mimbecky

1 hour ago, bigbenboys said:

Yesterday I emailed our TA. Moved our Feb 2021 New Zealand cruise to Aug 2021 Rome to Venice. Our next cruise is June 2021.

So confused.  I was told you could only lift and shift to same itinerary. 

When does lift and shift end?  We took the opportunity for our Sept 2020 to Alaska and are now going next year.  I assume that will be safe BUT we have a May 2021 to Norway.  I have been thinking of lifting and shifting that one too but there are NO cruises to Norway 2022!  Kind of hard to L and S if there is nothing available.  I don't want to do FCC because prices are so much higher in general that it isn't worth it. I obviously have until Feb to cancel altogether but I am not 65 yet, have no underlying and retired.  I will be last on the vaccine list so who knows when THAT will happen.

M

16 hours ago, phoenix_dream said:

Easy to get upset at so many things these days🙂.  I honestly don't think its an oversight though.  If I take all my emotions out of the picture, as well as what seems fair or not, and look only at what will get us to herd immunity the fastest, then one could argue that it makes logical sense for healthy, procedure following seniors to be last.  If most of us are already doing what is expected by wearing masks, distancing, and not hanging out in bars and so on, then we are not the ones spreading the virus.  We also are not essential to the economy in the sense of keeping people employed, as most (I know not all) are retired.  And as retirees, even if we don't like being stuck in our houses we have the ability to do that without losing our livelihoods. 

 

We are certainly more at risk of death or complications if we do get sick, but I would hazard an educated guess that the vast majority of senior deaths are those in nursing homes and other senior living facilities.  So as much as I would hate the fact of being last, and as much as I resent the fact that killers, rapists, and child molesters may get priority over me,  I think that could very well happen.

Phoenix, your words perfectly explain my sentiment and struggle.  My husband and I are only 63 so ......

M

On 9/21/2020 at 4:20 PM, Arizona Wildcat said:

Agents book lots of group space.  Call around.  My TA works out of NJ.  Her company has a travel app that does rooms flights etc.  All expedited.

 Is this a nationwide TA? Expediated?  Mine is good but it sounds like yours is great.

M

So sorry, computer issues....aka user error

On 9/23/2020 at 7:45 AM, cangelmd said:

There are similar studies with the BCG vaccine and protection against COVID in those countries (not US) that use it.

My tennis partner was stuck in South Africa from March-July and this vaccine was being given there. She received it and said it was for the above reason but I don't know how SA would have known and acted on this information that far back.

I told my doctor that I had gotten a MMR booster and why.  She said "humm. good idea".  Of course if I had asked her recommendation in advance, she may have thought differently LOL.

I also saw this attachment on the news the other day.  I guess with this plan, it doesn't matter if you are a senior unless you are in a "dense settings" which I take to mean retirement facility etc.  Does that mean an older person who isn't working in these positions or isn't living in a facility would be in the very last phase? 😳

M

2 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

I'm interested to hear what folks have to say as well regarding the MMR shot and its ability to boost the general immune response for a COVID vaccine once they are available. Funny thing, I started this thread noting the fact my DW and I are in our late 60's and recently got the MMR shot for just the reasons mentioned in these two articles. When we were young the MMR shot was not available yet, so we got the mumps and measles the old fashion way.

Hi

I didn't read the articles in your post but I did research on my own quite some time ago and it led me to get a booster.  Can't hurt, especially since I read the Rubella antibody has a close resemblance to the COVID19 antibody.

Well as soon as that was out of my mouth, I received an email about 4 perks on selected sailings July-Nov 2021. Not sure if it was my TA or Celebrity in general.  We are looking for later so it won't work for us but may be worth looking at for others....

edit: looks like it may be my TA.  Sometimes if you go online you can get a vacation that really can center yourselves.  One week only.

M

I poached this off another forum regarding vaccines/cruising but it mentions info regarding sales too...

"There was a “Future of Cruising” Zoom meeting on September 17:  The two cruise industry representatives were Ron Guiaskey of Celebrity (part of Royal Caribbean Group) and Gordon Dirker of Celestyal Cruises, a Greece based cruise company.

3 hours ago, KEN31VA said:

This is a group rate using one of the largest online cruise agency

Give us a hint

I am booked for next May.  Great deal but I don't think I am going to keep it.  Looking for the next free 4 perk deal to book something else in 2022.  I am also wondering when these typically come up.  Someone told me shortly after Christmas so I am hopeful. Anyone know a typical time for these 4 perk sales?

M

20 hours ago, npcl said:

Pfizer is expanding their trial to include down to age 16, and some additional pre existing conditions.

I also just read they are expanding Phase 3 to 44,000 subjects.

