esimon

NO  -  in many places i've seen this is no longer allowed - I bet if you asked HAL you could find out -  I would not take the word of us - LOL

1 hour ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

The things people make up.  Ridiculous.  As all the other posters have said it's no issue at all.

I so agree -   If I have questions I take to HAL or my TA - i do not listen to scuttlebutt from who knows.  

please stay home if cruising makes you nervous - people get sick everywhere - norovirus has always been on cruise ships and whole ships have gotten it.  Covid is out there - the van won't stop it, the booster won't stop it but that little thin blue mask makes all the difference.  LOL   We have to comply with the rules - right or not.   I will not stop cruising and I will not be afraid. 

This trip will be amazing and we will have great fun.   for most vaccinated people right now its Coldvid    See all you brave folks on board

the purpose of this argument ?   I'm not taking anyones word for what is a and isn't required..   I will talk to HAL 

can you define -"putting everything on your navigator app"    I have the app - what do I "put" on it. 

we sail on 2/5   -

If this variant and other make you nervous to travel  - probably not ready to travel yet-- covid is going no where -

10 hours ago, Sunflower & The Scientist said:

Sorry to ask this, and tell me if I am out of line, but did RC not require everyone to be vaccinated? 

vaccine does not mean not sick - you still get this stupid virus !!!!!

no it wouldn't and I am not sure they offer treatments that early - 

never had to wait to be seated in the MDR more than 5 mins.   we go early but never waited

we LOVE the Pinnacle and we are on vacation so we don't think about the cost - we treat ourselves to the P once or twice in a weekly cruise and do not spend time calculating other costs -  enjoy what ever you decide on

11 hours ago, canadianbear said:

Personally, if you book a suite I’d go with Celebrity.  We are 4* on HAL and mainly stayed in Neptune suites which are very nice but not the perks you get with Celebrity.  We’ve only done 1 cruise with Celebrity and it was in a sky suite.  All suite guests boarded first and we were escorted on the ship to Micheal’s club where we were offered free beverages (including liquor); then we were escorted to Luminae for lunch which is for suite guests only.   Our cabin had a Butler (which we told him we preferred not using) and he was very discreet.  On the evenings that were like HAL’s gala nights there was a roped off area for suite guests only for the stage performances (which were fantastic)-it also meant we could arrive 5-10 minutes early and be guaranteed a seat.  We never ate in the dining room for supper so always  ate at Luminae where you’re treated very well.  
 

Our experience was only the one time on Celebrity but was very impressive.  We do love HAL and have not sailed since December 2019 but feel the entertainment on HAL has been going downhill for a few years other than BBKings.  
 

I am sure others will chime in but you’d have to compare price between the 2 cruise lines and compare cost, itinerary and what’s all included.   Good luck!  

and how much more expensive is that?   

some people will never be completely happy - enjoy what they do give us -  I have never found anything to complain about on a cruise.  

14 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Which brings us back to the original point about the "older than dirt" small ships. Another company (Fred. Olsen, Phoenix Reissen) generally seems happy to take some of HAL's older ships and repurpose them. They are a good size for those who still cruise to "go places".  I have been looking at Fred. Olsen and likely will book with them as soon as COVID is in the rear window and things are closer to normal.

 

i fear you will not be cruising soon - c..vid in the rear window -  no time soon if the powers that be have their way.  already deviant #2

4 hours ago, crusinbanjo said:

I have been quite vocal about my dislike of the “huge” boats HAL has been building.  For Mrs Banjo and myself, the S class ships were always our favorite, (after the Prinsendam left the fleet).  I continue to, mostly read the HAL boards because of our love for the line and our 4 star Mariner status, but unfortunately when COVID is in the rear view mirror, we will be cruising with Viking or Oceania and we are not very happy to say it either.

interesting that you would cruise on a line you don't really like??

