KristenM

No we are on 8 nights out of Cape Liberty.  We will not dock in Coco Cay until the 17th.

@Kelz they only allow non surge protectors, and even the non ones can be confiscated depending on the crew. What I mean is, surge protectors are prohibited and on paper the non surge protectors are allowed. Every once in awhile someone reports that a non surge was taken (you pick up anything that was confiscated as you get off the ship). I was going to ask you what kind this is, but from the picture I see the word “protected” with a little status light above it so I’m going to guess it is, and likely crew would also. I would suggest a product that specifically says “non surge protection” and “ship approved”. There are many options, but here is one as an example.
Cruise Power Strip with USB Outlets - Non Surge Protection & Ship Approved | Travel Accessories and Must Haves by Cruise On https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHVKPC3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-y.dDbT7499HF
 

I was going to respond to your question about leaving for airport later with my personal experience with this happening (delayed, then going back to on time = running thru airport like a lunatic), but looks like you’re all set! 
Looking forward to following along! I enjoy our cruises with child and sans child equally since, like you said, they ate very different vacations. Enjoy!! 

I also suggest a USB charging hub for any devices needing to be charged. I am just bringing our charging "station" from home since it is compact enough, but below is an example of what I am talking about.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FX8GF5M/ref=sspa_dk_detail_7?psc=1

@Kelz they only allow non surge protectors, and even the non ones can be confiscated depending on the crew. What I mean is, surge protectors are prohibited and on paper the non surge protectors are allowed. Every once in awhile someone reports that a non surge was taken (you pick up anything that was confiscated as you get off the ship). I was going to ask you what kind this is, but from the picture I see the word “protected” with a little status light above it so I’m going to guess it is, and likely crew would also. I would suggest a product that specifically says “non surge protection” and “ship approved”. There are many options, but here is one as an example.
Cruise Power Strip with USB Outlets - Non Surge Protection & Ship Approved | Travel Accessories and Must Haves by Cruise On https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHVKPC3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-y.dDbT7499HF
 

I'm giddy and we don't leave until Oct.
2020! ?

That is the perfect amount of 4th of July for us! We are traveling with 2 Autistic teens and part of the reason we chose our sail dates was to avoid the crowds and chaos that sometimes comes hand in hand with the holiday. The boys will be excited to see decorations and have cake, we will be wearing our Red, White and Blue and thats just about the perfect level of holiday for us. 

Thanks for the reply, we are cruising in and out of Seattle and headed to Alaska. I'm having a hard enough time packing for all the different weather possibilities, I wish they would send out a list of theme parties or events we may want to bring something special for to make it a bit easier. Oh well, I'll just guess and bring something Red, White and Blue ? 

Thanks for that link. While looking at that, I came across this that is smaller to travel with and meets the non-surge requirement. But I'm thinking that with the position of the plugs and dresser on the older ships, the bottom outlet of the cube may be unusable. I may get it anyway.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07R15ZQZH/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1

@Kelz they only allow non surge protectors, and even the non ones can be confiscated depending on the crew. What I mean is, surge protectors are prohibited and on paper the non surge protectors are allowed. Every once in awhile someone reports that a non surge was taken (you pick up anything that was confiscated as you get off the ship). I was going to ask you what kind this is, but from the picture I see the word “protected” with a little status light above it so I’m going to guess it is, and likely crew would also. I would suggest a product that specifically says “non surge protection” and “ship approved”. There are many options, but here is one as an example.
Cruise Power Strip with USB Outlets - Non Surge Protection & Ship Approved | Travel Accessories and Must Haves by Cruise On https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHVKPC3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-y.dDbT7499HF
 

I’ll be happy to report back after our stop in July and let you know. I believe the South Beach area (I think it will have a new name?) is opening in December 2019, unless there is a delay in construction. Yours would also be dependent on if the bungalows and beds are going back where they were. I’m guessing, and this is total speculation, but if they work well over on Chill Island for the next 6 months I wouldn’t be surprised if they had them in both locations. More to rent, more revenue for them! 
I am thinking about my first live blog for this cruise since we have a lot of firsts. And some interesting family dynamics that could provide some entertainment. If I do, I will give you a heads up so you can read my thoughts on CocoCay and the beach beds/Chill Island! ?

@Whizbank I’m so glad you enjoyed your cruise!! I totally agree with longer sailings when you have to fly, it’s a lot of work for just a couple of days and we are only a family of 3 traveling (9 year old) so I can only begin to imagine how tired the two of you must have been! Navigator was my first ship back in 2004 and Viking Crown was one of my favorite spots for the exact reasons you mentioned!! Thanks again for the write up, I really enjoyed your recaps even though I didn’t catch it live. You both sound like amazing people and I wish more people in this world shared your same positive outlook. Happy belated birthday also!! ?

Have a great cruise!! I still get giddy the day before. ?

