chrism23 Posted January 19, 2023 #3251 Share Posted January 19, 2023 10 minutes ago, Stumblefoot said: Amen. Totally agree. And please, stop the sharing of TMI. Mr. Foot. What' s TMI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TLCOhio Posted January 19, 2023 Author #3252 Share Posted January 19, 2023 4 hours ago, chrism23 said: SS evidently has an individual who just deals with Covid issues. I did not get this resolved to 6:00 PM last night. Much too close. So, the moral of this story is to be very careful in filling out routine forms and other requests for information and make sure your replies are accurate and truthful. Now my only problem is to figure out what to wear to the Carnival parade in Rio. Thanks again. chris Appreciate these additional details and follow-up. To some, it might be "too much information", but it alerts us to consider carefully your health plans, approach and strategy. Sometimes on forms, you can disclose too much. At other times, it is important and vital. Hard to strike the right/best balance? When we did the Amazon River sailing in 2015 on the Silver Cloud, we needed to get certain added shots and vaccinations. BUT, my wife has a type of immune deficiency and could not take the yellow fever live vaccine. We had a letter from her doctor detailing that situation, why and how if an issue/question came up. Doing this planning and prep is important. It requires some serious advanced research to be properly ready for such travels. Enjoy Rio, South America, etc. Keep us posted as to how this adventure goes, your top highlights, etc. Good luck!! THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Summer 2019 Calgary, Jasper/Banff National Parks, Western Canada Rocky Mountaineer rail adventure, Vancouver, sailing up to Alaska on Silver Muse, post-cruise excursion to Denali, etc. Many visuals and details from our first in these scenic areas! Live/blog: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2682584-live-terryohio-silver-muse-alaska-canadarockies-pix’s/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stumblefoot Posted January 20, 2023 #3253 Share Posted January 20, 2023 8 hours ago, chrism23 said: Mr. Foot. What' s TMI See Terry's response below. 7 hours ago, TLCOhio said: To some, it might be "too much information"... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TLCOhio Posted January 23, 2023 Author #3254 Share Posted January 23, 2023 What does a cruise staff wearing masks mean? Or not?? From the Miami Herald two days ago, they had this headline: “Carnival Cruise Line Responds to Covid Mask Concerns ” with these highlights: “As cruise lines have returned to normal operations, every health and safety decision faces intense scrutiny. In some ways, the cruise lines had it easier when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dictated their health and safety procedures. In July 2022, the CDC stopped regulating the cruise industry. That allowed every company to make its own decisions. The last of those rules to go involved crew members wearing masks. Many people welcome the relaxed rules, others have reactions that you may not expect. With masks being optional on ships, some crew members opt to wear them, and others choose not to. Most staff were not masked but one wait team did and made some guests at the table feel very uneasy like they were hiding something. The implication here is that the crew members were wearing masks because they were sick.” Twisted and tangled? Damned if a staff member wears a mask as being unfriendly and/or harder to understand for lip readers? Damned if you do not as hiding something? Who is right and wrong? Here is more from this article: "The reality is that health concerns aside, crew members -- especially those in positions that get tipped -- take a financial risk if they opt to not wear a mask. When a crew member gets covid, they're quarantined for a minimum of five days (pending negative tests)." Full story at: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article271515572.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Early 2020, many visuals and details from New Zealand/South Pacific in going from Auckland to French Polynesia. This includes Bora Bora, Fiji, NZ experiences, etc: Live/blog; https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2735732-live-terryohio-“new”-regatta-south-pacificnz-pix’s/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseej Posted January 24, 2023 #3255 Share Posted January 24, 2023 Terry, there was some pretty convoluted logic in the last paragraph you quoted: "The reality is that health concerns aside, crew members -- especially those in positions that get tipped -- take a financial risk if they opt to not wear a mask. When a crew member gets covid, they're quarantined for a minimum of five days (pending negative tests)." "Health concerns aside"?? No, as the sentence which follows makes clear, it's entirely about health concerns! Some crew members wear a mask because they believe it will reduce the chances of them getting Covid and being quarantined. I think everyone yearns for a time when no one, passengers or staff, are required to or feel a need to wear a mask. But we all see the news, and we all know that Covid, while it's now rarely fatal and usually not a significant illness for those who have been vaccinated, is