codyh21

24 minutes ago, lv2flip24 said:

also can the set sail card be a pic on your phone or does it have to be on paper?

Do you have the app downloaded? If so, you can use the digital one on there to board. We also saved a copy to our Apple Wallet as a backup. Only thing we'll print is luggage tags.

For "check in" are you talking about check-in online or at the port? If at the port, you'll need setsail pass, passport book, proof of negative COVID test and COVID vaccine card if applicable to you.

Yep, as long as you specifically bought the ones that come with the proctored service like we did you'll be just fine.

We still have the Navica app on our phone from last year. You can still download the app without issue. Set up your account ahead of time and when ready to begin the test, just scan the QR code on the box (don't open it), connect and go. We're using these for our Odyssey TA on the 31st. Very easy process and no appointments necessary.

49 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

Back to my cup of Maxwell House.

I buy my coffee by the 2-3lb bag at Costco in whole bean but don't buy the fancy stuff so know exactly what you're talking about! Although once a year I do order a pound of Kona from Hawaii as a treat. Included coffee onboard isn't great, but perfectly fine and I'll happily drink it all day long.

I had luck on our Southern Caribbean sailing on Explorer back in 2019 using a vPN to access my tv service back here and watch college football. Suffice to say once someone realized I was the only person who had the Alabama/Georgia game (ship didn't get the feed) I became the most popular person in the bar. All that to say it's doable but did experience issues w/Surf & Stream speeds at times so take that into account as well.

Due solely to the global popularity of the sport I would lean towards yes. However, it ultimately is subject to the satellite feeds that each ship gets so can vary even from ship to ship. However, on Oasis last December they were showing a wide variety of soccer matches. Unfortunately the best and really only proper answer is you'll have to check once you get onboard.

As of this morning, it appears that NASA is targeting either 23 or 27 September for the launch pending resolution of the issue. The 23rd (Friday) there are 3 ships in port and the 27th only has one ship (Oasis) doing a port stop so not as crowded as previous attempts. If it does go, hope the launch windows are friendly to those sailing!

Sailed on Navigator for two weeks in 2019 and managed to stream college football a couple weekends. Mind you it did buffer from time to time but was able to watch my teams game at least

The current window is open until I believe Tuesday but they've already announced they're not going to attempt in there. Next window technically runs 19 Sep-4 Oct but there's a manned flight scheduled for the 3rd and they won't mess with that. Looks likely for the window opening 17 Oct now.

If you sign up for the four device plan, you setup a login and are allowed 4 devices connected at any one time. You are free to keep it for yourself, share it with friends, or share it with a complete stranger if you'd like. Nothing against the rules there at all so feel free to go for it.

1 hour ago, SimGuy said:

I have the UDP for my Allure cruise. Other than the mandatory 18% gratuity, are there other add-on surcharges for certain specialty restaurants?

In theory they charge you $10 or similar if you order multiple entrees, however, reports vary widely if that is enforced.  Other possible extras are ordering "premium" options (lobster and a few others in Chops for example) or going over your allowance per visit in venues like Playmakers/Portside BBQ ($20 per visit, per person) and Izumi Sushi ($35 per visit).

We have had UDP multiple times and always ended up with a $0 receipt at the end.

9 hours ago, deep1 said:

Yes I like to do my homework. 

I'm with you on this one.  We've been on quite a few cruises but when it comes to travel I'm the type that likes to know lots of details that seem trivial to many, just part of my process.  While it's not perfect, I am thankful for the app as I've found it able to answer a lot of those questions.

Ultimately, glad you were able to get your answer, have a great time!

13 minutes ago, twangster said:

There are many 3rd party testing locations all over South Florida.  At this point it's like asking where can you get your car washed.  

Agree with @twangster.  Flying down next Thursday, need to test Friday/Saturday for a Sunday sailing.  I have the eMed proctored kit for my hotel but made an appointment at a CVS down the street from my hotel as a backup for a rapid test.  They had a ton of open slots and if no issues with the eMed I'll just cancel.

Lots of places in the area, and many like CVS/Walgreens will let you schedule online in advance.

