Ret MP

I can't tell you how many different types of devices I've brought aboard RCCL ships. Ranging from Laptops, speakers, drones (I carry 8 drone batteries), phones, Christmas decorations, kid's toys, etc etc. Never a problem. I've never heard/read anything about what type of battery is banned or not. Only TSA has some minor restrictions for aircraft. This is my experience.

Not much!

There doesn't seem to be much continuity where there could be some. However, even if there was continuity, each ship has the power of discretion. But, it's their ball.

Right-on. Also, if someone is new to RCCL, coming back after a long hiatus, or just never experienced it before, one might think that there MAY be a different perk of suites. Very valid mention of suites, in my opinion.

I guess one person's bribe is another's reward. On a cruise, I tell a server, if things don't go so well. And if things don't go so well, future tips will depend on the level of service. Same on land, if things start to go south, I tell the server what went wrong and tell him/her that "my tips start at 15% and will go up or down, it's up to you". I don't believe in built-in tips because they reward far too many subperformers. Having said that, I do pre-pay my cruise gratuities (currently under review, however) and then add more accordingly. To date, I have never canceled or requested a credit for my pre-paid gratuities. However, I have reduced my tip to a Genie (minor issue(s) and a minor reduction) which was a subperformer, in my opinion.

I love Curried Chicken over white rice with Coconut Flakes sprinkled on top and a tablespoon or two of Major Gray's Mango Chutney mixed in. If they (RCCL) don't have either the flakes or chutney, I'm out.

Not offered on my cruise in Jan, Harmony, at least yet.

Just an update: We actually started the process (gathering the required documentation, and getting all legal documents (POAs, Advance Directives, Medical documentation that we can live independently, (You can't move in if you can't live independently but the home will increase their services as you need them), etc) in July. That included a tour of the facilities. On November 1, we were notified that the apartment was ready for move-in, however, we had already made ALL arrangements to move in on November 28, which is what we are doing. So about one month of this total time has been a result of our doing, not theirs. They, the management of the "Home", have done nothing but bend over backward to be accommodating toward us. I think my wife is looking for and trying to convince me to cruise out of NOLO on a smaller ship. But, I'm sticking to my guns, ya right!

Yep, there is cabin capacity and there is the "ship's capacity", both are different. As I've been told, once the "ship's capacity" has been reached, regardless of the "cabin's capacity", the safety features of the ship can no longer safely evacuate the ship in an emergency along with other activities during emergency situations. There is only X amount of seats on the lifeboats, again regardless of the "Cabin's Capacity". And, I for one, am happy they actually follow that rule.

I read on another social media site that Mickey and Minie had a fight, Minie ran away and there was CBP intelligence that Miney was a stowaway on the Oasis. It was very hard to find Minie amongst the many other rats onboard. But, after hours and hours of the USCG searching here, there, and everywhere, Minie was found in the dessert pantry, removed from the ship, and reunited with Mickey. It was reported that Mickey forgave Minie and all is just hunke-dory with them, now. The ship sailed away just a few hours late without further interruption. No humans or animals were harmed during the posting of this discussion.

T minus 7 days and a wake-up and I'll be in my new home state, residence, gambling experience, and cruise ship terminal locations. All is ready at the launch pad for launch in Danville, IN with a 2 stage U-Haul rocket and vehicle towing dolly, with a layover in Huntsville and at the recovery location in Gulfport.

Or Octonots

I grew up in Dania Beach, which is the city that is just south and borders both FLL and Port Everglades. I'm also the retired general manager of the parking facilities of both. Having said all that, I prefer to cruise out of Miami, only because of the new RCCL terminal. However, if I was flying in, I'd fly into FLL, get a hotel room near there, and make my way to Miami in the morning. Generally speaking, flight fares are a little cheaper flying into FLL vs MIA and so are the local hotels. But, getting into Port Everglades, being a working cargo port and a major electric plant, has a lot of security and the checkpoint can get backed up. The RCCL terminal itself is easy to get into, drop off luggage, and then park if you drive in. I find that the Port of Canaveral is very easy in and out but far from Orlando Airport and traffic is subject to very very heavy congestion when there is a rocket lift-off, it is hard to schedule around a liftoff, it may be scheduled for today, postponed and rescheduled for a later day. It can be frustrating. On my last cruise out of Canaveral, there was a liftoff scheduled that morning, it was postponed to a later day but the traffic was very very heavy because not everybody got the word. We made it in time because we are always early to everything. Finding a hotel room near the port can be an issue at times. If there is a lot going on with NASA, high season for tourists, and a heavy debarkation day in the port, the hotels get booked up. Book early if possible. Can't help with Tampa, never been to that port.

