hallux

For USB device charging (ANYTHING that will plug in to a USB port) I have one of these - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072K5ZJXF/ref=dp_cerb_3

They make others that don't have USB-C if you don't need it, and others with more than 4 USB ports if you need more.

After my USB needs are covered, I only need one other power plug in the bedroom to charge my camera battery so this covers me.

1 hour ago, sid_9169 said:

Whenever you spot people sleeping in the Observation Lounge

I don't get this - you have a perfectly-serviceable bed in your private room, USE IT.  I may have my face buried in a screen reading, but I peek my head up periodically and want a nice view...

As a point of note - I watched a YouTube video the other day about the (soon to be former) Carnival Triumph where it was mentioned that some staterooms were already being redone in advance of the drydock so that they could ensure all could be redone in the time allotted.  Triumph is emerging from drydock as Carnival Sunshine.  Just using that as an example that there MAY be some work done during revenue trips.

3 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Except Quantum class, where you don’t need VOOM for that. 

I didn't try FB Messenger as I refuse to install the app on my devices, I did use Hangouts successfully on Anthem last year. 

The OP posted about Independence, which is not a Quantum-class ship, trying to keep things on track so as not to confuse that poster

1 minute ago, Peachy59 said:

We just use FB messenger. Easy and no extra charges.

As long as you pay for internet...

I just bring a reusable water bottle (1 quart BPA-free Nalgene) and fill it from the tap in the room or one of the water stations in public areas.  No need to add weight to my luggage with water bottles and it's a nearly-endless supply.

On 3/1/2019 at 1:39 PM, jessencaitly said:

Enhanced Driver's Licenses,

I have one of those, it's handy for flying domestically for sure but with the Real ID standards coming through the benefits are "watered down" so to speak.  I wish the EDL would work for flying to/from Canada as well.  I still have taken my passport on closed-loop cruises from US ports though, just an extra measure of security for me...

27 minutes ago, evandbob said:

one person $1000 fare, port and taxes $200, tips $100 total = $13000

That's some interesting math (I think you added an extra 0 on there...)

Airplane mode, WiFi on, pay for ship internet if you want to do more than use the NCL app (download before the trip) for on-ship stuff.

I'm just trying to wrap my mind around walking around anywhere without official ID of some kind...

2 minutes ago, fabnfortysomething said:

the previous mention of 3 hours on a bus to get there suggests that port must be Miami or Fort Lauderdale-port Canaveral is very close to space centre

Nope, it was simply traffic on that day due to spring breaks and the scheduled launch (which was explained in my post that you didn't read fully apparently).  It most certainly was Port Canaveral, I even have pics of the SpaceX drone ship as we sailed by it in the channel (it was an expendable launch so no first stage recovery).

10 minutes ago, Teacherloves2Cruise said:

however availability is greater out of LAX.

Isn't that the truth!  I just checked for flights from my home airport to LGB and found that every one has multiple connections (as many as THREE!).

I just looked at Google Maps, traveling right now, it shows about the same time from either airport with LAX actually being slightly shorter.  Travel time of approx. 30 minutes.

Depending on the activities going on and when you're there, the excursion MAY be better.  I was there with Royal Caribbean last year, during spring break for many Northeast municipal schools and on launch day for SpaceX.  The excursion was on a KSC bus, we spent 3 hours on the bus getting to KSC from port.  Partway there they told us that no more walk-up tickets were being sold (we had tickets through the excursion).  The bus was also, at one point, able to detour onto KSC internal roads to bypass the traffic jam caused by folks being turned away.  If we had booked something on our own we might not have gotten there.

The above is obviously not going to happen every time, there were several scheduling events that all fell on the same day (to our benefit, it was great to be there for a launch).

My first 2 cruises were with family, but I was in my own room, my upcoming cruise (just about 60 days out, but who's counting?) is 100% solo.  I eventually hope to meet a like-minded mate that likes cruising (or maybe she hasn't been introduced to it yet) but for now it's just me.

17 minutes ago, AnnaNicole said:

 

Download the app prior to departure for free wifi

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-is-the-new-royal-caribbean-app

Again, does not work on all ships.  The Royal app may work, but not all ships have the "hole" (ok, bad word to use on a ship) that allows some services through.  Also, it's not wide open "free WiFi", only certain things work, on ships where it works.  The ship you were on, Anthem, is one where that is open.  In fact - it only works on ships still using the RoyalIQ app...

