leaveitallbehind

I've had it for a number of years when I was working and traveling frequently on business. I found it well worth it in that context and also enjoyed the benefits with personal travel. I never thought the cost was too high given the amount of travel I did over the period it was in effect. But as others have mentioned it really depends on you and the amount you intend to fly. And as mentioned as well it is part of Global Entry - which is more expensive - and would be an included benefit with that program.

Not sure how true that is as we have made early dining reservations with MTD in the past. (6:15 / 6:30) And if early fixed is booked out then why would they not allow similar reservations with MTD? They typically are in different dining rooms. But to be fair we typically eat in the specialty restaurants v the MDR, so we don't have too much recent experience with MTD in the MDR.

At one time there was an email that you could use to make requests relative to dining on RCCL ships. I believe it was dining@rccl.com. If you email them with your ship, sailing date, booking number, and your dining request they may be able to help. (If you booked through a TA they should be able to assist). Perhaps others can confirm if that is still a valid email for this. May be worth a try.

You don't mention which cruise line but with most you can also waitlist your preferred dining time and it may open up prior to your sailing. In many cases, there are always some spots reserved for on board assignments and as @butterfly4108 indicates, you can usually just arrive at your preferred time with My Time and they should be able to seat you. I'm sure it will work out as there always is an intended line for non-reserved My Time dining each night on board. I'm sure you will also be able to manage your show times accordingly. And just for future reference many cruises are booked 12- 18 months in advance and although it may seem as though you would have booked far enough in advance, 6 months prior to sailing is actually a rather short booking window. It is not uncommon for desired dining times to be booked by then. Enjoy your cruise!

Just to add, I looked back at the post made by @yammer who indicated that they purchased a tour for $150 that did not include the bridge. The timeframe is uncertain but it likely was a number of years ago pre-pandemic. So not sure the $199 is that outrageous comparatively as a current price since it also includes the bridge.

I'm not defending it, just reporting it, and that's the going rate. In the past it was lower and sometimes included a dinner at a specialty restaurant. But it is what it is and you don't have to purchase it if you don't want to. Have you been to CocoCay recently, or purchased a premium drink package? All ancillary costs have increased since covid and with the current resurge in cruising. Pricing (for everything) is based on what the market will bear and in part recovery of the multi-billions of dollars lost during covid. And you will note that we did not take the tour as we had done this before at the described lower rate a number of years ago (which included a specialty restaurant) and have also had numerous bridge tours in the past based on our loyalty status.

To add, a good US based TA should also be able to assist with UK based hotels, etc.

I would always suggest using a TA in situations such as yours. I guess just google UK based TA's to see what options you find.

Agree with @Corby114. The target demographics of Holland America is older adults whereas NCL's target demographics is families (much more similar to RCCL). There will be very little for your 9 year old to do on Holland America - and likely few kids to do it with - while on NCL there will be kids programs and other kids on board.

Well keeping in the theme of the conversation you will approach Nassau pretty much straight on, just off portside. But Paradise Island will be portside approaching the pier. The rest is as discussed. Leaving Cozumel it will be on starboard - Mainland / Cancun to portside. Returning to PC of course will be on portside until you turn into the port.

I wouldn't think so. Also impossible to predict far in advance.

I would contact the cruise line directly and ask them. As mentioned, it is not their policy but the different ports of call but they should know how enforceable the policy is. I agree, the word "could" is indeed the question. I would not want to hang my hat on that though. If they need to be renewed, the renewal times are back to normal and with expedition can be turned around fairly quickly. However as you mention it is a US based closed loop itinerary, and to my knowledge the alternative of a valid photo ID plus original birth certificate can be used for boarding in place of a passport. Just may be an option to consider.

Yep. Typically arriving from FL in Jamaica, you travel west along the northern coast of Jamaica, which will be on your port side until you dock. Leaving Jamaica for Grand Cayman you typically approach from the south, which would have GC on your starboard until you turn into port. From there to Cozumel, your approach would have Cozumel back on your port side as you are usually coming from the north. Not sure if you are headed to Coast Maya or not, but if so, that will be on your starboard as you approach from the north. Either way, enjoy your cruise!

