okpaddy

2 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

Thank you, you and @ziggyuk are truly helping the cause of cruising. I want to wish you both well and convey my thanks for what you're doing.

You are very kind DCGuy.

I was surprised by the reaction some friends and family had to the news that I had signed on for testing. There seemed to be a general consensus that I was nuts to offer myself up as a guinea pig.

During this time of uncertainty and unrest, we all need each other to step up and display a willingness to defend the line.

I have tried to live by the philosophy of contribute however and whatever you are able. 

I whole heartily agree with Georgia Dave and Two wheels. Two shots are the way to go. Plus there is no extended wait time for the follow up dose. 🍹 🍹

1 hour ago, ziggyuk said:

 

Interestingly I have just been invited in for an optional booster dose which was not part of the original plan and might be related to Dr Fauci's comments, here is part of the email I just received. I have accepted the booster which is being administered on Friday.

 

Although during a pandemic it would be preferable to give a single dose of vaccine, data from the first COVID019 vaccine trial which we have recently published in the journal Lancet suggests that 2 doses of vaccine stimulates the immune system more than a single dose. However, we don’t know how much of an immune response is needed for protection.

Well done Ziggy. Taking one for the team. I am also part of the phase 3 testing in the U.S. I would have liked to had the option of the Oxford vaccine testing. Their initial testing phases were reported to be excellent. I had to go with what was available here and now I've had my first Moderna shot. The follow up is scheduled for September. I don't know if I received the vaccine, or the placebo but I'm glad to be doing something. Hopefully there will be positive outcomes and plentiful vaccinations available to the general public.

Best wishes to all of the fellow cruisers, and stay safe. 

8 hours ago, mugtech said:

Dragon by Clive Cussler 

Thank you for the recommendation, I haven't read any Cussler books for a long while. I will pick it up. 👍 

5 hours ago, Travelling2Some said:

I am actually in a high risk group but I'm fairly introverted and could easily stay home with a good book indefinitely myself.

Do you have any good book recommendations ? I've just about finished my list for 2020 since being quarantined. 

I'm a long time Packer backer, and my son is a shareholder also. Although we have never visited Lambeau field it is definitely on my bucket list. I used to go to Packer games at the old Brewers field in Milwaukee back in the seventies.

I was interested in the brat discussion, and was fortunate for many years to have a German meat market here in Oklahoma with wonderful brats and knockwursts. Alas the family retired and now the grocer has been converted to a hipster coffee shop... I still have Kringles shipped from Racine and keep them in the freezer for when I need a sweet fix. 

If you guys decide to open a Packer, or NFC North group, count me in.

My DW and I have sailed Celebrity, Princess, Carnival, Holland, RCCL, and Norwegian. Holland and Celebrity were both very nice, but have been too expensive for us to consider when there are alternatives available.  NCL is less formal, and dress is much more casual, which makes packing easier. NCL can be hit or miss on entertainment. The guest entertainers are generally comparable, but the house shows are often lacking on NCL. I enjoy the staff and level of service on NCL, and tend to sail their smaller ships. 

Best wishes, stay safe and smooth sailings.

1 hour ago, All-ready2cruise said:

My crystal balls just aren't working properly but good luck op, I really hope your cruise is a go! 

This is why Canadians are so much fun. They use "disco balls" for soothsaying...

I was fortunate with refunds as well. I remember all of the doom and gloom posters that were adamant that NCL was broke and unable to make refunds.

I had my taxes and fee's refunded almost immediately with American airlines and my miles were returned to my account. British airlines was the slowest to refund, but did eventually follow through. Hotels pre and post cruise were also agreeable and refunded all deposits since the EU was on lock down. 

I opted for the bonus FCC on the second leg of my cancelled B2B and have booked a TA and B2B for next spring. Keeping my fingers crossed that a vaccine may be available by then and I will finally make it to Amsterdam. 

Best wishes for smooth sailings to my fellow CC members.

There is a time and place for day drinking. For me its a sea day on a nice TA crossing. The DW prefers a Long Island ice tea, and I usually enjoy a nice bourbon, or scotch. Its all good, and comes with a designated driver  🍹🍸

On 7/5/2020 at 9:06 PM, LondonTowner said:

The bus from the airport is accessible and operates about every 20 minutes and costs €8. No need for an overpriced transfer.we were the only 2 passengers on the bus.

