Royal Caribbean Cruisers -- How Are Things Where You Are? (was "Routine" ​ 😁 ​day in lockdown... how was yours?)

[dani negreanu]

20 minutes ago, FromSea2ShiningSea said:

It was really tough to see our friends leaving to board Odyssey while we got left behind.

 

😢

[Sunshine3601]

8 minutes ago, FromSea2ShiningSea said:

Now for Part 2 story of my trip.  First of all, challenges never run in short supply for me. They do not seem to end.  

 

After we arrived in Civitavecchia, we checked into our hotel.  We took out the Covid Test Kits and self tested.  The results showed Positive for both DH and me.  How could this be happening?  For a couple days, I had a sore throat but I thought it was due to all the cigarette smoke from so many people smoking. I had a little runny nose but it felt like I had a very mild cold.  That was all.  DH had a cough but that was it. Now all these thoughts are running through my head.  We can’t go.  We’d have to cancel our cruise.  We figured we had to go to the Pharmacy to get tested and get documentation for the results.  We would need these for if we have to cancel and get full refund.  Ugh.

 

We went to the Pharmacy but it was closed but would open back up at 4:30PM.  So we went back then and got tested.  These were uncomfortable brain ticklers.  Sure enough, after having avoided the plaque for almost 3 years, the Rona finally caught up with us.  We informed our TA who was on this cruise also.  We sent him the documentations and he started the process for the full refund for us.

 

Meanwhile, we still have the Transatlantic to deal with.  Because it’s a separate booking, we could not cancel that cruise without us testing Positive for it.  So what do we do for 12 days?  We have to hang around!  But we have to isolate at the same time.  We had to somehow make lemonade out of lemons and we decided to go to Pisa.  We’d wear our masks.  We stayed one night in Pisa. Then we found there is a Hilton Grand Vacation in Pisa, out in the country.  Thankfully, they had 4 days available for just when we needed it.  The last room available!  So we booked it.  Rented a car and drove to the Hilton.  It is not the same Hilton Grand Vacations like in Las Vegas or Hawaii.  Lol.  Only condos with kitchenette.  No free breakfast, no restaurants and no other amenities on property.  Just your basic condo. That’s fine.  We just want a place to isolate and relax and maybe just drive around the country side.  We went to the local grocery store.  Got some food to make for all our meals for the days we are here.  We are now planning what to do after Hilton.

 

I have no more symptoms- no sore throat, cough or runny nose.  DH still has a little bit of cough.  We won’t test again until 10/29.  Hopefully we will test Negative by then.  It was really tough to see our friends leaving to board Odyssey while we got left behind.  It all just seemed so unreal.

 

That really stinks you both tested positive.    Very happy to hear you both feel decent and are enjoying as much as you can while there.      Your photos are Gorgeous!     

Fingers and toes crossed you test negative on 10/29 and can still do your TA.

Enjoy your next 7.5 days of beautiful Italy and send us lots of photos sounds like a great plan on what to do until 10/29🥰

[ReneeFLL]

Need to read up on how to edit video from the GoPro, so screen shot will have to do. The video is 173 MB so I don’t think I can download it on here. Someone was pissed we were in their territory. Bite marks from a Picasso trigger fish.

 

 

This photo wasn’t zoomed it. He attacked the camera and it’s a screen shot from it.

 

[ReneeFLL]

32 minutes ago, FromSea2ShiningSea said:

…We went to the Pharmacy but it was closed but would open back up at 4:30PM.  So we went back then and got tested.  These were uncomfortable brain ticklers.  Sure enough, after having avoided the plaque for almost 3 years, the Rona finally caught up with us.  We informed our TA who was on this cruise also.  We sent him the documentations and he started the process for the full refund for us.…

 

That’s terrible. So sorry to hear this.

[Sunshine3601]

8 minutes ago, ReneeFLL said:

Need to read up on how to edit video from the GoPro, so screen shot will have to do. The video is 173 MB so I don’t think I can download it on here. Someone was pissed we were in their territory. Bite marks from a Picasso trigger fish.

 

 

This photo wasn’t zoomed it. He attacked the camera and it’s a screen shot from it.

 

OUCH!    Those teeth look nasty.   Must be painful

[A&L_Ont]

1 minute ago, ReneeFLL said:

That’s terrible. So sorry to hear this.

For sure. At least they are making the best of the unfortunate situation. 