1 hour ago, TeeRick said:

But I think that most members following this thread which is now close to 800 posts will find it at the technical level we have been at here

Well, I am not technical by any means but thought the interview was straightforward and very thought provoking. Thank you! 

I am enjoying this thread and expect it to keep flowing until the vaccine itself is flowing. 🥴

On 9/9/2020 at 5:50 AM, TeeRick said:

2a) If related to vaccine - was it caused by the SARS-CoV-2 antigen expressed (this would not be a good outcome for all vaccines being developed using that same antigen, ie, SPIKE).

2b) If related to vaccine - was it caused by the technology (adenovector approach)?

How would they ever figure out the probability of either of these?

M

1 minute ago, phoenix_dream said:

You would cancel even if effective and rapid testing were in place, and practiced regularly - upon boarding, maybe periodically through the cruise, etc..?

If we could share a table of 6-8 with other people (non family) I would possibly be ok with that.  If I am paying for a vacation, I want to enjoy what I enjoy and not need to avoid others 🙂

M

I always wear a mask in public but I would not cruise if I had to wear one.  The biggest issue is that my husband and I enjoy eating in the MDR with "strangers". It is a big part of our cruising journey.  I assume with out a vaccine, this wouldn't be possible so I plan to cancel my two cruises next year if things aren't at that level yet.

M

On 8/28/2020 at 3:01 AM, PORT ROYAL said:

 

Four to consider at various price points -

All will give a great stay and are in excellent locations

Albergo del Senato

Albergo Santa Chiara

Hotel Navona,

Hotel Singer Palace

We stayed at Hotel Navona last time.  Very nice people. Hotel is very modern with a ton of nooks and crannies to store things. My recollection is that they don't have any hot items for breakfast.

M

2 hours ago, cruise kitty said:

 

thank you 🙂   I listened to the NPR interview yesterday & was a bit disheartened to hear that if there is a vaccine available in the U.S., I probably won't be able to get it until mid 2021, don't get me wrong, I'm grateful to be fit in my my mid fifties.... it does appear though, that my SIL (police officer) & DH will be able to get it earlier if all goes well.  

Cruise Kiitty, I am with you.  I am 63 just short of 65. Retired and healthy. I do volunteer at Navy/Marine Relief and USO but for the most part am not front line or essential by any means.  I think I am in the last phase- apparently even after children!!!

I have a cruise scheduled end of May.  I have my hopes up but won't travel without a vaccine.  I need to have final payment by mid February so may end up ditching it unless they have a definitely time line out which appears unlikely.

M

From what I understand, Celebrity has an app that you can use to keep in touch with others on the ship without wifi.  Does Holland (Oosterdam) have same?

Thanks

21 hours ago, BikeTreker said:

Good morning everyone.  I posted Puerto Vallarta last night.  You can find it at https://travelswithcappy.com.  I am now working on some additional photos from the Eurodam.  I hope to have them posted later today.  Let me know what you think.

Enjoying your blog. I see that you took a taxi in PV.  How much should we estimate this to be? Will they take American money?   It has been A LONG time since we have been to Mexico (other than TJ).

Thanks.

M

3 hours ago, Cruise Suzy said:

Mocktails also are included in the Happy Hour pricing. And sometimes there are unannounced "Happy Hours" poolside during the day.

Dumb question but if they are "unannounced", how do you find out about them.....?

On 7/16/2019 at 3:42 AM, terrydtx said:

Do the math, most bar drinks are under $9 and at happy hours in bars the second drink is only $2. Specialty coffees and espresso cost around $4.

Say what?  Happy hour, second drink is $2? Does that mean if my husband orders a drink, then mine is $2 or does that mean we would each have to order two drinks....?

 I am sure that my answers are somewhere in this post but scrolling through I don’t automatically see them so I thought I would just ask them all here. 

1. On a seven night cruise is there a formal night? 

2.  I know there is something similar to Celebrity’s Café Bacio onboard but I cannot find out if the coffee and/or pastries are for a fee. We will not have a drink card. 

3. I am reading that we can bring wine, soda and water on. Then I just read about a corkage fee. Can’t we just bring our own opener?

4.  Anything on the Oosterdam that we must not miss? 

thanks!

I have not read through all the posts but IMO the best dessert by far is the Carrot Cake at Café Bacio (it is free, but the coffees are not).  Anything at Café Bacio is good and I found myself often skipping dessert in the MDR in lieu of going there after dinner.  Note, it seems the Carrot cake is only available one time a week.  If I had known that, I would have wrapped several pieces and kept them in my fridge.  Ironically, I typically don't care for carrot cake 😋

Mimbecky

Sounds great.  About how long does Royston take you out?

Thanks

M