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3 Diamond Plus questions:

1. Diamond Plus question - is there only one lounge for all D and D+  members? 
 

2. Does anyone know where it is/will be on

        the Allure of the Seas? (sailing April 29)

        the Utopia of the Seas? (sailing November 25

3. With 412 points, how many complimentary drinks are we entitled to per day?

2 hours ago, arkansasnana3 said:

I am reading all about masks and I do wear because it is a mandate  NOT a law in our state.  We have a business and we sell masks including N95 if we could still get them.  OSHA says the masks do not work because the virus is smaller then the mask material.  They give people a since that they are doing something to protect themselves when in fact they really aren't.  They will  not put that out there yet everyone is wearing them and the count continues to go up.  If the masks were working then it would be going down.  The virus is  here and will be so everyone just needs to do what it is they need to do. We have an essential business and have worked through the whole time.  While others stay held up in their home we are out enjoying life as much as we can

That is an interesting finding from OSHA. It is my understanding from the CDC guidelines that wearing a face covering prevents a person from spreading the particles if (s)he is carrying the virus. By following the guidelines, if everyone wore a mask, the numbers would go down. The problem is when people who are carrying the virus and are not covering their mouth and nose, they are potentially making others sick. Everyone must do their part but this is not likely to happen because we are divided on the "mask or no mask" issue.

So I agree with part of OSHA's statement that a mask can give us a false sense of security. Following that logic and the CDC guidelines, I wear a mask, practice social distancing, wash my hands often. I stay as far away as possible from anyone I meet in a public place who is not wearing a face covering. When cruising opens again, if passengers are required to wear a face covering, I will comply and hope that the cruiseline will enforce the requirement. 

Everyone has their reasons to sail. 'I am 71 and my husband is 79 and we have been all over the Caribbean. While it will be disappointing to stay in port, if that ends up being the case, the thing I will miss the most is the shopping.

That said, cruising for me, is an escape to relax and our cruising days are numbered due to health conditions. Husband had high risk stents this past January, a pacemaker in May, and a dementia (not ALZ) diagnosis a year ago.  I will say it again "Everyone has a reason to sail." I want a break from cooking, housework, and the phone for four days. The shows, the food, a balcony to take in the view while I read would be such a nice change of pace. That is all. 

Of course, young families and the middle aged don't want to stay cooped up -- they want to get out and see new things. 

9 hours ago, JJK2008 said:

I think most if not all of us are aware of the proposed guidelines RCCL made to the CDC to reopen cruising. One proposal says that shore excursions should be limited to "cruise-line sponsored or verified excursions." I have posted it below. As I read this, it goes further than just limiting shore excursions to ship-sponsored, it controls whether you can get off the ship at all. "The ONLY way a passenger can leave the ship in any given port is to do so as part of a "cruise-line sponsored or verified" excursion. Can't speak for everyone but this SUCKS!!!! Many times we don't do an excursion, we'll explore on our own or book our own excursion. But this proposal, as I read it, you can't get off the ship unless you participate in a ship sponsored excursion. In August, passengers on-board an MSC cruise in Italy were not allowed to re-board their ship after they separated from their ship-sponsored excursion and went off on their own.  

 

This is right from the proposal. 

 

Guest Excursions 59:

During the initial return to sailing, cruise operators should only allow guests debarking from a ship at a destination port to participate in cruise line-sponsored or verified excursions as a way of limiting potential exposures in the destinations they visit.

"I think most if not all of us are aware of the proposed guidelines RCCL made to the CDC to reopen cruising" I haven't seen the complete guidelines. 

My comment to "The ONLY way a passenger can leave the ship in any given port is to do so as part of a "cruise-line sponsored or verified" excursion. Can't speak for everyone but this SUCKS!!!!" I agree that it is very inconvenient and may seem like a control issue but  this virus is REAL and I think that for  the safety of passengers, excursions will have to be very carefully monitored to ensure that social distancing, hand sanitizing,  and 100% mask compliance is enforced. Personally, the only ports that I plan to visit are CoCo Cay and Labadee because I trust that RCCL will have a tight grip on enforcing protocols on their own private islands. 

