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

[Domino D]

27 minutes ago, dani negreanu said:

 

Six years ago we paid 25 euro pp, but who's counting, when we "saved" the queue to the cable car for going up. Waiting in line 2 hours for going down was enough....

 

Santorini is an amazing place, highly recommended 🌼

 

12 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

2 lovely places.

Santorini is a tender port.

We got off the ship early and went straight to the cable car rather than walking around the handful of shops on the dock.

Sail in to Malta is lovely.

Valletta is about 20 minutes walk and has  lots of bars, restaurants and shops.

 

23 minutes ago, voyager70 said:

 

I'm hoping to make it to Santorini in 2022 Dani.  Maybe Malta as well.  Need to make up for that 2020 Med cruise we both missed ☹️

 

Walking down the steps was an avoidable chore, BUT I would recommend for anyone to go to Santorini, it is beautiful.  On the list of places I could do a land vacation.

[island lady]

2 minutes ago, Domino D said:

Have had the toilet situation on more than one occasion  (usually fixed quickly but once took 3-4 hours).  Never ran out of hot water or had an issue with AC, knock on wood. 

 

Have had them all.  Go with the flow...errr...pun intended.  😉 

[IRMO12HD]

2 hours ago, island lady said:

 

It's not easy to drive like a car.  You really have to pay attention when driving, and when it's windy...it's a bear to handle.  We made a common mistake when we got our first one, assuming we could do 500-600 miles in a day, like we would in a car for long distances.  Nope...close to divorce proceedings there.  😮  Best scenario is no longer than 250-300 mile days and under.   Usual driving time, add in 1/3 to total.   3-4 in a car...think 4-5 in a motorhome.  

 

Then the biggest problem.  People coming onto the highway and don't even look, assuming you can just "hop over" to the next lane to let them in.  What they don't see is the car/truck next to us in the passing lane.  No place to "hop over".  We have already been in one major accident when a 16 year didn't look and just assumed he could push onto the highway.  He spun out, and took out the whole front of the motorhome.  Lost use of it for a year while being repaired, had to rent a U-Haul to drive home from Michigan to Florida, including two scared cats.    

 

Funny thing is, if a tractor trailer is going by...they respect it.  But us...no.  We are 38 feet, towing a Jeep, making us as long and high as a tractor trailer.  And that situation is getting worse, especially in heavy traffic from mid coast to Maine.  

 

 

 

We used to have a 5th Wheel toyhauler (36 ft) that I never even dreamed of trying to drive (well, drive the truck pulling it).  It was just so massive.  We now have a 31 ft Class C and tow our Jeep Grand Cherokee.  I had my first experience driving it this past fall, on a divided highway (not an interstate), and while I survived, I was so nervous and tense.  My husband usually drives, and is very experienced, but I wanted (and still do want) to know that I could drive it if necessary.   I'll try it again in the spring -- but still not on the interstates yet -- especially not Montana, where the speed limit (yes, they actually have speed limits -- now!) is 80 mph (trucks 70 mph).  Fortunately, "heavy" traffic in  (rural) Montana is seeing more than 10 vehicles going your direction in a mile.

[vistapat]

39 minutes ago, DaniDanielle said:

Happy 75th Pat.  My husband turned 75 in November.  We were lucky enough to, at least, go out for dinner with the kids and grandkids.  We had to sit four to a table but we were inside.  Now we are not allowed indoor dining.  Anyway, point is, have a great day no matter what you do.

Thanks, Dani.  Unfortunately, we aren't even allowed outdoor dining here at the present time.  Our ICU beds are almost at capacity, and ICU staffing is down.  I really, really don't want to catch this with the vaccines on the horizon.  So, I'll just wait it out.  But, I already have my eye on Paris in the fall😁.

[Sunshine3601]

2 hours ago, davekathy said:

Agree. On our cruises I use the gym/spa showers in the morning for the day and late afternoon for getting ready for the evening . I shower, shave, brush my teeth and whatever else is required at the time. However I'm allowed to use the cabin bathroom at night before going to bed. 😉

I have often thought and even looked at these showers thinking I would do this too as it would be so much easier to shave your legs then in the cabin shower but I just never felt like bring everything I needed.   I guess I'm just too lazy when cruising - LOL!

