Zaphod1962

I always keep my equipment in the camera bag when I am not using it, and lens caps always on when the camera is not in use. I have seen too many lenses destroyed by an inadvertent bump against a hard surface when a lens cap would have prevented any damage. I taught basic photography in a photo shop I managed while I was in college. I was just worried about the disinfectant fogging, because I am not familiar with that process, and chemicals used.  

Usually I take my cameras in the bag out on the balcony with me until everything warms up before I try to use any of my equipment. Extreme soft focus went out of style in the 80's, except in certain "fashion" shoots, and I can get the old vaseline on the lens filter effect in post processing if I want it, much easier to clean up.

OK, question for other photographers on here. Is anyone familiar with the chemical they are going to be using to fog the rooms for disinfection? Specifically, do I need to store my cameras, and other electronics in an airtight pelican case to prevent damage to them?

On 9/11/2020 at 9:11 AM, david_sobe said:

We all want cruising to resume ASAP.  But cruising during a world pandemic has high risks.  It was only months ago with floating quarantine zones with sick passengers with no where to go.  If this happened again just to one ship, it would set cruising back even further.  As we found out, many refuse to wear masks in grocery stores.  Do we really think we want to engage these kinds of people on the high seas?  The Covid hot zones will go up and down.  As soon as they were going down here in Florida, things opened back up with Memorial day.  45 days later we were the Covid hot spot in the world.  The same thing will happen again.  Numbers are going down but Labor day just passed us and bars are now allowed to reopen.  Numbers will spike again.  Herding thousands of people on a ship carries risks.  I just dont want to see things blow up in their face with stranded passengers again.  First responders and hospitals have enough to deal with in this crisis. I cant imagine putting extra work on them to rescue the quarantined ships again.  Too many are concerned only with ME ME ME instead of the bigger picture and how we can snuff this thing out.

My wife and I both work in the healthcare field, we are at risk every day. We still would feel safer onboard a ship, with outside air circulation, and sanitation protocols that have been in place for years, than to get on a plane with 100% recirculated air, and jammed up against others in the overbooked cabins. Where are the restrictions on air travel? Oh, that's right, the Federal Government is making a huge profit from air travel.

1 hour ago, seaman11 said:

those number are up because of reopening, its why im waiting till next week or so.  they should be coming down  shortly. 

You can't really go by the daily, or weekly numbers, someone can be tested today and by the time negative test results are available, they could have been exposed. Testing is necessary, but don't let it give you false security that you arent going to have a positive result at a later testing. I am in the Medical lab field, and Covid19 testing is crazy right now.  Until a reliable 5 to 15 minute test is developed, (the current "quick" test only has about 75% accuracy, not good enough) we will have to continue with being very careful. Hopefully, with everything opening up slowly, people will start developing a resistance to this virus.

5 hours ago, seaman11 said:

Not to eagle fans anyway, 😁

How about Dolphins fans?😇

11 hours ago, don't-use-real-name said:

In addition to BirdTravels post - beer - wine by the glass - some champagne is included -

NO Starbucks specialty Coffee but Irish coffee from the bar restaurant is.

When you are at a bar and look at the liquor bottles on the tiered shelves notice the tiers that the

bottle are on - in a basic sense those bottles on the first tier or the well below the bar

are included in the UBP package - those on the second shelf may or may not be - those

on the top shelf will almost always be over the $15 cover.

 

There is an addition to the beverage package for a premium price that includes just about anything

including the specialty coffees - UBP + at about $30 per person per day in addition to the basic

program - something not for the casual drinker.

 

The beverage packages are an individual per person program - one drink at a time

although recently ordering two drinks at a time is OK - a good idea when service is slow

waiting for dining or the lack of enough waiters/bar staff !   

They will allow 2 drinks at a time in our experience. I have ordered 2 drinks, and been handed 4. On our last cruise we met a couple who had brought their large Tervis Tumblers, and were ordering 2 drinks each, and filling those. Next Cruise I am taking this.

We went in the Ice bar on the Getaway during our December cruise a few years ago. A group of Canadians were in there singing Christmas Carols, one of them had given his poncho, and gloves to his girlfriend, he was in shorts, and a tee shirt, but I think he had enough "antifreeze" in him to stay warm. We had a great time with them. We did this again in October last year, with our Youngest son and his fiancee, we all had a great time. 

