cruisr

I’ve gotten the pcr results in 24 hours last month.  I am sure it is more now but even at the height of covid last year it was about 50 hours.

You will love Jordan and Israel.

You will have to check what the entry requirements are for Jordon first.  Your airline will not let you board the aircraft if you do not have the correct documentation.  many airlines allow you to upload the information on their site.  Also be aware of where you are connecting as the connecting airport can have their own set of protocols.

If you need either a PCR or rapid antigen both can be found at CVS and appointments can be made online so you can plan for test within the time you need it (3 days usually) before you board the plane,

if you are on a tour with AMA I am sure they will make the arrangements.  How many days is your Jordon pre stay?  i hope you are going to Petra and Wadi Run.

Geez, things keep changing.  I seriously don’t know what i should book if I want 100% vaccinated guests.  Over on the Crystal board people are switching to MIA as they don’t want to deal with the Bahamas visa stuff.  5% of the guests are allowed to be unvaccinated and for me that is 5% too many,  Calling Seabourn tomorrow.

I heard it from a friend in FL who said that all the cruiselines sailing out of FL ports cannot ban anyone from cruising including unvaccinated.  Perhaps she was mixing up Crystal and Seabourn.  Crystal is allowing non vaccinated on their cruises out of FL starting yesterday.  I will verify with SB and sorry if I started a panic.

I keep getting emails on the 3 Ovation sailings R/T from MIA in November and December.  11 nights.  I would have booked one but as they are accepting non vaccinated guests I will not book.

I am watching BBC coverage of the fires and they are suggesting wearing Kn95 masks due to the very bad air quality.

1 hour ago, notamermaid said:

I must say this holiday planning is a challenge to get your head round. Now I have just found out that as Würzburg is in Bavaria I have to wear an FFP2 mask in shops. Not fun. While not as complicated as the London transport system (there are stations where you have to wear a mask on one platform but not on the other depending on the train operating company) it is a little complicated in Germany. Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Wurttemberg are similar, although RP is a bit more open as regards gatherings, but Bavaria is stricter. And you have to watch the incidence rate which is creeping up. A warning from the health minister of what we may expect in Autumn. My reaction: "Och, neee, ne?" An exasperated way of saying: brilliant, just brilliant. 

 

So for those with just far too much time on their hands and personally to @cruisr as they need to know (you probably have this already), here are the rules again for BW - PDF file for download: https://www.baden-wuerttemberg.de/de/service/aktuelle-infos-zu-corona/corona-information-in-other-languages/

 

notamermaid

 

Thanks.  Yes, I had reviewed that.  Hopefully incidence rates don’t change.  Germany is level 2 and the UK just went to level 4 according to the CDC so Germany seems to be handling things well.  I watch the BBC and the video clips of the clubbers was madness.

1 hour ago, notamermaid said:

As a photo says more than words, here is one - new out of my supply box, by the way:

 

We also use FFP-2 (which is the equivalent to N-95 I have been told) but you do not have to, they are not recommended to be used over a long time. Ones like those above are fine. You can get them in many places, pack of 5, pack of 10, etc., supermarkets and drug stores all stock them. Edit: sorry, forgot to confirm, cloth is not allowed.

 

@cruisr Exciting time, first travel outside of the states since March last year? Hope everything goes as planned and have a great trip.

 

notamermaid

 

Thanks,  I have a load of those that I don’t use any more.  Update though, I just came back from The Bahamas and the most amazing, probably best Crystal cruise I have ever been on.  It was all perfection.  Got the old passport out and now have 2 more stamps in it.  i am on a non stop flight from the US to FRA and have my covid vaccine card ready to present.  looking forward to being in the beautiful Black Forest again.

@notamermaid  Germany is coded a danger level of 2 according to the CDC and is there for lower than many many other places in Europe and incidence rates lower than in many places in the US and UK.  I will be there in less than two weeks.  The area I am going to in BW has a very low incidence as of now, and everything is open.   I have until the day of departure to cancel with a full refund of my airline points without penalty.

I have a silly question from a local.  I have read that the only masks accepted on trains, etc are the medical quality ones.  I have cloth ones as well as the blue “medical” masks that one sees in operating rooms, etc.  What type of mask do you wear when in places that require them such as trains, buses or some stores.

