FireFishII

Agree.  Get a new agent.  That is why I use an agent - so they can go to bat for me. I hate to push my elder aunt (who is my TA) but she will even tell you that that is why she is there.  She has no problem sitting on the phone for hours until she gets an answer I want. NO guarantees of course.  But that is how she earns her commissions and have people keep coming back to her even though she is semi-retired. 

Nothing yet.  It may still be a supply chain issue.  But I have read that some people have success using their old ones.  They bring them on board and get them reprogrammed at Guest Services.  Can anyone confirm this rumor as true? 

Once you have mailed off your application, you can track the status of your passport here: 

https://passportstatus.state.gov/

Here are the processing times taken directly from the US Passport website: (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html)

Routine: 6 to 9 weeks*

Expedited: Costs an extra $60. Takes 3 to 5 weeks.*

*Processing times begin the day we receive your application at a passport agency or center, not the day you mail your application or apply.

Expedited at Agency or Center: Must have international travel in the next 14 calendar days.

29 minutes ago, Va4fam said:

Next question....there will be 5 of us.  Most likely will book 3 balcony rooms and have to pay a single supplement for my mom's room.

Is there a larger suite that can accommodate 5 of us that wouldn't be significantly more expensive than 3 balcony rooms?

I believe that some suites have only a single bedroom while the larger suites only only 2 bedrooms.  So I am not sure if the suites will give you want you are looking for. 

What we have done when we have gone on long trips is one person would be in an interior room just for sleeping.  Then that person would join the family to hang out on the balconies. Not sure if that would work for your family. 

11 minutes ago, Pooch said:

Not sure why an 11 year old needs to wander the ship unsupervised.  Our kids and grandkids stayed in the area with us or at AO.  If they wanted to swim, we went to the pool deck, flow rider/slides we went & watched, food, ok if we were on the pool deck, they could go grab WJ food, a fountain drink or ice cream and bring it back to eat.  Nothing good comes of roving bands of preteens.  Don’t have to be glued to you but in sight

I don't think anyone was recommending having the kids just wander all over the ship.  But if they are in the AO and was going to meet their parents for lunch at the MDR, they really don't need to be escorted at 11 year old.  I think they are old enough to make that journey by themselves.  But it really all depends on how mature the children are.  Some 11 year old can do it while some 18 year old can not.  Or maybe the child wants to leave AO because they are bored and wants to meet up with their parents.  The internet will allow them to keep in contact with their parents to ask them where they should me.  

@Ampurp85Thanks for taking care of those kids.  I would love to know why the parents walked away.  Did they think another family member had them?  We will never find out. 

@TheRick- I noticed in your live blog that you had attended the sushi making class.  Did your granddaughter attend?  If so, did she like it?  Was it appropriate for her age? Thank you.

On 10/16/2022 at 10:43 AM, Censored said:

I think this is all about personal taste and the bartender and what is available to make that Bloody Mary.   Im from Canada, so  what is popular here is called a Bloody Caesar. Instead of plain tomato  juice or bloody mary mix , Clamato juice is used instead ( a mixture of clam juice , tomato juice and spices.)    

Wow, all this time I have been drinking a Bloody Caesar?  I am from Ohio and my father always made his bloody mary with 1/2 tomato juice and 1/2 clamato juice.  I love it!

My source is cruiseradio.net:

"Disney Cruise Line has learned that just because something is made quicker and easier doesn’t mean that people will be more inclined to do it.

The line is bringing back in-person muster drills on all of its ships due to a reported lack of willingness from passengers to do the digital safety drills that have been in place since the line resumed voyages in 2021."

and 

"As of right now, cruise companies have been allowed to keep their e-muster procedures and most have with positive passenger feedback. Disney Cruise Line, however, is going back to in-person muster drills to ensure that every guest participates fully and knows exactly what they should do in case of an emergency.

Ah, then that is not a power brick.  What I call a 'power brick' is what others may call a power bank or portable charger. Those have a battery in it. 

