SLSL

We are boarding today. 😍 Thank you for posting the Daily for today. That was extra thoughtful and much appreciated!

Just received our Wonder of the Seas block from our sailing April 2022. So it took about 5 months...but we got it!

Thank you for your response. We are not Christian. Yes, we feel confident having booked the tours with Guide Tours Israel...we have read only good things. They are being very flexible with what we want to do...we just don't know what we should do since our time is limited and there are so many wonderful sights. Guide Tours Israel is kind to offer us three different options...still researching which would be best for us.

We have an upcoming cruise with stops in Israel. We will be in Ashdod from 8am on a Sunday until 6pm the next day, Monday. On Tuesday, we will be in Haifa from 8am until 7pm. My husband and I have a private tour scheduled with Guided Tours Israel. We have never been to Israel before and I know it is impossible to see everything. We enjoy getting the "feel" of a country when we visit...not only seeing the "must see" sights. We also feel like we should visit Tel Aviv, which was not originally on our itinerary. So, basically we have the following options and we are asking our Cruise Critic members for their opinions. Thank you all! Option 1 – original itinerary (NO Tel Aviv) October 23 – Ashdod port to Jerusalem-Yad Vashem – overnight in Jerusalem October 24 – From JLM to Dead Sea/Masada – return to port of Ashdod October 25 – Haifa port to Jewish Galilee – return to port of Haifa Option 2 – Dropping Dead Sea/Masada with overnight: October 23 - Ashdod port to Jerusalem-Yad Vashem – overnight in Tel Aviv October 24 – From TLV to Tel Aviv-Jaffa-Caesarea – return to Ashdod port October 25 - Haifa port to Jewish Galilee – return to port of Haifa Option 3 – Dropping Jewish Galilee if you want to do overnight: October 23 – Ashdod port to Jerusalem-Yad Vashem – overnight in Jerusalem October 24 – From JLM to Dead Sea/Masada – return to port of Ashdod October 25 – Haifa port to Tel Aviv-Jaffa-Caesarea – return to port of Haifa

We always bring wipes for hard surfaces and spray can of lysol for soft surfaces. As soon as we enter our cabin on boarding day, DH and I go into sanitization mode! Do this for hotels as well.

Does anyone know if you return to the USA by ship (transatlantic sailing), how do you get the VAT tax returned to you on your purchases? Typically, this is done at the airport, but we won't be going to an airport. I remember years ago, the ship had someone come on the ship while we were still in port, and do this for the passengers. I don't remember which cruise line this was; nor do I know if this is routinely done or is currently being done? Looking forward to a nice purchase as long as the dollar/euro rate stays like this. Thanks for any help. Susan

Those chocolates are the chocolate fruit truffles you can choose on the Diamond Plus gift amenities.

We changed our seats.

We took ship excursions when we reached the ports. When we boarded each bus, we were told to wear a mask. It was mandatory. People were taking their masks off as soon as they sat down. And some of those people were sneezing...coughing...repeatedly. They were obviously not well and spreading their germs in a contained bus. It is disrespectful not to wear a mask if told to wear one AND especially if you are spreading germs. I believe this is possibly how I caught covid. OR...my cabin attendant informed us that people 3 cabins down the hall from us each came down with covid...as well as their friends. If the cabin attendant went from their cabin to mine, can she possibly spread it?

No - we flew on TAP Portugal.

Just returned home from the Wonder sailing on 4/20 and tested positive with Covid this morning. Stayed one night in Barcelona after debarkation so we could test (emed) in the hotel and fly home the next day. Test was negative...all was great. Next day, long travel day and long flight home. Started to not feel great on the plane...stuffy nose, that was it. Woke up this morning with chills, fever...so tested myself and it was positive. Had a telemed video call with my doctor who said I definitly had covid on the cruise because the positive results on rapid tests take a few days to show. A few days ago, I was on the ship. I feel so lucky that I was able to fly home and deal with covid recovery in my home vs getting stuck in Barcelona for ??? how long. But...I was on the cruise and an airplane and I had covid...I just did not know it. There were probably others in the same situation. As of now, my husband is fine, hope it stays that way.