[bobmacliberty]

36 minutes ago, FromSea2ShiningSea said:

Now for Part 2 story of my trip.  First of all, challenges never run in short supply for me. They do not seem to end.  

 

After we arrived in Civitavecchia, we checked into our hotel.  We took out the Covid Test Kits and self tested.  The results showed Positive for both DH and me.  How could this be happening?  For a couple days, I had a sore throat but I thought it was due to all the cigarette smoke from so many people smoking. I had a little runny nose but it felt like I had a very mild cold.  That was all.  DH had a cough but that was it. Now all these thoughts are running through my head.  We can’t go.  We’d have to cancel our cruise.  We figured we had to go to the Pharmacy to get tested and get documentation for the results.  We would need these for if we have to cancel and get full refund.  Ugh.

 

We went to the Pharmacy but it was closed but would open back up at 4:30PM.  So we went back then and got tested.  These were uncomfortable brain ticklers.  Sure enough, after having avoided the plaque for almost 3 years, the Rona finally caught up with us.  We informed our TA who was on this cruise also.  We sent him the documentations and he started the process for the full refund for us.

 

Meanwhile, we still have the Transatlantic to deal with.  Because it’s a separate booking, we could not cancel that cruise without us testing Positive for it.  So what do we do for 12 days?  We have to hang around!  But we have to isolate at the same time.  We had to somehow make lemonade out of lemons and we decided to go to Pisa.  We’d wear our masks.  We stayed one night in Pisa. Then we found there is a Hilton Grand Vacation in Pisa, out in the country.  Thankfully, they had 4 days available for just when we needed it.  The last room available!  So we booked it.  Rented a car and drove to the Hilton.  It is not the same Hilton Grand Vacations like in Las Vegas or Hawaii.  Lol.  Only condos with kitchenette.  No free breakfast, no restaurants and no other amenities on property.  Just your basic condo. That’s fine.  We just want a place to isolate and relax and maybe just drive around the country side.  We went to the local grocery store.  Got some food to make for all our meals for the days we are here.  We are now planning what to do after Hilton.

 

I have no more symptoms- no sore throat, cough or runny nose.  DH still has a little bit of cough.  We won’t test again until 10/29.  Hopefully we will test Negative by then.  It was really tough to see our friends leaving to board Odyssey while we got left behind.  It all just seemed so unreal.

 

 

Oh no.  That sucks.  Hopefully you can have a nice, relaxing Tuscan vacation while you get that nasty Rona out of your system and then enjoy your transatlantic.  

[Tree_skier]

44 minutes ago, FromSea2ShiningSea said:

Now for Part 2 story of my trip.  First of all, challenges never run in short supply for me. They do not seem to end.  

 

After we arrived in Civitavecchia, we checked into our hotel.  We took out the Covid Test Kits and self tested.  The results showed Positive for both DH and me.  How could this be happening?  For a couple days, I had a sore throat but I thought it was due to all the cigarette smoke from so many people smoking. I had a little runny nose but it felt like I had a very mild cold.  That was all.  DH had a cough but that was it. Now all these thoughts are running through my head.  We can’t go.  We’d have to cancel our cruise.  We figured we had to go to the Pharmacy to get tested and get documentation for the results.  We would need these for if we have to cancel and get full refund.  Ugh.

 

We went to the Pharmacy but it was closed but would open back up at 4:30PM.  So we went back then and got tested.  These were uncomfortable brain ticklers.  Sure enough, after having avoided the plaque for almost 3 years, the Rona finally caught up with us.  We informed our TA who was on this cruise also.  We sent him the documentations and he started the process for the full refund for us.

 

Meanwhile, we still have the Transatlantic to deal with.  Because it’s a separate booking, we could not cancel that cruise without us testing Positive for it.  So what do we do for 12 days?  We have to hang around!  But we have to isolate at the same time.  We had to somehow make lemonade out of lemons and we decided to go to Pisa.  We’d wear our masks.  We stayed one night in Pisa. Then we found there is a Hilton Grand Vacation in Pisa, out in the country.  Thankfully, they had 4 days available for just when we needed it.  The last room available!  So we booked it.  Rented a car and drove to the Hilton.  It is not the same Hilton Grand Vacations like in Las Vegas or Hawaii.  Lol.  Only condos with kitchenette.  No free breakfast, no restaurants and no other amenities on property.  Just your basic condo. That’s fine.  We just want a place to isolate and relax and maybe just drive around the country side.  We went to the local grocery store.  Got some food to make for all our meals for the days we are here.  We are now planning what to do after Hilton.