We just sailed on the Breakaway, the pool towel policy needs to be reversed, that or staff the towel station 24/7. Not a major problem, but it is irritating, and we cruise to get away from the many irritations in our lives.

Warnings everywhere not to sit or climb on railings. Any negligence her is entirely the fault of the Grandfather, who failed to heed the warnings. 

I am not defending smokers breaking the rules. I was just making an observation. But if you notice, the 

ccl stock is still trending downwards today .LMaxwell, I realize that Captains make their decisions based on the comfort, and safety of their passengers, but on the trip I referenced, the Captain obviously did not consider either. He kept the ship in rough seas, in rain for 2 days, He could have requested to be routed just a mile or two east, and had smoother seas, and better weather for the passengers. Our previous sailing on the Liberty was during a Tropical storm in the Atlantic, and the Captain completely changed the route, kept the ship in fair weather, and we still were able to visit all the ports that were scheduled for that trip, just in a different order. The Captain of the Conquest at that time was apparently not concerned about the Comfort of his passengers, and the poor condition of the ship reflected that fact.

CCL stock is down 1.38% at the market close today. I wonder if the new policy has something to do with that.  Carnival has made a lot of mistakes recently, Starting with the change in their loyalty program a few years ago. The last time we cruised on Carnival was on the Conquest right after the loyalty changes, and their "American table" menu in the MDR. We didn't care so much about the  loyalty perks, but the food was not up to the standards we expected from Carnival, add to that the fact that the ship seemed dirty, the staff were apathetic, and the Captain chose to keep the ship in rain for the last 2 days of our cruise instead of requesting a route that would take us out of the foul weather. A Royal Caribbean ship was off our port side about a mile away, in sunshine the whole time, so I know an adjustment could have been made. We now sail with NCL.

Angry Balls- Fireball whiskey, and Angry Orchard cider.

I have an interesting question as well. At least I think. I'm a Canadian leaving from Vancouver to Victoria to Astoria and then LA.

 

What happens if I find cruising isn't for me...for whatever reason.

 

Can I just grab my bags and leave the shop? Find my way home?

 

Not sure how it would work.

Carnival has a guarantee that covers this situation.

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/478

I'm not going to clutter up this thread with the details but, within the first 24 hours they will refund 110% of your fare and get you home. I don't know about other lines, and Carnival will fly you home, or back to the port if you drove there, so a passport would be required.

Guavaberry Rum is one of the best reasons to visit Sint Maarten. There are many flavors of the rum, our favorite is the mashup, it has fruit infused in it. The Guavaberry Colada is made with the Guavaberry liqueur, that has an oddly sweet taste, I suggest you try a sample of that before you buy a bottle, some people don't like the flavor of that, but if you do buy a bottle and don't like it, I will gladly take it off your hands. :P

I'm looking for a good clean beach, close to the port with clear and fairly calm waters to take a 3 and 6 year old. Would prefer a beach that has washroom facilities and easy to find a taxi back to the ship. Suggestions?

Orient Beach is good as long as you stay at the north end. Restrooms are available at all of the restaurants there. Just don't venture south to club Orient, unless you are ok with nudity. All of the beaches on this island are topless, but Orient is more conservative on the North end.

@chengkp75,

 

I don't think I've read about a cruise ship disaster caused by fire, but in case of a fire that gets out of control, is there an emergency procedure where the Captain would say "Attention all guests and crew. We have a very serious fire. We need you to help fighting it. Please help us by throwing overboard anything that's flammable. I'm serious. This includes curtains, paintings, cupboards, your beds, minibars, carpets and even your luggage. The only exception is lifevests which you should put in the hallway. Also please help other guests to do the same in their cabins".

 

It would be a bit costly, and a lot of trees planted to make up for the environmental damage done, but always less than losing lives or the ship. An average ship, having like 1000 crew and 2000 guests working hard to strip the ship to almost bare metal should be able to stop any fire?

Everything used in the Construction, and furnishing of a Cruise ship has to be either fireproof, or flame retardant. I don't believe the scenario you presented would ever happen, even with a major fire.

Some things in life are bad

They can really make you mad

Other things just make you swear and curse

When you're chewing on life's gristle

Don't grumble, give a whistle

And this'll help things turn out for the best...

And...

 

I love that movie, and that song. Another one of my favorites, is this