babyblue78

We are underway now, pushed back from the dock around 11:30pm.

On the ship…. Lots of other rumors flying around. Ship has been boarded for hours now so the late start not the issue. Maintenance issue or CBP clearance issue is what I assumed, but now word that someone was taken off in cuffs and emergency vehicles dock side, and supposedly some man may have been stabbed by his wife!?!?! Guess we will find out soon!

Just because people need to eat, doesn’t mean they have to provide it for free. Passengers could bring from home, buy in the airport, or pay inflight. They also do not care about credit card culture, you’d either be prepared to pay or not, like any other detail of traveling somewhere. But for now, airlines provide on long haul typically, but they are not required to and could cut anytime if they thought they could get away with it.

They still want $49.99/day for the Key for my Oasis cruise in three weeks. 😂😂😂😂😂

While not great, long-haul flights still serve meals in Economy. Just flew round trip to Zurich this week and was served both ways. Example, flight home had meal service shortly after takeoff (pasta or chicken dish) with a small salad, bread roll, and a fudge-like dessert. Then later in the flight they offered single-serve vanilla ice cream, and then they offered a veggie pesto or BBQ chicken wrap shortly before landing. Beer and wine available to all, liquor drinks in Main Cabin Extra. This was on American Airlines.

If you have the Deluxe or Refreshment packages, you can get smoothies and protein shakes in the Vitality Cafe also, if you can use those instead of hauling your own on. Here is the link to the menu: vitality-cafe-menu-sample.pdf (royalcaribbean.com)

Agree with those sentiments also... but years ago I decided to worry about what I can control, and not what other people do, and just keep it moving. If I focus or concern myself with those things it only brings me down, and I am just here to have my vacation!

Agree…. But there are posts in this thread about not TALKING around the food. Really, those people think no one talks in the prep kitchen? Understand nastiness and general sanitation rules, but someone chewing a single fry while breathing in line at the buffet, if you think that’s bad idk what to say. LOL

Just saying.... I hope some of ya'll don't eat out at restaurants, if you expect 100% "sanitation".

I work for a major importer and we just got this notice from one of our carriers... the fact we are getting this notice as it relates to cargo, wanted to share this may be a long-term issue with cruises via the canal. Three-Week Backlog At Panama Canal Shippers Advised to Route Cargo Bound For U.S. East and Gulf Coast Ports Through the Suez Canal Dear Valued Customer, The drought in the Panama Canal region has gotten progressively worse, forcing the Panama Canal Authority to implement a number of restrictions on the amount of cargo that is allowed to traverse through the canal. These restrictions have caused a three-week backlog of vessels. To date there are more than 154 vessels backed up and waiting for the chance to travel through the canal. Industry officials are predicting that the situation will get much worse. We are advising all clients who typically route their cargo to the U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports through the Panama Canal, to instead route their cargo through the Suez Canal. Also, clients shipping heavy 20-foot containers should avoid shipping through the Panama Canal. Additionally, we are also suggesting that all clients to reach out to their advisors to discuss long-term alternative strategies because, as the EPA states here, this new weather pattern will in all likelihood become permanent. Finally, carriers have stated that they are considering charging a low water fee to pass through the canal. As of now they have not implemented the fee and we will update you should they begin charging the fee. We will continue to monitor this situation and will inform you of any updates as they become available.

We have these, pretty flexible so different cup sizes should still work. The neoprene helps insulate some too! HomDSim 2 Pack Tumbler Carrier Holder, Neoprene Tumbler Sleeve with Carrying Handle, Water Bottle Carrier Pouch Fit for YETI Rambler Ozark Trail Rtic and More https://a.co/d/dd4KsyN

OP likely has DBP which would cover wine by the glass and not by the bottle…

Allure! In addition to not having the Abyss, it also has the fabulous Champagne Bar instead of the robot Bionic Bar....

Blue Lizard! I am paler than pale and have had a melanoma removed, so I will not go without. It does start off white, but if I rub it in well it goes away.

You can also consider Arashi Beach in Aruba... you can take the public bus (same one that goes to Eagle and Palm, it ends at Arashi. You can rental chairs/umbrella there and there is a beach bar that serves decent food. Roped swimming area. We went to Kenapa Grandi in Curacao (teens enjoyed jumping of the small cliff there), but Mambo probably a good option with younger kids.

Several crew members weren’t wearing masks on Allure last month… a few bartenders and towel hut. Think some of them were willing to buck the system….

Most land-based casinos use the TITO vouchers (Vegas strip and Fremont, local Harrah's, etc). I'm surprised so many gamblers are not very familiar with them?

So all these cash tippers walk around the Windjammer and tip the hardworking folks in there?!? Somehow I doubt it.

Got off the Allure last Sunday.... Surf & Stream worked perfectly fine, for ship internet. It wasn't blazing fast but I could see videos on Facebook. Kids streamed Youtube and my daughter was Facetiming with her friends at home.

I was on the same cruise.... a little torqued that they won't reimburse me for 3rd party trip insurance (we booked insurance within 14 days of booking to cover pre-existing conditions. They will only cover air, train, or car rental. Pretty disappointed to be out $300 when I didn't choose to cancel the sailing. 😞

Main point I have on this is that these vaccines do not stop transmission so will not lead to elimination of Covid. I am NOT an anti-vaxxer, I an vaccinated and boosted, but have still had Covid twice (Delta and Omicron). People should get vaccinated to help improve their risk against serious disease (in my opinion, but each has to make own choices). However, I don't think anyone can expect that this disease can be eradicated by vaccine, at least the ones we have available today.

We enjoy Maya Chan beach… we were there when our kids were little. Beach does have turtle grass, but they keep it clean. We had fun taking out kayaks.

Yep… this is not new either, tipping at Sandals has been going on a long time. I have been going there for over 20 years (I was even married at Sandals Negril), and tipping was happening even then. Cash tipping happens at the bar, entertainment staff, housekeeping, etc… trust me, they WILL take your tip.

Tipping is still very much a thing at Sandals though, so what has happened is the prices were higher to supposedly include tips. Then tipping continues so the culture is still there....

There is a similar game where Jeep owners "duck" each other, and leave ducks with tags on the jeep. They have their own hashtag #duckingjeeps or #duckduckjeep. I see Jeeps driving around my area with their whole dash lined with ducks. Someone is a genius.