On 7/6/2020 at 4:00 PM, DUTRAVEL said:

We also took the airport bus - very easy. The person assisting us off the airplane even took us to the booth at the airport to buy the tickets and then out to the curb where the bus leaves from. 

Thank you very much, this is most helpful.

On 7/5/2020 at 8:57 PM, shel003 said:

I would also check out the Sage travel website. If you google it you’ll find it. They specialize in accessible travel in Europe and offer to book accessible hotels and tours. They can even provide accessible travel from airport.

Thank you for the information

1 hour ago, valleyvillage said:

I'm just happy to see your posts because I can't get enough of that dog!

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/profile/1108545-all-ready2cruise/

16 minutes ago, All-ready2cruise said:

 

Thank you 😉

Sadie was a very sweet, very well trained (not by me) pooch.  I adopted her at 10... just couldn't stand seeing her at the kennel any longer.  Her demeanor was so polite, she'd always thank me for a treat.   Unfortunately, you know things sometimes come in 3's and this was the case for me.  

 

Sadie was my sweet girl and Duke was my kid's protector, both wonderful pooches.  

Now you've made Petey jealous that no one seems to think he is cute also. I told him that it's okay, because he is the tough guy, or at least pretty tough for being all of eleven pounds...

I don't know why that posted twice. No doubt user error on my part...

2 hours ago, seaman11 said:

i cant speak for the op however i would think it will be changed this month as some countries are willing to accept tourism travel. 

Aren't you the op ? You created the thread...

2 hours ago, seaman11 said:

i cant speak for the op however i would think it will be changed this month as some countries are willing to accept tourism travel. 

Aren't you the op ? You created the thread...

9 hours ago, eileeshb said:

My uncle’s wife is from a Mayo family, her parents were from Mayo even though she grew up in Chicago and co. Tipperary. Her youngest brothers are just a little older than me so I remember them packing up to move to Chicago again in the 80s. There’s usually a few of her family over here every year, they go to Mayo and nearly always visit us in co. Clare too. 

Thank you for writing and giving me an insight to conditions in Ireland, and travel restrictions in Europe. It is very much like hearing from "family" when you post on here. Please stay safe and keep your family well. 

Things are relaxing in OK, but I'm not certain that is a good thing, at least health wise. I am concerned about the essential workers, and all of the risks they maybe facing. Best wishes for future adventures and maybe good "crack" to come. I don't know if they still say "crack" in Ireland, or if that's outdated.  

On 5/13/2020 at 6:19 AM, iggyc said:

I’m challenging myself to find more positive things in life. My mom used to say we find what we are looking for. So thank you to those who found good things to say. 

It sounds to me as though you were blessed with a very wise mother.

I enjoy sailing with NCL, and have always found more to celebrate than to complain about. People can find the negative in almost any situation, but life is too short to dwell on the bad. I prefer to accept the greatness of the moments that make life special. I have tried HAL, Celebrity, Princess, Royal, and Carnival. Each offered great experiences and unique adventures. I am looking forward to sailing again next year and hope to share the experience with other positive thinkers. 

Keep looking for the best in everything, and keep yourselves safe. Best wishes  

I had flights booked round trip to Europe for April and June. I was scheduled to travel with American and British Airlines. My flights and connections were changed more than once between original booking and eventual cancellation. American Airlines has already refunded my ticket cost, and did so within a week of being contacted. British Airlines has agreed to refund my costs after they cancelled my flight, but it has been over six weeks and still no refund has arrived. I understand that the travel industry has been turned inside out over the zombie apocalypse, but I am hopeful that a refund may eventually arrive. I am more concerned for the safety and health of everyone trying to survive in the new reality.

Best wishes,  and stay safe.

Hello again to my fellow metal knee cruisers. I'm coming up on four months post TKR, and having a slower recovery this second time around. I attribute my lack of progress to my local pool being closed due to the zombie apocalypse. The first TKR rehab in the pool went very well and I'm hopeful of going back when the pool reopens. I didn't enjoy not having pain meds for either TKR other than Tylenol. I cant even use nsaids because apparently I abused my liver and kidneys in my misspent youth. 

