navybankerteacher

In my mind, a large part of the attraction of Half Moon Cay is that it has been largely left alone; it is also a very user friendly natural beach — unlike Labadee which has been absurdly junked up with “facilities” - and which beach is second rate - given the amount of sharp stones, coral fragments and broken sea shells on so much of it as to make it damn uncomfortable to use as a beach.

My curiosity piqued, I checked Carnival’s list of banned items : rather long. Among forbidden items: helium balloons, inflatable kiddy pools, satellite phones, handcuffs, boom boxes and large radios (certainly not enforced on my one Carnival cruise), laser pointers, candles and incense, footwear with wheels, kayaks and canoes, and curling irons — among many other things —- but no mention of drones.

Not at all - if you read my post you would realize that I had simply asked whether anyone had experienced/observed luggage searches upon boarding. On a related matter, have lines cautioned against bringing drones on board? I do not recall seeing such specific bans other than those addressing firearms and, of course, liquor. I regularly carry an extra battery pack and have never had it questioned upon boarding a ship.

Not at all - if you read my post you would realize that I had simply asked whether anyone had experienced/observed luggage searches upon boarding. On a related matter, have lines cautioned against bringing drones on board? I do not recall seeing such specific bans other than those addressing firearms and, of course, liquor. I regularly carry an extra battery pack and have never had it questioned upon boarding a ship.

Good advice: but I am curious —- how many people on this site have experienced, or even observed, the sort of pre-boarding inspection that would reveal devices similar to that described by OP?

Just trying to offer advice: unless you are willing to pay premium cruise prices, you should not cruise during peak periods.

My guess would be QM2 - she has been sailing for a good number of years, and on world itineraries which would seem to offer more variety in ports.

The best thing to do is find an itinerary you like and book it. If saving money is most important, you should just stay home. Vacation time is obviously going to be in greater demand - so do not wait until others almost as slow as you get themselves in gear. Last minute bookings for May or October sailings MIGHT represent savings - but hardly any in really peak times like Christmas/New Years of Spring Break peak week.

Unlikely it would be noted in luggage upon boarding or in back pack for port calls — but you might want to check local regulations where you might want to use it.

Just back from a coupe of hours at our local beach on LI Sound - great north breeze and 72 temp made me not want to swim, but did today’s crossword - a pretty good way to chill.

Cost is likely the major factor, then time off. For many it is a drive or a couple of hours’ (inexpensive) flight to a port - where many short cruises can be boarded - without the cost of getting a passport. As soon as you talk European cruise, you add $120 or so passport fees and many hundred extra $ air fare, plus a likely hotel stay to the $500+/- fare possible for a US based cruise.

"...never anything to do on any beach..." : Ever consider swimming, snorkelling or some other sort of water-related activity?

We have just received out third booster,

To keep on topic: OP simply asked if there were any private cruise line islands left largely in natural state -- rather than being "improved". There is nothing "wrong" with most of the enhancements the lines have added -- but they have not left the islands in their natural state. That is all: let us not get all judgmental on each other.

Seattle is worth a couple of days, so you might want to plan for a pre- or post-cruise stay.

It seems to me that the prospect, however slim, of having to leave the ship mid-cruise in (the admittedly unlikely) event of testing positive is still a reason to consider travel alternatives.

Sounds like a great deal. Of course, with parking at the port (making getting home after the cruise so much easier) just $21 a day, Charleston is a fairly inexpensive port.

That has also struck me as classic nightmare material - right up there like being in a long line at the box office waiting for tickets to “Gidget Goes Crazy”.

This seems to be the practice on all lines which offer set dining as an option.

There are usually plenty of taxis at Brooklyn cruise terminal on debarkation days - probably about $40-$50 to JFK.

No point in using phone or email - registered mail is the way to communicate so you have some record. But you should make it clear that you believe the injury was their fault, so they will take things seriously.

OP's toddler may not be like most - and might have special needs. In that case, those needs should be raised with the line before sailing.

Can real emotional service animals cope with unreal emotions? If someone fakes an emotional problem to justify bringing his pet whatever along, what qualifications will said pet need? Wouldn't a stuffed teddy bear be able to handle things?

Not really -- OP actually asked about a cruise line's private island that is STILL UNDEVELOPED; even noting that Little Stirrup has not retained its attraction for him.

"Less developed" is kind of meaningless. Bermuda is "less developed" than Manhattan. If you really want an essentially undeveloped, natural, environment, you might consider going from St. Thomas (a Caribbean shopping mall) over to neighboring St. John - which has open, largely undeveloped areas. Or do some research about individual islands - and find places like Baie Rouge or Friar's Bay on St. Martin on your own. The fact is: the governing bulk of passengers on mass market lines want "developed" islands.