You won't be able to board the ship without proper documentation - in this case, a passport.
Entering Mexico and Honduras isn't the issue, because arriving on a cruise, it's already been established that passengers have their proper documents. When departing the ship, you only need your Sea Pass (cruise card), and it's a good idea to bring a photo ID, like a driver's license.
Also, it's not a matter of the ship being in the U.S., so it's okay to board and then not get off the ship in the other countries. (People post this kind of thing all the time for Canada; They have a DUI and can't enter Canada, so on Alaska cruises they "plan to stay on the ship at the Canadian port" - doesn't work that way.)
Mormons are encouraged to keep a food storage in their homes with at least one year"s (?) supply of food and water, so that's why Deseret Farms would only be selling bulk items. It's possible a member bought a supply and donated part of it, or the storehouse itself ordered it.
Deseret is the name the Church gives to whatever it creates/manufactures/produces, i.e. books and magazines are published by Deseret Press. I haven't personally seen items from Deseret Farms (haven't been a church member in 30 years), but it makes sense they would pack/distribute their own line of products for food storage. In each house I lived in growing up, my dad built a storage room and my mom stocked it.
Nothing to do with your question, but yes, Latter Day Saints - aka Mormons - have what they call Bishop's Storehouses that provide food and supplies for those in need.
My mom passed in exactly the same scenario. ❤
I like a very soft bed and nice sheets.
The sheets were pretty standard for cruise lines - not the best, not a high thread count (unlike Holland America), but manageable for a few nights. They weren't rough and pilled, but similar to decent hotels.
I found the bed to be pretty awful (small step above a futon). I asked for a topper, was told they didn't have any, so my attendant folded a few comforters in half and stacked them on my bed. It wasn't great, but for only 4 nights, I managed.
I don't watch her videos that often (for the reasons I stated), so I haven't noticed. I just know anytime cruise vloggers are brought up, she's mentioned a lot as people's favorite.
Have you downloaded the HAL Navigator app? At the bottom, click Experiences, then Dining & Drinks. You should be able to see times and menus for each venue.
For breakfast, there's Lido Market (buffet) and MDR. I think the buffet opens around 6:30/7:00, and MDR is usually 7:00 to 9:00 (give or take 30 minutes, depending on the day). The Dutch Cafe has coffee drinks and pastries. NY Deli does offer bagels 6:30-10:30. You can also order room service.
I really like Cruise with Ben & David, for personality, filming style (it's like they're taking you on the journey with them) and content.
Parodeejay has good content.
Everyone loves Emma Cruises; I like her, but a lot of her videos are based on trips from Europe, so that doesn't help for the Caribbean. Also, I personally don't like when the vlogger just sits in their house talking to the camera while showing clips or photos of their trip; I prefer those that film and discuss while on their trip.
Tips for Travelers is good for specific topics, such as "mistakes to avoid" or "what to bring to Alaska".
Personally I'd cancel the trip now and spend as much time with her as possible.
My mom passed away a few years ago. She had been declining for months, and I had been staying at my parents' house when we decided to put her on hospice care; she was still at home and cognizant, but had a severely decreased appetite and slept a lot. My sister and I had our annual girls' trip (been planned for over six months), and she told us to go. We went home for a few days, then on our trip, back home a few days, and less than two weeks after leaving her home, we returned to find her confined to a hospital bed (at home), drugged on morphine - and therefore unconscious except for a few moments here and there - on an oxygen tank. She was quite literally on her deathbed and passed away six days later. Obviously I didn't know she'd diminish so quickly, but I wish I had stayed.
Arby's is definitely the superior fast food chain.
I haven't found a decent place for gyros since moving (Chicago suburb to Atlanta suburb), but the one at Arby's will satisfy the craving.
Also, the "premium" chicken nuggets are really good.
Others have answered your questions, so I just wanted to welcome you to the hell that is Georgia summers! I also moved here from IL (lived there 11 years), but I grew up here so knew what I was in for. But it still sucks!
Wow, I haven't heard The Smitten Kitchen mentioned in long time. I used to read her blog all the time. I made caramel cake recipe for my birthday about 15 years ago - still the best cake ever.
I'm with you. Hubby, hubs, littles, preggers, etc. - all that shit annoys me.
Don't let one FB post send you into a tailspin. The review wasn't even for the same ship.
I sailed on Koningsdam last July. I thought the food in the MDR was very good, better than Royal, as good as Celebrity. But the best things I ate all week were the fries from the Dive In and the turkey club from NY Deli (both near pool). Also the afternoon tea service was enjoyable.
I completely agree that entertainment was lacking except for the band in the Rolling Stone Rock Room - they were fantastic. I didn't care for the singers in Billboard. (I heard BB King's was good, too, but I didn't get to catch the band.) The dance shows were not great, and trivia is really geared towards an older crowd, like 50s music trivia.
I was going to recommend this movie if OP hasn't seen it. Love it.
Finally, a list that doesn't include Inglorious Basterds, Pulp Fiction, Interstellar, The Shining, The Big Lebowski, The Dark Night or There Will Be Blood. (I love Nolan and Tarantino, but, c'mon.)
I love Moneyball.
If you figure it out, let me know. My mom passed 4 1/2 years ago, and I'm still devastated. I was never much of a crier, but it broke somehow in me, and there's not a week that goes by that I don't cry at least 3-4 times thinking of her. I was 40, she was 10 days from her 75th birthday.
I was on that same cruise last year. Alaskan cruises are different from Caribbean - they are much more laid-back back, with very few kids onboard. Plus HAL attracts an older demographic, which I prefer. (I'm a 45f without kids, so I don't like to travel with kids.)
Usually three: one in my car, one on my coffee table, and one on my nightstand. I really only use my Kindle when traveling, because I like to hold a physical book.
Everyone is mentioning films about drugs, not really any mental health ones. I was looking for Girl, Interrupted.
You can board with your Indian passport. I didn't state that entering the U.S. was an issue, but that boarding with ship would be an issue without proper documentation (a passport).
I don't know about needing a visa. It's not required for U.S. citizens.
Travel documentation??
Cruise