mjmalino

19 hours ago, nocl said:

Bermuda is not considered to be a far destination for travel between US cities.  The ABC islands qualify as do any South American ports.

I guess it was the between states that I wasn't thinking about. 

34 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

I'm sure Princess wishes the public health authorities would tell them what they'll want and demand before they can even look at a go-no go decision.  Trust me, Princess wants you on that ship for that sailing.  I can't really say that for the CDC or EU.

Absolutely, all of these cruise lines are patiently waiting for direction from the CDC. The CDC came out with their Framework back in October, and was supposed to provide additional guidance in order for the cruise lines to begin their test cruises. The CDC still has not provided that guidance.

1 hour ago, megolf4 said:

1) Cruising from the United States....Will be limited to short Caribbean Cruises, primarily out of Port Canaveral, Port Everglades, and Port Miami.  Starting July, 2021.

 

Not debating it, but what's the source of this statement? 

I looked at the Princess news site today and didn't see this report.  I'm booked for a July 24 trip on the Regal Princess, Mediterranean, roundtrip London.  Next month I'm suppose to lay out a bunch of money. Having been canceled twice since nonsense started, I am reluctant to do so.  Sure wish Princess would tell us what they're waiting to know before making a go-no go decision on this cruise.  I'd hate to again plop down money in April only to be told in May they've canceled or changed the itinerary.

Actually, back in October the CDC with the Framework for conditional cruising, they stated no cruises in or out of the US longer than 7 days until November 1. Here is one article about it. I was going to post the link the the cdc, but the framework is 40 pages long, so I chose an article instead.

https://www.porthole.com/cdc-lifts-no-sail-order-outlines-cruise-return/

5 hours ago, cruisequeen4ever said:

 I miss the planning, too. I’ve had to let go of planning in depth because for me, it’s a greater disappointment when it’s canceled. I look for fun occasionally to have ideas of what I’d want to do, and I’d apply an FCC if I felt hopeful, but that’s about it til cruises become more realistic. Now once they do, it’ll be full steam ahead on planning! 

Same here. I LOVE to research and plan excursions and such, it is part of the fun, and not just planning for myself. This past year has been so hard watching all the planning being cancelled. My in-laws were supposed to have gone on a land tour of Israel last year with friends of theirs and I had all these wonderful tours set up for them. I was a disappointed as they were when the trip was cancelled.

As soon as I know my cruise in January is going to happen I will be planning the hell out of it. LOL

1 hour ago, nocl said:

Just wondering where is the far distant port that allows you to cruise from NY to Fort Lauderdale.

 

From my recollection the relocation cruise at the end of the season starts in Quebec City and end in Fort Lauderdale to avoid PVSA.  No way to start in New York and end in Fort Lauderdale since that would violate PVSA.

Even if they had to stay within 7 days, they could have a stop in Bermuda to fulfill the PVSA requirement.

On 2/16/2021 at 2:21 PM, USCcruisecrazy said:

What are the groups currently being vaccinated in California?  It seems at 80+ you should have been in line by New Years or sooner.  In South carolina, we are currently processing appointments for 65 and over.  The biggest issue here is that vaccine distributions were not done smartly based on the population able to sign up and the areas they live.  In our county, we actually have plenty of vaccines because the aging population is lower.  Whereas certain areas like the Grand Strand that has a lot of transplant retirees has a much higher percent of 65+ living there.  DW has received both shots because she's the head nurse at the Residency program here...I am not so lucky because I am a baby at 61+.  But I hope to get the chance within a month to sign up.  I may get grouped with teachers and 60+. 

May I ask where in SC? I am in the Charleston area.

On 2/14/2021 at 8:32 PM, stevenr597 said:

Everything is pretty much in the air.  But here goes:

1) Cruising from the United States....Will be limited to short Caribbean Cruises, primarily out of Port Canaveral, Port Everglades, and Port Miami.  Starting July, 2021.

2) European Cruises including Trans-Atlantics....November 2021.

Cruising will be limited.  Proof of vaccination will be required.  

