MPalermo

We requested that someone develop a more modern muster drill for years.  Long before Covid I thought it was a way of infecting as many people as possible with colds, flu, Norovirus etc. at the start of the trip, especially when you are shoulder to shoulder with people against you in front and back.  Been on 40 cruises and have seen people pass out and people vomit.  Nice way to start a trip.  

spoke to royal rep last night.  the website still says it is available from Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral and Seattle.  Just got back from Canaveral and we were counting on it (recent surgery) and booked flights accordingly.  Even told by rep before we left that it was available (he was going by the website!).  It is only available in Seattle, so hopefully, they will update the website or get it back in the other places and more.  For those of us flying, it is quite a service.

Both times we did MTD we had the same table and wait staff every night. We were also at the same time as the early dining time, just in the dining room above the other!

Yes, we have always been able to get Disoranno. About the free drinks on your card - they are usually timed to coincide with the Diamond and + times. A caution is that we have been on a couple of cruises with so many diamond guests that the lounge wouldn't hold them all. Last trip on Liberty, all they had was a bar with 2 or 3 wines and 2 or 3 liquors for simple drinks because of the lines waiting. After a couple of days though, they actually roped off an area of an adjacent lounge to serve guests. Don't forget that you can also bring 2 bottles of wine on board (per cabin) unless they changed that very recently. We never had a problem getting drinks at any of the other bars. Lately, we have always purchased the alcohol package when on sale, but it is not worth it for us if it isn't 20% off, since we get three free per evening.

Just to clarify my comments: we have been on 3 RCCL cruises in '16 and'17. You really have to keep checking 'My Cruises' online. We have purchased the alcohol packages on 10 or 11 cruises and it has always gone to 20% off. It might only be for 48 hours at a time so you need to keep watching. Going on Oasis in Nov and it was 20% off for months which brought the premium package to $44 + gratuities. I had it in the cart at that rate but at final payment it went back up. The refreshment package and soda package went to 30% off last week. When RCCL started the alcohol package, everyone in the cabin had to get the same package, but for the last several years, each can get something different. What stinks is that on our last cruise, a couple of people who went through travel agents were not allowed to do that. Don't know if that is a policy or if the agents were misinformed (or just didn't want to check). All of us who reserved directly with RCCL were not restricted that way. You are also permitted to bring 2 bottles of wine onboard with you.

We have done both. I am waiting now since it is full price (had it in my cart at 20% off, but it went up:(). We are diamond members so get some free drinks anyway, but at 20% off it is still a good deal, not so for us at $55. Every time we purchased it ahead of time at 20% off, they were offering on the first day at that price, so unless it goes down this time, we will wait and see. You really just have to decide if you will drink enough and if you want the convenience.

We normally do the MDR. I have always been able to book a table for our party. (You have to do it early, or when the travel people "dump" their held cruises back on the market.) We have done the My Time Dining on two cruises with just the two of us and we had a table for two every night. We are going on Oasis in Nov for the first time and requested a table for our group. RCCL has always worked to accommodate any request.

Make the last free on an Italian Iced Tea. It substitutes Disoranno for Cola. It can last you quite a while! I had this first on a Liberty cruise, but it is different on every other ship. You could just tell the bartender what you like and they will make some great suggestions.:D

Unfortunately, I have not seen that! We have been cruising for several years and have noticed a great unconcern for dress codes. There are some nights when we want a 'formal' atmosphere. Even on lines that still have formal nights, we see people in shorts and flip flops in the formal dining room, even though there are buffets and informal dining. The specialty dining, even when at an added charge, is a way to hopefully provide a special evening for those who want it. I have been turned away from a resort restaurant for not having a jacket at a smart casual venue, so I know it does happen.

Thank You for the info. We are really leaning towards RCCL Jewel. We have been to the Star's ports before, but it's mainly because we were so impressed with the Jewel experience before. (Hope things haven't changed!)

Thank You. Done.

Booking a transatlantic out of Rome Nov. 2018. Have been on RCCL Jewel in 2016 and thought it was the best cruise ever, but we have only been on RCCL ships (18) cruises. Going on NCL Epic soon so I will have a better idea of NCL, but Star of course is much smaller. We do like the option of a set dining time on RCCL and have read many reviews about the availability of entertainment on NCL. I realize most have a preference, but has anyone been on both Jewel and Star and have an opinion? What about entertainment and activities all those days at sea, many of which will not be swimming weather?

:confused: Booking a transatlantic out of Rome Nov. 2018. Have been on RCCL Jewel in 2016 and thought it was the best cruise ever, but we have only been on RCCL ships (18) cruises. Going on NCL Epic soon so I will have a better idea of NCL, but Star of course is much smaller. We do like the option of a set dining time on RCCL and have read many reviews about the availability of entertainment on NCL. I realize most have a preference, but has anyone been on both Jewel and Star and have an opinion? What about entertainment and activities all those days at sea, many of which will not be swimming weather?