Crown&AnchorEsq

we had a "mini crib" on Adventure in 2020.  Oasis and Symphony both only had Pack N Plays.  If I were betting I would expect the minicribs have been replaced as well.  If anything the Pack and Plays are larger.  The only benefit to the minicrib was that it was easier to move around.  

Usual tips apply for the kids, register for AO early, make sure you get nursery hours early in the week if  you are intending to utilize it (and it is available).  

We did an oceanview balcony which should be about the same size with a 3yo and 1yo.  The 1yo was in pack in play.  What we did was to pull out the nightstands and slide bed over a bit.  We then left the pack and play up between the bathroom and the bed and never took it down.  Most ships have the original Graco Pack-n-plays which can be broken up and down but get annoying when you have to do it multiple times a day for naps especially as the 6mo will likely be napping 2-3 times a day.  Make sure to bring a pack and play sheet (or two) of your own.    

The more annoying part, honestly, was getting past the sofa bed to get to the balcony.

There were indications a few (10+ years ago that the lease was extended to 2050 so its unlikely they will completely give up on the port unless there is some out in the lease agreement.  With that said, I would not be surprised  to see Cabo Rojo continue to get built up and might replace Labadee over time.  Puerto Plato is easier to work into itineraries on the near term because it is on the North side of Hispaniola.

It will depend on the age of the toddler and the port, but in most states they will need a legit car seat if they are under 3.  If you're flying or driving with a 2+ year old, just bring a car seat on the plane, its Safer for them anyways.  We usually book a car service rather than an uber.  The cost difference is usually not catastrophic and that way you do not end up with a grumpy driver whining about the time it takes to get a car seat in.  If they are over 3 you can get away with the inflatable booster, though we still default to car seats more often than not.  

Prefer to go on different ships and different itineraries but that also runs with our personalities.  We always pick something we have not done over something we have.  With that said, we have limited schedules and try to go out of NY when we can, so that significantly limits options, we seem to be repeating more often than not anymore.

7, but for covid would be 9.  We would like to do more but our children have informed us that they do not think they would enjoy any ship that does not have a carousel.  We are doing Odyssey next year but only because of the bumper cars and I expect that might be a one time exemption in light of the anticipated lines and their aggravation with waiting more than 30 seconds to do anything)

Empress
Mariner x2
Oasis X3
Enchantment
Rhapsody
Adventure
Symphony

Any parent or  guardian can register the children, but you will want to make sure that you confirm who has the ability to pick them up.  They will only release children to the contacts listed on the original registration.  You can add just about anyone during registration but its more difficult later on.  

I feel like the M&G stuff in the suites definitely has a pretty strong scent.  I do not mind it but it is definitely noticeable for someone who does not use something similar most of the time.  I would plan to bring some travel size of your preferred brand.  Worst that happens is you find the M&G is not too bad and you do not use the extra that you brought.  

Symphony a month ago had 11-11 beer/wine/soft in the suite lounge.  However, I did have to remind the bartender one night.  I had used a diamond drink for a cocktail and then asked for a beer.  Bartender defaulted to "you are out of diamond vouchers do you want to use Mrs. Esq.'s?"  When I reminded him a beer should be included with the lounge drinks he paused for a second and apologized.  I do not think it was intentional, more just that they are on autopilot trying to get drinks processed as quickly as possible.

The concierges usually send an email to the reservation holder the day before or day of embarkation so maybe review that?

Feels like they have a hole in their lineup for an eastern-based Oasis ship running a traditional 7 day itinerary.  I'm sure they're advancing the best product with an Icon in each of the Florida ports but I am not sure that means its the best lineup overall.  There is a big hole for the "advertised experience" (i.e. what they show on commercials) at an approachable price.  It is particularly difficult where the Icon ships are really lacking in 5+ person rooms.  With a family of 5 our only choice is to book two cabins or the Family infinite balcony.  That ends up being about 85% of the price of a two-bedroom suite on most of the Oasis class ships...

I would have been happier seeing Legend running short trips and moving Wonder or Harmony to 7 day itineraries.  I was really hoping that Harmony would be based upon the test loads but it seems to be a mix with only the occasional 7-day sailing

We have Feb of next year booked out of NJ for exactly that reason, not needing to fly.  However, it still boggles my mind that RCL put Odyssey there without the indoor pools...or that they built Odyssey with no indoor pools to begin with...

Echoing what everyone else said you will need to do mock bookings or talk to an agent (who will essentially do mock bookings for you).  The answer will change depending on the booking. If you are not looking at a Kids Sail Free (KSF) sailing (summer, winter breaks) the prices will likely be close, with the four person room likely slightly cheaper. With a KSF promo the 4 person room should be significantly cheaper, though likely not quite half the price of the 2x 2 person because the base price for a 4 person room is usually slightly higher.  Everything will also change based on room availability and dynamic pricing.

