Regent Watercooler! Off topic and non-cruise discussion here!

[Mudhen]

Good Morning, All !

Hudson Valley area New York., here. We've struggled to finally make it to Phase 1. Happened just Tuesday. It didn't really make much difference for us. We can still go to the local parks, take out food  available,  etc. No retail except grocery stores. We wear our masks whenever we go into the supermarket. We're fortunate in that we live in a farming community so we have lots of places to walk. We visit the dairy farm next door to check on new calves, assorted chickens, chicks, etc. On our park walks we've become attuned to nature and keep track of what mother nature is serving up. So far, a sleeping doe near a stream, pair of mallards nesting, multiple squirrels (one black) chipmunks and a glorious red fox. Can't really complain, but after watching Babette's Feast last night, John commented that...."gee, I wish we were cruising"!!!  I couldn't agree more!

A quickie funny aside.....to Sheltie Lov....We had an ancient Volvo, rough shape but never failed. I used it to take our daughter to school when she was young. She then told me that she told some of her classmates, "how cool our car was.....really neat, you can see the road right thru the passenger side floor"..." Didn't know if I should laugh or cry!

[Gpilon]

14 hours ago, Wendy The Wanderer said:

Yes, I can't wait to get up there.  It was such a cold spring that we were happy to be here in the city, especially when the government was discouraging people from going to their cottages.  Once the black flies clear out about mid-June, I'll be there, I hope.  Only downside is no broadband, despite it being about 40 miles from the nation's capital.

Don't miss the black flies found in Cottage Country, Ontario. They can be vicious ......

[TrulyBlonde]

We are in Pitkin County in CO and are starting Phase 2. Restaurants opened at 50%. We have worked very hard to keep our numbers low after ski season ended due to the spread. I am not going to restaurants and doing what we have been doing diligently for 2 months. 2nd homeowners are coming back and tourist season will be starting. I anticipate more cases when that happens. Not worth the risk.

However, we have scheduled all of our physicals, hair cuts etc. for next week while the numbers are low because feel this is the safest time for those appts. that were cancelled due to Covid. Those annual checkups are important too.

We also are in the process of buying a new home and a big remodel. That will keep us busy and looking forward to our great Covid deal/purchase. We both love projects and keeping busy since we won't cruise again until there is a vaccine. Stay healthy everyone.

[Sheltieluv]

We live in a rural area between Syracuse and Rochester, NY.  Phase 2 will be starting June 1 for some of the counties up here.  Masks are required everywhere.   We are busy with planting our garden, so getting out and about isn't that crucial for us, at least at this point.

Mudhen, my nephew is in the Coast Guard and is stationed in Saugerties.  We may take a road trip this summer to visit him.  The Hudson Valley area is beautiful and I haven't been down there in many years.

Had a newborn fawn on our front lawn yesterday.  I was afraid it had been abandoned because there was no sign of mama.  Usually the mother will snort and make noises if she's around.  I called the Environmental Conservation Dept. and they advised me to just leave it alone, as the mother was probably in the area, just foraging.  I was in a panic because the fawn was very close to the road, but a couple of hours later mama did show up, and off they went into the woods.  That fawn was the cutest thing, but won't be so cute when it starts snacking on our garden.  They're especially fond of green beans!🙂

Stay safe and healthy, everyone.

[BBWC]

We are in Southern California, one county north of Los Angeles. We are in enhanced Stage 2, all restaurants and retail stores open (with social distancing and sanitizing rules), but we are still doing delivery/takeout. No masks requires, but most people wear them in stores. All beaches open, too.

[Travelcat2]

This weird link does work..... it becomes a download to a really interesting video.

