NO_Member_Name

The Viking Crown Lounge is still open to everyone. I was up there this past weekend 6/17/23. Unfortunately there were only a few people (like three including me) and the bar wasn't open even though it was supposed to.

I've rarely seen this space do well on any of the ships so I understand why they've been repurposing it on other ships. It seems like they just don't put a lot of effort into building it up. Personally think if they just played all Sinatra all the time it would rocking.

Labadee is perfectly safe and if RCCL has any doubts or uncertainty they won't stop there.

All the cruise lines take passenger safety very seriously and make sure the local governments know it. I read a story about two or three tourists being mugged in a fairly large cruise port. The cruise line talked to the police chief about it who pointed out that three out of tens of thousands was a pretty low number. The cruise line didn't like that answer, so they rescheduled 3 ships out of something like a hundred to not stop there. That got the police chief's attention and there were no more muggings.

We always go for the early seating. There's no particular reason. It's just our personal preference. 

I see the current emuster system as being more grounded in reality. Live drills always were a waste. If there ever is a real emergency many/most people will forget everything they saw in either the video or a live demonstration (although I'm trying to think of anything that's actually useful), especially if there was something obviously bad going on. All they really need to know is where their muster station is, and I'm sure a bunch will forget that. I'm sure the crew knows this and is ready for it. For that matter, there will be at least some time to give the standard demo while people wait to board lifeboats and I would expect that they do.

Just out curiosity, does anyone know what crew training tells them to expect? And, how are things supposed to go beyond the part that passengers currently see.

Was anyone able to talk to any of the local personnel or vendors about what might have gone on while the place was closed?

Obviously vandals didn't wreck the place, but it would be nice to know anything actually did go on.

I should also say that I'm a little surprised there isn't a bit more information about Labadee. With all the Haitians who've moved to the US there should be some who know. I had Haitian neighbors in Orlando but haven't kept in touch since I moved, although who knows how plugged in to their country's affairs they are.

It's generally fallen out of the news, but Haiti has a problem with violent gangs looking for ways to make some money, and a minimally functioning government who currently can't seem to stop them. Grabbing a bunch of cruise ship passengers would have great earning potential. Personally I'd rather see SEALs on TV, not busting down my door and throwing me on a rescue helicopter in the middle of the night.

I've always been a little surprised that Labadee has been able to exist as long as it has. It's isolated but not that isolated. I just assumed that between the Cap Hatien and Labadee governments they were getting enough economic benefit that they could keep the place safe. Hopefully they'll get there again soon.

We were on Odyssey in mid October on a 25% capacity cruise and loved it. Being able to immediately get an elevator even during dinner was a different experience. We were all diamond and all had 4 free drinks loaded onto our sea passes each day, which is about 3 and a half more than we'd normally have (I did get the soda plan). We ended up using many of our credits for bottled water. I was pretty good about bringing enough singles with me, to tip the bar staff. It was a period when the delta variant was winding down an vaccinations were still somewhat billed as providing complete protection (not that we beli it). My only real complaint was that the bacon in Windjammer (one of my favorite things about cruising) tasted rancid throughout the cruise. It surprised me that they let that go on. It's a beautiful ship.

I should know the answers to most of your questions but unfortunately didn't pay that much attention. I guess I have a few tips though.

Northstar has both free and paid experiences. Go book your free experience as soon as you get there, because they do fill up. We ended up doing the paid experience, which was only a few minutes longer and went out to each side of the ship. It was fun but not earthshattering. I liked that I was able to text pictures to a cruise junkie friend while hanging over the side of the ship. I looked at it as a chance to give RCCL a few extra dollars, because so much other stuff was discounted or free.

The wifi was really good. They finally seem to have gotten that right. I'd say I had good quality connectivity probably 98% of the cruise. I was even able to connect while passing by on an excursion ferry, sending pictures to my abovementioned friend.

We spent many evenings in the Music Hall. They had a pickup band of musicians from major groups and even just winging it they were very good. I think we went to all their shows. We also saw them around the ship a lot, and by chance did an excursion with one of them. They were all very nice and approachable.

The thing they'll tell you about 270 is that the multi-media projection system is a modern marvel that cost 6 million dollars. I will say it was pretty cool. The show was pretty good, but slightly meh. I had a seat off to one side where I ended up in the spotlight a lot, so I tried to look interested and not yawn. Probably the best thing about 270 was the bistro, and their roast beef sandwiches. 

The specialty restaurants were OK but not great. Chops didn't get my steak right, but they rarely do. I prefer the main dining room and our wait staff there was awesome. Many nights I think we were their only table. We got know them very well.

I could go on for a while, but enough rambling.

We got off Odyssey a couple of months ago and basically walked right off too, stopping at the facial scan for a moment. I did not see a single federal officer anywhere (I assume they were around somewhere), only sheriffs deputies. I'd thought this is how things should be done for years.

Saying this, I have also been delayed several hours getting off the ship, especially in Ft Lauderdale, for who knows what reasons. But, it has been a few years. Catching such an early flight sounds like it "could" work out, but it's risky.

