SPS

Wait. You're telling me that carib_life isn't real? She doesn't really want me to come to the Caribbean? I got the email notification, but, the message has since been removed from the boards. Thanks @Matt and the moderators.

Press the "Person" icon in the app to the right and your Sailing info will appear, including the Check-In date.

I think this is going to affect many cruisers sailing in the early part of 2022 (possibly beyond?). We sail on Odyssey on January 29th and our check-in date was October 31st for quite some time. Sometime recently, the check-in date has been shifted to December 15th. I would guess that the protocols, test requirements, final payment dates, etc. being updated so frequently has something to do with this.

I'm wondering if whether or not the feeling of "too many sea days" of being on board too long may be related to the size/number of activities available. The older/smaller ships obviously don't have as many things to do on a sea day as an Oasis or Quantum class ship.

@peacefrogdog My wife must eat gluten free and the staff is always VERY accommodating to her needs. Your first night in the MDR, your server will ask if any dietary requests or restrictions are needed. The MDR menus will have an icon of a wheat stalk to let you know if items contain wheat, but, most items can be prepared GF upon request. In out case, the staff will bring out the NEXT NIGHT'S menu at the end of the meal so that any choices you may want that usually contain gluten can be prepared WITHOUT gluten. FYI: The Sorrento's also usually has UDI's GF cookies upon request! And tell your son's friend to try the flourless chocolate cake! They truly do make it easy for people with dietary restrictions to eat without worry. I've posted about these things before for those that need to know.

What is this "other cruise lines" you speak of?

That is incorrect. An 18% gratuity is added to the cost of the Drink Package at checkout. There is no additional charge for gratuity when ordering drinks. i.e. The drink package listed at $57.99 PP/PD is $68.43 PP/PD at checkout after the gratuity is added.

THIS is exactly my my concern with Optum using FedEx. EVERYTIME I have a delivery issue, it is with FedEx! FedEx has been late MANY times with various time sensitive orders, including one that was re-routed to Paris, France after it reached Nashville, TN (What?). I've had two items completely destroyed in transit followed by a "sorry" message routed to me through the vendor who then had to send me replacements. Most recently (two weeks ago), one item was tracked as being in their transportation hub 125 miles from my house for SIX DAYS with the excuse that they were "experiencing delays due to unprecedented volume". Meanwhile, two of their competitors (the brown trucks and a govt. entity) were each able to deliver items to me from much further away in 2 days and 3 days respectively.

A bit off topic, but, the need to have vaccine cards for cruising and other travel (for who knows how long) prompted me to get a couple of these Passport/Vaccine Card holders because of this exact possibility. As soon as I was handed the card, my first thought was "How am I gonna make sure this doesn't get lost or destroyed?". https://www.amazon.com/Passport-Vaccine-holder-vaccination-Leather/dp/B098PKCRND/ref=asc_df_B098PKCRND/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=532627835438&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14288528848157452563&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016967&hvtargid=pla-1411836878358&psc=1 An added bonus is that having two different color holders now makes it easier to know which passport is which!

FYI for those that still need this info: A quick search on the Google map shows several places that offer testing near Port Everglades. I was looking at this since we will be staying in this immediate area of 17th Street for our January cruise on Odyssey. I'm sure that with the proximity to the port and the many hotels nearby that many other members stay in this area pre-cruise too. The red pins are places that offer testing. I'm still weighing our options: 1. Getting tested with the at-home kit 2. Making an appointment for the testing center at FLL airport 3. Going to a test site near our hotel. (4? Is getting a test at the port an option?)

Good suggestion. The airport website does have a link to testing and available appointment times listed for up to a month ahead of time at the airport. (Fort Lauderdale International)

I'm still not clear on why unvaccinated guests get an extra day ahead of boarding to receive a negative test. I'm trying to figure out the logistics of when we will be able to squeeze in testing for our January cruise. Thursday - Working (Currently, taking this day off is not an option) Thursday Evening - Drive 1.5 hours to hotel near Detroit Metro (We always stay by the airport the night before in case of sketchy winter driving conditions.) Friday morning-afternoon - Fly to Ft. Lauderdale. Saturday - Board Odyssey. Maybe take the proctored tests on Thursday or Friday at one of the hotels?

When we visited Antigua in 2019 we did the Stingray Swim & Snorkel and LOVED it! When else am I gonna get to hold a stingray? They were quite gentle and friendly. (The food that's given to them for coming there probably helps!). We don't travel with kids ourselves, but several kids were on the excursion. The water at the sand bar where the rays were was only about waist deep so it's not necessary to be a strong swimmer. Except for a couple attempts at trying to look under the water, I don't think I even used the mask and snorkel provided.

I like to refer to these as "zombie threads". They appear, go dormant for a year or more, and then someone (usually a new member, sorry pre-golds, just an observation) raises it from the dead.

Been a hectic couple work weeks for me, so I was unable to share this before @Matt made his video. On Rhapsody in January 2017, there was a young lady that wore a white fox tail at all times. If she was wearing shorts or pants, it hung out from over her waistband. If she wore a skirt, it was dangling from under it below the hem.