunard windbreaker too, but it finally wore out to the point it wasn't repairable, so I decided to salvage the name and patch on the jacket at least, cause the jacket was too shredded to save. The patch, I framed it to protect it

What a great idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Mine is next to new, I think I've only worn it about 3-4 times.

Found some RCCL memorabilia in an old box.

On 6/19/2021 at 11:29 AM, norboy76 said:

If anyone has traveled on Cunard in the past, did you buy any souvenirs from the ship's gift shops or maybe win something in any games on board?

I got a black QE 2 windbreaker.  

Found a few items in a box the other day. 
My mom on our Bermuda cruise on the NP
Old luggage tags from SoN and SoA
playing cards

shampoo/lotion set
me, enjoying a nice breeze on the upper deck. Not sure which RCCL ship, though  😁

On 7/26/2021 at 7:12 PM, rkacruiser said:

 

 

My post on the RCCL Message Board did attract several posters who shared their memories.  Agreement, 100%, that the only way to get into the Viking Crown Lounge was by those outside stairs.  The consensus was that those stairs led to a landing where there were a few more steps to get into the lounge at the forward end of the Lounge.  From the photos, that does seem reasonable.

 

I am surprised that my post generated the response that it did.  As I said, it was a "shot in the dark" attempt to get some information.  And, it worked!   

Great job!!!!!!!!!!!!

On 7/19/2021 at 3:15 PM, rkacruiser said:

 

Perhaps you can refresh my memory.  The staircase appears to goes to a landing under the Lounge and not directly into the Lounge.  Do you think I am correct?  If so, how then did we get into the Lounge itself?  Another set of stairs?  An elevator?  Both available?  

 

A reason that my memory is vague is because I was only in the Lounge once.  It was just too darn hot for a return visit.  I thought the reason it was so hot was because of all of the windows as well as the proximity of the exhaust pipes in the funnel.  

I wish I could help you, but I can't remember myself!  LOL!    I know I was up there on my 3-4 SON cruises, but I don't remember getting there by the outside stairs.

On 7/17/2021 at 9:13 AM, norboy76 said:

I managed to find a photo of the *Exterior Staircase* that would lead to the Viking Lounge. This is the one for the Song Of Norway

Awesome photo!!!!!!!!    I remember seeing this staircase in photo's of the ship, but for some reason, I simply cannot remember it.  I know I was up there, though.  On both SON and NP.

59 minutes ago, sept10dsm said:

The recovered do not matter anywhere it seems!  There have been quite a few doctors and others including the NIH stating the value of recovered but it's just ignored.  

AMEN!

On 6/10/2021 at 11:23 AM, SuiteTraveler said:

 During this pandemic, Texas and Florida have been two of the best states to live in where things have been the least restricted.   The pandemic is clearly ending there!  So happy for everyone in Florida!  I think it will only be a matter of a few more weeks and all counties in Florida, even Miami-Dade and Broward will be at 0 new cases.  That's notable because there are so many people living in high density (high rise) housing in that area.  New York City, by contrast is still struggling with 248 cases per day.  

 That's a fact, thanks to our great governor, Rockin' Ron!   He's been great to us residents and our economy. 

On 6/10/2021 at 9:40 AM, Keksie said:

You can say all the bad things you want about Florida or Texas but there is no where I would have wanted to spend the last year and a half.  In Florida after March/April of 2020 we have been able to shop, eat in restaurants, participate in many activities and kids have been in school since September.  With only a few restrictions we have been able to have some semblance of a normal life as opposed to some other states who are only now opening things up.  I am sure you are happy in the region/state you live in and I don't really understand why you need to disparage other regions/states.  

AMEN, sista!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Love our Rockin' Ron!!!!!!!!!!!!