still around. Passengers should know that a crew member wearing a mask is doing so because (a) the cruise line requires newly boarded crew to do so for a short time after boarding, or (b) because they have a cold (non-Covid) and don't want to infect others, or (c) because they are trying to everything they can to remain healthy and on the job — none of which should cause any passengers to be uneasy or resentful. No one is hiding anything! If a crew member has Covid, or the flu, they are most certainly confined to their cabin and not allowed to work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TLCOhio Posted February 5, 2023 Author #3256 Share Posted February 5, 2023 On 1/24/2023 at 1:16 AM, cruiseej said: Terry, there was some pretty convoluted logic in the last paragraph you quoted: I think everyone yearns for a time when no one, passengers or staff, are required to or feel a need to wear a mask. But we all see the news, and we all know that Covid, while it's now rarely fatal and usually not a significant illness for those who have been vaccinated, is still around. Yes, yes, agree. To be clear, that twisted quote was not by me. This situation continues to be tangled and confusing. Appreciate this follow-up and insights from our neighbor in the northern Philadelphia suburbs. There continues to be uncertain "science" as to how much a mask, if fitted/worn correctly and of solid quality/design, protects to what degree and manner. I have had my two Covid vaccine shots, plus three boosters. Not "anti-science", but trying to figure out where this all goes for the future. AND, clearly a large percentage of Covid deaths involved those older with varied health histories that put them/us at greater risk. Given that many cruise sailings have a large number of those older makes it harder for cruise lines to get back to a full version of what might be called "normal". THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TLCOhio Posted February 7, 2023 Author #3257 Share Posted February 7, 2023 From this cruise news website this morning, they had this headline: “Royal Caribbean Very Optimistic on China Cruise Reopening” with these highlights: “Royal Caribbean executives think the Chinese cruise market will re-open later this year, with 2024 a realistic date for the market to be back. 'There’s currently two impediments to the China cruise market opening up,' said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. 'One of them is there is still a ban on cruising and group travel in China.' Bayley said there is still a requirement for Chinese tourists visiting Japan to test for COVID-19, which could also lead to quarantine. Prior to the pandemic, most China-based sailings were short cruises that called exclusively on Japanese ports. Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, said he was very optimistic about China, as it was previously a very high-yielding, highly profitable market for the company.” We have not yet visited China and have it high on our priority, to0do list? But, when and how? Via cruise ship stops? Or, more of a land exploring? Maybe involving river cruising, rail traveling, etc., within China? Full story at: https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2023/02/royal-caribbean-very-optimistic-on-china-cruise-reopening/ THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 255,916 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1362155-solstice-livefirst-timer-reportspix’s-italycroatian-june-7-19/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TLCOhio Posted February 11, 2023 Author #3258 Share Posted February 11, 2023 From a Pennsylvania newspaper writer this morning, they had this headline: “Now’s a great time to take that cruise vacation” with these highlights: “If you’ve decided this is your year to take that well-deserved cruise vacation, you are not alone. According to CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), global demand for cruising continues to rise, with several cruise lines reporting record-breaking bookings for many ships and itineraries throughout 2023 and into 2024. Traveling by ship offers travelers the ability to visit multiple, far flung, pristine destinations in total comfort and few (if any) hassles.” For Silversea, this writer offered this specific summary: "Silversea Cruises. With over 25-years experience in luxury small ship cruising (4 Expedition/6 Ocean vessels), sophisticated (and international) Silversea sails to over 900 destinations on all seven continents, more than any other cruise line. Silversea ships are spacious with a staff to guest ratio that’s almost 1 to 1. World renowned for devoted, discreet and experienced onboard service, Silversea is also a leader in luxury expedition and adventure cruising. This year, Silversea expeditions will take guests closer to the authentic natural beauty and amazing treasures throughout Greenland, Arctic Canada and Arctic Norway at a 20% limited time savings. The 728-guest Silver “Nova” ocean ship will debut in August." Full story at: https://www.pennlive.com/life/2023/02/nows-a-great-time-to-take-that-cruise-vacation-sandy-fenton.