FireFishII

The ATM onboard may be able to give you Euros instead of US dollars.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/onboard-atm-cash-service#:~:text=You are certainly welcome to,and limited currency conversion services.

Yes, you will need a release from BOTH parents, even if they are divorce.  These releases must be notarized.  Getting a medical release like @Keanoknickrecommended is great advice. 

You can go to this site for a sample of the form:

https://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/minor-travel-consent-form.html

While the rules state that anyone sharing a cabin that is 21+, must get the deluxe beverage package. But I know that my sister was allowed to downgrade to the refreshment package since she does not drink. All you can do is ask.  

2 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I don’t know if I am excited or dreading it. I am sure my Dad will be going on and on about how inside life is best and “most practical”. My Dad is as sensible and practical as they come. I am sure I am a disappointment since I am the other extreme

I least you only have to worry about your father being tight with money.  I have a husband that I have to worry about. I am in the middle.  There are things that are worth splurging on and things that are not. 

I read somewhere that the lobster night is the 2nd sea days on 7 night cruises.

Ok, I guess next time I need to have my picture taken at ports. Yes, I was one of those that speed walked past the photographers and avoided eye contact.  Lesson learned. 

I have never seen a photographer taking candid photos.  I never saw any candid photos in our account.  That would be nice to view and purchase. 

1 hour ago, mac66 said:

As for masks.. I have what my kids call the neanderthal brow. Framed masks are very painful to wear in that under pressure the frame presses against my protruding brow. It's usually pretty painful at the end of a couple dives but I tolerated it.  I was on a dive last year and was talking to a fellow diver. He mentioned frameless masks i.e, one piece lens surrounded by the rubber/silicone skirt. He let me try his on (but not in the water).  When I got home I ordered one (Cressi F1). I've now dived numerous times with it. I love it, no pain!

I will have to check out those types of masks. 

Have you tried out the neoprene mask strap covers?  I love them.  The normal straps always pulls my hair. 

Just had another thought.  You may want to have some small EURO bills for tipping. 

I don't know about your bank at home but I can get Euros from my bank.  I just need to ask for it a couple weeks before my cruise. 

When I google Barcelona taxis taking CC, I found out that they do take CC.  I would recommend that whenever possible, to use your CCs.  I believe the only time you would need Euros is when you are buying something from a street stand.  Almost all shops and restaurants will take CC.  Just call your CC company to let them know when you will be in Barcelona. 

On 3/2/2023 at 9:43 PM, Ampurp85 said:

Fresh squeezed juice is hit or miss imho, I have only seen it being offered in the MDR, which is rarely a place people get breakfast/lunch.

You can get fresh squeezed juice in the WindJammer.  You just need to flag down one of the stewards/staff that is walking around and ask for it.  I also think there is one area near the end of the stations that someone was making the fresh squeezed juice.  Love fresh squeezed OJ. 

2 hours ago, Jamesszy94 said:

No teleportation

Wow, someone who actually reads the signs.

I live in New England and I don't like to dive here.  WAY TOO COLD.  Even in August. But PADI dive shops in the Caribbean are known for accepting students who only needs their open water portion.  And yes, RCL also has this option. 

See https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-if-i-have-not-completed-the-open-water-dives

What I like about that is you don't have to get up at 6:30 am to take your pool sessions while on your cruise. 

If Coco Beach Club is ever sold out, I would recommend checking back near your sailing date.  That is what I did last year and I was able to get a cabana the week prior even though they were sold out months prior. 

Alas, no offers here.

34 minutes ago, Chili said:

My edocs  or condition of carriage for a cruise on the weekend still says 2 bottles.

I’m in a solo cabin and I will be carrying on 2 bottles of wine with a copy of my edocs.

I am sure there will a few weeks (or hopefully months) before they really start enforcing that rule.  I would think it would be mean of RCL to start enforcing the rule a week or two or three after it changed.  Once they do start enforcing the rule, I am sure they will be holding a lot of bottles of wine until the night before disembarkation. Then you could always consume that bottle on your last night.  LOL!

@Brendonand @mac66- while is has been many years ago since I have done my open water apart from my classroom and pool sessions, PADI is well known for accommodating this structure of learning.  Yes, @Brendonyou are correct in the fact that a dive shop will not just let you tag along.  Since it is part of the learning structure, they must have a instructor available to you.  This means you need to contact the dive shop prior to your trip to make sure they can accommodate you.  It also means that it comes with a cost.  

Will the dive shop do it on a cruise ship? According to the following website, RC WILL ALLOW a student to complete their open water training with them.  Again, you will need to contact them on the space availability and the cost.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-if-i-have-not-completed-the-open-water-dives

@mac66 - you are lucky to have a head shape that will allow you to use most mask.  I am sure most masks are made to fit the majority.  Unfortunately, I am not one of those people.  In fact, when I was on the fire department, none of the department SCBA masks would provide me with a good seal.    

On 3/4/2023 at 4:01 PM, Jamesszy94 said:

Watching the beautiful ocean. We're almost at our first port.. but she's started rocking again! Rough seas all week...I swear... are her stabilizers legit broken or something? It wasn't this bad last time I sailed on her. 

A couple of years ago, I was cruising in the Caribbean.  The seas were so rough that the captain announced that he had to pull in the stabilizers. This was done to prevent the stabilizers from breaking.  The ship was rolling so bad, I could not walk a straight line.  I just bounced from wall to wall.  LOL!  I had to kid my sisters, who had only cruised in the Mediterranean.  They tried to convince me that I would not feel the ship move.   Fortunately, I did not listen to them and brought my motion sickness medication with me. 

I am in the camp of do the book work and pool sessions with your local dive shop.  Then do the open water portion with the cruise line.  When I got my OW cert, I did everything local (I live in New England so it was not far to the ocean). But when I went for my Advanced Open Water, I found out I was pregnant the week before the open water portion.  So I had to wait a year and complete my training on board.  No problem accepting my initial training. Since I am not a morning person, this worked out well for me.

Yes, dive shops usually want you to purchase equipment from them.  I would strongly recommend  you purchase your mask at a dive shop vs on line.  This is because not all masks will fit your face.  The dive shop can show you how to test for a good seal.  The one time I used a borrow mask, I regret it.  The mask kept leaking every time I turned my head.  

One final piece of advice: Since I only scuba dive every 5 years, I will take a refresher course (1 hour class room and 1 pool session) at my local dive shop. While you don't need to do this, I do this to keep myself safe. 

Enjoy getting your OW certificate.  You will have a blast! 

The only time I appreciated the turndown service is when they used to leave chocolate on your pillow.  The last time I cruise, I did not get any chocolate. So, I won't miss the turndown service. 

1 hour ago, Yesiamthere6 said:

My hubby jokingly said, let’s take this bottle of wine and knock on their door. Lol

Ah, NO!  

2 hours ago, TravelingBeyondBoundaries said:

I actually found a travel restraint called a RideSafer vest that is legal in all states.

Thanks for sharing this information.  I know what to get my kids for Christmas - ok, it may be an early Christmas present when they come out to visit this fall. 

When my kids travel with my grandkids, they bring along the car seat.  The car seat is checked luggage.  They usually wrap the car seat in an extra large and hefty trash bag.  You can buy car seat travel covers. 

If a cabin opens up, it will usually be right after final payment is due. That is when most people will give up their cabin.  I don't know how often it happens.  Good luck!

49 minutes ago, jp1 said:

I'll hustle our suitcases down 8 flights of stairs to avoid the elevator line.  I need the steps anyway.

I was fortunate to be on deck 6 - I was able to lug my luggage down those stairs.