Royal Caribbean Cruisers -- How Are Things Where You Are? (was "Routine" ​ 😁 ​day in lockdown... how was yours?)

[NHProud]

1 minute ago, Coralc said:

HAHAHA.  It is $6.39/gal. today up here in Northern California. And Zillow just valued our 3 bedroom/2 bath ranch house at $1 million this month.  Perhaps you missed where I live? 

Silicon Valley or San Francisco ? 

[Coralc]

7 minutes ago, NHProud said:

Silicon Valley or San Francisco ? 

East Bay. SF Bay Area, in the hills. Apparently, this is where Silicon Valley and SF people are moving to. If we can get this house fixed up a little quicker, we will sell it and move to our other house in the Sierra foothills outside Sonora. But finding contractors is a very slow process, when we are trying to get on their calendar.  

Edited March 18, 2022 by Coralc

[sgmn]

19 hours ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

 

I'm still here.  Thanks for your concern.  We've had mostly a great last week, but not without a few problems.  I'll give you the long story here, but I won't "bury the lead"...my 23 year old daughter Andie got engaged last night.  Everyone is extremely happy and excited.

 

We flew last Friday to Allentown, PA and then drove to Scranton from there for my wife's niece's wedding.  The wedding was at my sister in law's house which is an 8,000 square foot mansion that sit's high atop a hill in a rural area with gorgeous views for miles.  It's a beautiful setting, except for when there's a snow storm dropping 6-8 inches and blustery winds blowing drifts, and you need to get guests, caterers, flowers, etc. up their very long, driveway.  They had a few last minute cancellations due to weather but that's where one of the potentially good outcomes of Covid helped...we put a mobile phone on a tripod and scheduled a Zoom meeting so others could attend remotely.  The wedding and reception were otherwise perfect.  Here's a view of the weather outside our hotel window, and the main living room where the ceremony was held.

 

 

On Monday, we drove back to Allentown for our flight back to Jacksonville, meeting Andie and her boyfriend Kaleb in Atlanta on the way there.  They were coming to visit us for a week.  Kaleb had already asked for my permission to marry Andie a couple of weeks ago.  I don't know how common that still is but it was a nice touch.  It also allowed him to work with us in advance on how he could make the proposal a perfect setting.   He wanted to ask her on the beach, ideally at sunset.

 

Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling great on the flight from ATL to JAX, and that got progressively worse.  Stuffy head, chest cough, and then chills and body aches when we got home.  I tested myself for Covid on Tuesday and was negative, so I'm guessing it's just a run of the mill case of the flu.  I stayed in bed all day on Tuesday while Micheline, Andie, and Kaleb did a few things on the island.  Plan A had been that the 4 of us were to have dinner at our beach club on Tuesday.  Before dinner, we'd walk to the Ritz Carlton for a drink at their bar overlooking the beach.  Andie and Kaleb would walk to the beach at some point with us trailing behind.  He'd propose with us capturing the moment in video and pictures.  The 2 of them alone would then go to our club to have dinner as a newly engaged couple with champagne waiting at their table.  Between my sickness and rain Tuesday night, we had to cancel plan A.  Micheline also started getting the same symptoms that I had on Tuesday night.  She also tested negative for Covid.

 

Between DayQuil and NyQuil, we were able to function during the day.  We got a few hours of beach/pool time when the sun came out yesterday and then had an early 5:30 dinner together last night.  Plan B was to go to the Ritz bar for an after dinner drink and try again.  Andie however now had the same symptoms and was not feeling good.  She took some DayQuil when we got home and within a few minutes was up for going with us to the Ritz.  The timing worked out perfectly as the sunset was reflecting pink off the clouds over the ocean.  

 

They've been dating for 6.5 years and are both very practical.  They both knew they would get engaged but were waiting for Andie to finish grad school this spring and for some of their friend's weddings/engagements to get "out of their way".  Although Andie knew that a proposal was eventually coming, the timing caught her completely by surprise. 😁

 

 

 

 

Time for Andie and Micheline to start having fun with wedding planning...once we get this flu bug behind us.  

Beautiful pics 😍 perfect 🥰 

How lovely, a family wedding and an engagement. 

Our son asked his FIL-to be for permission,

  took him out for lunch and presented him with a very expensive bottle of whisky 😄 .

Hope it's just a cold. I tested negative for four days from symptoms to a positive test 

[sgmn]

17 hours ago, dani negreanu said:

@NHProud

 

@dani negreanu   Celebrate your birthday with your favorite things ! 

 

How is the Beyond cruise planning coming along ? If I am correct you have it down to the tiniest detail.  What is your interest in Malta ? 

