shiphound

I have been on RC and NCL (only one NCL cruise ship - Breakaway) and like RC much better.  That said, I have not been on an Oasis class ship and have no real interest in them, esp. on a trip to Europe.  They are just too big.  I could see it if I was going to the Caribbean, where one tends to spend more time on the ship and so there is time for all the fun options on the ship.  But, for me, in Europe, I am more interested in the ports (if not, why fly all the way to Europe) and I would want a less crowded ship - one, esp., that is easier to get on and off of.  

You have to decide for yourself.  An Oasis class ship is going to be very crowded.  Does that excite you or intimidate you?

1 hour ago, cangelmd said:

Checked, this is correct, but the people were described as having “profound comorbidities”. This is per the Telegraph.

There are a number of people for whom vaccines either do not work or do not work as well.  Most of these people are taking some types of immune suppressant drugs (for treating other issues), chemotherapy or something else that has impacted their immune systems.  These people can vulnerable even after taking a vaccine and are great reason why EVERYONE  needs to take a vaccine.  We have to help each other and not just be selfish and think only about ourselves.

On 6/5/2021 at 9:19 PM, voyager90265 said:

Royal has reversed itself and will no longer require proof of vaccination for sailings out of Florida. If Celebrity does the same are you comfortable sailing?  

no

On 2/19/2021 at 12:46 PM, whirlybird3 said:

Wow!  That is a lot of shots.  We are having difficulty in organizing and giving out two shots, I can't imagine organizing four shots to millions of people. 

I took allergy shots for years - one every couple of weeks.  Not a big deal.

15 hours ago, palamoh said:

Not trying to interfere with all the science everyone is discussing here.  Just noted that Crystal Cruise lines just announced Vaccine to required for all 2021 sailings.  Believe more Cruise Lines will follow same requirement very soon.

Cruise lines will not have a choice.  By summer, I doubt any foreign country will allow people in without a vaccine.  

19 hours ago, whirlybird3 said:

Wow!  That is a lot of shots.  We are having difficulty in organizing and giving out two shots, I can't imagine organizing four shots to millions of people. 

We always give shots to millions of people.  I got allergy shots for years once every couple of weeks or so and so do millions of others.  We give millions of flu shots every year, we give millions of shingles shots every year.  Used to get flu shots in my office when I was still working.  Had someone come in and probably gave 100 or them in an hour or two.  The problem this year is (1) ramping up production of the vaccine and (2) some of the vaccines need special storage.  The result is that shots are not being given the way they normally are.  This will change.

1 hour ago, cangelmd said:

Hcat, to add one thing to TeeRick's excellent explanation - the more virus replicates (reproduces) the more opportunities the virus has to develop a mutations/variants (mutations are copying errors in the process of replication). Increased replication can be within an individual person who cannot clear the infection (like the immunocompromised patient discussed on another thread) or it can be just total virus circulating as it passes from person to person. So the vaccines can tamp down the development of variants even if the vaccine isn't completely effective against a given variant. If vaccinated people in general are less likely to get infected/release less virus per infection/simply sneeze and cough less because they aren't as sick - then there is less virus in circulation and lower R value and eventually fewer variants. Wear a mask and it goes down even more because masking reduces the virus spread by aysmptomatic people who are just talking.

If we all get vaccines as soon as we can, continue to wear masks, etc., the less  the virus will spread and replicate itself and the fewer variants there will be.  

Just now, D C said:

Very basically, the spike protein is different. The result is that one's antibodies don't quite recognise it as something they know how to deal with.  

 

It's like you know judo, but an adversary comes at you with a new move that you haven't seen before.  You're still pretty well able to defend yourself against most of what they throw at you, and your odds of winning are really good, but they're able to get several blows in that you didn't expect. 

We will see, but right now my sense is that you have a greater chance of getting the virus with the SA variant even after having the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, but your chances of having to go to the hospital or dying are still pretty low.  And, isn't that the main goal.  Not that worried about getting a mild case.  

On 2/17/2021 at 1:58 PM, nocl said:

The point I was making is that while the vaccines may provide some protection from the variants, data is starting to appear that infection from the original strain may not.  As such one may not be able to count the previously infected in looking at numbers for herd immunity if some of the new strains (SA for example) get wide spread.