 

I have no more symptoms- no sore throat, cough or runny nose.  DH still has a little bit of cough.  We won’t test again until 10/29.  Hopefully we will test Negative by then.  It was really tough to see our friends leaving to board Odyssey while we got left behind.  It all just seemed so unreal.

 

That is utterly awful. I'm so sorry for you and your husband...  I'm praying you test negative and have a great trip back home.  

Edited October 21, 2022 by Tree_skier

[ReneeFLL]

5 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

OUCH!    Those teeth look nasty.   Must be painful

It did and the problem was he would keep attacking even when trying to get out of his area.

[Luckynana]

1 hour ago, taznremmy said:

Thank you!
In and out of Ravenna for the first three cruises, visiting Athens, Corfu, Mykonos, Argostoli, and Santorini, Greece.  Plus Kotor, Montenegro and Dubrovnik and Split, Croatia.  

Then we do a repo from Ravenna to Rome, stopping again in Split,   and Corfu, also Bari, Sicily and Naples, Italy. 
Then the TA from Rome to Tampa.

So far the weather has been great, and I still can’t believe I’m here!

Great ports you're going to and have been!  We were supposed to vacation in Venice, and then do the Greek Islands on the Summit in 2021;  we were supposed to do our first TA out of Southampton in 2020, but we all know what happened...

18 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

That really stinks you both tested positive.    Very happy to hear you both feel decent and are enjoying as much as you can while there.      Your photos are Gorgeous!     

Fingers and toes crossed you test negative on 10/29 and can still do your TA.

Enjoy your next 7.5 days of beautiful Italy and send us lots of photos sounds like a great plan on what to do until 10/29🥰

+1  So sorry about your cruise.  Hopefully the TA will be a happening for the two of you!  Feel better!

12 minutes ago, ReneeFLL said:

Need to read up on how to edit video from the GoPro, so screen shot will have to do. The video is 173 MB so I don’t think I can download it on here. Someone was pissed we were in their territory. Bite marks from a Picasso trigger fish.

 

 

This photo wasn’t zoomed it. He attacked the camera and it’s a screen shot from it.

 

The teeth on that fish looks like it's from a human!  I hope the bite didn't hurt too much!

[Luckynana]

2 minutes ago, ReneeFLL said:

It did and the problem was he would keep attacking even when trying to get out of his area.

Oh no!

[BonTexasNY]

56 minutes ago, FromSea2ShiningSea said:

Now for Part 2 story of my trip.  First of all, challenges never run in short supply for me. They do not seem to end.  

 

After we arrived in Civitavecchia, we checked into our hotel.  We took out the Covid Test Kits and self tested.  The results showed Positive for both DH and me.  How could this be happening?  For a couple days, I had a sore throat but I thought it was due to all the cigarette smoke from so many people smoking. I had a little runny nose but it felt like I had a very mild cold.  That was all.  DH had a cough but that was it. Now all these thoughts are running through my head.  We can’t go.  We’d have to cancel our cruise.  We figured we had to go to the Pharmacy to get tested and get documentation for the results.  We would need these for if we have to cancel and get full refund.  Ugh.

 

We went to the Pharmacy but it was closed but would open back up at 4:30PM.  So we went back then and got tested.  These were uncomfortable brain ticklers.  Sure enough, after having avoided the plaque for almost 3 years, the Rona finally caught up with us.  We informed our TA who was on this cruise also.  We sent him the documentations and he started the process for the full refund for us.

 

Meanwhile, we still have the Transatlantic to deal with.  Because it’s a separate booking, we could not cancel that cruise without us testing Positive for it.  So what do we do for 12 days?  We have to hang around!  But we have to isolate at the same time.  We had to somehow make lemonade out of lemons and we decided to go to Pisa.  We’d wear our masks.  We stayed one night in Pisa. Then we found there is a Hilton Grand Vacation in Pisa, out in the country.  Thankfully, they had 4 days available for just when we needed it.  The last room available!  So we booked it.  Rented a car and drove to the Hilton.  It is not the same Hilton Grand Vacations like in Las Vegas or Hawaii.  Lol.  Only condos with kitchenette.  No free breakfast, no restaurants and no other amenities on property.  Just your basic condo. That’s fine.  We just want a place to isolate and relax and maybe just drive around the country side.  We went to the local grocery store.  Got some food to make for all our meals for the days we are here.  We are now planning what to do after Hilton.