I recently cancelled my NY Eve cruise and rebooked to January 11 (four nights out of PC). We will see what happens. 

On 9/20/2020 at 8:34 PM, fairweather said:

I, too, would like us all to take some time and remember the wonderful crew members from the various ships we  have cruised with through the years. They looked after us and many became our friends.  You wonder how they and their families are faring during this pandemic and lockdown. I worry that they are unemployed and barely making ends meet.

 

I also worry that they will risk their lives again when the ships sail only to see them shut down again due to those who refuse to socially distance or wear masks. It's not just Americans who suffer when others don't care if they live or die...or care if they take the rest of us along with them.

 

Europeans are trying to be civilized. Their reward is to cruising again with safety measures and the joy of knowing you can still have fun with them. We Americans just keep allowing others to make dumb decisions for the rest of us which we all know are wrong on so many levels. I really have no appetite now for sailing with them and ending up on Gilligan's Island where they won't socially distance or wear masks either.

 

I so long to sail again and feel the breeze running through my hair now that it's grown back again after my recent chemo and radiation. But I don't want to die on a Ghost Ship with a bunch of clowns who don't respect science or God.

Very well said! I am sad that the livelihoods of the dedicated crew members who have looked over us for years has come to a halt and I praise them for their willingness to return. I pray that they will remain safe while they do their jobs. You are right on about Americans who make decisions that affect the safety of others. I think it is more than dumb. It is obstinate and narcissistic. I will close by echoing your words:  "But I don't want to die on a Ghost Ship with a bunch of clowns who don't respect science or God."

7 hours ago, Biker19 said:

It was a slow news day at the web site which generated that - they've done that (simply list the sailings on RCI's schedule) in the past and made it sounds like news.

😧

The problem with a lot of people is that they are in denial or that they don't care. Correct me if I am wrong, but I think the US is least resistant to conforming and we don't have the leadership to enforce mask wearing. 

1 hour ago, SilkySal said:

This November, 2020. Of course it says "expected date", so nothing confirmed. Can't help but get my hopes up though! Report from Cruise Industry News.

Yes, I am keeping my hopes up too. If a miracle happens and ships decide to sail, I am ready for a Thanksgiving cruise. 

I haven't given up, I even purchased a black blingy mask. 

On 8/18/2020 at 4:19 PM, Cruise a holic said:

So sorry about your husband- but honestly who knows what the future will bring for anybody.  We can get Covid and die, have a heart attack , stroke or accident.  I also am close to the NY and NJ ports but we are all quarantined for now.

I am booked to sail out of Bayonne next May because our 2020 Bermuda trip was canceled. The Freedom of the Seas is going to Bayonne and that would be great! She sailed out of Port Canaveral for years. We were on her last sailing before she moved on. 

On 8/21/2020 at 12:24 PM, lenquixote66 said:

People my age and older feel that it is very likely that we will ever cruise again due to the pandemic and disabilities that we deal with.

Thank you for your reply. I am still hoping that we can take cruises from our home ports for little four or five day escapes. I would really like that. 

You are correct on uncertainty. My pastor just passed away at the age of 64. I haven't lost hope. Only God knows. 

That is kind of bittersweet! I am one hour from the port. I am praying to reach the point of acceptance that I may never cruise with my husband again. He is 79 and his dementia is getting worse. This truly is depressing. 

On 8/11/2020 at 3:25 PM, bigrednole said:

The answer is YES, the question is how long it will take for them to get that far. I expect Nov to be canceled around Sept 15 and Dec to be canceled around Oct 15. They will not reach to the XMas and NYE cruises until the last minute they can. Those are big money cruises that they are hoping can get going.