 

https://attachment.outlook.live.net/owa/MSA%3Amitamejade%40outlook.com/service.svc/s/GetFileAttachment?id=AQMkADAwATMwMAItYmY1ZS03YTU5LTAwAi0wMAoARgAAA9y80%2BH8zZRLqdB1RJzQHdwHAIp0p%2Fv6udNNp6WecBfQDvoAAAIBDAAAAIp0p%2Fv6udNNp6WecBfQDvoAA2fQl7IAAAABEgAQALGhnWgRc6RKvvLDjUGMFU8%3D&owa=outlook.live.com&scriptVer=2020052401.03&isc=1&X-OWA-CANARY=6X7O7oKTOUWQMIxB3sLDd4DdXGPtA9gYBcHWyVjw6nLPSTYWQMQaJEnjWvY4yklEHqq3x4pech0.&token=eyJhbGciOiJSUzI1NiIsImtpZCI6IjU2MzU4ODUyMzRCOTI1MkRERTAwNTc2NkQ5RDlGMjc2NTY1RjYzRTIiLCJ4NXQiOiJWaldJVWpTNUpTM2VBRmRtMmRueWRsWmZZLUkiLCJ0eXAiOiJKV1QifQ.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.uFpY4bHaBqXeZwfyknRFUebNkSCoxh_AIq52im2dBW2H3Qc_mW4efa3q7WoxJcFNvv0WQy6DSDsQAUOxmSm306NzZBBhg_gXuvlwRgbnUm83NCi6yNeHpuRLFMGUm1eUgF5ajuE9hO2fHcd3GkGYp7a34JAcV74FIU4EZm68zt8TiG69uVvkNVrGykXwbKJYMdax6oNYKfo8LaUDGDPPFbsluBvimyVprkQqejdZNWW6RF_6ngKgnkElOoe2tAFcf9rFG7dBeGTZ4zmJKR1C6wCaiPd8I1app6CuCBL2r54tZkACYAJBsKSJyGcA1KhDGfk6mIso7nxD5boWJ0GjKA&isDownload=true&animation=true

Edited May 29, 2020 by Travelcat2

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Things are opening up but very slowly here in Toronto. No school until next fall, no summer school here at U. of T.  Lots of regulations about how stores can open and operate.  We were on a beer/booze run in the car today, and I noticed lots of banks with long lines snaking down the street, not sure what that's about.  Lining up on the street to get in anywhere has become a fact of life--supermarkets, drugstores, bakeries, dollar stores even.

 

One thing that has happened is that regulations around booze, always archaic here in "Toronto the Good", have been eased.  So restaurants who do take out of pickup can also deliver beer, wine and even cocktails.  This is helping some of the small establishments like the bar where my son works.  They don't normally do food, but they're doing easy meal  take-out at least once a week, as well as espresso and cocktails.  Even some of the pot shops have started delivering, I believe.  I'm not sure they'll get that genie back into the bottle, ahem.

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

It’s so interesting to read posts from around the country about your phase experiences. It makes me feel that there are so many of you who are feeling what I feel about being still shut in. It’s good to be cautious. 
Keep your comments coming. I look forward to reading them every day. 
sheila

BTW..Jackie, couldn’t open your link. 
maria..safe trip to Atlanta. 
🙋‍♀️👏🤗🚢

[Camillus112]

4 hours ago, Sheltieluv said:

We live in a rural area between Syracuse and Rochester, NY.  Phase 2 will be starting June 1 for some of the counties up here.  Masks are required everywhere.   We are busy with planting our garden, so getting out and about isn't that crucial for us, at least at this point.

 

 

We live just west of Syracuse (hi neighbor!) but Gov. Cuomo has placed our Phase 2 on hold.  I think this was right, although we will have to start opening in the near future.  DH and I are hunkering down for the long haul and...like most people in this area...we got a dog!!  He is the cutest Morkie (half Maltese and half Yorkie) and was quite expensive, but the dog shelters have ran out!!!  I only hope those adopting or buying pets will commit themselves to them after all lockdowns are lifted.  He is our first pet and we are so very excited!!!!

[SusieQft]

Things are slow to resume in Las Vegas.  We started phase 1 about 3 weeks ago, with hair & nail salons, restaurants, and small stores.  All with lots of restrictions, and most restaurants are still closed or takeout only.  Most of the small stores are doing one customer at a time and/or curbside delivery.  Most of the restaurants on the Strip remain completely closed.  They don't get much local traffic under normal circumstances.  Some that were doing curbside delivery early on in the shutdown were told to stop and now can do it again.  All I have done (in addition to the usual groceries, and other "essentials" that were already open) is get my hair cut, but my stylist said she is retiring because she is allergic to the sanitizers.

