CruiserBruce

The better place for your question would be the Princess board, here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/119-princess-cruises/ The Mods will probably move it there. I don't know that final payment must be made to book specialty restaurants. Usually its allowed before then.

The wording in most of these "guarantees" to catch you up with the ship say something to the effect of "we will assist you" in getting to the next port and boarding the ship. First, that doesn't sound like a promise that they will get you there totally at their expense, no questions asked. Second, what, when and where is the next port? Many cruises start out with a day at sea, then may include a small out of the way port with limited air service. All depends on the itinerary. Third, who is paying for the hotel, food, other transport besides the flights, etc. Again, it doesn't sound like a guarantee to me. In a related subject, on our Copenhagen to Boston cruise this last summer, after sailing, we had a sea day, then a port day, then Alesund, Norway. The SAS airline strike was in progress. There was about 20 people (some were crew) waiting at the port when we docked (plus who knows how many others that arrived to catch up with the ship during that day), and a huge pile of baggage. It always seems smarter to come in a day early to avoid possibly missing 2 or more days of your expensive cruise. The same thought applies to luggage.

Assuming you mean Port Everglades, I would be there 10:45 to 11ish.

@LMaxwell, if you look at this post, the 2 weeks are charters, one week a regular cruise.:

Again, 3 weeks is longer than a standard cruise ship drydock, by a factor of 50%. These drydocks are planned down to the second, months in advance and all required supplies, equipment, parts, etc, are all on-site prior to commencement. Some crew are even kept on board to support the operation. Time out of the water without revenue generating pax on board is money lost.

That will mean it's at required dry dock time.

Its probably easier to fly "domestically" in Europe than in the US. Certainly not harder.

You can walk to Terminal 2/4. Otherwise, no. You don't have to stay in the port. The ship will offer an excursion or two. If you are at Terminal 2, you can walk to the water taxi stop...a great way to see the area. Many discussions of the water taxi and other activities on this board.

Welcome to Cruise Critic! You can walk if you park near Terminal 2 at that parking facility. Otherwise no. The Port is a huge place, and not meant for walking. For more Florida info, look at the portion of Cruise Critic devoted to Florida, located here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/386-florida-departures/

Welcome to Cruise Critic! Take a look over on the portion of Cruise Critic devoted to RCI, located here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/51-royal-caribbean-international/ for all the info you will ever need.

American can't fly from Italy to Spain. It can fly from the US to Italy, or from the US to Spain. But it can't fly from Italy to Spain. Legal issues...the same reason you don't see British Air flying from Charlotte to SFO, for example.

You think 21 days is short for a drydock? The standard cruise ship drydock is 2 weeks. And there are requirements for below waterline maintenance that are not visible to the naked eye. There are also requirements for how often a ship needs to be out of the water, depending on it's age.

Totally agree @CNSJ!! But change is difficult for some.

Code share means an airline is offering a flight, usually through an alliance, with another airline, as their own. For example Lufthansa is flying SFO-Munich, Flt 123. United will list that flight for sale on their website, making it look like its an United flight, and give it a United flight number, (say Flt 456) even though it is being flown by Lufthansa.

Pretty sure the "train with the glass top" is a part of the land tour before or after your cruise that a couple of cruise lines offer. Not actually a port on a cruise.

Yes. Quite realistic.

There is no one best!! Not sure why anyone would think that. You would like to be on the bow, if available, for a locking. You would also be on the promenade deck. if the ship has one, for a locking. Maybe one locking from the stern, low deck. Fortunately there are multiple locks to pass through, so you can be viewing each from a different location. Upper decks for going through the Cut. Front of the ship for the initial approach to the Canal. Be all over the ship!!

Huh? Besides passport? Remember to give your thread a title, otherwise it defaults to your screen name.

They frequently have a shuttle from the parking garage to 29.

Not sure what this has to do with Italy...maybe ask on the Cruise Air board? A summary of what the others have said is the "best" depends on where you do the majority of your flying from...your home airport...and who serves it. As we fly from SFO, and United is the predominant carrier from SFO, we use United Chase card. Keep in mind the alliances that evolve from that main carrier.

The airport code for San Juan is SJU.

There has been no change in the HAL policy about NOT using OBC before you board.

It has happened once or twice before. Typically because there was a port that suddenly became unavailable. Rare...but it has happened.

So, as I understand it, the "surge" is one incident, correct?

It is not required, never has been. We sailed 3 times without it. The latest we got on board was 12:05.