jeh10641

In Nov. 2021, we stayed at a Hampton Inn, 4817 W. Laurel St. not far from the airport (10 minutes). It is about 15 minutes by taxi or shuttle from the Port. There is an Olive Garden two-minute walk away. It was under $150/night including breakfast. Jim

Hi, MagentandRiffRaff, Covid protocols are continually shifting, sometimes even while cruising. The Rotterdam on its "christening" cruise last week mandated on board masking. Don Terris, Don's Family Cruises on You Tube, even though he was masked and double boosted, still tested positive twice at the end of his week. Just saying...I will be on board RCI's Anthem Oct. 2023 with a mask and as many boosters as available at the time. Jim

Had no problem opening RCI website using my Lenovo desktop and MS Explorer 5 minutes ago.

As to remembering. I use a journal that I carry with me (small, about 3x5 inches) to write down names, dates and locations. I also ask how they pronounce their name if it is not a familiar one (Agus for instance). I write that pronunciation down as well. I also use that information for filling out the daily comment cards I get at the Guest Relations' desk. That is a real bonus for the staff. Jim

I am not a fan of beaches so any "private island" is not to my liking. I usually consider them "sea" days and stay on an empty ship doing things on board without crowds. Jim

Hi, BermudaBound2014, You are right about the 54% capacity. Now Carnival has all of its back in service less those that are having maintenance done. They have carried over 2,000,000 cruisers since the restart. The quote below is from David Bernstein, CFO. "Despite all that, during the first quarter, we carried over 1 million guests, which was nearly a 20% increase from the fourth quarter 2021...Once again, our onboard and other revenue per diems were up significantly in the first quarter 2022 versus the first quarter 2019...We ended the first quarter 2022 with $7.2 billion in liquidity versus $9.4 million at the end of the fourth quarter. ..During the first quarter, we increased our booked occupancy position for the second half of 2022, albeit not at the same pace as a typical wave season due to the Omicron variant. " Jim

Thanks for the tip about Heidi. We will be there Oct. 2023. I have been to Bermuda a couple of times. My wife has never been there. Jim

Amen!

Amen! You are welcome. Good luck with your testing. My wife and I are sailing from Southampton in Oct. 2023. Jim

the pleasure is mine. Hope we meet some day. Jim

You are welcome. Good luck with your testing. My wife and I are sailing from Southampton in Oct. 2023. Jim

Thanks Laminator. I usually like your comments as well. Jim

Although I have not done it, a lot of You Tube Cruiser Bloggers recommend Lab Doctor on 17th St. in Fort Lauderdale as a great way to get tested. No appointments needed and out in under 30 minutes with your result

rkacruiser, Probably not a "private island" but maybe a private resort? Jim

I have watched a couple of You Tube Cruise Bloggers who are currently aboard Rotterdam. They are complaining about the masking but accepting it. My wife and I continue to mask up when we go out for meals, shopping or exercise and will do so willingly for the foreseeable future (even cruising). Not only to protect us but others around us. Covid is not going away. My sister-in-law was quarantined for two weeks (this month) in her senior housing complex with a positive test even though she had no symptoms. Another friend in a rehab center just tested positive after nine consecutive days of negative tests (now has mild cold like symptoms). Both were vaccinated and double boosted. These policies will be with us for a lot longer than the complainers think. Keep your masks handy and wear them, it works. Jim

We have never had breakfast in any MDR since they usually close at 9 AM which is usually when we start breakfast.

Carnival is not developing another private island. It is building on Grand Bahama near the city of Freeport. About $200,000,000 to $300,000,000.

To a certain degree. But there are staffing shortages that have come to light this week that is leading to cutbacks in events and capacity. Go on to You Tube and search out cruise bloggers. Jim

I live near Seattle and our daily case count in the state has doubled in the last month. Hospitalizations look to be up about 50%. Deaths are down to 1 or 2 per day. My wife and I are around 80 with health conditions. We still go out to dine and shop and visit friends/family. We wear masks except when actually dining/drinking, inside or outside. And probably will continue to so for the foreseeable future. Not only to protect ourselves but to protect those around us. We may be in endemic but Covid is still out there and affecting people. Jim

HermmyGranger and others, I tip extra. On Embarkation Day, I look for my room steward(s) and hand out $20-40 to each (length of cruise). No envelopes, hand to hand. I fill out daily comment cards highlighting one or more crew members who assisted us that day (Guest Service desk has them). I tip Lido/MDR staff cash at the end of the cruise again based on service above and beyond (friendly greeting by name, nonalcoholic drinks on table, etc.). No bar tenders since we do not use the bars. On our last cruise on Rotterdam, I asked our room stewards and dining staff if they needed anything ashore. I bought our room stewards chocolates at a factory (excursion visit) as an extra. I especially like to tip extra now after the staff was out of a job for so long due to Covid. I was in an inside cabin because I am a budget cruiser so I can afford the "extras" on board, such as tipping extra. Jim