Mum2Mercury

This. I think the point is that if you're on the ship, you COULD decide to disembark once you've arrived. And, honestly, why would you go to Alaska and not leave the ship? How often are you going to have that opportunity?

In my daily life -- compared to a couple decades ago -- I see more people who are heating healthy, exercising more, and (maybe unrelated) being more planet-conscious. But I don't see those things on cruises. Absolutely true. Vacation behavior isn't the same as daily behavior.

BOBOF is almost certain to be cheaper. I think they're having trouble filling the specialty restaurants. On our last couple cruises we've seen wait staff circulating around the Windjammer, the pool area -- even lurking in the stairwells -- rather aggressively trying to get passengers to sign up for meals in their restaurant. They offer pretty good discounts, but I'm fairly sure buying ahead is still the best option.

Then what are you doing here? If you dislike /distrust Royal, why give them your business? That is an interesting connection -- not one I'd considered. That one hits hard. I'm still salty about it and likely to remain so. Yeah, I'm one of them. I thought I'd always go the easy, fair route -- prepay and never think about it again -- but we'll share a room with our adult daughter on our next cruise, and I'm very unsure about whether we'll be packing up/down the sofa bed ourselves once a day. I really hate this option, but I'm going to tip once we're onboard so I can see what kind of service we get first. I've never, ever had bad cabin service, but I'm "holding out" until I see how this goes.

Good point. More likely to have a recliner on the beach too.

If wearing tuxedos makes you happy, gives you nice pictures that'll remind you of a great vacation, by all means wear them! But you probably will not see anyone else in a tux. You will stand out -- in a good way. For numerous reasons, most ladies wear what I'd call a "church dress" on formal nights and most men wear nice pants /button down shirt (50% with a jacket). Most of the time I'd say 30% really dress up -- but almost all the "dressed up" men will be in suits.

Wow, what an awful story. Sounds like the timing (holidays) was half the problem. So he was in the water, was able to climb up the ladder /return to the ship, and he died moments later? Wow. Must've been awful for the family ... well, for the tour guides and other people on the excursion too. I mean, returning to the ship with his body. Agree. My mother says her father died "inch by inch". I was only a child, but I remember that time, and it was very hard on everyone.

Exactly! That's exactly what I don't understand ... any passenger could help himself to your bag while it's sitting there waiting for a crew member (purposefully or accidentally). The crew member (who's dropping off multiple bags) could accidentally leave it in the wrong room. I don't carry on items with little value (like an extra outfit or a paperback book); no, I carry on my electronics, medicines and jewelry. Things I want to keep in my control. You mention a Rollator. Sure, I get it -- some passengers need extra help, and that complicates their embarkation. But I'd say the answer is a backpack or a bag that'll attach to the Rollator. Note, too, that you can request medical help with embarkation /disembarkation -- you have to complete a form ahead of time.

Remember you're allowed to carry on a 12-pack of sodas.

Sounds like you want a quiet place, and the food is secondary. Have you considered the library or (depending upon the ship) the card room? You can always pick up snacks earlier. Personally, we like to keep cheese, crackers and fruit in our room. Or even ask for an Artisinal Cheese Platter (MDR dessert) to go.

- I've never heard of anyone being charged a corkage fee. - I think most people who bring wine onboard drink it in their cabins /on their balconies. At least I haven't really noticed people bringing wine into the dining room. In what ports? I haven't observed this. Not a rumor. When two adults walk through (each carrying one bottle), they don't really know who's with whom.

Cooking's my thing. My own cooking's better than anything I've had in any restaurant -- onboard or ashore. If you're going to eat at a specialty restaurant, lunch is a better value, but I'm usually in a swimsuit /cover up and don't want to change /take a shower for lunch. I almost always have lunch in the Windjammer -- and while I don't always get a prime window seat, I'm always able to find a table -- largely because I habitually go with a big salad and grilled chicken or fish. I don't particularly enjoy breakfast or lunch in the MDR -- seems to take too long. I can imagine them expanding the specialty options, but I don't see the MDR going away as a "standard" dinner meal. I'm a small person, and I feel sure I'd feel the same. That's my biggest complaint about the MDR! They definitely skimp on the vegetables. Perhaps people just aren't eating them?