8 hours ago, Brittany burditt said:

I have received  my setsail pass and already checked in , but now royal is saying it hasnt been paid? Thy told me you can't get your setsail pass and check in until it's paid in full, then I proceed to tell them it is how else would I get the boarding pass and already checked in

Call RCL and talk to a person (or have your TA do it if you have one).  I have heard from others when the computer makes that mistake, if you don't get it settled, your entire cruise could be canceled on you. So, don't ignore it.  Be proactive. 

1 hour ago, Curt From Canada said:

We always make sure have between 3 to 6 cruises booked before the last night.  Making sure the next one is no more than 90 days away.

WOW!  That is a lot of cruising.  Can you adopt a 61 year old woman?  I would be willing to take dance lessons. LOL!  I want to be you when I grow up. 

I would use a travel agent no matter what.  Not only can they make the booking of flights/hotels/cruise easier, but they can also be there if anything goes wrong.  

Loved the railroad.  When I went with my 82 year aunt and my siblings, we had split up who would do something with our aunt and who would do something independently.  Most of the times we were together, like the the railroad.  But while my husband and I did the biking, my siblings took my aunt on the helicopter ride to a glacier.  I also think my aunt skipped a shore excursion or two because she has been to Alaska many times before.  Have fun.  Get input from your mom and kids.  See what everyone's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices are.  

On 11/7/2022 at 7:44 AM, twangster said:

Transatlantics are mostly kid-less.

What would be the demographics of transatlantic cruises?  Mostly the older generation? 

Thank you.  I loved the photos and following along with the MDR menus. 

On 11/11/2022 at 6:44 PM, Pooch said:

Warm water lobster tails, yuck!

I totally agree with you, @Pooch. But my sister from Ohio and my sister from PA both love those warm water lobster tails.  I keep telling them to come to NE if they want real lobsters.  But they can eat the claws meat too!

You can ask for your own table during traditional dining.  I know my TA always ask what size table do we want to sit at (ie: How many strangers do we want to meet and eat with).  But if you can't get it set up ahead of time, you can go to the MDR on embarkation day and ask about getting your own table.  RCL is usually pretty accommodating when possible. 

Hi back.  I have not been on Enchantment but I am wondering if you can get a better reply if you posted your questions on the Enchantment of the Seas Roll Calls.  I noticed that there are several for Nov and Dec.

1 hour ago, ScottD said:

 

Thats easier said than done. I will have an 11 year old, and in the most part we will let him roam and set up some meeting times and points... but kids tend to not pay attention to times, or might get turned around on a ship that size. It's nice to have a backup plan in case you need to get a hold of them! 

IT is also possible that schedule times may pull him away from an activity that is running late.  Definitely get the wifi package. Your 11 year old will thank me.  LOL!

Did you know you can track the status of your passport application?  Just go here:

https://passportstatus.state.gov/

I have been tracking mine.  They say it will take 6 to 9 weeks.  They also have the following advise:

If you are traveling within two weeks and have not received your passport, please contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 (or TDD/TTY 1-888-874-7793) with your application locator number.

Your application locator number can be found at the site listed above.

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Just relax for your first cruise.  Make sure to book any shore excursions today.  I would not recommend the UDP for your first cruise.  Instead, try Chops + 1.  Get your beverage packages (if you are going to get one) prior to sailing.  Black Friday sales will start soon and you may be able to find a deal or two there.  Have fun!!

Mr. Vintage could have been my dad, too. He only flirted and tell jokes when Mom was not around. 

Shoot - after that second episode with the smoking, I would either be knocking on the neighbor's door to tell him to cut it out or call the front desk.  One should not have to cut their time on their balcony or have to shut their balcony door. You have paid as much for your room as your neighbor.  I hope you find relief soon. 

18 hours ago, Tia said:

That's what I was wondering. I thought the terminal had a waiting lounge. It says as a gold member you can sit and have free coffee and whatnot. But I can't find that info now. Do you know if something might be close by?

 

I used Google Maps to check out breakfast places.  Since I am not from that area, I really can't advise you.  This is what I found on Google Maps....