SPS

I really don't like when this happens on this site. All too often, people join just to rant in absolute anger about getting "screwed over" because they had not done their due diligence.
Just as @smokeybandit said, this was going to be the outcome with any of the cruise lines when you book with a non-refundable deposit.
The truly sad part is that many of the "Join/Rant/Leave" members, as I like to call them, don't return after typing their vitriol to get what could actually be some useful advise.
i.e, Cruise With Confidence, only book refundable fares, travel insurance, etc.

I really don't like when this happens on this site. All too often, people join just to rant in absolute anger about getting "screwed over" because they had not done their due diligence.
Just as @smokeybandit said, this was going to be the outcome with any of the cruise lines when you book with a non-refundable deposit.
The truly sad part is that many of the "Join/Rant/Leave" members, as I like to call them, don't return after typing their vitriol to get what could actually be some useful advise.
i.e, Cruise With Confidence, only book refundable fares, travel insurance, etc.

If you've already got a good room booked, why not? If you don't get an upgrade, oh well, you've already got a cabin selection you're pleased with. If you do get JS, that's a great bonus at a great price!

I really don't like when this happens on this site. All too often, people join just to rant in absolute anger about getting "screwed over" because they had not done their due diligence.
Just as @smokeybandit said, this was going to be the outcome with any of the cruise lines when you book with a non-refundable deposit.
The truly sad part is that many of the "Join/Rant/Leave" members, as I like to call them, don't return after typing their vitriol to get what could actually be some useful advise.
i.e, Cruise With Confidence, only book refundable fares, travel insurance, etc.

I really don't like when this happens on this site. All too often, people join just to rant in absolute anger about getting "screwed over" because they had not done their due diligence.
Just as @smokeybandit said, this was going to be the outcome with any of the cruise lines when you book with a non-refundable deposit.
The truly sad part is that many of the "Join/Rant/Leave" members, as I like to call them, don't return after typing their vitriol to get what could actually be some useful advise.
i.e, Cruise With Confidence, only book refundable fares, travel insurance, etc.

I know! All of our Sea Pass cards from prior sailings look new!
I agree... what is the point of the sticker... no one checks, it's in their system (they know who hasn't completed muster), and once they're cleared to leave the port it's meaningless.

A note about the $50 Discount Code I found on a mock booking for an itinerary I've been eyeing.
1. Applying the code reduced the "30% Off Every Guest" promo discount by $15. So the discount for using it actually ends up being $35.
2. The Code appears in the Summary as "Email Bonus NRD" (Non-Refundable Deposit?)
I'm not sure, but does that mean this automatically makes the booking an NRD? 
UPDATE: This original image in for a GTY cabin, the same mock booking using "Pick Your Own Room" gives the full $50 discount.

Solid gold Rolex and super casual clothing?

A note about the $50 Discount Code I found on a mock booking for an itinerary I've been eyeing.
1. Applying the code reduced the "30% Off Every Guest" promo discount by $15. So the discount for using it actually ends up being $35.
2. The Code appears in the Summary as "Email Bonus NRD" (Non-Refundable Deposit?)
I'm not sure, but does that mean this automatically makes the booking an NRD? 
UPDATE: This original image in for a GTY cabin, the same mock booking using "Pick Your Own Room" gives the full $50 discount.

Me looking jealously at the list of inaugural sailing passengers. 😆 (Just kidding. Bon Volyage!)

Solid gold Rolex and super casual clothing?

A note about the $50 Discount Code I found on a mock booking for an itinerary I've been eyeing.
1. Applying the code reduced the "30% Off Every Guest" promo discount by $15. So the discount for using it actually ends up being $35.
2. The Code appears in the Summary as "Email Bonus NRD" (Non-Refundable Deposit?)
I'm not sure, but does that mean this automatically makes the booking an NRD? 
UPDATE: This original image in for a GTY cabin, the same mock booking using "Pick Your Own Room" gives the full $50 discount.

