I'm out - see ya next year! Thanks ya'll

[travelplus]

I hope it will be better in Feb 2022

[drafterdw]

5 hours ago, Newe08 said:

I know everybody can have different opinions on what “few” means, but I’ve noticed since the announcement that John has said the policy will last a few weeks. Even in one of his videos, he made the comment that the policy would be “a few weeks or hopefully sooner”. Now when I think of a few weeks, I think the end of August but yet the official press release said til October 31st.   Interesting to see if it that’s a hard date or if they’re gonna re-examine again in a “few weeks” as John has suggested.  

Well we have a Sept. 12th and we got the email....we are still going just trying to find a place we can get a test that meets guidelines.

[wemjam]

Saw all the emails, THANKS again everyone for all the support.  It has been such an emotional rollercoaster the last 2 days!  To the point of tears a times.   Again, in the grand scheme of life this is trivial nonsense, but it still is emotionally taxing none the less... mostly because the weight of it all has fallen squarely on my shoulders for the last year and a half.  I deal with it all and all those traveling with me just show up.  I am the family TA and all the responsibility is on me.

 

I have had to deal with all their frustrations through all this and try to keep them up beat, happy and just make us all go with the flow.  Been a tree just bending in the wind for the last 18 months or so, and finally just snapped.  Cancellations, port changes, new protocols left and right.  Booking, rebooking, on and on and on.  I was SO very excited packing this past weekend to leave on the 19th and to be cruising again (I always pack early and felt like my old self again), then 2 days later - WHAMO!  Might has well have smacked me with a 2x4.  Just can't do it, just can't.  So many things can go wrong with this, especially because our travels are far.  What if test results don't come back before we leave we need (testing centers are getting flooded again and it is starting to take longer and longer for results), God forbid, what if it is positive for one of us (and false positives do happen too).  How can we enjoy ourselves in the heat, wearing a mask around all the time?  Dealing with all the changes... it is just too overwhelming.

 

I am disappointed now, but feel a sense of calm knowing that at least for the next 8-9 months I can seek out other alternatives and not be in such chaos - (we have our first one booked next May now and then none again until fall next year). Spent today booking a week long road trip to replace our cruise next month.

 

I wish everyone that can sail the very best, and to everyone on this roller coaster ride I will see ya at some point back in the station when I get back on the ride with you again!!   I know me and I will start peeking at what is going on in the next couple months hoping things change - and I will run to jump on as soon as it does!  BEST to you all!  SAFE TRAVELS no matter how that may be.

 

[Tippyton]

8 hours ago, sailingships said:

I'll send you some Chocolate Melting Cake in a Care Package.  😄

 

[Tippyton]

14 minutes ago, wemjam said:

.  It has been such an emotional rollercoaster the last 2 days!  To the point of tears a times. 

The last 18 months has been a beatdown and a buzz killer.

[BlerkOne]

Thanks for all the fish 

[TNcruising02]

2 hours ago, wemjam said:

Saw all the emails, THANKS again everyone for all the support.  It has been such an emotional rollercoaster the last 2 days!  To the point of tears a times.   Again, in the grand scheme of life this is trivial nonsense, but it still is emotionally taxing none the less... mostly because the weight of it all has fallen squarely on my shoulders for the last year and a half.  I deal with it all and all those traveling with me just show up.  I am the family TA and all the responsibility is on me.

 

I have had to deal with all their frustrations through all this and try to keep them up beat, happy and just make us all go with the flow.  Been a tree just bending in the wind for the last 18 months or so, and finally just snapped.  Cancellations, port changes, new protocols left and right.  Booking, rebooking, on and on and on.  I was SO very excited packing this past weekend to leave on the 19th and to be cruising again (I always pack early and felt like my old self again), then 2 days later - WHAMO!  Might has well have smacked me with a 2x4.  Just can't do it, just can't.  So many things can go wrong with this, especially because our travels are far.  What if test results don't come back before we leave we need (testing centers are getting flooded again and it is starting to take longer and longer for results), God forbid, what if it is positive for one of us (and false positives do happen too).  How can we enjoy ourselves in the heat, wearing a mask around all the time?  Dealing with all the changes... it is just too overwhelming.

