Mum2Mercury

Asking the obvious question: If ladders are a problem, why this particular excursion? So many are available, why not make a different choice? Tweaking the question: What kind of experience do you want to have on this island?

Another option: Can he get take-out?

We usually sail Guaranteed, and we've always had a room number within 1-2 weeks of sailing. If I didn't, I'd do two things: - Use the bar code trick. Pull up your boarding pass on your computer. Use your phone to scan the bar code. Voila -- your cabin number will appear at the end of the string of numbers. I've used this many times to learn my cabin number a few days ahead of assignment. It's always been right. - Call Customer Service and ask them. Tell them you're nervous about traveling to your port without knowing your room number -- that's not a lie. You're not likely to run into trouble, but I'd be willing to call to know the cabin number. Call either early in the morning or late at night (they're open until 11:00), and you'll get through quickly.

To answer your original question, ABSOLUTELY people cruise without the drink package. I think MOST people cruise without the drink package. Before you decide to pay that large amount of money, consider: - How many days will be at-sea vs. ashore? You won't drink as many drinks (alcoholic or otherwise) on shore days. - You're allowed to bring 12 non-alcoholic beverages + 1 bottle of wine onboard. Realistically, each person can bring this much. - You can bring 1-2 drinks back from each shore stop. They don't look twice at aluminum cans, but they check bottles. - Without cost you can get tea (iced or hot), coffee (iced or hot), lemonade, fruit punch, and juice or milk at breakfast. The water onboard is purified same as bottled water. - If you're not picky about cocktails, the ship offers a "special of the day" every day, and it's a couple dollars cheaper. - If you're sailing on a ship with a Playmakers, they offer a pitcher of beer for a good price. - The pool bar (only the pool bar) on all ships offers a Bucket of Beers, which is like paying for 4 /getting 5. - When you're doing your calculations, don't forget to add 18% to your total. That's significant. - If you want the drink package for convenience but will only drink a few drinks each day, add up your anticipated amount and buy that much On Board Credit. You've just created your own right-sized drink package.

No, they have other cabin categories as well. Agree -- let's keep complaining about this. Royal needs to hear that we do care. How pretentious. They had some wrong answers in Game of Thrones trivia too. Agree that all seats are good, but front row is B.E.S.T. -- BEST! And then once you've put money down you feel committed. You're not going to price other lines if you've put money down. It's a brilliant marketing idea. I always pick what I'm going to reserve before we board. I don't like to feel rushed. And bring $35 for that chair /umbrella. That is incredibly rude. Drives me crazy. We always do this on the first day -- preferably before lots of people board. We like to go to the tippy-top and circle our way down.

Positives of cameras: - The lens on a new phone won't beat the lens on a good-quality point-and-shoot. - The batteries in a point-and-shoot will outlast a phone. - They're better for action shots, though not nearly as good as a DSL. Negatives: - It's easier to post to social media if your images are in your camera. - They require carrying a separate item. Again, I taught photography for 18 years.

The Solarium is one of my favorite places on a ship, and I've seen the same. However, I don't think that's a tough one for the crew to enforce -- either you are or you're not a child. Other rules are less cut-and-dry. And it can go the other direction. I remember going to out to get my hair cut at 37 weeks pregnant. I ran into a college friend whom I hadn't seen in years, and she didn't notice I was pregnant. I was wearing a sweatshirt and looked like I'd just gained a few pounds. Scofflaws -- had to look it up. Thanks for teaching me a new word! I think you're just about right with that number. Often my husband and I ask one another, "How do these people stay alive?"

I've never been into video, but -- yeah -- if you do like taking videos, you should make that a part of your choice. Consider, too, that video eats up battery faster than still pictures. And, having taught photography for 18 years, I'm still a devotee of the "real camera". Today's point-and-shoots have come a long way. Have you considered Lands End swimsuits? I'm in my upper 50s now, and I like them because they're made with more support. They're also available in a D cup. If you end up skipping the swimsuit, do consider a shorts-and-tank-top type outfit that you could wear on the pool deck. I think you'll end up wanting it, and it doesn't take much space in the suitcase. I had a pair of Sketchers hiking boots, and I wore them until they fell apart. Typically I advocate for "no repeats" in shoe categories, but since you're going to do a lot of walking in Europe, a second pair might be worthwhile. For example, when we were in Cozumel a couple months ago we were caught in a downpour, and my sandals stayed soaked until the next day ... but I was able to wear my tennis shoes. Consider what'd go with your shore outfits in a similar situation. All my swimsuits are Lands End /all came from Ebay. I know my Lands End size, so I haven't been disappointed in size, and prices are very reasonable. Buying used is also Earth-friendly. Several thoughts on this topic: - In all fairness, a lot of people don't really know how to use all their camera's features. - The Digital Divide is real. About 1/3 of my students -- and we're talking current high school students, those who've never known a world without computers and cell phones -- are computer idiots. Seriously. This 1/3 can surf the internet like champs, but they can't problem shoot and don't read instructions online. They're confused by instructions like, "Print only page 3 of this 10-page document." Anything that requires more than two steps confuse them, as do downloads. They are consumers of technology /not users of technology. - Cruising with a cell phone is easier now /will probably become even more of a convenience. BUT I don't think it'll ever be "impossible" to cruise without one.

