[traveler9]

Probably never. Years ago we did 5 Celebrity cruises which were wonderful but it was mainly to find places we wanted to stay and visit. None of this crap of off at 8 am back by 5 pm. You never get to minggle with the people who live there and to explore thoroughly. We discovered Sandals and Beaches in 1998 and will never go any other place. Love it!! That is our choice but it is the best for us. Everyone must choose for themselves.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Tmarkwald

HA HA HA - yeah, I don't even know what to THINK of someone who cruises for the buffet! But the specialty restaurants - oh yeah!

Cruises should theoretically broaden your mind and NOT your waistline.

[Tmarkwald]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Cruises should theoretically broaden your mind and NOT your waistline.

we try and try... HA HA

[lawgolfer]

If you enjoy cruising and don't enjoy getting on and off the ship every day, look into a Transatlantic cruise. Except for the regular N.Y. to Southampton runs by Cunard, these are "repositioning" sailings in the Spring and Fall to move ships to/from Europe and the Caribbean.

There will be a limited number of ports visited. The prices are quite reasonable, and can often be a great bargain. You while away the day at the pool, playing bridge, going to the spa, taking a nap in a deck chair, and , most importantly, forgetting about the troubles of the world. At night, you eat, drink, dance, and go to shows.

All the lines are presently booking these for this Fall. We just signed on with Princess for Southampton-Ft. Lauderdale in November, getting a mini-suite (actually, a large balcony room) for $160/night/person.

[kathyspear]

Originally Posted by Tmarkwald

We started getting tested end of summer and they no longer use the 'brain swab'. They used a nasal swab - 2 of them, one for results in 45 minutes, another to send off to the lab.

How long are the swabs they use now? And do you know if that is what everyone does now or does it depend on where you have the test performed?

Thx.

k.

[oldtimes]

Originally Posted by kathyspear

As some of you may know, cruise lines have tired of waiting for the CDC to give them the guidance that was promised months ago to get them sailing from U.S. ports again. They are moving ships to international "home ports" and starting up round trip cruises in June. Crystal is doing 7-nights in the Bahamas R/T Nassau and Bimini, stopping at 4 or 5 islands that are normally only visited by private yachts. Royal Caribbean has a ship sailing R/T from Nassau, another sailing R/T from Bermuda, and a third home porting in Cyprus for trips to Greece and Israel. Celebrity is sailing R/T St. Martin. NCL is expected to make a similar announcement any day. Carnival is hopeful that cruising from U.S. ports will be allowed sometime this summer so they are holding off on home ports outside the U.S. for the time being.

So far, all sailings require pax to be fulling vaccinated. (Crew will also be vax'd.) Pre-trip covid tests will likely be required for most if not all cruises this summer but that is because they are required by the countries where the ships are docked or where they will visit. The mask issue is up in the air right now. Some folks are worried about not being allowed to go off and explore in ports on their own. They didn't want to be limited to ship excursions only. So far, it looks like that will not be an issue.

The cruise lines have done a lot to ensure that people don't get sick (or get others sick) on board. I'm vaccinated and I am not worried in the least about getting covid on a ship. My only concern -- the only reason I have not yet booked a cruise -- is that I ***REALLY*** don't want to do a covid test. The idea of having a 10" swab stuck up my nose does not appeal to me for some reason. But I really want to get back on a ship. I have a milestone birthday coming up in August and most years I book a 4 or 5 night "birthday cruise" to the Bahamas or Caribbean. (This is in addition to one of our bigger trips every year or 18 months to Europe or someplace.) So I keep thinking about that 10" swab ... We shall see.

kathy

It may be 10” but they don’t go that far up and it is uncomfortable for about 5 seconds. I had it done and it was no big deal.

[NewJerseyCop]

My wife and i have booked 3 cruises for this year and so far april's cruise was canceled. The cruiseline gave us the option of a full refund or a 125% credit. September's cruise and christmas to after nye cruise is still on. For that one.....we both got a freee cheers package and $325 each onboard credit. How can we lose??

[Tmarkwald]

Originally Posted by lawgolfer

If you enjoy cruising and don't enjoy getting on and off the ship every day, look into a Transatlantic cruise. Except for the regular N.Y. to Southampton runs by Cunard, these are "repositioning" sailings in the Spring and Fall to move ships to/from Europe and the Caribbean.

There will be a limited number of ports visited. The prices are quite reasonable, and can often be a great bargain. You while away the day at the pool, playing bridge, going to the spa, taking a nap in a deck chair, and , most importantly, forgetting about the troubles of the world. At night, you eat, drink, dance, and go to shows.

All the lines are presently booking these for this Fall. We just signed on with Princess for Southampton-Ft. Lauderdale in November, getting a mini-suite (actually, a large balcony room) for $160/night/person.

OUCH - $160pp. That's pretty steep. I have been doing 2 TAs a year for about 11 years now and never paid that much for a small suite. I'd shop around!

[HJBeck]

We have a late October cruise in Paris for 14 days then we go right into a Norway cruise in early November. Don’t see either of the cruises as a problem since we both have had 2 shots. Will still wear mask when it appears to be crowded. Am comfortable with buffets as long as there are dedicated servers for the buffet.

[Tmarkwald]

Originally Posted by kathyspear

How long are the swabs they use now? And do you know if that is what everyone does now or does it depend on where you have the test performed?

Thx.

k.

Just like a normal swab, slightly into your nose. maybe an inch or so. It IS right at that sneeze point, because I always sneeze, but no more brain swab.
.
I don't know if it is location dependent, but mine have all been done in Washington DC in preparation for international travel.

[Tmarkwald]

Looks like, thanks to the vaccine, the CDC may be changing their stance soon.

Vaccines will prompt CDC to change cruise guidelines 'shortly,' mayor says: Travel Weekly

[Uphillputt330]

We were never cruise enthusiasts— did it only when it made sense for the purpose of traveling to where we wanted e.g. Baltic Sea, Nile River, etc.

Even before Covid cruise ships had far too many disease outbreaks and mechanical issues, now with Covid I don’t think we will ever cruise again.

[Bay Kid]

As soon as I find a new girlfriend which could be years.

[Tmarkwald]

Originally Posted by dwsommer330

We were never cruise enthusiasts— did it only when it made sense for the purpose of traveling to where we wanted e.g. Baltic Sea, Nile River, etc.
.

Maybe it's just me - but I love the ships and what they offer - I've never understood people who think of a cruise ship as a big 'uber' trip.

I use the experience at each port to determine if I'll take a land vacation and go back for more.

As a result, I've spent about a week in Gibraltar, 3 weeks in Spain, 3 weeks in Cairo and Egypt, and a few other places as well. 8 hours in a country doesn't cut it.

[wsachs]

You can tell that many cruise just for the buffet. Look around.