Lovestotravel

UGH.  That totally stinks.  I just spoke with my TA and she said they will be watching and let me know ASAP if our cruise is impacted.  It will impact so much in terms of tourism for Puerto Rico, she said, which is sad for their economy. 

My wife and I snorkel quite a bit but we brought another couple along . . . the wife was fine but her husband struggled . . . when we mentioned his limitations to the Sea Cow crew they just smiled, they had him figured out from the beginning and kept an eye on him. You'll be fine if you are comfortable in the water!

In Curacao, we did the island tour that included the Hato Caves, a small museum, and the Curacao liquor factory. Very reasonably priced and enjoyable. It was through RCI.
 

When a plane flies to or from Puerto Rico to the mainland U.S. it doesn't stop anywhere.  It flies direct.
When a cruise ship sails from Puerto Rico it almost always stops in another country.  
Big difference.  
Everyone is responsible for understanding the documentation required for boarding a cruise ship.  If in doubt don't ask the internet, ask the cruise line.  

You don't need passports as you can use your ID and birth certificate instead since it's a closed loop US cruise.  What I was attempting to emphasize is to not have those IDs in your luggage that you send to the ship as you're going to need them to board the ship. There have been horror stories of people who packed their passports and then they weren't able to find the luggage on the ship and therefore they weren't able to board but their luggage went ahead on the cruise without them!

It doesn't matter if you have not cruised before, all that matters is that you finally have seen the light and are joining us!  I know that you guys will have an absolute AMAZING time, and please do me a favor and enjoy some of that wonderful vitamin sea for me!!!?

Good to know!  Can you tell we haven't cruised before? !

Terminal should open around 10am.  Drop the luggage off and go explore.  San Juan is excellent for this as they typically have an 8pm departure.  You just need to be back and onboard by 90 minutes before departure. 
Absolutely make sure you have your passports on you before giving up your luggage..you don't want to accidentally send it to the ship before you check in!  You also may want to go ahead and checkin after you drop the luggage off so you don't have to worry about it later.

Once you drop it off with the porter then that starts the process of them checking/screening everything and it is officially in "their" hands and they handle everything from there.  As long as you are back at the terminal and onboard prior to your departure time, nobody will be the wiser about you leaving your luggage there.  You will drop your luggage curbside before you even enter the inside of the terminal.  So if you desired to drop it off and then proceed to catch a Uber, Lyft, or Taxi then there won't be anyone that will know.  

I honestly would not see a problem with this one, as long as you have given your luggage to a porter and are coming back for the cruise (and as long as you are back in PLENTY of time to ensure that you and your luggage manage to reunite the same day) then I really do not see a issue with it.  Once your luggage is checked it really should not be an issue, its in their care and is on its way to being scanned/searched and heading to your room.  

Correct.  Johnny Rockets also has a fee.

42 days left. Leaving from San Juan. BVI, Antigua, Barbados, St Lucia and DR( punta cana) 

Following looking forward to your report on the ABC islands, we're going on Freedom in March 2020

We order continental breakfast items every morning for no extra costs.  Bagels, toast, donuts, pastries, fruit, etc.  Just remember to fill out the breakfast room service flyer and put it on the door knob the night before.  They call you when they are bringing it up in the morning in case you over sleep.  We love to eat our "breakfast" out on the balcony in the morning.

If your a coffee drinker,  order a pot of coffee in the mornings from room service (its free) just remember to give your waiter a tip.  I'm a early riser so I order coffee when I get up and it usually takes about 15mins.  We enjoy looking out over the water and get to see some flying fish from time to time.  Enjoy your balcony time,  that's why you paid the extra money.  Your on vacation,  don't try to do too much.  Enjoy the moment

I take my breakfast every morning on the balcony.  I read and nap there too from time to time.  
Did HOS this past June never found it too hot or windy on our eastern caribbean cruise. 

It all depends on the weather conditions at that time. With that said, with normal wind from the movement of the ship, I only could feel it on the balcony if I stepped up to the rail. Sitting in the chairs, provided a nice relaxing spot to view the sea. 
But as someone mentioned above, if conditions aren't the best, you are just a couple of steps to being inside. 

We were on FOTS 2 yrs w/ connecting balcony rooms and on Deck 9 and it was fine for our Western Caribbean cruise . No issues with wind, only glare from the sun.

OMG AK was absolutely AMAZING, and I too spent quite a few hours sitting outside on my balcony, FAR more than I have for any other cruise.  We went in early June and I did have to bundle up but it was well worth it.  Definitely something I would wake up to everyday!  Almost wish that the ship could have docked during the evening hours so we did not miss any scenery outside!  

I have found all conditions on the balcony, but none have prevented enjoyment. If it gets too hot, air conditioning  is only a few feet away!!

Just remember, if it is really too hot on your way to ABC, you will be ok on your way back or vice versa, depending if your room is port or starboard!!!!

We usually get a balcony and its just fine to me! It can be windy depending on the day and the normal fluctuations in the weather but we end up spending quite some time out on ours.  I get up early in the morning and head off to the gym and grab a quick snack afterwards and sit out on the balcony and read a book and eat my "pre-breakfast" while the wife is still sleeping. There are times that I will spend out there just watching the waves roll by, to me its honestly perfect!  I can assure you that you will have a great time!  We have had balconies all over the ship and on quite a few decks and it really has not mattered.  Each and every one has always been greatly enjoyed! 

Hi everyone! I pride myself on being very social when I meet people in person, but online, I’m a certified lurker ?. I read the message boards, take notes ?, and have learned so much from everyone on this blog (thanks @Matt for this awesome platform) but I rarely make a post or comment.

Maybe it’s because everyone has already said what I was thinking (and y’all don’t need to see my “ditto” response ?)... Maybe it’s because I can’t come up with any interesting new questions or topics that are worth posting ?... Maybe it’s because I’m afraid that my post will be the equivalent of the kid sitting alone at the lunch table in a crowded middle school cafeteria ??...

Soooooooo... This post is dedicated to all of the lurkers out there just like me! Say hi, hit like, or drop a comment of your choosing below! Or don’t. ? You are still loved and welcomed here!
 

Thanks for the info about Raíces   Just finished eating lunch here. Great restaurant. Just about to go back to the Symphony of the seas. They are celebrating their 50 th anniversary  qnd we are celebrating our 41anniversary  having a great time  

@Lovestotravel Yes we enjoyed it, but it does have stairs to get to the caves...and bats do reside in this cave.