LeeW

Everybody gets the email - we get them and are over 70 and are NOT traveling with kids. Vaccinated kids have same rules as vaccinated adults. Son just needs the antigen test.

Specialty shoots is supposed to be the separate photo sessions you buy separately. Those cost big bucks.

Different places in the same cabin can have different connectivity. You can't control the other people online or the weather, but you can move to a spot with the strongest wifi signal. This reduces drops and bad packets.

Cabana on Balmoral was great before covid. Bottle of sparkling, big lunches, great service. People do walk in front of them since pool is open to anyone, but we really enjoyed it. Booked through shoreexcursioneer or shoreexcursionsgroup. Otherwise you have to buy on the island.

I've never been successful in connecting a Kindle reader to the ship wifi - browser-based login. So you may not be able to download content onboard. Reading previously downloaded material works fine.

How do you tell if bear scat is from a brown bear? It has bells in it and smells like pepper.

Bonaire has a small cabin cruiser for max 20 snorkeling cruise we have been on twice. Great tour with good snacks and much easier water entry than most cats. But new limit is 65, so we can't do this any more. Same island you can do land sailing up to age 90.

They no longer put maps in your cabin the night before. Now there are a couple of people handing them out where the path splits in front of the kids pirate ship. We like the middle Chill beach since there is a lot of shade in the trees. You are also close to the buffet and bar. Not as close to Snack Shack. Also short walk to the big pool.

Navica gives you a QR code. Emed sends an email. We prefer using printed results since web access when you check in can be spotty. Have seen a lot of folks trying to call up 6 or 8 tests on their phone and delaying the whole line.

Out of maybe 100 snorkeling trips the boat had us get out of the water on one with lightning near (in Bermuda). So we sat by the metal mast on the boat. The only cancellations we have had were for wind kicking up waves that were dangerous. Usually they just take you to a different snorkel location. As BND said, we don't usually see much lightning in storms in the Caribbean while in port. Nighttime storms can be really spectacular, though.

For the camera, that works. But you won't be able to access the Royal app to get schedules and events. Easiest solution is airplane mode, then turn wifi on and open app. This turns off your phone cell service but lets you connect to the ship internal wifi. Unless you buy an internet package you won't get internet. If you ever see "Cellular at Sea" your phone cell service is on and you are connected to the ship cell system. Not good. Note that they don't turn on the tower until they leave port.

Two issues. First, wifi calling must be set up where you phone carrier can connect. As long as you have done this once on your phone you should be fine. Second, you don't want your cell phone to connect to the ship tower. They turn this on roughly when the pilot leaves the ship after sailing. If you see "Cellular at Sea" you can incur high costs for data. Easiest way to protect yourself is airplane mode then turn wifi back on. Wifi gets access to local stuff on ship. You need an internet package to connect to anything off ship, including wifi calling and texting.

Most beaches have poor snorkeling. Mullet is just north of airport. Fairly sheltered and nice sand. Many of the snorkeling trips stop here for 45 minutes just before idling near airport approach. Orient is on windward side of island and typical French beach.

Normal gratuities is around $4/day for waiter and slightly less for assistant waiter. Supposed to be increasing soon.

Check your order history. It will either show booked or a refund.

I'm about 62 days out and put in bids yesterday. Follow the link.

Entire ship is empty by 9 so you could be last off and make flight. Assuming no delays in docking or other weird stuff.

Stayed there many times. DW picks up pecan ring at Publix. Has been asked many times where it is on buffet. Lots of folks hit Dunkin Donuts across 17th.

If you can connect to the ship wifi in the terminal it is sometimes possible.

Generally no glasses and they have even had me remove my plastic watch.

Cruise ship excursion. Maybe 1/2 hour excess time (folks on tubing only could use pools and slides for an hour or so). Tubing is a gentle drift with a few ripples. Guide likes to splash the kids. Not much time for shopping or snack. Forty-ish DIL didn't like the ziplines but she has motion sickness issues and her first time. I'm 72 and had no problems other than guides calling me Papa Smurf. Climbs are 10-15 steps at most. You do have to slow the ride with your glove a couple of times but this is easy. About 6 ziplines, including one over river you tube on. DIL, son, and I went with 14 year old granddaughter who REALLY wanted to go. Had more booked for more recent cruise but excursion was cancelled by cruise line.

Actually the big advantage is the low deposits. Especially if you book a Celebrity sailing ($900 for 2).

Buses start running from the port around 7:30. About an hour to MCO and unload. First bus could leave as early as 9. Those folks will wait to enter terminal even with earliest boarding time. Have breakfast and head back down to royal checking people around 10 if you have 11:30 boarding. Or you can just stand in line with other folks arriving before ship clears. Long line takes around half hour once terminal opens.

Except unvaxed kids.

As others have said, expired passports are still a valid photo ID. So is a college ID. Either should work fine with an official birth certificate.