DuaneG

I've been known to book a cruise to try to get some tail but I've never canceled a cruise for lack of succeeding.  

Mask requirements are no longer in effect. 

Let's hope no pre cruise tests

Not looking for an argument but stating my thoughts that have been eating at me for awhile now:
So not only would I love to see the pre-cruise testing stop…how about allowing the unvaccinated back onboard?
I have never taken sides and I do not think it is my place to do so.  I am me…and nobody else.
I am vaccinated and boosted (twice) and got COVID for the first time 2 weeks ago after returning from a family vacation to Disney.  There were nine of us and only 2 did not get sick…both unvaccinated!  

I think this virus is pretty close to becoming our next head cold or flu.  Some will get very sick…some will have mild symptoms…some will never get sick!  So…….why are the unvaccinated still being penalized this late in the game?
I certainly hope my thoughts here do not start a war on words…but I feel better having finally stated how I think. 

Not a bad location at all and some great spots are a 5 minute Uber ride (see pic). Rustic Inn garlic crabs are THE BEST! Also, Dania Pointe is on Sterling Road about 5 minutes in the other direction which has many dining options all in one place. 

Take a peek at this recent related post... Matt provided a link to a company that provides scooters, wheelchairs, etc... My MIL is 83 with mobility issues as well and we may need to look into this company too!
 

So sorry for the passing of your wife Bill. I appreciate the help and insight on this as I want to make it as enjoyable as possible. It sounds like the use of a scooter on board was very positive.

This is the perfect area for either port as it’s close to the airport and quick access to the highway. 

I currently have reservations at the Four Points Sheraton ($190) and the Springhill Suites ($225) both in Dania Beach for our October Explorer cruise out of POM.  Not a bad price & Marriots usually have a good standard of quality.

So sorry for the passing of your wife Bill. I appreciate the help and insight on this as I want to make it as enjoyable as possible. It sounds like the use of a scooter on board was very positive.

I totally get that and it is just a place to lay our head for the night before we get onboard to our nice accommodations. Thank you for the help.

So sorry for the passing of your wife Bill. I appreciate the help and insight on this as I want to make it as enjoyable as possible. It sounds like the use of a scooter on board was very positive.

My late wife needed a scooter for medical problems which limited her ability to walk.  We probably used scooters on at least 15 RCCL cruises.  RCCL provided a list of companies which provided scooters at which ports.  I would order the scooter and make the arrangements.  The scooter would either be in our cabin or a crew member would meet us with the scooter at the terminal, depending on location and ship.  We had very little trouble using the scooter on the ship during the cruise.  Most people were very considerate when using elevators allowing plenty of room.  On several occasions the crew/staff even loaded the scooter on and off tender ships so we could go ashore.  This service needs to be pre-arranged and won't be available everywhere.  All that said use of the scooter enabled us to enjoy cruising and the time we had remaining together.
Bill

Duane, there are lots of options.  Many on 17th Street Causeway just north of the port.  Many in the city of Dania Beach, just south of the Port and some West of the port on Griffin Road and I-95.  Some from inexpensive to some that are very expensive, some offer shuttle service to and from the port, some only to the port (at no extra charge) and some don't offer a shuttle at all.  
What I do, I go on Booking.com and search "Port Everglades".  That will give you a good idea of what is available and the approx., pricing.  When you find a hotel in the location that is good for you and a price that is about right for you, go on the hotels website and see what they offer, what is included.  We always call the actual hotel for their Shuttle information as the national website may not have that information.  
Now, I'm retired from Port Everglades and I'd stay at one of the hotels that are clustered on Griffin Road and I-95, right next/near to Brass Pro.  Great Location and a very short drive to the port, almost a straight shot.  BTW, I grew up about 1 mile from that location.  But, no hotels back then.  

Just did it here at the hotel and it worked great. I tried to do it out and about and the connection wasn’t strong enough. We are both negative so we sail away tomorrow woo hoo!

I suitcase mine.
Once off the ship, I put sea pass in my suitcase to take home for my collection.
On board I ask my wife to carry my sea pass card. I keep my hands busy with drinks.

