ajm

I know when I was researching the port of Santorini, I was very discouraged about stories of how long the lines were for the cable car to get to Fira from the port and back down.  To mitigate this, I booked a ships excursion (Village of Oia On Your Own - Royal Caribbean) that would at least end up dropping us off at Fira so that we only had to be concerned about the trip down.  

That morning I woke up not feeling well and decided to stay behind while my family went on the excursion.  However a couple hours later, I was feeling much better and decided to meet them in Fira to explore that town.  That meant I had to get to the top on my own since I missed the excursion that bussed them to the top.  With a total of four ships in port, by the time I got off and into port, the line for the cable car was very long so I decided to walk up as far as I could to at least get some pictures.  This is my opinion about walking the donkey path.

There is indeed a  smell along the path but it's not unlike walking through the barns at the state fairs in the US.  It is not the most pleasant smell but I didn't think it was overwhelming.  There is also some poop and pee along the path but it was easy enough to walk around.  The biggest issue I had was when the donkeys would come along and they would get very close to you.  If your are timid around animals, this could be a problem but I would simply nudge them out of my way.  They are actually quite docile.  I learned that if  you jut put your hand out at their eye level, they will simply walk right around you.

As for the walk up, I did make it all the way to the top.  There are about 600 steps and they are spaced pretty far apart where you need to take a couple steps between each one that goes up.  You wind back and forth and it is a fairly gentle grade going up but it will make you winded.  I am in my mid 50's and in ok shape but nothing spectacular.  I walk maybe a couple miles a day with my dog and bike occasionally.  I'm overweight by 25 lbs and not even close to an athlete but had very little problem making it up.  I was certainly winded and sweaty but would just take stops along the way to admire the view.  That said, on the way down I did come across a much younger person who looked like they were about to faint and their family was attending to them.  It really depends on your fitness level.  

After touring around with my family, most of us decided to walk it back down based on my success in going up.  Going down was in some ways more difficult.  I never noticed it being slippery on the way up but I did slip a couple of times on the way down.  So did one of my adult kids.  For the most part it is fine but you will occasionally find a few rocks that are slick.  You just need to take your time and watch where you are planting your feet.  

For what it's worth, if I were to visit the port again, I would walk it again both up and down.   I can't imagine how long the cable car line took for the ride up when I was there but I'm sure it was hours.  I didn't time how long it took me to walk the path but I would guess about 45 minutes up and maybe 20 down.  I do know part of our group who took the cable car down waited over an hour and we came back relatively early and the line wasn't too long.  Even if the line were short, the views along the path were some of the best we had.  There aren't a lot of people so you can get some great pictures. 

It's definitely not for everyone but I just wanted to assure those who might be considering it and are healthy that it is doable and can even be a good experience.

14 hours ago, SilkySal said:

Yes, you can only have 8 max on-line. It did not do me any good to email or call dining services. I was told to go see the MTD manager as soon as I boarded to add the others to our table, which worked like a charm! We had a huge round table for 10 every night in MTD! Perfect! Good luck and cheers!

 

You will need to set a time for this each night, as well.

Thank you... I'll give this a shot

We have a group of 10 with My Time Dining.  I am trying to make reservations in advance on the web site but it only allows me to select a maximum of 8 individuals.  Is this the max you can do for My Time Dining?  I'm trying to avoid sitting on the phone so don't want to call in if it is indeed the max.  We may have to switch to reserved seating if we all want to dine together.

I've read horror stories in some reviews where picking up a car rental at Budget after a cruise can result in long lines to get the rental.  We are currently planning to rent a car at the airport and then drop it off at the Budget Port Canaveral rental location the morning of our cruise.  

Does anyone know if we will have to wait in the same lines as the people picking up a car to drop ours off?  I couldn't tell if they had a separate drop off area like other rental places and, since it is smaller, I was afraid we might be faced with the long lines of people getting off the cruise before we get there to drop ours off.

I sent in a request last Friday (Sep 9) for a Cruise coming up in mid December and received a response the following day (Saturday, Sep 10) saying the credit has been applied to our account. 

I just sent an email to shareholders@carnival.com with proof of shares and a copy of our cruise booking.  I was very surprised how quickly they responded.

We just got back from a cruise and rented one of these.  They are indeed close to each other but once you are sitting in them, they feel very private.  The one we had was situated on a dune so the chair isn't really flat but it angled toward the ocean which was not too bad.  They can also cut out any breeze when you are sitting in them.

It turned out that we didn't spend much time in it.  Between swimming and walking around to see things, there wasn't much time spent laying on the chairs.  That said, we would probably get them again because there isn't any other way to get shade when sitting on the beach and the price was worth it for us.

Be sure to get off the ship early though.  They fill up really fast near the ship and you will need to walk further to find one as the day progresses.

