leaveitallbehind

As @Shmoo here suggests, it will likely vary by cruise line as many cruise tours are specific to the individual cruise line. Knowing that would help.

Rather than list them, in general, most cruise lines have them in their suite level staterooms. Most, however, do not in their standard staterooms. (RCCL offers kettles for tea on European sailings in non suites as well). Aside from NCL, you would have to google each line to see. Hopefully others can identify if any do.

In our experience this has never been an issue, and is in fact usually a desirable location in terms of ease of getting around the ship. Most elevator banks are in and away from the staterooms on either side towards the center of the ship. Most staterooms are down a hallway and separated by walls and some distance from the elevators, which are also typically in their own hallway or setback. And their ding is usually rather quiet. Also the staterooms are individually well sound insulated. Point being I doubt you will hear anything from the elevator banks - we never have.

While there a number of good third party tour providers, whenever possible typically just do our research on any given port and book directly with the tour operator. In that manner we are dealing directly with them and not relying on a third part to handle the transaction for us - for a fee.

I've seen it both ways. It may have to do with who the person is in the group who is doing the scheduling. Who knows. But in earlier years I don't recall seeing that so maybe it's something relatively new.

We have gone to Paradise Beach Hotel on an all inclusive day pass and liked it quite a bit. It is located on West Bay Beach which is a prime beach area about 20+/- minutes from the pier, depending on traffic. The resort provides transportation as part of the package and will pick you up just outside of the pier shopping area and will return you there about an hour or so prior to departure. (Sooner if you wish) Here is their website: https://paradisehotels.com/inicio/ If you just want to go to a beach, you could take a cab to West Bay Beach. There are a number of beach hotels and resorts as well as restaurants up and down the beach. The island is very safe and the taxi service inexpensive and reliable. I would suggest arranging a return pick up with your driver, however, to assure a timely return. I can't confirm public restrooms or dressing areas as we were at the resort, which provided all of that. But certainly the restaurants would have bathroom facilities. Search West Bay Beach, Roatan, on google maps or other similar search engine to see more about the area. Here is the link to the board reference by @Essiesmom if you want to post your question there as well or just search the threads: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/15-roatan/ Other related sources of Cruise Critic information would the the Royal Caribbean board here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/51-royal-caribbean-international/ Or you could search for your sailing dates' Roll Call to talk with other passengers on your itinerary at this link: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/21-royal-caribbean-roll-calls/

I don't think that is the case as we booked our most recent Oasis through a TA with linked reservations, and I was the scheduler and could see all the payment information for the linked guest. That has also been the case on previously linked reservations of ours booked through a TA.

Good plan - give them a call and be sure to talk with someone live. Have your booking numbers at hand and I would suggest providing a brief review of your concerns with whomever you talk to, but confirm with them that they are the right rep and in a position to assist. Some reps are more experienced or have the ability to make those changes than others. If they are not, ask to elevate your call to a supervisor or other capable representative as you want to be sure your situation is understood and correctly resolved without hassle with that call. Good luck!

With RCCL, the exposure to all those with linked reservations of payment dates, etc., is a factor of the linking process. My understanding is it takes the whole reservation data of each and does not (and I think cannot) deselect certain information out of the view. This is perhaps a downside of the tool. The RCCL reps certainly should be able to assist with scheduling questions, but may not be well versed with the details of the tool, and as a result, not able to make the adjustment you request. I think linking works well with dining and shows in that it helps coordinate and simplify the reservation process with the assurance that all of those linked together will have the same schedules, etc. Caution must be taken, however, because any individual adjustments by anyone in the group will similarly affect all. So you just need to communicate and coordinate your scheduling input - usually best if one in the group has that responsibility. Understanding the process, we typically link reservations when traveling with others.

Just a suggestion. You will likely receive various valid responses to your situation, but as this is a rather complex question, if you booked your cruise through a travel agent I would suggest contacting them for direction and any steps that may need be taken with the cruise line. That is part of their responsibility in managing your booking. If you booked directly or on line with the cruise line, you may want to reach out to them via a phone call to discuss your options as they are the ones who will ultimately have the final say on how this is resolved.