 

I have no more symptoms- no sore throat, cough or runny nose.  DH still has a little bit of cough.  We won’t test again until 10/29.  Hopefully we will test Negative by then.  It was really tough to see our friends leaving to board Odyssey while we got left behind.  It all just seemed so unreal.

 

So sorry to read you both tested positive.  It sounds like you're doing the best you can.  Hoping you'll make that Transatlantic and have a wonderful time.

 

Both Jack and I had covid in early July and are thinking of getting our 5th shot (3rd booster) .We're on the fence.  Since I've been reading that folks who received all boosters are still getting covid, I'm thinking, what's the point?

[Jimbo]

Wine Delivery today, Life is good!

 

Took some pictures today around the neighborhood since the weather was so nice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two new houses being built in the neighborhood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Couple shot taken from Draper Look Out on Draper Mountain

 

 

 

Our House

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clubhouse

Edited October 21, 2022 by Jimbo

[h20skibum]

1 hour ago, dani negreanu said:

 

😢

@FromSea2ShiningSea Sorry to hear about testing +ve.   That’s what I would worry about on those long cruises.   Hoping you get to explore some, and that you will be -ve soon.

[MJSailors]

@FromSea2ShiningSea I was sad to read your news about testing positive. Good though that both your hubby’s and  your symptoms are mild.

The silver lining in the situation is that you will be able to rest and relax at the Hilton. It may help Merv the nerve.

🤞and🙏 that you will be able to go on the TA.Those journeys are relaxing as well,given the many sea days.

Hoping you have a positive outcome and negative tests.

MJ🙋🏻

 

[lenquixote66]

4 hours ago, BonTexasNY said:

When we decided to downsize from our large TX house to an apartment, we had a wonderful woman  come to our house with shelving units and staged all of the stuff we wanted to sell, making our downstairs rooms look like a boutique.  Most of the stuff including furniture was sold.  We made good money and were very pleased in the end when a man purchased everything that was left.  If not, it would have been donated.  

 

 

We downsized from our large home in NYC to a two floor condo townhouse.We gave away most of the furniture ,refrigerators and other appliances.

[Sunshine3601]

1 hour ago, BonTexasNY said:

 

Both Jack and I had covid in early July and are thinking of getting our 5th shot (3rd booster) .We're on the fence.  Since I've been reading that folks who received all boosters are still getting covid, I'm thinking, what's the point?

I was planned on getting my 4th shot last weekend, but getting covid stopped that.   I now hear I should wait 90 days before I get my next booster.  I'm going to call my Dr and ask his opinion next week.

Yes, vaccinated people do get covid but we are supposedly protected from getting a serious case.  

[lenquixote66]

2 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

I was planned on getting my 4th shot last weekend, but getting covid stopped that.   I now hear I should wait 90 days before I get my next booster.  I'm going to call my Dr and ask his opinion next week.

Yes, vaccinated people do get covid but we are supposedly protected from getting a serious case.  

I got the last booster 4 days ago.It supposedly will help against a new strain coming out soon,

[Luckynana]

11 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

I was planned on getting my 4th shot last weekend, but getting covid stopped that.   I now hear I should wait 90 days before I get my next booster.  I'm going to call my Dr and ask his opinion next week.

Yes, vaccinated people do get covid but we are supposedly protected from getting a serious case.  

I'm on the fence about getting the 4th shot.  I am definitely going to get my annual Flu shot soon.

[lenquixote66]

3 minutes ago, Luckynana said:

I'm on the fence about getting the 4th shot.  I am definitely going to get my annual Flu shot soon.

I am taking the flu shot on November 1.

[Sunshine3601]

4 minutes ago, Luckynana said:

I'm on the fence about getting the 4th shot.  I am definitely going to get my annual Flu shot soon.

Yes you the flu shot.  I usually get mine in November since flu season usually hits our area januaryish.

[Ocean Boy]

7 hours ago, Tree_skier said:

I'll probably post a few updates here if no one minds.  I still don't post much on the NCL board and didn't really want to do a "live" on that board.  I certainly won't overwhelm the thread with the whole trip but a few highlights and a few contrast and compares, NCL vs Royal sort of thing.  

I'd love to read about your trip without having to visit the NCL board.

[akcruz]

2 hours ago, FromSea2ShiningSea said:

Now for Part 2 story of my trip.  First of all, challenges never run in short supply for me. They do not seem to end.  

