cece50

2 hours ago, Lois R said:

Hi,🙂 I have been there many times.......I was sort of kidding.  I didn't mean to offend you

with my reply. 

One of my closest friends lives down there and has for many years. 

 

But...part of me still remembers when I was I small child and my grandparents lived on

Miami Beach---a very long time ago.........it seemed everyone's grandparents lived there!

And I know the Villages.....you are correct about that demographic!

 

Oh, I am way beyond 50........

No offense taken, Lois.  I did know you were kidding.  Just wanted to set the record straight.  Too many generalizations about Floridians.  We love living here in Naples and feed off the energy surrounding us.  I am out almost everyday either playing golf or swimming  or riding my bike......I think that keeps us young.  So age means nothing. Pre Covid was a true delight here.  We do miss the Artis Naples especially.....Great cultural events and our Philharmonic.  Keeping fingers crossed for some reopening.  We spend some time in the summer at our home in NJ but you couldn’t pay me to be there at this time.  Count your blessings in Florida no matter where you are.  

On 2/9/2021 at 8:44 AM, Lois R said:

Yes, we have deliveries here in Florida too........too many old people to not offer it LOL...........

(well, most are old in South Florida anyway).........but yes, we have several companies that

will pick up the groceries and deliver them to you.

Sorry.....we are not mostly old in South Florida.  That distinction belongs to north central Florida in The Villages.  We have been here in South Florida since our 50s and are now just 70.  We don't use delivery services since we are able to go out into the sunshine to do our own shopping, dinning etc.  (Actually,  My daughter in TN uses delivery all the time since its convenient with 3 little ones).   Here in South Florida restaurants and shops etc. are filled with wonderful young people from all over the world working to make our lives just a bit brighter.  Our town alone is building its' 4th high school. Neighboring towns are doing likewise.  Homes are being built by the thousands all surrounding new schools.  Our community with a median age of 50 is buzzing each day with golf, pickle ball, tennis, running, biking, not to mention us "old people" are out in the community doing our best to help those less fortunate. Just yesterday, we "old ladies" were out running and walking for "Laces of Love.".....a great charity that supplies our local kids who need new sneakers and sports shoes.  I think we are pretty young here in South Florida any way you look at it.  Love & Sunshine from South Florida!

On 12/31/2020 at 10:52 AM, Lois R said:

Let us hope science/education does play a positive part. I plan on getting a shot and hope others will too.

 Isn't that the whole point? Just because cases come down does not mean

skipping the vaccine is a good thing.   I don't know when one will be available for my "age group" but I will definitely get one.

 I am 62 and have various underlying conditions but the way Florida

is going right now? I am not waiting on line for 8 hours..........the pictures of the sr citizens down in South Florida are awful---they were waiting on line for hours

and hours..........

The system has changed here in Collier & Lee Counties.  No one needs to wait (actually they can’t ) wait in line for hours.  All vaccinations are done by appointment. You can either make it online (Collier Cty) or by phone (Lee Cty).  It’s not easy but there are no lines any longer.  It may be frustrating to get your appointment but at least it’s something better.  

28 minutes ago, Lois R said:

Sounds like most of us are in a non cruising mode for most of 2021 then😲☹️

Yea Lois, we are standing down for 2021.  Our cruise on the Dawn in Sept 2021 was cancelled, so we will look forward to 2022 schedules to be released.  We usually cruise either late Spring or early Fall.  We would not be comfortable with so many of the restrictions that are being discussed at this time.  
 

I think the future will work out in a positive manner....I have faith in our research community to come up with a safe treatment.  My great sadness is for the cruise industry and the wonderful people who work so hard.  I hope they can hold on. 

Thanks for sharing pics of the Dawn.  We are hoping she sails the Med in 2022. If she does, we are onboard.  Hope springs eternal. 

That’s great news, Pies.   Hopefully, we will be sailing on the Dawn too when our cruising season starts in May.   She will be stunning.  Here’s to good times ahead. 

On 8/14/2020 at 4:23 AM, Pies4u said:

I spoke with someone in the Reservations team yesterday because we are considering a cruise on Dawn in Feb 2022. He said they have cancelled the inaugural 'Med season" due to delays at the shipyard but the revised launch date will now be later in 2021, probably early/mid November. 

 

I'm not convinced that can be guaranteed as any further resurgence of the virus may still delay proceedings - even if reliable vaccines exist.

 

Whilst we are hopeful that some sort of normality will have resumed by Feb 22, actually taking the plunge & booking a cruise is still a massive risk in my view. Despite the offers etc, not sure if we'll go for it just yet.

