Sharla

That'd be great if we didn't rely on the app for activities, schedules, reservations and keeping in touch with other family members on board

Spin Classes?  I used to be addicted to the "Hokey Pokey"  but then I turned myself around.

You will sleep much better if you stay in a hotel. The Hyatt is literally inside the airport so I recommend that for sure. 

If you checked bags, those will be outside the terminal at baggage claim. After claiming, You will not be able to re-enter through security at this point since you will not have a boarding pass. You are now stuck outside the terminal area, which is not exactly a restful and quiet area even if you found a place to sleep. Leaving your luggage at baggage claim for 6+ hours is not good idea either if you are planning on not leaving the secured area of the terminal and sleeping there. 
get the hotel and don’t cheap out! Your body will thank you 

I would still get a hotel.  A few hours of sleep in a real bed will still be much better than trying to get any sleep in an airport.

Sounds like that free $100 gift card you’ll get after your cruise is really quite expensive.

I believe (but may have this backwards) that the even categories are rooms that only sleep 2 people.  So the 4Vs sleep 2 and the 3Vs sleep 3 or more.  There's no need to separate by color because the size of your party will determine which ones are shown to you when searching.

This is true, and while a C&A status wouldn't be top priority it would be something I would handle as soon as possible. Just because it's not an emergency doesn't mean it's not important. 

This is true, and while a C&A status wouldn't be top priority it would be something I would handle as soon as possible. Just because it's not an emergency doesn't mean it's not important. 

This is true, and while a C&A status wouldn't be top priority it would be something I would handle as soon as possible. Just because it's not an emergency doesn't mean it's not important. 

This is true, and while a C&A status wouldn't be top priority it would be something I would handle as soon as possible. Just because it's not an emergency doesn't mean it's not important. 

Ride share will be quite expensive, and you'll be at the mercy of someone being available and willing to take the drive. 
Doesn't look like the Brightline train will be ready by then, but there are other trains that might be available. That's what I would do, or rent a car.

Considering that many of those with the extra 25% had specific dates to use, sounds like poor planning on your part. I took refunds, got a couple lift and shifts and one FCC, no issues. 

First, I have a hard time believing a 216 mile, 3.25 hour Uber ride would be the most cost effective travel option between Orlando and Ft Lauderdale.  Second, with the airline industry's track record these days, it's generally not recommended to fly into your departure city on the same day as your cruise.  Flying into a different city on the same day seems like a VERY bad idea.  If you have any issues with flight delays, traffic, or even just finding an Uber willing to make that trip, you could end up missing your cruise entirely.

If you must fly same day, please research flights into Ft Lauderdale or Miami.  Those airports are so much more convenient for cruisers.

It's quite possible that it won't be available on such a short cruise. My first Royal Caribbean cruise was short because a company had chartered the first part of the week. So the systems weren't prepared to offer a different option and it just wasn't available.

Hello everyone,

I disembarked the Independence of the seas today, amazing cruise, sad it is over.  Huge shoutout to all the staff on the Independence, they really do an amazing job.
 
Anyway, I found it very interesting as I was disembarking this morning in Port Canaveral there was a HUGE line of people waiting to check out with their birth certificate instead of a passport... meanwhile I cruised right through what must have been 200+ people in line waiting to have their birth certificate examined... and they just scanned my face as I walked right out with no issue. 
Do other people have this experience where the birth certificate line is so long?  I can't believe so many people don't have passports!! 
 
Happy to answer any questions on the independence as well :), 4 day going to Nassau and Perfect Day including July 4th

Perhaps you can cruise with your birth certificate and driver's license instead of the passport? You don't say where you are cruising out of - if it is a closed loop cruise out of US port, that might be your only option.  I imagine you sent a copy of your birth certificate to the passport office, can you order another one online and pick it up? 

Yes, but if the person does get thrown overboard just chuck the luggage along with them and you free up space!   Win/Win

ALL reasons why I am so grateful for my travel agent!!

This makes me think she’ll get her long overdue amplification. 
 
Symphony went over in March for her 5 year mechanical and since Allure is going a full month earlier, hopefully that means she’s getting all the bells and whistles 
I doubt there will be a transatlantic at that time of year. 
 
Anyone remember when oasis and Harmony went for their amp? Was there a TA? 

Better yet if you are withing 30 days of the original booking, I would contact an MEI Travel Agent (they are blog supporters @Sharla) and transfer the booking to them.  It costs you nothing to use them and they can get this children in a connecting room issue worked out for you easily.
As far as any perks for the children in the Connecting Balcony that is going to very up to the Suite Concierge on board, I will say that they will almost certainly be able to embark and disembark with you through the Suite Priority lines.  The other perk they can enjoy is the reserved seating in the theatre and shows as they rarely check the accompanying persons cards after the first person, especially so with children.

MEI-Travel does not offer an automatic onboard credit for booking. This is a practice known as "rebating".  Rebating is when an agency cuts their agent's commission and passes the savings on to the customer.
We are a fee-free agency, which means that you do not pay ANY fees for our services. We do not charge any cancellation or change fees other than what the supplier charges.
Yes, you can use RoyalUp with MEI.
Go to royalcaribbeanblog.com and request a quote on the right hand side and you'll be paired with an agent. 

Hi all,
I'm going to be celebrating 11 months of recovery time while on The Wonder of the Seas on 7/20.  I know the meetings are self-led but does anyone know if the ships provide chips for the meeting for those that are celebrating anniversaries?