OT: vacation plans

[hulkboy]

Anyone else been able to travel lately? If so, where’d you go?

We went to playa del Carmen for a week, a couple weeks back. After returning to madness, I’m ready for another place.. where have y’all been during our current situation.

 

[FrancisK]

Playa is my spot, I used to always stay at the Royal because it was a beautiful resort on the beach but still just a couple blocks from the action. I hate being confined to the resort unless I take a 20 minute cab ride, I never understood the concept of a vacation if you're stuck in one place but to each their own I suppose.

But the Royal changed to a Hilton property a couple years ago and it's shit now, completely different atmosphere and level of service. I don't want to stay at the new Hyatt next to the Hilton because it feels like you're in vegas without a casino and the other hotels within walking distance to the main strip aren't all that nice....but that one with the treehouses looks interesting. So for that reason I was thinking maybe Tulum next time?

So where did you stay and how was everything? Was everything on 5th ave open like normal?



Went to vegas a couple weeks ago, I would definitely not suggest it. Not even because of covid, the covid restrictions did suck though, but the type of person going to Vegas the past few years has completely changed for the worst....if that were even possible. Just walking from the Venetian to the middle of the strip I saw multiple fights breakout and just roving gangs of young punks, I felt like I was going to be shanked at any second. Even at the Venetian which is probably the least place I would expect that type to hang out in it was terrible, just kids yelling and acting crazy. I saw multiple people get escorted out by security and I've never seen that before at the Venetian. Mind you I'm not some old fuck trying to gamble and have a comped dinner, I'm there to party myself but it was just terrible all around. I wasn't really into the EDM scene when it was hot but it was cool nothing wrong with it but now that it has died out all is left is the face tattoo show out act like idiots for attention social media crowd, it's over for vegas. If I hadn't won a shit ton of cash I would have been really pissed about the whole trip, it was pretty much limited to room service and gambling.

 

[IronLion2]

I can tell you all the places I can't go

 

[Reno911]

I love to cruise and would have no problem jumping on one now. The ships would be empty and very clean.

According to the below, most cruise lines are cancelling their trips through the fall. It will be interesting to see what happens from then on. Dan Pena said back in Feb that the industry is done and he'll be buying cruise ships for scrap metal in a few years. I've met some really great staff on the ships from all over the world. Many work a 6-9 month contract and send all the $$ home for their families and they are able to live well off of that in their countries. Not sure if the industry as a hole will ever bounce back though.

When will cruises resume? A line-by-line guide - The Points Guy

Major cruise lines around the world stopped departures in March 2020 as the coronavirus outbreak spread. Here's a look at when they plan to return to the seas.

thepointsguy.com

 

[Crazy_jay]

I love to cruise and would have no problem jumping on one now. The ships would be empty and very clean.

According to the below, most cruise lines are cancelling their trips through the fall. It will be interesting to see what happens from then on. Dan Pena said back in Feb that the industry is done and he'll be buying cruise ships for scrap metal in a few years. I've met some really great staff on the ships from all over the world. Many work a 6-9 month contract and send all the $$ home for their families and they are able to live well off of that in their countries. Not sure if the industry as a hole will ever bounce back though.

When will cruises resume? A line-by-line guide - The Points Guy

Major cruise lines around the world stopped departures in March 2020 as the coronavirus outbreak spread. Here's a look at when they plan to return to the seas.

thepointsguy.com

I don't think the cruise industry is done. Might be a slow restart and won't be profitable nor worth the hassle until they can get full ships again but the industry is extremely popular. Look what its been built too. The size and detail of these cruise ships, there's tons of money in the cruise industry. I went on a Disney cruise 2 years ago, the fantasy I think? The largest one they have, amazing. When they have their safety meeting after boarding, majority of people in the room said they had booked their trip more than a year in advance, us included, thats how popular these cruises are.

To the op. I just got back from Galveston, TX Saturday. Rented a beach house and chilled for a week. Did a few things but for the most part, just lounged around and watched my kids play. Nice to see my son leave his room and get off fortnite.

 

[rAJJIN]

Just got back from Vegas and it sucked.
I’ll echo what Fran said about thugs.
I’m no punk but I was careful of what place and situation I put us in.
Best part of the trip was LVAC. The strip and the old downtown reminded me of the hood.
I heard other couples saying they felt safer in Mexico.

 

[K1]

Haven't done shit this year...Had a trip booked to the Neptune Islands to swim with the Great Whites before heading over to see Big A in May. Was even whipping myself back into pretty good shape (enough to look pretty good in the wetsuit lol). Fucking 2021 better keep it's ass on point because I've been waiting too long to swim with those fucking things!

