H2Osign

We arrived at the port around 2 pm.  I do remember that we arrived at the same time as the train, as well as everyone else.  It was a very crowded and rude boarding experience.  There's no avoiding it, and priority didn't seem to matter, so just an fyi.  If you're handicapped you will be taken into a much shorter queue.

The coaches to the train didn't go much better.  Thankfully everyone has a reserved seat on the train.  If they're still trying to sell the coffee mugs and saying you can get coffee at the resort for free - it's a scam!

1) it took over 2 weeks from our last cruise. When I called to ask about it, I was told the ship had not yet sent over what was needed. 
 

2) provided you did book that b2b as 2 separate bookings and your cruise days would be enough to push you over, then yes, you should be able to have your status updated during that second week. 
 

I use a small plug in LED night light I bought from IKEA. Off during the day, on at night. It’s not too bright, when on, and no need for batteries or charge cable. Also, you can position the light to shine up, down, left or right - in other words, not in your eyes. It’s about the size of a golf ball, so not too big either. 

I applied and was verified for the AARP OBC.  I notified my agent a few days later that 4 star and above have been getting their OBC on current bookings.  It took her a few days to get around to it, but she did get me an additional $200 OBC on our 28 day AK cruise for next year.  I have a different agent for our 42 day Asia cruise, who will check into this for that cruise.  It starts late December, 2024.  

On a side bar, Resolutions Dept came through for me, with regards to the refer a friend program.  No fault of ours, actually it was the agent, that this was not applied to our last cruise.  Bounced around on phone until I was connected to the correct department, and they made the exception and applied to next cruise.

As one who has a “real” service animal I too am upset with how badly

This is being taken advantage of. I not only have a trained animal, but I have back-up paperwork that declares my handicap, thus justifying the need for assistance. The described behavior suggests that this owner is not only abusing the system, but also represents an irresponsible pet owner! Airlines are requesting more paperwork to verify which I’m

Happy to offer - RCCL does too, although some Dr’s are willing to write just about anything. Of course these could be bogus too!

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Here I thought it was me. I had a small

Magnetic clip board, maybe 3”, affixed to the “mailbox” on the side wall — not easy to spot. It disappeared along with the pen. Then one Valentine heart disappeared; however, this one I had wrote “you stole this” on the back! I also had my coffee mug disappear from the dining room. I walked out without it and when I went back for it it was gone. It was badly stained but it did say “Princess” on it, but it was a Disney Princess not the cruise line. No matter it still was taken.

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Agree. Or you could look at their webpage, and start a test booking, and see if they require payment. If it is like many limos, they will get your credit card, then bill it just before the service.

 

 

 

The flat rate for the taxi is $27. But that is for MIA to POM, not to Port Everglades, (where the OP is going) which would be about $80 or so. Agree with the comments about Uber/Lyft, but assume your concern is not having a US phone to request Uber/Lyft.

I just did ft lauderdale to Miami and I’m just south of airport. It was $45 on Lyft

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You might get better answers if you ask this on the Florida board:

 

 

 

 

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=495

From a MIA resident —-

Miami cabs are on a fixed rate schedule from the airport. I think it’s about $25 for the cab. Otherwise I choose one of those 4 letter ride share apps. They tend to be half the price of a cab. Unless you really want a stretch limo these are better options. If it’s bc you have many travelers you can arrange a transfer curbside but that’ll end up costing per person unless you can negotiate by vehicle rather per person.

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Just sailed the Legend, perhaps I can help.

I spoke with the Windjammer chef on my first day aboard. Chin was very helpful, but he's gone on holiday after our cruise. Ask any of the staff that has "stripes". If you ask any one else they'll just get them anyway. It seemed that they were the ones that had to handle my bread and order my pancakes.

Normal breakfast options and GF pancakes on request. Allow up to 15 minutes for anything GF. I didn't care for the bread they served - I did take my own.

At first I ordered off the GF options on the menu. When I saw a turkey entree I requested that it be served without what ever made it contain Gluten. It didn't wrk well that first request, but after talking to the hotel manager, Jorge, I never was disappointed again.

that os until the last night. On disembarkation day I awoke and knew I had been contaminated. You can't mistake that! Don't know what it was, perhaps the sauce on the lamb, so be careful always.

Cafe Latitudes, deck 6, offers GF muffins during morning hours and GF Chocolate cake for tea.

Anything else you need to know on this ship just ask.

So glad to have found this thread. I only wish I had found it sooner!

I suffer with what is known as Gluten Intolerance. I do travel with a lot of my own food because I have not been accommodated well in the past.

What I have found is that policies are different ship to ship, not just cruise line to cruise line. It seems that I'm half way through my trip before I find GF options. Why is it so difficult to bring it all to the table, so to speak! I had no idea that GF options were being offered in the cafe that we're not offered elsewhere.

Each trip I come home and send in my comments for buffet tags that indicate allergens. I think it would make choosing so much easier. Although I have also witnessed cross contamination by passengers,too. So, nothing is 100%. But, it still would help in deciding what I would like to eat.

I just returned from the TA crossing on the Legend. I was given gluten on the last day at sea because I awoke to all the tell tale signs the next morning. I can only hope it was unintentional.

Hello all. I often read your messages and follow along, but I don't participate very often.

I'd like to ask a question. It does seem that we all show affection to our service animals. Have you ever had it questioned, pet versus service, because of this?

I don't see how you can't grow to love your dog, but I'm tired of having him called a pet. Even while he's properly marked otherwise.