From what I have read, there is some thinking that having had the virus may in many cases be like getting the first of the two doses of the vaccine.  There is at least some thought that people who have had the virus may only need one dose of vaccine.

On 2/3/2021 at 10:48 PM, shiphound said:

My wife and I got the first dose of Pfizer vaccine last week.  Cannot wait to get second dose. 

Got my second dose this week.  My wife gets hers tomorrow.  There really is a sense of euphoria about getting the vaccine.  I feel as if I am getting my life back.

10 hours ago, TeeRick said:

Ken in theory the answer to your question is yes.  But as an antibody treatment it will be in short supply and very expensive so not sure a ship would carry it unless required to do so.  Also requires iv injection and monitoring.  Probably better left to hospitals.

You are correct about these needing an IV, but as I understand it they are not in short supply but rather going around unused.  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/23/health/covid-antibody-treatment.html

On 2/4/2021 at 8:22 AM, Nancycat said:

Vaccines are wonderful, but at this time there is no definitive evidence that the vaccines prevent transmission of Covid.

Wearing a mask protects others, 

I will be fully vaccinated in less than a week and will continue to wear a mask to protect those who are not.

Me too. 

My wife and I got the first dose of Pfizer vaccine last week.  Cannot wait to get second dose. 

3 hours ago, rdt10 said:

For a first trip, the Mediterranean offers a good sampling of Europe. We prefer a cruise that starts and ends in different cities, allowing a few days before and after to better explore those cities. Rome to Barcelona or opposite is a good route. The Greek isles are also very nice and most of the sites are close to Port. Many sites on a med. cruise are some distance from the port such as Rome and Florence which are 1 1/2 hours or more from the port.

 

The Rick Steve's guides are very helpful. Also check out the port of calls forum for DIY help and recommended tour operators.

 

We prefer the spring and fall for the med. The summer months can be hot and very crowded.

I agree that the Spring and Fall are better for Mediterranean cruises for the reasons stated.  But, look at your ports at different times of the year and make sure you are not going at a rainy time.  It is less fun to sightsee in the rain.

4 hours ago, SCGirl3211 said:

We have been on many cruises but are planning our first cruise to Europe.  Have a few questions: Please rank in importance - ship, ports, number of days, time of year.  If paper guides are still used, anyone have a recommendation for a good travel guide?  Should we consider using a travel agent for our first venture or do you tend to learn more about what you are going to see by doing the research on your own?  This may be a one-time trip so we want to get it right.  Thanks

I would put ports and time of year as more important for European cruises than ships.  We spend a lot more time off the ship on cruises in Europe than on cruises in say the Caribbean.  And, you want to make sure you have plenty of budget for shore excursions (whether with the cruise line, a private guide, etc.).  IMHO, the reason to go on a European Cruise is to see Europe.  

18 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

For a small ship, it has plenty of specialty restaurants:  3 + Chef's Table.  Anthem only has one more:  Wonderland.  (I don't count Solarium Bistro, both for quality and cost).  When you consider that Anthem is more than twice the capacity (closer to three times), the comparison favors the Grandeur.

Wonderland is the only really good specialty restaurant on either ship.  Also, Jamie's on Anthem is much better than Giovani's Table, which isn't that good.

On 12/19/2019 at 1:15 AM, John&LaLa said:

Lots of speciality restaurants from what I understand. 

 

As many as a ship almost twice her size

I guess I would say that the lack of RC's more innovative specialty restaurants is a great weakness of this ship.  Not nearly as many or as interesting specialty restaurants as Anthem, for example.

To me, the ship is dated (I wish they had updated the ship like Celebrity did with Summit, which is now beautiful) and the food is just OK.  But, what I like best about Grandeur is that it is just a very relaxed ship where it is easy to unwind and rest for a week.  The crew is very friendly, the entertainment is very good (more traditional cruise ship entertainment, not as many bells and whistles), and the whole experience is very calming.  