 

I am not fond of cooking, but have resigned myself to the necessity and have been using up a lot of things that have been sitting in my freezer or pantry for way too long.  Well, some of them are just getting thrown out, but this is part of my major "spring cleaning" project for the whole house.  

 

My bank is still closed except for the drive-up window and ATM, but not the ATM at the branch I usually go to which is completely closed.  I had to drive up to the window to deposit a non-cruise refund from a Canadian bank, and the line was well out into the street, about 20-30 cars the first time I tried.  I went back later just when they opened, and there were only about 6 cars ahead of me.  I lost a bundle on the Canadian refund.  There was a $1000 CAD non-refundable penalty, but the exchange rate was much less favorable when I got the refund so that ended up more than doubling the penalty.  I ended up getting back $1500 USD less than I paid.

 

Phase 2 starts on Monday, and hotels and casinos are going to be allowed to reopen on June 4.  I think they are going to have a really rough time of it, since just because they open does not mean the visitors will return.  Nevada unemployment has passed 33%.  The traffic at our airport is down 96% for April 2020 vs April 2019.

 

All in all, I would rather be on a ship, which is where we were supposed to be right now, in Palermo and starting to feel sad because we would be heading home in 2 days.  But at least my house is well on its way to being a lot cleaner/better organized!  😃😥😂

 

 

[Sheltieluv]

Camillus112, enjoy your new dog.  He will be a part of your family for many happy years to come!

Our county is considered to be the Finger Lakes region.  It's confusing for sure to figure out what county is doing what.  Will stay hunkered down and only leave the house for essentials.  My husband went for groceries today and reported that several people weren't wearing masks, which is a no-no according to the recommendations. 

[Dolebludger]

Here in Durango, CO, things are slowly opening up, but with requirements and limitations. Restaurants are allowed to open, but only at up to 50% capacity up to 50 people. They are required to have tables at least 6’ apart. Bars are still closed, but there are only four bars that aren’t also restaurants. Masks are required For customers except when eating or drinking, and are required for employees at all times.  Not all restaurants are open, as management is having problems figuring out the regulations, but they will be soon. Restaurants that are open are doing a good job of enforcing mask requirements, but grocery stores strangely aren’t. We are getting drive up delivery to the trunk of our car.  We avoid going in one of our  grocery stores. No social distancing, and nobody is enforcing the mask requirement. If and when I ever go inside one again and see customers without masks, I’m calling the cops, as the cops have suggested. Our cops are starting with warnings, but I am told that cops in Denver are giving tickets that carry a $1000 fine. You might say that grocery stores have replaced airlines as #1 on my “don’t go there” list!

 

 

Edited May 29, 2020 by Dolebludger

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Nice to hear stories about how things are opening up in different areas, but can we resist the urge to start to argue about the rights and wrongs of opening up, or comparing notes endlessly about Covid?  (Just asking, not demanding. I was in fact about to do precisely that, and stopped myself.)

[Travelcat2]

11 minutes ago, Wendy The Wanderer said:

Nice to hear stories about how things are opening up in different areas, but can we resist the urge to start to argue about the rights and wrongs of opening up, or comparing notes endlessly about Covid?  (Just asking, not demanding. I was in fact about to do precisely that, and stopped myself.)

 

Agree with you.  This thread seems to be doing what it was intended to do.  Hope that everyone keeps it up.

[Travelcat2]

3 hours ago, Bellaggio Cruisers said:

It’s so interesting to read posts from around the country about your phase experiences. It makes me feel that there are so many of you who are feeling what I feel about being still shut in. It’s good to be cautious. 
Keep your comments coming. I look forward to reading them every day. 
sheila

BTW..Jackie, couldn’t open your link. 
maria..safe trip to Atlanta. 
🙋‍♀️👏🤗🚢

 

It is a weird link.  It does not open the video but instead downloads.  I had to click on my download "thingie" in order to see it.  

