SeaHunt

We sailed on both in 1994 (ancient history!) - a 16 night PC on the Crown followed by a 7 night Caribbean on the Regal. JMO I thought the Crown was a little better kept up than the Regal 😉

We had great MDR tablemates, one couple from California and the other from Arkansas. The wife of the Arkansas couple was a winning gambler (especially craps), and she tried to teach us how to play everything "correctly" (good bets, etc.). We spent more time in the casino during that cruise than any before or since LOL.

One thing we still laugh about was that all of our husbands talked all of us wives into entering the "Horseracing" event as jockeys. We spent lots of time in everyone's cabins  trying to come up with different jockey racing "silks" out of the clothes we had brought (and maybe imbibed in a little too much champagne while doing that too!), including getting black crepe paper from somewhere on the ship to wrap around our legs from feet to knees to look like racing boots.

Then there we were on stage on "Race Night" standing behind these arm-cycle type contraptions to cycle our arms as hard as we could to move our "horses" to the finish line, with the MC whipping the crowd into a frenzy while they were cheering for their favorite colors/horses! Anyone else ever attend one of those? Good times were had by all - well, except that I had to trash my expensive white slacks where the dye from the black crepe paper "racing boots" bled all over them!

1 hour ago, SNJCruisers said:

On the Vista Class ships, the area is located on deck 5 aft and has a beautiful view of the wake of the ship.  There are two very large hot tubs, a good size pool and two tiki huts that you can sit under and have your feet in shallow water.

On the MG, the area is deck 8, starboard, with a smaller pool, no hot tubs, no tiki huts and no beautiful view of the wake.

ITA it's soooo different! After viewing the photos I kind of doubt anyone will try too hard to "break in" to the MG space 😉

The MG Havana "pool" (that's all you get folks!)

compared to Horizon's layout:

1 hour ago, Coralc said:

I think it is now scheduled for Nov. 2021. 

Yes it is! 😁

"We’re thrilled to share we were presented with an opportunity to bring Navigator to Los Angeles even sooner!," read the statement issued to travel agents and obtained by Cruise Critic. "Navigator of the Seas will now begin sailing year-round from Los Angeles, California as of November 2021. These new itineraries will open for sale the week of April 12, 2021."

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/5961/

You also might want to jump on this other thread and ask "Sunshine2000" what she thinks - she's been staying down there and I bet she can help with suggestions 😊

IF embarkation will be the same procedure as before, the "Hideaway" on your floor is a nice place away from the crowd to have a seat and wait for the cabins to open. It did have a self serve coffee and tea kiosk, but that could be closed due to Covid restrictions. 😉

Also just making sure you know that when standing on the balcony in 7187 and looking out the view is great but looking directly down you will look down on lifeboats blocking the view down. It wouldn't bother us, but some people want to look straight down at the sea too, so I thought I'd mention it. 

I found an older youtube video from a 2016 Silhouette sailing showing what I mean. The video was taken by someone in stateroom 7238 - which is on opposite (starboard) side from 7187 and down a couple staterooms - but still gives you good idea of what your view looking down will be. Look about the 1:16 mark for the view:

We also love the Silhouette. Hope you have a wonderful cruise!

Here's another thread discussing this:

JMO on the initial sailings they're limiting your exposure - they want you off that ship and not exposed to (or exposing) another group of new passengers the following week. Sorry that the agents were unaware until being brought up to speed on policies, I know it's so disappointing. 

6 minutes ago, jelayne said:

I read they were doing the antigen (rapid) test.  Which if they are testing 1500+ people outdoor make sense.  I could be mistaken.  The antigen test is the one required to enter the US so that was what I was interested when I was looking for the information.

Yep, antigen is what is on the Healthy at Sea FAQ sheet right now for the US. Hopefully they will have a lot more info for those requiring PCR tests soon ☺️:

Q. #3: Currently, the U.S. requires proof of a negative COVID-19 test result for those arriving into the U.S. by international air. Will Celebrity Cruises administer this test? Who pays for it?