@Kelz they only allow non surge protectors, and even the non ones can be confiscated depending on the crew. What I mean is, surge protectors are prohibited and on paper the non surge protectors are allowed. Every once in awhile someone reports that a non surge was taken (you pick up anything that was confiscated as you get off the ship). I was going to ask you what kind this is, but from the picture I see the word “protected” with a little status light above it so I’m going to guess it is, and likely crew would also. I would suggest a product that specifically says “non surge protection” and “ship approved”. There are many options, but here is one as an example.
Cruise Power Strip with USB Outlets - Non Surge Protection & Ship Approved | Travel Accessories and Must Haves by Cruise On https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHVKPC3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-y.dDbT7499HF
 

@Whizbank I’m so glad you enjoyed your cruise!! I totally agree with longer sailings when you have to fly, it’s a lot of work for just a couple of days and we are only a family of 3 traveling (9 year old) so I can only begin to imagine how tired the two of you must have been! Navigator was my first ship back in 2004 and Viking Crown was one of my favorite spots for the exact reasons you mentioned!! Thanks again for the write up, I really enjoyed your recaps even though I didn’t catch it live. You both sound like amazing people and I wish more people in this world shared your same positive outlook. Happy belated birthday also!! ?

I took to writing blog posts on my Keep notes app then cutting and pasting onto the blog after this happened to me a couple of times. 
Looks like you've had a good start to your trip. Enjoy your day of relaxing. 

@Kelz they only allow non surge protectors, and even the non ones can be confiscated depending on the crew. What I mean is, surge protectors are prohibited and on paper the non surge protectors are allowed. Every once in awhile someone reports that a non surge was taken (you pick up anything that was confiscated as you get off the ship). I was going to ask you what kind this is, but from the picture I see the word “protected” with a little status light above it so I’m going to guess it is, and likely crew would also. I would suggest a product that specifically says “non surge protection” and “ship approved”. There are many options, but here is one as an example.
Cruise Power Strip with USB Outlets - Non Surge Protection & Ship Approved | Travel Accessories and Must Haves by Cruise On https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHVKPC3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-y.dDbT7499HF
 

@Kelz they only allow non surge protectors, and even the non ones can be confiscated depending on the crew. What I mean is, surge protectors are prohibited and on paper the non surge protectors are allowed. Every once in awhile someone reports that a non surge was taken (you pick up anything that was confiscated as you get off the ship). I was going to ask you what kind this is, but from the picture I see the word “protected” with a little status light above it so I’m going to guess it is, and likely crew would also. I would suggest a product that specifically says “non surge protection” and “ship approved”. There are many options, but here is one as an example.
Cruise Power Strip with USB Outlets - Non Surge Protection & Ship Approved | Travel Accessories and Must Haves by Cruise On https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHVKPC3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-y.dDbT7499HF
 

@Whizbank I’m so glad you enjoyed your cruise!! I totally agree with longer sailings when you have to fly, it’s a lot of work for just a couple of days and we are only a family of 3 traveling (9 year old) so I can only begin to imagine how tired the two of you must have been! Navigator was my first ship back in 2004 and Viking Crown was one of my favorite spots for the exact reasons you mentioned!! Thanks again for the write up, I really enjoyed your recaps even though I didn’t catch it live. You both sound like amazing people and I wish more people in this world shared your same positive outlook. Happy belated birthday also!! ?

THIS!!!!!! 
You said exactly what I was getting ready to say! 

THIS!!!!!! 
You said exactly what I was getting ready to say! 

With the Image Size app, you open the pictures one-by-one inside the app, optionally make any edits like putting in a watermark, enter the new size you want (just have to put in one number, the other is auto-calculated to keep it the same scale), and tap the Save button. The image is saved into your photo library as a duplicate so you don't lose your original one.
Then, like you said, just upload the resized photos to RCBlog and then delete them from your photo library once you see they uploaded without issues.
The only real complaint I have about that app is the fact that it doesn't have any ability to do batch resizing. If you've got a lot of pictures you want to post, it takes a while to get them all taken care of.
EDIT -- one thing I forgot to mention, which is a nice feature about this app, is that in its settings panel you can tell it not to copy the EXIF data from the original photo. Doing this will strip out all of the identifying information like the date, the geotag, kind of camera, etc. So you can post and not worry that someone will look at that info and figure out where you live from that pic of your semi-packed luggage you posted, or that you're definitely away from home right now because the date is from yesterday and shows you were still overseas.

It was up in the air whether this was going to happen or not. So I was just excited that I was able to book it that I wanted to share my enthusiasm!

I’ll be happy to report back after our stop in July and let you know. I believe the South Beach area (I think it will have a new name?) is opening in December 2019, unless there is a delay in construction. Yours would also be dependent on if the bungalows and beds are going back where they were. I’m guessing, and this is total speculation, but if they work well over on Chill Island for the next 6 months I wouldn’t be surprised if they had them in both locations. More to rent, more revenue for them! 
I am thinking about my first live blog for this cruise since we have a lot of firsts. And some interesting family dynamics that could provide some entertainment. If I do, I will give you a heads up so you can read my thoughts on CocoCay and the beach beds/Chill Island! ?

Thanks so much for the info & picture!  Did you see the beach beds? We have one reserved for our cruise in June, but like the cabanas - I haven't found much info about the beach beds online. TIA!