CDunninTX

Yes, my soon to be daughter-in-law's mother just had this same problem. Plus she couldn't order her long form BC from Vitalchek.com because all birth records from 1985 and before burned with the building in Dallas Texas that held them. We had to pay an extra $75 and swear on a stack of bibles that we were authorizing this company to rep her in Austin, TX to get it and mail to her. Crazy. We don't cruise until September 2019, so I'm hoping this will be enough time to get her Passport complete.

There is a reason that many of us use travel agents to book with Royal. They then have to deal with the website and customer service phone nonsense and all the stress and headaches that come with it. I think it was less a bait and switch scam and more just a website glitch and a customer service agent who just couldn’t comprehend that and/or didn’t believe you for some reason (but still very annoying and I understand your frustration!) If you are willing to give Royal another try, I would try having a travel agent rebook it so that they can navigate that for you. The nice thing is that they come with lots of knowledge and experience and it costs you nothing extra. They get paid by Royal so it’s a win/win. 

It’s a shame you didn’t look at this Blog prior to attempting to make your reservations. The advice and suggestions here are spot on and would have provided you with words of wisdom and guidance in booking your first cruise! Now, you have a bad impression of RCL and cruises altogether, which is a real shame. Cruising is awesome and RCL surely delivers! We always use a travel agent, at no cost to us, to handle everything! Takes away any chance of confusion or possible stress. Hopefully, you can get everything sorted out and go on your first cruise! I’m sure you would enjoy it. And if you don’t, I’m sorry.

Nope, just going on a short 3 night to Nassau and CocoCay. I'm most concerned we will be stuck in a long line that seems to take forever while everyone will be passing us by with their fancy passports!! Ha! 

Nope will not happen at all, you will be just as quick as everyone else to board, or if you are early get into the waiting area.

Music to my ears!!!  Thanks!!

I got into a similar situation applying for my passport. Fortunately there is enough time to get it done. What State Dept. wants is what Texas Bureau of Vital Statistics calls the "Long Form". What I sent them was the "Short Form". The long form contains a lot more info about your birth than the short form is all. I'm playing the game....hope I get it by December.

Well...I guess the question has to be asked....
If the State Department didn't accept the Birth Certificate what are the chances that the cruise line will reject it as well ?

Another vote for Lava Flow with Kraken (Per my wife, she thought she would hate the rum floater but loved it.).

Another vote for Lava Flow with Kraken - yum!

I got this one. It's prefect. Thank you for the recommendation.

I've done the martini class a couple times on the Oasis of the Seas. Every martini was fabulous. I had several more thereafter. ?

American style outlets in a grand suite on Allure: 2 at the vanity mirror, 1 at the coffee maker, 1 under the bed at the phone jack and one behind the lamp next to the sliding glass door. There might be others but that's what we found.

I already bought one haha.  I saw Twangster post it and I bought one on Amazon that day because it is a very good idea.

@twangster Thanks for the tip. I just ordered one!

This is an excellent tip....just remember (those who may be considering it) that your device must be dual power and be compatible with the European currents.  Using a US-only device in a European outlet is an easy way to burn up your hairdryer (or whatever else you have plugged in there).  Most cell phones/computers are already dual voltage so that's a good thing - just be sure before you plug it in.

I will have to do some work while on the cruise. It's no big deal daughter will at at the kiddies water park and I can sit on a lounger and work on reports. 

We have a short extension cord with 3 outlets and 3 USB ports. Never had a problem with it in our carry on. Ships are starting to put in USB ports in the cabins now. The trick is to find them. ? 

I have a small digital alarm clock that has 3 usb ports on it, think I found it at a dollar store or Walmart.    We take it on cruises.  Everything we have is chargeable with a USB plug and the clock only takes up one 110v plug in the room.  Never had a problem.

No, they will be confiscated when you board the ship when you go through the security check point if you have any in your carry on bags. If you put them in your suitcase, they will be seen when the bags are xrayed and confiscated. Power strips are considered to be a fire hazard. 

There may be one under the desk by the make up mirror and 1 in the bathroom.

Swapping names is quite simple and your travel agent can handle that for you, so from a booking perspective, that's easy.
I wouldn't overlook option 1. Going solo (albeit with your family) is not that bad.  There's so much going on during a cruise that I believe you can still have a great time cruising solo. Here are the top 10 tips for cruising solo: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2018/01/12/top-10-tips-going-royal-caribbean-cruise-solo

@Vanessa77  I'm not here to tell you what you should do but I do know you an easily place someone in his spot. My cruise a few years ago was because my friend and her husband got a divorce and they already booked. All she did is call her travel agent and then I called and we switched the reservation.
(and you're not a third wheel when you're with family!)
 

One could call it "Coma in a Glass"...

Reality it is a Mudslide done in the way of a Lavaflow.

Thanks everyone, I have purchased in my cruise planner.  I will be dressing up but hubby will not.  I like 1920's style so I'm excited for it.