Sending best wishes for speedy recoveries and great adventures on the horizon  🍀

I have loved Vancouver, Barcelona, Venice, and Florence for pre and post cruise ports. However my favorite port is Belize City. I realize that Belize is on a different level from my favorite cities of Canada, and Europe.

What makes Belize special for me is my DW. She is a devoted quilter and we occasionally seek out fabric stores during our travels. Belize City has a favorite fabric store for DW to shop for unique fabrics that she cannot find at home. My job is to arrange transportation, locate the stores, then carry and pay for the fabric. I guess for me, it's the companion and not the port that brings me the most joy.

On 5/8/2020 at 2:01 PM, eileeshb said:

Latest from Ireland... our chief medical officer is warning that a relaxation on May 18th is not certain as they’re seeing increasing numbers of cases among “young” people. Basically the teens and early 20’s are not abiding by the stay at home advice and are visiting each other, so when one of them tests positive they’re infection more than people in the other age groups are. 
the National leaving certificate exams have been cancelled (similar to U.S. SATs and UK A-levels but 6 or 7 subjects included) those exams almost wholly responsible for college placement. Instead the teachers in the schools have give a best guess of what grade each of their students would have gotten had the exams happened. 

meanwhile the Irish government is announcing supports for the travel industry in Ireland, they’re going to back refund vouchers so if any Irish  tour/travel agent goes bust before its customers can use their credit notes the government will refund those customers. 

The main representative body for our pubs are trying to get the government to allow them to reopen at the same time as restaurants instead of waiting until august. So far the government and medical types are saying no.

Ireland and a half dozen or so other countries are trying to get the EU to change the refund rules for the airlines and get permission for the airlines to only issue vouchers but be certain that the voucher rules are as customer friendly as possible, including that the airline issues a refund at the end of the validity of the voucher if it isn’t used.

 

we’ve had very unseasonably dry weather since the lockdown started back in mid-March, so much so that my local council issued a red level wildfire warning this week, it was orange for the last few weeks. Thankfully when we’ve had wildfires in the past they’re rarely as extensive or destructive as those in Australia or California or other hotter countries.
 

Sending you best wishes and prayers. I was just thinking about my dear Mother who passed away in 2001. I came across your post and it made me remember our trips to County Mayo along the west coast of Ireland. My mother was born and raised in Ireland and my brother and I have visited the area several times. I hope and pray that you and your family are safe. I am also wishing a very happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers, especially those that may be isolated, or in quarantine.  

Thank you all for the information, and helpful suggestions. I am hoping to stay nearby St Marks square, but am concerned about the water transportation. It sounds like the vaporetto maybe accessible. Thank you again 👍

For me, the best part of each day is spending time with my DW, and joining her for the activities she enjoys. I also enjoy a nice scotch or bourbon while learning about the interesting adventures of my fellow cruisers. I am an early riser and will often go out on deck to watch the arrival in port, generally much more peaceful than the sail away when the music is blaring on the deck. 

3 hours ago, katisdale said:

There is a website called "accessible Venice" that has a map showing accessible paths through the city. There are bridges on the paths. However, the bridges used have side ramps which do allow access. You just have to watch for delivery men using hand trucks and moms with strollers who also use the ramps. I found Venice much easier to get around than I expected, especially the vaparetto (sp?) routes which had excellent access. I had to avoid the taxi-like boats which all had steps. The other thing you could do is choose a hotel on the mainland and take the vaparetto to where you wish to go.

Thank you very much for the information. I was able to visit Venice several years ago during the fall and loved the city. I would like to return if I can manage the terrain. 

I have been sailing with NCL for the past five or six years. Prior to that I enjoyed Holland America, Celebrity, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. I'm not a big fan of Carnival after a bad experience out of Galveston. I will most likely return to HA, and I would also like to try Costa and MSC . The fun is in finding new destinations, and right sized ship. Good luck with your future adventures. Stay safe and hopefully the sailings will go again soon.