 

I am disappointed now, but feel a sense of calm knowing that at least for the next 8-9 months I can seek out other alternatives and not be in such chaos - (we have our first one booked next May now and then none again until fall next year). Spent today booking a week long road trip to replace our cruise next month.

 

I wish everyone that can sail the very best, and to everyone on this roller coaster ride I will see ya at some point back in the station when I get back on the ride with you again!!   I know me and I will start peeking at what is going on in the next couple months hoping things change - and I will run to jump on as soon as it does!  BEST to you all!  SAFE TRAVELS no matter how that may be.

 

That is a lot to fall on one person.  I am the person who makes all of the travel arrangements in my house too, so I get what is involved.    Cruising shouldn't be this stressful.  If it's not relaxing and fun, then it's not a good time to cruise.  I hope you and your family have a wonderful time on your road trip.  Time seems to pass so quickly, before we know it we will be looking at excursions for our next cruise.

 I feel calm too after rescheduling my cruise for next year.  In the past few weeks, I could sense that some changes were coming.  I hadn't even booked my pre-cruise hotel for the 20th of August because I had a feeling there might be changes before my cruise. Anyway, there are other ways to have fun while all of the madness gets worked out.

[kona_wahine]

I remember early summer 2020 when I thought things would be over by the fall. Now were almost fall 2021 and not much has changed. I’m now of the opinion this is the new normal and we will be masking up for quite some time. I’m ok with it, masks don’t bother me as much as they seem to a lot of people. 

[Gregoryfo]

9 hours ago, TooManyWakeUpsTilWeSail said:

For a lot of folks it’s the masks required where they don’t feel comfortable.  For me, it’s the almost unattainable testing within 72 hours.  I literally have to drive 25+ miles out of my way within 72 hours of boarding to get a rapid test done.  I won’t chance flying in & relying on rapid tests to be available within 24 hours of boarding.  

 

I wouldn’t care if Carnival needed to swab me daily (even though I’m post-covid and fully vaxxed).  But don’t make me jump through hoops for the privilege of paying to sail.  
 

This IS my last cruise before all restrictions are removed.  We had Coz taken away so I’m all for a Cancun AI circa summer 2022.
 

 

I am with you, the testing is the difficult part for me, I have no problem wearing a mask.  We are going down a week early to spend some time at Seaworld and will not have a car.  I felt like crap making the appointments today at the Kissimmee CVS.  With the way things are in Florida I hate to take the appointments away from locals that might be ill.  You would think, and maybe they will in the near future, Carnival would partner with CVS and have a rapid test clinic set up at the port for people to get their testing.  

[TooManyWakeUpsTilWeSail]

46 minutes ago, Gregoryfo said:

We are going down a week early to spend some time at Seaworld and will not have a car.

We flew down to Orlando in March & spent a day at Seaworld (not as good as 1 remember with limited attractions open).  Also didn’t rent a car & came out ahead with Uber/Lyft over the sky-high cost of renting.  Gotta admit being taxied around makes is more of a vacation than fighting Orlando crazy drivers.

[sfaaa]

I also cancelled my B2B cruise in Nov/Dec. Was really looking forward to cruising again but with the latest resurgence of COVID, it is just too stressful to worry about all the What If scenarios. Ended up losing some OBC but kudos to Carnival for letting me moved my ES NRD to another cruise next Oct without penalty. 

[SNJCruisers]

11 hours ago, Indiansbaseball said:

I’m frustrated because I paid extra for the “free cheers package” on top of a cruise I feel I paid more for because I choose ports over ship ! I understand the need to shuffle ports…but to lose 3 out of 4 without compensation…that’s what pisses me off ! Carnival…look at my signature …always loyal to you ! Now help me out here ! 

Aruba, Curacao, La Romana, Amber Cove on the Freedom in October.  Which 3 ports did you lose?  And how many times on your past 5 Carnival cruises have you previously purchased Cheers?