 

[Goody]

Going to the mountains for a few days with family
Hiking, whitewater rafting and some biking
Nice little getaway

 

[Gunsmith]

We had a cruise booked for April but they cancelled it of course. We've been camping a few times during this whole pandemic issue. Pull the camper to Florida pan handle , went to Tennessee.

Taking the son on a ten day archery elk/deer hunt in September.

 

[hulkboy]

Playa is my spot, I used to always stay at the Royal because it was a beautiful resort on the beach but still just a couple blocks from the action. I hate being confined to the resort unless I take a 20 minute cab ride, I never understood the concept of a vacation if you're stuck in one place but to each their own I suppose.

But the Royal changed to a Hilton property a couple years ago and it's shit now, completely different atmosphere and level of service. I don't want to stay at the new Hyatt next to the Hilton because it feels like you're in vegas without a casino and the other hotels within walking distance to the main strip aren't all that nice....but that one with the treehouses looks interesting. So for that reason I was thinking maybe Tulum next time?

So where did you stay and how was everything? Was everything on 5th ave open like normal?



Went to vegas a couple weeks ago, I would definitely not suggest it. Not even because of covid, the covid restrictions did suck though, but the type of person going to Vegas the past few years has completely changed for the worst....if that were even possible. Just walking from the Venetian to the middle of the strip I saw multiple fights breakout and just roving gangs of young punks, I felt like I was going to be shanked at any second. Even at the Venetian which is probably the least place I would expect that type to hang out in it was terrible, just kids yelling and acting crazy. I saw multiple people get escorted out by security and I've never seen that before at the Venetian. Mind you I'm not some old fuck trying to gamble and have a comped dinner, I'm there to party myself but it was just terrible all around. I wasn't really into the EDM scene when it was hot but it was cool nothing wrong with it but now that it has died out all is left is the face tattoo show out act like idiots for attention social media crowd, it's over for vegas. If I hadn't won a shit ton of cash I would have been really pissed about the whole trip, it was pretty much limited to room service and gambling.

I have no desire for Vegas, I checked that box long ago.. never saw the draw to that place.

We stayed at Valentin Imperial. Everywhere is 30% occupancy, it’s cleaner than anywhere I’ve been in the states. Constantly sanitizing, it was great! Masks when out and about when off the resort grounds, but masks off when you get to your destination. We got a crazy cheap deal back in late May, so I booked hoping they’d open back up. Can’t find the deal I got anymore. Oh... the beaches were dead, it was amazing!

Crazy Jay, did you get an Airbnb? I’m in Texas and considered Galveston. How were the beaches, busy?

Goody, whereabouts? I’ve been thinking more of a mountain trip. Maybe tow the Jeep out to Wyoming or Utah.. I’ve yet to do that with this new build.

I’d have no issue with a cruise if I was certain I wouldn’t get stuck for an extended time, like I was seeing in the news at the start of all this.

 

[swm1972]

I've been to florida gulf coast, saint simon island georgia and denver colorado the past few months. Denver was probably my favorite. Got out into the mountains and did tons of hiking... other places were too crowded.

 

[FrancisK]

Just got back from Vegas and it sucked.
I’ll echo what Fran said about thugs.
I’m no punk but I was careful of what place and situation I put us in.
Best part of the trip was LVAC. The strip and the old downtown reminded me of the hood.
I heard other couples saying they felt safer in Mexico.

The crazy part is we’re probably understating it. It was unbelievable how bad it was, I’m a decent sized guy and I know you are too raj so we’re not exactly targets but shit I was worried when I was out like I had to constantly watch my surroundings. There are always crazy people on the strip but this wasn’t some drunk idiots having a good time this was gun in their waistband standing around waiting for an opportunity.

Last time I went to Vegas before this was a couple years ago and it was getting pretty trashy just because the younger generation doesn’t have much shame anymore but it wasn’t anywhere as bad as what I saw a couple weeks ago. I figured it was because of Covid and the nice normal people with loved ones and responsibilities were staying home leaving only the thugs coming out but my host said it was like that even before covid.


It’s nothing like it used to be, people weren’t there to have fun. They were there to either look for trouble or get attention from doing bad things. It was weird like a constant tension in the air ready for an explosion at any second, you could feel it. I’ve never seen a security guard at the Venetian before unless you were supposed to see him, they’re there for sure but they’re hiding in the shadows making sure nobody feels their presence but this time they were all over right in the open surrounding these people and they didn’t even care, still yelling at the top of their lungs and acting crazy with a gang of 50 behind them doing the same.

