Ret MP

Yep, you are right. But, I'm a little under medical stress right now. So, I'm seeing things a little distorted right now.

In an earlier post, I said that I thought 30 minutes wasn't reasonable. But, and hour should be fine.

Yes, I flew, last May from Atlanta to Seattle. Had a couple of dozen of them in my carry-on backpack without question or issue. I also use them around the patio, great for hanging BBQ utensils off the BBQ and Grittle. Wet pool towels aren't an issue for them. It depends more on the surface that you are trying to hang them from. Smooth-painted vertical surfaces, the magnates might slide down. However, I find that most cabin walls have textured paint or wallpaper, so no problem.

LOL. That's really not me. Just a picture that showed up when I typed "Harley hog T-shirt. I'm not a Harley guy, not that there is anything wrong with them. I'm a Goldwing guy or was before Virtigo. This was mine!

These are what I've purchased a couple of times. They hold up to 60 lbs, the hook is actually movable. I like 'em. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QSJ6Q72/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

Actually, I'm a little more passive or freedom-oriented than that. When I pay thousands of $$$$, I don't think I need permission to move about. Monitor the chair, not me! That's why I generally don't carry my phone with me or turn it off. With the app, I believe they have the ability to track your movement.

I wouldn't classify you as a "chair hog" as long as you are actively using the pool area and/or its amenities. However, I'd like to ask, if you are "in the pool for hours and move around to different pools", why the need for a close lounger/chair to the pool? My only concern is that there may be a young mother or father or both that would like to be close to their kid(s), and keep a close eye on them and be in close proximity to him/her/them as possible. <Different situation> I know when we used to take our gkids on cruises or any pool venue, even though we didn't utilize the pool ourselves, we like to be as close to the pool as possible to keep an eye on them and other possible safety issues. It was always frustrating when we couldn't get close, only to watch people come back perfectly dry, an hour or more after we got settled in, just to check to see if their towel(s)/stuff was still there and then move on again.

That person obviously doesn't understand the premise of the popular complaint.

I'm not quite that radical. However, I believe that if you are gone for more than an hour (I never thought 30 minutes was reasonable), then your "A$$" is out. Now the trick is how/who starts the timing/clock. I believe the chairs should be uniquely numbered. Staff comes by which could be up to an hour after you left the chair/lounger, notes the unique number and time in their handheld electronic device, and then folds the towel, whatever, in a unique fashion and places it in a certain location on the lounger OR places a PLACARD or card on the lounger/chair that would have to be moved or sat on top of, wind resistant, of course. The staff member comes by no sooner than an hour later, which actually could be 2 hours after leaving the lounger/chair, if everything is exactly the same as the earlier visit or the card is still where it was left. Sorry about that. This is just a concept, much more time would have to be put into it, of course.

Just did a little looking into the parking prices at FLL/Port Everglades/Port of Miami. Fll and Port Everglades are the same, $15.00 per day, max. Port of Miami is $25.00 per day for a 6 or more day cruise, and $28.00 for a less than a 6-day cruise. Now, considering the POSSIBLE saving staying in a hotel in Dania Beach/Davie and the POSSIBLE airline fare savings flying into FLL, Parking at FLL and taking a shuttle to the Port of Miami may yield significant savings or, at least, cover the cost of the shuttle. There is no enforceable rule that says you have to fly into or out of FLL to park at any of their parking facilities. They don't care what color your green money is. That's if you drive into town, obviously!

I'm no longer a Disney fan but I was big time, at one time. My father was very instrumental in the design and construction of the first golf course. I used to enjoy seeing the newlywed brides that got married at one of the Disney Hotels wearing the ears around the park(s). So cute! My wife and I spent our honeymoon at Disney when the only hotel was the Contemporary and the Monorail only went around in a circle from the Contemporary to the Magic Kindom.

It's possible, if you shop well, that the money you save at an Ft. Lauderdale/Dania (and I'll throw in Davie, too) hotel, will be more than enough to cover the cost of a shuttle. Fruit for thought! EDITED IN: Oh, also airfare is usually cheaper than flying into Miami, too.

I'm not too risk-averse. I'll use the hot tubs and pools aren't a big deal for me. However, if I was to feel squeamish about something, it would be the public lounge chairs. I can only imagine what has been left behind, baking in the sun, on those things that probably never get washed off other than a good rain (I've personally never observed a crew member wash with soap and water a lounger or chair, just move them around). At least a pool/hot tub has chemicals to TRY to manage the harmful bacteria. Yes, I realize that many people put their towel(s) down on the lounger before using it. But, there are many people and kids that don't. Having said all that, we live in a harmful world, but, we need to live our own lives and accept the risks or not. I'm going through a skin cancer thing right now, I know what caused it. I'm having surgery in a couple of weeks. I'll go right back to what I've always done, no change.

Just curious: Don't you have UPS and/or FEDEX shipping stores that have rental mailboxes but you use the store street address and box #, that's if you are remotely close to a town/city large enough to have such a thing?

That's a good and comprehensive list of hotels. One of them, The Cambria, was the first hotel we stayed at the night before our first-ever cruise. Man is that hotel ever "Family-Friendly". But, it was budget-friendly too. Brings back some very fond memories of our first-ever cruise. We always drive into Ft. Lauderdale/Dania/Hollywood, so transportation is not an issue. But, as we get older, SAS is an option, for sure. Funny, I don't remember seeing SAS when I worked at FLL. But, I probably wasn't looking either. Thanks for the site address and info!

1099/W2

I agree, all commercial ports, at least as you said the cargo and cruise ports are unionized. I actually like the Port of Miami. But, I don't give a damn for Miami, one bit. That's why when I cruise out of Miami, I always stay in Ft. Lauderdale/Dania Beach. Cheaper too.

I hope so. The word may be getting out. The social and company pressure may be working. We've got to keep it up.

I think you'll enjoy the short experience. It's a good thing.

I disagree. "Accepted Identification for U.S. Citizens" "U.S. Passport book that is valid at least 6 months after your cruise ends". <(that's a period). "A U.S. passport book is required for sailings that depart from homeports outside of the U.S". <(period). Two separate situations, two separate requirements. The first sentence is stand-alone. The second is stand-alone. Nothing to connect the two sentences. And all it is saying is that if you don't have an approved BC, a passport is required and it must have at least 6 months of validity after cruising. You can cruise all you want with an approved BC and other government-issued ID, on a Closed Loop cruise initiating from the U.S. I'm not perfected. I could be wrong. But, I've been on too many of these social media boards and other discussions where people, some I actually cruised with, have said that they were told, at the port that their passports needed to be good for 6 months after cruising to get on the RCCL cruise ship. Notice that I didn't say that they were turned away. Also, I'm not a lawyer and I don't play one on TV but I have some experience reading some very technical/legal documents. The above is my interpretation of the policy. Again, if lazy and/or untrained employees let you through, I can't help or justify that.

Deleted. Big error.

Birth Certificate and Drivers License.

I once put a blue towel on a chair in my cabin and held it for 6 days without using it. I never received one complaint. So, I guess it's Okay anywhere else.