LeeW

By the way, Liberty is using both terminal 18 and 19 in Port Everglades. We have NEVER seen such a steep gangway as 19. They loaded wheelchair folks with luggage on 1 because there is no way a chair could go up that ramp. Same issue getting off.

We did B2B last year and had reserved a beach bed on Chill Beach for second cruise. Canceled it because they are out in sun. Chairs everywhere have umbrellas and lots of trees so bed would have been hotter. Yesterday that area was fairly chilly so we moved inland. Hideaway was also calmer and warmer.

Recommend Uxmal over Chichen Itza in Progresso. Bus company that handles the pier transport runs it at 930 last we were there. Shorter trip, well excavated ruins, and far fewer people. From Coz would never take a trip to mainland. Way too much ferry and bus time for ruins time. Ships sometimes offer Tulum and beach or snorkeling but travel time kills the latter and you still get short ruins. Native to Chacchoban worked great for us and we got there well before big busses. Private guide for 6 people and pretty good ruins. Note pyramid stairs are steep and large steps.

As of yesterday Liberty is still giving out old style blocks.

We did Freedom out of Miami on 28 December and then drove up to Orlando for week at Universal. Water at Coco Cay was pretty cold this year. Warmer yesterday but still chilly. If you have time for southern Caribbean at Christmas it is a lot more comfortable in Aruba than the Bahamas.

Not our experience, although accent can be heavy for some crew. And this is true even in US sailings. Only difference I can think of is that in Europe you can stay late on debarkation day for a price. US requires zeroing ship before next set of passengers get on.

Currently on Liberty and no Freestyle here. They do give you the cups with the soda package and fill them at any bar from the gun. Cans are available but cost extra - more choice than gun. No freestyle on Coco Cay either.

All aboard yesterday was 4 (although departed 2 hours late). So you had to be onboard at 230. Online checking is 45 days out. They let people into the terminal around 930 and security about 20 minutes later.

Avoid Voyager. Set up for Chinese cruises and no video poker. On Liberty they have around 6 Superstar machines. Single line quarter Jacks or better actually pays double for two pair. Unusual on cruise ships.

Yup. Old news.

Yes, and you get the low deposit ($100 except suites) for either line.

We sent my dress shirt and pants in a few days ago on Beyond in normal laundry (Elite) and they were washed and folded. Last cruise in October on Equinox they came back on hangers but were still dried hot.

On Beyond they want you to play 50% in slots or they lock room account from further downloads. Note that this is play, not win, so if you have $500 you need to run $250 through machine. Winnings don't count.

Porthole view verandas on Beyond have a door handle that clamps the door to the frame. No matter how carefully you close it you get a loud bang. But not that many of this style of veranda.

Not really, although suites board first. Separate line at terminal will make it easy.

Does that count as a Viking funeral? Flames on a ship...

Lodge casino in Colorado uses magnetic strips and punches holes in the corner. Works fine in machines (like ship doors and non-rfid ship casino) but their bonus cash machines inhale the whole card and you have to take it off the clip. Never had that problem on a cruise ship. We use lanyards, and the pouch for an RFID card tends to get caught on things.

The preprinted cards for the second sailing and paperwork in your room won't match the new status so you will likely need to remind them on the second cruise. On turnaround day they will fix this when you get back onboard.

We never book guarantee. Prices are up around 50% for balcony cabins on normal 7 day sailings since we started cruising in 2004. Matches economy. Special cruises are up around the same but we don't take as many of those so our sample is less. Did get spoiled during restart since prices were down 50% for a year or so.

Many times. Sometimes tour operator changes, canceled tour, arrival change or random. Check tickets when you get them and take to excursions desk if you need a change. We have fewer issues booking independent.

Some excursions do book up so are worth booking early at higher price. Pretty easy to cancel and rebook at lower price and we may do that several times over the year.

Some ships require door to be locked for AC to work so it is likely automatic for the steward.

The Caribbean countries most likely to care are Martinique (part of France) and Colombia but it is pretty easy to check requirements online. Do it early and again a few weeks before the cruise.

We didn't want the infinite balcony so went with 8111 on Beyond. Far forward and very quiet. GPS doesn't always connect, with bridge behind and above, but plenty of glass.

Just after Christmas it was so cold we didn't go in the water, including the pool. Since you can only cancel up to about 48 hours before arriving you need to plan ahead what you are going to do. If weather is bad they may cancel boat snorkeling, scuba or watercraft or the ship can't dock but you are on the hook if it is just cold or rainy.