okgirl

52 minutes ago, isladonna said:

We have a 10am flight out of fort lauderdale.  we are doing self assist.  How do we insure we get off the ship asap?  Just get in a line to debark or what?

Can or do you tell someone you need to get off asap so there won't be a issue getting off early?

Thanks!

 

My suggestion would be to go down very close to the lobby by 6:30am.  That's usually when they tell the Diamonds to gather.  They won't let you in the Diamond or Platinum lounges though.

You don't say if you're cruising from FLL or MIA.  If FLL then you'll probably make that early of a flight, but it's going to be tight.  If you are traveling from Miami, then I would be VERY concerned.

I wouldn't think that an electronic boarding pass would be acceptable.  There are several check points that you go through and at each one they mark your paperwork.

Hard Boiled eggs and cookies to take back to my cabin fridge for late night snacks.

Other than that I rarely go to the buffet, even on port days when I don't get off the ship.  On those days I eat lunch at the Deli or Cucina.

You could if you wanted to, but I don't have copies.  I only take my DL and S&S card on shore with me.

I do have a photo of my BC, Passport and DL in my phone.  I also have a copy of those documents in my email folder.

The reason you need id is not for local authorities, it's just for security to get on and off the ship.

If you put cash on each of their cards it will cut them off when they reach the limit.

If you link it to your credit card account you can establish a daily limit.

They only open 30 or so slots at a time based on how many Diamonds and Platinums have booked.

Keep looking because if the numbers of D&P are low they will open additional FTTF.

Regarding tendering in GC.  If you are not in a hurry to get off the ship you can always go to Guest Services and be escorted down to the next available tender.

On ‎3‎/‎16‎/‎2019 at 11:34 AM, Essiesmom said:

Your Sail & Sign card will list your dining room, time and table number.  There will be a long line outside when the doors open the first night because noone knows where their table is, and a waiter will escort you to it.  Still somewhat of a line the second night, because a lot of folks will not have made it to the MDR the first night for early seating.  After that, the line will be minimal and move fast.  EM

I don't wait in line after the first night.  I just go directly to my table.  If others need to have the MD assist them to their table then they need to stand in line.

I've always known that, but based on the responses you've helped to inform lots of people.

I further customize my closets by using command hooks on the interior of the door to hang laundry bag, multi pocket organizer, hats, belts etc.

17 minutes ago, OSUcruiser said:

Is there something I should see on my boarding pass that indicates I pre-purchased?  Currently cannot see anything?

Thank you! 

No, but you should have an email confirmation and should bring it with you.

As the ship books up a certain number of dining times are held in reserve for Diamond guests.  Some or all of the times may be waitlisted.

The week before the cruise all waitlists are cleared starting with Platinum then FTTF.

Everyone will have a dining room/time assignment when they board the ship.  See the MD at 1:30 if you want to request a change.

I extend my drink package by purchase a couple of wine packages.

That way we can share a bottle at dinner, then even enjoy another bottle later in the evening if I'm running close to my 15.

I order a Cheese Plate and Warm Chocolate Melting Cake without ice cream.

I eat it like a fondue.

If I need to be off the ship early I take advantage of Diamond self assist and I'm usually through customs within about 20 minutes.  However with this method I don't have breakfast on the ship, I wait until I get to the airport to eat.

If I don't need to get off the ship early I put my zone 1 tags on my luggage and leave them in the hall.  I go to breakfast in the MDR w/ my small tote.  Then I go somewhere on the ship and relax until almost last call.  When I finally get off the ship my luggage is easier to find because most of the zone 1 bags have already been picked up.  The line is longer to get through customs but the whole process still only takes about 40 minutes.

In some ports like Galveston, Miami and Pt. Canaveral I think I'm going to start staying overnight in the city before heading home.  The airport is much less crowded and the flights are usually cheaper.

2 hours ago, bbtbear said:

wait, isn't debarkation when you get off the ship for good? I mean it depends on your port of origin whether Cheers! kicks in on day 1 or day 2.

