DukeASUGirl

Our kids' Fall Break is always the first week of October, and we haven't had any issues, nor have friends of ours who have cruised during those same weeks (both Atlantic and Pacific). We did have to reroute (swapped the order of sea day and port day) once in Western Caribbean in August, but it was fine. The ships will reroute if need be.

They just add it to your onboard account, so it will be charged to your credit card on that last night, or you use OBC to cover it. Easy-peasy, and is a reason why I never prepay the tips - if I can use OBC, I want to!

Definitely 2 umbrella strollers rather than a double stroller. In my opinion, a double stroller isn't even an option for this type of travel.

My friend did it in a tent while camping. Her kids were asleep in the tent, and her husband was at home, so nobody helped her. She just propped her phone and used a camping lantern so there would be enough light for the proctor to monitor.

Depending on when in October, there could be some (Fall Break), but even if there are "more" kids that week than usual in fall, it definitely won't be anywhere near as many as in the summer. We'll be on Harmony Oct 2-9 because that's when my kids and I have Fall Break, but I know that Fall Break isn't a thing everywhere, so I expect that kid numbers will be comparatively lower, although obviously not nonexistent. But summer is obviously packed with kids.

Exactly! Between my daughter and I, we have multiple food allergies, but I'd never expect the waiter to remember it off the top of his or her head. It's in the electronic files for your room number, and we ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS tell them at every meal as well.

I hope you feel better soon!

I'd always thought it meant that you must arrive at Early Seating at 5:30, but does this mean you have a range to arrive for that seating?

Yes! I understand it all has to do with staff shortages, but it would be great if they'd use one floor of the MDR for MTD throughout the full hours of like 5 to 9 pm. Waiting until 6:30 or 6:45 (depending on the ship) will always result in a backlog of folks wanting to eat at 6:30. 5 is often too early for many, but there is an hour and a half or hour 45 minutes between when Early Seating and MTD opens, so you have 90 minutes worth of diners trying to get in

I've never understood the whole "I want to same waitstaff so they know my preferences." Maybe I'm just low maintenance, but what preferences are we talking about? Can't you just tell the new waiter your preferences? Why is it so important they know it in advance?

I'd be more concerned about August-September cruises than October.

Just to confirm, you don't need to upload the vaccine card and passports until just sometime before you cruise, but it doesn't have to be done at the same time as picking a check-in time? In other words, I can go on at 9 pm (I'm West Coast) and check us all in and pick a time to arrive at PC, and then take my time over the next 45 days to provide the remaining info?

MyTimeDining is basically designed for this very purpose. We have a port stop in the Caribbean that runs until 8 pm, and I wouldn't even consider having Early regular seating for this very reason.

If it helps, I'm going in October. But hopefully they'll be able to just refund it.

Were they able to accomodate?

The private companies literally set their tour times based on what ships are in port.

No, it is not. It is the most that VA offers, but that doesn't make an Enhanced ID, which has a specific meaning. It's incumbent on you as a traveler to know what you have.

Only way I'd feel comfortable with a same-day flight would be if it arrived early in the morning. I'm talking the 9 am and earlier window. Maybe I'd chance it as late as 10 am. Maybe. Definitely not noon, and definitely not during Thanksgiving week. No way. There is way too much that could go wrong here.