FireFishII

Start with the carry-on only and switched to the checked bag only if you have too. As far as the wine - try a new wine.  You may be surprised.  OR could you ask your Lyft/Uber driver to stop by a liquor store if you give them a nice tip?  If you don't ask, the answer is always NO.

It is about the new marine rules to reduce air emissions and fuel consumptions

https://www.epa.gov/ports-initiative/marine-vessel-speed-reduction-reduces-air-emissions-and-fuel-usage

Therefore, the distance the ship can travel in a day will be reduced.  So in a way, yes, the ports have moved.  LOL!

I believe you can request either mornings or afternoons from your cabin steward. 

Cover all bases.  Bring the pressure point wrist bands and Dramamine.  

I hope that RCL will recognized that your son can not get the vaccine due to South America rules. 

But I did find the following on the RCL website:

Guests age 12 and older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to sail:

• Cruises from Australia Learn more about cruising from Australia

I also found this on one of the Australia's government website:

From 6 July 2022 people do not need to provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccination to enter Australia.

Either way, it looks like your son under 12 will be ok. 

You could always use them in REALLY BIG Christmas cards. Or follow them and put them into regular size cards. 

I don't think I have ever seen spice in the wild. Were you able to purchase any spices from Laura’s Herb and Spice farm? 

1 hour ago, kadmgs said:

the ag teachers are out for Livestock Show & Rodeo 

That is something I never hear in New England.  LOL!

Ii will take the crab over the snake any day.  At least I know I can eat the crab.

2 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I am afraid of the domino effect of flight cancellations. I am also really worried about the flight that my parents and sister are on. They are taking the 1:50pm flight down to FLL. 

If your parents and sisters can swing it, they may be able to get on standby for either tonight or early tomorrow morning flights.  With bad weather coming in, most airlines will help their passengers get out of the area before the storm hits.

Yes, my fingers are cross. 

THANK YOU SO MUCH for Blogging.  I really enjoy reading all blogs - no matter how much a blogger blogs.  (Say that really fast 10 x). I did not know that RCL had these types of suites.  It would be great for families.  The only thing I see that would bother me is no door to the main bedroom. 

I am rolling on the floor!  I did not see that coming. 

On 3/2/2023 at 1:09 PM, MrsD2012 said:

Would you recommend couples get their own bed? Or share? Is it too crowed with 4 people? 

 

Here is a good review of the day beds:

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/01/24/perfect-day-cococay-beach-bed-review

It looks like the bed would hold 4.  There is also the 2 loungers that comes with the day bed so the adults can spread out. 

Here is a piece of advice to any new beginner - do not dive right before flying.  This could cause the bends.  Even if you do your safety stop.  While DAN (Divers Alert Network) recommends 12 hours after a single dive or 18 hours after multiple dives, I try for 24 hours. 

I would also STRONGLY recommend getting extra dive insurance from DAN. This is why I get it:

Does my coverage include emergency transportation? An air ambulance can be the most expensive part of a diving accident. Some insurance plans may cover the cost of hyperbaric treatments and not the cost of getting you to the chamber.

4 hours ago, JimnKathy said:

Chocolate covered strawberries are only delicious if the quality of both the strawberries AND chocolate are top-notch...the ones on the ship are second rate.

I will go 1 step further - they have to be eaten the same day they are made.  Otherwise the strawberries will get mushy.

When I cruised I some how totally missed the cups until the 2nd day.  I just walked up to a bar and was given a cup.

I would pick 11:30.  If the pickup is at 10:30 and the drive is 60 mins like @smokeybandit says it is, you will be right on time.   

Have fun babysitting your granddaughter. I too was on call to babysit my granddaughter when my daughter went into labor.  She had a scheduled induction for this Wednesday.  I decided to go ahead and traveled to PA for my sister-in-law's memorial service.  While I was done there, my daughter was in a lot of muscle pain and chills.  She calls me on Saturday asking if I would come home because she was so stress.  Fortunately, this was after the memorial service so of course I drag my son and husband home (not much dragging was needed, as in none). 

It ended up that she caught COVID for the first time.  She was induced Saturday night.  I got home around 10:30 pm to take over for a neighbor.  Fortunately, everyone is well and my daughter's symptoms went away.  

I will be following along.  Enjoy your trip. Prayers for your dad and DIL. 

I have a second bank account for all my transfers.  This way if someone makes a mistake and withdraw too much money, the amount they would be able to withdraw is limited. 

I agree with @Coastalmikey about debit cards.  I have stopped using my ATM card  as a debit card and will only use it as a CC, which rarely happens.  I rather get the rewards from credit companies.   

I don't think it would be because it was magically sold out.  But I bet it is because someone chartered the cruise.  

Just be flexible.  Sometimes they will switch ports or switch the order of the ports to avoid the weather if possible.  

You can also follow James Van Fleet on Twitter.  He is the meteorologist for Royal Caribbean. He also announces if the ships make changes to their itinerary.   

https://twitter.com/JamesVanFleet?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author

2 hours ago, ZBrady said:

More specifically, from the RC website:

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-if-i-am-traveling-with-a-minor-and-i-am-not-their-parent-legal-guardian

The forms are very similar. The biggest difference is the US Passport form has a space for BOTH parents.  I would recommend having both forms filled out, especially if you will be flying to the port. 

35 minutes ago, hurls15 said:

I am going to do the browsing and shopping in advance of the cruise, and then go back and make the actual purchase on the way back to FLL after the cruise.

If you find them on sale, you may want to ask the store if they will still be on sale when you get back.  This is something I did once.  I found out that if I wait a week, there will be a better sale.  You never know. 

On 3/6/2023 at 12:31 PM, BigKarl said:

You wash underwear?  Since they are "Under" my clothes I never wash them.   

That reminds me of the credits from Big Hero 6:

[In a post-credits scene, Fred stands in front of the family portrait] 

Fred's Dad : Son.

Fred : Dad.

Fred's Dad : [He picks up the underwear and holds them proudly]  I wear 'em front. I wear 'em back.

Fred , Fred's Dad : [Fred joins in]  I go inside out. Then I go front and back.

Fred : Dad!