Javaholic

39 minutes ago, bluesea321 said:

 

Where did you get your data?  The information I can find says about 10%, not 60.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/04/09/least-67-guests-test-positive-covid-after-washington-gala/

39 minutes ago, bluesea321 said:

 

Where did you get your data?  The information I can find says about 10%, not 60.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/04/09/least-67-guests-test-positive-covid-after-washington-gala/

60 attendees of 700 is almost 10%.

I’ve followed your blog for years. We were on a cruise together several years ago, but I did not want to intrude and introduce myself.

I am so sorry for your experience.  It sounds just awful.  My hubby keeps mentioning cheap cruises.  I keep saying nope.  We went to Maui last May instead of a cruise.  Was the right decision, for us.

I got my 2nd booster yesterday!  Still being careful though.  Fingers, toes and eyes crossed that you continue to test negative.  And the G recovers and comes home soon.

We did not have a cruise planned this year.  Almost booked Panama Canal last fall, for this March. Very thankful that we did not.  I am 60 & have RA, so compromised immune system, husband is 68, a cancer survivor & former smoker.  We’re both pretty firmly in the high risk category.

For me to cruise in Europe or the like again, I would want some kind of assurance that if something happens, it won’t be the cluster that this has been. How does that look? I’m not sure. Travel insurance? Guaranteed return to port of origin or final port destination? There has to be options that will cover it.  If not, I’m not sure if I would cruise, especially half way around the world, again.

We debated on a cruise in May 2021 for our 25th.  Had already decided on Maui instead, with kids/grandkids.

I’m hoping for a vaccine before then.  No vaccine will likely be 100%, but I hedge my bets & get ‘em.  
 

I think if the cruise lines gave refunds if you’re sick, more people would be honest.  As far as a visual exam from non-medical personal at check in?  Big nope from me. We have allergies, I’m choking & sneezing, red eyes, etc right now. But I’m not contagious.  A common cold should not be a reason to deny boarding (especially if no refund).  Proof of vaccines would be great, maybe a dr note in situations like mine verifying I’ve been checked & cleared. There absolutely should be more stringent cleaning in place.  No place setting pieces should be returned to usable without cleaning...that is gross!  

I also will miss your blog.  I will likely never get to many of the places you’ve been, and so enjoyed reading about them.   I looked forward to October & was sad when Feb/March came.  
 

I wish you well in the future, whatever it brings.

Yes!  Love living vicariously thru your blog.  Safe travels & have a wonderful cruise season

Me too. Been checking for any new activity for a week or so. Love living (cruising) vicariously thru you.

Thank you

Weare 14 days out. Does your reservation change & show cabin number if/when assigned? I don’t suppose you get any kind of notification?

I’m very curious where we end up. It’s almost like Christmas....

Thanks for the map. I looked a while back & it appears as though delta is near KLM. No idea of gates yet, we’re 4 weeks out

We’re flying from Venice to Amsterdam on KLM. Then getting on Delta to Seattle. Will we have to go thru security in Amsterdam too? I thought we’d go thru security in Venice & customs in Seattle.

I’m one who usually alloys plenty of airport time. However, we are flying from Venice to Amsterdam on KLM to Delta. We only have 50 minutes btwn flights. (It was our only non stop option).

How timely are departures in Venice? Distance btwn KLM & Delta at Amsterdam airport? Trying not to fret, it will be what it will be. But, hopefully we’ll be okay.

Thanks all - Great info.

So, best as I can tell - the best route would be take cash from a bank ATM in Europe (starting in Barcelona). Then, pay it immediately upon return, so no high interest on a "cash advance".

One more question - do they exchange at all on the ship? Do many place take US currency? We are in Barcelona - Monte Carlo -Marsaille - Rome, Naples, Venice etc. Just wondering if there is even any need to bring much US money, except for our airport.

Most of our excursions are pre-paid. So it's just eating when out & about, and buying gifts, etc.

Thanks for the link - great pictures & info

Thanks everyone, appreciate it

Which is better,,, get Euros here, or there?

I’ve gone with my SIL a few times & she uses the machines in the airport. They both fly for Airlines & said it’s best. But I’ve read it’s not,

Does anyone have good insight on this? Is it better to use a credit card for bigger purchases, meals, gifts, etc? I’ve mostly bought trinket & small stuff in the past (3-15 eu) and generally at street vendors.

The ship is pretty full, so really no expecting an upgrade, at least not to a balcony. I’d love it....but probably not going to happen. Hoping to be in the vicinity of our group, but not a huge deal if not. I can find ‘em...they can’t get too far

Thanks everyone, so far. Especially the pillow tip.

The one thread that keeps getting resurrected is quite old. We are on the Oosterdam next month. I would love current information on the ship...any tips, current pricing for laundry (Europe), etc. Anything that might be helpful. How badly do the pillows suck...LOL. I can’t bring mine with.

I have an unobstructed ocean view guarantee, so no specific cabin as of yet.

Thanks everyone - I thought maybe the color was based on deck, not ship. Interesting. It doesn't matter when it gets assigned and again - I'm happy wherever. I've done guarantee several times & have been on the bottom, the back the front - it's all good. Have yet to get an upgrade - but I'm very much of the mind of booking what I'm happy with. This particular cruise, I didn't care about a balcony - it's port intensive and I wasn't sure we'd get all that much use.

Hey - I'll be on a cruise. If I want air, I'll go to Lido deck (or my sisters balcony cabin...LOL) :)

we are booked with an unobstructed ocean view cabin on the Oosterdam in Sept. Printed docs & luggage tags, which say “unassigned”. BUT....they are lavender which is the same color as the rest of our group, who have assigned cabins on deck 4. We’re linked together for dinner.

Is this a coincidence. Or an indication of our potential cabin location?

I’m fine wherever...middle, end, front, back bottom or top. As long as it’s unobstructed . Just curious. Verendahs came back Available, but I’m never that lucky 😎

Web site was down last night for maintenance. Worked great this AM, printing boarding docs. Maybe they've resolved some of their issues **fingers crossed**

Ditto. It just spins & spins....

Silly question - are these in small size containers or shower dispensers? I bring my own products, but I save the small sizes products from where ever we go. My work does an "essentials" drive for homeless/poor in our area & I donate them all to that. It's perfect.

Living here, I can tell you - traffic is HORRIBLE (even going the opposite way), and our TSA is slower than mud flowing uphill. It has taken me 45-60 to get thru before. Pre-check does make it faster, probably. Too many things would have to align perfectly, I think. Not worth the risk.