TooManyWakeUpsTilWeSail

2 hours ago, klfrodo said:

Personally,,,, Lake Shore Drive is no Half Moon Cay

You are missing the point of a lake tour.  It is NOT comparable to the Caribbean in price nor scenery.  It is comparable in some ways to a European river cruise.  You almost have to love the history aspect, the familiarity and the slower pace.  
 

I did a Chicago river architecture cruise years ago.  The scenery was a little better than a walking tour.  The history narration was outstanding.  I’m not from Chi-town but they made you proud of Chicago history and all the changes/challenges they went thru.  

3 hours ago, fyree39 said:

I would love something like this and have been looking at other lines that do these Great Lakes cruises. EXTREMELY expensive. I think it's because they'll have US workers making US wages, possibly union, pulling into US ports with US port fees and US taxes on all purchases anywhere on the ship. If you've ever been on a California Coastal, you'll see those prices are higher, too. And they have foreign nationals for employees who get lower wages. 

 

That's why I don't think it's viable for the usual Carnival cruiser.

I’m not saying it is viable for multi-day cruises…but the day cruises I’ve been on that last 4-6 hours…feed you, entertain you (eg live bands) and actually narrate US History….which is so invaluable.  Last one I went on was about $50. Would do that again at least annually if I lived near.  

Provide a smaller ship (typically 500 pax max), ala carte services.  Obviously rates would vary but I would try it out for $200/pp/day.

I’m hoping as much as thinking that Carnival will continue to improve & expand their app options.  Notify when YTD is available instead of queueing.  Same with rides.  
 

Show what luggage #s are being called on the app to avoid the cattle herding.  Not allow folks in the elevator if their # not called.

Design newer ships with MORE (not less) open interior space.  Covid may not be an issue some day but there is always something contagious whose risk of contracting is heightened in a cruise environment.

More outdoor dining options (again requires some dedicated space but imagine a sail-away dining with a 4-course meal and a million $ view).

3 hours ago, renza said:

Ours on sunrise has not changed as far as Ocho Rios 

Yes, I was saying it didn’t make sense that Carnival did move all August Horizon sailings from Ocho Rios already but not Sunrise.

There doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason to how Carnival is moving its upcoming ports that will be clearly closed (Grand Cayman, Grand Turks, Jamaica, etc)  All 6-night Horizon cruises in August had all 3 ports changed already including Ocho Rios.

1 hour ago, arkaine23 said:

I'm no expert.  But seems like a stretch to get out there, hit 3 distant ports, then back within the constraints of a 7 day cruise.  I'd think the westerns from FL normally have a stop in G.C., Jamaica, or both for logistical/timing/resupply reasons.  But I am just making it up as I go, and drawing conclusions from the itinerary changes that have been made.

I’m all for adaptability but stop this Facebook/Instagram notifications crap.  My cruise in September (listing GC and Jamaica) as 2 ports is still listed with no changes.  If all 3 will be different, just let us know and give us excursion options.  I understand & completely agree that Carnival cannot help port closure.  But if they KNOW these options don’t exist, stop the money grab and clear things just a little.

On 6/22/2021 at 7:57 AM, Honolulu Blue said:

SHORE EXCURSIONS
If you are fully vaccinated you can go on one of our brilliant Carnival excursions or independent activity that includes walking around town, going to the beach

I love this part.  I assumed we would be stuck with the Carnival shore excursions.  Now if I only knew WHERE my ship is actually going (9/12/21-Horizon), I could book those excursions.  For now, just hopeful and grateful to be sailing again.

Never mind.  Was looking to rate adjust Esaver, but accidentally picked different room category

11 hours ago, ngrund said:

do carnival ships have a direction indicator in the hallways?

 

On NCL, the carpet design is fish swimming towards the bow, Disney has fish on the cabin doors pointing to the bow

I’ve not seen those indicators on Carnival.  Only room # ranges (like hotels).  Obviously if you take the same set of elevators/stairs each time it is easier to navigate.

1 hour ago, Tippyton said:

We walk around and explore the ship.

Absolutely if it’s a new ship to us.  Usually takes 2-3 days to stop going the wrong way off the elevator to our room.

6 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

The only one in the free world associated to the cruise industry that was out of step with reality?  Amazing.

Ever heard of Canada for all of 2021 and Australia (at least until September)?

14 minutes ago, kdr69 said:

Maybe the new CSO wont make them look like fools if they use current scientific data vs the data from 15 months ago they keep relying on.

So what does your government look like with its covid policies?

1 hour ago, SRQbeachgirl said:

 

It was a result of inadequate and faulty quarantine procedures, lack of knowledge as to what type of illness they were dealing with, and yes, there were some politics involved. 

 

Chronology of COVID-19 Cases on the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship and Ethical Considerations: A Report From Japan (nih.gov)

 

"Denying a ship’s entry based on local politics is incompatible with global justice. Events such as these require an international response and global regulations that seek to reduce disparities."

