Globehoppers

16 hours ago, kazu said:

 

Actually, on O if you book the PH (Penthouse) category, you get a butler.  (For what little use they are).  Note - the Penthouse is not the Penthouse like on HAL - it is a nicely laid out verandah cabin.

 

 

 

Yes.  I was one and done too.  DDDH was especially upset.  The most mild mannered person I know who always told me to do the surveys - took his on O and enclosed a letter to the HD.  

He said he would never step foot on one of those ships again.  I can say a lot of O regulars were very unhappy on that cruise as well.

Fully agree.  Never sailing O again.  

Recently back from a Panama transit on Zaandam proceeded by a trans-Atlantic on Oceania Marina.  

First "cruise" was a trans-Atlantic as a youngster in 1949 with parents who were being transferred from Miami to Amsterdam by a US company.  The "good old days" of ocean liner travel.  Back and forth across the north Atlantic numerous times on a variety of ships: HAL ships, SS America (three times), SS United States, SS Constitution, etc.  Following university, commissioned in the US Navy and wore the uniform for 30 years, "cruising" around the world.  We have been fortunate enough to have made landfall on all 7 continents though the combination of modern cruising and the US Navy.  

Started "cruising" in 1999 on a Royal Caribbean ship in the Caribbean.  Good reintroduction to ocean travel and port visits.  Since then have sailed with numerous cruise lines to include Royal, Celebrity, Azamara, Oceania, Hurtigruten (Antarctica) and HAL.  They all offer different perspectives, from the overstuffed Royal ships to more elegant Celebrity offerings.  Dining, such as it is on cruise ships, varies by ship (we are not "foodies," although we do enjoy fresh food from many ethnic locales around the world.

To focus back on this thread, we have found the modern "plastic" cruise ships with their carnival atmospheres inimical to our vision of a good cruise and a good ship.  Azamara, at least pre-sale by RCCL, is a favorite and did cruising "right."  Great crews, officers and crew, on all their ship.  Welcoming environment like coming home.  Have some distain for the mega ships who operate without personality and more for the "nickel and diming" their cooperate owners can extract from "guests."  We also abhor some of the advertising fostered on perspective guests, especially the trade-marked "best food at sea" by Oceania.  

Comparing Oceania (Marina) to HAL Zaandam we really found Marina lacking.  The ambiance did not  match the hype.  Food was okay, specialty restaurants were so crowded and noisy it was difficult to hear each other on a "two-top."  On one occasion a group of 4 sat next to us in the Chinese restaurant, each with 3 drinks in hand and likely several more already consumed.  Found the ambiance on Zaandam much more peaceful and elegant, especially in specialty restaurants.  Better food as well.  And much less crowded in the buffet.  A canal transit is similar to a trans-Atlantic as far as entertainment and days at sea and, again, Zaandam was better than Marina.  Like Azamara it seems that officers and crew cared about their passengers.  Not so on Marina.

I am personally dreading and upcoming Royal cruise on Odyssey, the epitome of a "plastic" ship focused not on the love of the seas, but on what the cruise line can extract from the cruiser.  Spouse has committed us to the TA with acquaintances...

IMHO we need a "new rule!"  Pick your eatery and stay there for all meals, except for specialty restaurants.  All you people who crowd into the buffet area for breakfast and lunch and then demand to be served for dinner are ruining it for those of us who really enjoy the wide selections (on Royal class ships) and choices of ethnic foods available for the evening meals (and for lunch).  The truly best places to eat in the evenings is the buffet.  Lots of choice, few people, its very quiet and a table to watch the sea go by is readily available.  Plus it can be timed to get to the evening shows without hassle.  

15 hours ago, Lucky TGO said:

Hi to all my Cruise Critic friends,

I seen to many people doing some crazy things at the buffet. Just to many to even mention.

I stopped going a long time ago and I don’t care what changes Princess makes. 
Now that’s just me. So to the people who like buffets enjoy!!

Tony
 

You might be surprised at what goes on behind the wall in the MDR and other places serving meals...  It is an illusion of safety to presume everything is done with cleanliness in mind.  Just those entrees sitting around under heat lamps...  Yuck!  

6 hours ago, nocl said:

Except while they can refuse it, there seems to be the little fact that if they refuse they cannot be deployed.

 

The law happens to include this little section.  Which indicates that people must be informed, and they have the right to refuse, but with that refusal may come consequences of which they also must be informed.  Which in the military means blocked from deployment (can we say career impacts) and for an employer could be loss of job.

 

(ii)Appropriate conditions designed to ensure that individuals to whom the product is administered are informed—

(I)

that the Secretary has authorized the emergency use of the product;

(II)

of the significant known and potential benefits and risks of such use, and of the extent to which such benefits and risks are unknown; and

(III)

of the option to accept or refuse administration of the product, of the consequences, if any, of refusing administration of the product, and of the alternatives to the product that are available and of their benefits and risks.