Yeah I kind of took your position in another direction. Sorry. But you are correct as we too just went through customs on our return from Oasis and walked through with facial recognition and not having to show our passports. It was like that the past few cruises and speeds things up tremendously. Not sure if that would work as well with an iris scan. That is something I'm hoping others can confirm, which is why I drifted from your subject to the on board security question. Easy to have the mind wander as we age.....

I am looking for correction if I am wrong (and am certain that it will be pointed out if I am), but my understanding is that with RCCL as example, their on board security ID uses some form of eye identification (being intentionally generic here) as part of their recognition system. I believe it is more than just facial recognition. Hopefully one of our more astute colleagues (chengkp75,Heidi13, et al) can confirm.

Apparently a very smart lady - as is mine!

Well it certainly is not what it was in terms of screening questions coming out of covid and far more like it was (maybe even easier) pre-covid. It's always wise to delegate certain responsibilities to those significant others more capable to handle those things LOL.

24 hours before check in (at least on our RCCL Oasis last week) there is a two question form on the check in app requesting any cold, covid, etc., issues in the past two weeks and whether or not you are pregnant to a certain term. Checking no to both clears you to board. Checking yes will result in further questions, probably by a medical staff person at check in to clear you to board.

Correct! The other common concern is which side of the ship to be on when in port to be on island side. That is also usually moot as it is Captains discretion as to which side he docks on and will often change from itinerary to itinerary if, for instance, crew lifeboat drills need to take place in port. This is frequently the case in Bermuda, as example, when docked overnight. But more to this point, some docks (Cozumel) are at an angle to the island, others (Falmouth, St. Kitts, St. Martin, Antigua, etc.) are perpendicular to the island thus bow / stern in, others (Aruba, Barbados, Curacao, Bermuda, St. Lucia, Roatan, etc.) are parallel to the island. St. Thomas is both parallel and perpendicular to the island depending on at which pier you dock. This makes it impossible to pick the island side of the ship on any given (Caribbean) itinerary.

I would like to add another consideration when picking which side of the ship on which you want your stateroom. Many cruise lines still allow smoking on designated outside areas. They typically are focused on only one side of the ship. Although those decks will likely be above and below the balcony decks, the odor from the cigarette smoke will be concentrated on that side of the ship and those balcony rooms can be affected by that. Whenever possible we select staterooms on the opposite ship side of the smoking decks, regardless of possible port entry view.

OP indicted Carnival (Splendor), not Celebrity. Here is that link: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/133-carnival-cruise-lines/

Which of course may be correct for your particular itinerary. But that can be different for different itineraries and would necessarily not be accurate as a general statement. And to be correct, "left" is "port", and "right" would be "starboard". Not challenging you, but often in our experience when arriving from Jamaica to Grand Cayman, the first sighting can be on starboard as you typically approach from the south side, but as you turn into George Town, the approach is bow on to your tender location in port. Just saying that in can vary and ship side stateroom selection is not always a island approach certainty.

In general, I think it should be a mix of both as, at least IMO, much of the cruising experience has to do with the ship as well as the ports of call. After all the ship is your transportation, hotel, dining experience, entertainment, and social environment while on your vacation. And as most itineraries are similar, if not the same, between numerous cruise lines, it would be a shame not consider your "home away from home" as a significant part of that experience. Besides, in this case, the OP indicates that there are two cruise lines in consideration with them, both offering itineraries that includes a desired port of call in Barbados. The itinerary seems to be decided and choice in this case is specifically as to which ship.

Correct, and if it is just a cold then there should be no issue. The screening is to assure that there is no issue that could affect you or others on board and the questions will also go in those directions.

Along with the responses you will receive here, I would suggest also talking with a travel agent who specializes in cruises as they would be best equipped to offer alternatives that would fit your cruising preferences and budget.