cantstopingcruising

Most Hawaii cruises involve 4 sea days in each direction to reach the islands and then a visit to some of the islands, depending on the number of days in total. Scenery is beautiful. Hilo is very rainy.

Greek Islands....aah! There aren't many cruises that concentrate on the islands. Usually Italy is included.

Personally, I would fly to Athens. Spend some time there. Then choose 2-3 islands, depending on the number of days you have available. Papa mentioned Crete. Wonderful. So much history. We divided our time between Heraklion and an amazing  resort .  Santorini, although touristy, is amazing. We spent a week in Imeroviglia and we could walk to Fira (long walk). We even walked to Oia.  A huge hike! There is so much to see on both islands, it can't be done in one day.  And the food....forget cruise ship food!!!

Best Months would be May or September/early October.

We were booked on a Celebrity cruise May 2021 that did more Greek ports than usual. Of course, you know what happened to that cruise. Sadly.

What happened to How are Things Where You Are?

I liked to find out how Covid was in different areas.

Why was it eliminated?

Did I miss something awful?

20 minutes ago, nocl said:

Certainly to be effective needs to be surgical grade at least, n95 and kn95 recommended. Also needs to be worn tight to face. if loose enough to slip down it is too loose to provide value.

I wear a cloth mask over the surgical mask to help keep it in place. And it has a Chanel Logo in rhinestones, so is fun!

I don't care what the government says. My cleaning lady tested positive and I will wait at least 14 days before she can come back. I would rather err on the side of caution.

14 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

What we did when we were on a B3B for 3 weeks on the Edge in August was to make riding the elevators a game. We would only get on the elevator if no one was on it. Then if someone decided to get on the elevator before we reached our floor, we would get off at that floor, then walk the rest of the way using the stairs. I know, we shouldn’t have to do that, but we wanted to keep having a great time and that was just one way we avoided the stress of riding the elevator. 😎

That was good thinking!  But we don't know if the OP can do the stairs.

On 10/17/2021 at 1:33 PM, Zhaan said:

What is the seating like on Celebrity ships in the MDR (main dining room) since the restart after COVID? We've done "dining anytime" on previous (pre-COVID) cruises and loved it, but as a couple, while at our own table, there was usually a couple on either side of us at their own table and our tables were so close it was like sitting at the same table. Have the tables been spaced out any and/or will they allow requests to be seated with some space from other guests? While I am vaccinated, I have a compromised immune system, so we haven't gone back to indoor dining in restaurants yet and we have a Celebrity cruise in November. I still plan to wear a mask (even though not required) any time I'm inside, but obviously I can't do that while eating. 

 

I know I can get room service, but I really enjoy the MDR, so I'm hoping I can safely eat there as well. Thanks!

Another big problem on a cruise ( or any hi-rise) is the elevators.  We live in a building and everyone respects those who wish to be alone in the elevator. I'd like to see what would happen if you told cruisers they couldn't get on with you. There would be a mutiny! I would look for a safer vacation environment. I wish you the best.

My favourites:  bacio and tiramisu.  Not sure if they have them on the ships

15 minutes ago, Arzeena said:

 

Thank you for replying.

Did the others wear masks in the elevators, too?

I don't know if anyone addressed this issue, but I am very concerned about the elevators. 

Are they crowded?

And do people wear masks in the elevators?

Thanks

IMHO the gelato on the ship is not great. My DH won't even eat it.. So I take two scoops (not necessarily the same day. 

But give me real Italian gelato. Wow! That's worth every calorie!

I have no problem with this new directive.

Less people = less virus.

With the new variant, we have enough to worry about locals passing it around, we don't need visitors to add to the mix.

You probably won't like me saying this, but I would go to a lovely hotel in Athens for at least 5 nights and the choose one or two of the islands and stay somewhere fabulous.

At least you will experience Greece and get to eat Greek food. If you can go for only 12 nights, I would spend a full week in Athens and take a few day tours outside Athens. Then I would choose one island Santorini or Crete for the second week. Rhodes would be on my list because I have never been there!

You can get a suite on a cruise ship  in the Caribbean where the ship is the destination.

8 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

Brats aren't hot dogs, they're Bratwurst!👨‍🍳

I don't think I have ever eaten Bratwurst.  I guess I am not sophisticated (lol)

My philosophy is that if there are enough people, there will be "all kinds", wherever you go.

There are some truly wealthy people who choose suites, and some who are not wealthy.  Same with any other cabin category. (Yes, there are wealthy cruisers who choose insides, too!!)

When I read about them eating Brats, I thought the poster was a kid-hater and was being snide!! Being Canadian, I never heard of Brats hot dogs. I haven't eaten a hot dog since my kids grew up!

And we buy Maille dijon mustard.  And we usually book insides. And we are not wealthy(lol).

Many years ago, we were told by staff that the price included the tip.

I don't see why that would have changed without notification.

Personally, I think the powers- that- be leave it vague because they don't want to tell pax to tip on top of their extra charges,, but they figure that if they leave it questionable, some will tip and that's OK with them.

Was this clear????

59 minutes ago, Tee & Chilli said:

With school starting in most parts of the U.S, can we expect less children on board?

More important, what will the schools be doing to prevent major outbreaks

All these safety measures may have worked before the Delta variant. 

But, now, the more the variant spreads, the more difficult it will be to contain it.

I think this is a possibility for all of us.

Any one of us could be asymptomatic at any time.

It is unlikely that the US would do a study for a vaccine that they don't even use.

That doesn't make it any less valid.

Many cruisers are not from the US and they don't live by US regulations.

3 hours ago, bigbeergut said:

 

If you do not have symptoms, it's unlikely you will infect anyone.  Even for the Delta variant, its unlikely you will have enough of the virus to harm anyone.  If you have symptoms, you will need another plan for a few days.

Using your logic, asymptomatic people with positive results will be allowed on the cruise ship.

I don't think so.

16 minutes ago, bigbeergut said:

 

Or you just get back on the airplane and fly home if you are not showing any symptoms

What? And spread it to all the other passengers?

44 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

And if we test positive pre-cruise after getting to Seattle- then what?  

Exactly

We are supposed to sail Jan. 24. We will arrive in Florida Jan. 17 from Canada.

As Canadians, will we be able to get a free test at Walgreen's or CVS?

Today, on the radio, I heard a doctor say that mixing vaccines was a sound medical decision and not accepting them is a bureaucratic decision.

Ah, but here in Canada, the covid shot record is in my maideh name and my passport and cruise booking is in my married name.  I will have to bring extra proof!  I'll need a brief case for all the papers!