 

So we have worked out a system that DH needs to enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine on the balcony while I shower and get dressed.    Then when I do my hair and makeup with a glass of wine at the desk he can use the shower.    Just like Domino D does.    

[davekathy]

7 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

I have often thought and even looked at these showers thinking I would do this too as it would be so much easier to shave your legs then in the cabin shower but I just never felt like bring everything I needed.   I guess I'm just too lazy when cruising - LOL!

 

So we have worked out a system that DH needs to enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine on the balcony while I shower and get dressed.    Then when I do my hair and makeup with a glass of wine at the desk he can use the shower.    Just like Domino D does.    

We have in the past used the same system Pat, Domino D and your self had described.  The showers in the spa/fitness centers are a lot bigger than the cabin showers. Right on! But I don't shave my legs. 😉

[voyager70]

1 hour ago, island lady said:

 

Thanks Graham.  

 

More pissed off and worried about my two cats than anything.  😞 

 

I would have felt the same way.  Hope your kitties weren't traumatized too long.  

[dani negreanu]

1 hour ago, voyager70 said:

 

I'm hoping to make it to Santorini in 2022 Dani.  Maybe Malta as well.  Need to make up for that 2020 Med cruise we both missed ☹️

 

Absolutely.  

 

I've managed to find a quite similar itinerary (Santorini & Malta), with Mykonos, Rhodes, Athens as a bonus, leaving Sept. 18th. But, it's on Apex (X) and not Royal. I'm giving it 10% of cruising, we have exactly 6 months until final payment to decide.

 

Meanwhile, a preview of Santorini ...

 

 

[dani negreanu]

1 hour ago, Domino D said:

I would recommend for anyone to go to Santorini, it is beautiful.  On the list of places I could do a land vacation.

 

Definitely, that's why I'm attaching a pic with nice pools...

 

 

and one where you and Jane can have a romantic and "secluded" b'fast 😁

 

Edited December 16, 2020 by dani negreanu

[voyager70]

1 minute ago, dani negreanu said:

 

Absolutely.  

 

I've managed to find a quite similar itinerary (Santorini & Malta), with Mykonos, Rhodes, Athens as a bonus, leaving Sept. 18th. But, it's on Apex (X) and not Royal. I'm giving it 10% of cruising, we have exactly 6 months until final payment to decide.

 

Meanwhile, a preview of Santorini ...

 

 

 

Oh that pic!  Yes I checked out that cruise on Apex.  Looks amazing.  Right now I'm not comfortable booking anything until 2022.  Maybe that will change with vaccines being rolled out.  I plan on making up for lost time once cruising resumes!

 

 

[voyager70]

50 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

I have often thought and even looked at these showers thinking I would do this too as it would be so much easier to shave your legs then in the cabin shower but I just never felt like bring everything I needed.   I guess I'm just too lazy when cruising - LOL!

 

So we have worked out a system that DH needs to enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine on the balcony while I shower and get dressed.    Then when I do my hair and makeup with a glass of wine at the desk he can use the shower.    Just like Domino D does.    

 

We use a similar system.  SO goes first as it takes her at least an hour to do hair and makeup.  Yet I'm called high maintenance for taking 15 minutes to do hair and beard.  No shaving for me, so that saves some time 😉

[grapau27]

7 minutes ago, voyager70 said:

 

We use a similar system.  SO goes first as it takes her at least an hour to do hair and makeup.  Yet I'm called high maintenance for taking 15 minutes to do hair and beard.  No shaving for me, so that saves some time 😉

Pauline puts my clothes out so

I sometimes go to the gym for 30 minutes and come back and get a shower then watch the TV or take a drink out onto the balcony while Pauline gets ready.

[ReneeFLL]

 

4 hours ago, island lady said:

 

It's not easy to drive like a car.  You really have to pay attention when driving, and when it's windy...it's a bear to handle.  We made a common mistake when we got our first one, assuming we could do 500-600 miles in a day, like we would in a car for long distances.  Nope...close to divorce proceedings there.  😮  

When we first got ours we drove up to Mendocino CA along the coast. Mike drove up and I drove back. Imagine going south on US 1 where at times it seems like there is only a couple of feet between the road and the drop off of the cliff. As Mike said he was white knucking it while I was driving. It was also my first time driving it. 🤣  We then ended up going thru San Francisco in the middle of rush hour. Ugh!