Hearing the word YES perked me up. WHEN is the big question. I have had five cruises cancelled (March, May, June, August, October) and I have a cruise booked for NYE. Here's the hard facts for us: My husband is going to be 80 next January and has had multiple extra chances at life since last November due to heart issues. I am trying to stay optimistic but I may face the reality that we will never cruise again. It could happen. 

Mask resistance is a real issue for SOME people i.e. people with respiratory problems whose O2 sats might drop or claustrophobic.  Otherwise, I see  mask wearing as an act of love for neighbor. 

I admit, when I am exercising, it is not easy but necessary. 

22 minutes ago, CRUISEFAN0001 said:

Sadly...forcing people to do the right things appears to be the only way to eliminate this serious medial event. To those snarky know-it-all non-conformists...perhaps a hefty fine and criminal record for their conscious actions will wake them up to a reality they choose to ignore. This is serious - life and death -  and the time is overdue for every person in public without a mask to be punished as a potential contributor to the spreading.

Great suggestion on the hefty fine and criminal record and yes, it is serious.

Every now and then I wonder if we will sail again before we die. Over the past six months, my husband has had heart problems. In January he had a life saving stent and in May, a pacemaker. He is doing everything that he should and is getting stronger every day.  Now we have people who aren't doing what they should and a government that is not unified in their approach. What a sad reality we are facing. 

Airbear, I am very sorry for your loss. This pandemic is horrible. 

Caymus 88, my brother lived in Salem for a very long time. Small world. 

Thank you for a good post airbear232. The mask debate goes on and on. I agree that we must do whatever we can to keep ourselves safe and that includes wearing a face covering but everyone has to be onboard. Since they are not, our problem is getting worse. 

17 minutes ago, Airbear232 said:

For this to be managed to a safe level in the states, there needs to be continued social distancing, washing hands, and wearing masks.

 

If people had worn masks from the start, this would have been under control by now.  However, too many people are cavalier and don’t listen to health experts.

1 hour ago, lenquixote66 said:

When I got to see the doctor I did not see a sink for him to wash his hands nor did I see a Purell type product.
My last time going to that doctor.

That would have been my last time too. When I went to the gym yesterday, they were even cleaning the pens that we used to sign in! I was impressed with how they went over and above in an effort to stay safe. That is what I really expect RCCL to being doing and I am sure they won't let us down. 

2 hours ago, Cruise a holic said:

It truly is!  We need to hear the truth!  Not sure if you are being sarcastic- but since you appear to be a senior citizen you should be very concerned!

 

2 hours ago, Cruise a holic said:

  Not sure if you are being sarcastic- but since you appear to be a senior citizen you should be very concerned!

 

I am a senior and I am sincere. Yes, I am very concerned. We are lonely empty nesters as well with no family in Florida. Cruising is our outlet and we don't even have that for now. My husband has had recent high risk heart stents (LAD - aka widow maker) followed by a pacemaker last month. Thank God, I am healthy because he needs me.  I don't mean to sound morbid but we never know how much time we have left, especially at our ages (71 and 79).

3 hours ago, lenquixote66 said:

Our President is not letting Dr.Fauci speak to anyone from CBS news.

That is too bad. 

1 hour ago, Cruise a holic said:

Rules were followed. Sadly, the 20, 30, etc. year olds were brought up to flout authority. No rules for them

It would seem to me that RCI will make this group  comply.  Maybe I am just being naive, but I would like to believe that the cruise line will enforce social distancing, masks etc..They have already lost a lot already. 

9 hours ago, Caymus88 said:

My son was in Fl.  Spring breakers were going to do whatever they wanted with no regard for anyone.

screwed up my next cruise

I hear you Caymus 88. I live in Central Florida and our beaches were packed. The leadership here is lacking big time. 

On 6/24/2020 at 5:19 PM, Arzeena said:

Why is everybody looking at Florida?

We have as good a port as any state....NY? NJ? Baltimore? Boston? Just saying.........you never know!

I was supposed to sail out of Bayonne in May to Bermuda. I have rebooked for next May and I am glad to see that the Freedom of the Seas will be there!