Mum2Mercury

You can definitely link your reservations before you sail. I'm not sure HOW to do it because my son-in-law linked ours, but I can see their ship reservation online, and I could make dinner reservations for the whole group of us.

I'm not arguing pro or con-Luddite. I'm saying FIRST help your child to be self-sufficient.

I didn't say from Bayonne. I'm describing my experience with self-disembarkation on two different ships /saying the timing was roughly the same, so I think it's kinda standard.

Independence and Explorer, both in the last six months. I think a lot of people self-disembark now. Assuming you're able-bodied, it's the way to go.

The line will start forming about 6:30 ... as long as you're in it by 7:00 you'll get off pretty quickly, but nothing will make the line start moving sooner than the ship personnel are ready for it ... probably 7:10-7:15ish. Once the line starts moving, it's FAST. Specific thoughts: - This new facial recognition software is incredibly fast; I genuinely didn't realize I was "done" and could move on. - Pack lightly so you can manage your own suitcase in case there's an escalator /won't need to wait for the elevator. - We find we're usually in our car 7:30-7:40ish. We always leave our car full of gas and parked "headed out" to make leaving as easy as possible. Are you flying once you leave the ship? Do you have those plans in place?

I'm not arguing that. I'm saying, Show your kids where the maps are located, point out the landmarks that "point you towards" your room. Teach them what to do if they don't feel safe. Give them tools for self-sufficiency. That doesn't mean they won't ALSO contact you. My mom's favorite saying -- I'm sure you've heard it before: Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime.

Babies aren't allowed in the pool, so it's important that you choose a ship with a splash area. They're very nice. Younger than three, your babies won't qualify for the youngest kids' club, but they offer a babysitting "club". I think it costs $7-8/hour. You can check out toys from the babysitting area.

Excellent news! Yes, I think we've all long-known that the good chairs /good locations are plentiful ... if you eliminate the hogged chairs. I don't have any problem with someone sitting down for hours ... as long as they're actually USING the space. The library, really? In my experience, that's always empty. If I've ever been in the card room, I've forgotten. I'm sure Royal has considered monetizing /reserving the chairs, but it would take staff and effort and would really bring on bad feelings.

That is an insane price. Royal has better ships; of course, that's open to opinion. Your local bar isn't trying to also sell you a vacation ticket. And they have to pay for those drinks somehow ... especially since more and more people are "making Diamond" and qualifying for those free drinks.

If anyone else is looking for something similar, try Etsy or Ebay.

Those prices are insane. Several thoughts: - I get that you're set on a specific month for a milestone birthday right now, but -- for future vacations -- consider that flexibility is your friend. Sometimes moving just a week or two forward (or back) can save money. I understand it's hard to juggle schedules for two jobs and school; more than once I paid more because a specific week was what we COULD do. - Also, consider off-season. The lowest priced cruises tend to be late September - February. The weather in the Caribbean is mild in those months; they're our favorites. - I don't know what ship you're considering, but -- in general -- the newest, largest ships demand a premium price. Royal Caribbean's mid-sized ships (hard to think of Independence, Explorer and their sister ships as "mid-sized") are our favorites, and their prices are lower than the big boys. - Don't assume your son will ever be "too cool" for family vacations. We traveled heavily when our girls were in high school and college, and we have a family cruise scheduled for next year. They endure our interest in historic sites, but -- other than that -- they've always been quite enthusiastic about vacationing with us. My siblings' children are the same. Dunno 'bout this. It'd be nice to have the second bathroom, but paying "both halves" of that second room is expensive. Speaking only for myself, I wouldn't be willing to pay this for a 4-year old, but I probably would pay later when he's a teen. Royal Caribbean does offer "Kids Sail Free" fairly often. I know my oldest daughter booked that for her son next fall. When the kiddo is staying in his parents' room, you pay no ticket price -- that leaves only a couple taxes. Yes, look into the kid-details for your specific ship. A four-year old will be able to enjoy the kids' splash pad + the main pool + slides + the playground + mini-golf. That's a lot of little boy fun. We shared one room when our kids were younger. Sure, it was crowded, but we weren't cruising for the fun of staying in the room. We always got a balcony back then because it was the cheapest way of getting a separate space for our family ... a space where one person could go outside to read quietly or Dad could disappear while the girls were dressing for dinner. A tip for sharing 3/4 in a room: Choose a room near the gym (where one person can shower ... but if this is your plan, bring a small tote with toiletries) or near a public rest room. Prices are crazy right now, and I'm missing the price drops of the past. I hope this is "a bubble" and things will get better in a year or two. If this is the ship and the itinerary you really, really want, and it's a milestone birthday ... you have to decide whether it's worth the cost. Personally, if I could do it AND still keep my savings goals on track, I'd pay. For a once-in-a-lifetime trip, I'd be willing to skip other smaller trips and economize at home for a while.

I'd always rather go on the earliest excursion. I don't see why leaving the ship would be stressful. Before I'd sign on for this excursion, I'd check into private tours for the same activity. Obviously I don't know what the activity in question is, but you may find a shorter private tour that'd allow you to get back sooner. For example, often you'll find very similar excursions that give you options ... maybe Popular Activity alone vs. Popular Activity + beach stop vs. Popular Activity + straw market stop. Look into it and see what non-ship-excursion options you have. Also, private excursions tend to move faster (which would get you back sooner) because they tend to be small groups of 10-20 people, whereas with ship excursions you're usually in a big group, and you're at the mercy of the slowest participants.

