Djsmrs

Pretty sure if you don't have a passport (and have never had one) you don't have a nexus - so that's not terribly useful advice.   

The OP will need a passport to enter Canada on the cruise ship.   From the Canada.ca website

Lawful permanent residents of the U.S.

As of April 26, 2022, lawful permanent residents of the United States must show these documents for all methods of travel to Canada:

• a valid passport from their country of nationality (or an equivalent acceptable travel document) and
• a valid green card (or equivalent valid proof of status in the United States)

The OP is going to have to bite the bullet and have a passport to cross the border from Canada to the US.

check 

https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports

find your port, date, and ship and it'll give you an idea of times

37 minutes ago, If_this_is_tuesday said:

A sidetrack.

You said you had the port fees cancelled because you didn't leave the ship? I haven't left the ship in Nassau, Cozumel, etc for a long time... Is it a gauranty you get your money back or only a request? I knew you get them back if you are a no show at embarkment but i figured once you walk on the ship you bought it if you go off the ship in port or not.

Not leaving the ship because you don't want to, vs not being able to because of the ship's inability to get your chair off are two very different scenarios.     The OP did not say she got the fees refunded because she didn't leave the ship - more because they were unable to support her disembarking at a port of call.   

If you choose not to leave the ship then that's a choice and under no circumstances are you entitled to a refund.

I would wager a guess that they're aiming to have it open prior to World America next year (at the latest)

The non-smoking casino room on Allure definitely has card games in addition to slots... and it was heaven in there with no smoke!!!

Honestly - we've been blessed to cruise with a genie on four cruises - and the way the prices are going we're booking with some other cruise lines for similar experiences for less than half the price.   Our days with royal, sadly, I fear, are numbered.

Awesome following along - we, too, are on the July 2024 cruise with our teen boys and we can't wait for some hiking in Norway!   Thanks for taking the time to write this!!

Also - if you book in advance you have to pay up front (for something that's included in your fare, which kinda sucks) and it can be a hassle getting a refund - although the genie would typically handle that part too.

Genie's have tables held in each restaurant so they can get their suite guests in to the restaurants as it's generally assumed these guests won't eat in the MDR or the jammer for most (if not all) meals.

This isn't unique to the French and Champagne.

Scotch - can only be called scotch if distilled and matured in Scotland...   otherwise it's whiskey - 

The Champagne producers were smart and protected a brand... just like Disney, Sony, Apple, Bourbon (must be made in the US), etc. 

I was a victim of a cancelled WJ flight for my trip to Maui - what I can suggest - start pricing out a backup - fully refundable - flight.   If you can afford it - then book it.   You can cancel up to the time of departure - and do not cancel it until you are 100% sure you're boarding.    Prices will only go up from here, especially if they issue a strike notice.   Air Canada prices were jacked up to 5 times what we paid for our flights on WJ and we ended up driving to Seattle and flying from there.   

The bus suggestion is going to be the most cost effective and efficient.   The train is incredible, but the times of the trains are inconvenient - hence the Amtrak bus option 🙂   Flights between SEA and YVR are prohibitively expensive, and while a sea plan sounds like a good idea you are VERY limited in the luggage you can bring... so keep that in mind.

Wow - we paid less than that for two rooms (one interior and one balcony) each with two passengers for the 13 night Norwegian cruise also out of Amsterdam on Jewel.    

That price is bonkers

Jetski's are usually around $65 - for 30 or 60 minutes, I can't remember.

And they will have weight limits - typically around 275 for one person - this is for safety reasons.

We've used OBC twice to add to our genie's tip - easy to do and saves having to bring so much cash.

4 minutes ago, Mum2Mercury said:

I think that's the cholesterol in a whole lobster ... EatThisMuch.com says a 4-ounce serving contains 47 mg, and an average person with no heart issues should keep his or her cholesterol under 300 mg.  

I was making a joke - but wow 

I thought it was made obvious by the laughing emoji 🤦‍♀️

One lobster has about 60% of your daily recommended cholesterol (to say nothing of the butter that often comes with it!) - so maybe this is a blessing in disguise for some... maybe some heart attacks will be prevented and we'll have fewer medical evacs.  😆

We've had 2 genie cruises - Dec 2021 and April 2022 and Genie got us in hibachi both times.

And the nickname for that ferry is the vomit comet - 

#justsayin 🤢

I believe Paradise has eliminated the PAYG option - however they may offer a discount if you're arriving later in the day - maybe reach out and see what they say?

We were there in December and the water was spectacular - but it wasn't seaweed season (you're probably fine at end of Feb too).   We had a tremendous day and everyone in our party (aged 11 - 75) had a great day of food, drinks, beach, water.   

yes

I've literally stopped going to the spa because of the constant upsell.   I'm not on the ship to address the issues on my back that I am fully aware of and have a physio, chiro, and RMT working on at home.

All I want is to work a couple knots out from the flight and get on with my trip - and the pressure at the end completely undoes all the relaxation from the massage. 

And it's funny because I don't have trouble saying no - but the last woman I had tried to give me a lesson in lactic acid buildup in my muscles...  no ma'am.  You literally don't know what you're talking about, and please don't give people incorrect information like this, it's causing more harm than good and shame on you.  

Never Again

Total opposite of an upsell.

I wouldn't get too hung up on hotel location - other than being downtown.   Downtown really isn't that big and you can uber/taxi/walk/bike//scooter almost anywhere very quickly.   

Living in Vancouver I agree with most of what’s being said with a couple of caveats.
 

I’d be careful in Chinatown and would stay out of the downtown east side (which is near Chinatown - your hotel will know where this is and advise accordingly). It is a hot mess down there and most locals avoid it.  
 

Grouse Mountain is a great way to spend a day and I think they have a free shuttle from downtown.   Take the gondola up the hill - walking trails, chairlift up to the peak where you can see from Mt. Baker to Vancouver Island, lumberjack shows, birds of prey show, options for lunch/dinner. 
 

If the mountaintop adventure isn’t your jam - but you like to walk and explore urban areas - head over to Science World and get on the sea wall.   You can walk over to Granville Island (market, shops, restaurants), grab some lunch and then take the water taxi straight across False Creek and you could keep walking on the sea wall all the way to Stanley Park. It’s a lot of walking but a great way to spend a day and eat your way through the city.   
 

Restaurants:    Joe Fortes never disappoints - chop house

Kissa Tanto - amazing Asian fusion

MacKenzie Room - tremendous

Miku - Japanese - right beside Canada Place and the food is fantastic - great views 

There are a million great ramen places 

Banana Leaf for great Malaysian 

Rodney’s Oyster Bar - handsome waiters and oysters.   Bravo 😁

HOHO is always a really great way to get a sense of a city if it’s your first time - maybe make use of that if an urban hike isn’t your jam.  
 

Have Fun!

We went on Mariner in December - challenges were different, which makes it fun because people can't come prepared...   it was hysterical, and staff were adamant no kids in the room and many were removed and there were multiple multiple announcements about the show being 18+.   Then one parent sent their tween daughter down to the floor for one of the challenges.  

Epic

Epic

Fail

#shameshameshame

Said child was promptly removed from the venue 

17 hours ago, Tigers2 said:

What is the current COVID testing policy for RCCL as of 1/19/23?

This is a cruise out of Miami and Ft. Lauderdale.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/will-i-have-to-take-a-test-before-i-cruise