 

After we arrived in Civitavecchia, we checked into our hotel.  We took out the Covid Test Kits and self tested.  The results showed Positive for both DH and me.  How could this be happening?  For a couple days, I had a sore throat but I thought it was due to all the cigarette smoke from so many people smoking. I had a little runny nose but it felt like I had a very mild cold.  That was all.  DH had a cough but that was it. Now all these thoughts are running through my head.  We can’t go.  We’d have to cancel our cruise.  We figured we had to go to the Pharmacy to get tested and get documentation for the results.  We would need these for if we have to cancel and get full refund.  Ugh.

 

We went to the Pharmacy but it was closed but would open back up at 4:30PM.  So we went back then and got tested.  These were uncomfortable brain ticklers.  Sure enough, after having avoided the plaque for almost 3 years, the Rona finally caught up with us.  We informed our TA who was on this cruise also.  We sent him the documentations and he started the process for the full refund for us.

 

Meanwhile, we still have the Transatlantic to deal with.  Because it’s a separate booking, we could not cancel that cruise without us testing Positive for it.  So what do we do for 12 days?  We have to hang around!  But we have to isolate at the same time.  We had to somehow make lemonade out of lemons and we decided to go to Pisa.  We’d wear our masks.  We stayed one night in Pisa. Then we found there is a Hilton Grand Vacation in Pisa, out in the country.  Thankfully, they had 4 days available for just when we needed it.  The last room available!  So we booked it.  Rented a car and drove to the Hilton.  It is not the same Hilton Grand Vacations like in Las Vegas or Hawaii.  Lol.  Only condos with kitchenette.  No free breakfast, no restaurants and no other amenities on property.  Just your basic condo. That’s fine.  We just want a place to isolate and relax and maybe just drive around the country side.  We went to the local grocery store.  Got some food to make for all our meals for the days we are here.  We are now planning what to do after Hilton.

 

I have no more symptoms- no sore throat, cough or runny nose.  DH still has a little bit of cough.  We won’t test again until 10/29.  Hopefully we will test Negative by then.  It was really tough to see our friends leaving to board Odyssey while we got left behind.  It all just seemed so unreal.

 

 

Oh my, sorry to hear about your test results but sounds like you are making the best of it.  Hoping you test negative for your next cruise.

[TravelGirlinDallas]

2 hours ago, FromSea2ShiningSea said:

I have no more symptoms- no sore throat, cough or runny nose.  DH still has a little bit of cough.  We won’t test again until 10/29.  Hopefully we will test Negative by then.  It was really tough to see our friends leaving to board Odyssey while we got left behind.  It all just seemed so unreal.

Gosh, I’m so sorry about your cancelled cruise! Thank goodness your symptoms are so mild, and here’s hoping you can still do the TA!

[LucasLikesToCruise]

Here’s a little bit of a funny story considering everything that’s going on with me.  
 

I was at Target yesterday trying to find some twin XL sheets since we had to change out my moms really comfortable queen size adjustable bed for one of the adjustable hospital bed with the alternating pressure air mattress due to getting some sores on her derrière 😔. For one thing it’s hard to find Twin XL sheets right after all the college kids went back to the dorms.  But I was able to snag some at Target that weren’t dinosaurs or unicorns and rainbows LOL.

 

So while I was there I needed to pick up some more apple sauce and yogurt. Since she is having a hard time swallowing thicker foods.  I decided to check the baby food aisle for other fruit flavors.  While looking, a lady asked me how old my little one was.  I replied 78. She asks, oh 7 or 8 months, you don’t know how old your child is? In a very condescending way.  I just looked back at her and said 78 years old.  She took a second and gave be a puzzled look and walked away.  It was a very strange encounter but made me laugh as I was walking to the register.  Yeah, I know, I have a warped sense of humor.

 

well, that’s my funny story for today.  I wish I had a video or pictures of me trying to move her heavy adjustable bed frame and mattress out of her room, but hard to do when you have to do everything by yourself.   
 

Ok, another little funny moment.  While i was moving her bed from her room to mine.  I was looking for a new mattress and bed anyways, and hers was only a few years old.   I had her sitting in her recliner in the living room.  All of a sudden, in a very clear and serious voice she says….. If you give me a few minutes to rest, I’ll be able to you with the heavier parts. I couldn’t help but chuckle a bit and tell her it’s not the heavy.  🙂