 

Thanks, Judy.

 

Not this time, no. After 5 cancellations and a new variant looming ahead, I'm afraid to "jinx" it...

 

Malta? It's a new port for us and very appealing. Heard it is beautiful and interesting. Not many direct flights between Tel-Aviv and Malta are available, so for us it's an opportunity to "taste" it.

 

My eldest son had a summer job in Malta one year and we visited then. I also lived there from 6months old to 3 years (forces brat) but don't remember much from that time.

Looking forward to visiting again. Have you noticed that most of the tours on Celebrity's site are already full 😬

Edited March 18, 2022 by sgmn

[Arzeena]

11 hours ago, akcruz said:

 

Wow, nothing is foolproof.  Other than getting tests that didn't work had not heard of other issues with the emed tests.  Still say it's one of the safest and you get the results right away, no waiting for anyone to get back to you.  Thank goodness for places like cc where we can learn about others issues and take precautions.  Double and triple checking is needed and yes it does take away from the pre cruise anticipation.

I agree with you.
We have used EMed all the time and have found them very easy, fast and convenient. We buy the 6 pack, that way we can have a backup ready if there is something wrong with a test kit. The last tests we received did not have a "sleeve" that is shown on the picture. I called EMed and they confirmed it was OK. They asked for the lot # etc and reconfirmed it was OK. No problem with the tests on test day. All good. On the other hand CVS has cancelled our appointements a few times.
I suppose it comes down to what ever one feels safe and comfortable doing. And good to know all the pros and cons on different experiences on CC here.

[Keksie]

Thank you everyone who gave me ideas for Gatlinburg.  We are all set for the end of April.  It isn't as exciting as a cruise but there are still too many protocols in place for us to even think about that as a vacation option.  

[Arzeena]

11 hours ago, aussielozzie18 said:

Talking of hair. Awkward when you ditch your long term hairdresser for somewhere much cheaper and your old hairdresser moves into your street. 
Always feel a bit guilty when I walk past his house on the days I get my hair done.  Just got fed up with the escalating prices especially when I felt I was paying for the salon remodel that included  massage chairs, coffee machine and deluxe TVs.  Extras I don’t need.  

Yesterday, I went for the first time after March 2020 to get my hair done at a salon. It was high time to close down Arzeena's Makeshift Covid Salon!!!! And make certain that this establishment never opens up again! Can work a scalpel with eyes closed (😬LOL ha ha ha) but cannot hold straight a pair of hair cutting scissors, leave alone cut with them. So there were many "who cuts your hair" and similar questions, but I did get a compliment in the end.

[Sunshine3601]

10 hours ago, Ozark_Kid said:

@Sunshine3601 You are 2" taller than Kenzie’s mom.

 

Do you have any planes for the Orlando stop? Our cruise friends are headed to Disney right now.  At the airport they ran into a couple we both know who is sailing on Wonder this week out of ft Lauderdale.  I didn’t even know they liked to cruise.

The only thing we know we want to do is ride North Star since it is free on port days.    Chris and Donna will probably do I Fly since it's also free on port days.   Other than that I don't think we will get off ship, we have been there several times.

[Arzeena]

10 hours ago, Ozark_Kid said:

@Sunshine3601 You are 2" taller than Kenzie’s mom.

 

Do you have any planes for the Orlando stop? Our cruise friends are headed to Disney right now.  At the airport they ran into a couple we both know who is sailing on Wonder this week out of ft Lauderdale.  I didn’t even know they liked to cruise.

Disney is packed to the gills right now. And don't even get me started on the traffic! Everything is real busy. Spring break. Release of travel restrictions. Lots of people from everywhere.

[dani negreanu]

1 hour ago, sgmn said:

My eldest son had a summer job in Malta one year and we visited then. Looking forward to visiting again. Have you noticed that most of the tours on Celebrity's site are already full 😬

 

Yes, I've noticed. I choose not to worry. I've been told that X is keeping around a third of tours places for those who will book aboard. They assume that at least some of the pax do not "visit" Celebrity's site before boarding...

 

Just checked inventory. Hundreds of unsold cabins.

[dani negreanu]

11 hours ago, aussielozzie18 said:

Talking of hair. Awkward when you ditch your long term hairdresser for somewhere much cheaper and your old hairdresser moves into your street. 
Always feel a bit guilty when I walk past his house on the days I get my hair done.

 

Even more awkward... I was doing my nails at the same time in the same space (my nail specialist renting a table in the corner). It was very convenient, having color on my hair while my nails were being done. But I draw the line when they asked for 25% more.

