Nymich

1 minute ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Just got the awaited announcement from the Captain about the rest of our ports:

•  Jan. 22 – St. Vincent cancelled – now Sea Day

•  Jan. 23 – St. Kitts cancelled – now a second call at St. Maarten from 7 to 7

•  Jan. 24 – St. Lucia cancelled – now Tortola 7 to 7

•  Jan. 25 – St. Barts is still on! – arriving earlier:  7 to 4

•  Jan. 26 – still Sea Day

•  Jan. 27 – still Sea Day

•  Jan. 28 – still disembarking in Miami

 

All in all a nice save imo

41 minutes ago, ToxM said:

You are having a great adventure with lovely food and a great view and great weather. it’s all good 🙂

 

Chin up, take one for the team and “endure” the unexpected with a glass in hand and a slab of lobster in the other 🙂

 

Some adventures and memories have to take an unexpected turn to become adventures and memories 🙂

Actually I don't think the morale from the Guests on the Ship is anything like you are describing and if my post sounded like complaining that  wasn't my intention.  It was laughing at pandemic cruising during this large surge

3 minutes ago, pilgrimage said:

 

Look on the bright side - a vacation you'll *never* forget!

I hear you!  My expectations were so low they have already been exceeded.  It is a trip though in more ways than one!

I just hope they are on "Island time" when they start banging on those containers in the morning!

1 hour ago, macaroni said:

That is what I am afraid of…no st. Vincent since they canceled the testing tomorrow. I was in Jacques when it was announced about the testing and people applauded…do that not realize that it then means no St. Vincent. I asked reception about it and they don’t know anything.

also, during dinner several passengers walked around, going in and out and did not have their masks on and no one said anything to them.

Yep applause......unreal.

Grenada gone..... St Vincent gone (most likely) due to no tests that they require and Captain said we leave at 7pm tomorrow.  Currents says we leave at 7pm on the front page and 11 pm on the inside daily schedule tomorrow for St. Vincent? Reception just told me the 11pm "Sailaway" to St Vincent is a Bar on the Ship?  You can't make this sh** up!

We will be parked here 30 plus hours from when we got here this morning because I'm not sure we know where we are going next.

We are on day 17 of 24 as we head towards who knows where......

Taking in the beautiful views LOL.  For those about to cruise expect the unexpected.

Funny thing is I knew this would be a trip to try to pull 24 days off during this surge.......and it has been. From a quarantining next door neighbor to a complete trip change to now this leg which is starting to rock and roll with its own flavor with the entertainment regulars impacted to being unexpectedly parked here. As for the Crew God bless them they just keep smiling and delivering. I bid you goodnight with this beautiful view. Day 7 of this leg of our cruise is in the books.....halfway done.

I just saw and finished reading your entire story.  Currently on another line on day 17 of 24 days and yes quarantining is here also.

Your story will help alot of people make the right choice for themselves as to whether to cruise or not.  I hereby with the power not vested to me award you THE Gold Star for contributions to the Cruising Community that are over and above that which is required. 💥

The Business Plan was to dump the small ships so it would be quite the turn-around to go and purchase what they just got rid of.  

4 hours ago, brittany12 said:

I'm just wondering the regret level of those traveling now under far less than ideal circumstances  of  catching Covid and worry over possible quarantining, skipping ports, constant masking and frequent testing,  and those about to embark on a cruise the next few months risking the same thing.  Did you go or are you going  because you did not want to lose the money under the severe cancellation penalties and just take the risk you deemed acceptable no matter what? 

Wish you had taken out expensive CFAR insurance so you could have cancelled int time ? Just how enjoyable has it been on the scale of 1 to 10? Compared to the old, care-free days. There are those who are fearless or at least put on a very brave face in these ship reports and those who did not cancel in time, feel trapped, and those who tested positive and had to suffer the quarantining. Would you do it again?

Brittany this is an excellent question.  We are close to completing our 5th cruise since October and would like to give this an honest answer.  I can't right now because we are dead beat self excursion invoked tired!  ( I will say we have no regrets even though it was quite different than pre covid)I would like to take a shot at fully answering perhaps when this one is finished.  Great question.

1 hour ago, espmass said:

 

My favorite Antigua beach and that's where we plan to go when we are there.  Mind telling me the cost of the cab these days?  Thanks.

We got our own cab $15 for 2 each way.  I heard that was higher than some who paid $10 but they shared. Gave her a nice tip because she came back at exactly the time we requested to be picked up.

We went next to Sandals Resort. Lounge chairs were $5 each (silly good price) and umbrellas were $12.

Hope that helps.

1 hour ago, azlatina said:

Hi Nymich, on your previous cruise I believe your sources told you appx passenger count on current cruise, would you be able to inquire how many they expect for Jan. 28th cruise. I am still planning on being on that cruise. Appreciate any info you can get.  Thank you.

They didn't know until like the night before due to cancels etc...  hopefully one of us can get you a number.......

12 minutes ago, Barrest24 said:

Where did you go to the beach in Antigua? 

Dickinson Bay

4 minutes ago, rheasue38 said:

Hi!

where was Riviera today? 
rhea

Antigua glorious day on the Beach!

17 minutes ago, Jayne E said:

 

Should you have dinner with  another couple and one or both of them thereafter tests positive, would that require you to be considered “a close contact” and forced to quarantine?

Not sure if anyone has an answer but it’s something to think about. 

