Eddie Wilson

On 2/23/2022 at 6:30 PM, Broons77 said:

I'd love to embark an hour from my front door, but it seems that Royal just wants nothing to do with Boston.  We're booked on a Canada cruise in the fall on Voyager, but after a handful of similar itineraries in Sept & October of 22, there's nothing on the calendar.  

Broons you are on my double secret probation list for scaring me.  

I thought our 2020 Cruise from Boston, lifted and shifted to 2021, lift & shift sequel to Fall of 2022 was again gone.  

Hopefully can can catch the Sox as we will go in a few days early.

Eddie

We had booked Trikes Aruba but something went wrong that day we were there and they did not run.

So we opted not to go back to the ship and just started a nice lazy 2 hour walk at the numerous shops near the dock.  After awhile we stopped for 2 more hours for drinks at one of those open air bars.  We were there in the middle afternoon, hardly nobody else there so we talked with the staff a long while. DW still says it was one of our best days on an island.

On Curaçao we did an island tour booked through the ship that included a cave, liquor distillery and historic government building.  This tour I would give a 6 out of 10 generally, but we needed an easy day (Try to stay out of the sun some, drive me around and show me interesting stuff or history).  So for our condition that day it was a 9 out of 10.  I’m just NOT a cave person, and should have stayed on the bus for that part.

Eddie

Don’t brand limit yourself on the islands.  I love to stop at local or street bars on islands and ask for their most popular local beer, as long as it’s cold, cold cold.  Had many a great beer, only a few duds.

Problem is without digging out my camera I can’t name them. Caribe is a nice been down in the Caribbean, only name I remember off the top of my head.

Growing up in Cincy, a beer drinking town with deep German Heritage, 

Eddie, 

Was your schedule originally showing Nassau on Sunday and sea day for Monday?

We are on the March 5 sailing, I think a mirror of yours, which continues to show the above schedule, but would rather visit Labadee rather than Nassau.

Nothing against Nassau, we like Nassau, but we were just there on our last cruise as a Labadee replacement.

Eddie

I think fear of 4 is something like ........tetra phobia

Fear of 13 is (some long word I can’t pronounce or spell) phobia.

2 hours ago, Travelling2Some said:

This.  Our family is partially Chinese and when planning weddings any table number with a 4 in it is skipped.  Never a table 4, 14 or 24 due to the bad luck connotation.

And 44 is doubly bad

5 hours ago, The sea calls my name said:

We have had three done at CVS and are going Friday for our 2/20 Cruise. We have never paid a penny.

CVS recently changed the initial questions.

One question previously asked was,......are you required to be tested for travel.....which of course was yes.  

I smell all insurance companies causing this change in questioning.

Eddie

There is Hope, Pandora has it.

Eddie

4 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Specialty coffees by Royal are sold at Cafe Promenade, Parks Cafe, newer ships usually have a coffee spot in the WJ, can order while dining in the MDR or any specialty restaurant, maybe Vitality Cafe.      They will basically make you whatever kind of coffee you want.   I like to get a cold latte with extra shot of espresso, sometimes 2 extra shots.    

On Jewel in December and the specialty coffee spot I hit at minimum twice daily was called “Latte-tudes” 

Great coffee everyday.  

If awake before the speciality coffee opens, I can tolerate the free coffee served 24 hours near Windjammer.

Eddie

1 hour ago, sandebeach said:

I am so sorry for both of you. What a bummer. Hopefully she will stay feeing okay and will have a boost to her immune system without feeling bad. 

Thank you, we have not gotten overly hyped for post Covid cruises, because we know the rules and the possibilities for a “no go”

Weird thing is we had 2 unused tests which expired late December, so for kicks and giggles we took those (without the Procter) yesterday and they were negative.  Plus she had a doctors appt Tuesday, 2 days ago and they did one before she went back, again negative.  She doesn’t have symptoms other than a runny nose which we both have from Dec till warmer weather.

She just said to me, I felt worse the day of testing for our last cruise, but that test a few months ago was also negative. 

Like I said we were shocked

thanks for your consolingly support.

Eddie

1 hour ago, ChC said:

You really need to do a PCR conformation test. Maybe too late for the cruise since you already cancelled. But for a piece of mind and have a plan for whatever happens next, a PCR confirmation test should be your first step.

Good idea, but with weather here in Cincy we are iced in until Sunday or Monday 

Just curious after reading my post, if DWs second Covid test was negative, would that have qualified?

Part of me says yes, and part says no.

Eddie

Nearing the semiquincentennial (250 years) for USA and Burns poem which included the famous lines.......

The best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry.

 Today it was DW and my turn for awry. 

Originally booked a February 4, 9 night cruise on a Forgotten Name of the Seas.  That was cancelled last year as the ship is not returning to service until April.  Since we already had flights booked, we tried to use them on another Ship.  We succeeded with Allure of the Seas, Feb 5, 8 night sailing, which just meant we flew in 2 days early instead of one.