2 hours ago, Nectarologist said:

Hi. You just need to be logged in to the ships wifi. I was on Anthem and that ship has you log onto their wifi network (for free) so you can use their on-board app.  Since you're on the wifi network, iMessage will work b/c it communicates via wifi (not a traditional cellular signal). 

As others before you said, this does not work on all ships.  It only works on Quantum-class ships and Harmony of the Seas.  Basically, if the ship uses the RoyalIQ app, this works...

6 hours ago, Noworkforme23 said:

I did not care for Spice area due to too much smoke. 

We liked the upper area deck near the slides for shade on the Bliss. We could enjoy the music and still be close to the action and be in the shade. 

Is Spice H2O a smoking area on Bliss, were people ignoring the no smoking policy or was it from the engine exhaust?

To be clear - "WiFi calling" and "WiFi" are different settings.  Yes, you will need WiFi calling if you want to get phone calls over WiFi, but once you enable Airplane mode you will need to turn WiFi back on in order to connect.

Unless they plugged the hole - Google Hangouts and Apple's iMessage both work without the Voom package, just need to connect to the ship's WiFi after enabling airplane mode then turning WiFi back on.  This will not allow phone calls but it might accomplish the goal...

7 minutes ago, A2Mich said:

 

 

Yeah, I have seen the pricing.  I believe that Bob May have posted the price list.  Thought I was going to fall over when a few hours at RCI’s water park costs more than a full day at Disney World

I said in that thread, or another on the topic - I think that's primarily for crowd control.  If the water park was open at no cost to the entire ship each person would end up with maybe one trip down each slide, and imagine how crowded it'd be if there are an Oasis-class and a Quantum-class ship both there (I hear the pier will accommodate two ships at a time).

7 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Time for mods to clean up some of the off-topic posts and lock this up, thread ran its full course, IMHO.

I've done it myself - ignore list populated with a particular poster...

17 minutes ago, Newleno said:

repair and one after the repair.

"Repair"?  You mean the coat of paint?  If they were going to do anything to repair it there would be no evidence of the incident.  They simply applied paint.

55 minutes ago, cottonballs99 said:

1. Do we eat dinner in the MDR every night? If so, must we schedule this time? I see that I can do "my time dining" reservations.  Do I want to do that, even if I don't know if we want to eat in the MDR?

I think there have been some changes to this over the last year, and it actually MAY vary from ship to ship.  Last year, we had MTD on Anthem of the Seas, we arrived at 5:30 on the first night, were seated and were able to decide to keep the same table/head waiter and staff for the entire cruise and just walked in and sat at our table for that seating all week.

57 minutes ago, cottonballs99 said:

2. Are there meals in the MDR for breakfast and lunch too?

Breakfast, yes, thought may depend on the day (port or sea day).  I recall eating in the MDR on the first sea day but I think we just did the WindJammer the rest of the week.

58 minutes ago, cottonballs99 said:

3. Where else can we eat that is "included"? 

Depends on the ship, as far a what venues are available.  MDR, WindJammer, Sorrento's (pizza), Promenade Cafe are all included.

59 minutes ago, cottonballs99 said:

6. I did fill out a form online through RCI about the allergy.  I assume I will need to mention it at meals? Or at a buffet? Anybody know how this works?

ABSOLUTELY mention it to your head waiter, this is where you'll want to be sure to keep the same waiter.  They will be very accommodating to the allergy concern.  Also be sure to mention it at the WJ when making food selection.

1 hour ago, calmpets said:

NCL claims Harvest Caye is not a private island,

Except NCL seems to have pumped a lot of money into it.

https://www.ncl.com/harvest-caye

14 hours ago, Floridadude said:

The Kia Huge cruise is a free cruise for 2, when you buy a new Kia vehicle from Cape Coral Kia.

Sailing date December 8th on RCCL Explorer.

I only know this because this dealership is in the city I live in.

It is one of the largest Kia dealerships in the US.

Billy, the owner does this once a year in the spring for December cruise.

Do not know how many cabins he blocks for this.

Lol, that dude is ALL OVER.  He has a HUGE (sorry) presence in my area, and even stretches as far as Las Vegas.  Billy hasn't been prominent in the ads for his dealerships over the last 12-18 months.

1 hour ago, Newleno said:

What happened on the EPIC was there was a scratch/gash that was temporarily repaired so now it looks like a dent.

It was ALWAYS a dent. If

22 hours ago, Newleno said:

the picture of the gash like a from a can opener speaks for itself

was the case, we would see zero evidence of the impact at this point as NCL would have fully patched it before allowing the ship to leave San Juan.  The metal was dented, not torn.