smokeybandit

7 minutes ago, xpcdoojk said:

One problem with testing and particularly self-testing.  If you are exposed today, and you get tested tomorrow you will mostly likely test as negative until about day 5.  

 

So, much for the science of testing.  

 

 

Also with the PCR tests used, you could be exposed today and still test positive 3 months from now

11 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I'm sure you have a medical degree to know that it wouldnt exist?

 

I dont need a marketing ploy to get it at my age. I've been pushing to get the vaccine. 

 

Oh it certainly exists. But the term is being used very improperly by the media and politicians. Even the WHO changed its definition conveniently just for covid.

12 hours ago, cured said:

I booked my flights for this summer as soon as SW released them. One leg is on vouchers the other leg with points. Either way, I can cancel at anytime with no penalty. And the vouchers are good till Dec 2022 so can use them next year if needed (and things are better next year.) The points will just go back into my RR account.

 

Since booking the flights last month, I have already made 4 price adjustments. Love SW even if we have to fly into LaGuardia rather than Newark for Cape Liberty.

I thought only those flights canceled in the spring had Dec 2022 dates. Otherwise it's the standard 1 year.

6 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Yes, that's what I've been saying there is no reason for rcl to take a position on a cruise that has a high probability of getting cancelled. Same same.

 

Maybe we will hit herd immunity before late fall as predicted with this new strain of covid and many many more cases. If we are waiting for herd immunity as some think, my sept booking is even a worry.

Herd immunity is a marketing ploy at this point. 

The point of the restriction on cruise greater than 7 days was to ensure proximity to ample medical facilities should there be a problem.  Plus with the majority of cruises being 7 nights or less, it was an easy cutoff.

People will be tested before they get off anyway, so that would serve as your pre-cruise test for the next leg.

But if the actual cruises here are 8/6 swaps, then it makes sense not to allow B2B on them.

The CDC order didn't mention anything about B2Bs, just the length of a single cruise.

All the ships are in warm layup.

They should be giving the points for canceled cruises at this point.

I've very rarely tipped the cabin attendant extra. There's only so much above and beyond they can really do, just the nature of the job.

I do tip the waiters due to family dietary issues and the fact we like to get in and out of the dining room pretty quick. We're not social diners who enjoy a 2 hour meal.   When the waiters handle both of those w/o us asking after the first night (and they usually do), that scores points with us.

I've tipped $20 and $40, depending on what they did for me. I'm not out there asking for trivial things, but my wife has to eat gluten free, and when the concierge brings gluten-free apps into the happy hour, that scores him points.

1 hour ago, George C said:

There is one major problem with suites, you will never wants standard cabin, again.

Our first cruise with kids we got a suite thinking the extra room would be a good thing.  It was.

Yeah, haven't booked a standard cabin since.

There's nothing in the CDC's return to sail order that prevented B2Bs.

1 minute ago, vacationlover_mn said:

DH was wondering... Do they do mixed drinks in the SL?  He loves a good old fashioned.  If they can't do them, we're contemplating bringing his favorite premade Old Fashioned mixer...  It has everything in it, just add it to the booze, and a perfect old fashioned 🙂

Sure, they do mixed drinks. 

35 minutes ago, vacationlover_mn said:

Thoughts on how long RCI will require us to only book excursions through them? 

 

Until the CDC gets its foot out of the cruise industry's butt.

22 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

My issue is I hate when they bring me drinks I didn't order. Never ends well.😉🤣🤣

 

 

Starts out fantastic though.

My best SL experience was on Adventure a few years back.  Obviously they have a limited selection of liquors, but the bartender would go find whatever you wanted (within reason of course) and keep the bottle hidden for you all week. I assume that was against the rules but he got tipped quite well:)

We used to tip at the end of the cruise for the bar staff, as not to have to carry a bunch of $1s around. But we found that the staff gives you more attention when you tip per drink (which doesn't mean they gave poor attention when you don't tip up front). Though we still tip a bit more at the end anyway.

Also note that you'll get invited to the suite/pinnacle reception one day late morning. Plenty of drinks there, too, including bloodies.

Just one suggestion though, pack lots of ones!  That way you don't have to try to break money later to get more.

I guess what I'm really saying is that if you take advantage of the evening happy hours in the lounge, you'll more than get your daily dose of alcohol, especially since you can take a fresh drink to dinner with you.

If you are in a suite and have wine with you, you don't need a beverage package unless you like to day drink or party up late.

We tip $1 per drink, and our glass is never empty (except for on the Allure one time, that bartending crew didn't seem all that into it)

1 hour ago, bouhunter said:

A post somewhere on CC recently suggested Chik Fil A do the vaccines.  Got a good laugh out of that....... but they are amazingly efficient at drive thru service..... 🙂

 

Just couldn't get vaccinated on a Sunday!

I've been fortunate to have all good concierges except one, but that cruise had a 2nd concierge coming back up to speed after vacation and he was great.

3 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Hopefully those drivers are better at immunizing people than they are at spelling it.

In most of the English speaking world, immunised is correct. Just not American English.

I wouldn't use any different rules for suite tipping than any other room.  Though I have tipped the concierge and do tip the SL bar staff handsomely (because you typically will be rewarded for such)