WAMarathoner

Yeah, sad to see that.  Damned CDC.  The 125% isn't enough to cover moving it out a year.  We got a great rate initially and nothing seems comparable up to 125% of that.  Wish they had followed RCCL's Lift and Shift instead.

I know people who do it.  I would if I was heading to an area with insecure blood.

I'm not planning to head there any time soon (it's not especially attractive to me), but my friend Tim had his blood banked in advance and shipped to both places he was headed.  Of course, he banks his here at home, too.  It's not really that uncommon.  We have banked blood for a family member's upcoming surgery, and my dad banks his own before procedures. 

Look up autologous donation.

15 hours ago, leck57 said:

As long as I have had the vaccination and my fellow cruise passengers have as well, I don't really care what's happening on dry land.

Why would you care if your fellow passengers had the vaccination when it supposedly protects you?  Doesn't make sense -- if you are vaccinated against it, why would it matter if your tablemate wasn't?  You're vaccinated, right?

Obvious typo, thanks for playing.

On 11/16/2020 at 9:54 PM, nocl said:

Hope you never need a blood transfusion while traveling in a number of third world countries, including the eastern med and sub Saharan Africa.  The amount of Hep B in the blood supply in those areas is a problem.

 

If I was heading to a country like that, I'd pay to bank my own blood first.  You're right about Hep B in those areas -- and Hep C and AIDS. 

On 11/17/2020 at 9:44 AM, HappyInVan said:

 

Where do you get these gems from? CJD kills maybe 300 people a year in your country.

 

 

That's exactly my point.  Of COURSE deaths are going up, the date RATE, however, is dropping drastically.  One more person and the cases and deaths go up.  Nice try backing off of the hysteria you posted, though.

The bottom line is, if you're afraid, don't go!  That's pretty simple, isn't it?

Just now, iancal said:

I did not say that the death rate was increasing.  I said that the number of deaths is increasing.

 

There is a difference.

Fair enough, I guess.  By your logic then, the cases of progeria, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Nuclear factor kappa B essential modulator, and Menkes are increasing!  So are the number of deaths!  Wait, I think *every single disease* that hasn't been eradicated has cases that are increasing, and the death toll is increasing as well!  Shocker.

At least own up to your hyperbole.

On 11/11/2020 at 3:56 PM, iancal said:

Sorry, but I do not think that giving our money to an offshore corporation that pays little tax in North America and does not employ many people in our area does much good for circulating money. 

 

 Unless of course you count money spent on professional lobby firms to influence legislators.

 

  

 

Do you actually cruise with Princess, then?  Or is this a virtue signal?

On 10/14/2020 at 10:15 PM, iancal said:

At the moment, the only thing that is 'escalating' is the number of new covid cases, the number of hospitalizations, and the number of deaths.

 

Saying it doesn't make it true.  Even NPR is reporting that the death rates have "dropped sharply."

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/10/20/925441975/studies-point-to-big-drop-in-covid-19-death-rates

On 11/15/2020 at 7:06 AM, Hlitner said:

Funny you mention Measles (the MMR Vaccine) since there was recently (a couple of years ago) another outbreak here in the USA...primarily in NYC.  Why?  Because there are still enough anti-vaxers who have avoided that vaccine for themselves and even their families.  Once (and if) we get some COVID vaccines this is going to be a huge problem.  That is why I have been ranting about the two governors who have done their best to question any future COVID vaccine and thus drive more doubt into the minds of those who already dislike vaccines.   Politicians can use their voice to do a lot of good, but they also have the power to cause lots of bad things including death!  These two Governors have already done a lot of harm (one did try to do some backtracking) which will not be easily fixed.

 

Hank

Hysteria, Hank.   Zero US measles deaths last year -- ZERO.  That's zero since 2015.  Of the fewer than 1500 people nationwide who contracted it in 2019, 75% of those were in two Orthodox Jewish communities where recent travelers had been in third world countries.  Where vaccination status was unknown, they were looped into the unvaccinated category.

It's about personal choice, and consequences of those choices.  I choose not to be a guinea pig for the first ever vaccine that introduces animal/laboratory RNA into my body.  Maybe one of the others being developed will have different vectors (like what I've been reading about Sputnik.)  The mRNA seems, to me, that it would carry the risk of autoimmune diseases, since you're injecting a wrapped foreign RNA in order to provoke the immune response.  IANAD, but there is some very interesting stuff on the physicsforum.com.  Everyone needs to make their own decision.  I wouldn't presume to make yours for you.