We just got back from a cruise out of Miami and used Verifly.  It went very smooth.  We had our documents in case we needed them but they only checked the Verify app which had both our information entered and we were quickly on our way.

We cruised over New year 2021/2022 as well where we didn't use Verifly.  Using Verifly was maybe a bit quicker and we didn't need to produce our documents but both experiences were similar. Overall I would use Verifly again if offered but will still have the documents carried with me in case it is needed so it doesn't save a lot.

27 minutes ago, BamaMomRollTide said:

 

This is the million dollar question.  Doesn’t everyone get some deal?  I don’t think I got an amazing deal at all.  I got some discount probably, but nothing to brag about. Yet my stock OBC was denied.

This is the same for me.  It was a discount but nothing great.  We did apply our on board credit that we got when our previous cruise was cancelled due to the pandemic.  I now wonder if that played into their decision somehow.  It would have been nice to understand what went into their thinking.  Even a "hey we are being a little more strict now because of all the losses we had when shut down" would have gone a long way into understanding and accepting the decision.  It's just the apparent randomness that raises my eyebrows.

YES!  I also remember how you were almost penalized for showing up early.  You had to stand towards the back where there was no air movement as others filed in front of you.  And, you had to wait the longest in the heat.  Those who showed up late had the prime standing.

Definitely a huge improvement though I do miss the pictures of the kids in their lifejackets.

5 minutes ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

You fit right in around here!  😁 🏴‍☠️

Thanks!

I was just denied.  I booked a cruise the week after Christmas through New Year's.  Technically it was a "deal" for past guests but no more than any of the deals they provided before the pandemic.  It is a holiday cruise and was not at all cheap.  

As soon as the stock gets a big higher, I may very well sell and invest elsewhere.  Luckily I bought during the pandemic-induced dip.  Sure, they won't even notice but it gives my petty little mind a little satisfaction.

On 11/10/2021 at 7:58 AM, CookieShip said:

It should have the extended expiration date, you can compare lot numbers https://www.emed.com/hubfs/Case 01269955-COL-03030 BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Home Test Product Expiry Update - Customer Letter EN - US.pdf?hsLang=en

You are correct, the dates have been extended.  Wish I hadn't already bought a set since it appears the free ones from the library are good.  Guess I have backups if I need them

My wife just picked up some of these yesterday from a library (in Ohio) and the expiration dates were November 5.  Already expired.  I'm not sure if they will be accepted or not.

I am immunosuppressed and  considering taking a cruise again.  From what I read, there really doesn't seem to be many reports of outbreaks on cruise ships.  I am vaccinated and a few months ago I did catch COVID.  I only had mild symptoms and was over it pretty quick.  I will be getting the third shot as well.

I would be interested to hear if any other immune compromised individuals have sailed recently and how they felt about it.  Overall, did you feel it was safe or is it still too risky from your perspective.  I know those with compromised immune systems sometimes look at things differently.

Thanks!

6 hours ago, mac21902 said:

I beg to differ. I think it depends on the family as my kids have only have been to the kids club once in all the cruises we have taken them on. We've never tried to take them to an adults only place but we find family friendly things to do with them onboard. 

Same for us.  We always let the kids go to the kids club on the first day to see if they wanted to go back.  Sometimes they would but most times they wanted to hang out as a family and enjoy family activities with us.  We went on the cruises knowing it was a family vacation and were not looking for babysitters.  Now that our kids are grown adults, I'm so happy we spent that time together with them.

10 hours ago, richfret said:

OK!  The CDC has convinced me not to cruise.  So instead, I will go to a restaurant for breakfast.  Then fly on a plane to another city.  Then go to a Super Market for some soda.  Then lunch in a restaurant.  Proceed to a ball game.  Then super in a restaurant.  Finally see a movie and end the day staying in a hotel where someone with the virus could have slept yesterday.  They are absolutely right.  Cruising is more dangerous.  

Although I agree that cruising may not be any more risky than other venues on land, I do think you need to consider what happens if you do contract COVID in both circumstances.  If you get it while at the restaurant, you will most likely be near a hospital or other emergency facility where you can get help if needed.  If  you get it on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean, your choices of health care are much more limited (at least for most of us).

Why would anyone needing oxygen or dialysis even consider a cruise at this time?  Getting COVID can be dangerous for otherwise healthy individuals.... for those with other issues, it can be much, much worse.  Those with underlying conditions may not have as much of a response to the vaccine and, even if they do, the vaccine does not prevent you from getting COVID.

I am immunosuppressed.  Other than that, I'm quite healthy.  I, personally, would not even consider a cruise at this time.  It is just not worth the risk to me.  I agree you need to live life but there are a LOT of other, safer options for vacationing at this time.

