twangster

I've never understood the corkage fee but I've never been charged it either. Wine provided to me by the ship in my cabin recently (since I am a Diamond Plus) had this sticker on it: You can bring or ask your cabin attendant for one of these travel corkscrews: I always drink the water on ships in the dining room or at the drink stations. I've never had a problem with it over many cruises. Not all ships have Freestyle drink dispensers but those that do can be used to obtain water and ice without using the coded drink package cup. Any plain water glass can be used in a Freestyle machine but only for water and ice.

A drink card is a shareable card that can only be purchased on board during a cruise and is only valid for that cruise. It provides for 10 drinks (or sometimes in a 10 draft beer version), depending on the ship. It's a 'punch' card. With each drink purchased they 'punch' it (scribble with a pen). Typical price is $79 plus 18% gratuity but it has been spotted higher and lower than that. It typically only becomes available after the halfway point of a cruise. Sometimes you can ask a bartender and they will sell you one before it is officially on display. Given the price point of $79 for 10 drinks, buying $6 or $7 beers wouldn't make sense. You are better to use it for drinks that cost more than $8, like wine and certain cocktails. It is shareable. You can order a drink for you and your friend/spouse and they mark off each drink. The normal drink package is not shareable. The draft beer card is offered less frequently and is typically around $59 plus 18% gratuity. Once purchased, your folio number is written on the back so for each drink ordered they 'charge' it against your account but with drink card noted so no charge is actually levied (much like the drink package). In other words it still goes in the computer system so people can't print one at home and try to use them on board. It works like a drink package in that drinks up to $12 ($13 on Oasis and Quantum class) are covered. Any drink price over that and you pay the difference.

Goes to show how the media rarely gets it right, Vista isn't the largest ship in Galveston. Carnival Vista: 133,500 GT, 1,055 ft long, 3,950 passenger capacity Liberty of the Seas: 154,407 GT, 1,111 ft long, 4,370 passenger capacity (4,960 maximum theoretical capacity if every bed was occupied) Largest cruise ship at the Carnival pier maybe. Carnival only has medium sized ship, by RC standards. Largest cruise ship when Liberty of the Seas isn't in port? Furthermore, Vista isn't Carnival's largest ship either. Sister ship Carnival Horizon is 96 GT larger and has 4 additional passengers.

Not at all. All cargo is offloaded by barges at the other tip of the island. Concrete trucks come in this way. Barge pulls up, ramp lowered onto island, truck drives off. A road is there down the middle of the island. The pier is designed for passengers, not cargo.

I know there is an indication this will be available in the app at some point as there is a section in the app for account review. Indy isn't supported in the new app yet. This feature didn't work on my last app-enabled ship. I've not heard any word that the TV review would be removed.

I certainly would NOT put money on a January completion. Through early February they had planned to put two Vision class ships at the pier but cancelled all those two-fers. I think they know it won't complete by January, or even February unless Mother Nature is very kind and there are no project slips. For any one who has tried to do actual work in the islands, they learn quickly there are always unplanned issues that delay all projects. Doing work on a small island even more so. While they are publicly suggesting January their actions are suggesting later. If any storms this hurricane season even hint that CocoCay is within the cone of uncertainty that will delay them even more as they remove construction equipment or lash it down in anticipation. Just the prep time to prepare for a storm that doesn't have any direct impact will cost them weeks. It'll be ready when it's ready and not a day before.

Welcome to the message boards! The definitive answer is... It depends. US Customs has to clear the ship from all previous guests and clear all crew in the system before they can let new passengers to board. It's out of the hands of the cruise line. That being said, Harmony will typically board beginning as early as 10:30am but as late as 11:30am. Boarding at or just before 11am is very common.

Empress did not a few weeks ago.

Explorer GC in June did not feature this. WJ closed at 9pm. Maybe they are experimenting to determine interest.

Appears to be unique to Mariner so far. This is something new, so we are all waiting to see if any other ships follow this trend.

The attached fleet guide suggests Voyager will be "AMPED" in 2019. I would expect "Mariner like" enhancements but to be fair, that's just my cloudy crystal ball talking. We won't know until it's announced. Depending what they plan to do with her looking beyond 2020 may influence the AMPING process to suit regional needs. 2018-2019-Fleet_Guide.pdf

To put things in perspective about flights using FLL from Port Everglades. My personal best was to be through security at FLL at 7:58am after they started letting us leave at 7:30am. That was the stated arrival time. 28 minutes from ship to gate. That's cruising solo, front of the line self-assist, using a taxi, with TSA Pre. An 8:30am flight boards at 8am and luggage cut off is probably 7:45am depending on airline. An 8:30am flight with no checked bags is possible, @mpoole3 has done it if I recall, but the stars need to align perfectly. Way too risky even for me as a frequent flier who knows the shorts cuts.

@Running Joe specifically asked about Port Canaveral to Orlando MCO as opposed to the OP, @cruiselife who is sailing from Port Everglades. ..." flight departing from Orlando airport from Port Canaveral."

Entertainment for Symphony Oct. 28 Transatlantic just became available this morning.

Don't believe it. You'd never be awake at that hour to hear it.

Tight but doable. If traveling with a large party, kids or elderly I wouldn't. If you are traveling light and agile, not using Royal's transfer it's doable IF the ship arrives on time and customs is on their game. Self assist debarkation recommended.

Short cruises on most lines don't include lobster. Typically 5+ nights.

You ma'am have done an outstanding job blogging and taking photos. Thanks for taking the time.

Allure Feb 3-10, 2019 is a charter. Atlantis. The same group that charted Harmony in January.

No cruise ship preparing food for thousands of guests can present true authentic local foods. There may be theme nights where the food is oriented towards a region but even then it isn't truly authentic.

I see Mariner is now supported in the new Royal app. Have you been using it on board?

A cab is faster (assuming the wait isn't very long) but more costly for one person. The Royal transfer typically involves some waiting for the bus to full up, but for one person it can be the cheapest option if you don't have an early flight time.

I recently did Fort Lauderdale airport to the Port of Miami which is roughly the same distance, maybe slightly further. Round trip was $60 USD booked through Royal. As I recall it was $30 USD each way.

I'm a little further out at 74 days but nothing for me. Royal suggested 60 days so keep checking everyday and let us know when they appear.

Welcome to the message boards. How many are traveling? The Royal transfer is predictable and if you have lots of time a safe and easy way to go. With two or more people the Royal transfer can become more costly. With each additional person it becomes less and less attractive. I often do the self-assist option where I carry all my own luggage off the ship which allows me to disembark early in the process before long cab lines have formed.