GJustice

Secret on the older ships is to hang out in the public spaces which generally have good WiFi. In-cabin is poor since they've not updated the network gear in stateroom spaces yet. BEST internet is on the PCs in the RC Online/Library/Business Center as they're connected to the wired network, not WiFi.

The data in the app is usually incomplete (or flat wrong) until you're on board at which point it seems to update multiple times a day. 🤪

It's there in the app on the daily info page for port days. The block on the main screen above the daily planner/calendar pull up tab.

We had ours in email at 11:49 on Thursday. Check your junk/spam mail folders, it sometimes goes there. Didn't get the "typical" paper bill on/under the door either. Enjoyed getting to meet you guys.

I've seen several people "doing takeout" from the MDR in the last few months. Came to the door, caught a waiter, waited a few minutes, waiter came back with multiple plates to go. NO CLUE if they were sick and quarantined, or just wanted the MDR menu, but HAVE seen it happen more than once.

Actually DIDN'T request nor miss the paper CC last week. I've always kept them after cruises, but does seem to be a waste of paper. With the QR code (that downloads a PDF) you can "see" all the stuff that's not available in the app. Didn't see them in the "usual" bin at Guest Services, started to ask for one, then decided it was time to move on and not depend on them. All I have left from this cruise is our SeaPass cards. Guess my "Cruise Memory" box will have plenty of room for future cruises.

That's what I recall. We carry an "electric candle" that works well. Like a tea light, but taller/round like a real candle. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HF458HE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Oldest: Nordic Empress before renamed to Empress of the Seas Newest: Allure Favorite: Radiance Class with Freedom Class right behind

I've put a couple of cruises on the 48 hour hold on the website. You get to the deposit screen and can choose to not pay a deposit, but check the hold box. May not be on all cruises, but I've used it twice in the last month.

Go to one of the places they have computers, Internet Cafe or RC Online, whatever they call it, can't remember. Those PCs are wired to the network and get great internet performance. I was able to use Teamviewer (it's a trick, but if you're using Teamviewer you're probably smart enough to figure it out) and it was fine.

How about Galveston for yet another option?

Better than getting stranded at sea with a broken azipod and having to be towed back in 😞

No

Ship?

NO, NO, NO, a THOUSAND TIMES NO!!!!! You're correct that there are lots of options between DFW and Galveston, some cheap, some not so cheap. We treat the night before as the beginning of our vacation and would NEVER drive down on departure day (again :()

Tried the UNSUBSCRIBE link?

I seem to recall a link to GUARANTEE rooms impacting the availability of the refundable/NRD option appearing. Sure someone will answer definitively 🙂

We went a couple of years ago and there were 2 different excursions. One was "just" transportation there and back and the other included a "subset" of the "official" guided tour.

I have NO connection to these folks, nor do I know if they still offer this service, but I do remember in the past, that there WAS bus/car service from DFW to Galveston. https://dfwtogalvestoncruisebus.com/

If you booked it and got an invoice/receipt you SHOULD get some notification if it was cancelled. Probably just sold out (or sales limited to save some for onboard purchases)

Pretty sure you can ask for, and get, Ice twice a day. They're cutting back on the 2X FULL service visits, NOT abandoning us entirely. You'll never get anything you want without asking 🙂 We chose evening, since we're always out from a bit before dinner, through dinner, and usually something after dinner, so there's plenty of time for them to do their thing while we're out. Breakfast doesn't (usually) take long enough since we usually come back to the room to take morning meds, etc and they seem to always want to come while we're there. Roll with it. It's a VACATION 🙂 Do you get 2X Daily "maid" service at home? I sure don't.

I used to think this, but now that I can get it free, I've found (at least on some ships/venues) the "regular" juice is better. Guess it all depends on the person operating the "fresh squeezer" and the person setting the water mixture on the other (multi-juice) dispenser.

AFAIK, cabin class only applies when you're coming INTO the terminal to board the ship, once you're back on land we're all steerage 🙂 Suite passengers DO get early numbers/groups to leave the ship, which theoretically gives them a little advantage getting out of the terminal, but no "status" perks once you get your bags.

We sail out of Galveston and they're always very helpful. Just contact Special Needs and let them know what you need and you'll be taken care of. As others said, arriving before the crunch time will be helpful as early in the day (assuming no horrendous issues getting the incoming ship cleared and people through the terminal) it should be very calm and low-stress for everyone. You should find either the RCI or the Port people at the drop off curb and they can direct you to the right place/people to get what you need.

GREAT! Central Park looked pretty sad when we were on her a few months ago. More dead/empty plant spaces than green ones.