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sk8erguy1978

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Posts posted by sk8erguy1978

  1. 2 hours ago, SJ1 said:

    3)  PHOTO, Photo, photo.  The number one reason passport applications get suspended is probably for the photo.  The requirements are very specific and very strict.  Must have been taken less than 6 months ago, no eye glasses, solid white background, clearly see your eyes, no shadows, etc. etc. etc.

    Our last passport renewal (few years ago now) my wife HATED that I wouldn't let her smile, hey it says "neutral expression" LOL. If I may expand on this one, I used the photo tool available on the travel.state.gov website. That gave me the exact dimensions without having to fiddle with Photoshop (well I use GIMP) and get it wrong. It also gave me lined corners so with my paper cutter I was able to get nice "perfect" cuts. (I think they actually make a 2x2 punch out you can buy, but already had the paper cutter). I just looked now and the tool appears to have undergone a lot of improvements; definitely check it out if you're a DIY photo person. As far as white background, I bought white foam presentation board which worked perfectly to set the white balance on the camera and use as a backdrop. (As an added bonus, whenever I need a white background photo, I pull them out of the closet, so it wasn't a one time purchase and toss away).

    ... or just go to CVS and pay the few bucks LOL.

    Great write-up! 

    https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html (all details about photo, link to tool there as well).

  2. 40 minutes ago, CrimsonCruiser said:

    So far, I know I won't be going on Vision class again. it wasn't a bad experience but the ship (Enchantment) felt too small and dated and there wasn't much to do on my own.

    This is my fear, and unless the itinerary has some interesting ports, not 100% sure my wife will be wanting to go - so I could end up solo to experience it. I suppose as long as there is a pool and drink package she'd be in heaven LOL.

  3. 9 minutes ago, BrianB said:

    But a big part for me is the convenience. All of my cruises are sailing from Port Liberty in Bayonne NJ, an easy drive from my home. Luckily, we have the Oasis in Sept and Oct and then the Anthem for the rest of the year into next spring. 

    Cape Liberty is our home port as well. We did the 5 day to Bermuda 6 times, so glad they are finally offering a 7-night itinerary. For a while, I felt like my vacation life was on rinse and repeat. We did do the 9-day once, but syncing vacation days each (for a 9 day trip) was tricky a few years ago - easier now I suppose - different work schedules, easier for me to get off "whenever", etc. That said, ironically, because of her work schedule (new job) we cancelled September on Oasis and will fly down to Miami in January to meet her. 

  4. While I've only sailed the larger Voyager, Freedom, Quantum, Oasis class of ships, I'd like to experience them all. My preference is the larger ships of course, even though I don't have a comparison never sailing a smaller ship. Reviewing the floor plan and YouTube videos I see enough to deduce while it would be an awesome and intimate experience (with the sea - and those I'm sailing with - friends, family, etc) I'd be in it more for the itinerary than ship. To me, the larger ships are part of the destination.

  5. 11 hours ago, basil said:

    Let my husband wear a speedo. I love him, but that is a sight no one wants to see.

    My ongoing joke that people fall for every time. "I'm wearing my speedo bathing suit for boarding." I get all the DO IT, NO YOU WILL NOT, etc, etc... I have a pair of speedo BRAND bathing suit, but it's of regular size leaving EVERYTHING to the imagination, as it should be :). LOL.

  6. I booked Adventure of the Seas for September 4th on July 3rd. The next day, July 4th I was able to check-in (probably could have checked in day before but didn't look as it was a spontaneous "YOLO book it" move), lots of times available and got 12:30PM - 1:00PM without issues. Checkout is at 11AM and Google Maps is saying 2.4 miles / 3.9km ...  so I'll ask the cab driver to go 1.6 MPH / 2.6 KMH ?

  7. 3 hours ago, teddy said:

    We got one of the two for one offers.
     

    For a minimum bid of $850 pp, we could bid on another ocean view balcony room.  This would be in addition to what we’ve already paid. 
     

    No guarantee they’d be on the same deck together.  
     

    Here’s a quick screenshot 

    0D6DD757-26B0-4B57-8022-85E3AFCFF21C.png

    Thanks for sharing, didn't want to steal a screenshot in a private group.

    What's funny, $850 * 2 = $1700... LOL that's more than I paid for the spacious ocean view balcony; even if I add a second passenger (with gratuities).

  8. 11 minutes ago, MicDay said:

    @sk8erguy1978what is the 2 for 1 staterooms for Royal Up?  I tried google but nothing showed.  

    We have two Jr Suites booked for our May 5th 2022 Alaska sailing on Ovation.  Does that mean we could possible Royal Up both staterooms for the price of one Royal Up bid?  

    Thanks!

    I don't know much about it, but people were reporting and showing screenshots of an option to bid on a second room.