 

The US military is not requiring the vaccine at the moment citing the EUA nature of the vaccine.  The lawyers have apparently won this one.  I disagree with the decision and believe everyone in the military should be vaccinated.  FYI - I served in uniform for 30 years and was vaccinated against just about everything...

We were upgraded to is today a Penthouse Suite for a trans-Atlantic in late 2013.  Thought it was pretentious and unneeded.  We are very comfortable in a Sky or what is today called a "Royal Suite."  Really didn't need the extra space, dining room or hot tub...or the constant attention from the butler.  Was memorable...even if a bit embarrassing since we were traveling with friends.

The EUA designation is how the US military circumvents this requirement for active duty members of the US Armed Forces.  It remains "voluntary" until the "emergency" designation is removed.

On 4/4/2021 at 2:26 PM, alaskaca said:

 

We took the WHO Carte Jaune , our yellow cards with us when we had our shots.  The nurse went ahead and added the Covid vaccinations and gave us the CDC card as well.  Who knows what we will need when it all shakes out.

We just had ours updated by our PCP with the Pfizer prophylaxis to go along with yellow fever, smallpox, influenza, tetanus, etc.  Passports sent to US State Department for renewal.  Have three cruises booked for 2022 in Europe and T/As.  Ready when "they" are.

1 hour ago, Mary229 said:

I don't care what you think of my observations about the CDC but you implied I was a bigot and a luddite and that is what I find objectionable. 

Implied no such thing.  That is a perception, same as with the efficacy and mission of the CDC.

From my observations, and that is 42 years of data management sifting hard facts from in essence, fiction, the CDC does a wonderful job is helping the safety and well being of the American people, home and abroad.  A career in intelligence givens one the ability to differentiate between innuendo and balderdash with the relevant facts.

Welcome your hard facts on why the CDC is wrong in its assessments under the current leadership of Doctor Walenksy.

14 hours ago, Mary229 said:

You are way off base. Perhaps my grammar was faulty but I was trying to avoid listing all of the possible first languages.  You are making wild assumptions, very wild.    The CDC Is not the final or only source of credible information if you had even bothered to read the FDA link you could see a very good discussion for  the consumer.  The CDC is a quasi government organization receiving funding from both the government and industry.  Get your facts straight and do not assume you can read someone’s minds.  You are the one show your prejudice, if someone is not in lockstep with you they are somehow off 

Prejudice?  Against whom? The CDC?  The American people?  COVID-19 Safety?  We had our Pfizer vaccinations in January.  Wild assumptions?  Nope - "Just the facts, Ma'am."  You have an obvious dislike for the CDC and its mission.  We get that.  However, other than innuendo and supposition, you haven't said why.  Because you can't cruise?  Well after over 550,000 Americans have died from COVID in a year there is reasons to follow and accept CDC guidance.  Everyone should be following their guidance be it cruising or daily activities.  It is the only way to stay safe. 

3 hours ago, Mary229 said:

I think the CDC is trying to be everything to all people.   It needs to focus on a core message.  When I call them foolish it is not their science, it is their messaging and marketing.   Yes, marketing.  They may have been wiser to hire an agency to help them tighten up their message.  Trying to discuss nuances with the media, who are looking for a sound bite, can result in misinterpretation.

 

read the FDA link I gave above.   It is much more controlled.

 

there is a broad spectrum of educational levels in our country and there are many whose first language is not English.    We need to vaccinate them all including the semi-literate, the highly educated and the second language speakers

Your biases are coming out with the term "second language speakers."

FYI - not all US citizens speak "American English" as a first language.  And, IMHO, those who profess that "American English" must be the only language are not well traveled or educated.

Second, the CDC is not into "marketing."  It is not a social media site.  It is an official organ of the US government and as such provides Americans with the best information available on threats to health to Americans, both in and outside of the USA.

One of the challenges we have is that fully one-third of so called "educated" Americans believe the world is flat.  Thirty-three (33) percent.  Is that the result of our education system?  Result of "fundamentalism?"  Result of the absence of travel?  A large percentage of Americans have never traveled outside their state of birth and many never beyond their county.  Really sad.  In Europe, on the other hand, people routinely travel to other countries, speak multiple languages and welcome other cultures.  I know - I was raised in Europe, attended international schools and even lived in the former Yugoslavia in the 1980s attached to the US embassy.  And, have set foot on all seven continents.

The CDC - today at least - is a professional organization run by medical and scientific experts.  The Director herself has more qualifications that most people I've met.  The CDC is not obfuscating information while so-called social media sites are designed to do just that.

