cruise kitty

3 minutes ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

San Francisco certainly has put more restrictions in place.  For cruises and businesses.

We have requirements here too, showing proof of vaccine for many things, but that certainly doesn't equate to being locked down....   Will some cities close to cruise ships?  Possibly, just like some islands are currently doing...  honestly, I think by the time March rolls around, we will be past the height of this surge...   hope they aren't cancelling.   

11 minutes ago, mitz18 said:

yep - have pushed with 3 different X agents and all say it is good.  They say if I download the app and look there it will show (not sure why it would show there and not the direct web unless they mean it would show under my account  - duh until they cancel).   We'll see in the end by with CA locking down again will not surprise me if it gets cancelled.  Think we will lift/shift elsewhere.....

We're not locked down.  🙂 

Hope your cruise goes, we were hoping to hop on at the last minute 🙂

1 hour ago, patty1955 said:

I don't mean to be critical but I'm curious. Why do you want your 19 year old to drink?

because

1. The 19 year old adult is legally allowed to make her own drinking decisions where she lives. 

2. in most  nations the legal drinking age is 18.  (some places younger, some with no limits at all)

This is a list of the only countries in the world with a 21+ age limit on adults:

Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Kiribati, Micronesia, Mongolia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Samoa, Sri Lanka, United States

2 hours ago, Lois R said:

Hi girls, I got my new passport today😃.......it only took 3 weeks!!!  I paid for the "expedited process"  which the website said can take between 5-7 weeks so they are running really fast!!!!!!!!!👍 I am good till 2032!

Nice Lois!   That's so fast!   & I remember you had your almost error of the signature 😁        Ours expire Sept. 2023...  & our global entry expires that year as well....trying to figure out the timing to renew the two so they remain "attached" to one another...  

on website:

basically, for any type of refund, you must have complied with all requirements to sail, (vaxxed, test results in hand).  I know that I've read if you can prove you took test on time,  but did not received results in time, they might be able to help out...  but showing up untested, or without vaccine proof, or without proper ID would be not in compliance with the policies, & not covered.  

Big difference between not getting tested s required, & not having results come though.

3 hours ago, sjb317 said:

Just got home this morning. Son is currently “isolating” in the basement of his ex wife’s house  in Minnesota.  He was able to change his flight to the 12th and is hoping he can test negative, otherwise, he will be spending another week.

 

Sherri🙂 
 

 

bleh, what a mess for him.   

1 hour ago, OlsSalt said:

 

Hard to make the unsubstantiated claim about "most people", considering this survey appears to be going to  those who have already agreed to  take this injection due to their status of having current reservations.

 

The more interesting survey is to send this out randomly to all Marniers,, regardless of their current reservation status.  What is keeping current Mariners from re-booking another cruise?  

 

We did not receive a survey, are 5 star Mariners and do not have a current reservation but do have significant FFC on file due to expire 12/22.

Lowly one star mariner here, zero HAL cruises currently booked, received survey, yes, yes, & yes 🙂

7 minutes ago, nesheiml said:

Can you request cold water wash and low heat dry?

here's what I did, delicate items, I put in a separate bag, marked what they were & wrote:  "please treat as silk" on the ticket,  everything came back fine  🙂

Just to follow up, the laundry service was brilliant....everything came back looking pressed & ready to wear,  I was even able to send things out the last day, so traveled home with all clean clothing, & simply put things away....

this is absolutely one area where HAL outshines Celebrity!

forgot to add, I also brought a thin puffer jacket along, it was very packable & warmer than the rain jacket or vest... also purchased at Costco 🙂

We did a fishing trip with Baranof fishing in Ketchikan,  they outfitted us with fisherman's bibs, waterproof anoraks w/hoods, gloves, rubber boots, & wool socks...  they were all very necessary...  if you're going on a private excursion, see if they outfit you with gear, I would have hated to buy & carry a "Gorton's Fisherman" outfit of my own lol 😉 

Edit to add:  looking through photos, I see that I also brought a long sleeved bas layer called "cuddle duds". it was like a super thin, super soft fleecy material...

Also brought a cowl-necked sweater of some very soft tech fabric...  it had thumb holes in sleeves, one of my favorite & most useful things.

Also, a water proof broad brimmed hat w/wind cord.  

19 minutes ago, Loracpin2 said:

Yes, we did book the Beyond. 

How wonderful!  I say you & your partner share a bottle of wine tonight, & obsess over planning your Beyond cruise.... 🙂

light layers, & a good, packable waterproof rain jacket with hood....   socks that cover your ankles, a smart wool buff,   quick drying, wicking clothing....  jeans are not your friend if it rains or snows (we had both in late September)

 we had two weeks, first was stormy, cold, rainy 

Here's what I packed & wore:

2 pairs black leggings 

pair of silk thermal leggings & silk thermal long sleeved base layer

3 long sleeved black fitted tees in a blend fabric

2 black longer tank tops (wicking, quick dry)

zip up puffy vest

beanie 

smart wool buff

water resistant gloves

rainjacket (got mine at Costco)

decent hiking boots

had to buy more socks that cover ankles...  I usually just wear the low wrights's socks...  they weren't enough

a lot of my items were the 32 degrees brand, my black long sleeved tees I bought from gap years ago, they are a cotton/poly/spandex blend so they don't hold water.

 I also packed a shorts outfit, wore it on second leg

packed a pair of running shoes, wore in gym & on the sunny days

I sent out a lot of laundry...  evenings on ship:  some days it was what I'd worn in port, some days it was a long silk skirt w/black tank top & some earrings...

brought bathing suits, used them a lot, had a small backpack with me each day, & would add, remove layers as needed.

hope this helps!

1 hour ago, Djb4CC said:

Just wondering if anyone had any issues with the drink package use in the MDR?

