cured

Tell us you have never sailed Star Class without telling us. And to answer your question. Yes. We have never found any of the butlers on any of the other lines give the same kind of service as the genies.

Your wife technically would not be eligible for the reserved suite seats. Only you and the child you were booked with get suite privileges. Your wife and the other child would still be in their original cabin. Your wife cannot use the child's suite privileges when the are in AO. Although as mentioned, the suite seats are not always in the best place.

When calculating a living wage, do you factor in housing, utilities, food, healthcare, all things that would have to be paid out of pocket on land? If it is so horrible, why are your family members still working on a ship?

What I have observed is that most of those who are strictly pro everyone dressing formal are those who have little opportunity on land to attend functions where they dress formal. Their comments are often peppered with "it is our chance to dress up", "we don't get to dress up otherwise" etc. They desperately need and want everyone to participate in their fantasy in order to feel like they are at some legitimate fancy affair. They cite rules and proper attire (where none is actually required) to guilt those into participating. Then you have the other core group, those who have to regularly dress more formally in everyday life. Perhaps they still wear a suit and tie to work everyday. Or they are required to attend formal events for either work or charities they sponsor. This group wants nothing to do with donning a suit coat, a dress, a button down shirt, or dress pants during their vacation. Then you have the majority, those who absolutely don't care what others wear, who don't notice what others wear, are engaged with their companions and not clutching their pearls over what Sam across the room is wearing. They are enjoying their vacation no matter how they are dressed and most importantly no matter how anyone else is dressed. Be like Applebees during prom season. The kids dropped off in their limo, dressed to the nines, are having the time of their lives, feeling great about themselves, and not even noticing the regular clientele dressed in shorts and tshirts sitting next to them. The clientele who dropped in for dinner in their shorts are enjoying their dinner with their companions, not feeling self conscious because a group has decided to dress up for dinner. They might even be oohing and aweing over some of the beautiful gowns (although even prom is more dressed down than in the past here.) Enjoy your dinner. If you are in a tux and gown, enjoy feeling fabulous about yourself and your companions. Strut your stuff. But don't let your dinner be ruined because the whole place is not decked out. If you are in shorts and a t shirt, feel wonderful about yourself and have a blast with your companions. Complement the tux or the gorgeous gown as they walk by if you feel so inclined. Don't ever feel bad about your choice of dress as long as the important people, Royal Caribbean, allows it. And at this time, formal is an optional choice. Love it or leave it.

I have elevated respect, and my respect is already high, for the Coast Guard. They have incredible patience with the non-stop "is it open yet?"

Earlier, Coast guard told one ship (MSC ?) to expect the pilot at 3:30

Sounds like this is going to be a long day for the cruise ships. According to marine traffic radio, the north channel remains closed due to the yacht that is sunk in the channel. Someone on the Celebration just posted that they have been told they may have to divert to another port.

Currently listening to Marine radio on youtube webcam. They are warning people that they have divers in the water. Just told Carnival Celebration that the fire boat is in place and waiting for them. Prayers to all involved. Medical evac from Carnival Celebration Cruise ships waiting to enter channel

You can post it all you want. It is not going to change things. Royal Caribbean has decided to not enforce a dress code no matter how badly some people want everyone to do things their way. And they are not enforcing it just to placate some cruisers. Royal Caribbean has no problem enforcing rules when it matters even if a passenger gets miffed. They have no problems telling people they are too heavy or too short to go down slides, ziplines, Ifly, and other things where safety is a concern. Your child not potty trained, no AO for you. No closed toe shoes, no climbing. They enforce where it matters. They just don't care what you wear in the dining rooms. If Royal Caribbean was so worried about hurting people's feelings by telling them to go change, it would be safe to assume that their not wanting to hurt people's feelings would carry over to other places on the ship where they do enforce standards.

And for even more formality, a jacket with the socks. I have seen rants on here about men wearing shorts with a suit jacket and tie. Oh my, shorts. Just pointing out that shorts are acceptable in Bermuda where the poster said she had traveled extensively and does not see shorts.

Must not have spent much time in Bermuda or researched the customs there. Bermuda is the only place in the world where there is national attire for men. Millions of people who have not yet visited Bermuda may think they know of Bermuda Shorts. But only the dress Bermuda shorts – what male Bermudians and professional business newcomers from all walks of life wear for business attire and cocktail parties – are the real Bermuda shorts, worn three inches above the knee.

Of course there are still some places that are very proper. In every country there are still randome places that are very proper. But they are very specific like a 5* restaurant. There are still a few restaurants that require coats but they are in the minority these days. But general dress code are much, much more relaxed than they were decades ago. No public eating? When is the last time you were in Europe? The streets are lined with tables and chairs with people eating outside in public. When in Europe we often decided the restaurant we want to eat at by strolling down the street and seeing the food on people's plates. When something looks particularly good, that is the restaurant we eat at if there is not a long wait. Even as a child, street vendors were and are still very popular. Frites in Belgium with a huge dollop of mayo is one of my favorites. Raw herring in the Netherlands by the sea. Grab it by the tail and down it goes. YUM! Brezels in Switzerland and Germany, Every country in Europe has street vendors with amazing food. No shorts at the store? How old are your relatives? Again, when was the last time you were in Europe? Not for several decades it seems. The dress codes in Europe among the younger generations make us Americans (continent) look like prudes from the puritan ages. Here is a random google picture of a French grocery store. Looks pretty westernized with lots of shorts in view. *Note, this was the first picture in the search. I did not go picking and choosing a picture that had shorts in it.

First of all, yes, I have seen plenty of people in shorts in Europe, including all of my cousins, aunts, uncles, and other relatives in Europe. We grew up not even being able to eat an apple with our hands. Everything was proper and there was no such thing as finger food. It took me a long time to be comfortable eating french fries out of a box with my fingers. But times have changed. What my parents grew up with 80 years ago no longer applies to today's world. Just like we don't still wear long gowns with corsets and bustles. Appropriate dress wear changes over time. Secondly, in the Caribbean and other warm weather countries, which you have not mentioned, it is much more relaxed. Where do you think "Bermuda shorts" come from? Bermuda shorts for men are considered formal wear. It is just not feasible to require long pants, shirts, and jackets in the heat and humidity, so Caribbean and Pacific islands, etiquette is much more relaxed.

I am not sure, but I do think that the MDR as well as most restaurants with tablecloths frown on shirtless men even if they do have long pants on.

We sail suites approximately 2x per year. Kids are grown and out of college. House is paid for. The monthly savings we put into their college tuition fund and paid into the mortgage is now allocated to our vacation fund + additional 401k/savings. Careful planning and booking early is helpful. If you subtract the UDP, the UBP, internet, and everything else that is included, the suite can work out to be a bargain. Even in today's prices, we have found good prices, you just have to be flexible with itinerary and dates which we are ok with. We also prioritize memories with our children. We don't spend a ton on cars or fancy furniture or fancy houses. Everyone has different priorities and that is ok. You choose to prioritize your house, car, and other things. We choose vacations. All is good.