Cinder Again

Here in SC, I think things are beginning to ease up vaccine wise for those 65+. I got my first shot of Moderna at Walmart a few weeks ago, with a return date scheduled for shot #2. This week, three of the other sites I’d registered with called me to schedule, so availability is improving. Monday, sign-up moves to anyone with health risks, regardless of age, and all workers who are front line with customers or clients. i think the J and J shot will be popular since it’s one and done!

i got them to sign my yellow Health Passport too, but I also got the regular card. Take a photo with your phone, too!

South Carolina inexplicably got the least amount of doses in the beginning, even though we are not the smallest by either population or amount of resident Seniors. That said, the first doses went to Hospitals AND all Senior living/rehab centers. Even though I would have loved getting it faster, I know in my heart that was the correct decision. When they got them done, they concentrated on first responders next. They are now contracting with a local hospital system to handle mass vaccinations of teachers and school staff under 65.

Now they are mostly done,  Seniors 65+ is being handled. Whether you got a quick appt.or not, ( in large part)depended on how computer savvy and persistent you were. I think that population largely now has appts., but some aren’t until April/May. 

I got my first shot last Monday. It happened to be Moderna, (Walmart pharmacy) but I would have taken any brand, just to get it done. I think us getting vaccinated is our best chance to help get us traveling again. I miss all vacations, but really miss cruising with friends! 

Question. For those not in the USA, are your countries covering the cost of the vaccines? If Not, approximately what is the charge? TIA!

I am in SC, and inexplicably, we were originally given the LEAST amount of vaccine, even though we are not even within the lowest (by population). Our Governor required first doses be given to the sick and elderly in long term nursing, along with hospitals staff. With the remainder, they started with police, fire and rescue, and Doctors and Dentists and their staff. Now they are set for second shots, and they’ve just begun whittling away at citizens 70+. Their scheduled first appts got well into March. Today they added 65+, and I got an appt for 4/6/21. I feel lucky to now be in the queue. It seems a lot of the shot distribution sites are using the CDC scheduling site VAMS, although my local hospital isn’t in that program yet. My Doctor told me that more nurses are refusing the shots than they expected, so that is why they were able to shift course. I am surprised they were given that choice, if they work in the hospital setting. This may never happen, but I would love at least a semblance of our lives back.

i think we have to be patient with our governments. This is a monumental undertaking!

On 2/1/2021 at 9:37 PM, Jingerwoppy said:

My wife and I are typically RC cruisers but of course there are places that they don't really go much or have a route that doesn't really work for us. Because of this, we're thinking about the 35 day cruise to Hawaii and the South Pacific out of San Diego in February 2022. We've cruised for 19 days before but this is almost twice that.

 

If this has been offered before and you've taken it, how enjoyable was it?

 

Thanks

I am on this cruise too, and it will be the third time for a group of us! (Most of us are actually boarding the cruise before, since we are (mostly) east coasters. ) The ship becomes a little city and some of my very best friends I met on this trip! Check out the roll call too. Lots of great excursions are being planned, assuming we’re allowed to have fun on private tours by then!

Failing any other payment Bob, it might pay transportation and expenses to and from port cities, along with extra hotel night stays. Even that’s a benefit,!

I bought the first 100 shares at $16. I also bought 100 shares of RCL. I have never been overly worried about theIR yearly dividend. As long as I book cruises and get SBC, that’s a tax free dividend, IMHO.

Thank you so much!

I went ahead and ordered it. For whatever it’s worth, it was $278.98 for 32 days, but, they will reduce it another $30 once I board. Thanks!

1 minute ago, kazu said:

 

You’ll have a nice savings (depending on the length of your cruise) by ordering in advance, but it is the Premier Plan, not the Surf (or middle plan) which is all you require.

 

The premier plan does let you use more mb though which might be helpful to you.

Thank you! Glad to know the correct verbiage to use! Premier it is! 😘

It’s been about a year since I’ve purchased an internet package. I am boarding next week for 35 days. I don’t want to watch Movies, etc. Just read emails, Facebook, search the Net..

Is there a cost advantage to ordering in advance? I am 5 * so I know I’ll get that discount, but if it saves a few bucks to order now, I will...TIA!

On 9/10/2019 at 11:53 AM, Ellen495 said:

AHHHHHHHH so the outside TA has access to lower fares? I know the PCC (thanks) told me that if something goes down, she can rebook it BUT I would lose present specials. So for example - she told me that if  the fare goes down, she could rebook but if the new fare didn't include the 800 on board credit, I would lose that. That does make sense.... But that would be the same for a TA I assume so he would decide what makes sense? I mean - if it goes down by 2000 dollars (unlikely) who cares about losing 800.