How much would I pay? Zero. Admittedly, I'm just not the target audience: - I don't want to give someone else my carry-on. That's why I carry it on. This perk seems quite odd to me. - The priority boarding, disembarkation and meals aren't interesting enough to encourage me to pay. - If I were going to buy internet service and this would literally be only $1-2 more per day, I might consider it, but probably not.

Isn't that true of all businesses? Personally, I like hypothetical discussions, even if they're not likely to bring about any changes. A lot of people don't -- which is why the ship ought to offer limited foods but. not full-scale dinner options. Right. You can't draw a direct line between every single thing on the ship and a line on the profit spreadsheet ... doesn't mean those things could be done away with. Of course tone exists in writing! The kids' club brings the kids to the Windjammer to eat.

Do you have your Cruise Documents yet? Your terminal should be listed -- should be at the end-end-end of your documents.

Interesting. What you say is entirely possible.

We are happy with the food included in the cruise ticket. Our philosophy is that we'd rather eat the meals we've already paid for /save the money for a meal out at home. We always check the MDR's menu ahead of time, and -- if we don't see anything that grabs us -- we'll enjoy dinner in the Windjammer.

Several thoughts: - Yes, we've often asked for dessert "to go". They bring it to you on a plate with a cover, and they (usually) give you a fresh napkin /silverware as well. - Choose carefully if you're taking your dessert "to go". Nothing topped with ice cream. - We have asked for our two desserts to be placed on one plate (less to carry, and we don't mind sharing the plate), but that seems to confuse the staff. - Alternately, you can go up to Windjammer later for dessert.

I don't like to wait until the last moment to pay. You know, life can get in the way sometimes. If you happen to have an emergency (or just a bad day) on 1/22 and you happen to forget ... or if something goes wrong electronically, you might lose your reservation. I like to make that final payment about a week ahead of time.

Well, yeah, you wouldn't be charged for D+ drinks. They're essentially "pre-paid", but if you had purchased an out-of-pocket drink /an individual drink, I promise you the price'd be about $1 higher than it would've been on the ship.

When my kids were small, I used to bring Glow Sticks -- the kind you can buy at the Dollar Store. Just enough light for them to take to bed. Just enough light to walk to the bathroom. Not enough light to bother other people.

Random thoughts: - Your age bracket will find Royal Caribbean a good fit. - You say you're a mix of beachy /non-beachy people. The Wonder ports definitely lean "beachy", whereas the Liberty ports seem to be more of a mixture. Specifically, I'd say Bermuda and San Juan offer more non-beachy options. - Liberty is older, but she is in no way "old" in the sense of being washed up. It's a lovely mid-sized ship with plenty to do. Fewer amenities, yes, but you're wrong to say "less impressive". Mid-sized ships are our favorites. - If you choose Liberty, the two specifics I'd miss are the stop at Coco Cay (I prefer it over Labadee) and the lack of Playmakers sports bar. - Note that if you choose Liberty you'll have more "at sea days". How do you feel about that? - Are ALL of you new to cruising? I'd usually recommend a shorter (4-5 day) cruise for first-timers ... just so you'll know whether you're going to enjoy it. Of course, even if someone in your group turns out not to be a cruiser, he or she will almost certainly enjoy the friend group. - I'd definitely lean towards choosing the ship with the more accessible port. Driving to the port is going to be cheaper than flying, it means you can carry on a 12-pack of sodas, and it removes the possibility of lost luggage.

Drinks on Coco Cay are about $1 extra. I was told it has to do with VAT in the Bahamas.

This sums up my mindset. We sometimes pick up dessert at Windjammer (rather than having it with our actual dinner) and bring it to our room for later ... or we enjoy it while watching MUTS. And, yes, Sorrentos, Promenade Cafe or Park Cafe (maybe others, depending upon your ship) are available ... you might have to wait a few minutes, but you've got time. That's dangerous! Customs can fine you as much as 10K for something as small as an apple! Eat a big breakfast before you leave, but taking food off the ship could potentially be a very expensive choice.

Paid in Full. Three of my favorite words.