GEMomTo3

We are traveling on either the Serenade of the Seas or the Navigator of the Seas in March with three kiddos who drink a lot of milk...is this free onboard and if so, do we have to get it in the dining room or can we get it for free other places onboard? Just trying to figure out if we are going to have to spend a small fortune to get the white stuff for my kids or not.

Also, if it is not free, can I pack a case of those organic milk boxes in my luggage and put in the mini bar in our room? Or would they be confiscated? I know you can't carry on alcohol but didn't know about this type of thing.

And I read somewhere that they will no longer empty your mini bar for you? Anyone know if this is true. I have two reasons for wanting it done...first, so we can put our own drinks in it (leftovers, etc) and two b/c I don't want to explain to my kids over and over why they can't have anything out of it.

Thanks - it is has been 10 years since I cruised and it was when I was young, single and w/o kids.

We are currently sitting on two different reservations for Spring Break in late March 2014. One is on the Navigator of the Seas out of Galveston and the other is Serenade of the Seas out of New Orleans. Both are 7 nights and go to the same ports of call. I am looking for feedback/opinions on which we should choose.

We are a group of 7: 4 adults (my husband and I, & my parents) and 3 children (ages 3,5 & 7). My husband, kids and I will be driving to either port from IL and my parents live outside of Dallas. If we go to Galveston, we will likely drive to Dallas the day before and go to Galveston on the day of departure (saving on hotel). If we go to New Orleans, we will meet my parents there the day before departure and stay close to port.

On the Serenade of the Seas we have two connecting balcony staterooms books on deck 8, aft and have Family Time Dining. One of our kids will bunk with my parents.

On Navigator of the Seas, we have one of the new Family Panoramic view staterooms on Deck 12 booked for our family of 5 and my parents are booked in an E2 balcony on deck 12 just around the corner from us. Unfortunately, we could only get My Time Dining for this cruise. I have also considered changing to two balconies if I can get connecting ones.

The biggest drawback I see to the Navigator for our family and the ages of our kiddos is that they don't have any type of kids pool/slide and I foresee us spending lots of time in the water. But Serenade has less 'stuff' to do, I think.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks from a compulsive planner/researcher when it comes to vacations :)