A: Celebrity Cruises will administer an antigen test onboard the ship, and cover the related cost, should it be required for country re-entry. The test will be administered just before the end of the cruise, and guests will be provided a copy of their test result. Current U.S. requirements stipulate that returning international travelers must get tested no more than 3 days before re-entering the United States. Therefore, cruise guests should plan to fly home within 24 hours of departing the ship, for the test result to be within the valid window. Otherwise, guests re-entering the U.S. at a later date will need to secure their own test, at their expense, closer to their re-entry date. We are continually evaluating these protocols and will make updates as government requirements, Healthy Sail Panel guidance, and public health standards evolve. Booked guests will be advised of the latest requirements leading up to departure.

https://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Celebrity/General_Info/CEL_Healthy_at_Sea_FAQs.pdf

3 hours ago, TomCruise48 said:

Updated information from one of many news outlets using AP wire service:

 

https://abc7chicago.com/st-vincent-volcano-eruption-st-island-la-soufriere/10501485/

That article says "Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said in a press conference that people have to be vaccinated if they go aboard a cruise ship or are granted temporary refuge in another island." I wonder how many islanders have been vaccinated? I hope many so they can evacuate.

The ash cloud is really traveling:

1 hour ago, xLibLabLady said:

Being open to Americans who have been vaccinated  may have changed just within the last day.   to the The U.S. embassy in Greece website updated April 7 of this year is very helpful.   Among other things, it shows the Movements Restrictions as well as giving a link to the Greek government's site.  https://gr.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

 

 

I also noticed this section too and thought hmm, what if this quarantine language continues past the April 19, 2021 date?

• All travelers entering Greece through April 19, 2021 are subject to a mandatory seven-day preventive quarantine, as announced January 8, 2021.

19 minutes ago, Bruin Steve said:

I would expect EVERY cruise line to be calling Greek officials about scheduling itineraries...

And I bet you will be right 😁 The same poster "SummerInKalfonia" has posted this on the Princess board:

"Today it was Enchanted Princess's turn to be registered in the official schedule of Piraeus, Athens port.

7-night cruises from the 4th of July until the 14th of November 2021."

Opa!

🙂 FYI if you haven't seen this, over on the HAL board there's news about another Athens sailing starting up  - "SummerInKefalonia" posted:

"Today it was Eurodam's turn to be registered in the official schedule of Piraeus, Athens port.

7-night cruises from the 23rd of July until the 29th of October 2021."

Just in case you haven't read the other thread by Sunshine2000, she has been in St Maarten and has posted this about her experience traveling there re testing, etc.:

Sunshine2000 post# 26

"I just wanted to add some information from our experience(s) traveling to St Maarten from Florida.  We obtained the necessary PCR Covid test within the three day required period for travel.  These negative PCR test results we then downloaded to the stmaartenehas.com/application-form with all the necessary travel information they required, such as Airline and flight numbers, length of stay,  place of stay and payment of the required $30.00 for health insurance so that we could obtain the necessary Pre Approval form for our travel.  After submitting this document we received our "Electronic Health Authorization System "Authoriation Pre-Approved" documentation in approximately 20 minutes.  This document was checked by the airline during our physical check-in.

The airport and our flight was well managed for social distancing and all passengers wore their masks.  The flight attendants provided a non-alcoholic beverage and snack service.

Upon landing they have a ramp for passengers to walk to the tarmac where you are directed into the airport immigration area to present your three required documents. 1- Results of your PCR test,  2- St Maarten Authorization Pre-Approved document and  3- Passport.

While inside the immigration area of the airport there are many officials reminding you of what documents you need to prepare to show for entry.

We only had an approximately 20 minute wait, however, we talked with many others that experienced wait times of over 90 minutes.  The wait times differed due to the number of planes landing and the number of passengers.  Wheelchairs are available but they are limited in number.

We had prearranged a taxi for our pick-up although many are readily available. 

Overall, it was a great flight and an easy process.

I'll be happy to answer any questions anyone may have.

In addition, I'll be back to add information about our experience getting our Covid test on the island and the process to return back to the US."

On 4/5/2021 at 9:50 AM, Ken the cruiser said:

When I talked with them last week, they said the policy was changed the day before where there would be no B2B cruises allowed this summer on any of their restart cruises out of St Maarten, Athens or Southampton, and the TAs were also set emails shortly afterwards to that effect, negating X's previous position. 

It's also on their Healthy at Sea FAQ sheet:

https://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Celebrity/General_Info/CEL_Healthy_at_Sea_FAQs.pdf

(fingers crossed that it will change for those who have booked!)

2 hours ago, idiebabe said:

 Christine Duffy said they are now considering the same because of the CDC.  

