Jasonsterling

I think you'll have to rent one on land at home... which depending on rates and the length of time you'll be gone could be pricey. I'm not sure what it costs to buy but it might be cheaper, lol. Does he already have a black suit? You might be able to pair it, depending on it's cut, with a tuxedo short, bow tie and cumberbund and most nobody (really nobody) on board will know the difference. It's great you guys are going to dress up. I haven't worn my tux in a lot of years but I used to on Carnival sometimes and there were others and since its NYE you might find a few others for your cruise still today. My son and I are heading out on the Vista for NYE as well. I hope you guys have a great time!

The Sushi place is quite good and a beautiful presentation. Is it a good deal? That's fairly subjective. It is cheaper than I can buy at home but only a little bit-maybe just 10-20 percent. The steakhouse is the same- it's pretty good if you've never been and it's an okay price. The quality of the entire experience isn't what it used to be, though it's still "good" and the menu feels like it has been around forever unchanged. I'm not going on my next voyage and didn't go on the last. The seafood place is ridiculously hit or miss- you never really know that quality of what you're going to get there and I avoid it entirely now- it was never a "great" deal, pretty comparable to land prices. I have only (in twenty years) used room service beyond a simple coffee, fruit, pastry set up at breakfast once. To me it was never worth the wait. The food is fine for free I'm sure but there's not a PBJ out there worth 5 dollars when I can throw it together for like 25 cents at home. Same for unbuttered, cold popcorn on deck for three dollars a pop, lol- not tried it, not going to. I've never had a problem with the cookies on the buffet. You don't have it on the list but I did enjoy the Ice Cream parlor on the Vista and thought it was worth it.

My first cruise was on the Sensation and I thought it was the largest thing ever put to sea at the time, lol. It really did seem massive. I've also been on the Elation twice- the first time through the Panama canal. It was my favorite of those two ships and I'd still like another sail on her someday but I doubt it'll happen- unless they move her back to Galveston, lol. My last sailing on Elation and therefore the fantasy class as a whole was 2004. All three cruises were a really great time but in general I do like the amenities of newer vessels and time just moves on- new styles, new ideas. It's a shame that so far no one has been able to take on a Fantasy class vessel for a start up or smaller cruise line. Maybe by the time Elation goes they'll be a taker.

Every port is different but in Galveston there's very little space to sit outside of the main terminal. The arrival times are sometimes enforced and people are required to wait- I've seen them several times in fact (again in Galveston). I would, given the situation, book a late shuttle time. The later boarding times for the ship rarely book up fast if at all. The early slots go quick but not the ones later in the day. So if you book a later shuttle now then you should have no trouble getting a later arrival slot when the time comes. I'm not sure what the boarding times are for that voyage but as an example if the last boarding time is 3 for the ship then I'd book a noon shuttle from MCO getting you there about an hour (a little more than an hour) later at around 1-1:15pm and set my arrival time for 1:30. I think you have a thirty minute window, technically but then I also think at that point even if you are late or a little early depending on traffic it won't matter. Again it's mostly an issue earlier in the day where the arrival slots have all booked up in advance and there's large crowds.

Does it have to be a scooter? When I was a kid people still typically just used a collapsible wheelchair that folds flat- my grandfather used one like that in the last years of his life for long distances, otherwise he used a walker. It takes up a lot less space, is inexpensive and can fit most anywhere. A lot less worry about the room needed.

Same as other responders- nothing, lol. I've been in a Spa room a couple of times now and there's never been a "welcome gift", "ritual", "Slippers" or special extra discounts on spa treatments. Ha ha. The location on the Breeze and Vista is good though and I like the Thermal Suites area so okay but don't count on anything else promised by marketing.

I've been on til 9:30+ (also had a late flight and just lingered over breakfast on board) and there were still others waiting to be called. A lot of variables play into it BUT you can stay on until they ask the last of the guests to leave. They'll make an overhead announcement about all other guests can now disembark. That's when to start making your way down but you can still be at the back of that pack, lol. They do essentially require that you are out of your room though by 8:30 at the absolute latest.