CaptainHazelwood

3 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

I follow the data posted by Johns Hopkins which seems to have slightly different numbers from the CDC site. As of this morning, the 7-day average on their site was 731 deaths per day in the US. In any case, I am quite hopeful we can get the number below a 200/day average with further vaccination over the next two months. Looking at countries that are slightly ahead of us in vaccination like Israel and the UK, that seems quite plausible.

Let's put this in perspective.  The CDC also reports that close to 8000 people die in the US every day.  And of those hundreds we've been discussing, many likely die "with" Covid and not "due to" Covid.

On 5/8/2021 at 10:20 AM, Joebucks said:

 

Not to mention we don't know how long this shot lasts and already know it needs boosters.

 

Where has it been established that it needs boosters?  Did you just make that up?

8 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Currently, we are hovering around 700-800 deaths per day from COVID-19. That is significantly down from the heights of 3000-3500 deaths we were seeing at the peak, but we still have a little ways to go. Hopefully your estimation of July is not far off!

Latest seven day average is 633 per CDC website.  That said, I commend you for actually introducing some real data into this scrum.  Of course, we can argue if deaths are being underreported or overreported, but your point is a good one.  What we lack with the flu comparison (I think) is that vaccinations are less meaningful, since they're typically a best guess as to the next strain.

This is a funny thread.  Folks debating the "science," many of whom have clearly demonstrated that they don't even understand elementary school math (i.e. what a percentage is).  That said, the signal to noise ratio (expressed as a percentage) coming out of the "expert science collective" is likely less than 10% at this point.  We've never seen a scientific study of the effectiveness of masks or distancing.  Only expert "opinions."  At one time, the consensus expert opinion was that the earth was flat.  🤣  The only difference I see this time is that the chief expert/idiot said it was flat last year, than spherical, now who knows?

2 hours ago, Tippyton said:

Still absolutely no science that says I NEED a vaccine.  None.  Zero.  Zilch.  Nada. 

 

And the coercion (or attempts at it) is offensive and un-American.

Science?  No.  Government?  Perhaps.  Merchants?  Yes.  Unless the government legislates otherwise, merchants can and will say that you NEED a vaccine to buy their services.  It is what it is.  Not so much coercion as just who's making (up) the rules.  Since I'm fully vaccinated, I no longer have a dog in this fight and hope to soon enjoy a cruise under whatever the rules are at that time.

Thanks.  I played around with Uber a bit yesterday and learned how the fares will vary minute by minute depending upon demand.  The driver's app even has a color coded map showing them where in their areas have the highest demands (and thus the highest fares, which they get a percentage of).  It's really a pretty cool system.

23 minutes ago, coffeebean said:

Vaccine immunity is stronger than natural immunity according to several sources. This is one article on the subject. There are more if you do some research.......

 

Immune Response From mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Is More Robust Than Natural Infection

I'm vaccinated for one reason and one reason only.  I have a close family member who cares about me and is both highly educated in medicine and interacts daily with numerous competent doctors and residents.  She encouraged me to get vaccinated.  I don't care what I read on the internet, see on the "news," etc.  If my PCP recommended otherwise, than I would have a decision to make.  She didn't.  I'm four weeks past the second Pfizer jab tomorrow, and haven't had a single side effect.  Not even a sore arm. 😎  That's the nice thing about our second-to-none healthcare providers in this country.  Folks like us don't have to figure it out....just do what your doctor tells you to.

24 minutes ago, Ashland said:

Yes...it is...Google for the specifics that will apply to their vehicles.

Thanks.  I just did.  $62 UberXL from that hotel to POM, so $20 a person.  I think you're right about that being a good option.  Shared ride vans are fine, but they're usually a milk run (stopping at multiple locations) and many times they are very difficult to get into and out of the back seats.  I'm not as young, flexible or lean as I used to be.  😁

I really need to get "comfortable" with Uber/Lyft, as they appear to be great options for many needs.

9 minutes ago, JohninDC said:

Fare for UberXL should be about $70+ - I would pay extra for Uber or Lyft and their door to door service over saving a few $$ with a shared shuttle.  Your call! 😉

Is UberXL a larger vehicle?  I really don't know anything about Uber.

There's still a lot of stupid going on.  Hopefully it blows over by my October cruise.

14 hours ago, Ashland said:

Yikes....the price from that hotel to POM ?!...That's usually the price to Port Everglades.

Best of luck.

Yeah, I'm guessing that I was talking to somebody relatively new and since ships aren't sailing right now, they can't really be expected to know everything.  The price is irrelevant.  Whether it's $10, $20, $30 doesn't matter.  Even for three people, it's cheaper/more simple than a rental car, so that's the way we'll play it.  I just want to get back onto a ship!