On 11/14/2020 at 8:23 AM, Daniel A said:

According to NIH:

 

A positive hepatitis B surface antibody screening test means the person has lifetime immunity from hepatitis B (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2009).  These antibodies appear in people who have been vaccinated against HBV, or who had been infected and cleared the virus from their bodies. 

HepB is a behaviorally-acquired disease.  I don't understand why those who don't play contact sports or engage in the other behaviors that facilitate it "need" it.

82% of people who are listed as death from COVID had a vitamin D deficiency (it's in the 40% for the general population).  Obesity, especially morbid obesity, is the number one risk factor.  Get out in the sun, people (on a cruise!) and if you're fat, do what you can to shed the pounds.

I've been reading about Sputnik V, and am encouraged that it does NOT use mRNA to trigger the immune response, but instead uses two common cold vectors.  Does anyone have any personal insights to that?

On 11/14/2020 at 8:15 AM, KirkNC said:

Maybe but until the virus is gone, there is virtually nothing other then draconian actions a cruise line can take too 100% eliminate the risk.

The genie can't be put back in the bottle.  The virus will never be gone.  But, I agree with you that there is nothing that will 100% eliminate the risk.  Bump up your immune system the best you can, don't stay in close contact for more than 15 minutes with someone you don't know or is coughing, and be happy -- happiness boosts your immune system; worry and fear depress it.

I wrote a big long response that CC zapped, so I'll just ask: Does it bother any of you that this is the very first RNA vaccine on the market?  Here's the first 300+ pages from Pfizer's trials:

https://www.acsh.org/news/2020/10/21/how-pfizers-rna-vaccine-works-15104

71% side effect rate is high (78% of those were mild, but that still leaves quite a few moderate and severe).

As far as proof of vaccination, Gates Foundation has a fix for that.  It's a Quantum Dot (see https://www.sciencealert.com/an-invisible-quantum-dot-tattoo-is-being-suggested-to-id-vaccinated-kids)

It's not difficult to imagine how something like this could be abused.

On 11/10/2020 at 5:56 AM, riffatsea said:

 Noone is saying that you have to be isolated inside your home.

Surprising to find out that you live in CA -- you know, the place where the governor has mandated how many people you can have over for Thanksgiving, that it has to be held outside (damn that rain!), you have to have a table big enough to sit 6' away and still wear masks, use disposable dishes, and don't forget to completely sanitize your bathroom after each guest uses it!  Yeah, betting his holiday is going to be quite different that that.  Rules for thee, and different rules for me.

See your San Diego county restrictions here: https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/

Places of worship outside, but cannabis dispensaries are okay to enter.

So it's not no one.  And the science is heavily in favor of social distancing -- not being in close contact with someone for more than 15 minutes.  Most of it is against the masks that the majority of people are wearing. 

On 11/10/2020 at 10:14 AM, iancal said:

We never pay in advance for anything that we do not have to unless there is a benefit to us.   It has zero to do with being a shareholder.  It has zero to do with not kicking a business when they are down.

 

It has everything to do with managing our personal finances in a business like and realistic fashion and not confusing emotion with prudent  financial decisions.

 

Everyone's situation is different.  We're responsible with our finances (in truth, my dh is a genius with them), but realize others are not in the same position we are.  Because of that, we have been eating out much more often, spending as much as we can right now with companies and people who share our values, giving free things away to those that need them, and donating extra to our chosen charities -- because most businesses are hurting under lockdowns, regardless of their size.

Different philosophies; it's just money.  We are neither frivolous or miserly, but recognize that it does a lot more good circulating in the economy than hiding it under our mattresses.

On 11/10/2020 at 6:23 AM, Daniel A said:

How does refusing to take a vaccine constitute a disability?

 

You've got it mixed up.  Some disabilities preclude the vaccination.  THAT'S what is covered under the ADA.  Not simply refusing, but having the disability that makes getting the shot unwise. 

Get it if you want.  Your decision.  Same as with any other vaccination.  Do your own research, consider your own risks.  Just don't be a Nazi and push to require it from others who come to different conclusions.

6 hours ago, karylrocks said:

I have been wondering this for awhile. With the extension of the restrictions, I would think they would have to. I am hoping they move it to 12/31/22; not based on anything I know, just hoping.