For the most part, meeeee toooo. But, there are always exceptions. A few decades ago, I was a Credit Cardaholic. I loved using them and not paying them off, it seemed so easy. No, I never defaulted on it but I did get myself in a big hole. I actually had to refinance my home to pay off my CC debt. Never again. If I can't pay for it in cash or when I receive the statement, I don't need it. But again, there are always exceptions. Since I developed that payoff philosophy, I can't tell you how much better I sleep at night and how much more money I have each month. I'm no longer living paycheck to paycheck. I've actually been able to save money and go on extended and exotic vacations with my wife. The last exception to my rule was I booked a cruise and just before the final payment, I had to purchase a new and complete HVAC system for my home, including ductwork and going from electric to gas/electric. It wasn't purdy!

No need to be clear, I fully understand and know!

Okay, one last post on this. I'm a retired U.S. Army (Active Duty) Military Policeman and investigator. I know about abbreviations/acronyms. But, to your point, there are many many many Acronyms and abbreviations that aren't official but are used on a daily basis and everybody knows exactly what is being communicated without confusion. To your point again, DILLIGAF!

I've only used my Royal Caribbean/BOA Visa rewards once and it was for OBCs on the Ovation May 2022. It was easy peasy, I had no problem at all. However, I am like you, @Cigar King, I'm not so sure the card, and others, is a great value, especially with a ~20% interest rate or higher. Not to brag, I have far more CCs than I need, many offer rewards points. One, which is from my Credit Union Visa offers nothing other than a straightforward 7.490% rate. I very rarely use that card but now I'm opening my eyes that the savings in % rates are much better than rewards returns/offerings. I believe credit card utilization in my future is subject to change. I've got a good amount of OBCs built up on the RCCL/BOA card right now and plan on using it during my next cruise in Jan. But, that is where it will stop and I'll use the OBCs on my cruise after this one. Of course, we can avoid % rates altogether by paying the CC off, in full, before the grace period is up. Which is what I generally do. Sometimes the stars don't align properly and I have to go with two months of payments when I pay for a large ticket item (usually RCCL cruises with double points, Ha Ha). But, that's my fault.

Okay, so you go on and use your term/name for it and I'll continue to use mine. I'm out!

LOL SMH. Have you complained about the Stock Ticker? Has anybody asked me or anybody else who uses RCCL, what it means? In your search engine, if you type RCCL what does it come up with? Is there a communication issue here? If Jason Liberty mentions Royal Caribbean Group, would you say he is incorrect, or not up to date? Has making this a contentious issue helped the OP's post?

It's been called RCI, RCG, RCCL, RCL, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines/Limited, Royal Caribbean Group, Royal Caribbean International, whatever, for years. I've picked my name for it, feel free to pick your name for it.

Funny you mentioned Oxford. I just sold my home in Oxford on 16 October 2023. Oh, Oxford, AL., that is. But, I've never been to Cambridge, AL., which is south and east of Oxford, AL. I'm sure all this trivia will be very helpful on my next cruise leaving out of Galveston, TX, not AL., in 59 days. But, I'll be ready if asked.

Apparently, you didn't read this in an earlier post, "BUT, it really only works well with shorter words. Imagine trying to decipher "Antidisestablishmentarianism""? And, "Yep, I've been reading articles and posts about this for years. Just last week, one of my cousins in Canada posted about it. Without any reference to any academic reference/study"! And, "It works for me and I never read a Cambridge study of ANY kind". I have two points I want to make about this: 1. Like I said, it works for me and I've actually communicated with some folks that are like-minded/capable. It didn't take any study of any kind, real or not, to KNOW that it works for me/us. 2. I don't know why there has to be pushback and made a contentious issue. It either works for you or it doesn't. To conflate what was posted above <(intended to be pure entertainment and humor) and a Cambridge study that isn't is pure hyperbole. Okay, enough is enough. I'm out.

What has been debunked? I don't think anybody mentioned Cambridge. It works for me and I never read a Cambridge study of ANY kind. My mind decodes it quite well either by anticipation or by scientific mumbo jumbo. I don't care, it works, and like I said, not so much for larger words.

One thing we all must remember is that RCCL owns the ball, they make the rules and they have the discretion to enforce their rules, fully, partially, or not at all, whenever they want. Just because they enforce a rule today or on the Oasis, doesn't mean that they will enforce it tomorrow or on the Harmony.

What the .,.., did he say? LOL Here's a list for ya that I made just this morning. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2888166-harmony-of-the-seas-january-14-2024/?do=findComment&comment=66437274 BTW, I wish I had the writing talent you have. I'm betting you are a professional writer of some type, journalist, novel, candle stick maker, whatever, with a minor in history or vice versa.