KJones

Excuse me?
Calling this an extortion is kind a bummer, as we europeans had to pay for several years your ESTA fees, and even more since the raise last year!
So please, be fair.

It's not a visa, it's an electronic travel authorisation, exactly like the ESTA that the US has been operating for years, as @Ray pointed out.
Also, the US charges $21 for an ESTA and it's only valid for two years, so you're getting a bargain.

Right, I figure I lose that option by riding it out and seeing if I can find a companion to then switch out the names. To rebook is an extra 1500$ - so I'll look for someone to go with me!

You have to call RC (or your travel agent if you used one). To receive double points you'll have to essentially rebook the cruise, I believe, at current pricing, which may or may not be a higher rate than your original booking.
The other downside besides potentially higher fare, is that should you find someone else that wants to join as your 2nd occupant,  you would have to "rebook" again at whatever the current rate is then. Just something to consider.

Dang...if I were a betting man, I would wager that beyond all of the frustration that you will find a way to beat them...ultimately, I hope you give the MEI TA a chance with a future booking. It was hard for me to let go of what I thought was control when I quit booking on my own. Ultimately I got more control with a whole lot less effort and angst. Good TAs earn their commission, which I think needs to be higher because of how much better they make their cruise line partners look.

You have to call RC (or your travel agent if you used one). To receive double points you'll have to essentially rebook the cruise, I believe, at current pricing, which may or may not be a higher rate than your original booking.
The other downside besides potentially higher fare, is that should you find someone else that wants to join as your 2nd occupant,  you would have to "rebook" again at whatever the current rate is then. Just something to consider.

You have to call RC (or your travel agent if you used one). To receive double points you'll have to essentially rebook the cruise, I believe, at current pricing, which may or may not be a higher rate than your original booking.
The other downside besides potentially higher fare, is that should you find someone else that wants to join as your 2nd occupant,  you would have to "rebook" again at whatever the current rate is then. Just something to consider.

You have to call RC (or your travel agent if you used one). To receive double points you'll have to essentially rebook the cruise, I believe, at current pricing, which may or may not be a higher rate than your original booking.
The other downside besides potentially higher fare, is that should you find someone else that wants to join as your 2nd occupant,  you would have to "rebook" again at whatever the current rate is then. Just something to consider.

Having two policies is just an invitation for neither to pay out, but rather argue about who is liable

Oh, it was on there!

One thing to note..that style of two prong adapter doesn’t have a grounding path. The two prongs are for hot and neutral, so even though a three prong grounded US plug will fit, it’s not truly grounded. 
 
Also, it’s not a voltage converter, just an adapter.  US household electricity is 120v 60 hz  while most of Europe is 250v 50 hz. Most charging bricks nowadays will be fine because they are multi voltage.  Look at the fine print on them for 100-250v.  My Apple chargers all say this as well as my battery banks and electric razor. 
 
All that technical mumbo jumbo being said, that’s one of two adapters we’re bringing with us to Italy so we can charge our phones and iPads. 

I've taken the train twice from Anchorage to Seward booked direct with the Alaskan Railroad.   Granted my experiences are before the pandemic.
At the time the train from Anchorage didn't have a baggage car.  All luggage, cruise passengers or other train passengers, went by truck.  
The downtown train depot in Anchorage has a tent setup outside the station for luggage drop off.  The station itself is pretty small.  There is not enough space for all train passengers inside the train station to give you an idea of its size. 
Outside in the luggage tent they have an area for cruise guests and an area for for everyone else.  At this point you won't see you luggage again until it's outside your cabin door on the ship.  Do not pack passports, medication, valuables, etc. that you will need on the train or to check in for the cruise in Seward.  Have your cruise line luggage tags attached or they can make some up for you like they do at any cruise terminal when guests don't have luggage tags.  There is typically a long line for tags so you are better off bringing them and having them attached already so you can just drop off luggage and then go inside to get your train ticket.   
The train station in Seward is a 10-15 minute walk to the cruise terminal.  They offer a motorcoach that is complimentary but I walked it both times.  You won't see your luggage at this point.  It's already being loaded on the ship.  

I can't imagine removing gratuities for a 2 year old.  I'm quite confident that when my son was that age he generated more trash than me, made greater messes at the dining table, and created a far messier bedroom.  If anything, the gratuities for a 2 year old should be higher!

If you can tell what category the room is, you should be able to move to any open room in that same category (if there are any, might require some checking and rechecking often) 
At least that is what my TA said, we have booked guarantee on a few trips where it was the only option, but have always been fine with what was allotted to never had to test it 

Perhaps why they're saying substitutions is in case they don't have that specific brand of beer available on your sailing, something comparable will be used in its place. If it turns out to be something you don't like, then maybe you can bring it to guest services and see if something can be done.

Personally, I’d call up and represent myself as my son-in-law.  This is not evil intent, it’s a helpful intent.  I see nothing morally wrong.  Just know DOB, email etc.

Was considering it til I saw that price tag O.O $2300 for an interior...on Mariner?!
Unless Jean Luc Picard is tucking me in every night that seems excessively not worth it...

We went to it on the Allure in July,  and really enjoyed it.  But I think the level of audience participation, or lack thereof, will play a big roll in how fun it is.
 

Just understand that Florence is not close to La Spezia.  No matter what your choice, you will spend a lot of time driving and not a lot of time in Florence, especially if you are doing Pisa also.
 
Viator has a lot of choices.

I LOVE broccoli. How dare you only LIKE broccoli? You heathen!

Is it really necessary to redeem it on a cruise?  You're better off getting a card that'll get you airline points/cash and just apply that to the cost of your cruise. Cruise cards are pretty poor for accumulating points.

I make reservations for MTD and never have to wait more than 5-10 min for my table. We also if we like the wait staff request to have the same table every night, so it ends up being a modified standard dining but at my time.
There is always a long waiting in the no reservation line. I make my reservations as soon as I book the cruise to get the time I want to eat.

You can purchase room decorations on board and tell them what day you'd like them to be put up. Your room steward will do it when they come in for your cleaning - which is usually when you're gone for dinner or out for the day's activities.
 
As for ways to NOT spend $450 for a private proposal, Dazzles is usually empty when there's a good gap in programming. It was a place my mom and I often chose to chill because it's quiet but overlooks the boardwalk and has lots of bright light and glass/crystal to reflect said light. Another option on the ship is a semi-secret mini path in Central Park. I don't exactly remember where it is but I've attached some photos. You can kind of see it as you take the main paths through and throughout our whole cruise on Allure last year I never saw anyone using it (I think because it's out of the way if you're actually trying to get somewhere)

Do it on Perfect Day at Coco Cay.  Go to South beach and walk along the shore together, until you are effectively alone.  Then make your proposal.  Don't worry about it being perfect or being anything spectacular.  Just be sincere and real when you tell her what she means to you and your life and ask her to share your commitment through the rest of your journey.
it will indeed be a "Perfect Day".

Consider yourself really fortunate if Escape room slots open up.