I am flying into Miami three days early for our sailing.  While I'll have the eMed test with me, I was able to schedule a rapid test the following morning at a CVS just down the street from my hotel with no issues as a backup.  This is for late next week, but was 14 days out when I booked it.  Definitely may be the area you're trying to book in.

55 minutes ago, BrianB said:

Seems like more windjammers are opening for dinner every week as passenger counts rise. Yes, it is nice to run in and grab a quick meal and get back to the party…and no, it’s not super lame!

We sail on Oasis in two weeks and WJ is finally showing open for dinner, will have to verify with people sailing the next couple weeks.

I like a good meal in the MDR or specialty as much as the next but sometimes after a long port day the convenience and simplicity of the WJ is a nice change.

I use Kayak for broad searches but like Ray, use the links to buy directly from the airlines.

21 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

@codyh21I'm really happy to hear that you can share internet access amicably, but that is NOT the case for us !!  We did the "multiple device, single log-in" plan ONCE and it nearly ended our relationship !  LOL  Just kidding of course...but we found it extremely frustrating to share a log-in.  NEVER AGAIN.  First of all, whenever we are "relaxing" and online for whatever reason, we generally do this at the SAME time so it is virtually impossible to share a log-in.

I agree I got lucky on that account, definitely doesn't work for everyone.  I only use it a couple times a day so for the most part it's for my wife.  If I used it anymore than I do we'd definitely have to look at separate logins!

2 hours ago, twangster said:

Hopefully they will be easing pre-cruise testing requirements soon.

Looking forward to those days.  Flying into Miami 3 days early for Oasis and my packing list now includes:

Passport

Masks

2 EMed Covid tests...  not much extra stuff, just remembering it all.

Check the app for your particular sailing, it "should" hopefully list opening times for WJ.  However, you should get a better feel once onboard as protocols/times can change in the days leading up to the sailing.

Example being for our Oasis sailing in 2 1/2 weeks it's not showing open for dinner but I wouldn't be surprised to see that change between now and then.

19 hours ago, STB7481 said:

A related question, do you sign in with a code to access?  My wife and I have an upcoming cruise and we don't think a 2 device plan is necessary as long as we can just use our own phones to log in when we need it.  Is that possible?

My wife and I always share one login.  If I'm on and she logs in, it usually just kicks me off, rarely an issue though and I just log back in later.  We have usually have our two phones and an iPad between us and have never felt the need for more logins.

22 hours ago, SpeedNoodles said:

Just know that if you're sailing with others, everyone in the stateroom must purchase The Key.

This is one of the main reasons we don't get it.  My wife and I easily split a single login for VOOM and don't have need for the other perks.

That said, if you were looking for two and enjoy the other perks then go for it!  While we don't get it, there clearly is a market for it.

I know water is very subjective, but even with the DBP I routinely still drink the tap water in both dining venues and in our stateroom and find it just fine for my tastes.  Still use a fair bit of bottled for workouts, walking around the ship, etc but not beholden to it.

To the OPs question there is flavored waters, juices (from machines), black coffee, some basic teas and the like.  These are widely available throughout the ship and CocoCay without having to purchase any sort of access to venues or packages.  Same goes for food on the island.

A couple times on longer sailings my wife and I have brought 2 bottles each in our carry-ons.  They weren't fancy so no big deal if security raised an issue but they didn't seem to care and we were right behind each other and went through like normal.  No guarantees that'll happen but if you do try I'd do two bottles per person in separate carryons.

2 hours ago, twangster said:

While I own two Anker chargers I now just carry this with me.  The main reason is that I can put it into the round Euro powerport leaving the 110 volt North American outlets free for other uses.  It has four USB charging ports.  This also helped when I sailed from Australia and Spain as it adapts to other style power ports in many countries when staying in hotels.

 

 

I bought a similar style to this for my last deployment and they're priceless.  Will definitely come in handy when we go to Rome for the Odyssey TA next fall.  Normally onboard we bring our multi-port charger and it's worked well. 

Depending on seasonal pricing, the Hilton Downtown and Marriott Biscayne Bay are located right next to each other and can be reasonable.  Close to the port and places in/around downtown.  If you'll have a rental car, some of the Blue Lagoon hotels out near MIA have good rates and accessible to everywhere.