I was going to suggest something similar. You and your friends will arrive a day ahead of sailing, right? So schedule a first-thing-in-the-morning massage ... then board the ship and enjoy your lunch. You'll spend less, so schedule a second massage on the beach at one of your island stops!

I did the same thing for my girls when they were teens ... not because I thought the drink package was a need or a bargain, but because I wanted them to have control of their own drinks /not to feel badly about walking away from a drink they'd barely tasted.

Yeah, technology can give parents a false sense of security. Yes, I'd tell my kids, "Okay, so you're saying you're going ____. Come find me after in the Solarium." They always did. Gets turned around? I'd say do a walk-around on the first day, point out, "Look, our room is right by the Next Cruise Office." Point out that they have maps next all the elevators and in other central locations. Teach him how to find his way. Good point. Agree. When my kids were teens, we talked about various situations that could come up ... one of the things we taught them was that if they felt uncomfortable about someone /something, they should leave and walk to the closest place where crew members were doing their jobs ... Windjammer, Guest Services, any bar. On the first day, we'd look around and talk about appropriate places to get help. And we taught them that, if they felt it necessary, they should start screaming (as opposed to waiting their turn politely). In general, a ship is a safe place, but bad apples exist. Note what I said above ... teach your kids to go to the nearest place where crew members are working. Totally agree that going back to the room /letting him know where "you live" isn't the smartest thing to do, but it makes sense that's what a child would do.

It does sound like they went "above and beyond" for you. You seem to have appreciated their attentions and help. An extra $20 would be nice, but -- given that you've already paid your basic tips -- it isn't essential.

No answer, just questions: - Has this excursion provider been in business a while, and do they have a good reputation and plenty of positive independent reviews? - If you're unsure about this particular excursion, do similar excursions exist? Or slightly earlier time slots? Or other tour providers? I'm saying, Have you checked all your options? - I'm a bit confused on the transportation. Does the tour provider pick you up /drop you off at the port, or must you make your way to the float plane yourself? - Personally, I like to be back on the ship (not heading towards the ship, but ON THE SHIP) two hours before "on board time". That's my personal comfort level.

I don't see why this should be a problem.

Internet onboard wasn't an option when my kids were teens. We didn't have any problem keeping up with them: - Each kid had a pad of sticky notes in a unique color. - When they went out, they had to leave a sticky note on the TV saying where they were. We left notes for them too. - They were required to check in with us about every two hours. We made it their responsibility, and they always found us. - We always went to dinner as a family, and after dinner they were with us OR in a teen club activity. My kids aren't always angels, but we never had any problems with them on a cruise.

I'd say $9 is low-average but not "very cheap". That'd be expensive in my area.

The Freedom-class ships (Liberty is in that group) is my favorite size. It's plenty big without being overwhelming.

I don't understand this thought process. Just because I've spent $$$ on the cruise doesn't mean I shouldn't be frugal about drinks. The ticket purchase is one purchase. Drink purchases are a separate choice, and I don't see any connection. Perhaps you'd choose to stay in an Inside Guarantee so you could afford the Deluxe Drink Package. Perhaps I'd pay for a suite but drink only water. Unrelated topics. That's an easy calculation. Let's say you bring a 12-pack of soda (which, in my experience, lots of people do). A 12-pack costs $5 at my local grocery store. In contrast, buying 12 cans of soda onboard Royal Caribbean would cost 3.50 + 18% mandatory tip. That'd come to $49.56 ... so you'd save $44.56 by carrying on your 12-pack. Per person. Glad it's fine with you what I bring. Not a big effort to bring cans in a backpack, assuming no mobility issues. Consider, too, you could bring it in a wheeled bag. Yes, my husband has become hooked on Mountain Dew Zero lately. That's not a popular drink. I can't even find it at the grocery store every day of the week. I'm not aware the cruise line has ever had a problem with plastic bottles, but I personally try to stick to aluminum cans for environmental reasons; aluminum recycles easily, whereas much plastic cannot ... and every piece of plastic that's ever been sent to a landfill is still in that landfill. This business of America selling its plastic refuse to third world countries is already starting to catch up to us.

What was his attitude? Was he sincerely looking for information from you, the customer? Potato chips are also sold in large commercial boxes, and adding a handful to a plate isn't difficult. Royal doesn't have to go with more expensive, space-hogging, worse-for-the-Earth individual bags.

I may've already said that I've had an obstructed view, and -- for the savings -- I was fine with it. If I'd paid full price, I would've been upset. On the other hand, being far from the elevator has its pros and cons. Farther from the elevator means less foot traffic past your cabin; thus, quieter.

I think you're getting good advice from the people who say, "It might work out, but -- then again -- it might not." My recent experience has been that they DO check time slots. I understand your motivation for wanting to board together / take pictures together. My suggestions: - You say you're at the same hotel. Take pictures after breakfast. It'll be less chaotic than during embarkation, and you won't all be carrying backpacks and tote bags. - Take pictures before dinner one night. They'll have a backdrop set up near the entrance to the MDR, and photographers will come around to your tables. - If photographs are really, really important to you, set up a photo appointment for your family onboard.