ew101

Lovely report, thank you. I think it's time for a rule in the Golden Lion- only an hour during lunch. We missed out lunch a few times as there were 3-4 tables occupied the whole meal service time by those reading or looking out the window. There are lots of lovely window seats forward on the ship outside the theater. Or better yet, close at eleven for ten minutes to "sanitize tables" and issue menus to all new arrivals. We just got off a short test cruise- I could not wait any longer- it all felt pretty safe. Elevators for eight and tables for eight and long indoor lines seemed edgy. Singing and close in talking are still not recommended. Our dance group uses large fans in the hall and we've been safe for months. Bring your boxing gloves for the laundry rooms 🙂

After 35 years of travelling to and sailing in the Islands- you really can't simulate being in a beach bar in the Bahamas, BVI, St. Martin etc. very well. It will be interesting to see if this ownership group can get any closer to that goal. One piece of advice- hire more locals. I remember being on a cruise ship fifteen years ago off of Tortola and asking the bartender for a Painkiller- he had no idea. I was on the Carnival Valor recently - a well-run operation- but a plastic palm tree and ship's wheel on the wall does not an epic beach bar make.