[Will Work for Tiramisu]

Well, we are lucky in the State of Oregon in general, and Eugene-Springfield in particular, in that the virus is in short supply.  There is some "opening" happening, but many of us are staying at home, tending our gardens, and trying to stay well.  It is a thankless job, but someone has to do it! Having cancelled two way-cool cruises this year, can't WAIT to get back on a ship, preferably without getting the crud.  

[Gpilon]

15 hours ago, SusieQft said:

Things are slow to resume in Las Vegas.  We started phase 1 about 3 weeks ago, with hair & nail salons, restaurants, and small stores.  All with lots of restrictions, and most restaurants are still closed or takeout only.  Most of the small stores are doing one customer at a time and/or curbside delivery.  Most of the restaurants on the Strip remain completely closed.  They don't get much local traffic under normal circumstances.  Some that were doing curbside delivery early on in the shutdown were told to stop and now can do it again.  All I have done (in addition to the usual groceries, and other "essentials" that were already open) is get my hair cut, but my stylist said she is retiring because she is allergic to the sanitizers.

 

I am not fond of cooking, but have resigned myself to the necessity and have been using up a lot of things that have been sitting in my freezer or pantry for way too long.  Well, some of them are just getting thrown out, but this is part of my major "spring cleaning" project for the whole house.  

 

My bank is still closed except for the drive-up window and ATM, but not the ATM at the branch I usually go to which is completely closed.  I had to drive up to the window to deposit a non-cruise refund from a Canadian bank, and the line was well out into the street, about 20-30 cars the first time I tried.  I went back later just when they opened, and there were only about 6 cars ahead of me.  I lost a bundle on the Canadian refund.  There was a $1000 CAD non-refundable penalty, but the exchange rate was much less favorable when I got the refund so that ended up more than doubling the penalty.  I ended up getting back $1500 USD less than I paid.

 

Phase 2 starts on Monday, and hotels and casinos are going to be allowed to reopen on June 4.  I think they are going to have a really rough time of it, since just because they open does not mean the visitors will return.  Nevada unemployment has passed 33%.  The traffic at our airport is down 96% for April 2020 vs April 2019.

 

All in all, I would rather be on a ship, which is where we were supposed to be right now, in Palermo and starting to feel sad because we would be heading home in 2 days.  But at least my house is well on its way to being a lot cleaner/better organized!  😃😥😂

 

 

We were in Vegas Feb. 23-27, so just before the "craziness" began, and stayed at the Palazzo. Everywhere we went was full and had a terrific B'Day dinner for my wife at Bouchon, along with friends from Savannah who flew in for a couple days to help us celebrate. We're originally from Montreal (then Toronto, Syracuse, Dublin Ireland and built a home here in Savannah) so we follow Canadian exchange rates closely as we still have investments there.....brutal right now. Want to say thanks for your spreadsheet...lots of work goes into that. I'll admit, I will be very happy when I open it and see my monies have been refunded from Regent! Stay healthy.

 

Glen

[Gpilon]

17 hours ago, Camillus112 said:

 

We live just west of Syracuse (hi neighbor!) but Gov. Cuomo has placed our Phase 2 on hold.  I think this was right, although we will have to start opening in the near future.  DH and I are hunkering down for the long haul and...like most people in this area...we got a dog!!  He is the cutest Morkie (half Maltese and half Yorkie) and was quite expensive, but the dog shelters have ran out!!!  I only hope those adopting or buying pets will commit themselves to them after all lockdowns are lifted.  He is our first pet and we are so very excited!!!!

We lived in B'Ville (and Dublin, Ireland) for 12 or so years before building a home here in Savannah. Head up every summer to play golf at my old Club with friends and it's always a must to hit the Dinosaur a couple times. 

[Camillus112]

9 minutes ago, Gpilon said:

We lived in B'Ville (and Dublin, Ireland) for 12 or so years before building a home here in Savannah. Head up every summer to play golf at my old Club with friends and it's always a must to hit the Dinosaur a couple times. 

 

We lived in Ithaca, NY, for 25 years while engaged to Cornell, but moved to Camillus to be near our daughter and family around 5 years ago.  I absolutely love the Finger Lakes and the Syracuse area.  Actually Camillus is around 15 minutes from B'Ville.  Oh, the Dinosaur!!  Best ribs and chili!!