"U.S. cruises could resume by mid-summer with restrictions, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday after Carnival Corp., the largest operator, threatened to relocate ships to other markets."

and

“CDC is committed to working with the cruise industry and seaport partners to resume cruising following the phased approach outlined in the conditional sailing order,” CDC spokeswoman Jade Fulce said in a response to questions about Carnival. “This goal aligns with the desire to resume passenger operations in the United States expressed by many major cruise ship operators and travelers; hopefully, by mid-summer with restricted revenue sailings.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/cdc-says-cruises-possible-by-mid-summer-as-tensions-boil-over/ar-BB1fmIxt?ocid=msedgntp

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/24721-cdc-open-to-u-s-cruising-this-summer.html

18 minutes ago, George C said:

We will be celebrating my wife birthday on July 4th, in a royal suite . Hopefully this will make up for the cruises that were canceled on us.

Woohoo! That Royal Suite would make it up to me! She's a lucky lady, and I hope you both have a wonderful cruise!  😁

Port cam map shows:

Rhapsody of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Carnival Legend, Adventure of the Seas, Celebrity Millennium

Thanks for the photo 😊

I tried to see her on the port cam but that view is blocked by the others in port.

https://www.portstmaartenwebcam.com/

I found some comments from February about this sailing, but I don't know if they will help any (they were confused too) 😊 🙃

Reflection, April 9-16, 2022, Caribbean Cancelled - Celebrity Cruises - Cruise Critic Community

Over on the NCL board "oteixeira" posted that NCL's vaccination message also says unvaccinated kids cannot sail through October 2021:

58 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

However, from PP, it appears this has already happened with Celebrity.

Here's the conversation from the Celebrity board - JMO I'd be cautious with the RCI Nassau sailings until it's clarified 😉

Info to the TA's (for Celebrity sailings mentioned above):

#7: Will you allow back to back sailings for guests that would like to take a longer cruise? A: Unfortunately at this time we will not be allowing back to back sailings, please continue to check in with us for updates.

https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2021-04-02/cdc-issues-next-phase-of-guidance-to-cruise-ship-industry

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention on Friday issued new guidance to the cruise ship industry, including the need for COVID-19 vaccinations, a necessary step before passenger voyages can resume.

The new technical instructions, the first update since October, include increasing from weekly to daily reporting frequency of COVID-19 cases and illnesses and implementing routine testing of all crew based on a ship’s COVID-19 status and establishing a plan and timeline for vaccination of crew and port personnel.

"COVID-19 vaccination efforts will be critical in the safe resumption of passenger operations," the CDC said.

On 3/26/2021 at 7:17 AM, Blue Eyed Belfast Belle said:

My friend lives in Dubai and has sent me this picture

 

 

 

More info on the "Cruise Arabia & Africa" website:

"Indian cruise line Cordelia Cruises new ship Empress docks in Dubai at Port Rashid"

"The first cruise available for booking departs on June 5th, 2021 – a seven-night itinerary around India and Sri Lanka, but the cruise line has indicated to local media that it plans to launch in May this year."

https://cruisearabiaonline.com/2021/03/27/cordelia-cruises-new-ship-empress-dubai/amp/?fbclid=IwAR34fHEhKnBhJJmitEfTGMs52EE3S2We2oC6-FjQp-rKxKi7x2GoMe-3MVA

Looks like NCL might require crew vaccinations (unless this is an April Fools joke):

"Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) will require its crew aboard Norwegian, Oceania and Regent ships to have a COVID-19 vaccine, according to a report by Crew Center citing a letter sent to crew, which was also obtained by Cruise Industry News.

Citing a recent survey sent to crew on vaccinations, NCLH said that in order to provide the safest cruse experience possible, it will require all officers and crew to be fully vaccinated with an NCLH-accepted COVID-19 vaccine in order to work on company ships once they return to sailing."

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/24691-norwegian-cruise-line-holdings-to-require-crew-to-be-vaccinated-against-covid-19.html

Hopefully Curacao will be in better shape to receive Millie by then:

https://www.curacaochronicle.com/post/local/covid-19-situation-worsens-in-curacao/

https://www.curacaochronicle.com/post/main/premier-rhuggenaath-announces-new-measures/

9 hours ago, Oakman58 said:

 I really felt sorry for the husband and wife that were separated.  She was taken to the hospital because she tested positive for the virus and he had to stay on the ship under quarantine.  

To finish one of the separated couples story (the blonde wife, not the dark haired) she stayed in the Japanese hospital while he joined the others on the cargo flights to the military bases for another 14 day quarantine. Almost at the end of his quarantine at Travis, he came up positive!

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/couple-separated-pacific-ocean-coronavirus/story?id=69255127