Hey Ma, Let's go sight seeing on a floating Petri dish....

[pbmus]

Link to tweet

[leftieNanner]

1. We are scheduled to take a cruise next spring

Much smaller ship. We were originally going this year, but cancelled (obviously).

We shall see what happens between now and mid-April.

[Haggard Celine]

4. My family and I were talking about going on a cruise for Christmas.

This was before Omicron. We've all been vaxxed to the hilt, so thought it might be fun. Then we talked about going to stay at Disney in Orlando and going out down there, but the guy taking reservations told my dad that it's going to be wild down there. People are going to be close together and drinking and shouting at each other over the loud music, and my dad wisely decided that wasn't the atmosphere we were looking for. So then Omicron came along and we're staying put. At least we'll eat well and enjoy each other's company. We'll be better off than many.

[Tomconroy]

2. Norwegian Lines requires all passengers and crew to be vaccinated. Someday it won't be news

for someone merely to test positive.

[Dial H For Hero]

3. I just got back from a cruise a couple of days ago.

Everyone on board had to show proof of vaccination and a negative test from no more than 48 hours before boarding. To put things in perspective, when going to the grocery store or a restaurant here in Colorado, 36% of people are unvaccinated.

I'll take my chances (and will again this coming May...Scandinavia, here I come!).

[leftieNanner]

5. We took a cruise on the Baltic in 2018

Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Poland, St. Petersberg. 15 days total.

Wonderful trip.

[Dial H For Hero]

6. I'm really looking forward to it.

Denmark, Finland, Sweden, St. Petersberg, Estonia. 8 days.

[leftieNanner]

7. Estonia - I forgot that one

We liked that as well.

St. Petersberg is worth seeing - but very strange.

[Dial H For Hero]

8. Good to hear you liked Estonia. What did you find strange about St. Petersberg?

[leftieNanner]

10. Many Things

Not entirely surprising in hind sight.

You can only get off the ship on a planned excursion. No exploring on your own.
You to go through immigration every time you get on and off the ship.
There are enormous apartment buildings on the horizon - I mean really huge - that are likely from the Soviet era. They are hideous cinder block structures. Many of them are crumbling and the outside walls are fortified with what looks like chicken wire to keep the concrete from falling on people walking below.
The public squares (even in the tourist areas) were not well kept at all.

That being said, the Hermitage is spectacular. If you can get an early morning tour, it may not be too terribly crowded. We also had an opportunity to see a ballet in the old opera house. Very special.

The only places to buy anything was in the cheap stalls on the pier and the gift shot at the Hermitage. Again, no shopping or wandering on your own.

This was the way our trip was arranged. Our visa was through the cruise line. You may have a different experience.

Oh, I nearly forgot. Our ship was followed out of port by what looked like a Russian submarine.

We are glad we went but would not make plans to go again.

[TheRealNorth]

9. Since they require vaccination and a negative test....

It's probably safer then going to the grocery store without a mask. Definitely safer then a MAGAT rally.