sparks1093

My EDL has both a star and a flag. And to be clear the REAL ID is acceptable for a cruise in conjunction with a document that shows citizenship such as a birth certificate.

Unless it is broadly advertised it would do little good. People would disbelieve that it happened or they would just think "well, it couldn't happen to us".

Yes, there are some who do overreact but my wife almost needed emergency medical care onboard after we spent an hour playing trivia within smelling distance of the casino. Fortunately after a few inhaler treatments and a couple of nebulizer treatments the attack subsided.

I paid a premium for the same balcony to be smoke free so yes, if I smell it and it's bad enough (which means that it has to be right next to us and I can tell where it's coming from) I am going to report it. And I will emphasize that this pertains to cigarette smoke as well. I'm all for minding my own business but when someone else's business starts interfering with mine that is different. (And I will add that in all of our years on a balcony this has been a non-issue and I expect that it will be going forward as well.)

Yes, that is a constant regardless of port of departure.

Some states have sales tax and some don't. If they do then it will be added if you receive something in port.

Both my wife and I have lung issues and not being able to enjoy our balcony because of smoke (cigarette or otherwise) would be an issue.

Tax isn't charged in all ports but a work around is to have the bottle delivered on the second day. It will likely be in the cabin when you board and you won't have to pay tax.

I stand corrected and evidently "zero tolerance" varies by cruise line (and as you say it is on them for not doing so). I do know that if I smell any type of smoke on the balcony I will be reporting it.

I believe Chief is referring to zero tolerance for the crew, not the passengers (and that extends to alcohol use as well by crew).

Hyperbole? Yes, it is possible that things are just as OP described them, but it is equally possible that they might have exaggerated things a bit.

No, she will need some sort of government issued photo ID in order to sail. You don't mention when you are sailing and hopefully you didn't wait until the last minute to ask this question. As mentioned she can get a photo ID from the state which would do the trick.

Just to circle back to this, DHS has a website of REAL ID FAQs here https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/real-id-faqs. Here's what they say about REAL ID and border crossing and cruising: Q: Can I use my REAL ID card to cross the border into Canada and Mexico and for international travel? No. REAL ID cards cannot be used for border crossings into Canada, Mexico or other international travel. Q: Can I use my REAL ID for sea (cruise) travel? No. REAL ID cards cannot be used for international sea cruise travel. Now, I'm not a fan of the second answer because it seems to imply that they cannot be used at all, which is not correct. They are still a government issued ID and may be used in conjunction with a citizenship document for cruising. And here is what they say about EDLs: Q: Will a federal agency accept my Enhanced Driver's License? Yes. State-issued Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) are designated as acceptable border-crossing documents by DHS under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and are acceptable alternatives for official federal purposes such as accessing a federal facility or boarding a commercial aircraft. Individual agency policies may still apply. Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington are the only states that currently issue EDLs. For more information on EDLs, please go to https://www.dhs.gov/enhanced-drivers-licenses-what-are-they.

If I were a frequent flier I would certainly not be counting on it.

That they still want to cut down on the number of bottles sold for cabins while at the same time making it available, in short having their cake and eating it too.

A US citizen reentering the US at a land port of entry needs to present a passport, passport card or EDL. Other documents may be acceptable but birth certificate isn't ordinarily acceptable for an adult. (They might accept it after the traveler goes to secondary so one needs to allow ample time.) OP this is an interesting question that I don't recall seeing. The regulations say government issued ID and while it doesn't say from a US government entity it is implied. My gut says it wouldn't be accepted but if it is all you have it's probably better to try as long as you can still get to the port which might be more of a problem since she'll have trouble entering the US.

Half DWs head cost $50. Never thought of the lice angle.

I recall reading a thread by a gentleman from Texas. He showed up at the port with only his REAL ID thinking it was enough. It wasn't. He was lucky that someone was able to fax his birth cert to the port or he would have left there trying to argue his point. REAL ID does not prove citizenship.

Confirming that the OBC did in fact appear in the Cruise Manager and we applied it to our excursion purchase. Oh, it took a little over a day to get the credit.

I hereby amend my comment to read "And the REAL ID isn't just necessary to fly, it's necessary to enter any building/property under Federal jurisdiction that has a security guard to check IDs." (Such as Courthouses.)

Yes and somewhat worse some people believe that a REAL ID complaint license is the same as the Enhanced Drivers License and that it is all they need to board. That is not the case, of course, and right now only 5 states issue EDLs (Vermont, New York, Michigan, Minnesota, and Washington). And the REAL ID isn't just necessary to fly, it's necessary to enter any building/property under Federal jurisdiction.

You also need to provide proof of legal presence in the US, which for most US citizens is the birth certificate. In addition to the extra documentation requirements the REAL ID Act imposes more stringent rules regarding the storage of ID materials, requires a central issuing point(s), and extra security features on the IDs themselves. All of the required measures can add to the cost of producing the IDs so it makes sense that those increases are passed on to the recipient. The end goal is to make IDs more secure and harder to fake.

I think that is how the concept of the kilt started, some guy got caught in flagrante delicto and rushed out wearing a tablecloth (or perhaps a bedsheet).🤣

Yes, those who travel infrequently if at all are probably in the dark about the whole thing and they are the main reason for the delay in implementation (I believe the press release said only 50% of citizens have REAL ID so far). If one never leaves the country there really is no need for a passport and should one need a REAL ID compliant ID the passport card would be the way to go. I do expect there will be some who get turned away, the number remains to be seen.

Part of the problem with your posts is the seeming suggestion that one must be blottoed the entire length of the cruise in order to get one's moneys worth out of Cheers, that it's a matter of sitting at the bar and throwing them back in order to get the value. If I am misreading your posts in that fashion I do apologize. But that isn't the case at all. I can quite easily consume 5 to 6 drinks in an evening while enjoying dinner and the show (it doesn't matter whether it's a sea day or a port day). Having a few drinks in an afternoon on a sea day while attending activities is also easily accomplished. At the rate of 1 drink an hour I could easily pass a sobriety test and that is my normal state while onboard. Sure, there are some people who get knee crawling, commode hugging drunk but one needn't take it to that extreme to 1) make Cheers worth it and 2) enjoy the cruise. Consuming alcohol ashore could be an issue for some if they drink heavily of the $1 beers, but that doesn't apply to us since we rarely have any alcohol when ashore.