monorailmedic

You can resize photos with sites like this: http://www.simpleimageresizer.com/
Just upload your photo, set the new dimensions, and download the resized photo, which you'll then use for the site.  If you have any trouble let us know the exact errors or other messages you're getting.

You can resize photos with sites like this: http://www.simpleimageresizer.com/
Just upload your photo, set the new dimensions, and download the resized photo, which you'll then use for the site.  If you have any trouble let us know the exact errors or other messages you're getting.

We've done it a number of times.  So far we've not run into an issue with crowding at all.  Old Town Trolley isn't air-conditioned but is well ventilated and plenty comfortable.  We figure that for what we'd pay for a few cab rides to get to the different parts of the island we get as much transportation as we want along with some background info/history - the drivers have always been interesting and entertaining guides.
For Old Town and Conch Train you start off at Mallory Square, so either a 1 min walk from the gangway or from where the shuttle drops you off if you dock at the Navy pier.
I've also noticed that the price is usually a couple dollars cheaper if you buy the tickets through RCI/X - which is one of the reasons I always tell folks to check before they assume that excursions through the cruise line are more expensive.  

Shout out to @monorailmedic site, Cruise Habit.com

@monorailmedic does!

I'm a vegetarian (actually, I don't like the label - I just love vegetables and end up eating sushi once in a while) but have a nunber of vegan friends and am sympathetic with the mission.  I can tell you on RCI they've always been eager to please, the key is communication (and this is honestly the key on any cruise line).  Your friend will want to have his/her reservation annotated and get in touch with someone in the MDR on embarkation day as well.  Each evening the next day's menu is available so that it can be reviewed to see if there is anything of interest, something that can be modified to be made vegan, or if nothing else, a special request can be made.  I personally love Indian food, which is easily made vegan, so this is just one option - but ultimately it comes down to making requests and not trusting signage.  Check out the below article to get some additional tips - and to understand why I say not to trust signage.  
http://www.cruisehabit.com/how-request-vegan-vegatarian-gluten-free-or-kosher-meals-your-next-cruise

Here is a comparison of Voom costs for various C&A levels assuming a pre-cruise price of $15.99 per day.  This compares the cost of buying it on board with a C&A discount versus buying it in advance.  $15.99 appears to be a common pre-cruise price for Surf and Stream.  Sales do happen from time to time with a lower price. 
I often use what I call my "Day 2 Strategy".  Since you are in port on the day you board you likely have cell coverage until around 5-6pm.  On each day of the cruise the onboard price is reduced since there are fewer days remaining.  By waiting until day 2 (or midnight on day 1) the onboard full voyage price is reduced by one day.  By going without internet from 6pm to midnight you save ~$20.  If you can wait until day 3, you save even more.
Also attached as a PDF below which is easier to read.

Voom Comparison.pdf

By the way @KLAconQueso, I got my C&A email and it just says “if you’ll be in the area”, not specifically that you have to be a resident. So maybe you could arrange some kind of work trip? Consulting session for @Matt‘s employer, maybe? Or interview @monorailmedic for an opening? ?

Once you have Voom (there's no 'r" in Voom - this is not important, but will help the nerd in me from noticing every time ) you're connected to the internet - just like if you'd connected at home, a local coffee shop, or anywhere else.
If you want to use applications like Facebook Messenger, Voxer, WhatsApp, etc to keep in touch with people on land or on the ship (provided they also have Voom), then go for it - it will work just like if you were on land.  If your phones and calling plan support WiFi calling (and most newer phones and major carriers do - just make sure it's enabled) then once connected to the internet you can also call and text just like on land without any additional charges.
What you want to be sure you do either way, is keep your phone in Airplane Mode. Why?  If not, you could connect to the ship's cellular network, which carries absurd roaming charges - so staying in roaming mode will keep that from happening.
I hope this clears things up.  Let us know if you have any additional questions.

Thanks, monorailmedic.  I noticed the mis-spelling of Voom, but by the time I caught it, it was too late.
That was the most clear and consise explaination of what it and how to use it!  I appreciate that answer very much.
LadyB

Like so many things in cruising, the media is harping on this more than it should.  Certainly the news doesn't cover every brawl that occurs on a daily basis.  It's the type of news that gives cruising in general a black eye (no pun intended).
Regardless of this occurred on Carnival, this will dissuade some folks from considering any cruise.

Not sure about the tourist area map - will look when back.  For the water taxi map you can find one at he below address (and their mobile app is very helpful, too).  I'll warn you that with regard to their prices, they call it Water Taxi, but it's more of a tour and priced like it - this isn't the Venetian vaporetto.
http://watertaxi.com/schedule/

One challenge to keep in mind is luggage.  If you're using luggage valet, then this becomes a non-issue, as ideally you don't want to tour Ft Lauderdale carrying all your bags.
Staying close to the port, you could look at the Ft Lauderdale Beach area.  Starting at The Elbow Room and going north leaves you countless bars, restaurants, people watching, etc.  If you want a quieter beach/boardwalk experience go south to Hollywood Beach.  If you're "beached out", then you can head to Las Olas, a shopping and dining area near downtown Ft Lauderdale, where you can also find a near children's museum, and some small historic sites.  Other completely random suggestions: New York Grilled Cheese - awesome grilled cheeses (many options) and decent beer selection.  Funky Buddha Brewery - fantastic beers and a good restaurant, all while being reasonably priced and spacious.  Across the street from FB (literally like 20 feet away) is 10th Level, a video game bar.  Looking for uppers rather than downers?  Alchemist Coffee has great coffee in a unique environment with indoor and outdoor seating.
Let us know what type of things you're looking for and I might have some better suggestions.

