My husband was one of the lucky ones that has to have an interview for his renewal. The first available appointment in San Diego was a year out and it's not even the airport; we have to go to the border crossing station.
We were on the Empress of the Seas' last sailing disembarking on March 15, 2020. My sisters and I loved our time on that little ship.
I'm glad we didn't know it was her last with RC as that would have been even sadder.
We stayed two nights pre-cruise at Hotel San Giorgio in 2018 before boarding Jewel of the Seas. I can highly recommend it. It's worthing paying a bit more for the sea view rooms and they did have a cruiser's package that included free shuttle to the cruise terminal.
We are taking two of our adult sons and their wives on the LOTS later this month. If I purchase the package and we take group photos, are those included? The photo package description reads as if they are not. Thanks.