MaryEBS

I've sailed in both the GS and the CLS and I would most definitely pay $800. for a side view CLS over a GS.  Nothing compares to the view afforded to you from the loft with the curtains open and the sun pouring in.  Deck 17 is so quiet and the aisles are so wide ... not to mention the proximity to the Suite Lounge and the Coastal Kitchen.  

I tip every meal because the wait staff does rotate and I prefer to know the waiter who was assigned receives the tips.  

Twangster your pictures are breathtaking!

Stairs are an issue for me, but I would still pick a CL!  There is a hand rail and a ledge on the opposite side that make the stairs doable for me.  I agree with all the comments stated about Deck 17 but the main reason I would pick the CL is this view:

If I did this correctly, the article is attached.

Wash Post Article.docx

2:30 is the earliest check in available for Symphony 11/7.  My guess is that they want to ensure the rooms are ready so there are no crowds of passengers waiting for rooms to open.

Excellent idea Twangster! Thanks for making this happen!

John,  You might want to try it on a different browser.  It just worked for me on Chrome.

So nice!  Thanks for posting.

My husband used a motorized scooter.  There was never a problem getting a scooter on a tender in Grand Cayman.  They simply keep the scooter in the front to avoid stairs.  Tender operators are most helpful in this process.

22 hours ago, twangster said:

Video summary of my morning one year ago.

Twangster thanks so much for posting your pictures and video, the only description that comes to mind is breath taking.

42 minutes ago, barbeyg said:

I will only be wearing one when I have to.  I have asthma, and already get less oxygen than someone without asthma.  Wearing a mask makes me lightheaded if worn for any length of time since it cuts oxygen even more.  So, I wear when I go into a store, out of respect of others.  But, outside?  Where the sun is shining and the air is fresh?   You have to be kidding me.   If you are concerned, give me a wide berth.  I feel more confident taking supplements that boost the immune system.  That, washing hands frequently, not touching face with unwashed hands, has worked for years against the flu (for me).  👍

According to ADA you do not have to wear a mask,  Cruise ships are required to comply with A.D.A.

"I am exempt from any ordinance requiring the use of a face mask.  Wearing a face mask poses a mental and/or physical risk to me.  Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, I am not required to disclose my medical conditions."

Department of Justice A.D.A. Violation Reporting Number:   800-514-0301

3 hours ago, firefly333 said:

We had to be idk age 40 or 50 and have 40 years in. Quite a few just missed it.

 

If you are going to let people go, letting go the best instead of the worst, it was all about the dollar. We could see what bad jobs the india reps did. If we mentioned it we kept being told it's a learning curve they would get better for a year or two until even the managers gave up defending the much poorer job Indian workers did, but they could pay them $3 or $4 a hour to do a poor job vs us. 

 

I did enjoy the disputes until we had to do more phone work tbh. I enjoyed helping people.

 

I'm glad you retired with a good pension. I'm a saver and am fine .. just liked the work. 

I guess we had different experiences...for me Amex was like family.  While I agree many lost their jobs, the company tended to release the older workers in favor of the newer less expensive, it was not who did a better job.

13 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Wow great to meet you. I was in plantation too of course.

 

I was there when they cut health benefits when you retired for anyone with less than what was it 40 years in and some has just almost that many who worked since teens. For me that was it. I was there for the health benefits, not the pay. They underpaid us imo. No retirement health benefits, no point for me to stick it out. All about profits, not keeping happy carmembers.

 

I was truly shocked when they let go all the quality people, the best of the best, who made more $ because they had worked there more years. 

Wow, your experience was very different than mine.  I am retired with health insurance and my Amex Pension.  I was well compensated to work there!

On 3/31/2020 at 6:35 PM, firefly333 said:

Actually I worked in florida for amex disputes.

Me too!  Thirty Eight years in Plantation in the Credit Department.

4 hours ago, orville99 said:

I wonder if the crew being sent home are at the end of their contracts?

I met Chris on the 2/23 sailing of Oasis,  at that time he anticipated going home in a few weeks, so it appears he is going home in the first group since his contract has ended.

No,  only Star Class can get Specialty restaurant delivery.

23 hours ago, vacationlover_mn said:

Mary- I am on your same sailing.  Hope you make it!  DH and I are always paranoid about getting a cold or Noro on the trip (has happened to us a few times), but we just try to be vigilant now (wash hands lots, etc).  I think we all will be ok 🙂

I will definitely be there!  It remains to be seen if I am sailing solo or with a friend 😀  I understand the worry (and I do travel with Clorox wipes) but I take reasonable precautions and so far so good... never got sick on a cruise yet.

22 hours ago, Jzx1103 said:

 

Why do you get triple the points? Is it because you're in a Suite? 

Yes we booked a suite.

23 hours ago, suizas said:

 

I am also sailing sunday on Oasis with my mother. Hopefully we will all be ok! 

Don't worry...I believe we are safer on the ship than at the local mall.

I have the same issue.  Sailing on Oasis on Sunday and the friend I am supposed to travel with is afraid to go.  I have tried to make all the arguments mentioned in this thread but she won't budge... so I am sailing alone since she is going to be a no show and I will get triple points instead of double.  Funny thing is she does not know her son has booked a surprise Alaska cruise for her with his family in May!  

My husband was a very large man,  he had no issues with seats in the theater and the dining room waiters knew after the first night he would need a chair without arms and there was always one waiting for him and the waiter would discretely make the switch for him.  Don't worry all will be taken care of. 

These pictures are some of your best work!  Thanks so much for sharing them!

I was on Navigator in November, yes lunch was included.  I ate at Jaime's with the UDP.  Enjoy the cruise!

Your itinerary looks awesome!  I am looking forward to seeing the pictures you will be posting.