[SNJCruisers]

10 hours ago, LHARTWICK said:

Basically you're in a mask at all times inside unless you are seated AND actively eating/drinking.  Signs everywhere requiring masks.

Casino, shops, entertainment venues, elevators, waiting in line at MDR, buffet and other misc locations where signs will be posted.  This constitutes many areas of the ship, but certainly not all areas and it's not required during your meals of the day, while drinking at a bar or anywhere outside.

You have made your decision and have cancelled, others will not.  That's why we have freedom of choice.  And please don't blame Carnival for this, it's not their fault.  They are just adjusting and pivoting with what is going on in the country right now.  If you want to blame someone, blame those individuals that have decided against taking the jab.

[RWolver672]

We were scheduled for what had turned out to be the second cruise of the Mardi Gras in February. In December, that was cancelled.  We were offered the $600 OBC carrot to rebook for a later date.  At the time, we had no idea of when cruising would start back up again or even if it would.

 

We took our refund and never looked back.  We have no intention of booking another cruise until if and when it gets back to normal.  

 

We were fortunate that something in the back of our minds told us not to book flights or hotels right away.  We were kind of waiting until the first of the year before we did.  Luckily, we didn't have to jump through hoops to cancel those.

 

And now with American cancelling flights left and right and Spirit doing the same, how much longer is this going to be going on.  No, for us, we too are done with cruising for a while.

[nae418]

9 hours ago, wemjam said:

Saw all the emails, THANKS again everyone for all the support.  It has been such an emotional rollercoaster the last 2 days!  To the point of tears a times.   Again, in the grand scheme of life this is trivial nonsense, but it still is emotionally taxing none the less... mostly because the weight of it all has fallen squarely on my shoulders for the last year and a half.  I deal with it all and all those traveling with me just show up.  I am the family TA and all the responsibility is on me.

 

I have had to deal with all their frustrations through all this and try to keep them up beat, happy and just make us all go with the flow.  Been a tree just bending in the wind for the last 18 months or so, and finally just snapped.  Cancellations, port changes, new protocols left and right.  Booking, rebooking, on and on and on.  I was SO very excited packing this past weekend to leave on the 19th and to be cruising again (I always pack early and felt like my old self again), then 2 days later - WHAMO!  Might has well have smacked me with a 2x4.  Just can't do it, just can't.  So many things can go wrong with this, especially because our travels are far.  What if test results don't come back before we leave we need (testing centers are getting flooded again and it is starting to take longer and longer for results), God forbid, what if it is positive for one of us (and false positives do happen too).  How can we enjoy ourselves in the heat, wearing a mask around all the time?  Dealing with all the changes... it is just too overwhelming.

 

I am disappointed now, but feel a sense of calm knowing that at least for the next 8-9 months I can seek out other alternatives and not be in such chaos - (we have our first one booked next May now and then none again until fall next year). Spent today booking a week long road trip to replace our cruise next month.

 

I wish everyone that can sail the very best, and to everyone on this roller coaster ride I will see ya at some point back in the station when I get back on the ride with you again!!   I know me and I will start peeking at what is going on in the next couple months hoping things change - and I will run to jump on as soon as it does!  BEST to you all!  SAFE TRAVELS no matter how that may be.

 

Same here. I make all the travel arrangements for my group which is mostly family with a few close friends.  I take the responsibility of:  handpicked cabins, a  pre-cruise hotel, shuttle service to the ship and back to the airport, cruise t-shirts; we vote on design and color, if a Philly sports team is playing while we're on the ship, everyone must bring a t-shirt to represent our team. Just for fun door signs for each cabin. Specialty restaurant reservations, etc.  It's a lot, and some of us are not vaccinated so this change gives anyone to chance to get vaccinated!!!  Also, it gives those a chance to renew their passports which is now taking 20-24 weeks!!

To rebook our  August 7th Cruise to July 2022, I was on hold about 45 minutes just get someone on the line, and it took the Groups Rep 4 hours to rebook everybody!  Some people had obc and some had fcc.  I started at 9:45am, when I hung it was 1:57pm.   

