KWW88

I took a photo on my phone as well.  I also support a vaccine registry/passport or whatever you want to call it.  Perhaps like our regular passports, which are voluntary, no one makes you get one, we could make the vaccine registry/passport a voluntary system for those of us that feel comfortable with it.

13 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

 

There are possibilities. Since I have been on over 60 cruises I don't feel like I have to rush onto the first sailings when cruises restart from the US. It is not like I have missed out on cruises in my life. I discovered the last year I can live a while without a cruise. I will wait at least six months after restart and see how it plays out. 

I feel the exact same way.  I several weeks ago cancelled an Aug cruise out of FL, had refundable deposit so I booked a TA for April, also out of FL.  I just feel like this will give them (and me) time to work out any kinks in the protocols and feel comfortable after several months of what we all hope will be very safe and successful return to cruising.  To those of you that do sail this year, I wish you well and have a great cruise!

2 minutes ago, twonpcb said:

I went to book an Antarctica Cruise for my husband and myself and found that they wanted to charge roughly $500 extra for a fully refundable deposit.  Is this a thing with Celebrity?  We started with Celebrity but have been with RCCL for several years.  Is this something new?  I am confused.

It is quite new, still love Celebrity but...post pandemic making lots of change$ 

1 hour ago, AstoriaPreppy said:

I’m am slightly surprised at the very 80s characterization of Carnival passengers as randy drunks, especially from people who have never been on a Carnival ship.
 

From my experience onboard Carnival, their passenger base is social and ready for a fun vacation. I understand this can be off-putting to passengers who don’t want to meet strangers, but it’s not the free for all it’s often characterized as. I’ve seen much more drunken insanity onboard NCL since they’ve included the beverage package on all sailings. 

I have been on, so my observation what it was for me, very Animal House(ish) and I was on in 2007

17 minutes ago, VitaminSea53 said:

Thanks all.  I realize it has been out of service - as have all the ships- for over a year but the message was that the tendering dock was the wrong height for the port transfer vessels and that the life boats were the right height but too unstable to use in rocky seas. After several passengers fell, they stopped using the Magic Carpet for tendering. Also was mentioned that the Magic Carpet is too windy for dining so it is now planned to only be a bar.   Just wondering if this was a single event or a new policy. 

Also, Edge has their own tendering transfer vessels, designed for the magic carpet.  On CC there are many reviews about this.  Many of those same reviews say MC is great for tendering but not so much for dining.

10 minutes ago, VitaminSea53 said:

Thanks all.  I realize it has been out of service - as have all the ships- for over a year but the message was that the tendering dock was the wrong height for the port transfer vessels and that the life boats were the right height but too unstable to use in rocky seas. After several passengers fell, they stopped using the Magic Carpet for tendering. Also was mentioned that the Magic Carpet is too windy for dining so it is now planned to only be a bar.   Just wondering if this was a single event or a new policy. 

Only sailed Edge once, when we did it was used for tendering, was very easy and convenient.  Only had drinks when it was on upper decks, was a bit breezy.

9 minutes ago, VitaminSea53 said:

Is it true that they no longer use the Magic Carpet as a tendering dock or as a restaurant?  Someone reported this on Facebook.  

well what is true no E class ship has sailed over one year, but last Edge did, it was used in this manner.  What happens next remains to be seen.  And "reported" on facebook....nuff said

1 hour ago, wrk2cruise said:

 

I think Celebrity certainly could have required all passengers to be vaccinated as well at least while sailing at reduced capacity.   RCL probably harder.

Good on NCL, from I have read, they basically submitted a plan to the CDC, not asking them, but telling them we are sailing from US ports starting July 4, 2021, with ALL pax and crew vaxed up.  Of course remains to be seen how CDC will respond, but there are passengers who will sign up, keep going NCL.