That is another good question.  I bet the expert/s will say it's in the Sailsafe!  LMAO

5 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Because Oceania operates in the US, it is subject to regulation by the Federal Maritime Commission. “‘Mumbo Jumbo’  is not allowed.” And, if you are lucky enough to live in California, put !!! at the end of that since Oceania is subject to regulations governing “sellers of travel.”

However, there are countries/states of residence without those protections, in which case someone might be subject to FCC only.

Zzzzzzzzzzz

We already know what the legal mumbo jumbo is in the Sailsafe.  Someday I will see how it was actually applied to a case.  None of the people commenting here..... including me..... have first hand knowledge of a quarantine event and how the mighty answer  "Sailsafe" was applied.   Let's move on I give up. Sailsafe is King.

35 minutes ago, jazznruby said:

 

 

 (The part that's unclear to me is 'if required by law"

I agree.  

9 hours ago, jazznruby said:

From Sail SAFE FAQ...If I test positive for COVID-19 during a cruise and have to quarantine, will I receive a full refund? Guests who test positive for COVID-19 during their cruise and are required to quarantine will receive a pro-rated cash refund or a pro-rated Future Cruise Credit. 

While it is good to know what Sailsafe SAYS I would love to see how it is presented and what they actually DO financially with the lost days when someone is quarantined?  (cash... Fcc) Not what they SAY they will do.  Hope that makes sense.

For that I would need a first hand account from someone who WAS quarantined before I really trust a thing as to how smoothly it would go in that event.

If it is you paid with cash you get cash or you paid with FCC you get FCC that I clearly understand but it seems vague at the end imo

2 minutes ago, gbits said:

Has O offered to give your MIL and her friend anything to compensate for having to spend the majority of their cruise quarantined in their cabin?

Now that is a good question.

A good piece of info here imo:

On the last cruise many of you are aware that we had a quarantined cabin next door for the last 8 of the 10 days.   For this cruise O has left that cabin EMPTY.  This leads me to believe that they value our health and hopefully this makes people feel comfortable as they board on future cruises.  My guess is they have protocols to sanitize and prefer to leave such cabins empty.

4 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

If we’re looking at the same Currents and tomorrow is Wednesday January 19, arriving in Antigua, it would be Day 6 of our cruise and the Riviera Show Band is scheduled to play in Horizons at 6:30 PM.

I am losing track of days lol.  Yes Day 6 and I do see the one Show you noted.  I am glad one band is still able to entertain. 

The others are still absent everybody.

What a difference a week makes!  Day 7 Currents out for tomorrow and NONE of the O signature acts on the schedule.

Bellissimo String Quartet, Sync Session, Riviera Show Band and Riviera Production Company are all shut down and not listed.

I am glad we did the Jan. 4 because we saw them all alot!

For those on the 1/28 you should have them all back up and entertaining by then.  

I hope the ports hold up for this cruise because it offsets the lack of entertainment.  

1 minute ago, catgirl411 said:

Please tell me that once I am on board that I will be able to relax somewhat.  On Sunday, We still have to get through a 2 hour winter drive to the airport (yesterday’s major storm here reminded me of that possibility), pre-flight testing, a flight to Miami, four days in Miami, including a trip to Miami Beach for a PCR test and the the pre-boarding  antigen test and check-in process for our Jan 28th sailing. It should be a relief to be on board because the stress beforehand is worse than normal.

I think you will be able to relax but come with reduced itinerary and reduced entertainment expectations.  The Jan. 4 cruise was the port surprises and imo the Jan 14th has been the dive in entertainment.  We have had an awesome 15 days so far!

Maybe by the time you step on the Ship all will be back on track.  🙂

2 minutes ago, tgg said:

So sorry to hear that they will have to spend the next 10 days in quarantine. What a way to test a friendship.

+1

On 1/15/2022 at 1:04 PM, Flatbush Flyer said:

You may want to review the 1/4/22 Riviera post where it was mentioned by someone that the cabin next to theirs was folks who had tested positive while onboard and became quarantined without needing to move.

You may want to review the thread as well before you misquote me like that.  I never used the terminology "tested positive or said anyone has covid!  I like to report..... not be an O cheerleader or a negative basher.

28 minutes ago, Baz-t said:

 Paul the cruise director scheduled to do all on board activities tomorrow. No support from his other colleagues. 

Good catch on that one.  Looked at the Currents and it does seem bare.

Last cruise it said Afternoon Tea with Bellissimo String Quartet now it just says Afternoon Tea.

BTW we had a nice visit tonight with OP macaroni out on the Terrace aft.  We had some good laughs out there!

3 hours ago, Jayne E said:

Did you port today? 
Any explanation about casino, entertainment…..have these people become ill?

Thanks for info. 

These are fair questions.

We now have day 5 of Currents with tomorrow's schedule so here are the facts:

Bellissimo String Quartet played every day on Jan. 4 cruise. Not scheduled today or tomorrow.  

Sync Session party band pool deck and Horizons absent as well. Played every night on Jan 4 cruise. Not scheduled tomorrow.

1st Riviera Production show last night was cancelled. (Or postponed whichever one prefers)  All 4 shows went as scheduled on Jan 4 cruise.  Tomorrow night the Riviera Lounge is playing a movie.

Riviera Show Band has been playing daily like Jan 4 cruise.

Pianist has been playing daily like Jan 4 cruise.

Slots and tables show closed again tomorrow. Ran as scheduled on Jan 4 cruise.

I can't say if they are ill or not.  This is a huge difference in entertainment from the Jan 4 cruise for sure.

Today was a Sea day tomorrow St. Maarten.