I don't think what Carnival is doing is discriminating.  I think it is providing common sense to a community that may not be thinking things all the way through.

2 hours ago, bafinegan said:

FYI, I am currently in the study testing Pfizer's booster shot ( I was in the original study testing Pfizer's vaccine last year).  I was told it should be out in the next couple months.  The booster covers the Delta ( and other ) variants.  Pretty sure I got the vaccine and not the placebo because I had "the reaction".  It was mild, but definately a reaction.

That's great news.  Thanks!

6 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Perfect.  I hope you have a wonderful cruise!

My Dh is immune compromised and has been talking about getting himself a 3rd shot even though his doc hasn't said to do it yet.

I am immune compromised as well and my doctor advised me to hold off for now until they know more.  In my case, I take medication to suppress my immune system and they don't want a booster shot to result in firing up the immune system.  I expect soon we will get approved for the booster.

1 minute ago, JMKreno said:

I would have cancelled my Royal Caribbean cruise with our 6 year old. I was not about to lose my deposit (they said no refund). They also said I had to use the credit within 12 months. With Royal only having a single ship on the west coast, and another Carnival cruise already booked next year, I don't have enough time off to take another cruise until late 2023 at this point. It's not just our cruise, but we have other groups going with us (my side of the family) who won't cruise without us (they go on on 30+ day cruises all the time, they are only going with us because we do a family trip every couple years). 

 

However, they won't budge until they "roll out rules for our specific cruise" which isn't likely for a couple months. I have no intention of losing out on the amount of $ I already paid (which is more than the deposit but less than the final payment). I will see what happens in 3 months. If the vaccine becomes available she will get the shot day 1. I will see how things are before we go, but the schools have 0 issues here having them return with no masks in August, so going on a cruise with a mask for her would be no different than going many places today...

Yeah.... that's tough.  Risk vs reward.  I hope things work out for you.  

16 hours ago, ipeeinthepool said:

You know what I don't understand?  I want to cruise again under normal conditions as much as much as anyone.  I also don't have any young children.  Covid is still out there and children will catch it.  Sure most kids won't get seriously ill but some will.  I don't understand why anyone wants to take that risk with their children.  If I had a young child we wouldn't cruise as a family until everyone could get vaccinated or Covid fades into the sunset.  Just my opinion.  I don't understand Royal's approach.

I couldn't agree more.  I just could not risk my child's health so that I could resume the vacation I wanted.  There are many other vacations that can be taken which are safer.  I guess some people fee the risk is worth the reward.

22 hours ago, TNcruising02 said:

All lockdowns did was slow the process of a natural spread.  I'm not sure why people think lockdowns will stop a virus.

And buy some time to get a vaccination so not everyone has to get the virus.

10 hours ago, Auntiemomo said:

If that's the case, they probably shouldn't cruise, wouldn't you think?

I'm immunosuppressed and I cruised only a few months after receiving an organ transplant a couple years ago.  Yes, precautions have to be taken but we are not frail and can live a very full and rewarding life even though the medication suppresses our immune system.  However, with COVID, we do need to be extra careful and tend to get frustrated knowing that the only true path to us enjoying any semblance or normalcy is through herd immunity.  The vaccine, although approved for us and many of us have received it, is showing very questionable effectiveness.  I understand people's hesitancy towards getting the vaccine but many of  us pray that one day we will reach this so-called herd immunity so that we can also enjoy some of the excitement that most are getting with the restrictions being removed.

11 hours ago, BND said:

Some people won't produce the antibodies others do or at a lower rate.  For example, my sister is RH- and her DH is RH+.  She' had Rhogam shots with both her pregnancies but didn't respond to them.  Her second child, her daughter was delivered at 37 weeks and required intensive UV light therapy because of it.  She just doesn't produce the response necessary.  As a result, she was told to not have any more children as the next one probably wouldn't survive or would be very premature.  Not everyone responds the same way to meds/vaccines.  Now, Rhogam isn't a vaccine but it's supposed to block the antibody reaction that causes problems in babies/pregnancy.  I know of others who when pregnant didn't have rubella antibodies even though they'd had the vaccine.  It happens.

This is true for the current vaccine in patients taking immunosuppressant medications.  People with arthritis and organ transplant recipients are examples.  A study by Johns Hopkins showed little to no response in transplant patients taking a certain medication.  Just because someone has received the vaccine and have their card does not mean they are protected.  I'm sure they will find other pockets of people who do not have a strong response to the vaccine for various reasons.

These posts have been an interesting read.  One thing that is becoming apparent is that, given the strong exchanges I've been reading, it could be quite entertaining onboard between the two sides of the issue especially once the drinks start flowing.  Grab a seat in the back and wait for the fun.