19 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Unfortunately the small ships don’t make money.  If they did they’d still be in the fleet. Have you actually been on the newer ships? I find some that don’t like them have never been on them.  I’ve had been on most of the old ships and the newer ships for me are light years better.

been on the newer ships - don't like them as well but I love HAL and will continue on her unless her ships get Huge

I will wear a mask because the rules say so - and it will make sooooo many people feel better (not me as breathing in mask sucks) -  I got the vaccine - to get on the ship -  and I will have a wonderful cruise in spite of all the things that make no sense 

21 hours ago, NCTribeFan said:

I'm just off Eurodam yesterday.

 

That first night, I was in the casino at a slot machine, with a drink, and had removed my mask.  After all, people removed them as soon as they were seated anywhere to eat/drink.  But I was told I had to keep the mask on between sips.  So, that's what I did the rest of the cruise.

 

But you can go to afternoon tea and be seated with strangers, elbow to elbow, and sit there for 30 minutes eating, drinking, and conversing without a mask.  That's my only issue with the mask wearing.  You have to wear it one place but not another.

 

There was one couple who never were masked while dancing at BB Kings, despite the signs to wear them on the dance floor.

 

For the most part, people wore them indoors.  Some wore them outdoors, even while walking the promenade deck.  The "chin maskers" appeared to mostly be older men.  I saw way too many of those.

 

And, yes, I did see a few people in the outdoor dining area wearing bathrobes.  I've seen this much more often on HAL than any other line.  They are not swimsuit coverups.  They're bathrobes.

the hypocrisy may never end.  

On 11/22/2021 at 9:23 PM, Florida_gal_50 said:

You gotta do what makes you feel comfortable.  Personally I felt pretty safe on the koningsdam nov 7 -nov 21 even though there were some special snowflakes that don’t think they should have to abide by what they agreed to.  I did lay pretty low.  I didn’t go to shows after dinner nor get around large groups of people but I was like that pre covid.

interesting definition of snowflakes -  some of us thing the continued fear mongering is a little snowflake -   i'll wear my mask when i need to - but i think its ridiculous 

please don't come back and then complain -  it isn't celebrity - 

On 11/22/2021 at 6:35 PM, SargassoPirate said:

Better than seeing a speedo with black socks and black dress shoes. 

II agree 100% -   people don't dress for gala night or breakfast LOL

i have an international plan - I pay per day if I use it -  I do not think your plan exists any more -  

13 hours ago, HappyInVan said:

 

I am also reassured that the CDC is on top of the situation. I wonder if the Eurodam was the ship mentioned in the CDC report? The one with consecutive mass outbreaks.

 

Each of us must make an individual decision about where and when to cruise. Information is crucial, since the cruise companies are unwilling to take a ship out of service.

 

In fact, there would be fewer people with the 'mask-is-optional' mentality if they knew the real situation. There are reasons why the CDC still rates cruising as High Risk (red), and still advises the un-vax (as well as vulnerable people) to avoid cruises.

 

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-3/coronavirus-cruise-ship

 

 

 

I'm not pessimistic at the macro level. Science has caught up with covid in just one and a half years. With the current combo of vax mandate, testing and distancing; we should be able to eliminate the mask mandate in 2023.

 

The problem is that on some ships, people just get careless. 🙄

there are many of us the follow the rules but think many of the rules are made up - I'm a follow the money fan -  the fax wears off - get a booster- till this one wears off - and in the mean time wear a mask 

how long shall we wear masks?     i suggest it will NEVER end.   

3 hours ago, HappyInVan said:

I've been infected. I'm fully vax and will accept the booster. I'll happily wear a mask to protect the crew and fellow passengers. Its a safety issue. 👍

good for you !!!1

7 hours ago, visagrunt said:

Cartagena:  I'd get a taxi to take you on a tour of the old city.  You can negotiate a decent price with them fairly readily.

Puerto Caldera:  Any tour that focuses on Costa Rica's natural assets.  I've done a mangrove tour that was excellent, and a tour that featured the butterfly garden.  My husband has done zip lining and enjoyed himself thoroughly.

Corinto:  Stay on the ship.  Have a spa day.

Puerto Quetzal:  Antigua is entirely worth your time.

Can't help you with Huatulco or PV.

i agree with Caragena totally and Antigua is a lovely little town