Putting time aside, here's what you need to know. Traditional dining is tightly scheduled; that is, everyone at all tables gets appetizers at the same time, then entrees at the same time ... the kitchen /their pick-up lines are set up to do it this way. If you choose Traditional dining, you should be on time. It's what you're signing up for. People will arrive a little early and wait for the doors to be opened. On the other hand, My Time Dining is more like going to a restaurant. You might be starting your appetizers while the people at the next table are finishing their dessert. Their pick-up lines are set up differently.

Pretty much every cruise we've taken has had a couple groups on board -- not always big enough to call them a "partial charter", but groups are very common. We've never sailed with a group that was a problem. I take the stairs almost exclusively ... unless I'm wearing heels or unless I'm going more than three floors up.

Small detail, but important: If you don't put the name of the ship and your sailing date in the subject line, they won't read it. We make the same dining request for every cruise. They usually don't even answer us, and they honor our request about 50% of the time.

I've always thought so! The waiting kills me! Not knowing until the last minute is the only think I dislike about Guarantees. We've always been happy with our assignment. Don't get me wrong, we really like the balcony! But for the price difference, we've found that we're quite happy with an Inside. Three times - In the distant past, we were bumped from an Inside Guarantee to an Ocean View. - In the last year we were bumped from an Inside Guarantee to a Promenade View. Okay, that wasn't really an upgrade because a Promenade is an Inside, but it's top-end Inside, which isn't promised. - In the last six months we were assigned an Inside Handicapped Room, which -- again -- wasn't really an upgrade, but it was larger than a standard Inside, and we did enjoy it. Except the shower. - In between we've mostly had plain Insides, which we find comfortable for the two of us -- but we would not want to share with a third person, not even our small grandson. When we're in an Inside, we keep the TV on the Bridge Channel -- not sure that's the real name -- but it shows us whether it's raining, whether the sun is up, etc. It's a good little work-around. I'd say some is significantly better, while most is just better. (The food that comes out of my own kitchen beats it all.) I agree with your assessment of the MDR food -- average to very good. In general, I think they do a good job with fish, a not-so-good-job with steaks, and are skimpy with vegetables. BUT we believe a better meal doesn't add much to our cruise, whereas spending that money on a dinner out at home adds more significantly to an everyday week.

Nope, I cruise for the combination of ship, activities, food and destinations. None of those things outweigh the others.

Were the menus available earlier /now are gone? They might be making adjustments.

Thoughts: - Of course you have to go with your grandchildren! - Your details mean you can't have dinner in the MDR at 6:30. You can eat at several other places at 6:30. - No, we don't personally care for specialty restaurants. We've tried 'em, and we don't see that they add that much to our trip. We don't care to pay a second time for dinner; we'd rather have the "included" meal on the ship + go out to dinner at home. - Yes, check-in begins at midnight (in the time zone from which your ship sails) 45 days out. - When we were still working /couldn't travel as often, we always went with a balcony cabin. Now that we're retired, we tried inside guarantees, and we're loving them! We're happy downsizing our room to be able to travel more often. - Deck 6 is not particularly popular, but it's our personal favorite. We like being one floor up from the Promenade on Deck 5 and two floors up from the open walking areas on Deck 4. As I said, we're going with inside guarantees these days, and we're almost always assigned to Deck 6 /midship. - We don't particularly like far forward, as it's far from ... well, everything. - Your specific room is sandwiched between an outdoor deck and other cabins -- should be a quiet spot. Not a problem for me! Being under 5' has its benefits.

We booked an Inside Guarantee for a cruise last fall and were assigned to a handicapped room, so they must have a surplus sometimes.

If I'm understanding this correctly: - It's not about Royal Caribbean. - It's not about any excursion /tour operator. - It's not about medical response time. - It IS about an adult making a bad decision to dive into shallow water.

No way to know. My husband and I sent ours out on the same day -- no difference in our applications. His zipped back in two weeks. Mine took something like 12 weeks. It's a mystery.