8 hours ago, JohninDC said:

Besides shared shuttles that typically cost about $15+ per person between FLL and POM, you can also use Uber or Lyft. Pre-virus fares for UberX were about $35+ 

 

Have a great cruise! 😎

Thanks.  In the grand scheme of things, the costs to get to the POM are meaningless.  I'll do whatever is easiest at a reasonable cost.  Uber may be a non-starter because we will have three people with luggage.  A shuttle will work well and I know I'll get to the right place.

2 hours ago, capriccio said:

Captain - I would make another call to the Hyatt House to confirm that price.  I don't want you to be surprised if you get there and they say that is the price for the shuttle to Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale), not Miami!

Yeah, I confirmed about three times that I was talking about port of Miami.  Like I said, I'll confirm again when it gets closer.

1 minute ago, skrufy said:

I would say it’s the best and easiest option. We are staying in Fort Lauderdale night before cruise out of Miami. Grab a shuttle the next morning to the POM. Curious, which hotel has the $10.00 shuttle to POM?

Thanks for responding.  Hyatt House is the one I talked to.   Originally I was thinking of taking the hotel free shuttle back to FLL and then paying NCL $25 to take their bus to the ship.  I called the hotel just to confirm that all would work as planned, and that is when I was told about $10 option direct from hotel.  I'll likely double check (everything) when the cruise is closer.  It's good to have options.  The rental car option moved way back when I found out what my real costs would be.  Also, I like the ease of just taking direct shuttles.  If the $10 isn't the right cost in October, it won't matter.  I go on vacation to relax.  I don't go on vacation to save money.  😎

We're flying into FLL in October day before cruise departing Port of Miami.  Initial thought was rental car, hotel in Miami, drop off car near port next morning and take rental shuttle to ship.  Upon further review, I now see the option to stay at hotel by FLL with free airport shuttle and take a shuttle direct from hotel to Port next morning.  Hotel claims that they have a shuttle for $10 per person from hotel to port of Miami.  Is this the best option?  We fly in late night before, so little time for "sightseeing" prior to cruise.  Thx.

On 4/21/2021 at 1:28 PM, CaptainHazelwood said:

I priced an Avis recently for $26.  If you don't create one of their rewards accounts, it priced out much higher.

Correction.  I posted some inaccurate info here.  I tried to book this today and discovered that the low price (now $30 rate) was because I still had a Megacorp corporate rate tied to my account.  What would have been about $47 after taxes, etc. is closer to $150.  I quit Megacorp years ago, so it wouldn't be honest to still claim that discount.

4 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

Depending upon when you ask Fauci.  He's been known to change the numbers.

 

Fauci: "When polls said only about half of all Americans would take a vaccine, I was saying herd immunity would take 70 to 75 percent," Fauci said. "Then, when newer surveys said 60 percent or more would take it, I thought, 'I can nudge this up a bit,' so I went to 80, 85."

 

https://www.medpagetoday.com/blogs/vinay-prasad/90445

Why does anybody listen to this clown any more?

It's progress.  A friendly "shot across the bow".  I'll take whatever I can get at this point.  Still hoping my Sky sailing in October happens.

4 hours ago, Shidah said:

Locally, a prom that was held two weeks ago has now resulted in hospitalizations of students 

Was this reported in the media?  If so, do you have a link?  Call me a skeptic....

15 minutes ago, CroozFanatic said:

At least we can be certain that the 98% of crew and 95% of passengers numbers weren't just plucked out of thin air. I'm sure there is sold scientific evidence why the numbers aren't 99% and 96%, or 49% and 46%. I feel safe.

I think they were just pulled out of their “air.”

On 4/18/2021 at 5:51 AM, EllieinNJ said:

  In that case is it feasible to rent a car with pickup at Fll port and then drop off in MIA?

I priced an Avis recently for $26.  If you don't create one of their rewards accounts, it priced out much higher.

On 4/14/2021 at 8:11 PM, complawyer said:

the shore excursion credit is almost meaningless unless you get a cheapy excursion.

 

if its $200 per person you save $50 and still pay $350.

That's over 10% off.  Why is it "almost meaningless?" $50 is $50, I don't care how rich a person is.  If it's "meaningless," I'll gladly take it off their hands. 😎

10 hours ago, naxer said:

Sometimes I'll even fly into the one and out of the other if it seems more convenient.  I will pay more for convenience, especially when I'm on vacation.

Not sure if this is what you meant, but with some airlines (e.g. Southwest) there is no cost difference.  We're scheduled to fly into FLL and out of MIA this October.  Non-stop in and direct out.  I hate changing planes and making (missing) connections.

1 hour ago, PTC DAWG said:

Let'em look, who cares..

You just reminded me of the Seinfeld episode where Kramer put in a backwards door peephole.

I always prefer to do it myself and cut out the middle man.  More timely and less chances of errors being made.