We contacted customer service at Celebrity and they got back to us with more detail on this excursion.  The write up they have is that the excursion will visit the Cathedrale d'images.  When I googled Cathedrale d'images, I got https://www.myprovence.fr/en/travel-guide/entertainment/cultural-places/les-baux-de-provence/2568-cathedrale-d-images  The write up also described visiting a Van Gogh exhibit, so it sounds like it does go there.  We are supposed to have received an email with the write up, but have not gotten that yet.  I will post it when and if we get it.

On 6/14/2019 at 9:44 PM, C-Dragons said:

Yes it is.

We visited the Carrieres Lumieres  on a private tour while on the Reflection a couple of years ago.

http://www.carrieres-lumieres.com/

Thanks.

22 hours ago, scottygirl said:

We did this excursion while on the Symphony of the Seas.  The description online said "visit a local art gallery".  Boy were we surprised when we got to the Carriers Lumieres! It is just a stunning display of technology and art.  We thought it was just going to be a short visit to a local gallery. 🙂 You cannot go wrong with this excursion. Les Beaux and St Remy were breathtaking too.  This was one of the highlights of our cruise!  I just ran out of the lavender soap I bought in St Remy, now I need to go back!

Thanks.

On some Royal Caribbean cruises, I have gone to the wine bar (there called Vintages) and negotiated a discount for buying multiple bottles from them, rather than one of the packages of mediocre wines.  Then, I can open these wines at dinner in any of the restaurants.  I plan to try this on a couple of Celebrity cruises this summer/fall and see if it works there as well.  

5 hours ago, Boatharbour said:

I highly recommend a visit to Carrieres Lumieres. It is a truly unique experience whether you are interested in art or not. 

 

We visited in October last year and really didn’t know what to expect. It’s held in a vast old quarry, underground, with soaring ceilings. Huge images are projected onto the quarry walls, which are irregular in shape and accompanied by a sound track as you walk through the darkened quarry. Surreal. 

 

 It’s presented as a show which I think ran for about 30 minutes and is replayed on a loop. 

 

Spectacular is not an exaggeration. Still get goose bumps reminiscing about it. Plenty of other sights in the immediate area too. 

Yes.  I have heard wonderful things about it.  Right now the show is Van Gogh.

On 5/13/2019 at 8:52 AM, shiphound said:

I saw something about this show in some limestone caves not real far from Marseilles.  http://www.carrieres-lumieres.com/en/home  Does anyone know of an excursion that goes here?

Apparently in some limestone caves near Marseilles, there is an interesting show of Van Gogh.   http://www.carrieres-lumieres.com/en/home   We are on Celebrity Reflection in October and there is a Celebrity excursion called Villages of Provence where the explanation is:

Explore the culture, art, and history of Provence on this visit to two of the region’s charming villages: Saint-Rémy and Les Baux-de-Provence. Your adventure begins with a scenic stroll through the heart of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Experience some of the best shopping in Provence. Browse artisanal shops, galleries, craft stores, boutiques, and charming cafés. Discover the local artist studios. Visit one of the village’s impressive art galleries where you’ll view impressionistic art while listening to music. The art gallery is located in a stunning ancient quarry that has inspired the imaginations of artists and writers for centuries. Then, travel to the village of Les Baux-de-Provence, located on a rocky promontory 800 feet above sea level. Admire stunning examples of medieval and Renaissance architecture, and marvel at the town’s fortress overlooking the valley. Enjoy free time to wander the town, browse the shops, and explore local cafés.

Does anyone know if the "art gallery in the stunning ancient quarry" is the Carrieres Lumieres?  We will contact Celebrity, but our experience has been that people on the phone don't really know the details of the excursions, so we thought we would check here as well.

Celebrity will confiscate any wine bought in any port and give it back to you at the end of the cruise.  We will be on a cruise on Celebrity Reflection going through the Mediterranean.  There are excursion options to wineries, etc., and cities with wine stores.  Don't have any issue with the fact that I could not open any bottles that I get on the ship (well, I do, but that is not my question).  If I want to buy wine to bring home, how will the wine be stored by Celebrity?  I don't want to buy any decent wine during the cruise and have it ruined by the ship storing it in too warm a place.  Anyone know?