Do agree that all Americans needs to be vaccinated.  I am a proponent of required vaccinations, just as we did with smallpox which had been around infecting humans for over 3,000 years when a British doctor discovered that inoculations using cowpox from fistulas stopped the spread of the disease.  It took another 160 years to claim the disease was eradicated.

The US CDC is not in the marketing business.  It is in the fact business.  Whether you want to believe facts or not is your choice.  It is not out to stop you from cruising.  It does provide you with refined data of the threat to your safety, in this case to exposure to COVID-19.  I personally trust the CDC and its current director.  I will follow CDC guidance to keep my family and me safe.

It is only the fools like some at the CDC

Calling the Center for Disease Control "fools" is totally uncalled for.  It is currently headed and staffed by very skilled and dedicated medical and science professionals.  Dr Rochelle Walensky is supremely well qualified to run the organization charter to keep us safe.  Saying she is a "fool" is a horrible comment.

On 3/28/2021 at 5:24 PM, pinotlover said:

Doubt it will happen that way. Before docking, the ships will be required to provide verification that all passengers and crew aboard have been vaccinated. Any cruise line caught providing false information will be dealt with.

 

They are required to do this now.  Its called pratique.  Its been in use since 1609!

The "gold standard" is and remains the WHO Carte Jaune.  Its recognized world-wide and border crossing.  No need to create a new record.  There are already 17 different options flooding the US market.  Buy this app or that app - doesn't "prove" anything more than the Carte Jaune does.

Wow,  Another "we need to restart cruising now!" thread on Cruise Critic.  This is just like asking someone at an MLB game, who has just shelled out $100 to get in the door and $12 for a beer and $8 for a hot dog, if they like baseball.  The real surprise is the number of negative answers.  

I find these types of "polls" disingenuous.  They do nothing for the safe, repeat safe, return to some form of cruising.  We need toilet the medical professionals, yes even CDC has "medical professionals," to the data collection, research and evaluation of the safety and efficacy of everything involved in a restart.  Taking the cake out of the oven well before it is ready can be disastrous.  That "cake" has ingredients from the cruise lines themselves which they need to address, and have been dragging their heels to accomplish.  That, in itself, could be taken as a sign that cruise lines are not yet ready themselves to safely resume operations.

18 hours ago, Oceangoer2 said:

I appreciate her community's need to open the economic 'door' to cruising....now that the CDC has lifted travel restrictions, I wonder if they'll now allow cruising out of Florida's ports?  Completely vaccinated passengers and crew of course.

Not that easy.  Still much to consider such as vaccinations of porters, immigration and cruise line contract people ate the port.  Then there are concerns over local hotel and restaurants supporting travelers, rental and car park companies, etc.  Add in health screenings which will add processing time.  Cruise lines remain reticent to provide any details on how they will alter/improve pre and post cruise port operations, much less the changes required on board.

Two days in St Pete is enough to get a taste of Russia.  We booked a 2-day shore excursion with SPB and it was fabulous.  Constant contact with the owner.  Easy through Russian immigration at the pier.  Sailed on Celebrity Connie - perfect size for this itinerary.  Weather can upset the schedule.  Tallinn was wonderful.  Our cruise included Rostock instead of the extra sea day and also Stockholm.

On 2/17/2021 at 12:55 PM, ECCruise said:

Yes, many times.  Have several more booked. Food very good.  Small ship feel, well travelled pax.  No big entertainment (no issue for us on port intensive sailings).

Would put their viability probably better than the majors since they are not overloaded in debt with Sycamore Partners as owner with deep pockets.  Plus, they just bought a 4th ship a week or so ago.

My best perspective for Azamara is that its "like coming home again."  Great ships and crews.

13 minutes ago, SelectSys said:

I moved too and booked three cruises for next year after making this post! 

 

This week's announcements on travel have me feeling even more optimistic that my cruises will be come to be.  Of course things can always change again...  Time will tell.

Agree.  We have three booked for next year including two trans-Atlantics, and some travel within Europe.  

The apparent high sellout rate for these RTW cruises cannot be compared to normal cruising.  First, the "sell outs" are on small ships - 300 passengers or less.  Second, they are niche cruises offered at very high cost.  Third, they are a long way off and are still subject to local national protocols and restrictions.  Setting a schedule and collecting down payments does not mean the cruise will actually go to those places.  Hopefully by early 2022 things will normalize and cruising will resume.

On 3/29/2021 at 5:13 PM, SelectSys said:

My first two cruises were on Disney when my kids were young.  I really liked,  it but haven't returned as the price premium always seems like a lot to me compared with the alternatives.  Maybe I will go again someday as I did like the Disney onboard experience.

 

Why are the health authorities in the UK willing to do this?  So far the US CDC seems unwilling to move on this subject.

 

I certainly feel the draw to book something new after being locked away.