One challenge to keep in mind is luggage.  If you're using luggage valet, then this becomes a non-issue, as ideally you don't want to tour Ft Lauderdale carrying all your bags.
Staying close to the port, you could look at the Ft Lauderdale Beach area.  Starting at The Elbow Room and going north leaves you countless bars, restaurants, people watching, etc.  If you want a quieter beach/boardwalk experience go south to Hollywood Beach.  If you're "beached out", then you can head to Las Olas, a shopping and dining area near downtown Ft Lauderdale, where you can also find a near children's museum, and some small historic sites.  Other completely random suggestions: New York Grilled Cheese - awesome grilled cheeses (many options) and decent beer selection.  Funky Buddha Brewery - fantastic beers and a good restaurant, all while being reasonably priced and spacious.  Across the street from FB (literally like 20 feet away) is 10th Level, a video game bar.  Looking for uppers rather than downers?  Alchemist Coffee has great coffee in a unique environment with indoor and outdoor seating.
Let us know what type of things you're looking for and I might have some better suggestions.

Ding ding ding.  I remember years ago DCL wanted you to be able to download their Navigator app easily from the ship, so they whitelisted certain domains which were required for the app store and app market.  As a consequence of their "less than clean" methodology, gmail and google talk worked.
BTW, for those finding this thread later on and wondering about staying in touch at sea, check this out:
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/07/27/how-stay-touch-someone-your-royal-caribbean-cruise

Mark,
 
I'm confident that I speak for Matt and others when I say that this type of feedback makes us genuinly happy.  I have a passion for sharing information about cruises and making sure that people have the best possible vacation ever.  That spans the range of convincing someone to try a cruise for the first time, to sharing new discoveries with friends who have sailed 50+ times.  It's fun for me not because I get to talk to a wall, but because there are people on the other side, and they get to have a great time.  Knowing that this happens, and in your case, takes the addition leap of helping you to then share that experience with others (directly with your wife, and maybe through others via social media), is really awesome.  This, by the way, is a similar passion that great travel agents have, they just have better work ethic than I do, so thank them :-)
 
Thanks so much for sharing your feedback, I'm really looking forward to hearing all about your upcoming cruise.
 
Thanks,
BH

Welcome!
Costs you may not have yet paid for: 
gratuities alcoholic beverages/specialty coffees internet misc toiletries (aside from basic soap) shore excursions retail/merch specialty dining tastings spa treatments behind the scenes tours Side note and true story, when I was thinking of the above things, I thought, "I feel like I've read an article about this before."  I googled, found an article...that quoted me after an interview.  My memory may not be working well.

Welcome!
Costs you may not have yet paid for: 
gratuities alcoholic beverages/specialty coffees internet misc toiletries (aside from basic soap) shore excursions retail/merch specialty dining tastings spa treatments behind the scenes tours Side note and true story, when I was thinking of the above things, I thought, "I feel like I've read an article about this before."  I googled, found an article...that quoted me after an interview.  My memory may not be working well.

Welcome!
Costs you may not have yet paid for: 
gratuities alcoholic beverages/specialty coffees internet misc toiletries (aside from basic soap) shore excursions retail/merch specialty dining tastings spa treatments behind the scenes tours Side note and true story, when I was thinking of the above things, I thought, "I feel like I've read an article about this before."  I googled, found an article...that quoted me after an interview.  My memory may not be working well.

Welcome!
Costs you may not have yet paid for: 
gratuities alcoholic beverages/specialty coffees internet misc toiletries (aside from basic soap) shore excursions retail/merch specialty dining tastings spa treatments behind the scenes tours Side note and true story, when I was thinking of the above things, I thought, "I feel like I've read an article about this before."  I googled, found an article...that quoted me after an interview.  My memory may not be working well.

Welcome!
Costs you may not have yet paid for: 
gratuities alcoholic beverages/specialty coffees internet misc toiletries (aside from basic soap) shore excursions retail/merch specialty dining tastings spa treatments behind the scenes tours Side note and true story, when I was thinking of the above things, I thought, "I feel like I've read an article about this before."  I googled, found an article...that quoted me after an interview.  My memory may not be working well.

As a guy who has some strange tattoos, I look forward to one day sitting down and learning more about this.

"OH - my boss's boss's boss is watching... better look out for this guy."

Generally this is a flag in the reservations system to make sure someone gets extra attention.  The Hotel Manager will likely send a gift or two (sparkling wine, snacks, etc) and you'll probably get a call from him/her or a representative thereof.  Others will see the annotation as well, such as the dinging room staff, guest services, etc - anyone who accesses your reservation.

Well, I guess you and your friends were being really b-a-a-a-a-d.