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 246,049 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TLCOhio Posted February 11, 2023 Author #3259 Share Posted February 11, 2023 From the New York Times this morning, they had this headline: “For Older Americans, the Pandemic Is Not Over" with this sub-headline: "Seniors are increasingly left to protect themselves as the rest of the country abandons precautions: 'Americans do not agree about the duty to protect others.' ” Here are some of the highlights by this writer: “For older Americans, the pandemic still poses significant dangers. About three-quarters of Covid deaths have occurred in people over 65, with the greatest losses concentrated among those over 75. In January, the number of Covid-related deaths fell after a holiday spike but nevertheless numbered about 2,100 among those ages 65 to 74, more than 3,500 among 75- to 84-year-olds and nearly 5,000 among those over 85. Those three groups accounted for about 90 percent of the nation’s Covid deaths last month. Hospital admissions, which have also been dropping, remain more than five times as high for people over 70 than for those in their 50s. Hospitals can endanger older patients even when the conditions that brought them in are successfully treated; the harmful effects of drugs, inactivity, sleep deprivation, delirium and other stresses can take months to recover from — or can land them back in the hospital.” As a "seasoned citizen", I feel "young", but can fully understand these concerns and cautions for those older. Covid is over, kind of, maybe, hopefully!!! But, we need to be thoughtful as we approach travel, especially on a more closely-together cruise ship. Good background data cited in this column. Reactions? Here is a key question from this NYT writer: "The demographic divide reflects a debate that continues as the pandemic wears on: What responsibility do those at lower risk from the virus have to those at higher risk — not only older people, but those who are immunosuppressed or who have chronic conditions?" Full story at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/11/health/covid-pandemic-seniors.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights. On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings. Now at 241,698 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1896175-solstice-live-australianzhawaii-many-pix’s-jan-20-feb-3/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted February 12, 2023 #3260 Share Posted February 12, 2023 22 hours ago, TLCOhio said: As a "seasoned citizen", I feel "young", but can fully understand these concerns and cautions for those older. Covid is over, kind of, maybe, hopefully!!! But, we need to be thoughtful as we approach travel, especially on a more closely-together cruise ship. Good background data cited in this column. Reactions? I know each case is different. I have two positive stories for you. For context, we are fully boosted and have had Covid at least once. Last August cruising on the Venture, 2 of our travel companions caught Covid, we did not test positive or have symptoms. Last week at a trade show a business associate caught Covid. Several of us who had regular contact with him at the show, along with drinks/dinner did not test positive for Covid or have symptoms. Do I feel bulletproof, NO. Will I continue to be careful, YES. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TLCOhio Posted February 17, 2023 Author #3261 Share Posted February 17, 2023 On 2/12/2023 at 11:32 AM, highplanesdrifters said: I know each case is different. Do I feel bulletproof, NO. Will I continue to be careful, YES. Yes, agree each case/circumstance would be different. Appreciate this follow-up. All of us, especially those of us who are "older", need to be careful and smart. From the below-connected trade news website today, they had this headline: “‘Finally, Asia is open again,’ says new Silversea Cruises CEO Barbara Muckermann" with this sub-headline: "Luxury brand’s leader says cruise is back on track as China reopens for business and India takes off.” Here are some of their reporting highlights: “Silversea Cruises hopes Asia is the next cruise market to reopen now that the pandemic has been consigned to the history books, says new chief executive Barbara Muckermann. North American and British passengers have returned in droves to the Royal Caribbean Group luxury brand since the industry began sailing again in July 2021, she said. 'We consider the pandemic closed,' Muckermann told TradeWinds. 'Finally, Asia is open again.' Most Asians booked their cruises in September for January 2023 itineraries to areas of the world where they could see icebergs and snow as opposed to charming coastlines dotted with villas, she said. 