Ray

Virgin are that desperate they will actually match your RC tier level in their new rewards being launched next year! 
 
Virgin Voyages, the adults only cruise line that offers cruises from Miami, is adding a new loyalty program. The new loyalty program will not only reward those who sailed during the cruise line’s first year of operation, but they will also match your loyalty status from other cruise lines.
Virgin Voyages plans on rolling out the most lucrative rewards program at sea in 2023.  However, the cruise line is offering VIP perks right now for those who sailed in 2021 and also those who have sailed twice in 2022.
Sea Blazers, those who sailed with Virgin during the cruise line’s first year of operation in 2021, will have access to Deep Blue Extras as well as Red Hot Booking Bonus months. (perks at listed farther down in this article)  In addition, they will receive additional perks including a $125 bar tab bonus for life.
Those who sailed with Virgin twice in 2022, will be coined Sea-Rovers and receive Deep Blue Extras and access to Red Hot Booking Bonus Months. On top of that, they’ll get a $100 Bar Tab Bonus through 2024.
With the cruise line’s Match and Sea More Program, they will match (and give you more) than your current loyalty status.

Thats a shame for anyone who wanted to cruise on Icon, but its life and things change, just have to accept it.
Being honest just read Matts article on Icon and its  not for me! Love anything water related including water parks but i just look at the photos and think WTF is that!!
 
 

My love of water is that bad that i was on a small boat in Perth Australia when someone spotted a Dolphin, my wife went to take a photo of it and got a shot of me instead diving into the water to swim with the Dolphin. 
Must admit didn't stay in the water long...well not after someone said " hope there's no sharks as well" 

Thats a shame for anyone who wanted to cruise on Icon, but its life and things change, just have to accept it.
Being honest just read Matts article on Icon and its  not for me! Love anything water related including water parks but i just look at the photos and think WTF is that!!
 
 

Yes, Southampton is not happening.
 

According to Matt's article on the home page, it appears Southampton is not happening. 

If you Drink it all on the 1st day then you can take it easy rest of the week 🤣

What 1 person would do may differ from the next as everyone is different so answers will vary. 
Me!! I would get off at every port and walk about aimlessly for hours. 
I Don't have to go into museums, castles or Palaces to enjoy somewhere.

They serve coffee onboard? 
Tbh only liquids im concerned about on vacation come in a pint glass 🍺 
Quite happily have a beer with my breakfast 😋 

They serve coffee onboard? 
Tbh only liquids im concerned about on vacation come in a pint glass 🍺 
Quite happily have a beer with my breakfast 😋 

Thats definitely where i would start.
1 . Dates you can travel, no point looking at 100s of cruises you cant go on. 
2 . I would then look where cruises head to from ports i can cruise from and get a list of the ones i would like, you could have 2 ports with just 3 potential cruises each. Again this reduces the amount of cruises you are searching through.
3 . You are then left with maybe only 2,3 or 4 potential ships you have to choose from. Thats when you look at costs, size, things for kids to do etc. 
 
 
 

Thank you everyone for your input!   I'm going to contact MEI travel for final booking arrangements but I think I've got a good grasp of how to make a final decision.   I'm used to booking my own travel with Expedia and didn't realize a travel agent is probably the way to go.    Neesa mentioned "ghost booking".   What is that?   I'm going to get two rooms too. 
Ashley mentioned the Bahamas being cold in March.   That was my experience as well, which is why I'd like to go to the Southern Caribbean.   That narrows it down to two ships and 2 itineraries.   I can use the travel agent to pick one. 
As Twangster pointed out, it's overwhelming to think of everything, ships, itineraries, drink packages, etc.  Thank you for pointing out that I don't need any of those.   I didn't really know how to budget for them and I'm not sure we could put them into our budget to begin with.    Thank you TessOr for pointing out the embarkation process.   I was envisioning Disney-esqe lines, which is anxiety-inducing!   I have trouble standing for long periods of time and didn't know how I would manage standing in a line for 2 hours waiting for embarkation/disembarkation.  
Again, thank you for responding!  I've tried used Tripadvisor in the past and some of those people are downright mean. 
 
 
 
 

Worst ship ever is definitely the model of the HMS Ark Royal i made when i was 8 years old 

Worst ship ever is definitely the model of the HMS Ark Royal i made when i was 8 years old 

Worst ship ever is definitely the model of the HMS Ark Royal i made when i was 8 years old 

Worst ship ever is definitely the model of the HMS Ark Royal i made when i was 8 years old 

Worst ship ever is definitely the model of the HMS Ark Royal i made when i was 8 years old 

Worst ship ever is definitely the model of the HMS Ark Royal i made when i was 8 years old 

The only thing that is required is the ESTA which is for entry to US. 
As long as you have that then you are OK. 
 

Travel to Puerto Rico
Passengers arriving on international flights must present a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) taken within one day prior to departure to the United States (including Puerto Rico as a territory). Foreign citizens must also present proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Unvaccinated passengers arriving on international flights will only be allowed in entry to Puerto Rico if they are US citizens or permanent lawful residents.
Anyone visiting Puerto Rico should familiarise themselves with the local public health measures currently in place.

Mr. T's buddies used to just drug him and he'd wake up in a new country! Things were much simpler in the 80's 🤪

When i was 15 i was in a glider that almost crashed into a building, it took me another 15 yrs after that to get back up in the air and i hated it!!!
Being honest i had to be half cut before boarding and only did short flights of about 2 hrs max to Paris. 
However i had to bite the bullet and do long haul and take family to Orlando for a vacation. Hated Orlando but best thing i did was a long haul flight! Wish i had done it sooner because being in the air for a longer period of time about 8hrs helped me more than just being up 2. 
Also the more you do it, the more you become accustomed to it, now i can't wait to fly off somewhere new.

When i was 15 i was in a glider that almost crashed into a building, it took me another 15 yrs after that to get back up in the air and i hated it!!!
Being honest i had to be half cut before boarding and only did short flights of about 2 hrs max to Paris. 
However i had to bite the bullet and do long haul and take family to Orlando for a vacation. Hated Orlando but best thing i did was a long haul flight! Wish i had done it sooner because being in the air for a longer period of time about 8hrs helped me more than just being up 2. 
Also the more you do it, the more you become accustomed to it, now i can't wait to fly off somewhere new.

When i was 15 i was in a glider that almost crashed into a building, it took me another 15 yrs after that to get back up in the air and i hated it!!!
Being honest i had to be half cut before boarding and only did short flights of about 2 hrs max to Paris. 
However i had to bite the bullet and do long haul and take family to Orlando for a vacation. Hated Orlando but best thing i did was a long haul flight! Wish i had done it sooner because being in the air for a longer period of time about 8hrs helped me more than just being up 2. 
Also the more you do it, the more you become accustomed to it, now i can't wait to fly off somewhere new.

When i was 15 i was in a glider that almost crashed into a building, it took me another 15 yrs after that to get back up in the air and i hated it!!!
Being honest i had to be half cut before boarding and only did short flights of about 2 hrs max to Paris. 
However i had to bite the bullet and do long haul and take family to Orlando for a vacation. Hated Orlando but best thing i did was a long haul flight! Wish i had done it sooner because being in the air for a longer period of time about 8hrs helped me more than just being up 2. 
Also the more you do it, the more you become accustomed to it, now i can't wait to fly off somewhere new.