Actually, I think (OK, am hoping) that a partial Panama Canal cruise round trip from Ft. Lauderdale will be possible. Even if ports aren't open, there is a 3 hour port of call in Cristobal, Panama, which might be able to be made into a technical port, if necessary.

16 hours ago, getting older slowly said:

 

To be honest, i have little confidence that our Australian Nov 2021 cruise will happen.. as it is Australia to New Zealand.... now thinking if the 2022-2023 season will be back to normal ?? ....

 

For the mean time back to road trips....

 

Cheers Don

I hear you. We just booked a Panama Canal cruise for January 2022 to celebrate our 25th Anniversary. One of the other cruises we were considering was Australia/New Zealand and decided that given the restrictions in Australia at the moment that odds of it happening for us was pretty low. Can I guarantee that the canal will happen, no, but I think that there is a much higher likelihood of that than Australia, especially as a US citizen.

We were considering a Australia/New Zealand cruise for early 2022 but decided against it due to their current quarantine requirements and us just know knowing how they will be at the time of the cruise. I realize that they have a 72 hour exemption, but, I am not sure how they will deal with cruise passengers who may stop at different ports of call within Australia.

1 minute ago, mjmalino said:

same here

 

 I should have qualified. We have had our stock since our first cruise in 2007, so we have gotten a fair share of OBC over the years as well. That being said, we are hoping to recoup at least some of what we have lost over the past year.

1 hour ago, jennybenny said:

Have lost a ton on it, but at this point, no reason to do anything but wait it out and hope things get better. Consider it a loss outright at this point. 

same here

Yes! I am hoping to get vaccinated as soon as I can. I am also strongly suggesting to my kids to get vaccinated when they can (they are 22 and 21, and the oldest is grown and flown and the younger one grown and almost flown, so I can't really require them to get vaccinated) especially if they want to cruise with us in January 2022 (fingers crossed).

13 minutes ago, PurpleHays said:

I feel the same way. I just don't get it.

 

I have pulmonary sarcoidosis--nodules in my lungs. It makes it difficult to breath. My lungs will tell me if the temperature or humidity goes up before I am aware of it. Walking up stairs is nearly impossible without becoming short of breath. Yet, I can wear a mask at work up to 16 hours. I can wear them in the heat (with difficulty), working out, and doing my running around. I'm so used to wearing them that I sometimes forget I have one one.

 

If someone can't wear one while sitting around, they *definitely* need to see a pulmonologist. STAT. It's a sh!t excuse to not wear one. 

Unfortunately, and please note that I am NOT saying this is everyone, but some people use the "I can't wear a mask" excuse because they don't want to wear them. Case in point, I have a friend who  says her and 2 of her kids  (ages 8 and 6)can't wear them because they all have issues. Her daughter has the same heart issue I have and I can wear them. My friend is an anti-vaxxer and anti-mask as she has ridiculed people for wearing them, so I really don't trust her when she says that none of them can wear them.

Our longest has been 14 day Baltic round trip from Southampton on the Emerald. I hope as we get a bit older and have more time to get away, that maybe we will be able to do longer cruises, especially with Medallion Net making it more feasible to do work and pay bills, if necessary. We are currently scheduled for a 10 day partial transit of the Panama Canal for January to celebrate our 25th. We were going to the the 15 night, but we invited our kids to join us and the oldest is a recent college grad, so can't really take the better part of 3 weeks away from work, and the younger one will be graduating from college in December so we don't want to impede on any possible job start dates any more than necessary.

1 hour ago, LACruiser88 said:

Our thinking is that by the end of summer, the 7 day requirement will be gone.  We are booked for a 10 Day Mexico in late December, so we hope that is the case.  Fingers crossed!

I hope you are right, and agree with you.  We are booked on a 10-day Panama Canal for early January.

I think that also just looking to see which cabin doors are next to each other in the same alcove would help as well, if you can find it. The cabin on the right side has it's bathroom, closet and bed on the right, the left door has it all to the left, I believe.