'In terms of source market, don’t ask me why, but wealthy Chinese are crazy for the polar regions,' she explained. Silversea now hopes to see further waves of passengers from Asia, including China, as it reopens. The US, the UK and Asia Pacific are Silverseas’ largest markets because that is where much of the world’s wealth is, but Asia has the most untapped potential.” She also shared: " 'Luxury is something that you acquire with wealth. What we’re seeing globally is that as the median income increases, the expenditure in travel increases and expenditure in luxury travel experience increases, so naturally cruising is at the end of that cycle.' India has been Silversea’s fastest-growing market since before the pandemic, with a growth rate of nearly 50% a year: 'It was insane, so we need to watch India because it means that the country is starting to really have cruising on the map.' " Full story at: https://www.tradewindsnews.com/cruise-and-ferry/-finally-asia-is-open-again-says-new-silversea-cruises-ceo-barbara-muckermann/2-1-1403314 THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Venice: Loving It & Why??!! Is one of your future desires or past favorites? See these many visual samples for its great history and architecture. This posting is now at 100,814 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TLCOhio Posted February 27, 2023 Author #3262 Share Posted February 27, 2023 From the Orlando Sentinel two days ago, they had this headline: “Port Canaveral enjoys title for world’s busiest cruise port” with these highlights: “The cruise ship war between Central and South Florida has a new victor with the latest passenger counts totaled for 2022. Port Canaveral became the world’s busiest cruise port for the first time with 4,072,396 multi-day passengers for the year, besting the normal No. 1 PortMiami, which only saw 3,988,094 passengers. Port Everglades came in third with 1,621,216, according to numbers released in the annual Florida Ports Council report release this week." Am surprised that this mid-Florida port has topped Miami. Not sure why. Is my perception correct that Silversea mostly uses just Fort Lauderdale?? What is driving this passenger/ship shifts? Will Silversea consider doing sailing from Port Canaveral or other Florida ports? This article also noted: "Port Canaveral CEO Capt. John Murray on Friday. 'All of the ports are doing well right now in cruising. It’s great to have the industry back. It’s an economic driver for the state of Florida. We work collectively to help each other out but there’s sometimes a little fun in the rivalry back and forth.' Port Canaveral is having its busiest time in history home porting 13 ships this winter sailing season including four of the newest ships in the industry with Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, the world’ largest cruise ship, Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest class of ship Norwegian Prima, Disney’s new class of ship Disney Wish and Carnival’s Mardi Gras." Full story at: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/florida-cruise-guide/os-tr-cru-port-canaveral-number-1-cruise-port-20230225-l2irdj7govgebfyz2ek73ofnr4-story.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.). Now at 71,033 views: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2076101-live-amazon-river-caribbean-many-pix’s-terryohio/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare crusinbanjo Posted February 27, 2023 #3263 Share Posted February 27, 2023 1 hour ago, TLCOhio said: From the Orlando Sentinel two days ago, they had this headline: “Port Canaveral enjoys title for world’s busiest cruise port” with these highlights: “The cruise ship war between Central and South Florida has a new victor with the latest passenger counts totaled for 2022. Port Canaveral became the world’s busiest cruise port for the first time with 4,072,396 multi-day passengers for the year, besting the normal No. 1 PortMiami, which only saw 3,988,094 passengers. Port Everglades came in third with 1,621,216, according to numbers released in the annual Florida Ports Council report release this week." Am surprised that this mid-Florida port has topped Miami. Not sure why. Is my perception correct that Silversea mostly uses just Fort Lauderdale?? What is driving this passenger/ship shifts? Will Silversea consider doing sailing from Port Canaveral or other Florida ports? This article also noted: "Port Canaveral CEO Capt. John Murray on Friday. 'All of the ports are doing well right now in cruising. It’s great to have the industry back. It’s an economic driver for the state of Florida. We work collectively to help each other out but there’s sometimes a little fun in the rivalry back and forth.' Port Canaveral is having its busiest time in history home porting 13 ships this winter sailing season including four of the newest ships in the industry with Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, the world’ largest cruise ship, Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest class of ship Norwegian Prima, Disney’s new class of ship Disney Wish and Carnival’s Mardi Gras." Full story at: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/florida-cruise-guide/os-tr-cru-port-canaveral-number-1-cruise-port-20230225-l2irdj7govgebfyz2ek73ofnr4-story.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.). Now at 71,033 views: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2076101-live-amazon-river-caribbean-many-pix’s-terryohio/ Thanks Terry, I would have never guessed that Port Canaveral would have more pax than either Miami or Port Everglades. Of all the ships mentioned, Mrs Banjo and I will never be on board any..... Just to big for our taste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted February 27, 2023 #3264 Share Posted February 27, 2023 Hi Terry, Every Caribbean Cruise I have taken with SS has departed from Ft. Lauderdale. