arebee

Yes, you should be able to get it done at the casino or customer service.

4 hours ago, Akizoo said:

I am from Vancouver, and yes it is extravagant to take a private SUV, but you can take a taxi for 35-40 if travelling from the airport to downtown Vancouver or take a limo from the airport for about $60 Canadian.

I assume that CDN?  Do drivers take US dollars?

Awesome, we are traveling to Vancouver in september for a conference then taking an alaska cruise (Holland America).  The hotel doesn't have a shuttle and we were told to do a taxi which (they said) $35. I"ll have to look into this instead.

That might require a call to RCI so you can link up the reservations.  Or you can wait until you board and go to the MDR and talk to them.

Most likely you will be with other families\couples..

9 hours ago, heathercebs said:

How many posts do I need to move up passed Newbie?  

Sorry, for some reason I thought you were talking about C&A newbie.

I think unless you request a solo table you will be seated with others.  We've had solo's with us a few times.

If you man past Gold, its 30.

16 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

2 years seems like an eternity !  I'm soooo ready - NOW !  Beltway life is misery and I can't wait to get out of it.

6 months to forced retirement.  After 32 years getting kicked out, they want me to move to Illinois.  I'd only needed  2 more years there but the cost would out weigh the benefit.  So after working almost 50 years, I've had enough.  Guess its time to give up the balcony and move to an inside room by the prop.  

16 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Coastal Kitchen/Suites Lounge at sailaway.

One day I might find out what its like to have a suite...................................

Schooner, anytime...

This is what I found, notice it says carried in... 

The cubical contents and number of persons allowed to be carried in each lifeboat must be plainly marked or painted on each side of the bow of the lifeboat in letters and numbers not less than 1 1/2 inches high. In addition, the number of persons allowed must be plainly marked or painted on top of at least 2 thwarts in letters and numbers not less than 3 inches high.

We've used the parking doctor a few time without issues.  http://www.theparkingdoctors.com/  They are about 1/4 to 1/2 mile from the terminal and we never had to wait on the shuttle.

Do it all the time, if available.

We like to find our table in the MDR so come time we don't look lost.  Usually do that with a long island ice tea in hand.

small sewing kit.

16 minutes ago, Tim B. said:

I guess I have spent enough time lurking so I might as well introduce myself. My name is Tim...I never saw myself as a cruiser, and if it were not for my Son and now Daughter-In-Law's wanting a destination wedding (they live in Alaska), I probably never would have gone. In fact, I hated the very thought so much that I gave myself an out of flying back right after the wedding if I wanted to; even bought the ticket. It was on the Carnival Splendor going to Grand Cayman (where they got married), Roatan, Belize, and Cozumel. I think my wife was really waiting to see what I would do; stay or fly back after the wedding - no matter what she was staying on the cruise. But, I liked it and thought of planning our next one as soon as we got back.

While we were in Belize we were parked next to a Royal Caribbean Ship, don't remember which one, other than I said wow, look at that ship. I started researching RCI cruises and already signed up for one for September 29th, 2019 out of San Juan Puerto Rico on Freedom of the Seas - St. Maarten, St, Kitts, Antigua, St. Lucia, and Barbados. We got a really good deal on a Grand Suite which is a huge step up from the Balcony we had on Carnival so we booked it.

I am now looking forward to booking one for 2020, probably a December cruise to the ABC islands (the only reason I know ABC is from reading this forum)

Looking forward to learning from the group on what to do on the cruises.

Welcome, you'll like Freedom... It's my favorite ship...

16 hours ago, Pooch said:

Ok, more info on this mobile pass please??!

This should answer your questions: https://mobilepassport.us/

Its been a while since I left from Ft Lauderdale but I remember they have a pretty efficient process.  Depending if you have a suite or if you are a C&A member I think if you get to the port by 10:30 you should be able to get on board quickly.  I don't see any reason to be at the port 2 hours before a scheduled boarding time (which is only a suggestion anyway).  But, I've heard they have made changes to Ft Lauderdale so someone who has sailed from there lately will have a better idea.

I don't know about every port but we try to get there between 10:30 and 11:00.  This gets us checked in and usually don't have long to wait to board.  I seem to remember that the Tampa port is the one we waited the longest to board but that could of been having a hard time with customs when they came back.  If you let us know which port I'm sure someone will have a better answer.

10 hours ago, Diane.M said:

Congratulations!!  How many cruises do you have to take to get Diamond.  LOL  I'm starting late in life... 

 

I believe its 80 days.  But if you cruise in a suite each day counts as 2.

Love the pics of Rome.  It had me take out my old photo albums and look at them again.  I was in Rome in 1977 on my last Navy Med Cruise.  I got some of the same pictures as you, nice to know things haven't changed that much.  Italy and Sicily and Palma were my favorites ports.  Now I want to go back...

11 minutes ago, Symphony said:

1. Will there be Somekind of soap/shampoo in bathroom

2. When you get onboard (even before the rooms are ready) can you go get something to eat example. Cafe Promenade

3. Is the main Dining room gonna be full on 1st evening (asking because i was looking the menus and there was good dishes) And id it possible to order 2 starters (for free? ) in MDR 

 

Im so hyped, +/- 48 hours and i will be onboard Symphony of the seas 

1) Yes, but no a lot.  So bring some of your own or you'll have to ask the room attendant for more.

2) Windjammer will be open and Cafe Promenade is usually open. Depending on the ship, others might also (never been on Symphony).

3) Most likely will be crowded but its not too bad, after you get some lunch go to the dining room and look for your table (# on your sea pass card). This will help when its time for dinner.

50 minutes ago, Pooch said:

Ok that site is clear as mud.  Apparently Mexico is not one of the Caribbean Basin Initiative countries so the 5 liter rule does not apply (if I am reading correctly).  I will do more research.  Thanks for your replies.

Its a government, what do you expect?

I think it will vary depending on the customs officer and port.  I've brought back 6 750l of rum once and he didn't even bat an eye.  I've see people carrying more than that but don't know if they got stopped.  Here is a link that might explain it better.  https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/424/kw/alcohol allowance/session/L3RpbWUvMTUyNDA2MjgyOC9zaWQvMlE3c3J1S24%3D  I know its not mexico but can't seeing it being much different.