sjde

We are going on a Douro cruise in November. Is there a lot of time on the bus? We aren't sure we want to sign up for all the excursions (though they are no cost) because we want to be able to see the local places. Or are there no towns where you dock?

How do you know this? So some of the August and September sailings will be not full at all?

All 5 of us ( almost half of our group) who tested positive the week after the cruise had managed to avoid it till now. So it’s probably a combination of the transmissibility of this variant plus being on a cruise ship for a week. Interesting that four of the five who got it were the youngest (4 and 6) and the oldest (69 and 70) . Those immune systems just aren’t as strong.

It’s only going to get worse as the BA.5 Omicron variant has become the predominant one this month and is the most transmissible of any so far. And apparently is evading the vaccines and boosters.

So far, 5 of the 11 of us have tested positive days after getting home.

It’ll remain an unknown just like the total number of positive cases since many positive at- home tests aren’t reported.

Kind of hard to avoid crowds on a cruise ship!

Well ya- I wouldnt have bothered testing if I was asymptomatic . So I assume those who report being positive on these threads had symptoms.

Just trying to get an idea of how MANY are getting it on ship and being positive after home. I thought asking a general question would give me a better idea than posting for each individual cruise line.

We had to have a negative covid test within 2- 3 days of boarding in order to be allowed on our Princess Alaska cruise earlier this month. But some of those traveler's tests could have been false negatives (maybe some had covid but at that point were asymptomatic so the test isn't as accurate), and some could have gotten it after the test on the flight, or on a shore excursion. I know someone (the CDC?) is monitoring cases and they haven't been high enough to shut down the ships. And we saw 1/2 of one deck closed off, I'm assuming for quarantine for those who got sick on the cruise. But I keep hearing about people testing positive in the week after they return home. No one is tracking that I suppose. So I'd like to know if you or someone in your party did test positive after. In our party of 11 that disembarked last Saturday, two tested positive on Sunday and I did this morning. At least 3 others have symptoms and are awaiting results.

I did, in a post titled Musings…..

Now the 2nd one of our group tested positive, the day after returning home.

I may wait a day or two to test since I don’t have symptoms ( except sinus drainage) and the home tests aren’t as accurate before you have symptoms. He started coughing the day before disembarkation. But our 4 and 6 yr old grandkids were too , as they often do , with colds and viruses , but haven’t been positive ever. I doubt masks would’ve helped with all the eating and drinking.

My husband came back with the worst souvenir- Covid. First time for him. I’m still good.

BTW, I thought I read that masks were required except when eating or drinking but almost nobody was wearing them -except for all of the staff.

You are right- as an American I say cream when I am referring to Half and Half. I was expecting half and half , when they asked if I wanted cream for my coffee, but I think I was getting milk.

I have been using only one device for a week and it’s happening every time now. Very frustrating. We always ask for cream but I don’t think we were getting it. The coffee didn’t lighten as much or taste as good. Maybe we should’ve repeated and asked for “real” cream?

I have a feeling the “cream” they pour for you in your coffee may be milk. Anyone else notice this?

Has this site changed where you have to sign in EVERY time you get a notification now and click on Go to Post, or is it just me?

Musings on our Crown Alaska cruise July 2-9. I heard there are about 1900 passengers onboard. I noticed 3rd to last day one side of Aloha deck was closed off ( door was shut into hallway) as I was walking down the back stairs- quarantine I’m guessing. Either my palate has changed or the food quality has gone downhill in the 11 years since I’ve been on a Princess cruise, I think it’s the latter. Last time there were many, many things I thought were fantastic and this time I’d say good or just OK . The onion soup was still a standout. And the gravlax/ smoked salmon and the James Beard French toast. I was disappointed there was no Alfredos pizza on the Crown-- just Slice. And no gelato or hard- serve counter, just soft serve ice cream. And no milk shakes. I ordered chocolate chip cookies from room service and there was surprisingly no option to get milk with them. We all liked the Meiomi Pinot Noir- red and white wine drinkers alike. There is tons of storage in our stateroom ( we were upgraded to a mini suite ), but not enough outlets . Two by the bed but so close together you couldn’t put big plugs in there together, and if you have a CPAP machine ( or two! ) it makes it hard to charge things overnight. One in the bathroom that said for shavers only and two hidden behind the two TVs. There weren’t enough bathrooms on the ship in the main areas, even by the dining rooms. Not well labeled , so not easy to find. The beds are very comfortable, and seem larger than a queen. We are enjoying all the trivia and the marriage show and naturalist talks. Since we had a group of 11 we usually had a dinner reservation at DaVinci but one night we were off the ship and came back later and so had to eat at Boticelli for Anytime dining ; vibration was so bad that three or four in our party were getting headaches. Sometimes in our room it bothered me too, if sitting and reading . We were about 10 cabins in from the back on the 9th (Dolphin ) deck. A 50 minute deep tissue massage was $179 though I got 10 % off when I booked. An 18% gratuity is added. Afterward be prepared for the hard sell to buy products.

It wasn’t by the pool.

My daughter said car seats are mandatory in cabs but not light rail and she doesn’t want to lug them along.

We’d be willing to walk 1/2 mile.

We plan to take light rail from the airport to our hotel but is it difficult to take it from downtown to the pier (91) or from the pier back to the airport?

Are the midnight/chocolate buffets a thing of the past? We'll be on Princess soon.