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Luxury Posted February 27, 2023 #3265 Share Posted February 27, 2023 Terry, It looks like it's the giant ship club that use Port C. Best avoided for those of us that like nothing more than 600 Passengers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyk47 Posted February 28, 2023 #3266 Share Posted February 28, 2023 I cruised once out of Port Canaveral back in 1993 on the now scraped Carnival Fantasy. It was a 4-day cruise that the ex and I took to see if we liked cruising at all. Turned out we liked cruising but never returned to Carnival and never cruised out of Port Canaveral again. Really were “babes in the woods” about cruising, different cruise lines, ports, etc., back then. My impression, which is a lasting one, was that Port Canaveral was too far from a major airport. It also didn’t have the kind of local infrastructure, like hotels and restaurants, that would make me want to fly into Orlando and spend a day or two pre-cruise there. Add that the lines and size of the ships that use that port are extremely unattractive so it’s not on our radar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted February 28, 2023 #3267 Share Posted February 28, 2023 7 minutes ago, Randyk47 said: I cruised once out of Port Canaveral back in 1993 on the now scraped Carnival Fantasy. It was a 4-day cruise that the ex and I took to see if we liked cruising at all. Turned out we liked cruising but never returned to Carnival and never cruised out of Port Canaveral again. Really were “babes in the woods” about cruising, different cruise lines, ports, etc., back then. My impression, which is a lasting one, was that Port Canaveral was too far from a major airport. It also didn’t have the kind of local infrastructure, like hotels and restaurants, that would make me want to fly into Orlando and spend a day or two pre-cruise there. Add that the lines and size of the ships that use that port are extremely unattractive so it’s not on our radar. Hi Randy, years ago I sailed from Pt Canaveral twice.......once on the very old Sovereign of The Seas (she has been scrapped too). and the other time on Enchantment of the Seas. I don't know if she is still around. Both are/were Royal ships. The easy part for me? It is only about 2-2.5 hours to drive from here to the port. Cocoa Beach is actually nice but we have beaches here too LOL....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Port Power Posted February 28, 2023 #3268 Share Posted February 28, 2023 I remember docking for the day at Port Canaveral when on Azamara Quest, a ship with 650 passengers. Yes, you could head off to a beach a fair way down the road. Otherwise nothing within walking distance. There was a shop all the crew went to, both to shop and to send money home. If you didn’t do a shore excursion, you may as well stay aboard. Disappointing when we liked to walk everywhere. What we could see was off limits access wise. (Which is how we found the shop.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyk47 Posted February 28, 2023 #3269 Share Posted February 28, 2023 (edited) 34 minutes ago, Lois R said: Hi Randy, years ago I sailed from Pt Canaveral twice.......once on the very old Sovereign of The Seas (she has been scrapped too). and the other time on Enchantment of the Seas. I don't know if she is still around. Both are/were Royal ships. The easy part for me? It is only about 2-2.5 hours to drive from here to the port. Cocoa Beach is actually nice but we have beaches here too LOL....... Unfortunately there isn’t a major cruise port within easy driving distance from San Antonio. Yes there are a couple of lines that use Galveston, which is in easy driving distance but hardly a major port, but again the lines, ships, and itineraries don’t interest us. I remember that 30+ years ago my late father and step mother lived in Orlando and used to drive down to Miami to try to catch a cruise. That was all pre-9/11 and back then they would go terminal to terminal trying to catch a last minute booking. My uncle lived in Miami and they’d stay with him until they caught a cruise and were very successful and rarely had to return to Orlando without having cruised. My father was so tight fisted he’d call me collect using a name like Mr Carnival which by agreement I would not accept but it told me he was off on a cruise. 😀 Edited February 28, 2023 by Randyk47 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted February 28, 2023 #3270 Share Posted February 28, 2023 3 hours ago, Randyk47 said: Unfortunately there isn’t a major cruise port within easy driving distance from San Antonio. Yes there are a couple of lines that use Galveston, which is in easy driving distance but hardly a major port, but again the lines, ships, and itineraries don’t interest us. I remember that 30+ years ago my late father and step mother lived in Orlando and used to drive down to Miami to try to catch a cruise. That was all pre-9/11 and back then they would go terminal to terminal trying to catch a last minute booking. My uncle lived in Miami and they’d stay with him until they caught a cruise and were very successful and rarely had to return to Orlando without having cruised. My father was so tight fisted he’d call me collect using a name like Mr Carnival which by agreement I would not accept but it told me he was off on a cruise. 😀 Hi Randy, the last part of your post actually made me laugh.......years and years ago my Dad used that same calling thing LOL..........they must have been from the same generation.