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I was on the Vision for a b2b this past Spring. Loved the longer cruise, loved the ports, thought the food was excellent. Going again in March '23.

I just go with the path of least resistance: I have a mask and my vaccination card with me at all times. That way I am prepared as the adult boy scout said several posts ago.

I'm with you! I started cruising this past January. I would have given a blood and urine sample if they asked!! Just get me on the SHIP!

Because if you go anywhere for health care, and they don't know you, they want to see your COVID vaccination information. Today I signed documents to transfer my 99 year old MIL to a small care home, and I had to have a mask on, get my temperature taken, and show proof of vaccination before I could take my mask off.

If you contracted COVID while traveling, I think someone would want to see your vaccination status. It's a small piece of paper. Mine stays permanently in my wallet with my health insurance id card.

Absolutely your choice, of course! Tours are subjected to the same traffic issues, though. See if the ship offers a tour using the TRAIN. We did this with a ship's tour in Rome. No traffic! Guide went on the train with us.

This is the only way I can see you doing this: Find a tour that includes/guarantees skip the line that starts after 10am Take Uber to the Graville Le Havre train station The train is 2.5 hours to Versailles Chantiers station, and IF you go before 8am Walk from Chanteirs station to the Palace: 15 - 20 minutes Meet with tour guide at Gate B (pretty sure) Basically you are paying for the quick entrance Do your research of the palace and see what you think is most important to see (I did this when my friend and I went to the Vatican. I knew the whole museum maze, and mapped us the quickest route through and on to the Sistine Chapel), You should be back on a train by 12-1. My son and I tried to go from Paris to Versailles Chatiers, and the train was great. But, he didn't believe me when I said we had to get their EARLY, and we gave up because of the line. But, we had a delightful sidewalk cafe lunch with "vin light". Fabulous: Spring, warm, delicious food, and a light buzz from the wine.

I didn't know that. Thanks!

It's very unusual for that to happen, because they usually do a walkthrough to make sure everything is ready before opening the doors.

If they ask, I just tell them I'm b2b, and will be gone fast. (wink)

OK, don't kill the messenger here, but the BIG doors going into the cabin areas are usually not locked. I sometimes scoot in to grab my key, and then scoot out again. Then, I go to the CL or DL, or SL.

Yep.

Does this mean my Pinnacle wifi freebie is now magically surf & stream on ships with Starlink?

Actually, I found a significant price drop on one of my cruises, and I texted cruise friends abut checking their prices. One got a good decrease on a family cruise they were paying for, and another got a total of $1,600 on three different cruises.

They've been having their Black Friday promo since last week. Go for it.

I can see myself smiling at the waiter, handing him a cash tip, and saying "XYZ, my dear, we are THRILLED with the food, but ESPECIALLY the service. No need to ask from now on: we appreciate all you are doing for us". But, that's just me. I usually tip a small amount mid-cruise, anyway.

Perhaps, if there were any RCCL cruises to Norway in January. (I can clearly see that tongue poking that cheek faaaaar out!)

To follow up: I went to guest services on a recent cruise, told them I wanted to add a tip for the Diamond Concierge on my account. They gave me a form to complete, including a personal note, and made the charge. The amount was offset by my OBC, and therefore I used the OBC for services done by the Diamond Concierge on my behalf. I see little difference between this and cashing out the OBC and giving the cash directly to the Diamond Concierge, or my cabin steward, or anyone I had filled out that form for at Guest Services.

I don't see this as cheating. The obc is meant to be spent on board the ship, and for extra gratuities for the crew is certainly not cheating. I look at the fact that the casino makes it arduous for us to cash out the obc as pretty shady. They want to grab the money for themselves, and punish the passenger for wanting it for other purposes.

I've been on the Vision and the Enchantment this year, and enjoyed both smaller ships. I would take the longer cruise in a heartbeat. It's an extra $32 in tips per person, but it's also 2 more days of cruising.

Yes, cash out the onboard credit in the casino, but remember you have to actually play 10% of whatever you transfer to your machine before cashing out, or your gambling account is frozen for 24 hours. You can go to Guest Services and have an extra tip charged for your cabin steward, and fill out the form that includes space for a personal note.

Or, you can sign up for 1 device, and toggle the usage between your devices. Also, if you're using it to stay in touch with each other, the Royal app has a messenger feature for $2 / day per person.

I believe consecutive cruisers reboard before Key, also. At least that was the way it happened on one of my b2b this year. But, when boarding starts it goes fast.

Yay!! If you're flying Southwest, don't forget to constantly check your air cost, too. I have received countless credits and point refunds from them. Never a change fee.

Aruba has a free trolley that picks up at the port. The trolley cars have all been refurbished from old trolley cars donated to them. They have shiny red lacquer paint, wood and brass accents, and the cool spiral stairs to the second level. I LOVE these trolleys.