I managed to get one on 1.27...

We loved ELF on Oasis but found it slightly underwhelming on Symphony.  Oasis also had breakfast ELF which was solid, if unspectacular when we were on a couple years ago. Anyone know if that was eliminated or does it just vary by ship (or itinerary)

This is going to be a bit of a cop out but the answer is "it depends."  More specifically, it depends on the policy language. Almost every policy of insurance has an "other insurance provision." It may say other insurance or it may look something like this:

That provision will be read together with the "other insurance" provision from any other policy to determine priority of coverage.  That may lead to stacking of coverage in order of priority or the provisions may knock each other out and you end up in a contributory situation like @FOB described.

The best way to guarantee that you have additional coverage for the back to back would be to go to a travel insurance agent or carrier and ask for a single trip policy to provide excess coverage to your existing annual policy.  You should even provide a copy of the policy language that you are looking to have excess coverage over so there is no question. That way you get exactly what you are looking for.  As a further benefit it will probably be cheaper because the risk to the insurer is lower that you will enter the second layer of coverage.  

Most of the Northeast has February break and April break, third week of each month.  If you are cruising out of Port Liberty and do not like kiddo crowds those are weeks to avoid.  NY/NJ is pretty much the only option those of us up here can take to avoid paying for flights (which are also horribly expensive that week).  

We have stayed at the Home2 Suites and the Homewood suites.  Homewood has a free airport shuttle, Home2 used to have a free airport shuttle and though it is no longer on the website the last time we stayed they did provide one when we asked.   Both have the for-cost transfer shuttle usually for like $15.

Since we travel with a big crowd we usually book a private van/mini bus.  There are a number of utilitarian van services.  More recently we did a limo company for a 13 passenger Sprinter which was great but a little pricey.

We travel with 2 car seats, a Cosco Scenera and a Diono Radian.  Both are FAA certified.  The Scenera is dirt cheap and we put it in an amazon car seat bag which makes it easy to carry around, particularly as it is light.  It is not too much hassle in the airport and to get strapped into the plane seat but it does take up a fair bit of real estate.  On board it takes up a ton of space in the closet but can sit over a bag or in the bottom of the closet and you can pile stuff on it.  The Diono weighs about 40lbs but folds up into a small package and has backpack straps.  It also easily slides under the beds. 

We think it is worthwhile for piece of mind.  If you do not want to use them on the plane you can also always gate check.  I tend to like the Diono slightly better, you just have to be willing to lug 40lbs on your back.   

@Thoodt try looking for a 4 person cabin and only booking 1 into a 2 person cabin.  

@elsieshaver Thrill island (extra cost) has two slides that have a 40" height requirement.  Most others are 42"+ though there is also the adventure pool and wave pool.  Splashaway bay (no extra cost) has a a few 36" slides in addition to the usual splash pad fun.  Likewise the Galleon at the immediate entrance to the island has a couple slides as well.  

For years the biggest complaint about Black Falcon was that it was miles aware from anything else and the seaport was essentially a big empty wasteland.  10-15 years later the Seaport is the new "it" place and the hotel prices match.  The bummer is that its essentially all newer trendy stuff.  I would encourage you to look more downtown or near the common.  You will probably pay the same price but you will at least get to experience Boston.  

Symphony 1/26

@MamaShark thanks for the clarification.  Seems to support what I expected.  Shoreside genies do not have a stellar reputation around these parts.  Seems they gave you a generic itinerary response without investigating the status of PR.  

We did a re-app for a 5yo in late August, issue date was about 2 weeks after we submitted at USPS and we had it in hand by late September. We had an issue with a 6mo application though and had to go back and forth with the State Dept at least twice with two resubmissions via snail mail and we still had that passport by late October.  

Go the nursery first thing on board and lock in what times you want your child there, there is usually a cap (somewhere between 8 and 16 hours) initially.  If you think you might want more than the allotted time prioritize earlier in the week and there is usually availability later in the week.  Always order the continental room service with what the kiddo likes.   When you have to get changed and cleaned up to go to breakfast it takes longer than their little hearts can handle and you end up with a hangry toddler.  If they're still in diapers  you will unfortunately be limited to the baby splash pad but theres enough going on there that they should have fun.  Take advantage of the carousel and maybe try one trip through the bionic bar, they get a kick out of that.  For dinner do not be afraid to try the MDR.  Windjammer is of course a fallback but if your kid can handle a dinner out they can handle a 75 min dinner in the MDR and by the second night your wait staff will know to start you off with a fruit plate or something to keep them satiated (or you can ask on night 1).  

experience: Adventure with a 12month old, Oasis with a 12 month old (and 3.5 yo), Oasis with an 18month old (and 4yo).  We have symphony upcoming with a 12mo (+3.5yo and 6yo)