AlanF65

Our business is essential and in the beginning it was just my brother and I here, employees came back to work in May, still some office people working remote, its their choice.

I use my Chase Sapphire points for groceries and insta-cart membership. They gave $40 statement credit for joining insta-cart and they allow you to get statement credits using points for groceries, so $100 in points is good for $150 in statement credit of groceries. I have only been in a store maybe 3 times since a year ago. I love grocery delivery.

I have lived alone for so long I just prefer it. Lots of medical issues this year and it took 3 hospital visits (no frequent flyer miles) and a ton of test to get a diagnosis. What wears me out is many of my symptoms are similar to Covid so its hard to see a Dr. right away. 8 Covid tests, all negative. Saturday I get dose 2.

We are getting so close to being over this.

A-

On 3/1/2021 at 8:49 AM, chengkp75 said:

View from my office window this morning, after the morning Texas fog has burned off.  Sorry, don't know how to rotate it.

Does that mean you don't know how to do a wheely? I envisioned the bow rotating up and the keel staying in the water

2 hours ago, Hobcat said:

Keep in mind the southern US border is now open. Less than 200 people have have tested positive by local agencies so far. No one knows how many people have COVID that are slipping through unnoticed. As immigrants move to the interior of the country it’s likely medical services will be overwhelmed again providing more opportunity to keep the states shut down. IMO a really bad time to open the border. 

Its not "open", they detained 75000 people in January. But that adds to you comment, if we assume the 75000 is 20% of those crossing illegally then that's 350,000 a month coming across the border

The 75,000 number is at the bottom of this article about the crash the other day and they didn't catch those 27.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/human-smuggling-probe-suv-in-california-crash-entered-through-hole-in-border-fence-officials-say/ar-BB1ecfGD?ebsb=1&enablessr=true

1 minute ago, Horizon chaser 1957 said:

Oh no, with all the fanfare and uproar and disapproving statements from the federal level, there was no typo.

Did Canada negotiate lowest price / longer delivery with the vaccine makers like the EU did?

A

2 hours ago, Horizon chaser 1957 said:

Yes, we are very unhappy about the four month delay for the second dose here in BC. That long a delay is not approved by either vaccine manufacturers or the federal health authorities. In fact, the federal health authorities refer to BC’s plan as a ‘population level experiment’ without the controls of a regular trial. We have an overseas trip booked for November (not a cruise). Between the four month delay and the three week wait after the second shot, we would both need to have our first dose by early June to be able to go. I’m in the 60 - 64 allotment, so that’s not going to happen. Luckily our insurance lets us cancel for any reason up to 72 hours before departure. I think we’re going to need it!

Is the 4 month delay intentional or did someone make a typo for the typical 4 week?

I received my first shot yesterday at my Dr's office, they were well organized (its a small practice of about 8 Dr's with over 2500 seniors), I was in and out in about 20 minutes including my 15 minute waiting time. I think they were doing non patients also It looked like they were using 8 exam rooms to  give the shots.

My fundamental principal is their lawyers are bigger than mine and they won't let me modify the contract for a single passenger so as always buyer beware of the risks and either self insure or have some form of insurance (cc, specific policy etc)

A-

5 hours ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

When does it end ??

The travel credit ends

Through June 30, 2021, gas station and grocery store purchases will also count towards earning your $300 Annual travel credit

The 3x points at grocery ends

You can now earn 3x total points on grocery store purchases on up to $1,000 total spend per calendar month Nov 1, 2020 - April 30, 2021,* including eligible pickup and deliver services. No activation required - you'll earn the points automatically.

The pay your self back (use 100 points for 1.50  statement credit) ends 4-30-21

They have extended the pay yourself back  a few times and if arms aren't getting stuck they may extend it longer

A-

My Doctors office (9 doctor group) had 800 doses that they used for over 65 (they have 2500+ over 65 patients) I called and got on the wait list as our county the lines are 2-5 hours. I was called last night and they scheduled first dose this Saturday and second dose in 30 days.

I am looking forward to getting "stuck"

A-

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

 It is interesting that both CCL and RCI have been divesting of older

I wonder if CCL is getting rid of them because they don't want to update them per the environmental issues that have to be solved before sailing.

On 1/12/2021 at 6:07 AM, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

It is a nice perk

They applied my $300 travel credit to grocery shopping this year so that was nice, almost like free food (except I paid for it)

Sitka has a historic church, the fortress of the bear, the raptor center,  the Totem park and museum along with Lots to do including whale watching, its really a working city so other than the church and the museum most is a healthy walk or tour ride.

