Drazil65

I am sorry this has happened, and unfortunately, in the current world of travel this situation is becoming more frequent it seems. We always fly nonstop (easier from east coast I guess) across the pond so I can literally watch the luggage being loaded onto the same (and only) plane we are flying on. When we have an occasion where we can not do nonstop to final destination (like when we visit friends in Greece every couple of years) and need additional flights (usually from LHR) we only do carry on. We also pack an empty mid to large collapsible duffle bag in one of our carry on's for some "extra clothes" we will no doubt purchase at our destination (or souvenir type things and check that bag) depending how many days we are actually staying. A couple of years ago we were going to a wedding in Greece in addition to visiting friends for 10 days and because we only had carry on luggage (and backpack each) we purchased our wedding (dressy clothes over there) once we arrived. There was no need to have the extra dressy clothes taking up any valuable carry on luggage space. DH and DS purchased nice sport jackets and a dress shirts (had khaki pants that were sufficient for the wedding once topped with jackets) and I purchased a dress and matching shoes (of course!). All these items go into the extra duffle bag as well as anything else we do not want to carry home on plane (depending how exhausted we are by time we go home we may check all of the bags). We also learned many years ago that if you do check a bag, take pix of it opened and packed and one of the closed luggage and tag (with your info if lost). This way you do not need to remember everything if you do need to fill out a lost luggage form and there will be a pix of the luggage you are looking for as well. Hoping things get better from this point on and you can relax some. Beautiful place you are staying at, love the roof top!

The resort (and ruins) were in Costa Maya, snorkeling in Belize. Sorry, I should have been clearer that I was referring to both places in my sentence.

DH and DS always snorkel in Belize and love it, we have done the ruins and an all inclusive beach excursion at a very nice resort excursion. We like both places equally as we can always find fun stuff to do.

Sorry to hear about DW accident but happy you are still able to make the best of it and cruise anyway. I personally have no relatable experience BUT recently saw (on MG this past December) someone that had a cast on and it was covered with a plastic "umbrella bag" being they are slim and long, it fit perfectly. They were the type that you can get in stores or theatres when raining out and they dont want you to drip water on floor from your folded up umbrella. Not sure if you can get a box of them somewhere (or grab a few from a box somewhere maybe) but it seem to work really well for keeping the whole arm cast covered. Have blast anyway!

The airport website has a whole list of ride options with their email and phone number. You might want to give a call (or email) and ask your questions just to make sure you are covered. Also, maybe you might want to get to Port the day you fly in (just to be safe) and get your hotel there. That way you are already at your final destination (or much closer anyway to cruise terminal). Less room for time crunch and can look for a hotel that provides shuttle to cruise port.

We love YTD (especially on the Excel ships) and since there has always been the 3 of us cruising we always get a good table or booth type of table. We are not late dinner eaters even at home and it also allows us to plan our evening for shows and activities. In addition, getting the first service in any dinning room can be crucial as no one is behind yet and the food is typically hot when it is served.

Not a fan of the older ships in the fleet but may serve your purpose just fine but you definitely want to keep in mind what other poster said about spring break. DS is in college and his spring break is 2nd week in March 2024 and I know of other college kids in different states on east coast that are off the 3rd week of March. Probably want to maybe stay away from spring break weeks if possible.

We are partial to OS and have been on Liberty a few times (not since restart though), mid ship deck 7 OS has always been great for us. DH has a tendency towards motion sickness and that location helped immensely for him. I believe you should be pretty good in that location and far enough away from the atrium to avoid any stray noises. I would say to stay more midship and and enjoy!

On the MG this past December we called the night before (right before bedtime) and ordered coffee and pastries/bagels for early morning as well. Did not have any issues getting it and it was actually 10 mins earlier than the time I requested (which was fine with us).

How does one cheat to win a ship on a stick? I think the reference was to trivia and how people cheat (look up answers) to get the answers to win.

I love feeling of being at sea. I just seems to me you wod miss that on a mega ship. Not at all! I see the ocean from my balcony every day when I wake up or walk into my cabin. I see the ocean while I enjoy my coffee each morning as I watch the sunrise or pull into port. Look out any window as you are walking around, eating in MDR, relaxing on serenity deck or in the casino on MG and truthfully it feels like that on every cruise we have been on. One of the benefits of a bigger ships is there are more common space areas on the decks to see and feel the ocean, many places to choose from. We loved being on MG last December and will sail her again later this year and next. We also enjoy the larger ships on RCCL as well, its all good!

Yes, the showers are available to use, DS and DH typically use the spa or gym showers while I use the cabin bathroom/shower when dressing for dinner. Saves time and I do not need to rush because others are waiting.

I think it is noted in the welcome letter in your cabin (or letter with the S & S cards) if I remember correctly when we were on MG in December.

You can also bring a couple collapsible cubes (they pack flat in bottom of suitcase then pop up into shape when used) and use one for all the kid shoes/flip flops/sneakers and maybe a 2nd one for a makeshift toy box (to keep all the little toys, books and such. Being they are movable you can put them out of the way in a corner or next to couch/bed so DD can reach things etc.