[ReneeFLL]

4 hours ago, Domino D said:

During the pandemic we have watched a lot of Youtube videos about living in an RV and travelling full time.  My wife, who has been feeling the pandemic restrictions much more than me, became determined that we should look to do this right after the pandemic.  She would retire from teaching, and I can easily work from the road.   

 

The things you mentioned above are the things I brought up to her as concerns.  A lot of the videos we watch are couple in their 30's monetized by Youtube, and making it all look "fun".  We are two 60 year old (I mean I am 60 married to a woman of indeterminate age) northeast Italians.  Us in an RV for hours on end would require the "Verified Age" login due to language. If I'm working, she would have to do a lot of the driving, not the way we travel now.  I'm sure the driving would be much more stressful than she is thinking. 

 

I know there are aspects we would love and could out weigh the issues, I just think you need to go into things eyes wide opened.  Not heeding this policy is why we ended up walking down 600 donkey poop covered steps in Santorini in 90 degree heat.  When people online tell you to get in line for the cable car early, you should say "Okay" and go get in line.

Try renting one for a weekend or so. I would rent a class A and not a class C rv. Just my opinion.

 

3 hours ago, island lady said:

 

Oh wow...we are not to that point...yet...luckily.   But I have had to wonder off to the nearest restroom, when Bucky spent too much time in the bathroom a few times.  😉 

 

In the mornings...fortunately he sleeps in.  I get up early, use the single bath...then dress and go to the lounge to bring back coffee. 

 

Being the sweet wife I am...I set his fresh hot coffee next to Mr. Sleeping beauty...as his alarm clock..then I enjoy my Latte on the balcony and he has his turn. 🙂 

That's exactly what Mike does for me. He gets up early, goes to the gym and then brings coffee and a muffin for me. Goes out on the balcony having his coffee until I wake up.

[ReneeFLL]

3 hours ago, vistapat said:

Tomorrow is my 75th birthday.  Normally, we would make a pretty big deal about it, even though it's 8 days before Christmas.  We might have taken a Mexican Riviera cruise out of San Diego, where we live.  We might have even taken a flying land visit to Paris for 3 or 4 nights.  We might have gone to Las Vegas for a couple of nights, stayed at a big hotel, had a nice dinner, and taken in a show.  We might have done the above at a local Indian casino.  We might have at least gone out to a local restaurant for a nice dinner.  But, no........

 

Pat

Happy Birthday to you. Glad you're going to stay home for now and will be celebrating even bigger later. Mike and I will have a toast to you tomorrow. 🥂🍹🍸🍷

[Domino D]

YouTube music is on autopilot on the TV.  In order it just played

 

Kermit the Frog - Rainbow Connection

Kelly Clarkson - Underneath the Tree

Kendrik Lamar - Humble

Carpenters - Close to You

Emmylou Harris - You Never Can Tell

Tupac - Changes

 

It's anyone's guess what is next.

 

Edit: I think I finally defeated the algorithm.

 

Edited December 17, 2020 by Domino D

[vettprincess]

16 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Eric Fleming was the star.

Yes with the name on the show of Gil Favor.

[Etta1213]

12 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Thanks John, loved this.

Me too😊

[Etta1213]

10 hours ago, Lionesss said:

Thank you for all the well wishes for my birthday..

 

Quote

 

We  got back together, got married after I graduated as a Nurse Anesthetist, and next year we will be celebrating our 30th anniversary.

Neat story ! I just turned 70 and am hoping all of us on CC stay healthy so that we can cruise again -- soon!

Edited December 17, 2020 by Etta1213

[HBE4]

Now that I've read everyone's bathroom routines, all I can think is.....

 

..... we are becoming little too familiar with each other 😬😃

[davekathy]

1 minute ago, HBE4 said:

Now that I've read everyone's bathroom routines, all I can think is.....

 

..... we are becoming little too familiar with each other 😬😃

Cabin fever! 🤣

[DaniDanielle]

The thing is all this bathroom talk seems quite normal!

[Domino D]

Well it was cruise related.  @davekathy it's easy to tell us you don't shave your legs, but we can only take it on faith. 

[Sunshine3601]

Good thing we all have Tp😀

[Sunshine3601]

I left work around 530 tonight with about 6 inches of snow on the ground.    Probably have about 8 or 9 inches now but having a break before it starts back up and continues thru the night.