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Thank you for your reply!  We have known about Autism at Sea; jut haven't been able to make it fit our schedule yet. 

Hi Shmoo!,

It must be full load then.  I just got my confirmation yesterday when we made our final payment.   With a holdback of 50% passenger loading during COVID 19 , I am not surprised.

Thank you all for you insight!   Just got the word about no cruise's though September 15th ( at least by the association and another the mentioned RCL, Norwegian, and Carnival.. I assume Disney will announce it shortly also)...   Hoping the our September 18th cruise still goes down!

I have been watching the ships anchored out off the Space Coast; a number have arrived and/or left (into the port area?  not sure) this past weekend.  It makes sense the some of the other comments were different cruise lines bringing ships in to port to shift CM;s around; much less for a provisioning upload.    

Time will tell.  Worse case we will reschedule for later if this cruise is cancelled.

Not sure who is looking forward more...  the kids or my wife and I!

Though we have taken two older children on a cruise, this will be our first with a 9 year old non-verbal Down syndrome/Autistic child.   Being small for her age and with her disabilities, last year she was placed in a Kindergarten class; though now home schooled.   The one aspect is that she is not toilet trained, so she does wear pull-ups.  We know she can't wear swim diapers in the pool.   We will be on the Dream in September.  Does anyone have experience in how we will be able to use the Kids Clubs for her?  She has a great temperament and loves to watch movies, spin , and dance.  The primary question will be the pull-ups...   she may be too old for one group but the pull ups keep her out of the older group!    Thank you for any insight!

We are WDW Passholders and she will always be found in a Disney shirt or dress and with her Princess doll. 🙂

Thank you!!

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Fantastic pics! Having been on Oasis and recently Allure, I was a little concerned about going on Empress this Feb with two young but VERY active children (6 & 7) on their first cruise but between the reviews I have read and your pics, we are looking forward to this trip!

We are also scheduled on Empress in April but were considering shifting it to the Oasis because of the kids... now rethinking that thought. We know we want to take them sometime on one of the 'big" ships but willing to wait now.

Boy I do feel foolish with my question about the class... a simple look at the RCL website shows that they consider it an Oasis Class. :o

Just a question - is RCL considering Harmony as part of the Oasis Class? With all the new "News" regarding her, I almost got the impression Harmony was starting a "new" class.

I recognize there are new features compared to Oasis/Allure but then again the Oasis has had upgrades/modifications since I was on her. The modified features are not that major but makes sense as technology and marketing advance; just look at Navy ships with different "Flights". Even each of the Nimitz Class aircraft carriers (comparable size and detail) had differences in each hull as delivered. Many of the modifications were added or changed during major overhauls.

Having been on Oasis and Allure, it is easy to pick up on the differences but at less than a meter longer and wider, those small differences are not unusual in any ship "Class". Example - I missed the Crown Lounge on the Oasis that is now the Suite Lounge / Coastal Kitchen; an update since 2007.

I am not a classification "nut" ; just interested!

No matter what, the pics are excellent!

Thank you to everyone for your input! I realized later I could have "Googled" the same question but I truly appreciate the input from those who have used the services both in port and external. Bringing two children, who are VERY active (6&7), so I may the premium at the port to minimize the waiting delay. I know.. there will be delays here and there anyways but with these two I have learned to minimize it! :rolleyes:

Just off 7 day Allure; on Day 5 they passed out small questionnaire about desired time to disembark, etc. You could request a particular time period.

Those with early flights or who want off fast and willing to carry off own luggage had priority. We went for first set off (driving home) with luggage assist. We got tags for #5 and designated time 7:55 - 8:20 (if I remember correctly).

Walked off at 7:50 with no issues as self carry individual had mostly left by then (they had been lined up waiting to get off). Windjammer packed but doable at 6:30 - 7:00.

Was driving out of parking lot at Terminal 18 by 8:20.

Onboard the Empress OTS in Feb 2017. This will be the first time driving and parking in Miami. Recommendations in regards to parking options? Thank you!!

One of the most enjoyable activities during our cruise on Allure the last week of November 2016. All the comments are correct so I will not repeat them. The only thing we were asked not to take pictures of were the various deck plans in I95 and elsewhere that showed the details of the crew areas; Explained it was for security purposes.

The engineering Control Room and Bridge portion of the tour was heavily escorted by ship security and we were "wanded" for metal before entering. Otherwise no issues on pictures, even I-95. Our tour guide was from the cruise Director staff but every station had an officer presenter.

Even though I am retired Navy and worked in shipyards, I found this a very worthwhile tour. DW enjoyed very much (her first cruise) and then I searched for the Freedom of the Seas new construction video on YouTube to show her when we got home -she got even more out of that having been on the tour.

The only thing I would have liked to see was the inside of a crew quarters; if just compare to current Navy berthing. The documentary had a very brief view of a tiered three bunks level. The guide stated most crew shared 2 man rooms with some individual rooms for senior crew. On way to bridge, we passed most of the officer staterooms; he noted they were individual and senior officers were large enough to have family join them.

Though we got backstage in the theater, I would have really enjoyed getting backstage of the Aqua-Theater also! :-(

One thing our tour guide did reveal... the Allure that week was on a Medical level 3 (of 5); he stated that meant there had been on average at least 6 new people during a 12 hour period coming to the Ships Doctor with gastrointestinal issues. When asked he said a level 2 would have been 10 new cases every 12 hours. We had a delay on boarding of a few hours due to intensive cleaning of the ship on turn-around day. When asked he stated it was the third week in a row of Level 3. As noted in other threads, the crew was always brushing down all bannisters and door handles with heavy disinfectant and offering sanitizing lotion from large bottles before entering almost all dining and when re-boarding the ship when in port.

Came off Allure three weeks ago. Our Oceanside balcony had two upright chairs and a round table. The suite next to ours had the better chairs with foot stools and a basket weave strips. I did not notice if the chair backs reclined.

A lot can depend on the terminal also. My experience has been in Terminal 18 for the Oasis and the Allure (last week). The first time, I got there at 1130 with very minimal delay through check-in, though I did wait upstairs in the waiting area (much like an airport boarding area) for an hour until boarding was available.

This past cruise, Nov 27th, we got there around 1:15 and the lines were long. Stood in the Gold line (three stations) for about 20 minutes but the first time cruiser's had a healthy wait in line (even with about 10 stations working for that line). Emerald and above line was very short even with only two stations.

But I am not sure which terminal in Ft Lauderdale you will be on.

FYI - Getting off was outstanding as usual. I signed up for the first time period without taking my own luggage off. Was given tags for #5, scheduled for 7:50-8:20 off ship. Happened to go down to the Promenade just as the initial passengers taking own luggage was finishing up (around 7:45) and was told to go ahead... straight off ship to luggage line #5 and right out the door. I do note they were just unloading the luggage for ~ #18 and above at that time (On the Allure they had been showing groups up around #60 getting off around 10:30...).

Was out to the parking and on the road home by 8:25. :)

Was on Allure last week. Two bottles in checked luggage; no issue. Carried one into Chops with no issue and a smile from the waiter. Now if it could be two bottles per person...