 

My mother is booked on a cruise in March with the drink package for the first time.  A friend of hers has told her that she will not be able to use the drink package to purchase neither wine or spirits in the main dinning room.  The dinning attendant said they could get a drink from the bar on the way in. This was the friends’ experience in Alaska pre-covid. I have said I have not heard anything like this on the boards, but now she is worried.  Thanks.

Your Mom will be able to get everything that is included in her beverage package in the MDR... we usually stop at a bar along the way to grab something in case service is slow on that day. 

2 hours ago, Loracpin2 said:

I should not be typing this. I should be in seat 11D on a United flight heading to Fort Lauderdale excited to board the Equinox tomorrow after cancelling 3 previous cruises. Instead, I'm at home sitting in front of my PC. I know the decision to cancel was completely ours.....but it is still very depressing!!!!!  

it sounds like you absolutely made the right decision for yourself, I can imagine it's still a very, very big let down.   Were yo able to find a cruise to switch to?  Maybe that would be a little "lift", to start planning the replacement trip 🙂.  best wishes to you, & I hope you find a fantastic next cruise to go on!

Personally, I find it a great option for an early port day, especially on S class (I know you are on E) The Tuscan location on those ships is great, & for me, it's exactly the right amount of food... they have bagels, salmon, fresh sliced fruit, mimosas, Bellini's, pastries,  decent coffees, bloody Marys...  & you can get in & out quickly if you wish to get out & about (we usually like to be one of the first off the ship). 

The buffets have been great last few months with reduced capacity, but I definitely won't eat there when the ship is full.

2 hours ago, PurpleHays said:

BFF #1 (40+ years) tested positive for covid this week. She's a contact tracer in her county. Says it feels like a cold.

 

BFF #2 called me frantically at 12:12 (yep, I know the exact time). She could barely get out the words that she had found her 32 year old daughter dead this morning. I was able to leave work nearly immediately and go support her. She and her husband will now raise their 15 month old special needs granddaughter. 

 

It doesn't pay to be my BFF this week.☹️

I can only echo what Lois said, I am so sorry, I can't imagine the horror of that.  

4 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

We have so many cases here that restaurants and even grocery stores and some other big chains like Walmarts are closing certain locations temporarily.  I understand virtually every hospital bed is filled and about 40% are COVID cases -- so it is not just a mild illness or annoyance to everyone.

 

 

Yip, it's very worrisome...might be less serious for some, but it's still super serious for many...  plus just lack of hospital staff for everyone...  we're going to continue to lay low for a few more weeks & see what happens.

Stay safe out there!

edit to add:  Outfit of the day:  plaid flannel boxer shorts, Santa tee that says: Jolly AF,

grey robe, & puffy socks...  at least I sort of washed my face lol 😉 

3 hours ago, phoenix_dream said:

Good point LOL.  I think it's shameful in the extreme that they would even consider stuffing people in inside cabins for days on end, in this condition and unable to go outside their cabin.  They would literally need to sedate me to make that happen.  

same, have to be able to get fresh air...  they'd have to really hit me hard with the Xanax for that to happen.

4 minutes ago, zitsky said:

Dumb question?  I have trip insurance but I wonder, if you have booked a suite, then have covid and get moved to a balcony, do you get a partial refund?

Other posters have indicated you get a FCC for each day you are in quarantine (prorated) 

Kat, that stinks about the film festival, I'm sure that just be a huge blow to your local economy...  we don't have official "shut downs" here, but almost all our restaurants & many cute little shops are closed because everyone either has it, or lives with someone who does, it's crazy

Melody, hopefully SIL will do fine...  so far everyone I know has done ok with this if they have all their shots,  hoping you too, stay symptom free 🙂

Sherri, I hope your cruse continues to be lovely... hopefully the passenger numbers will remain low for next leg, it's so nice to have limited people on board 🙂. Safe travels to you!

well, my friend & work team member just tested positive (she started getting sick last night) I know it wasn't from me since I haven't been in contact with her since Christmas...  

our office just emailed us & basically office is closed...  fine by me, my Starbucks patio office is working out pretty well... & no one interrupts me. 😉 

Kat, I didn't do any traditional wine tastings at the actual vineyards... but all through the village there were shops selling the wine w/tasting.   They also had some super cool wine infused salt that I bought....  I'm guessing if you want a true winery day,  an organized van tour would be best... for myself, I was continuing my travel in UK & was carry on only, so couldn't carry a bunch of wine with me...  I did take a bottle back to Bordeaux that night & drank it myself lol 😉  a little w/dinner & the rest with a good book on my kindle 🙂

2 hours ago, TeaBag said:

Isn't it amazing what excites us?  Thank you Celebrity.  I got mine at 2:33 PM in BC same time as the east coast got theirs.

It takes very little to make me happy lately...  of course it also takes very little to really enrage me lol 😉 

My opinion:  this will simply eliminate some red tape on behalf of the cruise lines...vaccinations & probably boosters will be required for the next few foreseeable years... if not perhaps always.

Works for me  🙂

On 1/4/2022 at 1:15 PM, nocl said:

A lot can change between now and March.  Projections are that the Omicron wave should be pretty much over by then.

 

I would expect that the crew would also be in better shape since a percentage will have gotten it and finished quarantine by then leaving them pretty low risk for several month.

 

I am viewing that the 3-6 month period  after the Omicron wave peaks as an ideal time to travel.

I'm feeling the same... we're both 3x vax, & recovered from Om.... starting to make solid plans for our May land/cruise trip & actually getting excited about it..  it hasn't been a fun few weeks,  but I'm truly seeing light at the end of the tunnel for some of us...  we'll continue to lay low for next few weeks, & then get back to the more normal life we were living up until late November... can't wait 🙂