Cheers

i am sailing on Crystal next week.  All guests must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before boarding.  Rapid test performed before boarding.  One couple was denied boarding yesterday due to testing positive.  Crystal sailed over to Miami before coming to the Bahamas and got their unvaccinated crew the J and J.  All crew will be fully masked at all times.  Guests do not have to be but can be if they choose. 
 

The big difference is size of cabins and not much caviar in sight on Crystal LOL.  The staff are incredible on both.  Crystal IMO has better entertainment/enrichment and of course that is subjective.  I think the food is pretty equal.  Again, subjective.  I love the alternate restaurants on both lines.

I always receive notifications of flight changes from every airline I fly as I book direct.

Be prepared for more flight changes and cancellations before your departure.  AA is having severe problems with staffing from checkin agents to ramp staff to flight crews.

23 hours ago, notamermaid said:

I have found the info you need. Okay, are you ready? There are a lot of details to take in: https://www.tourism-bw.com/corona-note

 

notamermaid

 

Thanks and wow.  i will wait till next spring I think.

@notamermaidMy fave area in DE is Baden-Wurttemburgl. Now that the EU is open to fully vaccinated people I am anxious to get back there.  I checked a few days ago and it seems the towns are saying that museums, spas, etc are closed and restaurants are take away only.  When do you think things will reopen in that area?  TIA

Crystal will require that guests be fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to embarking.  They will also have a testing facility onboard.  In order to arrive in Nassau one needs to provide a negative covid test from no later than 5 days prior to arrival (seems a big long to me) and you will have a rabid test before you are allowed to board.

I am going to a lot of places in the coming months in the USA, just as I did all spring, summer and fall last year.  I am discovering wonderful places, national parks, beautiful beaches and nature that I never experienced as I was always booking cruises.  I have three trips domestically booked already and more will follow.

I miss cruising but am very happy with alternatives that work for me.  And, a bonus, there are a lot cheaper.

The official notification to affected guests was going out today at 4:00pm.  That is odd that the website has not been updated yet.

I think August, as AMA says, is even optimistic.  Seabourn just cancelled their May and June sailings in Europe.  More will follow, I am sure for both River and Ocean.  

My cruise and my friend’s cruises were cancelled.  Fully prepared for that and didn’t even bother doing air.  Oh well.

In answer to your questions:

No

No

No/No

I think that cruiselines may require vaccinations for all guests/crew but who knows.  
I don’t know if all cruiselines need “test cruises” before resuming service but if these have to be done I would think we would see some movement there if cruises were to resume in May/June.   I am thinking 3rd quarter 2021 before cruises start in any meaningful way.

 Carnival has cancelled all their May cruises globally but other brands have not.  The rest of the brands will probably follow soon.

Probably not.  You will most likely have to stay within your “bubble”.  Who really knows though.  Crystal has said that you must be fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to boarding.  Seabourn has not said this yet and if they require a vaccine that may effect onboard actions.

12 hours ago, cruiseej said:

 

No, of course not. But if they want to travel, they'll need a vaccine. It's a choice.

Yes, but @florisdekortsaid that the PM will not open borders until everybody is vaccinated.  So if their choice is not to be vaccinated then the PM cannot open borders as not everybody will be vaccinated,   I think the PM will have to walk back that statement and will probably open borders without all of the citizens being vaccinated.

1 hour ago, Roz said:

 

This is going to be easier for river cruise lines to accomplish than ocean cruise lines, given that river cruises attract an older demographic.

 

No vaccines are yet approved for children, and it will be months, maybe even next year, before those in their 20s and 30s are eligible to be vaccinated.

Actually AMAwaterways partners with Disney for charters that are aimed at families.  Each year they have chartered more dates.  Guess that will change.

Crystal has just announced that all guests on Ocean and River cruises must be vaccinated and have had their second dose at least two weeks before boarding.  I am sure the other river cruiselines will follow

On 2/11/2021 at 4:49 AM, florisdekort said:

I live in Australia and no, so far that has not been said. What the Australian Prime Minister has said is that he doesn’t expect the international border to re-open before everyone is vaccinated, and for that they’re targeting late October. 

 

Will people be vaccinated without their approval.  Will they be forced to be vaccinated?  I watch a lot of Australian TV and it seems that there are many there, as globally, who refuse the vaccine.  I am not one of them, I have had both doses.  If your PM is serious that he wants EVERYONE vaccinated I wonder how we handle the anti vaxxers.  
 

I have been to Australia 5 times and love the country and the people and would like to visit again sooner rather than later.