Agreed. I had electronic copies on the Navica app, but I also had backup copies on my phone as saved pdf files and screenshots, as well as printed copies. (Mostly in case of connection issues inside the terminal.)
Honestly, it was faster/easier at the port to show the printed copies of the tests instead of fumbling with the phone.

Me looking jealously at the list of inaugural sailing passengers. 😆 (Just kidding. Bon Volyage!)

Me looking jealously at the list of inaugural sailing passengers. 😆 (Just kidding. Bon Volyage!)

That's like a traffic roundabout. You just gotta find an opening to "merge"!

Agreed. I had electronic copies on the Navica app, but I also had backup copies on my phone as saved pdf files and screenshots, as well as printed copies. (Mostly in case of connection issues inside the terminal.)
Honestly, it was faster/easier at the port to show the printed copies of the tests instead of fumbling with the phone.

That's like a traffic roundabout. You just gotta find an opening to "merge"!

You - "Hey, I got my product but you haven't been paid."
Them - "We'll send you a bill."
You - if a bill comes, pay it. If no bill comes, you tried.

UPDATE on my situation.
Just like @VeronicaS1970, I emailed them. The rep emailed me back saying they would send me a new invoice if I replied once again with simply "My payment did not go through".
I have done this my replies have gone unanswered.
It has now been two weeks of unanswered replies. How much longer should I keep trying to give them money for a product that's already been provided?

UPDATE on my situation.
Just like @VeronicaS1970, I emailed them. The rep emailed me back saying they would send me a new invoice if I replied once again with simply "My payment did not go through".
I have done this my replies have gone unanswered.
It has now been two weeks of unanswered replies. How much longer should I keep trying to give them money for a product that's already been provided?

I am neither "old" as my children call me, nor young by any stretch of the imagination.  I am good with tech but also prefer the feel of paper when reading. I have and use my Apple Watch and do the Apple Pay, but also carry cash.
Having said that, here is my personal experience.  Anytime you assume a vendor is tech savvy and you are prepared to transact using technology, something may go wrong and you need tangibles like cash, check, etc.  Anytime you assume a vendor is old-school and will not likely use technology, they end up surprising you and asking for electronic transactions only.  
My point is...just be prepared.  How much space do paper printed documents really take?  What if you lose your phone the day before?  What if the phone battery dies?  Or on the other hand, what if your paper documents get wet and unreadable?  Have the docs ready on phone/tablet/what have you, AND on paper.  Tell your brother NOT to be the one who make the rest of the party wait because he doesn't have his bases covered.

Just to add to @cruisellama's very helpful post, Europe has an extensive network of intra-European flights that are largely sold as one-ways, so it would definitely be worthwhile looking at a one-way flight from Barcelona back to your original arrival airport in Italy. That would let you book your transatlantic flight as a round-trip from the US to Italy and back.
 
 

Footnotes to your search - Depending upon the airline, flights (whether A2S or on your own) open about 9 months ahead of your desired departure date.   I've seen some European airlines open earlier (11 months), and you can see those that show up in A2S.    You can play with the "multi-city" selection on A2S and adjust your entry cities for cost.  It can make sense to enter in a less expensive gateway city then take a regional carrier or train to the port city.  (Example - we can get less expensive direct flight from DFW-Madrid, then take a train or regional carrier from Madrid to Barcelona (port), came can work for Italian entry points)   We like using the A2S option for overseas vacations because they work back-ups if you experience delays/interruptions.  Also, if you're looking at premium seats, they go first and as the supply diminishes the price goes up quickly.  So I book at the earliest practical opportunity.  

My company has a pretty generous PTO policy, but I don't have THAT MUCH vacation time!
But also, I just found the option to return from/to another city/airport feature on some other travel sites. This changes the mock booking prices that I'm finding by a great deal.
I just might have to pull the trigger on booking this Italy heavy itinerary and surprise my wife. She wants to see Italy so much!