HeWhoWaits

Mr. Miyagi didn't really teach karate. But he had a great Sensei humor.

Those with mild dairy allergies can safely consume the soft serve. It is NOT ice cream. As for egg-related ingredients? That's a mystery.

Some of us ARE the parents that you're warned against turning into.

Good news! Now you don't have to be disappointed by their "Chicago dog" not living up to your expectations.

Most of the US meets the criteria for Level 4. If you're willing to visit your local supermarket or go to a fast food restaurant, Level 4 doesn't bother you.

If you're getting a refund, you're doing it wrong! That's like giving the government an interest-free loan on YOUR money.

The Hampton Inn Downtown offers a shuttle to the port for $8 per person (latest information).

My wife is all about the "stack of papers" and I'm much more digitally inclined. We go the "stack of papers" route every time. Happy wife = happy life.

You're definitely NOT an idiot. I have to search for how to do this every time I want to do so. Even had to search just now to try to help out. In the top right corner, click on your username to open the dropdown menu: Select "Account Settings" to move to this screen: Select "Signature" and away you go!

The US Department of State website is currently quoting 5-7 weeks processing time from date of receipt for expedited service. Our experience was much better than this. Wednesday, January 5 - sent in renewal applications for expedited processing with express return. Monday, January 10 - checks were cashed and passport processing was in progress according to tracker on website. Saturday, January 22 - got my USPS informed delivery notifications that the items were on the way with an expected delivery date of January 26. Website said the passports were approved and would be sent shortly. Tuesday, January 25 - passports in hand. Just 20 days start to finish, including transit time both directions.

As always, YMMV. We just got our expedited ones back less than three weeks from the date of mailing (mailed out on January 5, received today). But I agree that it isn't worth taking the chance.

Don't expect a "to-go container" like you would get at a restaurant. You're most likely to get a plate with a cover - the way they bring the food from the kitchen to the table during the meal (or like a room service delivery). You can just leave the plate and cover in your stateroom when finished and your steward will remove them when they clean.

Along with coffee (just regular old coffee, nothing fru-fru), tea (hot and cold), and water.

Belltown Inn is very convenient to Seattle Center and Pike Place. It's about 1/2 mile from the nearest light rail station ($3 one way fare from the airport). Nice accommodations but no breakfast on site if that matters to you.

If they find that the current protocols slow things down, it is not unlikely that the earliest times are on schedule, the next batch delayed by 30 minutes, then the hour group, etc. Pushing everything back by exactly an hour doesn't make sense unless the ONLY factor is more time to prepare the ship for the first new passengers and the rest of the process is unchanged.

How does "masks required except while actively eating or drinking while seated" apply to those seated in a wheelchair or on a motorized scooter? I may just have to rent a wheelchair to take onboard with me and keep a drink always in hand. "Hey, I'm SEATED and actively consuming this (insert appropriate beverage here)!"

There is no block upon achieving Diamond status. The first block comes on the cruise during which you reach 140 points.

And most of what you mix with those fruit products is derived from grains, so...

No corkage fee if you open the bottle yourself before arriving at the MDR.

It's already hard enough to get an appointment when you need one. Walgreens creating less availability is not the solution. What's really needed is for people to stop getting tested every time they have the sniffles and leave the tests for those who have real symptoms or require the tests for travel.

Why would carrying your Coke Zero to the MDR be any tackier than carrying your bottle of wine to the same venue? Both are permitted items.

Make sure your GF's son is attached to her account so he gets the benefit of her "parent points" (if he is under 18). Get that association set up before the cruise - might get him double points of his own.

That's because those interior cabins are the ones not getting sold at higher prices - Royal wants to add the passenger as some money for the stateroom is better than an empty stateroom and most of us spend additional money once onboard.

More to the point in the present environment: Many testing sites are now posting signs indicating that no rapid tests are available and the timing for other test results is a MINIMUM of three days. Right now, it may be impossible to have a test with results within the required window for sailing.

The ship docks right in the harbor.