bssc

We did the Bliss Vibe last November on a Panama Canal cruise.  There were five or six two person cabanas.  We got 1 and it was reserved for us the length of the cruise.  The lounge chair area was not crowded at all.  Lots of towels too.

Be aware there is only one elevator that goes to the deck.  Picture is of about 2/3s of the Vibe when we got there early in the morning on a sea day.  There was one or two times when it was too windy for umbrellas which made me appreciate the cabanas slotted roof's shading.

Bonus, Gene and Benedict were the most customer oriented workers we had encountered.  They are in DominicAUS's pictures.  And while cookies were hard to get at the buffet, the Vibe always seemed to have them.  Highly recommend it.

In December, on the Bliss, cookies were available on the Vibe.  However, at the dessert station at the buffet, there was a small sign that said you had to request them.

Had Coke Zero in the can on the Bliss Vibe this month.  The bartender brought it up and stocked for us.

We got $250 for a 15 day Panama Canal cruise.  Spent it on gifts and knick nacks including a stuffed bear in a Captain's outfit.  Also ate at Cocos.  The credit covered the treats and base gratuity but not any additional gratuity.  

On the 15 Day Bliss, there was one $29 bag offer.  My wife, an engineer, brought packing tape to reinforce the edges.  Big bag and she used smaller bags to avoid ripping.

The free bag of laundry are one of the best benefits of Platinum.

27 minutes ago, EganFire said:

What was the warning about Starbucks?

A $250 fine if you took it or veggies or fruits off the ship.  Forget which port.

Excellent cruise.  Recommending Gede and Benedict in the Vibe.  Besides not being able to take fruits and vegetables off the ship, they warned us about Starbucks.  Enjoy

On the Bliss on a 15 cruise.  4th day, they offered a $29 bag.  My wife got a lot of items into one bag.  Reinforced the sides of the paper bag with clear packing tape.

On the Bliss now and have not seen any decorations yet, not even a piece of gingerbread.

As promised, just got on the Bliss and were handed the attached letter that Acapulco was canceled.

We are on the reverse cruise on the Bliss from LA to Miami, November 19th to December 4th and Acapulco is still on the itinerary.  Will check back in and update if anything changes.

On 12/26/2020 at 6:16 PM, Sand and Seas said:

Is there a month of the year where there is a greater chance of seeing whales? 

I don't know but we were there in May.

We enjoyed Icy Straits Points because when we were there, there were a group of bald eagles and several pods of whales.  Also, we really enjoyed Glacier Bay so you probably should do both at some point.

Well with Europe apparently recovering while US cases increase and the US not scheduled to get its second batch of Pfizer vaccines until July, it would make sense to target Europe first.

https://www.statista.com/chart/22102/daily-covid-19-cases-in-the-us-and-the-eu/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/12/07/pfizer-vaccine-doses-trump/

11 hours ago, RunBikeCruiseDC said:

I remember this, too!  We were a military family and lived abroad.  I thought we showed our shot records and passports when entering countries in what is now the EU?  Looks like you were a State Dept Kid?  

Yes, Foreign Service Brat.  We had to show that book every time we entered a country in Asia too.  And getting a bunch of shots every six months was normal.

When we were kids we had to carry about our immunization records to get into most countries.  Mine was big and thick.  And we had to get some shots, like cholera, every six months.  I wonder how much of that will be coming back.

On 11/27/2020 at 5:00 PM, podgeandrodge said:

If they only let people on that have the vaccine things should be reasonably contained no?

I would like to think that would be the case but you never know.  In our area of Colorado USA, it is hard to get everyone to wear a mask.

14 hours ago, winterbliss said:

How is it possible that so many people can be manipulated into this vaccination scheme.... At this point, have we all made sure that none of us are overweight...have we taken every intervention to promote our better health....no more junk food....no more excess alcohol....eat your fruits and veggies....get off the couch....exercise....I assume none of us smoke any longer...I  could go on and on.  We are at much greater risk of dying of heart disease or cancer. So I guess as long as we've done all that and taken our vaccines, we'll be good to go! Just an added tidbit...it's simply a wonder...no influenza cases...at all...not even one...in Alberta. Really? but they continue the fear mongering 'spike in covid cases'. And Trudeau is enlisting the military to help with vaccine rollout...I guess most think that sounds perfectly logical as well. And yes...I understand that our cruising days, as much as we loved every minute of it, are most likely over. Heaven help so many companies that are trying to survive as it's becoming clear that they're going to have to succumb to ghastly measures like, 'show me your vaccination passport please'. This was told to those who chose to listen, early in this pandemic that this was going to happen. The majority of these people have been maligned and ultimately censored.  Well, it doesn't appear they're going to be proven wrong.

I think that you probably have a better chance of cruising before we do.  Numbers are hitting record highs and yet people insist on doing US Thanksgiving, keeping places open and do on.

On 11/25/2020 at 6:38 AM, DCGuy64 said:

Where does that statistic come from? I'd be curious to know what percentage of those people weren't cruisers to begin with. It's one thing to say nearly 1/2 of people who normally cruise won't get the vaccine, quite another if it's the general public, most of whom don't cruise, anyway.

The survey I saw was from Pew Research and it was from September.  They surveyed the general public, I haven't seen a survey that is cruisers only.  But as noted, upthread, there are cruisers who don't want to get a vaccine which would certainly delay cruises.

The link I am referencing is:  https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2020/09/17/u-s-public-now-divided-over-whether-to-get-covid-19-vaccine/

Vaccines are all well and good but there seems to be a substantial number of people who say they won't get the vaccine, I have seen anywhere from 42 to 49%.  This will definitely put a crimp in cruising restarting.  Disclosure, pushed our two cruises to 2022.

There is a bus trip from Hellesylt to Gieranger, at least there used to be.  However, we chose to stay on the ship.  Gorgeous view from the balcony.

I almost feel left out since we only get one or two mailings a year, and never a catalog.  Mostly email hints, perhaps because we have an NCL PCC?

Thank you for the review.  We are looking at the Joy too.

Have a great trip.

Following.  Booked on the Encore in 2021.