Kathy, welcome! Let's talk, a few questions for you.

• Who's the cruiseline?
  
• Did you call the "Special Access" Dept. directly the week before your cruise was to begin? During this phone call is when you "INSIST" on the placement of the box and the filler. When you board you ask for a waste paper basket [from your Steward] to dispose of the solids.
  
• I ask that the bag of litter be left for me to fill as needed. Every day I put more litter, covering the used to help keep it dry and smell-free.:)
  
• On Brenda's first cruise, onboard the Diamond Princess I was also asked to stand aside, while they were boarding other guests and we couldn't find her pottybox. They, too, had forgotten to set it up. We waited almost 2 hours for the set-up. They said they didn't know she was boarding.
  
• You definitely have some very legitimate issues with the cruiseline. A letter is in order to assure that the next time you cruise there will be no problems. However, these issues should be brought up while you're still onboard, with the Hotel Manager.
  
• Your Steward has a lot to do with your comfort zone. He/she doesn't always fill the needs that you and your dog may have but they're instrumental in getting the appropriate person to get it all done. Another call to the Hotel Manager would have had your Steward answering all your needs and not refusing to serve you!
  

I ALWAYS bring litter bags with me and I pick up the solids [just like I do in the real world.] I drop the tied bag into the litter disposal and ask that it's removed at the end of each day. I bring an extra tip for a job well done. I give the tip to our Steward and sincerely thank him for all his help.

 

Wood chips, mulch or actual grass sod or astro turf [with the litter beneath] is the best for the box because it absorbs and takes care of the leakage, puddling and odor. The phone call to the "Access" Dept. is the time to insist on this type of litter. Both my dogs are very sensitive to standing in their urine! I understand exactly what you mean. :cool:

 

It sounded like your paperwork was in order. That helps to make everything go smoother.

 

I'm so sorry you had such difficulty. Princess has their "Service Dog" act together, as long as I give them the within one-week-head's-up! Ideally, I try to call 3 days before I cruise.......so, they don't have too much time to forget about it!!!!!!;)

I hope that you and Jack will have many more cruising experiences in your future and that they're trouble free.

1) Well it was the "Royal" treatment.

2) Yes, I dealt directly with the special needs/handicap department. I had the paperwork that was sent to me. I did inquire, before I left, to make sure everything was in order. I did not ask through the special needs department. This is something I will do differently in the future.

3) Actually, the Hotel Manager was the least sympathetic of all. When I cornered the Hotel Director I was able to make some headway.

On our first cruise I had made a request for sod and had to settle for wood chips. It took that first evening for Jack to use this, but after that all went well. This time I was prepared for wood chips and got whatever it was. I suppose it's a learning curve, but good God what could go wrong next? I am actually considering packing a 4x4 square of "fake" grass to lay on top of whatever I get next.

I was prepared to bag all droppings. It was the disposal of these bags that were collecting. I wanted a bin so I could see to it, but was told it would be taken care of.

I think I will look into Princess next. The only one who really suffered though all this was Jack. I don't ever want to put him through that again.

I had looked forward to this trans-atlantic crossing since January, when I booked it. The booking included my service dog, Jack.

Jack has sailed before, but this cruise was 14 days, 7 of which were at sea! It also included a long flight; would he make it without an accident? Trying to ensure that nothing would go wrong on two separate occasions I inquired about Jack listed on the booking. Both times I was given vague responses, but assured that notes were entered from the handicap department. While I tried to do my homework I trusted the reservation rep too much. Jack, in fact, had been dropped from the reservation.

When I arrived at the terminal in Barcelona I was greeted by an official who asked for Jack's passport. This term is used to reference his health exam and certificate that I needed for international travel. I produced his "passport" for review and we were welcomed into the terminal. Then the check in process - this is when I learned that Jack was not on the reservation. However, copies were made, things were checked out and we were on our way. Then, when we boarded the ship I was asked to stand aside. Once again papers were checked; however, we were allowed to board.

Once on board I searched out his relief station and it was no where to be found. Of course the ship didn't know Jack was sailing these next two weeks, but it now had an obligation to provide this service. After another 2 hours of waiting a relief station was set up, but with a medium that was either used before or tainted in some way as Jack would not use the station. Truth be he tried it, but what ever they used did not percolate very well and his urine would puddle and get on his paws - he's a clean dog and did not like this.

I asked about getting the bark mulch, which is the company policy for relief stations, and I was promised it in Palma. In Palma I stopped them from adding Kitty Litter to the relief station. I was assured that I would have it in Cadiz. In Cadiz I was told that everything was closed. I finally produced their company policy and pointed out their error in not complying with the policy. I had my wood chips in Tenerife, the last port before the trans-atlantic crossing.

I also endured an excursion that I did not get to enjoy when the bus company did not reserve the correct seat assignment. The front row was already occupied when I got down to the bus and they refused to move. Jack would not fit behind any seat - there just wasn't enough room for him. I was told "I could sit in the back of the bus"! I left in tears over that comment.

Then, there was the passengers who made trouble. I now had to cover his relief station - no one ever said why, it just showed up. I have photos of three days worth of feces that never got picked up. This after I asked for a disposal bin so I could see to it. I had a cabin steward who was terrible. He claimed that Jack didn't like him. Jack is a Golden Retriever, they love everybody! So, Steven would skip my cabin at night and use that excuse.

Buyer beware, if you travel with a service animal, use another cruise line!