Ret MP

Good info. Never knew something like that existed. Sure, would make things a little more convenient.

Okay, I'm not going to get into a 7 page debate with you about this. I could say that the FUTURE isn't even scheduled, yet. And that, even in this board, it has been established that these private islands, but we are talking about RCCL here, are trending towards the future and CC is expanding, I'm assuming for future crowds. And I could get into the giggle weeds about so many other things. But, I'm not because I have an agenda with this thread that I want to get to AND I don't want it locked down. See ya.

Looks pretty regular to me, for an 8-night cruise. Which is the only 8-night cruise out of Galveston, unless I missed something. Harmony is the only ship going to CC as of the current scheduling out of Galveston when she gets there. And what time frame are you referencing when you say "6 out of hundreds" out of Galveston? How many decades are you looking at?

In the future

LOL, or not! I'm a big-time veteran of those emails, all day every day. Doesn't matter how many times I put them in my junk folder or "block" them, they just keep on coming. They must have thousands of email addresses they use. It's been going on for years. That explains it though, we/I use the public USB ports at hotels (but I don't use their Wifi) and mostly Dr.'s offices and Hospitals. I learned something here today. I'm not going to use USB ports anymore, just a charging block that plugs into electric outlets. Thanks, folks!

In many cases, unfortunately, you're right.

"But, that's for a different time and place".

I actually think that the WJ is an excellent location with a great view. Unfortunately, it is hit with the stigma of being a buffet, which it is but as far as most land-based buffets are concerned, I think of much better quality. But, I'm no buffet connoisseur.

Too bad. Thanks

Check the FAQ. They've eliminated all eating on their ships! Just kidding of course.

I haven't been on an Oasis Class ship since before the shutdown. I seem to remember going to the MDR for breakfast and there was a fairly large buffet set up that you could use or you could order off the menu. Is that still in existence? I'm not sure if it was only on certain days or every morning.

We haven't been on Harmony either. But, we are on the same cruise as you, at least a Jan 2024 cruise. I think it is just like other Oasis Class ships, I've been on 3, it's all a matter of timing. I would not consider going to the WJ on embarkation afternoon. Park Cafe or Solarium are probably better choices. Other than that, the WJ can be very busy at times that I would expect it to be. Like just before getting off at ports of call. People want to have their breakfast before departing the ship. I would be there at opening time, and that's not a guarantee. It's really hit-and-miss for the most part. Except for embarkation lunchtime, it's going to be packed, unless you are one of the first to get on the ship and go directly to the WJ. There are plenty of other included options to choose from if the WJ is packed. I've been in the WJ when it has been packed and when it was almost empty. I find being there at the opening for breakfast is USUALLY safe other meals, as I said, hit-and-miss. A lot of people eat at specialty restaurants and the MDR for dinner which helps alleviate the crowds at the WJ. Just enjoy, there are lots of options.

I guess we have dialed this down to what the definition of is is. BTW, I just looked at my so-called "Invoices" and they aren't even that, it's a "Booking Confirmation".

I made an error. I called the "Invoice" a "Contract" a few times. It's not a "Contract", at least according to you. And there is a big difference.

Okay, so be it. I totally and completely disagree. However, using your train of thought, should I think something is allowed or not allowed because it isn't on the "Cruise Contract"? Is a contract a policy? Does the contract say how many bottles of wine you can bring aboard? If you show up at the terminal with only 5 months left on your passport and you just happen to get one of those by-the-book guys who's been very well trained and he tells you that your passport, by policy, isn't acceptable, what's your argument? Do you tell him that the Contract "Recommends" A, but his retorts that the policy dictates "B"? Don't get me wrong, I do believe you have a good argument and you may get away with it, they'll take pity on you. But I bet the Contract changes, thereafter, really quickly. I think we all know that RCCL's, et al, have a hard time keeping up with their own hands. The left has no idea what the right is doing. But, the policy is the policy. Okay, the horse is dead enough, again. This case is closed unless something comes up to add material discussion.

Is that a policy?

Believe me, this isn't the first time I've had this discussion on the very subject and it's been in a few cruise social media sites going back for more than a couple of years. It's one reason I had the various links of information available. This keeps popping up every now and then. Not as much as shorts in the MDR but often enough.

I haven't seen the word "recommended" in the policy! And for the last time, I am not going to discuss/debate what Joe or Mary got away with. And I'm talking about RCCL's policy, not any other company unless it is RCCL, or country. This is an RCCL policy.

