leaveitallbehind

I don't know, do you apologize? There just is no point or value to the majority of the comments. If the shoe fits....

That is certainly true as with many things, the daily cost of the drink packages has been steadily increasing. We have never purchased the drink package as to us, based on our average consumption, it would be less costly to purchase the drinks a la carte. But to be fair that decision is driven primarily by the fact that with our C& A status we each receive 5 drink coupons daily and that typically covers our day's requirements. Any additional drinks are far more economic to purchase as needed. I do understand your dilemma, however, in particular when you look at the total cost of the packages and realize it includes port days when you are most likely primarily going to be off the ship. Add that to the concern you have regarding your wife not likely utilizing the full value makes it a difficult decsion.

I think the simple solution would be either for your wife to drink more or for you to care less - LOL. But I understand, looking at it from a break-even can be somewhat daunting. I think @NotADopey1 has the right idea if you are on the fence about it.

Based on the vast majority of cruisers I have had the great pleasure of being around, IMO it would be best if they kept as much clothing as possible in place on their person at all times - pool or no pool. And I will include myself in that distinguished list!

And this three year old thread was resurrected for this??? Sorry, just don't get it.

As mentioned, official "formal" nights are a thing of the past. But that being said, feel free to wear whatever you want. But be prepared to see people in anything from casual to tuxedo and everything in between, with typically far less "formal" than in your previous experience.

Always? Not sure it can be said with that degree of absolute certainty. But as @Ourusualbeachindicates that is one source of information that should have the correct ship time v port time listed. But along with the app, it will also typically be broadcast, posted in the ship's daily information sheet, and shown at the disembarkation station with each port of call.

Enjoy!

It's an interesting argument. I know you, as I, can well recall the days of the long lines and mass groupings at the terminal with everyone trying to board at 11:00. At the time all check in was done at the counters where documents were checked, pictures taken, and room cards issued. The process often took (depending on port) 45 minutes or longer in our experience. At least it was that way with RCCL. In some cases just before, but certainly resulting from covid, the check in times were initiated and early on rather strictly enforced. On line check in also came to prominence. And IMO the process smoothed out and was much shorter and more efficient. I know most people still hope for the earliest times (myself to some extent as well), but even the later times still have you on board reasonably early and, again in our experience, with far less hassle and time at the terminal. Not sure eliminating those slots wouldn't result in a return to the old days? I wonder if with your Princess experience people weren't staggering their own arrivals or maybe staged naturally with flight arrivals, etc.? Who knows, keeping everything else as is and with good staffing, maybe eliminating the check in queues wouldn't be a bad thing. I guess it certainly would be worth a try. If it didn't work out they could always go back to it.

In our experience on that itinerary, there was no change in ship time to local time.

As others have mentioned it is strictly the Captain's choice, when there is a time zone difference, to change to the local time or not. As I understand it, typically it is to the convenience of the crew and their daily work schedule versus that of the passengers in port. It is often far easier to maintain the original ship departure / return port time so as not to disrupt the crew's hours with their schedules for a given port of call than to have the passengers simply adjust their time accordingly for that port of call. All ship sponsored, and typically as well with independent tours, would be aware of the ship time in port and will coordinate those tours accordingly. One typical exception, as example, is with East coast US to Bermuda cruises when there is two or three days in port. In our experience at a point en route to the island the Captain will change the ship time to match the port time since the ship is there for that extended period of time. The reverse takes place on the return. It is then both to the convenience of the passengers as well as the crew. The other typical examples would be with trans-Atlantic and Pacific repositioning cruises where the time is adjusted with each time zone transitioned.

Not arguing your point and I don't disagree that all of the above factors are important and come into play when choosing a cruise. It's a holistic decision that would consider everything mentioned. But where the ship goes and with what you hope to experience in those ports of call on that given itinerary is IMO a primary driving factor in that decision. I would guess that most cruisers think first of where they want to go and then consider all of the other factors you mention in deciding how to best get there to fit their cruising preferences and expectations. And as previously said, if only one or two key ports of call drive that itinerary choice, then they certainly could have a disappointing outcome. JMO.

I am aware of that and indicated that in my original response, but thanks!

Not something I was aware of. Learn something new everyday. I guess some fares / airlines terms require it.

Jet Blue and United non-stops both ways EWR. Not sure why you aren't seeing it. If you booked through a TA call them, if not call FBC at 800.533.7803.