I'll say up front, I'm the opposite of an over-packer. I prefer a real camera. 1) They don't go through batteries as quickly as a phone, and you can carry extra batteries in your purse. You may not be able to recharge your phone during a full day's exploring. 2) As a retired photography teacher, I know I get better photographs with a real camera. I would bring a swimsuit. It takes very little space in your bag, and relaxing in the hot tub after walking all day would be pleasant. If you're going to need to buy one, consider looking to ebay to pay as little as possible. I've never had any problems with suits being ruined onboard. Day wear. Since you're going to Europe, I'm assuming you'll be dressing nicely -- pants and nice blouses? I'd bring 1-2 pair of dark jeans or pants that can be worn multiple days. Add a fresh blouse for each day and a light jacket that'll match everything, and you'll be set. Dinner wear. I like to wear dresses, and I'd pack one for every two evenings. No one will notice if you "repeat", and you're probably not going to go to the Main Dining Room every evening anyway. Shoes. Someone above already said, Bring comfortable, worn-in shoes. Very good advice. Don't over-pack shoes; they're serious space hogs. My rule is 3 pair of shoes ... I board wearing tennis shoes, pack one pair of comfortable sandals, and one pair of dinner shoes. Choose basic colors that'll match everything you're taking. If my plans include water-based excursions, I'd add water shoes ... but you've indicated that's not a need for you. I'd bring an attractive backpack /one that doesn't look trail-ready as a carry-on for Embarkation day ... then use it for your daily shore-trips bag. Definitely go with something hands-free. Another good option is a Healthy Back Bag ... I have a medium and a large (both purchased off ebay), and they're very comfortable option.

Yes, excluding alcohol, Royal has two drink package options + the coffee card: - Soda package -- gives you unlimited soda served from a Freestyle machine. Each person must buy a package. Add 18% mandatory gratuity to the price. A single soda onboard will cost about $3.50 + 18% mandatory gratuity. - Refreshment package -- soda + mocktails, smoothies, milkshakes, bottled water. Each person must buy a package. Add 18% mandatory gratuity to the price. If you're purchasing individually, mocktails, smoothies and milkshakes run about $8 + 18% mandatory gratuity. Bottled waters run about $3. - Coffee card -- Cruisers have reported mixed results with these cards; some bartenders take 1 punch /others take 2 punches for the same purchase. This card is accepted at ship-based coffee spots /not Starbucks. To complicate the choices: - You're allowed to bring a 12-pack of soda (or other non-alcoholic beverage) onboard. - You can bring 1-2 sodas back on board after island stops. They won't look twice at cans but will look at your screw-top bottles. - You can get basic coffee without cost ... hot or iced, whereas fancy coffees will cost about the same as Starbuck's or Duncan Doughnuts at home. - Water onboard is good /just pure as bottled water. - Instead of purchasing a package, some people choose to "create their own package" by figuring up what they're likely to spend on drinks and purchasing that amount in OBC (On Board Credit). Some people find it easier to enjoy their cruise if things are all pre-paid.

First, don't get too excited about BOGOF ... though BOGO Half Off is what we've seen lately. The reality is that they jack up the price so that the total cost comes out to be about the same thing. Never make your decisions based upon this or that sale; instead, look at the actual cost. Second, I have never paid attention to that particular "sale" onboard, but it's generally accepted that you'll pay the highest possible price once you're on board. If you're asking, Can I know ahead of time which sailings may offer a discount on the drink package?, the answer is no. Royal raises /lowers /throws out sales for the drink package, but you can only see what's available for your particular cruise after you're booked. In general, though, you're likely to find lower prices on smaller ships and off-season sailings.

Agree, given that they aren't really suites at all. A suite is a series of connected rooms. Royal, like many other vacation venues, uses the term incorrectly to refer to a larger or more luxurious room.

Once you're booked, you'll have to call to add gratuities. To avoid a long wait on the phone, call early or late; they're open until 11:00 pm.

The 5-4-3-2-1 concept is meant to be a guideline /a starting place, not a rigid set of rules. Thoughts: - Typically I'd include the pants I'm wearing as one of the three bottoms, BUT if it were a longer trip, a place where I might get sweaty and need to change more often, or just a more dressy place, I might pack three. - Note that the big deal is that all the separates will work together. - Modifications would be based upon the trip. For a cruise, I'd bring more swimsuits /cover ups. For Yellowstone, I'd bring more socks. For a lazy beach trip where we'd hang around playing board games in the living room, I'd pack more PJs. - For two weeks, I'd increase the clothing but probably wouldn't double it. For example, I'd probably count on jeans and dark pants /skirts being "enough" for two weeks. Ditto for shoes and jackets /layering pieces. But I'd bring more blouses for two weeks. - I wouldn't hope things'd dry nicely. I'd test them at home. Good luck with your packing.

I think the issue is that IF you were somehow delayed (illness or injury?) and couldn't return on time, you could potentially be unable to re-enter the US. But how likely is it that you'd be delayed until June? Sounds like an over-abundance of caution. Birth certificates, on the other hand, do not expire.