Testing children at the pier can be problematic.  Squirming children who won’t hold still can lead to inconclusive tests so it has to be repeated. 
As numbers of cruisers go up but the CDC protocols don’t change they need more time.  
The ship will still sail, you’ll still reach your destination on time.  In the bigger picture it’s inconsequential.  

That's exactly what this is about. It's not about increased numbers of guests needing more time. That's not a problem now, even with the requirement to arrive only at your scheduled arrival time and won't be a problem going forward. My take is, once you've boarded, who cares whether your departure time is at 4, 5, 6 or whatever. More over, what's driving how many guests can be accommodated is crew staffing. Many Asian crews have been vaccinated in their home country but not with the approved vaccines required for entry to the US.  Sinopharm is popular in Asia but it's not approved in the US. I'm told that laid off crew in the South East Asian region, e.g. Thailand, Philippines, can't get AZ, Pfizer, Moderna or J&J  vaccines because the Chinese demanded sole rights to distribute in delivery contracts.  
Apparently this is a pretty big problem for the lines - getting crew legally into the US. That's not going to end anytime soon. There are a lot of frustrated and laid off crew who are itching to get back to work and shipboard duty save for having been vaccinated with US approved vaccines. The processes, for example, to obtain waivers (seems sensible), bring crew in, administer appropriate vaccines, accomplish the quarantine and testing routines is complicated by politics and varying PH protocols in the countries involved. I'm told by experienced staff that what seems as the simplest solution - take the approved vaccines to the crew you want back -  isn't going to happen because corporate is taking the position they won't do that.  It's not a cost or logistics issue, it's conflicting medical standards between countries, vaccine politics and the costly red tape to get something like that off the ground. 

In addition to spreading people out during the check in process, we noticed on our Symphony cruise out of Miami last month that we were the last ship to leave port.  We watched the ships from other cruise lines go before us, so the overall schedule out of the port likely plays a role too.

Only my speculation...  I think they just don't know how long the protocols might take, and they're not taking chances.
 
Last week, my wife was on Oasis, and they also changed/extended the departure time.  She said it ended up being the easiest and quickest boarding ever.🌴

Cruising on the Freedom of the Seas November 29-December3 and about a month ago they changed the departure time from 4 to 5. Now today I get an email saying it has changed again from 5 to 6 because of new CDC guidelines. Are they getting that backed up at the pier with asking you if you are vaccinated 100 times or are they just being super cautious?

Yea to be up front I am in a Junior Suite and I am happy with that for sure. Of course I had to bid on the two bedroom Grand Suite which was way out of our price range. I totally get RC trying to get as much money as possible and I think this is a great way for them to do that and treat some lucky cruisers. I just wish it was more like 4-5 days notice instead of 1-2. I really don't plan on winning anyway my bid was low. The good news is 2 of those rooms are still open as of last check so hopefully the winds will be in my favor lol

Yea to be up front I am in a Junior Suite and I am happy with that for sure. Of course I had to bid on the two bedroom Grand Suite which was way out of our price range. I totally get RC trying to get as much money as possible and I think this is a great way for them to do that and treat some lucky cruisers. I just wish it was more like 4-5 days notice instead of 1-2. I really don't plan on winning anyway my bid was low. The good news is 2 of those rooms are still open as of last check so hopefully the winds will be in my favor lol

Yea to be up front I am in a Junior Suite and I am happy with that for sure. Of course I had to bid on the two bedroom Grand Suite which was way out of our price range. I totally get RC trying to get as much money as possible and I think this is a great way for them to do that and treat some lucky cruisers. I just wish it was more like 4-5 days notice instead of 1-2. I really don't plan on winning anyway my bid was low. The good news is 2 of those rooms are still open as of last check so hopefully the winds will be in my favor lol

Yea to be up front I am in a Junior Suite and I am happy with that for sure. Of course I had to bid on the two bedroom Grand Suite which was way out of our price range. I totally get RC trying to get as much money as possible and I think this is a great way for them to do that and treat some lucky cruisers. I just wish it was more like 4-5 days notice instead of 1-2. I really don't plan on winning anyway my bid was low. The good news is 2 of those rooms are still open as of last check so hopefully the winds will be in my favor lol