The problem I see there is that if we moved our next cruise to same time in 2022, it's almost double the price (we got a great deal).  Even at 125 FCC, we're out quite a bit of money.  RCCL did this better -- lifting and moving directly across.

9 hours ago, nbsjcruiser said:

 US hospital system getting overrun.

Source?  From the many friends and family that work in healthcare, we've been given different information -- all positive.  Don't believe the lamestream.

btw, just got off the phone with a Princess supervisor  Guess they got tired of getting emails from me.  Confirmed that they will be doing testing AT THE PIER -- she didn't know what kind, so I'm waiting to see if it's nasal.  Confirmed that where distancing is not possible, they are being told they must ask passengers to wear a mask (I got the feeling this isn't going to be mask-Nazi territory.)  Apparently, they are still working out details regarding the excursions -- that doesn't make me happy.

Our January cruise is still slated to go -- but I'm waiting for further information on the tests -- nasal or cheek, information stored securely/discarded after cruise, etc.

On 11/8/2020 at 5:32 AM, Grego said:

We are not of the kind that will wait out and hope they cancel so we can milk them out of the "bonus" as result of them cancelling.  We are shareholders and stakeholders and remain loyal to our cruise line.

Thank you.  We paid three of our cruises in full because we, too, are shareholders and knew they needed operating capital to continue.  It's a drop in the bucket, but if there are enough drops, it will fill.  We aren't the kind to kick a man (or business) when they're down.

On 10/26/2020 at 9:01 AM, iancal said:

Simply look at the covid numbers today, over the past week, the past month.  And then look at the increase in the growth percentages, day over day,  week over week, of those numbers.  That should give any clear thinking individual an indication of why it may not be possible or why it may not be wise to take a cruise from any US port in January or February.  It is not rocket science.   It does not require an excessive amount of critical thinking.

Don't forget to look at the sharply declining death rates while you're at it.

On 10/15/2020 at 5:17 AM, voljeep said:

huh? my wife booked a flight yesterday for next Monday

 

Plenty of flights still going on

Yep.  dh leaves this week for Mexico, dd leaves for the South next week, and I'm headed to DC the following week.  Great prices.

On 10/8/2020 at 10:06 AM, Ombud said:

Decided with having to take Princess only excursions I'd wait

 

Is that confirmed?  We have different plans for our Jan Mexico cruise.

If so, wonder if we could find the shortest ship excursion and then do the real one?

On 10/31/2020 at 6:37 AM, riffatsea said:

I don't understand this discussion at all?

How do you go on any cruise with virus cases on the rise all over the map?

Have you all decided you don't  care about getting sick and /or dying??

No, I've decided that I take precautions and am going to live my life.  The death rates are sharply down.  I do care about sick and/or dying; it's why we're eating well to boost our immune systems, using thieves oil and cloves (know anti-virals), and staying away from people who are coughing.   Everyone needs to make their own decisions and live with the consequences of those decisions.

What sort of life is it living in fear, hunkering down, unable to see friends and family, being afraid to talk to other people?  Not much of one at all.  It was "protect yourself," then "flatten the curve," then "we're all in this together," then "you could be spreading it unknowingly."  Next it will be "submit and take this vaccine or we'll punish you and make you submit."

If you're afraid, please stay home.  It would be a waste of your money to cruise and be in fear the whole time.

On 11/7/2020 at 7:38 AM, trvlwrld said:

Saying that masks will be mandatory for a very long time is conjecture (let’s hope)...many of us will not cruise if there is a mask order in place.  There are very very few cases of reinfection, so making those people and ones with antibodies wear masks is going to eliminate a significant group of cruisers.  If you are one of the hypersensitive people who needs to be cautious, cruising is probably not a good fit

Princess gives a non-answer when you ask specifics.  I finally got someone (after several calls and emails) who said that it's not in stone yet, but that masks will not be required where distancing can be in place (like in deck chairs, movies under the stars, etc).  I also *highly* doubt that once we're out of the port, it's not going to be enforced for passengers (will be for crew).  We are just waiting on the definition of "pre-board testing."  We have four cruises planned (three already fully paid) and I'm not apt to get a nasal swab where my DNA is collected.  I'd rather take the money and spend it on some domestic travel, or just put it toward a lot of nice things for the house.

I completely agree with you that people who are really worried should not cruise.  They wouldn't enjoy it.  Same with people who are going to be mask-Nazis -- can you imagine how stressful and miserable their cruise would be?