I see......

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sun-sentinel.com/coronavirus/fl-ne-sick-ship-approval-fort-lauderdale-20200329-pymhibz6bvduxbwfgk2mil23ku-story.html%3foutputType=amp

and see......

https://www.google.com/amp/s/wsvn.com/news/local/florida/gov-desantis-orders-checkpoints-on-i-10-and-i-95-to-screen-travelers/amp/

7 minutes ago, SRQbeachgirl said:

I guess I'm not seeing your point. Let's say after September 13, when the mask mandate is supposed to end

You didn’t mention the mask mandate on Amtrak, I did.  And where are you seeing that mandate for Amtrak ending 9/13

Just now, SRQbeachgirl said:

 

And? I think it's been sufficiently drilled into everyone's heads that masking alone is insufficient to stop the spread. Are you saying that the cruise lines should be able to let anyone cruise as long as everyone wears a mask?

And? It’s not comparable if you have to wear a mask 100% on one and not wear it 100% of the time on the other.  Your original post made it look like taking Amtrak was a writhing mass of humanity.  The mask part all the time SHOULD be a deal breaker for most on a cruise....being required to get a shot (to those applicable) should not.

13 minutes ago, MamallamaAndDaddy said:

Yes, that's the sucky part. Hopefully we will have a release of the masks regulation.

Prior to getting covid & later getting the vaccine, the most unsafe I’ve felt in the past 18 months was on a 6 hour Amtrak trip.  No middle seat open guarantee, lots of foot traffic and lots & lots of coughing.  Had I not ignored the BYOB restriction, I think I would have gone nuts.

6 minutes ago, SRQbeachgirl said:

 

Amtrak Vacation trains. A couple hundred people confined to a small space for 7 days, eating in the same dining cars, drinking in the lounge car, sleeping inches from each other in the Economy Class seats, getting on charter busses together to go on excursions...all without having to show proof of vaccinations or be tested. 

 

The biggest difference between a week-long Amtrak vacation and a cruise ship, besides the number of people, is that cruise ships have lots of outdoor spaces, private balconies, and large indoor spaces, where as on an Amtrak train you are sitting in a tiny enclosed space for hours and hours and hours with no outside venues.  

You left this little detail out:

Federal law and Amtrak policy require all customers and employees to wear a mask or covering that fully covers the entire mouth and nose, fits snugly against the side of the face, and secures under the chin at all times while onboard trains and in stations, regardless of vaccination status or state or local laws

De do do do de da da da
Is all I want to say to you

2 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Contractors aren't employees of a company. But you continue to argue about something irrelevant to foreign flagged cruise ships.

There’s more holes in his last couple posts than Swiss cheese.  So I stopped replying.

5 minutes ago, regoodwinjr said:

The employer healthcare still part of the ACA and it requires employers to provide health care coverage for businesses with over 50. Even small businesses with 25 employees still are required to offer coverage to get the small healthcare tax credits. Businesses also pay Medicare taxes so if they don't offer health coverage they still are involved in their healthcare.

Just to clarify (and a lot of employers have moved positions down to part-time to circumvent):

The ACA defines a full-time employee as an individual who works an average of at least 30 hours per week

12 minutes ago, MamallamaAndDaddy said:

lol I have no argument there. But... maybe what Florida did was posture and that was enough to dissuade the government from pursuing it further?

Absolutely agree back & can’t think of a more likely reason than posturing.  

Well since vaccine passports exist nowhere in the USA under government issuance 4 months after its first mention, it appears to be a complete waste of legislative effort.  Maybe next time they will wait until Thanksgiving to recommend stuffing anything.

7 hours ago, TNcruising02 said:

I don't even have a problem with daily tests for the unvaccinated.  But people have a right to be treated equally and not continuously like they are a threat to humanity.  I resented every single time I had to wear a mask

That’s a bizarre contradiction to me: not being concerned about daily covid tests for unvaccinated (I know you’ve said you were vaccinated; what about under 12) and yet you consider masks to be the devil.  Covid tests are much more invasive, the results can deny you boarding or end your vacation.  Knowing you might have to wear a mask going between floors or embarking/debarking-no biggie to me.

8 minutes ago, Radiioman46 said:

Please direct that to Blerkone, not me. I'm not accusing anyone of being a member of any cult. LOL!

Oh, I thought you believed BlerkOne was calling you a cult member from your reply.  You even alluded to some cult not following simple instructions.  Of course I do follow simple instructions from people in authority.  If I don’t agree with their decisions, as an American I have the right to vote and help make change.  Not like I’m going to storm the CDC HQ to make my point.

31 minutes ago, Radiioman46 said:

What cult is known for their inability to follow simple instructions? 

Well when covid wasn’t the central topic of these boards there was constant posting about people unwilling to follow simple boarding Queues.  Whether or not you feel they are cult members is your own opinion 😏