In This Episode: Embarkation delays for some cruisers, multiple COVID cases on Carnival Vista, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings granted injunction to sail 100% vaccinated, surprising stats about new ships in 2021...
The first (and only) full day of our cruise started with docking at Coco Cay. Because this was my first visit to Royal Caribbean's private destination, I wanted to see it all. Starting with complimentary in-room breakfast was a good way to save time and not oversleep so we could have a perfect day. Of course we had plenty to do both on and off the island... read more
Today we boarded Mariner of the Seas for a two night simulated voyage from Port Canaveral. We were fortunate to be one of the few invited, and we mean few. With only around 515 guests on the 4,000 passenger ship it's wonderful to be onboard, and a bit like having the ship to ourselves. read more
Cruising is often a fantastic value for couples and families. Usually, if you're looking to cruise alone though, you'll find that you have to pay up to twice the base fare. Right now however, there are some very compelling single rates on multiple cruise lines...
Sunday evening a US District judge granted a preliminary injunction to stop Florida's so called "vaccine passport ban". The Florida law, until now, prohibited businesses (including cruise lines) from denying service to customers if they couldn't provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Businesses violating the law were subject to a $5,000 fine per instance. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, originally filed a suit on the matter in July of this year. read more
Royal Caribbean is bringing more and more ships back into service. Before each ship can sail with paying guests, they complete what the CDC calls a Simulated Voyage with volunteers, where the line demonstrates proper protocols can be followed onboard. We got an surprise in our inbox recently, as we’ve been invited to sail the Simulated Voyage for Mariner of the Seas this week... read more
The count is over, at four hundred and ninety-two days. That’s how long Virgin Voyages, the newest cruise line, just for adults, was delayed in setting sail due to the pandemic. In early 2020 many were eagerly awaiting the April 1 maiden voyage, but the change of date was no joke. For a group of lucky British sailors (that’s what Virgin Voyages calls guests), they set sail today from... read more