😀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare crusinbanjo Posted February 28, 2023 #3271 Share Posted February 28, 2023 2 hours ago, Lois R said: Hi Randy, the last part of your post actually made me laugh.......years and years ago my Dad used that same calling thing LOL..........they must have been from the same generation.😀 wow...... "collect Calls"......... What a throwback! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TLCOhio Posted March 2, 2023 Author #3272 Share Posted March 2, 2023 On 2/28/2023 at 1:37 PM, Lois R said: Hi Randy, the last part of your post actually made me laugh.......years and years ago my Dad used that same calling thing LOL..........they must have been from the same generation.😀 Appreciate these great follow-ups by Lois, etc. Yes, I recall the "good-old-days" of doing a fake collect call to let people know when you had arrived home safely. I am also old enough to remember telephone "party lines" that needed to be shared and the early days for long-distance calls when you talked very, very fast as it was so very costly. Great summary comment from Mr. Banjo about "What a throwback!" It has been an amazing transition until now when most long-distance calls in the U.S. and Canada are "free" as a part of our cell service basic cost, international calls are easy and fairly affordable, etc. Then, also, there are all of the awesome things that our cell phones can do currently. Progress!!! Thinking of the changing future, from the London/UK Independent this morning, they had this headline: “World’s first three-year cruise announced – and it might cost less than renting on dry land.” Here are some of their reporting highlights: “The world’s first three-year world cruise is now open for bookings. The ambitious voyage, operated by Life at Sea Cruises, will cover more than 130,000 miles and visit 375 ports across 135 countries and seven continents. Embracing the recent shift towards remote-working, the cruise enables guests to live, work and explore from a single base. The MV Gemini vessel, which has 400 cabins and room for 1,074 passengers, will set sail from Istanbul on 1 November, with pick-ups in Barcelona and Miami. Guests can visit 13 of the 14 Wonders of the World on what it calls 'the first reasonably priced, all-inclusive world cruise, starting from only $29,999 (£24,926) per year'.” Ready to sign up? Here is more: "Working out as less than £70 per day, this unique opportunity to travel the world could cost less than renting on dry land. The fee includes access to all dining venues and alcohol with dinner, a state-of-the-art wellness centre, sundeck and swimming pool, high-speed internet, entertainment, “enrichment seminars” and housekeeping. The ship will also include a 24-hour on-call hospital with free medical visits." To get this lower price, it would be a standard inside room with only 130 to 142 sq. ft. Small? Kind of confined/limited in size? My wife and I would kill each other if we were in those tight of quarters for too long. Right? Still have questions? Here is more to consider: "Due to set sail in 2024, the ship is selling units to cruisers who want to relocate to the open seas. Narrative is planned to circumnavigate the globe every 1,000 days, stopping at each port for several nights. Residents will be able to leave the main ship via a 'Marina' on the aft side, where they can board smaller boats or jet skis to explore. Units on the ship start at £300,000 for a 12- or 24-year lease, with the most luxurious costing up to £6m to buy outright." Cruise website at: https://www.lifeatseacruises.com/pricing-and-cabins Full story at: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/lifestyle/travel/world-s-first-three-year-cruise-announced-and-it-might-cost-less-than-renting-on-dry-land/ar-AA1884al THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 53,758 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta. www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worldtraveller99 Posted March 2, 2023 #3273 Share Posted March 2, 2023 What a lovely idea! Though too much Dramamine to consume for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare highplanesdrifters Posted March 3, 2023 #3274 Share Posted March 3, 2023 22 hours ago, TLCOhio said: To get this lower price, it would be a standard inside room with only 130 to 142 sq. ft. Small? Kind of confined/limited in size? My wife and I would kill each other if we were in those tight of quarters for too long. Right? Spouse? I'd not sure I could take myself in that small space. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyk47 Posted March 3, 2023 #3275 Share Posted March 3, 2023 On one of our last cruises on Holland America before we switched to Silversea we happened to go by an inside cabin that was being cleaned. It was a back-to-back cruise for us and the door was open while they finished getting it ready for the next cruise and passengers. We stayed in the hallway but looked inside the cabin such as it was. Small and dark was my impression, Mrs K’s comment was “nice if you don’t mind the stalactites hanging from the ceiling”. 😬 One of those spousal comments that says “don’t even think about it”. 🙂 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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