1025cruise

You need to let the cruise line know you are bringing a service dog. They will work with you to get all the proper paperwork for your ports filled out. You can't just show up at the pier with your dog.

You'll be allowed in to the terminal around 1:30.

Only NCL can provide permission for this. And whether or not it is allowed can even change between cruises, so seeing if someone else has done this previously won't necessarily help since just because they could do it, doesn't mean they'll let you.

It doesn't appear HAL will be in either of those ports on October 1 so you have nothing to worry about.

I wouldn't say slim to none, all you can do is ask.

Generally, no.

Since VV's boarding is different than other cruise lines, I would expect a little bit of growing pains outside of Miami since the staff need to be trained properly. Just remember, you won't actually encounter someone who works for VV until you get to the security check in (not the x-ray, but when you ding on). Everyone else there is a contractor. Yes, there might be a few actual employees walking around keeping an eye on things, but all the check in people, people outside, porters are all 3rd party.

Leave it at home.

Just remember you need to be on the ship 90 minutes before departure. In all honesty, I wouldn't plan on going far from the port for lunch.

You'll probably get a good cup of chowder at Summer Shack (I've not yet had it, but the restaurant was opened by the famed restauranter Jasper White (who unfortunately passed this past year)). Also know that Boston Cream Pie is really cake, not pie 🙂 Union Oyster House is also a good place for chowder (again, haven't had it myself). The restaurant is a literal old staple in Boston. In all honesty, odds are no matter where you go, you'll end up with a good cup of chowder.

I only report my sleep apnea due to the need for distilled water. I doubt the medical center knows. My only other issue of a bad back meant that back in the day, on ships where muster was done outside, I would request to go to the handicapped area since I can't stand that long. However, I can assure you, in the event of an emergency, I'd get my @$$ down to the lifeboat.

Some people state that Legal makes the best chowder. Heck, it's what gets served at Presidential Inaugurations. Personally, I've had better elsewhere. The Parker House originated the Boston Creme Pie. See if you can get a slice there. Not saying that the offering at Flour is bad.....

I can't speak specifically for the Sun, but generally, the specialty restaurants aren't open for lunch. If they were to open, it would only be on a sea day, but don't count on it. On port days, lunch options are limited, mainly due to most people not being on the ship. On the Enchanted, Gigi's was open daily for lunch. Gigi's is considered a casual restaurant, not a specialty.

What you are asking for is not information that is public knowledge. In fact, Celebrity might have technology in place to prevent the public from reaching the ship email addresses. If you have an issue, it is best to deal with customer service shoreside who will relay necessary messages.

Is this in between cruises?

While the US laws don't apply, there are similar laws in Europe. Unfortunately, the only people that can give this permission is NCL.

Using your iPad on the ship is as secure as using it in any public hotspot. Personally, I wouldn't do finance stuff without a VPN.

I don't believe the specialty restaurants will be open at all for lunch if there is no sea day.

Even if you did make the requests in advance, the odds of the steward getting the request is 50/50. Plus, I don't believe Celebrity stocks the minibar unless it is requested. I also believe the pillow thing is only for concierge cabins, minus an allergy of course. And as said, you can't request a coffee machine. It won't be provided.

The only time I have ever pre-booked an Uber was to go from my brother's house to the airport, since it's a bit of a distance. In Ft Lauderdale, there should be no reason to prebook an Uber. Plenty of hotels/airport/cruise traffic.

Maybe once a year, or once every couple of years.

On the Enchanted this past July. Take Five had already been converted, but there was still a small lounge area. So they are dumping that for more slots. Looked like a nice area. Kinda sad they are just adding slots to it.

Unlike other cruise lines, Virgin doesn't push people off until later. In addition, cabins are ready when you board. The negative, is that boarding doesn't start until later. The earliest you can get in the building (assuming Miami) is 1:30pm. And even then, you might have a wait to board. There are lines outside by checkin time that you will wait in.

Why take the bus? Just take Amtrak to Newark Penn Station and grab an Uber.

I've been a CPAP/BiPAP user for just about 20 years. ALWAYS hand carry it. What happens on that occasion that your checked bag doesn't make it? It's never even a thought to put it in my checked bag. In the US, the bag isn't considered a personal or carry-on.