Icy Strait point has very good whale watching along with the zip line, a small town with authentic food and lots to see walking around.

Skagway I would recommend a train /bus combo tour that goes at least to carcross  and then some time in town depending on how long you are there and what you want to see.

Juneau - more  whale watching as well as walking on the Glacier, the tram, lots to do, or possibly the Adventure bound trip.

All my Ketchikan visits have been cancelled (this year, next year)

A-

Hi,

I am thinking about the ACL "American Constellation" 10 night cruise with 2 days in Glacier Bay. I like the idea of flying into Juneau with no need to go to Canada.

Reviews of the ship in ACL forum are less than stellar and I was wondering if anyone has done this itinerary and how was the ship, the bed and the service?

Thanks

Alan

18 minutes ago, Cruising-along said:

We bought colorful cloth covers for ours.  Very easy to spot and fun too.

I use these

And these

and these

After spending 45 minutes looking for a black suitcase in a pile of black suitcases that didn't get put in the right group areas

A-

22 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Hsve you considered having antibody levels checked out of curiosity?

I don't know if they are still doing it but if you gave blood to the Red Cross they did the antibody test for free.

1 hour ago, yogimax said:

So why didn't we do something about it then?

The Pfizer vaccine work was started  (BioNTech) on 1-25-2020; the scientist had 10 ideas when he started.

"On Jan. 25, a Saturday, after reading a study he said convinced him that the obscure disease in China would soon engulf the globe, Dr. Sahin set to work on his computer, designing the template for 10 possible coronavirus vaccines, one of which would become BNT162b2, the vaccine authorized in the U.K. on Wednesday."

https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-a-couples-quest-to-cure-cancer-led-to-the-wests-first-covid-19-vaccine-11606905001?mod=searchresults_pos19&page=1

Covid was likely in the US in Mid December 2019

https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-likely-in-u-s-in-mid-december-2019-cdc-scientists-report-11606782449?mod=article_inline

53 minutes ago, MarinerBoy said:

 

I dont believe it, i been gambling for years and I havent been a loser. I think most people I talked to were happy with their casino experience and none complained about losing money. Most people I know come out even or a little on top. Sure you have the occasional dip when you blow $100 on slots a day and dont recoup, but majority of the time people win.

 

If no one won no one would go to the casino, if people just lost the value of entertainment isnt enough to lure them back, only if people win will they go back. Thus casinos offer people a chance to make real money, pretty fast too, a portion of my yearly revenue is generated through sports gambling, and casino poker/craps. I learned to master the crap game, I have an incredible throw and I know the bet strategy well, i dont think casinos make money on me, they may make money off others chumps but as far as I am concerned I am the king of the floor when ever I enter the casino.

Well gambling is just that, its taking a risk to get  a reward with the odds against you.

Winning the lottery pays really well, the odds are huge against winning and winning isn't  an absolute pure payout, first the state gets paid.

There are things that can be done to minimize odds / reduce risk .

A skilled poker player can minimize risk by strategy and win, he can win more against lower skilled players but those are the same people that don't understand odds or chip values in a tournament and make high risk low reward plays and win in spite of themselves, that is gambling, not playing poker.

A skilled poker player playing a cash games has a win expectancy of a certain percentage, the rake eats into the win % and increases risk, making the game less profitable. The game gets more profitable the more lower skilled players there are against a highly skilled player. Many skilled players will walk away from a lucky gambler.

I never counted cards but won at black jack into my early 40's I could tell you every card that had been played while talking baseball or just chatting and then at some point that memory ability went away. I could win at poker but about 10 years ago I just can't sit and concentrate as long so I don't play much anymore. Knowing what cards were gone just gave me a better chance at what would come next, it doesn't mean it will. I used the same skill playing 7 card stud. 

Every game has odds, the way to win at craps is buy and or place bets with true odds when a shooter is rolling numbers, that is the same as trying to time markets.

I don't bet sports so if you make money at it congratulations.

Most people go to casinos for fun and a chance to win, they don't win consistently. They also go to shows, and go to dinner and enjoy themselves and don't mind dropping a small percentage of their disposable income as entertainment dollars. Very few win playing casino games, betting against the casino over long periods. There is a reason tables have limits. It eliminates the casinos risk againat someone doubling every bet and winning.

Enjoy your free cruises, if you don't play in the casino you probably won't get invited back as a comped player unless you shop heavy in the jewellery stores on board.

