leaveitallbehind

First, don't underestimate the value of a travel agent. They handle all of the major steps you've outlined so that you don't have to and also handle the details as your representative with the river cruise line. They also will support you with any issues that may arise with your plans and can also sometimes provide additional perks not associated with a direct booking. 75% of all cruises are booked through TA's - and for good reason. That being said, of course you can always book directly yourself, but there will be no fare or other advantage in doing so IMO. Second, you cannot mention by name or ask about specific travel agents on this site. Your post might be removed as a result.

With Miami, I would think anything after 11:00 would be fine, but it all depends on the shuttle departure time. You may be able to do something a little earlier but using the cruise line's transportation adds time as they don't leave until the bus / van is full and the transit time is about 20 minutes or so. Then you have the congestion at the Miami airport that can add to luggage drop and security check in, etc. So given all that their recommendation of after 12:00 is fair. FWIW, IMO Miami is the worst airport to use and we often schedule flights in and out of Fort Lauderdale with either Miami or Port Everglades as the departure / arrival port. (FLL still isn't great either but IMO it is the better of the two). FLL is about 45 minutes away from Miami - less than 10 from Port Everglades. Uber/Lyft is the transportation of choice with this option. However, IMO using the cruise line's shuttle is the worst option as Uber/Lyft or a cab is much more efficient and likely cheaper. We use Uber exclusively to and from Miami and Ft. Lauderdale airports and either cruise port. (Port Everglades or Miami). Far more convenient, timely, and personal. That option would give you the ability to make the earlier flights from Miami for sure. In fact on one occasion we made a 10:45 flight from Ft. Lauderdale airport after docking at the port of Miami. Your choice but IMO the cruise line shuttles would be our last option. Either way enjoy your cruise!

Agree with your full response, but just wanted to add that many people don't realize that 75% of all cruises are booked through travel agents, who act as the remote sales staff of the many cruise lines. Their value should not be underestimated and is certainly realized by the cruise lines. I would believe as you imply that (among other factors) there likely is a direct correlation between this and their lack of using TA's with the failure of Renaissance. And I know you likely realize this but my comments describing how different OBC's are handled was intended as an addition to your comments primarily for those who may not recognize the distinctions.

With most mass market cruise lines the OBC issued with on board bookings is non-refundable. Typically most refundable OBC's are third party issued. But that can vary by cruise line. But I agree completely that either way - refundable or non-refundable - there certainly is value to that benefit. It can be used for all on board purchases, including recommended gratuities, and the non-refundable cruise line issued OBC's are typically applied first. The refundable OBC's are applied last, allowing for a refund of any unused portion as you've described. Again, this can vary by cruise line, but along with the method you describe, the refund can also be issued as cash on board, or as a credit against the credit card used for your on board account.

Ours were with RCCL, but sounds like a similar program.

Yep. Used to be able to purchase certificates that represented a reduced deposit that were flexible for use on a future cruise. I believe you could buy up to three at a time. A thing of the past.....

....not to mention that your deposit is also higher and non-refundable. No real on board advantage there LOL. Agree - used to love the old future cruise certificates!

Frequently the benefits may include a reduced deposit required and some form of OBC that would be available only to on board bookings. It also can be convenient to do with the in person reps on board. But generally the fare structure is the same as would be published at the time. This of course could vary by cruise line.

I believe @Heidi13 and @chengkp75 can confirm, but I'm not sure that is the case. If I am incorrect I'm sure they will correct me. But we witnessed a man and his wife being escorted off the ship in St. Martin several years ago, the man in handcuffs, and being handed to the local police after what is best described as a domestic dispute that occurred the night before. Their luggage was taken off with them and they drove off the pier in the police vehicle. I have heard of other instances of passengers being "disembarked early" at the next port of call due to other circumstances as well. I'm not sure the cruise line cares too much about their disposition once they are off the ship - just that they are in fact off the ship.

I've been thinking the same thing. Not to take anything away from the concerns of the OP as that clearly was an ugly event, but there always is another side to everything and acts like this seldom happen randomly.