8 minutes ago, hcat said:

 

If Carnival ships are  docked anywhere near your ship you will experience their noisy  DJs , boom boom bass, and awful music while docked  ( ruins your pool deck or  balcony relaxation for the day)   Many of their " guests" are also very loud and  obnoxious party animals in port,  travel in lg groups, block roadways and sidewalks .  Not much fun shopping even if you can get into a store.

 

Really kills that port whether  one gets off or stays onboard!

I have only been on a Carnival side show once, and will never do so again.  I went because a very dear friend, so wanted to go on a cruise, and what they offered was good for her budget.  We both agreed we would never put ourselves through anything like this again.  TBH, it was not just the 20 somethings, the 40 & 50, jeez I think they packed more funnels than I did underwear.  

36 minutes ago, marieps said:

Welcome all perspectives...hope we don't get flamed for hijacking the thread!

LOL, I don't think it has been hijacked, River cruises (assuming that was your reference point) are part of cruising, that is why I like TrulyBlondes perspective.  

25 minutes ago, TrulyBlonde said:

I have done 3 river cruises. Rhine, Rhone, and Danube. Honestly, I cannot stand them. First one was a B2B and the Danube was with Tauck. We like to do touring on our own and I feel they are too regimented. We would often leave the group and meet up later. Just wanted to give you a different perspective.

I have seen videos posted, but am wondering from a person who has done these river cruises, what was the on-board experience like, dining, things to do, type of passenger?

7 minutes ago, sandancer said:

That’s correct. You will use one of the package dinners on the first night and the details of where and when will be in your cabin. You don’t get to choose. I have no idea if you can request a change if you don’t like the selection. We don’t care for Petit Chef and if we are allocated that I would want to change it. For all of the other nights you have to book at the Speciality restaurant desk onboard. Good idea to go there as soon as you board and book all of your dates/times. 

I believe this is accurate, but if you are in a RS or above, you can make specialty dining reservations in advance.  

36 minutes ago, mtnesterz said:

The airlines spoiled the party, true, but as you also point out, passengers too.

Celebrity responded by relaxing their code and renaming their dress nights, but there is still a documeted standard. On other lines, formal nights are a themed costume dinner party, when you think about it. Why do some diminish other's fun by wearing shorts, ball caps and t-shirts on dress nights? It's not about being comfortable. If an event on the ship is not to my tastes, I don't go. Thanks for mentioning the crew are instructed not to argue with passengers. I had wondered at the crew's tolerance.

We certainly dress casually just about all the time for dining on the ship, khakis, nice slacks, polo or collared shirt, casual slip on shoes, bring one blazer but never a tie.  I can honestly say though, if the person at the table next to me are wearing shorts, t-shirt and a ballcap, it just does not in anyway effect my enjoyment of dinner.  I do not personally like speedos, but if someone is wearing it at the pool, C'est la vie.  This is what I love about Celebrity.

21 minutes ago, drew69 said:

Tried Carnival, believe me, it is not the children that are a problem on Carnival ships, it is the adults!  

EXACTLY!!

39 minutes ago, NavyCruiser said:

 

Car vehicles' Seat belts & air bags also do not offer 100% protection against 40,000+ annual deaths in the US, 3+ million injuries, & Billions of $$$ of damages.  Yet they allow us to use those awful death traps on a daily basis...?

For the vast majority a motor vehicle is a necessity, taking a cruise is not, it is a leisure activity, those of us that can do so, do not need to jump on the ship to get our groceries or take the kids to school etc.

7 minutes ago, Denny01 said:

Always:

  - Celebrity. Continues to meet our current cruising needs. With the 3 Classes, gives us enough variety. 

  - Viking River. Great itineraries and good pricing. Reliable company. 

 

Never:

  - Disney. I don’t like talking rats!  Well the real reason is I’m not a big DisneyWorld fan, and the cost is well beyond the experience and all other Lines have same itineraries.
 - Carnival or large ship RCL. Unless I was to join my family w grandkids and this was the only choice for them. 
 