 

And continued to go for my nails there. They were frosty, but I maintained a "stiff upper lip". In the end, my nail specialist moved to my new hairdresser, but she has her own space now, in the 1st floor, so I can't "combine" both "actions"....🤪

[jagsfan]

12 hours ago, Jimbo said:

 

#2 Kentucky just got big timed Upset  by # 15 St. Peters

 

#12 seed Richmond from Virginia upset# 5 Iowa

Is that team really St Peters Peacocks?

There has to be a story behind that name. 
I just Googled it. The peacock in pagan terminology is similar to a Phoenix…rebirth, rising from the ashes. 
St Peters closed down in the early 1900’s, but reopened. 
Pretty tame explanation!!

Edited March 18, 2022 by jagsfan

[jagsfan]

10 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

 

I feel like I could go on a cruise.

That’s good news, Greg!

It means you’ve made big progress since your surgery, and it means you’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and it isn’t an oncoming train!

[Sea Dog]

59 minutes ago, jagsfan said:

That’s good news, Greg!

It means you’ve made big progress since your surgery, and it means you’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and it isn’t an oncoming train!

I actually did some yard work yesterday without my knee killing me. I got fatigued fairly fast since I have not got all my strength back. Several neighbors came out to say hi and said they were amazed to see me out so soon.

[Jimbo]

4 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

The only thing we know we want to do is ride North Star since it is free on port days.    Chris and Donna will probably do I Fly since it's also free on port days.   Other than that I don't think we will get off ship, we have been there several times.

Why  don't you  take  Chris and Donna on an Airboat ride, it's a lot of fun and not far from where the ship docks.  30 min.

 

https://www.airboatridesatmidway.com/

Edited March 18, 2022 by Jimbo

[taznremmy]

On 3/14/2022 at 5:23 PM, jagsfan said:

She took her time, but she actually came to you. I know cats who would sit up there and laugh at humans trying to get them down. 

That was my thought!  What a well trained cat @A&L_Ont.
Playing “catch up” on turn around day.  Hope everyone is well.

Pat

[DaniDanielle]

My grand dog has a tough life!

[lenquixote66]

19 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

I hope we get to meet.   I'm 5' 2 3/4" tall! HA!  With medium length blonde hair.   

Good luck with your tests!

I have posted this before but not recently.Several years ago I became very friendly on a cruise roll call board with a guy and we planned to meet on boarding day.He described himself as slender ,6’6 and that he would be wearing a Red Sox jersey,and a purple jacket.When we arrived in the pre boarding area I saw a guy matching that description,walked over to him and said “great to meet you ,Ray”.It was not him.

[lenquixote66]

17 hours ago, Jimbo said:

 

#2 Kentucky just got big timed Upset  by # 15 St. Peters

 

#12 seed Richmond from Virginia upset# 5 Iowa

The St.Peters win was amazing.A school with 2300 students.The players on the team all have real majors,not basket weaving.The Coach played for Seton Hall.I am in a pool with one of my daughters from the school she teaches in.We were 11-5 after yesterday.

[lenquixote66]

16 hours ago, NHProud said:

My husband’s family used too , also .  We weren’t asked this year. San Diego State lost to Creighton . Unbelievable !  There’s still UCLA because they haven’t played , yet. I didn’t check to see if Michigan State is competing .  

 

Please disregard if I’ve already posted this . My husband’s knee replacement will be scheduled for July or August . So , no chance both knees will be functional for our Jan.2023 cruise.   Greg , keep at it and don’t give up .

 

judy

Michigan State is in the tourney.

[lenquixote66]

56 minutes ago, DaniDanielle said:

My grand dog has a tough life!

My grand dog will be here for 4 days beginning Sunday.He is a Maltie Poo.

One of his favorite things to do is to growl at the German Shepherd living next door.

 

[akcruz]

1 hour ago, DaniDanielle said:

My grand dog has a tough life!

 

Must be the breed, my grandpup 🤣.  Told my daughter he's spoiled, but guess he deserves it after dealing with my grandkids.

[DaniDanielle]

The kids do wear them out😃

[Sea Dog]

5 minutes ago, DaniDanielle said:

The kids do wear them out😃

It’s not like I wear mine out.🥴

[ownedbypets]

19 hours ago, aussielozzie18 said:

Talking of hair. Awkward when you ditch your long term hairdresser for somewhere much cheaper and your old hairdresser moves into your street. 
Always feel a bit guilty when I walk past his house on the days I get my hair done.  Just got fed up with the escalating prices especially when I felt I was paying for the salon remodel that included  massage chairs, coffee machine and deluxe TVs.  Extras I don’t need.  

 

I stopped going to my nail tech because she spent more time on her phone than doing nails. She moved in next door to me.