The Viking

A stable in my camerabag is the Platypod which safely can be mounted to vertical posts as well as railing. Platypod.com

For us it all depends on itiniary. If we go to San Juan, as an example, and leave after dark, we prefer starboard side to enjoy the lit-up El Moro fort.

6 hours ago, islandwannabee said:

For me, I don't care about the free drinks, it's more about getting together with old friends and making new ones.

On our first cruise, one couple at our dining table was late for dinner as they "lost track of time visiting with friends in the Diamond Club". My thought then, and still is as D+, that you can easily meet great friends everywhere on the ship and arrange to meet again anywhere.

On 7/14/2019 at 8:33 PM, clo said:

I would say 

Precheck - leaving

Global entry - returning.

 

But I'd also say OP can get far better advice by googling the question.  Certainly not cruise related.

Thought pre check is only in airports. However above reply sounds as it is also in cruise ports now.

Quoted from John Bull:

'Perhaps more naively, I also fear a contactless card accidentally or deliberately being charged for a transaction that happens just a couple of feet away, for instance the person in front of me at a checkout."

Accordingly to Danish papers, this does happen.

1 hour ago, sparks1093 said:

It is sufficient for re-entry to the US, but she may need a passport from her native country to enter Mexico and maybe a visa. I would check the Mexican entry guidelines.

Wonder then, why  I have always been asked for my foreign passport in addition to the green card.

Do  not really want to write a review, but just thank you all for responding.

Normally we arrive between 10 and 11 for our cruises. This time, we did not arrive at terminal until around 1 PM and have never seen such an empty terminal.

Came inside terminal and someone was ready with a wheelchair and we were on board within minutes. 

Our rented chair was in stateroom.

When we came back from muster, I almost dropped my wife going over the water tight door treshold coming back and our  stateroom attendant laughed. The wheelchair was aa little too wide go drive it into the stateroom, but the attendant was very nice to help holding the door open so DW could get inside.

Was very surprised how considerate other passengers were even teens.

Disembarking was easy as well, and a police officer waved us through to the front cab.

Be certain you bring long straws. 

Found out that some straws bought at Walmart were too short.  Certain they also have longer straws.

8 hours ago, BlueRiband said:

"International" passport?  From which country?  Bermuda and Haiti might require citizens of that country to have visas.  Check the immigration sites of both.  If they require a visa for those citizens, and the 18-year old doesn't have one, he or she would be denied boarding at the pier.   Proper travel documentation is the passenger's responsibility.

If the person has a Green Card, they do not need a visa to the USA.

Back to the initial question. Having a green card. Only in Miami "did" they send Green Card holder to the line of foreigers. Do not know if this has change. In other cruise ports I have entered in the US citizen line. Have not sailed into Cape Liberty though.

20 hours ago, kokopelli-az said:

There will be many Royal employers inside the terminal to guide passengers.   Tell them you need a wheelchair. There is a special line for those who need extra help.   

Will your rented wheelchair be waiting for you in your room or outside the terminal?

Did not know the chair can be available at the entrance to the terminal. Will see if I can change that instead of having it waiting in storeroom.

37 minutes ago, Splinter said:

There is usually a separate line for those with disabilities. When you arrive at the port, you need to tell the porter you need wheelchair assistance (either with your own or a port wheelchair) and they will escort you to the proper line.

Do you refer to the porter who handles our luggage?

Wife has difficult walking and standing so we rented a wheelchair on the ship.

We also notified Royal Caribbean that we need wheel chair assistance in Fort Lauderdale.

We were informed to ask an agent for wheelchair assistance. 

Is there a special security line for disabled or are wheelchair assistance available before security? 

Thank you for any help.

Thank you all of you.

Do you still get a plastic straw with your soda cup or should I bring my own?

7 hours ago, SRF said:

The shop typically holds the VAT, as they have to pay the VAT on all sales.  But they may need to give you a special receipt for VAT refund purposes, the standard receipt is typically not enough.

 

When you get the stamp, you can submit paperwork to the country to refund part or all of the VAT for purchases made that immediately leave their country.

 

But in most cases, you are supposed show the items, along with the receipts, as you leave (airport or port), and the officer stamps/signs the paperwork.  You then submit it for refund.

 

If you left the country without doing so, you are usually out of luck on VAT refund.

 

BTW, due to actually checking the items are leave, if flying, you may need to have any VAT refund items in your carry on bags, as the office may be inside the security area.

Usually the customs office has a window to the unsecured area where you can get your exit stamp. Just remember to get your stamp before check in so you can keep your merchandise in your checked luggage

One more reason to get TSA pre.

At all airports I have flows out of and gotten tax back, The customs office had a window to the "public" area before you check in so you can have your packages in your suitcase which you want to check in.

Have also been in smaller airports where customs office it not open early in the morning so I had to file the forms and drop them in a box.

At no time, have I had to show them my purchases,- but you have to be able to present them to a customs officer.

Remember also, that it takes some time to fill our the forms in the store and many times you will have to tell them how to fill the form out. You have to show passport and any ask for an ID showing your home address.

Because of this, I suggest that you make your purchases in a dept. store. This way you can get even smaller items tax free as it will all be added up to reach the min purchase amount.

I have done it a lot.

Here are instructions

http://www.globalblue.com

With 2 teens Ithink an Oasis Class ship will give them plenty to do while on board.

I do not use my phone a lot and am very pleased with onesimcard.com

If ypu have the Fitbit on Eadtern time the change until you reach Europe will only be 5-6 hours. If you change it forward say 3 hours before dept., your daily step count will not be much off, unless you are a night owl.

Arkansas does not issue Enhanced Drivers Licences, they issue Real ID compliant licenses, the one with a star in the top right corner, and Yes, your DL will always expire at the same time as your expiration to be legally in the US as the Real ID compliant license shows that you are legally in the US, even visitors on an ESTA can get a Real ID DL, if they have the relevant paperwork, it will expire on the last day they can stay in the US

So this website gives false information? THis is why I will NEVER rely on CC for information of importance.

https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/driver-services/arkansas-voluntary-enhanced-security-dl-or-id/

Enhanced Drivers licenses are issued because of the Real ID Act.which was passed in 2015.

Please see attached link to Homeland Security website https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs

My personal experience from Arkansas and with a Green Card is, that I was issued an enhanced DL even though I am not a citizen. The DL expires on the same day as my Green Card and is proof that I am legally in the USA. Slow as I am, I asked why, and was told that no one knows if the green card will be renewed

Only certain types of driver's licenses are proofs of citizenship.

 

For a closed end cruise out of the US (starts and ends in the same US port), you can use a passport booklet, passport card, or combination of certified copy of your birth certificate and government issued photo ID.[/quote

 

Which DL is proof of citizenship?

 

I have the enchanced but still need to show my green card and foreign passport as proof I can legally enter the USA.

The Rant has a dedicated ascii keyboard and is easy for text.

 

I'm 64, I don't live on my phone and would likely never download apps to it however we've wrestled with the whole upgrade thing and this could likely be the tipping point. Thanks for your plan details.

Your and my usage seem to be similar.

My phone is unlocked and with 2 simcards.

I use onesimcard.com for overseas calls and tel3.com for domestic.