You are right, I do look at policies/procedures/laws/rules in black and white until something else comes along to gray it up a little with facts. You are also right, "itinerary" has a lot to do with the documents required/acceptable. But, the title of this thread includes and is limited to "Close Loop" cruises. A Birth Certificate and DL are acceptable. But, if you are using other than a BC and DL, you must use a Passport and it must meet RCCL's minimum requirements, by policy (note, I didn't say what you can get away with). BTW, if you look hard enough, you'll find which countries require 6-month expiration. RCCL lists Columbia as one of them. Again, keep in mind, we are talking about close loop cruises, I can tell you that Cuba is one of them too. But, RCCL doesn't cruise there, so no need to list it. I can't think of any Close Loop sailings that RCCL goes to that has a 6-month requirement, other than possibly Columbia. I've been to most Caribbean popular ports of call and I have never heard that a Passport is even required to get in. So, why list them.? If you aren't on a close loop cruise, you have to have a passport and RCCL requires, by policy, that it must expire at least 6 months after you return to the U.S. So, just answer me this, does RCCL, by policy, require that U.S. Citizens using a Passport as a cruise document, have at least 6 months validity beyond return to the U.S? Keep in mind that that is all I'm trying to get across. Why? As usual, I'd hate to be the one or cause someone else by not providing what is the written policy. It can be costly and embarrassing. Sure, policies are ignored, or whatever, but am I going to bet thousands of dollars on it? Hell no! The way I figure it, if you follow the written (the black and white written) policy, you can't go wrong. Once again, forgive me for providing a good deed (and you know what they say about good deeds), again. I'm not right 100% of the time and I've proved it. But, I try. And I don't think I'm wrong here.

1. If it doesn't say "Accepted" then the rest are not "Accepted". Do you think they are going to list every/all unacceptable forms of ID? I don't think so. EDITED IN: It doesn't say "Required" because they aren't, if you want to use a Birth Certificate and DL on a "closed Loop" cruise, you can. If you use a "Passport" it must meet the minimum requirements. 2. Yes, some countries do not allow you in their country with less than 6 months remaining, some are just 3 on your passport. But, that doesn't have anything to do with RCCL's policy which is stand-alone. And yes, RCCL will allow you to cruise on U.S. Homeport "closed loop" itineraries with just a Birth Certificate and DL (Government ID). But, if you aren't using a Birth Certificate and DL, your Passport must meet their minimum requirements. 3. I can not and will not justify RCCL's policies. Why won't they let someone on that doesn't have at least 6 months left on their Passport but let someone on with just a birth certificate and DL? I don't know. That's not the purpose of my post. I'm only showing what RCCL's policy is. I'm not saying that I do or don't agree with it 4. I stated clearly a couple of times that I will not discuss/debate what some people have gotten away with because of politics/lazy or untrained personnel/being good at hiding things/bad management/looking the other way/whatever. 5. On my browser it has a "find" feature. I did that with the page that is linked to. The words "Birth Certificate" is used 10 times. 7 of which pertain to sailings (closed loop sailings) that depart from a U.S. Home Port, three of which are about Puerto Rican Citizens and the date their Birth Certificates were issued. The last 3 have nothing to do with this. So, I'm not interested in playing word games (Acceptable). I am only posting RCCL's written policy. And as stated, I'm not going to try to justify what RCCL does or doesn't do, and I'm not going to discuss what Joe or Mary got away with 5 years ago. It is what it is. And the ability to use a Birth Certificate and DL is an authorization given by the: https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-74?language=en_US Most cruises beginning and ending in the same location are considered "closed-loop," meaning they begin and end at the same port in the United States and travel within the Western Hemisphere. For instance, if you board a cruise ship at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and after visiting at least one foreign port of call, such as Bermuda, or Cancun, and return to Fort Lauderdale, you have taken a closed loop cruise. However, if you board a cruise ship in San Diego, California, sail through the Panama Canal (stopping at a foreign port during the cruise), and end the cruise in Miami, Florida, you have not taken a closed loop cruise. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires you to travel with a valid passport (including infants). U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), a government-issued birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born) or passport, and if 16 or older, a government issued driver's license, picture ID, denoting photo, name, and date of birth. The Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) allows you to re-enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The EDL is only accepted at land and sea border crossings, not for air travel. An U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original, notarized or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issues by Department of State, (DOS) and/or Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). BTW, there is no 6 month requirement given by the U.S. Government. It is discussed somewhere in the government's websites and it just states that some countries require 3 or 6 months. It also states that "some cruise lines" may have a 6 month requirement. Apparently, RCCL does.

Two minds think alike.

I'm not going to debate that "some" people get away with getting on a ship with less than 6 months remaining on their passports after the cruise ends. I'm sure it happens all the time. But, I will say that it is RCCL's policy that you do have at least 6 months remaining on your passport after the completion of your cruise. Whether they enforce their own policy is...... well, you know. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-travel-documents-i-need-for-boarding-day Accepted Identification for U.S. Citizens U.S. Passport book that is valid at least 6 months after your cruise ends. A U.S. Passport book is required for sailings that depart from homeports outside of the U.S.

As an old retired document, personnel, law enforcement, and missile security professional, that makes total sense and it should be like that.

https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/real-id-faqs