CruiserBruce

Well....first of all, nobody is forcing you to cruise HAL...I am sure you can find other cruise lines that have policies and procedures you like. And, for 4 and 5 star Mariners, and suite pax, they have in fact been flexible when they can board.

And never has.

A month long dry dock? That is longer than average for a cruise ship...usually its extremely well planned out and scheduled, all supplies and parts are present and really for install, and the drydock is held to 2 or 3 weeks. Every day without pax costs the cruise line money.

You aren't going to see northern lights in June or July. It stays light essentially around the clock...you need darkness for northern lights.

You should see whales then. The numbers might be a little low...but they have been arriving sooner and sooner, both in Mexico and in Hawaii.

Just a quick look down the board:

Probably starboard, but I don't know your sailing route. An you never know when there will be lava reaching the sea.

You don't tell us what cruise ship or line, but most have some situation to exchange money. It will likely be at poor exchange rates and with fees. We tipped in US dollars in Iceland this last summer...gratefully accepted. But be aware tipping is not anywhere near as expected in those countries as in the US (assuming you are from the US). All other purchases can be via credit card.

Well...it doesn't really matter what side the ship to be on. The only real issue would be if you are sailing past active lava at Kilauea...which is frequently done in the early evening. You will tender at Kona and Lahaina, if those are among your stops, and the ship will move to protect the tender operation from wind and currents. Backing in at Honolulu means either side can be against the dock, depending on which dock they use, and there is island to see all around you. Lihue would be starboard side to dock...but again, scenery all around you. Most of your sailing around the islands will be at night.

Beverage packages are absolutely accepted in Pinnacle and the other specialty restaurants.

The common rating on a lot of the tenders is 100 as a tender, 150 as a lifeboat.

This is discussed daily on the Florida Departures board, here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/386-florida-departures/ If you are fully mobile, can carry off your bags in the first or second group, and grab the first cab you see, you can make it. But any hitches, and its going to be a tough day.

Yes.

As always, @chengkp75, very well put. People don't seem to get the effect of panic, including those panic behaviors actually causing others injury or death. Panic is life threatening!! It seems more important to not have to stand with "sweaty, smelly" people. I wonder how they think a lifeboat loaded to actual emergency use (not tender use) is going to be.

You won't have much problem with e mails and texts. On sea days the demand will be high on the bandwidth will be high.

There have been rumors about changes coming, but nothing confirmed.

Other than New York City, I have never seen so many taxis anywhere, as I have seen at Port Everglades at ship disembarking. Literally many hundreds of them.

They aren't all that tight about the two drink rule, particularly non-alcoholic drinks.

Was on NS for 18 days in July/August. Great ship and crew.

Have you asked on the RCI board? I would think its Piazzale Roma.

I wouldn't try it. Just down the board:

The rule is you can't mention travel agents or agencies by name or discuss them. Other things, like tour operators can be recommended only if you have actually used them. As suggested, if you look on the Ports boards, you will see many tour operators mentioned.

The tour company option is mentioned here quite frequently...see the HUGE thread filled with recommendations for the wonderful Rome in Limo. They are a wonderful operation. If it possibly can be done, they will do it, and it will be fantastic. Or you could easily train to many places, like Florence, about 90 minutes away and spend two nights.

Can. From any bar. You get it with a glass and ice.

It is safe, and in the Brickell area, the walk to a place commonly recommended here, the Hampton Brickell is pretty easy, even with a checked bag. Otherwise Uber or taxi is quite easy.