[Computer Nerd]

14 hours ago, LHARTWICK said:

My guess is the new protocols are to prevent this - or at least try to prevent it.  And to whoever was wondering about how strictly the new protocols will be enforced, according to a current Vista passenger, they are being enforced (due to several CV cases on this week's Vista cruise, they went ahead and started the mask protocol on this cruise.  Captain also announced "no smoking for the remainder of the cruise".) Basically you're in a mask at all times inside unless you are seated AND actively eating/drinking.  Signs everywhere requiring masks.  I would expect the crew to grow weary of this very quickly - they do have other things to be doing besides being mask police.  I really feel for the crew members.

That was no INSIDE smoking, not no smoking period.

[FiremedicMike151]

Where was it said that half moon cay was dropped?  We’re on the 8/19 cruise also and I still see HMC on my itinerary??

 

[Indiansbaseball]

9 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

Aruba, Curacao, La Romana, Amber Cove on the Freedom in October.  Which 3 ports did you lose?  And how many times on your past 5 Carnival cruises have you previously purchased Cheers?

We lost Grand Turk for La Romana, we lost Bonaire for Curaçao and we lost Half Moon Cay for Amber Cove. This was our first time purchasing cheers. 
Editing to add : honestly, if you look at the state department travel advisory…I will be surprised if we even get to these ports ! Check it out ! 

Edited August 7, 2021 by Indiansbaseball

[Indiansbaseball]

5 hours ago, FiremedicMike151 said:

Where was it said that half moon cay was dropped?  We’re on the 8/19 cruise also and I still see HMC on my itinerary??

 

It was not dropped for all, just for some. 

[Brew12]

5 hours ago, FiremedicMike151 said:

Where was it said that half moon cay was dropped?  We’re on the 8/19 cruise also and I still see HMC on my itinerary??

 

They are moving ports around based on the number of ships they can handle and the itinerary of other ships. Open ports have been pulled from some sailings to give them to other sailings because of port availability.  If they didn't do this some sailings would either go to the same port several days apart or have an extra sea day.

[mondello]

They got all our balls in the air, trying not to drop any.

Shifting, switching, trying to save a penny.

[LHARTWICK]

6 hours ago, Computer Nerd said:

That was no INSIDE smoking, not no smoking period.

Just going by what the passenger said. Sorry to offend.

[Computer Nerd]

17 minutes ago, LHARTWICK said:

Just going by what the passenger said. Sorry to offend.

I do not find what you stated offensive, just inaccurate, which I corrected. I don't get why people are worried about offending someone in the first place though. That's the offended person's problem, not yours.

[LHARTWICK]

10 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

Casino, shops, entertainment venues, elevators, waiting in line at MDR, buffet and other misc locations where signs will be posted.  This constitutes many areas of the ship, but certainly not all areas and it's not required during your meals of the day, while drinking at a bar or anywhere outside.

You have made your decision and have cancelled, others will not.  That's why we have freedom of choice.  And please don't blame Carnival for this, it's not their fault.  They are just adjusting and pivoting with what is going on in the country right now.  If you want to blame someone, blame those individuals that have decided against taking the jab.

Again, just going by what a passenger said after I had asked someone for their first hand account of the INSIDE areas re: mask protocols. I was only asking them so that we could make a better informed decision for ourselves. Yes I know everyone has a choice - not judging. And I do not blame CCL - the lines are in a tough spot. In our area, the surge is really high due to the high number of unvaxxed for sure. Wow….just trying to be helpful by sharing some info. Seems like anytime I try to be helpful, I’m flogged for it. I give up. Why can’t we all just be kind and try to help each other get through this. 

[atexsix]

How is it not Carnival's fault? 

 

They were the ones that hit the panic button by implementing (badly I might add) all these new requirements on people at the last minute without any concern for what it did to their customers vacation plans.  It's their way or the highway.

 

Until such time they provide a reasonable explanation for not offering testing at the terminal, people have a right to complain about it.

 

And people certainly have the right to offer clarity on what are vague instructions on masking at best.