    Example: in an OV Balcony a bid option was to "upgrade" to a second OV Balcony of same category... Might not be on same floor.

    I'm sure there are strict rules around it. Maybe someone with experience can chime in.

  9. Since I am solo on September 4th the 2-for-1 staterooms do not seem to be available to me. Too bad, I was going to bid as a joke, if I ended up with two staterooms - well, guess a Facebook blast - "who wants to take a cruise for X (insert bid price)." Others on the same cruise report seeing the 2-for-1 deals. I suspect to entice families into two cabins for a low price. Keeps occupancy levels the same and brings in a little more revenue for a cabin that would have sailed empty. I further suspect it's not available to me, a solo traveler, so I don't do what I just said... Snag a room for 5 or 6 hundred bucks and pass it along to a friend. However, I suppose a party of two could do the same thing. I wonder what the rules say for that second cabin. Interestingly, others report $150 for minimum on Jr. Suite while I was able to input $100. REALLY tempting but as a solo I'd rather spend that money at CocoCay.

    All speculation of course.

  10. I understand you're looking for the best deal, sometimes that might come in some form of "guaranteed" kick back. Honestly, I wouldn't choose an agent for what they may or may not kick back to me. A lot of the time (and correct me if I am wrong travel agents) the thank you gift you may or may not receive comes directly out of their commission. Given no income for the last year+, I don't want ANY of their commission, just their great service.

    My agent is Kathy from MEI and she's been great. I don't expect or want anything from her. She provided a service and was compensated accordingly by the cruise line.

    I don't know much (okay anything) about CruCon - a quick Google it appears to be a big - don't know your agent on a personal level - agency (although it does have excellent Google reviews). As stated by @wordell1 in these times personalized service is worth way more than $50-$100 (5%-10%) OBC kick back for every $1000 I spend with them.

    Again, I (as many here will) suggest any agent from MEI, they all have rave reviews around here.

  11. Let's see.

    1. Not on the cruise but I'll never fly in the day of embarkation.
    2. As long as I drink alcohol I'll never not get the drink package and never pay onboard price. (Is that a 2 for 1 never?)

    Otherwise, I hate the word never, life's too short ... look like an arse at karaoke, the flow rider, or anything else. I have no interest in doing the belly flop, but hey, sometimes you just end up in situations ... enjoy that moment. That's how we ended up being team leads in the quest one cruise. While I'd love to say "never do that again" honestly, if it happens it happens LOL.

  12. CK is LOVED by most of the regular suite guests. I'm guilty of only 2 visits over 3 cruises. Not because the food was bad or anything like that, but we were sailing with non-suite guests and wanted to enjoy meals with them. Friends > CK (barely ?).

    The food is delish and service is exceptional, I'd say think of it as specialty dining included in your suite fare. I'm sure the maitre d' will accommodate and keep you with the same server. I'd say you'd prefer CK over MDR.

    With that, I'll leave it to the CK experts to chime in with better intel!

  13. From @Matt's blog post it looks like (if I am understanding correctly) your situation falls under "wait & see."

    Quote

    Ms. Yera-Rodriguez further clarified her statement, "If you're sitting on an FCC, you haven't booked it, you haven't done anything with it, and you're like, oh, I'm just reading that potentially, there are going to be vaccines required or I might have to do something that I don't like or agree with. Well, let's kind of wait it out and see what happens to your particular sailing, for what happens in the future.

    https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/07/01/royal-caribbean-will-refund-your-future-cruise-credits-if-you-dont-new-health-protocols

  14. 2 hours ago, ConstantCruiser said:

    Correct.

    Initially it was inserted in the process to give the CDC another choke point where they could halt cruising or drag their feet for months.  If it were not for the Florida lawsuit I am pretty confident that would have been the outcome.  

    Yep. Politics to the side (I'm not a political person and try to steer clear of all conversations) I think the FL lawsuit in general is what lit the fire under the CDCs behind. If not for that, we'd still be talking about next round of cancellations vs next round of ships re-starting. 

  15. Congratulations!

    If it were me, I wouldn't be thrilled about a vacation with a newborn for several reasons. (Disclaimer, no kids here). You're in a tricky situation, I'd suggest sailing before the baby is born, if you can change those sailings, BUT she cannot be more than 23 weeks, so you'd have to go soon.

    Maybe a relative would love to babysit for a week while you're gone? Another option, maybe mom would love a solo cruise or cruise with her girlfriends while dad hangs back with the baby? Doesn't help your itch to cruise however.

    I wasn't big on refundable cruises but now agree with @ConstantCruiser and others who advocate refundable fare. I did for my January 2022 cruise and will for another I'm considering. Too many unknown variables these days. Whatever you end up doing, try to work in refundable if at all possible. 

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