[Gpilon]

3 minutes ago, Camillus112 said:

 

We lived in Ithaca, NY, for 25 years while engaged to Cornell, but moved to Camillus to be near our daughter and family around 5 years ago.  I absolutely love the Finger Lakes and the Syracuse area.  Actually Camillus is around 15 minutes from B'Ville.  Oh, the Dinosaur!!  Best ribs and chili!!

We are originally from Montreal, then lived in Toronto for a number of years before my wife was transferred to her company's HO in Skaneateles. We decided to build a home in B'Ville....the drive to SKF was a good one via the back roads, except when snow hit. Which, was often during our winters there. We played out of Bellevue CC, a real good course and Club and hit the Dino at least every 2 weeks. Still order some of their things online.......have not found any better ribs here in the South.

[Camillus112]

Beautiful city, Montreal!  We are originally from Puerto Rico but have lived in the States for most of our married life.  First in Milwaukee, then in this CNY area.  We have been cruising since 2009, mostly with Silversea and Seabourn, but this year we tried Regent for the first time and loved it too.  Hopefully we will sail again some time in the future, and maybe may be able to meet with you on a voyage!

[Gpilon]

17 minutes ago, Camillus112 said:

Beautiful city, Montreal!  We are originally from Puerto Rico but have lived in the States for most of our married life.  First in Milwaukee, then in this CNY area.  We have been cruising since 2009, mostly with Silversea and Seabourn, but this year we tried Regent for the first time and loved it too.  Hopefully we will sail again some time in the future, and maybe may be able to meet with you on a voyage!

We still head back to Montreal often to visit family and friends.Our last 2 cruises were with Silversea with the last one being on their, at the time, new ship, Muse. We were very unimpressed with it and their new dining arrangements (reservations required at all venues). We were to fly to Rome Monday and board Splendor June 4......very disappointed, to say the least. Waiting for the refund from Regent and have started looking at future Splendor cruises, but will wait until absolutely safe to cruise again before booking. A la prochaine.......

[Brownie54]

This really is a small world, all of you Central New Yorkers! I grew up in DeWitt (suburb of Syracuse) , but moved to Watertown for my senior year of high school after my Dad's job/ promotion took our family there. I have very happy memories of my years there.

 

My husband and I re-located to Baltimore (city) 7 years ago, again for a job change, after almost 30 years in New Jersey. He retired in 2015 at age 60, because he could. We are very lucky!  We then started cruising WAY more often, on Regent, after asking several family members and friends from all over the country who they sailed with. We miss Regent; the officers and crew, the "new" friends we've made as we've sailed, and just about everything we've experienced on each ship. We hope to sail again when things are safe!

 

Baltimore (city) has been hit pretty hard with the virus; still no open barbershops or hair/nail salons. Outside dining for restaurants that already have permits that allow it opened last night at 5. Restaurants that do not currently have outside dining permits will be allowed to apply beginning Monday. We have tried to support our local restaurants that offer take-out only about once or twice a week.  Curbside pick-up for retail is allowed, but that's it. We are not complaining! Better to be safe and slow!

 

Our weather here is spectacular this weekend!

I hope everyone here can get out and enjoy it!

 

Sue

[Camillus112]

Small world indeed, Sue!  I think I've only visited Baltimore once, for the Symphony, and this was years and years ago.  There are so many places in this country that we still need to enjoy that we are planning, when safety allows, to "embark" on road trips before we commit to cruising again.  But I do so miss the sea!!  

[Dolebludger]

No intention to criticize our CO Governor (Jared Polis) and his reopening plan in my post 62 above. He is doing a great job, and so is his plan, as our rates have continued to level off, while reopening Is done gradually. My only problem was some people disobeying the requirements. We hope to get our steam excursion train out of Durango running through the San Juan National Forest By mid-June at least. People come from all over the world for that trip. A few years back, I was talking to a man from Germany who was just getting off the train, and he loved it!  As we love to visit Germany, I was talking to him about a “house swap” but he had to board his tour bus before we could close a deal.