Try:

 - Viking Ocean or Expedition, and Smaller Ship Lines for itineraries, but would have to be very special. 
 

den
 

It's a small world after all.......argh

2 minutes ago, K.T.B. said:

Never:  Carnival.  My last 2 cruises with them were freakin' horrid.  I'd also never cruise with NCL.  Not a fan of how they handle "main dining".

 

Always:  Celebrity.  Each cruise I have with them is better than the last.  I was saddened that I had to cancel my upcoming October cruise with them (non-Covid related).

 

Try:  Princess.  My next cruise is with them and I do like how the ship looks.  I am intrigued.

 

Maybe:  Virgin.  No kids.  HUGE draw there.  May be a bit "too hip" for my tastes though.

no kids or as few as possible, yay

6 minutes ago, K.T.B. said:

 

There's this one too:

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/cdc-says-cruises-possible-by-mid-summer-as-tensions-boil-over/ar-BB1fmIxt?ocid=msedgntp

sorry but last time I was in a hotel, there were not 2,000, 3,000, 4,000 people in the lobby

Just now, K.T.B. said:

 

Sorry, but the CDC has done a piss poor job of this the past year.  They allowed themselves to be far too politically motivated in how they did things rather than staying independent in how they actually perceive the science.  They rolled over and acquiesced to idiocy.  Now they're playing catch-up and trying to redeem themselves.

 

Too little, too late.

nah

3 minutes ago, K.T.B. said:

 

You missed the post where he said that he was apparently in the trials and has already been vaccinated.

then my bad, and apologies to vermonter!!

2 minutes ago, cantstopingcruising said:

The very best was in Lunenburg Nova Scotia at a restaurant called the Salt Shaker. 

Had a FABULOUS lobster roll at Peggy"s Cove Lobster, maybe 15 years ago, wow so fresh and delicious.

1 minute ago, cheeseheads4ever said:

I don’t get what the big deal is about getting the vaccine. Just get it and it will make the world a safer place for all. I feel Cruise Lines have every right to require cruisers to be vaccinated. It’s their company and their right and then it’s your right to not cruise. No vaccination no cruise and to really be honest there is no way a cruise line could take a chance with having people not vaccinated like vermonter16 said “ I will cruise without being vaccinated”. Thats the reason they need to make vaccination mandatory. When you don’t understand the difference between 15,000 flu deaths and 550,000 COVID deaths you can’t put it into the hands of someone thinking like this. Just like the guy that told me tonight masks don’t help! Seriously! Not sure what world he lives in.

Fortunately, Vermonter won't be able to board a ship, stay home and enjoy a Green Mountain land vacation, they are lovely.

58 minutes ago, AstoriaPreppy said:

The responses in this thread are fascinating. We sail all lines, and like to mix it up. I’d say our never would be NCL: service is functional at best, and the MDRs are consistently the worst out of any mass market line. Still, they’re the only line with ships based year round from Manhattan, which means we’ve sailed in them lots. 
 

Also, somewhat surprised at the Carnival hate. I’ve always said Royal Caribbean is just a ship full of Carnival passengers who think they’re too good for Carnival. 

because one does not like Carnival or any other line for that matter, how does it equate to "hate"?  I drink Pepsi but does not mean I "hate" coke, it is called personal preference.

Just now, NMTraveller said:

And your news source is?  They would start cruising right away if allowed.

It is not the CDC job to keep cruise lines in business, rather it is to protect us, I believe they are doing what they are mandated to do.  I want to get on a ship as much as anyone, cruise lines need to help themselves better and stop whining.  Submit some type of a plan and stop saying we don't know what you want, just submit something, let CDC review and respond.  I don't need a "source"

22 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

Time to dust those cruise clothes off.

 

Now all we are missing is what are the restrictions?  Waiting on the CDC.

I think waiting on the cruise lines to stop dragging their feet