DaveOKC

Both good options, but unless going to a scenic area like Alaska, I would go with deck 7 by the Lounge.

Most times this works but not always. Depends on the ship. Just turned down a few months ago on the EUrodam.

Hyatt Place - we stayed there three months ago. Great location. Free breakfast (just OK). Rooms and hotel in general are a bit tired IMO. Nice staff. Shuttle from airport for a fee and also to pier (fee).

I do not know for certain, but have been told that they are on salary but do have some sort of quota system, so booking with them aids them.

Book at 5PM - especially the first day it is then easy to get a window seat (few diners the first day for several reasons).

May Alaska cruises are nice due to the extra sunlight (versus Sept). However, ice in the water can restrict some glacier and Tracy Arm viewings. Prices normally are lower, with the ships less crowded, especially fewer families.

In reality a price drop is not necessarily a true decline in prices, as the old price often was reflective of a "package" of items, Later the cruiseline may offer a barebones deal with fewer or no perks, but also a much lower price. They are trying to appeal to different segments of the market is all.

If you are on a HAL excursion, I think you will be safe, However, be prepared for the vendors and others being very aggressive trying to sell you things.

Everglades tour is an option. I am sure the ship will have one.

Can get into building to wait. Just sometimes cannot check bags early.

Some hotels are better than others on this. Some now charge to/from airport as well, so do your homework ahead of time.

Dropping off bags rules seem to vary by airline, agent and class of service. Usually 3 or 4 hours, but sometimes they will let you slide on this.

Awhile back I booked through a TA and got an upsell offer. It was a hassle to go back and forth between them, HAL and me, but we did get it done. Since I now book with HAL, I get an email upsell offfer, call them directly and get it done in minutes without a fuss. I do my homework before hand and know which cabins I like, which are likely still open, and I call immediately. Usually this happens 2-4 weeks prior to sailing and has always been on a weekday.

After

If you are referring to the indoor walking area between all the terminals, it is somewhat new and quite nice IMO. Some areas have shops and dining.

We liked the FREE shuttle from the airport to Hyatt House. Quick and efficient plus very nice driver. They also have a fee shuttle (about $15 pp) to the pier the next day.

We normally stay at Hyatt Place - Convention Center, near the port and lots of cruisers do also. However, recently we have switched to Hyatt House in Dania Beach (another Hyatt Place is right there also), as it has been updated and we like the staff/service. A bit further to the port, but they do have a shuttle for about $15 pp which worked out nicely. Free shuttle from the airport. Check pricing of these two locations as it varies alot.

One per stateroom

I would take the 10:30, BUT also use Luggage Direct to handle your bags all the way to your home airport, do the self walk off as early as possible and take a taxi (usually no waiting if you are early off. A month ago we were at the gate by 8:30 am. TSA helps also, but likely not necessary if early.

It depends on your airline. Also, if you are traveling first class sometimes they let you check in early

NO - you can switch to any machine as often as you like. The only restriction is that once you take $X out of a machine (it can be small amount like $5) from the promotional funds, you have to play that amount at least once through the machine. Whatever you do, DO NOT TAKE THE ENTIRE $750 out of the promotional funds all at once as then you have to play it all through the machine at least once. If you are not sure how this works, talk to a casino host before you start playing.

kazu - when you sit down on the machine you have the option to use Promotional Funds. Select this as its the freeplay. Now, if you want to use up your freeplay, you use part of your promotional funds (lets say $20), run it through the machine one time and then cash out the "winnings" (it goes to your main account). Now, move onto another machine and start over the process, or stay on the first machine and take more money from your promotional account and do the same process. Otherwise after the freeplay is run through once, the machine will start using your "winnings". Make sense??

Whenever I select my cabin, I mark the reservation DO NOT UPGRADE. I still get upsell offers (last cruise had two, one the night prior to sailing and took both).

NOTE that no regular coffee pods. We found the same on Eurodam a month ago. Also have had this problem on other ships.

Been in Neptunes since they started the Thermal Spa and never had a free pass. Once you get to 5 Star you do get one free day there though. We usually go on a port day as often we are the only ones in there.