LeeW

Breezy Bay has lots of loungers with umbrellas in the trees, so lots of shade and generally not that busy. Downside is lack of snack shack.

Biggest thing is new D+ drinks. With five each per day we don't even bring bottles of wine onboard any more. We can barely justify getting the soda package. Plus we somehow got Prime in casino, so we get unlimited drinks there if we want them.

Voyager last month B2B had around 50% locals onboard. We like sailing out of there (more/farther south islands) but getting there is much more expensive these days.

Coco Cay cabanas and water park prices tend to go up the later you book. Everything else seems to go up and down. Book and watch prices - if you see a better price cancel and rebook. Will take 7-10 days after cancelling for refund to show up on your credit card. We see few excursions fully booked in Caribbean, although for the last year the tour operators have been having problems getting staff and can't increase the number of people they can handle even when they want to. Lots of the company owners are now driving buses and boats for their company.

If you got an email back acknowleging the bid it has a link that shows you bid and there is a spot at the bottom showing more bidding options.

Soda package is gun only on Radiance. If the gun isn't working they use 2L bottles. If you have the full alcohol package or are buying or getting Diamond drinks they will give you a can.

No customs in St Thomas, just two people at the pier gate checking both cruise card and picture ID when getting back. Problem with Royal dock in St Thomas is that Crown Bay is a couple of miles from downtown so if you want to go there you need a "cab." Big open wagons with seats for 25 that charged $6pp last month.

Hmm - laser image versus sticking a picture on the back of a glass block.

Prices will go up and down until you cruise. Don't believe any of the % numbers - those change even when the price doesn't. Look at price and book when you are happy with that. Then keep watching every day or so and cancel/rebook if you get a better price. Unless you are using onboard credit you will not get refund of first booking for 7-10 days after you cancel. Best prices of year are usually Thanksgiving week.

If husband gets luggage tags on the day before turnaround and not a B2B letter he needs to talk to Guest Services. B2B procedures vary, but he needs to either pick up his new cruise card/In Transit Pass to visit town or meet at the designated place and be escorted off and back on the ship and pick up his new card then.

Outside people controlling lines probably won't let them into the building with you. You can stand with them in the normal entry line. Once you get inside if there is nobody in one of the suite lines and other lines are full the greeters might send you all to a suite line. We've certainly checked in at a suite line even when not in a suite.

TAs don't do anything with purchases in the Cruise Planner. You do all of these yourself. If all your purchases get cancelled they might be able to help but this is usually because the entire booking is messed up. The TA normally just handles cruise purchase (payments) and dining choice.

Voyager does have a suite lounge and does have a seating block roped off in the ice show (until 15 minutes before the show). There was some lounger seating above the pool area in full sun. Probably had breakfast available in Chops.

Normally in cabin the night before.

Odyssey has the most onboard activities (bumper cars, iFly) and larger teen facilities but for port-intensive cruise you don't really need this. Our 15 yr old granddaughter just loves to hang out with others her age. Your prices seem kind of high but might include travel to the ship. For us we shoot for $1000-1300US per person for two for a balcony. Three people in a cabin can be as much as $4000 for bookings we have done recently. You might want to look at booking him is separate cabin (across the hall or adjacent is allowed). Since you are Diamond you can book one of you in his cabin and get Diamond discount for balcony and up cabins for both cabins. You may or may not need wifi for all three - we share one login. Celebrity doesn't have a soft drink package any more but Royal does. So do you need drink packages? You might want to discuss what shore excursions he might like. I was studying Greek and Roman history at that age. Enjoy your trip!

If you are in the same cabin you can either check in at the same time or not. Or you can check the other person in when you do yours. Note that if you use the app you can go directly to the port arrival time and do the rest later. Online you have to enter personal info, emergency contact and credit card info before getting to the port arrival time.

Customs app really not needed for cruises. Most US ports these days use facial recognition and you don't even show your passport. As dna1990 said, might be useful if you had to do a customs declaration.

We always use inflatables both in the ocean and the pool. Never been questioned. Haven't seen any big floats - like swans or unicorns - just noodles, though. We use these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BNV32GK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

No cans either. Unless the bar gun isn't working - usually they use 2L bottles but when they run out of those they sometimes use cans.

Your hotel does have a free shuttle to and from the airport. Info on pickup is here: https://www.bwnewark.com/shuttle-service.html You could ask your TA to cancel your transfer and take a cab/Uber directly to the hotel. A bit faster. Might not be possible with UK booking rules. But generally on Princess you can go to the Guest Services desk a few days before disembarkation and have them remove the transfer. The refund will be applied to your onboard account.

Checking out of lodging in Rome at 11, you won't get to the ship much before 1, so no reason to have an early boarding time. We used Rome Cabs (costs more but less hassle than train/cab combinations).

Depending on your rental car company, you could switch to a downtown dropoff location. Not great since they are small and busy - Avis is a couple of blocks in from the frontage road (which is usually gridlocked). Take free trolley back to the terminal: https://www.miamigov.com/Transportation-Roadways/Trolley-Information/Get-Trolley-Information-Schedules-and-Maps Trolley isn't designed for luggage, so don't try dropping off car and using it with family and luggage. Or you could drop off at airport, take the Metrorail back to downtown and switch to the trolley. Would take longer than Uber and likely cost about the same. We usually stay overnight near the airport and take a cab or shuttle in to the cruise. Not fond of driving in downtown Miami.

Both places are good. You can book Playa Mia through the ship or not, with and without various options like food and drink. Check their website. Sand gentle beach and a few statues on the bottom if you snorkel (can buy a trip out to Palancar Reef as an add-on. Water climbing structures available. Nice pool near kids area, plus a second near food. Slides hurt my back so only rode once. You can book with transportation but cheaper to take a cab (especially if you have other folks wanting to go at the same time - fixed cost/cab). Chankanaab can also be done either through ship or not. Or buy dolphin/manatee activity through Dolphin Discovery and get free admission. Fair snorkeling and some statues on bottom but off of rocky stairs - difficult entry if waves are running. Tiny kids beach and small free pool near dolphins. A few trails to explore and free sea lion show. Advantages to booking direct are cheaper and can leave when you want rather than on excursion schedule. Dolphins quite a bit cheaper this way at Chankanaab (especially Royal Swim with two dolphins). We have done both at both places so generally depends for us on what we want to do and price. If you want beach/pool and drinks, Playa Mia. Dolphins/snorkeling, Chankanaab.

Twice a day for us as well two weeks ago B2B on Royal. Not sure where you are getting your information.

Policy in San Juan is that you can't check luggage until 4 hours preflight so you might as well do something else before going to the airport. Lots of new restaurants there pre-security now and much better seating than a few years ago but still not fun hanging out until your checkin opens. Also remember to scan your luggage at the agricultural inspection station before trying to check in.