Ashland

We recently stayed at Hampton Inn Suites Blue Lagoon. Their comp shuttle from MIA to their hotel worked out fine. We'll be staying their again next month May with our extended family of 6 so we'll use the comp shuttle again from MIA. To get from the hotel to POM it is $14.00pp so I priced out two Uber XLs and it's only $6.00 cheaper so we'll opt for the hotel shuttle since it'll be easier for us all and our luggage.

We loved our RCI cruise that went from Singapore to Shanghai with some great ports. That was a few years ago and I wish they would offer that some day again.

I would stay in Port Canaveral. We loved the Home2Suites.

If it's just the two of you I would opt for the OS. It's our favorite suite regardless of which RCI we're on.

Halifax.....The best tour ever is with Paul McNeil !!! https://halifaxtitanictours.ca/historic-halifax-tour

We were just recently (Feb) there and I believe (?) we paid from Crown Bay into town one way was $6.00pp. Same for the return.

Prices may have changed a bit but last time we were there (2022) it was $12.00pp round trip to Maho and back. Go to the taxi stand (easy to find or just ask someone) and they'll be taxi vans waiting to go that seat usually 10-12 people. Purchase your roundtrip ticket and they will put a colored wrist tag on you. When you're ready to leave just go out front of the Sunset Bar (which is where you'll be dropped off originally) and you'll be directed to one of the returning taxi vans. We opt to have them drop us off in town for some shopping and then we take the water taxi ($) back to the dock area. We've done this over the years many times. You absolutely don't need an excursion for this as it's so easy to do. Enjoy !!

D+ not D.

Key word was "sometimes"...The app has had some problems recently....so you never know but best to be prepared with all the info you need.

Just recently on Liberty and Explorer. They have the exact same one I use at home. Conair 1875.

Sometimes you have to go all the way through check in. So be prepared. OP have them send you a pic of their passport and you just check everyone in at the same time. I do this all the time for my extended family group and as recently as April 3rd. Couldn't be easier.

Also make sure you're aware of any parking charge at the hotel you choose. We opt for the Hyatt Place (SE 10th Ave location)...no charge for guest parking and it's in a great pre-cruise location. Look at pricing this hotel on ValueTrips.

Avis and Budget share the same building just outside the Port Everglades gate on Miami Road. They offer a comp shuttle to your ship terminal. If you're a Costco member check out their rates online.

Hampton Inn Suites Blue Lagoon is right across the street from a Publix shopping center. A few restaurants and fast food. They have a comp shuttle from MIA to their hotel. We enjoyed this hotel this past Feb and will be staying again in May. They offer a comp breakfast and the hotel is very well priced.

Thanks but I got the answer I needed above. For only a $6.00 difference we'll take the hotel shuttle and that way we know it will easily fit all of us and our luggage. Their shuttles are large as we noticed this past Feb when we were at this same hotel pre-cruise.

We've sailed a few times on Explorer as recently as a 9 nighter this past Feb/March 2024 and will be on her for an 11 nighter March 2025. She's in great condition.

Keep and be happy with your OS...I prefer them over the RS regardless.

I had absolutely "literally" no problem checking in on my computer 45 days out. Check in was April 3rd for a sail date of May 18th. Same for my most recent cruises this past March with RCI and Celebrity.

I only check in on my desk top and have never had a problem. I actually hate using the app for anything other than when onboard.

Thanks...for some real experience. We'll need to get from Hampton Inn Blue Lagoon to POM. I checked and there's only a $6.00 difference...so it might be just as easy to take the hotel shuttle. Appreciate your response.

We love our RCI Navigator from the west coast (San Pedro)....Quantum is going to be here for a bit but her itineraries (short cruises) are a waste of this ship. We were so excited about her coming until saw what she was doing.

We'll be a group of 6 with 6 large suitcases will we be able to do an Uber XL and what happens if he gets there and we/luggage can't all fit in?

If you can pre-pay them with a call to your TA or RCI...we find this easier instead of seeing that charge each day.

I hope we'll find out what happened and why.

RCI did in the early to mid 1990's...but that changed years ago.