Your response is talking about when you get to start using the Cheers program when sailing from Galveston, NYC or Mobile.

Cheers isn't in effect on the day you get off the ship because the day you get off the ship is not a day of your cruise, it's the first day of the next cruise.

You can purchase a coffee at Java's but it will just be added to your S&S card after the fact, not covered by Cheers because your cruise is over.

Any time there is a change to a booking you receive a new booking confirmation in your email.  I'm wondering why the OP didn't notice this?  I check my booking at least once per month if for no other reason to make sure my most recent payment has been posted.

I have a PVP and even though she is really good, I still send and email to her after our phone conversation just to document what we discussed and any changes that were accepted or declined.

I always tip the bartender/barwaiter starting with the first drink.

I tip my cabin steward if I've asked him to do something extra at the time I request the service.

I tip the waitstaff in the MDR if I've ordered and been served wine.  But not generally for just doing their job.

I don't really think anything about FTTF would feel extra pampered.

If you are not getting to the terminal until well after boarding has begun there are no lines.  Almost everyone is already on the ship and you just check in and immediately board the ship.

There is the priority line at guest services and it is much shorter, but FTTF doesn't allow you to jump ahead of anyone else in the priority line.  Same way with getting on and off the ship, no priority line to get off or back on the ship in ports.  You can go to GS to be escorted to the priority line for tenders, but there is no priority line to get back onto the ship.

And neither FTTF or any other VIFP status allows you to jump lines in the dining room or comedy club or getting into the theater.

The only reason I would maybe keep it is if the weather turns bad in NOLA and you cancel your day plans and want to go ahead and board the ship earlier.

At one time, John Heald had indicated that Diamonds were given a notification in their cabins that they should proceed directly to the dining room without checking in at Java Blue.

He indicated that there was a separate queue on deck 3 with signage directing Diamonds where to go.

That may have changed.  I would like to hear from other Diamonds who have actually gone through the process.

I know we don't have a separate queue at the hostess station on other ships.

Probably the new PVP poached you.  They are very competitive.  I had that happen to me onetime.  I had a PVP and just needed a quick question answered when she was away, so I just called the 800# and got my answer.  The next thing I know I've got a new PVP.

I called Lori and she got it all straightened out.

Everything has changed over the last year or so.

Cheers and DOU now have a combined 15 drink limit.  Since I always get Cheers I don't chase points anymore.  I'm certainly not going to waste my time pumping money into a machine waiting on a drink.

It's been this way on at least my past 5 cruises.  Even John Heald confirmed it a few months ago. 

I always travel with a small can of Ozium.  It's very powerful deodorizer, just a quick spritz will eliminate any odor. 

I also as soon as I get to my cabin upon embarkation run the shower, sink and if there is a floor drain pour a couple of cups of water in it to refill the p trap.

14 minutes ago, aknguyen said:

I guess I've been living under a rock. What game uses rubber ducks and painted rocks? I'm afraid to Google...

It's a silly game that supposedly started some years ago by a 10yo girls who thought it would be fun to hide little rubber ducks around the ship for other kids to find.

Unfortunately, like so many other things adults have started taking it to the extreme.  I read a post that one woman was going to take 60 on her next cruise.....That's just ridiculous.

I've been vilified as being a fuddy duddy, for not liking the idea out of concern that people will/have gone over the top with this and akin to the explosion of door decorating the ships will look more and more tacky.

No.  Upper/Lowers are category 1 cabins, interiors are category 4.

It's hit or miss as to how soon you get your luggage.  I don't usually see mine until closer to drill time.

They don't seem to be giving the perk much attention anymore.  I always board with a small carry on with anything I will need before I get my luggage.  I wear clothes when boarding that are appropriate for the dining room, so I'm in no hurry to unpack.  In fact most of the time I don't unpack until the next morning.  There isn't much else to do at 6am.