mnocket

Wow, only took the CDC 48hrs to decide to retract their guidance. It's refreshing to see any government agency admit a mistake. CDC removes mask recommendation from monkeypox travel alert: 4 updates (beckershospitalreview.com)

I won't cruise until this is a thing of the past. I've got a 28-day cruise booked for Dec'23 and if there are still reports of mask requirements being invoked mid-cruise, I'll be canceling. As for it being an overreaction.... didn't the CDC announce a couple of days ago that they are now recommending wearing masks when traveling DUE TO MONKEYPOX! 45 cases in the USA, no deaths and it's not easily transmitted, and they are recommending masks?

6 dogs! My retirement gig is owning a cat boarding facility. We very occasionally have a client who has 6 cats, but 6 dogs I suspect is very rare - especially in Oceanside, CA. (my father was the construction manager when Leisure Village in Oceanside was built)

I agree. I've booked during the 3-Day Sale in the past and the pricing was the lowest (I.e. couldn't find a lower fare to reprice right up to departure date). However, the last couple of years the pricing/prerqs haven't been that special.

Sometimes there's a difference between what CAN be done (it's in the contract) and what SHOULD be done (good customer service/relations).

It kinda sounds like you're implying that someone who dislikes a "famous" piece of art lacks "culture". I'm pretty sure this wasn't your intention.

I would agree except HAL has a 45 day cruise on the Zuiderdam (capacity 1,964) in Oct of this year that has an overnight in Bora Bora. Since the new capacity regulations took effect in January, it would be incredibly dishonest of HAL to have not revised their itinerary if they know they will not be stopping in Bora Bora. That's why I'm speculating that they are reducing their capacity on this sailing to 1,200, but I really don't know.

I've looked at this itinerary, I like that it has an overnight in Bora Bora. Since the Zuiderdam has a capacity of 1,964 passengers and Bora Bora limits passengers to 1,200, how does HAL pull this off? Are they limiting the ship occupancy to 1,200?

Great pictures. The weather Gods have certainly blessed you!

I'm sorry this is happening to you. It does seem that the changes required by "routine" engine maintenance are impacting the desirability of the cruise for your group. I put "routine" in quotes because it seems something other than routine if the ship must sail at reduced speed until the maintenance is performed. That's probably cruise-speak for "there's something wrong with the ship, but we don't want to say that - it's just routine". As much of a PITA it is to reschedule for a future sailing, it may not be practical (10 people's schedules, yikes). The best course of action may well be to set these disappointments aside and make the best of your cruise. Remember, any cruise is better than a day in the office!

Thank You. This is exactly what I meant when I said the Mona Lisa became famous after the theft.

We did this cruise right before cruising was shut down by Covid. Samoa was bypassed - not because of Covid, but because of a Measles outbreak. We absolutely loved this cruise and had planned to do it again until Bora Bora was dropped from the itinerary. Our cruise had 2 days in Bora Bora and 1 in Papeete. 3 days in Papeete is no offset for missing 2 days in Bora Bora. Patrick's tour in Bora Bora was the highlight of the entire trip. If I'd never done this cruise before I'd still consider it, but with the itinerary change I'll pass on a second go-round. Also if you don't enjoy sea days this is probably not a good choice. We love sea days, but I must admit 8 straight sea days on the return got to be a bit tedious even for us.

One thing I learned from this thread...... Now is a good time to buy airline stocks📜

I'm with you. People try to justify them by saying it's like owning an original piece of art. Nonsense! An original piece of physical art is distinct from any copies that are made from it. There is the original and there are copies (e.g. prints, posters, etc.). They are not identical. An NFT on the other hand is indistinguishable from copies - being digital it can be reproduced with 100% fidelity. The point of an NFT is to certify the one and only original digital file (i.e. the first instance). To me this is a distinction without a difference. Since this original file and its duplicates are identical, who cares which is the original. They are identical!

Vegas is one of those places where you need to do what you enjoy. Some enjoy gambling, some enjoy the shows, some enjoy the restaurants. If none of these things appeal to someone, then Vegas is a place best skipped. I can understand why some people love Vegas and I can also understand why some people hate Vegas. It is certainly a place where fun can be had and dreams can be crushed.

I'm sure they are doing this to improve our cruising experience😏 https://www.thestreet.com/investing/royal-caribbean-makes-a-change-customers-wont-like?puc=yahoo&cm_ven=YAHOO I'm hoping this article misrepresents the announcement, if not this is not good news.

Here's an article about today's announcement by RCL that they are changing their cancellation policy and doing away with Future Cruise Credits. https://www.thestreet.com/investing/royal-caribbean-makes-a-change-customers-wont-like?puc=yahoo&cm_ven=YAHOO

Perhaps, but one word of caution....... spouse replacement therapy doesn't always turn out well😁

I have often left my e-reader on my pool lounge/table while I went for a dip. Never worried about it and never had a problem. Life's too short to be overly concerned about things that can be easily replaced.

Not to start a prolonged off-topic argument, but even this supports the notion that it is famous for being famous. However, I have no dog in this hunt and am willing to acknowledge that I have no first hand knowledge of how famous the painting was prior to it being stolen - I'm just repeating what I have read which may be wrong.

It wasn't that famous until it got stolen in 1911 by a museum worker. The papers made a big deal about it and touted how "famous" it was (click bait in the early 1900's). When it was recovered a few years later everyone wanted to see it. Ever since it's been famous for being famous.

Off Topic.... Seems not everyone appreciates the Mona Lisa Actually, it's a climate protestor who for some reason believes that smearing cake on the painting will further the cause of environmentalism. As you know it's protected by glass so no harm done.

I hope the second time is a charm. I've recently booked our first Amazon cruise for Dec'23. I sure hope this bucket list item lives up my expectations (which have been reduced somewhat).

I just started reading the 2017 threads. One thing that surprised me right off the bat was the discussion of Visas for travel to Brazil. I'm guessing things have changed as my quick research indicates that Brazil does not currently require Visas for Visitors? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

They already have your picture. Facial scans when you get on/off the ship don't really further compromise your privacy. I believe facial recognition software works off both photos and live scans. If the US government was collecting passenger images from cruise ships, they'd already have yours with or without facial scans.