mattshwink

6 hours ago, vicnsue said:

Will someone in the industry please answer the question, does the governor have the authority to tell them how to run their business!

 

 

 

No one really knows.  Not in the industry, nor even the Governor himself.  OK, that's a bit misleading.  The problem really is that:

1.  Yes the Governor (and legislature) can regulate business in their state BUT

2.  The countries on the itinerary can require vaccination (or deny entry to the entire ship if vaccination is not required) AND

3. The CDC is asserting jurisdiction here through the Commerce clause of the Constitution.  Since the port is manned/staffed by Coast Guard, Customs, and Immigration it's clear that some Federal jurisdiction applies

The real question that no one can yet answer is does the CDC supersede Florida in this instance?  That's for courts to figure out (if it gets that far).  It also all could become moot if cases/hospitalizations/deaths continue to drop and all restrictions are removed.  

The case that was filed by Florida (and joined by Alaska and Texas) - Farmer v Book has been ordered to mediation which must take place by June 1st, per the court (so very soon).  But the mediation might not have any outcome (in other words, it could go back to the court).  If that happens it could take a while to resolve things.  The judge already denied lifting the rules before sending them to mediation.  And, even if the judge where to say summarily rule that the current rules be lifted immediately (highly unlikely, given he already refused to do so) it could be appealed and stayed.  In other words, if mediation doesn't work the case could drag on for months.  We haven't heard anything about the mediation yet, either, and we're headed into a holiday weekend.  Lawyers don't like working over holiday weekends anymore then the rest of us do.

26 minutes ago, Junonia said:

Amen my friend. Critical thinking is key. 

Personal (or close, anyway) experience from 2020:

We have a close family friend with three children.  At the time the ages were 15 (boy), 13 (boy) and 10 (girl).  The 13 yo had been exposed and had a severe reaction to SARs years before and was considered immuno comprised.  Everyone else was considered healthy.  The 15 yo was a multi-sport athlete in high school.

In April 2020 both parents tested positive for COVID, with mild symptoms.  The father had cold-like symptoms and was lethargic.  The mother showed no outward symptoms (he was 50, she was late 40s).  They all, at the advice of their doctor, self-isolated at home.  The immuno compromised child never left his room.  We (friends) coordinated bringing them meals so that they didn't have to leave the house and could self-isolate in different areas of the home.  10 days later (early May) the 15 yo tested positive and within two days was hospitilized with breathing difficulties.  36 hours later he was in ICU and didn't wake up again until just before Memorial Day.  His brother (who was immuno comprimisied) was hospitilized right before the 15 yo went itno ICU and he, too, was quickly in ICU.  We got daily updates (sometimes multiple times a day) on their status.  There were at least three times we went to bed thinking one (or both) of them wouldn't make it through the night.  Through extreme (and dedicated) medical intervention they both survived and are healthy (though do have lingering, and likely lifelong) affects.  They weren't the only children in the ICU ward (in fact, we learned some older patients were sent to other ICUs 75 miles away, they didn't want to move the kids in the ward).

The 10 year old never even tested positive.  

I tell you this to not so easily dismiss vaccinating your children.  Do not rely on the internet or talking heads (or even this post).  Talk to your doctor, and your pediatrician.  Then follow their advice.  And yes, my wife and I are both vaccinated.   My 9 yo will be vaccinated when the vaccine is available to her (she might be 10, since she turns 10 in September).

Izumi will be added during the January 2018 dry dock.

Can you let me know the secret of getting the kids to the AO people? We are planning to use it on our upcoming cruise. We plan to sign up on board (we do have early dining), but we had assumed it would be obvious how to use it!

 

Thanks.

It's one of the 1st things we do when on the ship, we take our daughter up to Adventure Ocean and register her. Then we just drop our off during the cruise (usually before dinner).

My favorite Caribbean itinerary is the southern. Adventure is a great ship too :)

As others have said, you can get away with just Birth Certificates for the kids. But there are reasons (also stated) for getting a passport.

When my daughter was 1 we went on a cruise and got her a passport. Now when we travel (fly) we use it because, besides the birth certificate, it is her only official ID. We find passports are easier as they fit into pockets and are "sturdier" then a piece of paper.

Besides, it is the cutest passport EVER! We always get comments at check-in and from the TSA at the security check-in when they see her passport. :)

we are 1st time cruisers. family of 4 so trying to book interconnecting rooms ( much cheaper than suite) My TA tells me that RC wont allow us to book 9602 and 9604 ( these are D1 balcony staterooms with larger balconies) because each room can fit three people as they have sofa beds so wont only allow two people in each room. has anyone come across this before. we thus need to book interconnecting rooms that have twin beds and no extra bedding even though they aren't as well situated on the boat. BTW is deck 9 near mid ship a good option= ie central but not noisy?

No, that doesn't sound right to me. We're looking at doing the same thing this fall on Allure. Even on RCI's site, you can choose a connecting stateroom with 4 people. These rooms are designed for double occupancy, even though they can hold 3 people. The 3rd person is charged a reduced rate.

While you are not looking for suites, depending on the date, there also maybe a Royal Family Suite (2 bedroom suite) available. They aren't available for standard booking (you have to ask). I would check the price on that vs 2 staterooms as well....

It seems to me there is a relatively simple solution to the problem until the ship can dry dock.

 

Have Allure only sail Western and Oasis only sail Eastern. There would be some logistical hurdles, but it may be the best play.

As far as I know, this would be difficult for logistical reasons. I believe the ships refuel on the Eastern Iteniary only (once every two weeks). I believe it is in St. Maarten.

Not as bad as some here, but I saw it as a fun experience.

We were cruising on Radiance out of Vancouver Northbound to Seward (Alaska) in May of 2008. Part of the route has you exiting the Inside Passage into the Bering Sea. We hit 21 foot seas. The fun part was that we were probably some of the youngest on the boat (we saw two other couples our age). We were in our early 30's. We were also the only folks at our dinner table (5 couples) that didn't have grandchildren.

We were heading into the theatre after dinner, just as the last crowd was exiting. We were pitching pretty good (though nothing extreme) but the sight of some of the senior crowd having difficulty walking was entertaining. They were having great fun with it too, lots of comments of "I didn't think I had that much to drink" Everyone was in great spirits and the only complaints were two of our tablemates thought the captain was doing it on purpose (their arguments were further bolstered when the captain hurt his ankle on the basketball court and had to stay in Anchorage, so the 1st Officer took over and they commented on how we didn't have any trouble when he was in charge!)