Repositioning cruises (trans Atlantic / trans Pacific) are just that - a way to shuttle a ship from the end of one seasonal region to another new one. Coming at the end of one peak season they typically are not in the best temperature and weather conditions, and also typically lack a lot of ports of call en route with a large number of consecutive sea days. (Our 14 day has 5 ports, which is actually pretty many). The plus side is they are usually very economically priced and often not at passenger capacity - both of which are nice benefits. Easy to understand your comment of it being too long, however. For many, this type of itinerary might be. But long itineraries that are in season and closed loop (or at least point to point within the region) would typically have a commensurate number of of ports of call during pleasant weather conditions. The off ship opportunities and day to day activities would keep you pretty busy with more frequent changes of scenery. These are itineraries of a whole different nature and may not seem to be too long on the ship as a result. Just two completely different types of cruises. And we like both - LOL.

LOL - risky at best!

As @ldubs and I mention, there are some cruise lines that expressly do allow it, and some that prohibit them. You would just have to google the different cruise lines to see which is which.

We are booked on a late October - early November RCCL Odyssey for a 14-day Rome - Newark that was chosen primarily due to the logistics of when and where we will be in Italy prior to our return and the proximity of Newark to Philly. That being said, the vessel is 168,000 GT with numerous venues to help occupy the time. Agree that in the grand scheme of things relative to the vastness of the ocean it likely won't make much difference. But the larger ship may handle the larger waves somewhat better in comparison. But I would like the Ociania experience as well for the same reasons as those pointed out by @cruisemom42.

Agree, but there is another CC poster who in years gone by took one on just about every cruise he was on. I used to kid him about it and wondered as well if they were allowed, but to my surprise, there are some that do and some that don't.

As your question is specific to Oceania, I would suggest also posting this on that board to get responses from others who may be on that specific itinerary. Here is that link: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/29-oceania-cruises/

Certainly would be a different experience on one of their sailing vessels.

Not challenging you, but did you read #15 - chengkp75' s response? (Abbreviated version included above). I think his expert explanation addresses this issue quite well. I guess as you suggest, anything CAN happen, but in this case IMO based on his response, the water is not likely the cause.

I don't know if that is accurate. And it is more in the ankles, not the legs, which is mainly a result of fluid retention. IMO it is more likely from increased humidity and salt in the sea air combined with on board food which may be higher in sodium. Many cruisers exercise less when on board which may be a contributing factor as well. The ships' water process systems are very well controlled and managed and IMO I would not suspect that as being the primary cause. Perhaps @chengkp75 or others could weigh in and correct me if I am wrong and provide accurate insight.

And by offering the option to cancel they did offer a refund, so I am confused as well. And to the OP, normally cruise lines don't give refunds for missed ports of call. They credit port fees for those missed ports. And depending on how disrupted the itinerary was, they may offer some amount of on board credit or possibly a discount on a future cruise credit. As this is your first cruise experience I don't think you have a full understanding of how the cruise industry operates and you may not aware of what they normally do in any given circumstance. Unfortunately your situation is a difficult way to be introduced to that world.

I agree with and would recommend all of the premium lines you suggested. But based on the OP's comments of preferring small ships v the large ships and all inclusive, that IMO would rule out Virgin. And even though Yacht Club is a ship within a ship, the MSC ships are mega ships and would be ruled out as well by me. (IMO the Haven with NCL and the Retreat with Celebrity would be the same as yacht club, but I would not recommend them either). I would also suggest that the OP should talk with a Travel Agent that specializes in cruises and review their preferences with them. They would be in the best position to assist IMO.

That should confirm your purchases.

Always a safe bet. RCCI has confirmed with the OP that all would remain, but I can't argue with your suggestion.

I'm not aware of ice being provided on board by anything other than the ships' water. Not sure why you are asking, but if there is a concern, water on board is made from several different processes and is perfectly safe. The ships crew survives on it for months at a time while at sea.

No. All of your on board arrangements made through the app or other wise should remain in tact. And if I read your question correctly (and we've seen how well that's worked out!) the only things booked through the other family member was the beverage package and the key. As confirmed by the RCCL rep, as they are paid in full in your names everything with those items should be fine as well.