I thought all the Oasis Class ships had a "kind of" pool in the Solarium, but OK. I know I've been in it on at least one or two of them. We tend to focus on the hot tubs and go for the outrigger hot tubs on ships that have them because they generally have space. I just find the Solarium calmer than the pool decks and it tends to be shadier.

Oh yeah, and watch out for the ships captain riding his Harley around the ship, assuming you're there on his rotation.

The Park Cafe in Central Park is a nice laid back place for breakfast. They also usually have music in the park in the evenings. It's something laid back, like a chellist or I think we heard a harpist one night. The solarium is at the front of the ship on the top decks. It has a great view forward. It's where we usually go instead of the normal pool.

3 minutes ago, gracia98 said:

Any idea how many expected passengers on the 12/26/21 cruise? 

They only had numbers for the next 3 weeks, with 3k the first week in November. But, I believe they said 80% capacity for Christmas.

We were on Odyssey 2 months ago with around 1200 passengers total. It was awesome, and while we wore masks inside a lot, we had them off a lot too. Probably the biggest thing we noticed was being able to get an elevator any time and almost always being able to adhere to the 4 person limit. The biggest negative was that the bacon tasted like rancid cooking oil. I'm not sure why. I said something but nothing changed.

3500 passengers sounds awfully crowded, and effectively fully loaded. From some of the posts I've seen it looks like they're trying to get passenger counts back down some.

There wasn't much going on on our cruise so the captain didn't have much to tell us. But, the staff in the main dinning room was very chatty (I think we were their only diners most nights) and we picked up a few tidbits, like expected passenger counts in the future.

I also got to meet Chris Wong. Nice guy. Much taller than I expected.

Just being slightly nit picky, you do go out the Labadee gate for the short trip to the top of the zipline. That's in another guarded compound. 

In terms of getting a feel for what's outside the gate you could do that in other ports like Falmouth. Personally I'm just as happy to get a glimpse from the bus.

My sense is that painting these ships is an ongoing process. Every cruise I've ever been on something was getting painted, and that includes the exterior. You can't just paint it and forget it.

Chris Wong talked about vlogging in a now-deleted video. I believe he implied that he did not have company sign-off to do them. He did specifically say that the company did not tell him to not do them and that he was not in trouble with the company. The have been a couple of times when he's said there are things he can't say because they're proprietary.

I agree. The head of the CDC definitely needs to go away. Cruising is not going to return to normal any soon, but letting them partially restart lessens pain and brings in some cash (or draw down liability). Thankfully the CDC got told where to go.

In general the government (at least in Florida) has been a month late with all the reopenings. And, some things never should have been closed at all. The no sail order should have been discontinued at least a month ago.

I don't think Oasis class balconies have the structure or the width to support a hammock. They've got the hinged glass partitions to make cleaning easier. I guess I see that some cabins do have a post there, but I'm not sure about the other side and I would suggest not trying to rig something.

As to the door, they open from either side and don't believe they can be locked.

So they have. Thank You. They're not nearly as far along as I would have thought. 

It kind of looks like FB will only let you see a certain amount of the thread without logging. I may finally have to break down and get an account. Luckily the pictures I was hoping to see are at the top.

I think Florida's actually been a little slow to reopen with all it's phases. The assumption is that reopening means an immediate return to normal, but that simply won't happen because most people will take personal responsibility to protect themselves (I know, some won't).

It was maddening to see stores that usually only had a few people in them even before the virus forced to close, while essential businesses like grocery stores (which rightfully stayed open) were as busy or busier. I personally cut my grocery runs from 5 times a week to once every week or two and still the places where busy (I'm back to twice a week). Now they've reopened the theater near me. Is busy? Not even close. They should have let it reopen months ago.

Thank You MiraFlores for all your postings. Normally I'd be getting excited about an upcoming fall cruise, but unfortunately not this year. Hopefully in 2021. It is very nice to hear from at least a few of the people on the ships now.

I know something I can ask you. What ever happened to all the webcams on RCL ships? They used to be great to tune into from time to time, and would be especially welcome now. Maybe you guys could set one up on the Promenade or the pool deck.

Also, speaking to the subject of this thread, there's a crew member on Symphony who's posting frequent videos on his channel "Exploring Empty Ships". They're cool to watch.  And, Captain Johnny has been posting the occasional video, from Harmony.

Has anyone seen any recent updates from the scrap yard? Given the last pictures it would seem that Sovereign is probably down to the waterline and Monarch is probably close.

Unfortunately it's probably going to be late next year before we even consider going on a cruise. And,  assume it will be after a vaccine has been out and in use for a while.

Right now, my wife is actually not allowed back into the office for two weeks if she goes on a cruise. And, if they can't find WFH work for her, it's PTO or time off without pay.

PBG is fine. It's sunny and breezy with passing drizzle. Nobody seems all that worried about the storm. I saw one or two people buying water at Publix this morning. Me, I needed pancake mix.

With some of the really bad storms we've had to deal with recently (that ended up missing us) a Cat 1 seems like much to do about nothing. Buildings and infrastructure should make it through just fine, even if we end up taking a direct hit. But, it'll probably stay a ways off the coast.