This nasty winter storm creeps up this week, so I say to DW, let’s book a hotel at Cincinnati airport, take our Covid test using Binax when we wake up, and scoot over for morning flight.

I couldn’t sleep (normal for me before travel) so took my Covid test at about 5 this morning, negative.  DW gets up, takes her test,  POSITIVE......

We we’re both shocked, because no symptoms.  Thinking it a false positive, she took another, again positive.

I would like to commend RCL, Hilton, and Delta Air customer service reps for making the cancellation process go smoothly.  

I guess this cruise was just not to be.  This was to be our inaugural Diamond cruise, finally out of the Emerald Lounge.  Well we will get ‘em next time.

Eddie

1 hour ago, Biker19 said:

Correct. 
 

Biker, who really doesn’t understand why calendar math is so difficult. 

5 out of every 4 people have trouble with fractions.

I am not too fast at math. 

I am not too slow at math.

I am half-fast at math. 

Eddie

So by your answer I assume they use your testing location, such as Eastern Standard time.  And not the time where ever the Procter is

dont mean to be anal, but scrambling here.

How early in the day on Thursday can I take the test?

Last week it was the Northeast, this week the Middle of the country.  

Scheduled to board on Saturday Feb 5.  Can we take the at home Binax Now covid test after midnight, so lets say 12:30 AM on February 3?

Trying to get out of town BEFORE the ice hits, but we may not make it.

Eddie 

1 hour ago, cruisin from florida said:

As a former waitress, I have always tipped good service well. When I was in college that meant the Denny's waitress was tipped well. 

Best tippers in the world are current or former BARE (Bar and Restaurant Employees).

Great tippers on average get great service.  I can tell you while behind a bar in a former life, I would have difficulty seeing that guy at the crowded bar looking  for his next drink, if on his first drink he left the change after paying $5 for a $4.85 drink   

Someone leaves a nice nice tip on their first drink, easy to see them at the bar, and darn, maybe that pour was heavy. 

Eddie, an excellent tipper....

On 1/19/2022 at 12:47 PM, DCPIV said:

Yes, you can.  Do be aware (and it seems you are aware) that you need to do it early enough so that you don't run afoul of the passenger manifest requirement.

DW and I were at the Next Cruise desk in December.  At the desk next to us someone was booking the second leg of a B2B.  I have no idea what type room or possibly suite they were in, but I overheard the price was $468 for the 6 night cruise.  

At a lounge later he said.he was solo, lives in Fla, so no flights to reschedule, and was Diamond.  

I did my Ohio cypherin’ and that worked out to $78 per night for room, meals, Caribbean ports, port fees, Diamond drinks, entertainment, and .....you name it.  

In the future those deals will go the way of the Dodo Bird and the $18 drink package.

Eddie

2 hours ago, Oxo said:

Can't you turn it off? Yes.

Oxo, did I get you with a play on words? 

Is a joke. Re-read it if you missed it.

Eddie

On 1/16/2022 at 7:34 PM, Painter4me said:

Yes, sorry. It was “announced”. NOT bounced. damned autocorrect gets me all the time.

In my opinion, whoever invented AUTO-correct and go straight to he’ll.

Eddie

2 hours ago, flamingos said:

Charge cords for each device and a multi-plug of some kind to hold all of them. 

 

My newest acquisition is a set of magnetic hooks - they were awesome for hanging a few decorations, two by the door for facemasks and SeaPass lanyards, for hanging damp swimsuits so they dry better. 

 

And I always pack everything, let it sit for a day, then take everything out again, check it twice, take out a few items of clothing, and do a final pack.

A few weeks ago on Jewel a man was upset as he didn’t bring his phone charger.  He was in a shop trying to buy one, but they did not have any.  He was asking people if they had a charger he could borrow.  I told him I had 2 in my room, and he could just have one of mine.  

Purchased magnetic tic hooks prior to final pre-Covid Cruise, and they worked so well I bought more for the Jewel Cruise.  They are perfect for the face masks, lanyards, sun glasses, hats, shirts, and bathroom bag.

As for general packing, The old saying is bring half the cloths and twice the money.

Eddie

14 minutes ago, emdia43 said:

Where did you see that, on the  port webcam ?

It was posted by someone in the chat

Port cam has a departure listed as 8:45pm.  

Eddie

24 minutes ago, mackfam said:

(Do they really think anyone would want, or have room in their luggage, for 8 of their lousy pool towels)

DW and I pack an extra fabric carryon bag.  During the week we pick up chair hogs territorial towels, and take them home in this extra carryon bag.

We have supplied many kids college dorms and apartments with quality towels over the years, and expanded my book collection with some nice literary works.  

Heck, a couple of times we have picked up some RCL robes on Debarkation day from rooms with their door propped open.

Eddie

PS........don’t turn me in.

PSS......Before people get too overboard on this one,  my tongue is firmly in my cheek as I am winking at you.  

PSSS.....Maybe that could be a suggestion to thwart chair hogs.