 

[MonkeyBoy]

I love to cruise and would have no problem jumping on one now. The ships would be empty and very clean.

According to the below, most cruise lines are cancelling their trips through the fall. It will be interesting to see what happens from then on. Dan Pena said back in Feb that the industry is done and he'll be buying cruise ships for scrap metal in a few years. I've met some really great staff on the ships from all over the world. Many work a 6-9 month contract and send all the $$ home for their families and they are able to live well off of that in their countries. Not sure if the industry as a hole will ever bounce back though.

When will cruises resume? A line-by-line guide - The Points Guy

Major cruise lines around the world stopped departures in March 2020 as the coronavirus outbreak spread. Here's a look at when they plan to return to the seas.

thepointsguy.com

I had a cruise planned in April when this whole thing started. Cancelled but like you, I would love to go soon and I bet they will be super cheap, clean and less people. Love cruises.

 

[Goody]

I have no desire for Vegas, I checked that box long ago.. never saw the draw to that place.

We stayed at Valentin Imperial. Everywhere is 30% occupancy, it’s cleaner than anywhere I’ve been in the states. Constantly sanitizing, it was great! Masks when out and about when off the resort grounds, but masks off when you get to your destination. We got a crazy cheap deal back in late May, so I booked hoping

Goody, whereabouts? I’ve been thinking more of a mountain trip. Maybe tow the Jeep out to Wyoming or Utah.. I’ve yet to do that with this new build.

I’d have no issue with a cruise if I was certain I wouldn’t get stuck for an extended time, like I was seeing in the news at the start of all this.

I’m on east coast so hitting the poconos, nice easy drive. Go several times a year to decompress.
Would love to get the family out west to see those mountains one day, would like to do that trip in an RV.

 

[upeccmi]

Been going to Cancun/Playa since 1990 (50+ times now) last went in November. What kind of precautions did you find there? Was it somewhat crowded or did you have the resort to yourself?
I hear about foreign travel and the restrictions and I am hesitant.

 

[j4ever]

I have no desire for Vegas, I checked that box long ago.. never saw the draw to that place.

We stayed at Valentin Imperial. Everywhere is 30% occupancy, it’s cleaner than anywhere I’ve been in the states. Constantly sanitizing, it was great! Masks when out and about when off the resort grounds, but masks off when you get to your destination. We got a crazy cheap deal back in late May, so I booked hoping they’d open back up. Can’t find the deal I got anymore. Oh... the beaches were dead, it was amazing!

Crazy Jay, did you get an Airbnb? I’m in Texas and considered Galveston. How were the beaches, busy?

Goody, whereabouts? I’ve been thinking more of a mountain trip. Maybe tow the Jeep out to Wyoming or Utah.. I’ve yet to do that with this new build.

I’d have no issue with a cruise if I was certain I wouldn’t get stuck for an extended time, like I was seeing in the news at the start of all this.

If you like the Mountains you should check out Ouray Co and the Silverton Co area, a lot of people do the jeeping thing around Ouray, i have been there several times but never in peak season but im not a jeeper, i go there for climbing and hiking.

 

[hulkboy]

Been going to Cancun/Playa since 1990 (50+ times now) last went in November. What kind of precautions did you find there? Was it somewhat crowded or did you have the resort to yourself?
I hear about foreign travel and the restrictions and I am hesitant.

Honestly it was less stressful than when we went in January. The only line we encountered was customs, it was no more stringent than it usually is, besides the covid questionnaire. I was scared coming back with all the hype of temp screening, and quarantine nonsense. I only got my temperature checked once, and that was entering the resort!

Cleanliness, already not an issue at the resort we frequent, but it was more noticeable with all the staff geared up cleaning all day long.

J4ever, I’ve been to silverton with my dad, gorgeous area.. it’s more than likely going to be a Jeep trip this go around.

 

[hawkmoon]

Hopefully next year my wife and I can get back to Kauai HI.

It's our ten year and I'd like to renew vows on the same beach we were married.

 

[alfresco]

Just took delivery of our new Sportsmobile. We hope to hit the road for a month or two
shortly. Longer and longer trips in the works. International travel will resume when
the virus settles down. May ship the van, don't know yet. Traveling and home . . .
half and half.

 

[b-boy]

if the virus has calmed the fuck down, i would like to take a trip back to gulf shores Alabama in October. Nice quiet beach time with the wife.