mscinmia

Yup doors open at 10:00... So as you pass, say hello as I will be there opening the stanchions to let you thru the security and on to check in.  

2 hours ago, Lionesss said:

Starting to get the traditional fan mail from RCI. 
 

We have first checkin time and in our suite. 
 

So. We can checkin when doors open. 
Last time we were in waiting area at 10:05 am. 
 

😁

 

23 hours ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

Please be sure to bring your service dog's vaccination documents, and the copy of RCI's acknowledgement that your service dog is expected on your cruise.

I would like to add to the above that if you plan on getting off in ports, make sure you have the required permits especially for the Bahamas/CoCo Cay.  

6 hours ago, twangster said:

Yesterday the lot at T18 was full by 11am.  
 

They had us use a surface lot nearby for overflow which was a 5 minute walk.  

Just an FYI that they renamed the lots.  They built a brand new 700 space lot across from T19 and the Palm garage.  That is Lot A.  Lot B is the one in between T19 and T18 and if you sailed Liberty yesterday that is where you parked..  The one in front of T18 is now called Lot C which is being reserved for Odyssey and Symphony.

If you are sailing on the Liberty you would park at Lot B which is a surface lot next to the terminal.  Best is to drop off your senior and go park.  Parking is now $20 per day and payable upon exit of the lot.

On 2/20/2024 at 2:52 PM, Ferry_Watcher said:

 

My wheelhouse is limited to Alaska bound cruises.  If this cruise was heading to Alaska, the US Permanent Resident card (Green Card), along with his Vietnamese passport  would be all that the gentleman would need.  There would be no need for a Canadian visa if a person is a US Permanent Resident.  Although, a Canadian visa would be needed if the gentleman was just traveling on only his passport from Vietnam).

 

OP, it's always best to do your own due diligence.

And my wheelhouse is sailings out of S. Florida ( sup at Port Everglades)....  ARC (green card) and valid home country passport is all that is needed.  You are considered apart of the US with the green card.  He would not be able to sail with the passport only as a US B1/B2 visa is needed to sail out of the US and once an ARC comes into play there is no way to get a US Visa.

Be ready to walk off at approx. 6:30.  Cabs, Uber and Lyft are outside.... There is facial recognition for passport holders, but have your passport out just in case.   Have a plan B just in case things go sideways. .  

Depending on the ship, most start boarding at 11:00.  At Port Everglades, we start with Star/Suites/Pinn from the suite waiting area.  Once that is clear we start with Key.  Once that is done, wheelchairs and  general boarding.  General boarding is first come first serve.  Usually within 20 minutes to a half hour after we start boarding, once you get upstairs you will board.  

Being your friend is from Ukraine, she may be able to get advance parole.  Most folks from Ukraine can get refugee status because of the situation there.  Worth it to check with USCIS.  https://www.uscis.gov/i-131

Symphony will sail out of Terminal 18 in Port Everglades. 

Symphony has not sailed from Port Everglades as of yet, but you can figure 7:00-7:30.  

2 hours ago, karena1 said:

As a rule when we cruise out of FLL, ship opens at 10:45 - Suites/Pinnacle board first, then Key and then everyone else.  Doors open at 10 am and they let everyone in.  No one ever checks your time, When the doors open, you can go, get checked in and then go wait.  They will board by row based on the time you arrive.

 

The first arrival time of 11:30 has been in place for quite awhile.  It is too avoid too many people showing up  early and causing lines.   As it is we have people showing up as early as  8:00 am and really there is no where to sit and wait outside.  Some ships will start boarding at 10:45 but we have a couple others that start 11:00 to 11:30 depending how fast we get clearance from the prior cruise.  As far as the order of boarding, as @karena1posted Suites/Pinnacle board first then Key, then row by row in the order you arrived.  It is much smoother this way.  