We are not yet convinced also.  We were booked on the lovely inaugural on the Dawn....Rome to Venice....with overnights in Sorrento & Corfu on Sept 22, 2021.  So very disappointed.  Looks like the inaugural will be Barcelona to Lisbon before she sets sail for Florida....to spend the Winter in South America.  I think at the very least an antibody cocktail will be coming forth soon from Regeneron, this September.   We expect it will be well received, but lots to sort out in 2021.  The Pharmas are working at warped speed. We will look forward to May/June 2022.  The Dawn looks amazing as does the Moon.  We were on the Muse last Dec and loved it.  Dawn seems to improve on the things we felt lacking on the Muse.  Keeping our fingers crossed for a big turn around. 

We certainly want to sail again.  We were refunded, at our request, for the Dawn’s inaugural cruise in late September 2021.  After receiving our money back, we rebooked with a promotional deposit.  We are holding out hope that this virus will be history and that the Dawn will actually be built and delivered and sail on time.  I know that is a whole lot of hope, but that’s all the cruise industry has to offer at this point.  If the restrictions are too cumbersome, then we will reconsider.  

The wonderful part of evening dress on small luxury lines is that you will feel comfortable whether your wearing silk pants and blouses or a lovely gown.  The formal dress code is there to act  as a guide so we all recognize that the evening is a bit special.  We ladies have great choices.  I have seen heavy sequined gowns, gowns that are just a mere slip of a dress, fancy trousers & gorgeous silk blouses,  lovely cocktail dresses, magnificent hats with sequined veils.  I think the trend seems to be less fussy, but the the entertainment troupe is always dressed to the nines on formal night.....so if putting on the ritz brings you joy, you will have plenty of company.  I just think it’s nice to put some effort into those formal nights....unless of course, you choose to avoid them altogether.  

Thanks catlover54.....great info.  My basic question was always do you check Yes or No on the form if you are traveling with basic meds for blood pressure, cholesterol or a sleep aide in their original pharmacy issued bottles.  I am assuming if you say yes....they will pull you aside.... and if you say no....it’s a crap shoot.  Either way I am not worried..... just curious. 

We have been wondering about that also.   Seems like they are marketing the expedition cruises for the time being.   My TA asked  her rep and she said they only release them when they are totally ready.   (Whatever that means).  In the meantime, we are looking at Silversea for 2021 and will book them if Seabourn takes too much longer.  We like the slightly larger ships like Encore & Ovation..... and SS has the Muse, the Moon and the Dawn which is coming Sept ‘21.   Hopefully, SB will get their act together soon....we like lots of choices.  18 months out seemed to be the past practices of SB.....that would bring May 2021 itineraries online soon.  

Thank you all for sharing your experiences.  So do you normally answer yes or no on the drug question if you are carrying just your prescription meds, like blood pressure or seasickness meds etc.....?  Here in the US none of these are considered restrictive or illicit. There are controlled meds for say...migraines...but are still not considered restrictive when traveling.  Also, still not clear on weather my husband should bring his fav cigars or wait until Sydney to purchase. I am sure they are much more expensive in Australia.....but that is his problem. 

3 hours ago, nowornever said:

I have to laugh when I think about this one which wasn't funny at all at the time.   When I filled out the AU entrance visa questionnaire several years ago,  the question was phased "Are you carrying drugs?"  Well of course I said no since my strongest drug was cholesterol med.  I was pulled from the line & my suitcase thoroughly searched because, hello, I'm not young & of course on "drugs."  I explained that I thought that meant the illicit kind but nooooo, that's your garden variety high blood pressure kind.  So be aware of this question if it's still phrased this way.  Not a bad idea to take a printed list of your meds.

I’m sure it wasn’t funny at the time.   Who needs such as hassle.  The question is now presented in such a vague way.....are you carrying drugs that MAY be prohibited or restricted etc, etc, etc....in the same sentence with the term illicit drugs.....well is blood pressure medicine restricted in Australia🤪who knows!   

Thanks Turtlemichael.....especially for the copy of passenger form.   Looks pretty straightforward.   I was on the gov website a few times.....the drug & tobacco restrictions, duty free, declarations etc, etc etc.....were more confusing.  

We are arriving in Sydney prior to our cruise Sydney to Auckland.  Is anyone familiar with customs......do we really need a letter from our doctors describing our prescription medications or is having them in their pharmacy issued containers sufficient?    Also, with the restrictive Australian smoking policies, will the Connoisseur Lounge be open during this cruise.  We heard cruises from Australia forbid those areas from operating.  My husband enjoys an occasional cigar and was hoping to bring a few from home or enjoy the cigars offered in the lounge.   I will ask my TA to look into it, but thought I would ask for first hand knowledge.   Thanks. 