 

I'll bet it is significant.  My guess is 20% at least.

There are no "round the US cruises" that I am aware of...  And foreign flagged ships, as well know, cannot carry passengers directly between US ports.  The CDC has "moved" with its current announcement of travel within the US for vaccinated people.  Taking things step-by-step is the safest and even the fastest way to insure safe cruising for all.

Likely the health and safety medical experts will be swayed by the 82 voters...  NOT!

On 3/28/2021 at 11:47 AM, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Like it or not, this is not a political issue, to oversimply it, you're either pro-doctor or pro-business.  I personally know some on the right folks (one who originally thought it was a hoax until he was hospitalized) who are pro-doctor and some on the left folks who are pro-business.

 

Right or wrong (opinions will vary) FL doesn't want to lose its cruise home status to islands in the Caribbean.

 

Cruise companies pay taxes despite not being not being flagged here.  Port taxes, income tax for non-ship crew, supply tax while in port and have to pay tax on them.  In the U.S., in 2019, Carnival Corp. paid $71 million in taxes on $3.06 billion in income. In the same year, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. paid $25.5 million in taxes on $1.8 billion in income, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings paid $18.9 million in taxes on more than $911 million in income.

It sure would be nice to have only pay 2 percent of my retired fixed income in taxes.  TWO percent!  For a non-US corporation doing business in America and "living off" Americans that is a real good deal.

We have gone over a year since cruising stopped do to what many consider non-US cruise lines callous safety and security treatment and behavior towards customers.  I have been "cruising" since what I remember as 1949 and transiting the Atlantic from NYC to Rotterdam.  Even before that, crossing the eastern Pacific Hawaii (where I was born) to San Francisco.  Thirty years in the US Navy, many at sea on "big grey boats" to a include a circumnavigation of the world on USS Enterprise.  The sea is in my blood, so to speak.  However, we have lived the past 14 months without "cruising" and we disembarked Reflection on 2 March just as the pandemic was starting.  We were very fortunate to not have caught COVID-19.  I can relish life without "cruising."

My example is the the 737Max grounding by the US and other national aviation organizations do to safety reasons.  Cruising was stopped by the US and other countries do to safety and health reasons.  The countries "grounding" cruising are going through critical review processes to insure its safe in the future for their citizens to cruise and safe for the cruise lines to resume operations.  Once that determination has been achieved, cruising will return although likely a bit different than the mass market experience pre-pandemic.

We have to let the the government, the many different governments involved, health and safety professionals do their jobs to insure the safety of their citizens.  The process we are in right now.  It would benefit all of us if people followed proper protocols and used PPE instead of partying during what becomes super spreader events.  It would be embarrassing to me to "lobby" my elected representatives to bypass health and safety protocols established to safely cruise for my own personal desires at the cost of lives of others.  

As I learned during my 30 years in the Navy, safety comes first.  We need to let the experts do their jobs and refrain from insinuating that they are only interested in raining on our cruising parade.

11 minutes ago, Cruzaholic41 said:

That’s a terrible example. Grounding 1 type of plane does not compare to an entire industry getting shut down. 
 

I’m a Floridian. I’m a former partner of a large cruise travel agency. I and many people I know “need” cruising. So you’re also wrong in that regard. 

I live in Florida, as well.  Have no fiduciary connection to travel agencies or the cruise industry.  People "need" food, shelter, etc.  We have gone over a year since cruising stopped do to what many consider non-US cruise lines callous safety and security treatment and behavior towards customers.  I have been "cruising" since what I remember as 1949 and transiting the Atlantic from NYC to Rotterdam.  Even before that, crossing the eastern Pacific Hawaii (where I was born) to San Francisco.  Thirty years in the US Navy, many at sea on "big grey boats" to a include a circumnavigation of the world on USS Enterprise.  The sea is in my blood, so to speak.  However, we have lived the past 14 months without "cruising" and we disembarked Reflection on 2 March just as the pandemic was starting.  We were very fortunate to not have caught COVID-19.  I can relish life without "cruising."

The example is very valid.  The 737Max was grounded by the US and other national aviation organizations do to safety reasons.  Cruising was stopped by the US and other countries do to safety and health reasons.  The countries "grounding" cruising are going through critical review processes to insure its safe in the future for their citizens to cruise and safe for the cruise lines to resume operations.  Once that determination has been achieved, cruising will return although likely a bit different than the mass market experience pre-pandemic.

We have to let the the government, the many different governments involved, health and safety professionals do their jobs to insure the safety of their citizens.  The process we are in right now.  It would benefit all of us if people followed proper protocols and used PPE instead of partying during what becomes super spreader events.

As I learned during my 30 years in the Navy, safety comes first.  We need to let the experts do their jobs and refrain from insinuating that they are only interested in raining on our cruising parade.