No...all your allotted drinks must be hand carried on. If you dont want to carry on or want more than you are allowed to bring on then you have the option to purchase additional items ahead of cruise and they will be placed in your cabin.

From CCL FAQs... State Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) The State Enhanced Driver's License cannot be used to travel by air outside the United States. Several states are working with the Department of Homeland Security to develop an EDL for U.S. citizens residing in their states. This document will denote both citizenship and identity and will facilitate the entry process at land and sea ports of entry. The words ‘Enhanced Driver's License’ as well as the American flag will appear on the license. The following states issue this type of WHTI-compliant document: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington. A Driver's license with a gold circle with star cutout in the right upper corner is a Real ID driver's license; it is not an Enhanced Driver's license and cannot be used as proof of citizenship but can be used as picture identification.

From CCL FAQs... State Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) The State Enhanced Driver's License cannot be used to travel by air outside the United States. Several states are working with the Department of Homeland Security to develop an EDL for U.S. citizens residing in their states. This document will denote both citizenship and identity and will facilitate the entry process at land and sea ports of entry. The words ‘Enhanced Driver's License’ as well as the American flag will appear on the license. The following states issue this type of WHTI-compliant document: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington. A Driver's license with a gold circle with star cutout in the right upper corner is a Real ID driver's license; it is not an Enhanced Driver's license and cannot be used as proof of citizenship but can be used as picture identification.

Whenever we purchased in the past it was to board earlier (we like to enjoy most of the first day on the ship) AND because we generally drive to ports, we used it to debark as early as possible to get back on road home. We also have used it to get early tender a couple of times when we needed to as well and dropping off our carry on items. Its personal and only you can decide if it is important enough to enhance your cruise.

Got this in my email yesterday but we tend to go off the grid when we cruise so will not be using it.

DH snorkels and Nassau is one he enjoys a lot, DS and myself sometimes we get off and sometimes not. We are ok with Nassau and have enjoyed several trips (had a vacation condo on Paradise Island many moons ago in my other life, ex was a huge golf nut and played there often). As someone else eluded too, DS and I will make a decision on getting off the ship depending on how many other ships in port. Freeport, never found anything interesting here so we do not typically get off, but everyone is different so try at least once. Love Key West (we have rented for land vacations down there a few times in past) and always get off and hit one of our favorite restaurants to see old friends. Love old town San Juan and have a couple fav restaurants as well as we always go to the art district to see if anything new in the way of wall art (DH photo buff). We have done the rain forest excursion in past, we enjoyed it at the time but prefer old town/historic areas more. We love Montego Bay in Jamaica but not sure if that stop is on the itinerary lineup and we have only been there on land vacations in recent years. Love St. Thomas and St. Johns and will always visit if there is opportunity as well as all of the ports we have visited on the gulf side of Mexico. DH will always take snorkeling excursions in many of the port stops if possible when cruising and if we are down in the ABC island area will do at least one dive (typically not ship sponsored as he has his favs).

We can still purchase CCL gift cards here in NC at Harris Teeter (parent company Kroger) and we also have the 4x's fuel point for HT gas stations. I have purchased many over the years living here and CCL has always been included. Actually, the fuel points are worth more these days then the 10% discount at AARP especially if purchasing a $500 GC.

Trying to be fun, nice, and help others taught my wife a very valuable lesson when it came to putting together a "group" cruise. Learned that everyone has a friend who says they could have found better pricing. Found that half don't want to hang with a "group" while the other half won't step out of their house unless everything is pre-planned as a group. Found that everyone wants to go, but at the end of the day, only a third will actually pay. THIS...THIS...THIS...AND it does not end with the end of the cruise...anyone that had an issue on their account or found something that they were charged and shouldn't have been, the phone calls after the cruise was over were just as bad as prior...

Speaking from experience (did something similar years ago for "friends" and they needed 8-10 cabins at the time they asked me to do it) my advice to you is, do some research for them then put all the info together for them in a bullet point email (everything in writing). List their options as you see it (ie...everyone book their own cabin...use a PVP and give them the phone number to call to get one...they can appoint a central contact to do the booking among themselves) and send it to the person that asked you (CC whomever). I will never do the bookings for a group again, it started out just fine but the changes, the wants and needs, the complaints, the additions and cancels etc) was never ending. This taught me a very valuable lesson many years ago about people in general taking responsibility for their decisions (they dont in many cases as long as they have someone to blame and complain to). Now I provide information in bullet points and give the info for this site as well, then back away (and make it clear this is as far as I can go). Good Luck!!!

Make sure you check out what's above you and below your cabins for noise and read reviews of the ship and the specific cabins you are looking at. A lot of good info from those that have been there, done that.

Also, she will have to wear the muster wrist band being she is under the age requirement (under 12???). You would probably want her registered for muster information under her parents cabin I would think?