I do believe that the letter that @Ferry_Watcher posted is for Alaska sailings that have the stop in Canada.  When the new requirements came out we were provided with 2 letters.  The one that was  already posted and here is the other one . I work at Port Everglades where we have both closed loop and open loop, so we were sent both letters. 

On 7/25/2023 at 10:46 AM, Ferry_Watcher said:

Thanks for catching that.  Yes, I updated my prior answer.  Seattle's Pier 91 has at least one staff member who is a notary.  I imagine the other ports are also identifying who is a notary on staff at their own locations.

.  deleted

8 hours ago, meanmom08 said:

It was my understanding because  numerous articles pop up when you Google “do you need a passport to go to the Bahamas” that tell you you do.  Obviously, they were not authoritative sources which is why I was trying to find someone that could give me the straight skinny.  My TA called RCCL and confirmed you do not, and of course, others on this thread told me the same.

You DO need a passport to fly to the Bahamas but with the WHTI rules you can sail with the birth certificate and DL.

21 hours ago, lcpagejr said:

Sure thing...hahaha.  With the mass of humanity trying to board ships in FL....they barely glimpse at Passports and BC's. But believe what you want

I can confirm what @Ferry_Watcher has stated as I also work at a Florida port.  The pier supervisor is now required to snap a picture of the document and send to both the ship and the corporate office.  And yes, the notarization has always been in place but has not really been enforced, but as of Friday the 21st it is.  

This is the coffee setup in my office at Port Everglades this am from the Adventure.  Non dairy creamer....

Just got off the Liberty yesterday.  I don't do Starbucks, but they do serve specialty coffees in both the Promenade Cafe and Windjammer.  Yes, there is a Diamond Lounge.  Current concierge is Willy.  Had a great 4 days!!

1 hour ago, GMomKassie said:

Has Liberty’s drydock for Vibration repairs began yet?

Yes, she left for Freeport this morning.... 

The Vision for both the 20th and 31 sailings should be out of Terminal 25.  You can park across from the terminal at the Palm Garage.

5 hours ago, The Fun Researcher said:

Does anyone know if this is being enforced yet?  We sail in 5 days and plan to bring on 2 bottles per cabin (wife and son in one, and myself in the connecting cabin), so a total of 4 bottles.  I did print off our eDocs, i.e. the cruise contract, that still shows 2 bottles per stateroom not per person

 

It is being enforced in Port Everglades.  There are signs as you enter the terminal and right before security.  No exceptions.

11 hours ago, Fouremco said:

While might be true in some other jurisdictions, this is incorrect information with respect to Canada. The OP's daughter-in-law does require a visa to enter Canada on a cruise. 

 

https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=420&top=16

 

This applies whether or not she plans to get off the ship in Victoria. In a similar case, a Holland America passenger was refused embarkation in Seattle for not having the requisite visa.

Thanks for that info, that is why I said to confirm.

22 hours ago, barb in ga said:

We're cruising from Seattle at the end of May, with a short stop in Victoria, BC before returning to Seattle. My daughter in law is Thai  and knows she will need a  visa for Canada. Is there a source at RCI that will let her know whether she needs the visa to board the ship if she doesn't plan to disembark in Canada?  Should she check with her embassy to be sure if it is needed  if she doesn't get off the ship in Canada? Not looking for a definite answer here, but a pointer to someone at RCI that can let her know the policy.

Thanks,

Barb

I am pretty sure that she will need a B2 tourist visa as she will be sailing from and returning to a US port.  Normally you are considered "in transit" so no need for an additional visa for Canada.... Please confirm this with USCBP an Royal.

This change has a lot to do with Spring Break coming up.  They are also not going to allow open bottles and those with liquid in their yeti cups on boarding will be asked to dump the liquid....

Just curious are you on the 4 night or 3 night?  If you are on the 3 night you will debark at T18 which has facial recognition.  But the 4 night MAY debark at T19 which is face to face ( no facial) and that is where the lines build.  If at T19, I would plan to self assist and get off early.  T18, take your time....