1 hour ago, drsel said:

We're really excited about our Princess cruise next year.

what is this best ever sale all about

The Best Sale Ever for $40/pp/per day gives you the following:

Pre-paid tips (for a balcony, that is currently $14.50/pp/pd)

Premiere drink package including tips (so approx. $70/pp/pd. FYI, unlike some lines, Princess's Premiere drink package also includes specialty coffees, so no need for a separate coffee card)

Location upgrade

Wifi package (approx $10/pp/pd)

And for the time  being 1 specialty dining/pp. (not sure how long this one will last)

6 hours ago, skynight said:

If she wants an alcoholic beverage you should check with passenger services once on board to make sure her medallion profile is age correct.

*For cruises between Australia/New Zealand, China, Europe and Singapore ports, the drinking age will be 18 years old. For cruises between Japan ports, the drinking age will be 20 years old.

Unless they have changed it, the Mediterranean is 21 drinking age. Baltic cruises in/out of London are 18 due to the high number of passengers from the UK.

2 hours ago, grouchomarx said:

My December Sky cruise had very high quality paper straws.  Sometimes they were given straight away, other times upon request.  I was never without a straw when I needed one.  I didn't have any frozen drinks so I can't comment on that (length being too short).  But there were just as good as plastic straws and I'm someone who has always hated paper straws because they smell and taste bad and fall apart rapidly. These straws had no taste, no smell, and a very rigid texture that did not fall apart. Although I'm not know to nurse a cocktail, that's for sure!  

We had the same experience on the Sky last week.

On 1/14/2020 at 5:41 AM, MissP22 said:

We haven't sailed the Sky yet but yous is the first I've to read about shorts being worn on that ship. I was beginning to think that ship was different than the rest of the fleet.  

How was the pax attire on formal nights? 

In the MRD everyone was dressed well. There was a mix of tuxes and suits for the men and cocktail dresses/formal pants/etc for the women. I thought everyone looked very.

1 hour ago, Justalone said:

 

I am new to cruising. Considering a first cruise this year and  relying on Cruise Critic vets for guidance.  

So, you mentioned wearing echo sandals, or New Balance athletic (?) shoes on Formal Nights with your Formal Night dress. Would wearing Croc type shoes also be permissible?  Also, I thought I read on dress code policy,  hats or ball caps are not allowed in the dining room evenings?   But, that does not hold true for visors?

Very helpful advice.  Thank you for your guidance.

Honestly, my past 2 cruises (1 a couple years ago, and again just last week) I ended up wearing black/silver flip flops on formal nights. I didn't set out to on either one, but the first one I had had ankle surgery a few months earlier and I just couldn't wear my dress shoes. This past one, knee issues, and I only managed to comfortably wear dress shoes the first formal night. Wear what is comfortable on your feet.

6 hours ago, MissP22 said:

 

In the patter for the Regal Princess in Dec the specialty dining rooms were included in the statement but I can assure you it wasn't true. Just casual clothing sufficed. 

 

 

 

I have see some pretty worn & ratty jeans on a few ships that were totally ignored. It seems to me that there on the look out for the holes only- everything else is acceptable. 

 

Once again for casual nights T shirts are fine. My DH has been wearing them for years now on many of the ships-without any questions.

He has been turned away for his dress shorts a few times depending on the ship. Of course the first & last nights are always excluded where anything goes.

We just got off the Sky and at a nearby table one of the people seated there wore shorts, t-shirt and backwards baseball cap every casual night.

49 minutes ago, PurpleHays said:

We were on this sailing too. There were five ships in port in Cozumel and they turned three more away? It was crazy as it was--I can't imagine three more ships.

That's what the captain said during one of his updates. I guess they were limiting the amount of ships in Port. I also know that the ferries to Playa del Carmen were Rocky. So much so that on our way back they came around and passed out sea sickness bags before we set sail. 

3 hours ago, grouchomarx said:

I thought Take5 was an excellent sub for Crooners and in fact a lot nicer.  Live music every night and a beautiful ambiance.  Great cocktails too.  

I agree. I spent a lot of time there myself.

Honestly, I think there were issues all over the Caribbean. We got off the Sky on Saturday and I honestly don't remember having such tumultuous seas, including wind, as we did. In fact, our captain told us that we were lucky to dock in Cozumel as 3 ships were turned away that day.