2 hours ago, MarinerBoy said:

The fact that a 15 day free cruise is even given out free is remarkable. I understand a small investment from the casino for a quick 7 day inside cabin roll the dice but a 15 day balcony investment for 2 people is 6k worth of investment upfront. Even if I play through all 6k back you won't lose 6k on play through you'll likely break even or lose a bit but there is no way the casino can justify fronting 6k to 2 people just in hope they will lose 6k or more in the casino.

 

Its a joke, its really bad marketing and its these types of promos that kill cruise ship industry. A lot of people in business make bad decisions esp in the cruise ship and casino world, these types of promotions are one of those bad moves. Sure the average Joe here will defend this promotion but don't lie to your self its a back breaker for Princess casinos they need to limit these give away to 7 days or less and inside cabins only.

Casinos have the ability to change a whale into a guppy and a guppy into a whale.

If you don't give them x dollars and y time in action, you won't get offers. 

Casinos count play different than most players, every bet is counted, if you play 8 hours and break even you may bet 480 units. You gave the casino 480 chances to take your money at games that have anywhere from 3-4% to much higher house odds.

Its not about the occasional winner its about the constant small percentage they win every deal, roll, spin.

Slot machines that pay 97% don't pay back 97 per hundred dollars bet, they get to the 97% at 10 million or 100 million wagered to  97% pay out percentage.

There is not a game on the floor they don't win at, the rake % on poker makes it tough to make money in a real game. Blackjack played correctly may be from a 2-4% winner to  2-4% loser for the player.

Craps is like trying to constantly time the market. You have be right when the market is going to turn.

A-

United Airline started shipping today in readiness of approval

"United Airlines Holdings Inc. UAL -0.74% on Friday began operating charter flights to position doses of Pfizer Inc.’s PFE 1.92% Covid-19 vaccine for quick distribution if the shots are approved by regulators, according to people familiar with the matter.

The initial flights are one link in a global supply chain being assembled to tackle the logistical challenge of distributing Covid-19 vaccines. Pfizer has been laying the groundwork to move quickly if it gets approval from the Food and Drug Administration and other regulators world-wide."

https://www.wsj.com/articles/united-begins-flying-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine-11606512293

1 hour ago, Italy52 said:

Thanks, Alan.  Unfortunately, I don't have much faith in our governor.  Both my husband and I are seniors and will just wait until we are told it is our turn for the vaccine.

I don't have much faith in him either but the plan is moving forward and vaccines will be distributed not  much longer after FDA approval. It will still be awhile to get them out to everyone.

A-

On 10/22/2020 at 10:02 AM, Italy52 said:

.  Unfortunately, I live in California and our governor will not allow distribution of the shot until his independent task force deems it safe for use.   I

The state is approving about as fast as the FDA, they are working on it simultaneously. Healthcare workers in December, then medically needed and front line workers. It will still take months to secure, distribute and schedule vaccinations on a mass scale.

"The state's scientific safety review workgroup has already reviewed the Phase I and II study data on both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and will be able to review the Phase III data close to when the FDA and CDC receive information to expedite the review and avoid any delay."

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Newsom-vaccine-California-Pfizer-when-available-15748964.php

If the Pan Pacific in Vancouver is open, then staying there makes boarding almost seamless.

You call the bellman and your checked bags are taken to your onboard suite, all you need is your carry on and a ride down the elevator and a walk inside or out to the boarding area.

There are a few other hotels in Vancouver that offer the same luggage service but he Pan Pacific is the only one that is part of the cruise dock

You do have to clear US customs when you board.

A

1 hour ago, nini said:

 

Right now, it reads "currently not available" on the Princess website; longer than

14 days and involves American ports- regardless if Vancouver opens or not.

It still shows in my cruises as "sailing in 29x days", I was just wondering how long they wait before they cancel

I wonder how long it will be before they cancel my 14 night Voyage of the glaciers next September out of Vancouver to Alaska (assuming Canada is open)

19 hours ago, lovinger said:

Thanks Don, this advice is definitely helpful. I also realize my comment about not missing anything came off the wrong way. I know this trip isn't designed to see everything in Alaska - far from it. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything about the differences between Sitka and Skagway, and you convinced me that Sitka might be more my thing since I prefer natural beauty to touristy things.

 

The really good itineraries with Glacier Bay are all $500 or more per person, and most have worse ships. I figured I would spend the savings on a helicopter excursion to a glacier, but I am thinking about switching to a different itinerary if any of them have a sale. 

If you are going to look at other itineraries I suggest you look at sailing from Vancouver. Those sailings tend to get more ports and some of the off the track ports compared to Seattle 7 day.

This NCL trip gets more ports and glaciers

Princess has a 10 day and 14 day from Vancouver, we don't know what HAL will do in 2022 yet.

A-