I don’t think anyone notices if you wear ensembles multiple times.  I know I never filed in my memory what anyone was wearing.  I did admire some lovely gowns (very few) but I don’t pack them for Seabourn.  I was happy and appropriate with a couple of knit dresses and nice trousers and silk shirts.....some fun jewelry and scarfs.  Wear what brings you joy!   

Hi Maddie....sorry that I cannot comment on the noise with regard to connecting suites, however I can comment on the location of your suite.  On our first cruise on Encore we were just a few doors down on Deck 10, we liked the location so much that on a subsequent cruise on Ovation, we requested the same location.  We really liked the feeling of walking out of our hallway into  fresh air, overlooking the pool (above the fray), the little Sky Bar and comfy seating at your finger tips with glorious views. In the evening, On the short walk to the staircase lobby, the ship is so lovely.....note that if the weather is bad, there is an elevator at the end of your hallway that accesses all floors.  The large Observation Lounge is just a floor up (staircase or elevator) also at end of your hallway.  As lovely as our veranda was....it was a bit bigger than yours, we used Deck 10 much more.  It might have had something to with a very pleasant crew member who handed us glasses of champagne as soon as we emerged through those doors on Deck 10.  Hope someone answers your question more throughly and you enjoy your SB cruise as much as we did.....it was marvelous. 

We sailed the Ovation this past May.....no designated walking or jogging track, best you can do is walk deck 10.  It goes all around the pool one deck above.   You walk past the Sky Bar on the short oval....grab a champagne and off you go.....round and round.   

Thank you LAL......our TA has arranged for the transfer at an appropriate time and  has also arranged through SS to have a SUV transfer.   She was familiar with the transfer situation with the smaller vehicles that are most common in Auckland.  We usually use our large 29” suitcases on a two week cruise, but will consider dropping down to our medium sized ones for this one.

 Thanks for your insight on all this. 

First SS cruise onboard The Muse....We embark on Dec 6 In Sydney.  We are not familiar with any of the terminals, but we will have spent 4 days in Sydney, so no issue just taking a car service from hotel to White Bay in the afternoon. I would imagine sailing under the bridge might be very cool....those in the know, feel free to chime in.  I also imagine a downtown berth would be lovely.... so understand the disappointment. 

3 hours ago, Joc123 said:

Yes Capt Andrew is still on and in fact last night he was on deck dancing with housekeeping staff.

IMO we have the best crew in charge, Capt Andrew, Handre (CD), Kevin(HD), Chef Jes and to top it off Katy joined us in Lisbon to play in TK Bar. It is a very happy ship and we are having a wonderful time 

We were on Ovation in May as it headed north.....Lisbon to Amsterdam and had much of the same crew.   I must agree wholeheartedly that they were best of the best.  Handre & Captain Pedder & were always visible & engaging.....the crew was superb.   The cruise was delightful with interesting ports.....yes we were a happy ship too.  We just love the Ovation & her sister Encore & hope to sail one of them in 2021.....just wish those schedules would be released. 

11 hours ago, Covepointcruiser said:

Do they still have plastic straws on Seabourn?    Guess we will have to cope with the changes relating to plastics.   I will remember to bring my own refillable bottle.   Everyone is being pressured to cut the use of plastic that are not reusable so we won’t escape that even on luxury cruises.

Yes,  I agree.  As long as the ship’s water supply is safe....taste is another thing.....we will travel with our own Swell reusable bottles & keep them clean with a small bottle of dish detergent that we will pack.  If the taste is awful, we will buy some larger bottled water at the ports to refill our own bottles.  

Thanks rogaan.  We arranged for an early pick up as soon as ship is cleared.  8/8:30 am.   Interesting, my TA had to “convince” the SS Conceierge that early departure is best....they kept insisting it was not necessary.  So your advice is very helpful.  

Turtle....Thanks so much for that insight.  Very helpful. 

How much time should we allow for transport from our ship, The Muse, which arrives in Auckland on Friday, December 20th to catch our 12:50pm flight back to Sydney?  We like to arrive at least an hour &1/2 before boarding time ..... so roughly 10:30 ish.  We are making  private arrangements, but I understand that this day may be the start of New Zealand school holidays.   Any heavy construction in the area?  Any comments would be helpful.  SS told my TA its only a half hour drive.