The TA works for you, the PCC works for HAL. I like having a TA, they can do  things like double check fares or incentives. They can do everything the PCC can do, and honestly, if you plan to travel again, it’s probably a good idea to have a TA in your pocket. TA’s sometimes are able to book/or rebook my trip, based on incentives they are offered. I’ve actually been lumped in with some holiday tour, because maybe something extra was offered to a group. Not that I need to hang out with them. 😉

Remember, even if you use HAL’s Flight ease, any TA can help you with that, you don’t need a PCC to do that either. It may save money on those flights you need, too, my TA has sometimes been astounded by how low HAL’s flights are! 

For education purposes, I often book another cruise while I am on the ship (using $100 future cruise credits). There often are onboard deals, I.e., last time I got a balcony for the cost of an outside cabin. So technically, a PCC books it (while aboard) but I ask it be transferred to my TA. They are used to it. I suspect PCC’s are salaried, not commission. 

Some of my dearest friends I have met on  excursions or at dinner on past cruises! Do whatever feels good to you, but stretching yourself by joining a group might end up being the best decision of your life! Most of my dining companions have been polite and entertaining. Personally, if sailing alone, I’d ask to be seated at a large, round table. 

18 hours ago, PixieMom3 said:

Thanks everyone. Now I need to convince my sister that HAL isn't for older people only. 🙂 

In the summer in Alaska, it’s a lot of three generation groups. Remember it’s light from about 4:00 a.m. to midnight, and the ships have relatively short distances to travel between most ports, there are lots of off ship activities too! 

It WILL have less shipboard activity, but I doubt you’ll miss it much, there’s so much to do. I’ve sailed both Princess and HAL and prefer the smaller line, and often bigger cabin. Both have their own beautiful hotels and rail cars if you go to Denali 

After having credit cards compromised on two cruises, I now use a separate credit card that I almost never use, so even if it happens, it’s less work for me, canceling automatic bill pays, etc. It’s a good idea to see if your bank has that foreign currency debit card option!

Last night I binge watched a few episodes of a Netflix documentary called Scam City. This guy looked at various cities, searching for pickpockets, scam artists, short changing, taxi scams, etc. Lots of short changing with foreign currencies, it will pay to have small bills, and count your change carefully! 

I watched Rome, Morocco, and Barcelona, all places I’m visiting this Fall, so you can check the episodes and watch the ones that apply to your travels.  It was disheartening that even a legitimate looking money exchange station shortchanged him...

On 5/25/2019 at 3:09 AM, crystalspin said:

Congratulations on 5*! We are within shooting distance of 4* and free laundry, but our next three cruises (or at least current bookings) are on other lines... of course, something HAL might come up!

Laundry is my favorite perk, and I still overpack!🤣

Thank you! It worked! (I think 🤣)

I recently got to 5* status, but can’t remember how to add stars to my moniker on CC. Anyone know? TIA!

Yes, I did, and picked flights that worked best for me.

10/19/19, Rotterdam, 32 days, Rome, and Holy Land to FLL!

I didn't realize this topic would be so polarizing!

 

My Father-in-law is in his 80's and I really believe it will make it easier for him to identify the rooms. That's really the only reason for it. We are celebrating their 60th anniversary and I have ordered the anniversary package with balloons and flowers.

 

The decorations would be minimal - 5 letters on one door and 4 on the other. I wasn't sure if magnets would work, but if they will that would be preferable.

 

I can't imagine the color bleeding from a window cling. Maybe those "gel" clings, but not the plastic window clings. If magnets will work then I could just make my own out of paper.

 

and BTW - they are in 7048 and we are in 7049 on the Zaandam - opposite sides of the ship. Not next to each other.

I say feel free, hang a door sign, it’s your cruise! I do put a cruise critic door sign on my door, and several friends do as well. It makes it easy for us to find each other’s cabins! I don’t think magnets work, I just laminated our signs, (we re-use, re-pack for the next trip) and we stick them to the door with painters tape so they aren’t messy to get off again. No one has ever told us not to, and it’s tons easier to locate each other’s cabins! Have fun! Kathi

Really great review, sounds like you and your lovely wife took full advantage of what the ship and ports offered!

CD's are the most annoying people on the ship...

I totally disagree. A good CD acts as a communicator for the Captain, and for some, they provide another source of entertainment. I ALWAYS notice (and praise by review) great ones. Especially on long cruises, they really become part of the “village” that is the ship.

Good ones, at least from my view, actually act like they love their job, and people. They are cheerful and patient, hearing the same stories or complaints day after day. Mark Brignone comes to mind, although he has moved on to Viking They are the face of HAL, and as such, I am sure it’s not an easy job.

Much appreciated. A lot of new faces, but I'll watch out for Gilbert.

 

Enjoyed your "live-from", a great read!

Your Cd is a great guy! We've stayed friendly since meeting on a South Pacific cruise.

Happy to add you Cinder :)

 

But, do we have IFlyRc5's permission to add their name to the listing?

I wrote him, and I see he's added himself! :-) wish I was doing B to B with them!

Thanks! Kathi