NownZen

The recovery the next day would probably lower one's average.

In the US, there is no national vaccine registry (it is specifically illegal) so there is a vaccination card. If you get all shots in one state, you can often get a state based QR code but if you mix shots in different states, you need to keep several records and some states do not have QR codes but only pdfs of vaccination records. In any case, Princess only wanted to see our cards.

Understand about the tests but the point was the difference in steps with and without the app.

One strategy I have found to be effective is to get the hot (but not boiling) water from the dispenser and approach a crowd of people and ask "So what do you think of masking, traditional dining, formal night and chair hogs". The heat from the replies normally boils the water very quickly.

The last time we did this we had to go through immigration and customs and then back through security as the last flight was within the EU. Plan on a couple of hour layover.

When they start giving out cruise discounts at elite level, then I will pay attention. Not holding my breath.

If you do not have the app, you have to show your passport, vaccination card, test results and have your picture taken. If you have the app, you have to show your passport, vaccination card, test results and have your picture taken. You can immediately see the advantage of the app.

There are some advantages in living in places with real weather. Here my wife would not let the cat out if it was going to be below 50 degrees. You see the differences in the TSAPre lines where you do not have to take of a light coat. Up north, anything less than a parka is a light coat. For us anything more than a long sleeved shirt must come off.

This quarter's results will be interesting as they should see more final payments coming in for 2023 and the FCCs going away will be good. They should be at close to cash positive this quarter.

The other thing is we have not had anybody check the time. Just show up when you want. I am obsessive so I like to have the boxes checked so I do fill it out.

The little dots of silver are a marketing feature not a physics feature. Stand next to a mirror and see if you feel any warmer. The space blankets that used to be popular had the benefit of being windproof but the reflection of heat was nothing. Wind is a big part of your enemy in cold weather and that is true on this cruise where the ship is moving. The Columbia windbreakers over some insulating layering work well.

Mine comes up with my first name and the !. Wonderful database parsing.

This has been covered many times but got to: Travel checklist , personal information, suggested, arrivals. Yes you can edit it.

The new Princess mattresses are wonderful. I would like one for home.

Sapphire is a lovely ship. There are reports of some issues but it is on its first cruise in two years so it is not surprising that there are some rough edges. It is not wear and tear it is lack of wear and tear. One thing to consider is that the Royal class ships and all the newer ships are much more inward oriented. There is a report on CC with pictures of the promenade deck of the Discovery which is a narrow path around a part of the ship. On the outside are the lifeboats so there is no view there. The Grand class ships (Sapphire is one of those) has a full proper promenade deck with a good view. We spend a lot of time there. In general the balconies on the newer ships are narrower so if there are four in a room everyone would have to take turns.

I think the old story that if you owe the bank $10,000 you are in trouble but if you owe the bank $10 million they are in trouble (adjust for inflation) applies here. The liquidation value of Carnival is probably less than 10% of the debt so it would be a good idea to see if it can be made into a going concern. They are getting close and should be profitable in Q1 2023.

Our biggest issue was the wind so something windproof for a jacket cover and pants cover is on our list. For us, a face mask and a watch cap under the jacket hood. At some not so low temperature, your head can lose as much energy as your body can produce so that covering is critical. We live in an area that does not get cold so it was an adjustment. Things like wool socks are not of much use normally for us. We are doing this again in december and it is a wonderful trip.

If the ship is the destination, it does not matter where you go.

The first night we met a group and the eight asked to have the same table for the rest of the cruise. It was not done through the app. They did not want to delete the reservation for the others so they would not delete anyone. My guess is that the unofficial table assignments were in effect so it was probably not an issue for the others but we did not see them again. We decided the time did not work for us. This was on the Island and we decided that the buffet and its wonderful forward view was much better for us.

Those pictures are certainly reason for me to stay off the Discovery. A real promenade deck is important to me.

The difference was that it was a shared table with 6 other people. The Maitre'D could not delete it because there were other people on the reservation and I could not delete it for the same reason. Finally the CSD called someone and got it fixed. I did not want to use up a table and leave the others without our group and certainly not to have them wait for us.

I had never heard that term so I had to look up the history. Pretty funny.

I enjoyed the long discussions about how long it was taking to get the OBC refunded. I am ok with that as it is essentially free money since I have generally forgotten about it by the time it comes. I can see your point about having the OBC as being convenient and it seems in that same vein.

I was always puzzled by the offer of whatever small number of OBC and what effect it had on people signing up for a cruise. If I am on the fence about a $10000 cruise, will $25 really make that much of a difference? However, the original price of $40 for the plus package was a good benefit for all since it amounted to about two drinks per day. At $50 it is less desirable. The next stop at $60 may make a difference.

I have enjoyed your reports. Lots of the little details to make a full picture of your cruise. We are sailing on Sapphire in december to we expect that things will be running smoothly by then.