FOPMan

you could go on the ship’s excursion of Fort Lauderdale or the Everglades.

Straight from the source (see below). If I liked Ice cream, I’d be more tempted to wait in Jaxon Ice Cream’s parking lot, eating some ice cream instead, snd head to the airport when your crowd picks up their first bag. Jaxson’s is a few minutes south of the Airport on US 1/Federal Highway, right hand side, going south (ho out the north rnf of the parking lot to go north (back yo the airport) on Federal. The cell waiting area https://www.broward.org/Airport/passengers/Parking/Pages/CellphoneWaitingArea.aspx

I believe Royal Caribbean just changed its policy. They still have a lobster night in the main dining room,. The first one’s free, but each one thereafter is supposedly $16.99 plus 18% gratuity. https://www.thestreet.com/.amp/travel/royal-caribbean-makes-a-dining-change-thats-more-severe-than-carnivals Carnival is charging $5 per entree for the third and subsequent entrees. I don’t know about their lobster policy.

Is anyone else having problems booking on HAL’s website? (9:00-9:15pm central time)?

Cruise lines don’t rent equipment directly to. passengers. Special needs at Sea or Scootaround or other providers approved by the cruise line can supply equipment. I believe both SNAS and Scootaround serve Tampa.

In season, a hotel very close to the port could easily run $400 to $500 per night plus parking, taxes, and maybe a resort fee. Especially for a reservation made within a few days of the planned stay.

Here is a recent story about passenger deaths while on a Zodiac expedition off a cruise ship in the Antarctic in November 2022. The same cruise coordinator also had a passenger death on a Zodiac expedition about 10 years earlier. At the end of the day, it is the captain’s decision whether to permit passengers in general or specific passengers participate in activities. On a day with no weather and perfectly calm seas, it may not be an issue. If seas are 6 feet, that’s a whole other issue. I have transferred between boats in various weather conditions. It is a tough transfer. Riding in Zodiacs is great in low seas, but in rough water it can be workout. My back is solid from a spinal fusion, so back support is nothing I need to worry about. There’s nothing to lean against to help prevent falling backwards. How do you envision a transfer working? Do you expect crew to lift you into the Zodiac? Can you transfer yourself? https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/expedition-cruising/two-die-quark-expeditions-zodiac-incident-antarctica

one at.a time, unless you upgrade to multiple devices.

Usually, riding a Zodiac requires upper body rigidity and being able to sit without back support. Transfers between the ship and zodiac can be challenging. I’d also look explictly how your ship is configured for transfers between vessels.

It would also need to be a supplier that is approved by the cruise line, I expect. You might contact special needs and ask them for suggestions.

i wouldn’t make that bet, especially for an international flight.

yes. we just did on the NS

And, looking at the Google route, I don’t believe you can get around going past the security gate at Eisenhower.

We were on the Nieuw Statendam for a 17 day cruise over the holidaze. We noticed an increase in the amount of pasta in the MDR and the absence of lobster in the MDR. Preparation was slightly less complex than pre-Covid. There were also some paring of selections in the specialty restaurants. Tamarind was a little less spicy on the Thai beef salad.

yes. you can either email or ask your cabin attendant.

They could always go without. Though I’m not sure the practical difference.

If you use an Apple device, iMessage worlds, but you need an internet account. HALs chat tool doesn’t do the best Jo. Of notifying you if you have a new message, but is pretty easy to use. It does NOT transmit messages outside of the ship’s network (eg, can’t text to anyone not on the ship/registered with the ship).

They should. We just completed a cruise and they immediately refunding the difference in estimated and actual port charges.

What email did you use, and are you in the US? There are different emails for different regions. We got approved in about a day. steve

AFAIK, it’s as soon as you have documentation of the acquisition, and the documentation of current ownership must be timely (within the last 60 or 90 days).

You need to provide the cruise ship appropriate travel documents. If you are a US citizen on a closed loop cruise out of the United States to the Caribbean, you need a passport or your birth certificate. You do not need to provide documents in any port when you get off the ship. if you do not have appropriate travel documents, you will not be permitted aboard at all. if you are not a US citizen, you may need a visa. Please check with your appropriate national authority.

You don’t need to take a shuttle from the Miami airport to TriRail. You don’t have to take a shuttle from the TriRail station to Fort Lauderdale airport. it can be a hike to get to where you need to be at MIA to the station, and you’re subject to the TriRail schedule, which may be limiting. No baggage assistance is available.

Van taxi. Easy. About $30 or less.

I have never seen such a service in St. Thomas. At Amber Cove, there have been hires kw rickshaws ic you were so inclined. The ship will not likely have something you can borrow. You probably want to bring your own. How are you planning to make your way around the ship?

At least historically 🙂