so ....

 Lots of chatter on the web about when the CDC will allow cruising again. Some lines have stopped waiting for the CDC and moved ships into the Caribbean where they don't need CDC permission to sail, and are requiring all adult passengers to be vaccinated.  There is legislation in Congress, which isn't going to pass, and a lawsuit by the State of Florida that has a snowball's chance.  However, the CDC is modifying its orders again, and it looks like cruising may be back sometime this year.

But we decided that 2022 is a better bet.  We are both fully vaccinated, but if I am going to pay that much money for a cruise I want to be able to fully enjoy it...

Reactivated y Cruise Critic account yesterday.  What a sad place that site is right now.

has it really been 5 years?

 Yeah, we haven't cruised since the waning days of the Obama administration...

But we are now thinking of a cruise.  Assuming the cruise industry ever recovers from the pandemic, that is.

This time we are thinking of Celebrity Cruise Lines, the Celebrity Constellation.  It's a sister line to Royal Caribbean. The cruise we are considering is called the Ultimate Caribbean &the Americas, sailing out of Tampa and making port in Grand Cayman, Colombia, Panama , Costa Rica and Cozumel.  11 nights, starting December 12, 2022, a year and a half from now. We've both been vaccinated, we're ready to travel, but we want to give the cruise industry time to get back on its feet after Covid.  

We've been to Grand Cayman and Cozumel, of course, on the Carnival Valor and again on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas.  The other ports would be new to us.  Celebrity gears a little older than Royal Caribbean, but we're not exactly babies anymore.  I like that WIFI, beverages (including soda and alcohol) and tips to the crew are all included in the price of the cruise, leaving the only travel to and from Tampa, excursions and souvenirs as additional expenses.

Day 1, depart from Tampa

Day 2, At Sea

Day 3, George Town, Grand Cayman  We've been here twice.  First time we took excursions, went to Hell and the Turtle Farm, and took a ride in a sub.  Second time we just did some shopping.

Day 4, At Sea

Day 5-6 Cartagena, Colombia.  An overnight, something we have never done before.  

Day7, Colon, Panama

Day 8 Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

Day 9, At Sea

Day 10, Cozumel  First time we were here, this was our beach day.  Second time, we took the ferry to the mainland and went to Chichen Itza

Day 11, At Sea

Day 12, Tampa

Ship has a casino, art gallery, fitness center, shops, a basketball court, a movie area, kids' camp, adults-only solarium, pools, a spa, numerous restaurants, lots of shows and live music

There are two classes of cabins that have private restaurants.

I just reactivated my Cruise Critic account.