As always, thank you for your thorough and inciteful response to this issue. It is likely difficult for many to understand the responsibilities and jurisdictional constraints that the cruise lines face regarding certain issues that occur on the high seas. Your knowledge and first hand understanding of ship board operations is always appreciated and cuts through the speculation to reach the factual basis of how things really operate on board. I always look forward to, and appreciate, your responses to these types of questions.

Given the incident and all the circumstances of your cruise as you've provided IMO your best bet, at least for now, would be to report this to the corporate staff with the cruise line and escalate it with them. As indicated by @Heidi13 there are jurisdiction concerns that may complicate matters, at least initially, outside of dealing with the cruise line. Maybe when you return home your local authorities can provide additional advise. Again, I hope this ultimately works out to your satisfaction.

Agree with @Mangrove Snapper and their timing as we also first cruised in 1992 and there was a tv in our stateroom at the time as well. It was limited in channels but had at least one ship information channel. I don't recall tv's in the bars or other venues, however.

What I said is I don't know which land based police would have authority over this - not that you should or should not report it. Certainly go to whomever you wish since you've returned to get their advice. All I was saying is that a situation such as you describe likely would be the responsibility of the ship staff to deal with at the time as it happened at sea. I am also suggesting that if you are not satisfied with the ship's staff response continue to escalate the issue to the cruise line corporate staff. I would also suggest reading the article in the link provided by @Host Hattie for insight into how these issues are handled at sea and the complexities with jurisdiction. Again, I am not an authority on this and this is just my opinion. But I hope this eventually works out to your satisfaction.

Please note that this is just my opinion and not anything authoritative, but it would seem to me that the responsibility to deal with this would lie with the ship security (and senior staff) as the event took place on board while at sea. Not sure which land based police would have authority over this. I would continue to press the ship staff for a response and continue up the chain of authority with the cruise line if necessary.

I agree that I am not familiar with registering for loyalty programs through their cruise lines' apps - that in our experience is done through their website or by phone with the cruise line (or in person on board through the loyalty rep). My reference was only regarding accessing an account through the app. Thanks for clarifying.

If a cruise line app allows access your loyalty program account, having separate access for individual sign in would be necessary if each account is separate.

That's actually a point I was considering as well. If the OP is also referring to loyalty programs (which are typically accessible through a cruise line app), then I agree - individual accounts and passwords would be recommended as these accounts are typically set up individually as well. But other than that I don't know that it would matter as most cruise line apps are "generic" in nature - and it would then just be personal preference as to how you set yours up.

Which cruise line are you referring to?

Innovation is typically a competitive advantage. Lack of same is stagnation.

That is not necessarily true for all cruise lines as we have been on several bridge tours - all post 9/11. You are correct that filming was not permitted, but still pictures via our smart phones were - we have a number of them that also included several senior crew members during our tours. I will add the caveat that most of our bridge tours were loyalty program tier related - only two were the result of the behind the scenes tour as you reference. I also have not seen that tour anymore since the pandemic restart either and it may be possible we will not see it again.

While this is very interesting information, I would also add that - in particular for new cruisers - a number of the cruise lines offer behind the scenes tours that, at least in the past, included galley, backstage, laundry, storage facilities, engine control room, some crew areas, other facilities, and with some, the bridge. We have been on several of them in the past and they were quite interesting. A lot changed with the pandemic and I cannot answer with certainty which cruise lines have resumed this - and many may not yet have. But it would be worth checking on any planned cruise to see if that would be an option.

AKA "crew entertainers" - LOL

To add to the very good information provided by @Heidi13, they may just not have someone who is "out front" in the typical role of CD as seen on other cruise lines. But as was well pointed out, there certainly are people, perhaps just behind the scenes, who fill that roll with managing the entertainment on board.

It can be difficult to find strangers willing to share a stateroom on a cruise, and this site will not offer any assistance. Have you considered local organizations such as a church or other community organization where there may be people of common interest who also may not be complete strangers?