Mum2Mercury

Looks pretty cool to me.

We have emailed them, and they've never actually emailed back -- but we have about a 50-50 success rate. When we haven't been given what we wanted, we've gone to the Head Waiter on Day 1 and have made a request, and they've always switched us. Yes to including those important details in your email subject line.

Are you sailing from an American port /arriving a day or two ahead of time? If so, I'd try to make some small purchases from a drug store /grocery store and ask for $1 change. Doing it before you board the ship is more of a sure thing.

I love hanging out in the Solarium (not just on Embarkation Day). The main pool is too loud for me. We also board carrying just a backpack, but we don't have kids. Well, I mean, we do, but they're adults and can carry their own stuff. You can get both in Windjammer. Often I go into Windjammer just to pick up a drink.

We always board as early as possible -- we want our vacation to start! -- and usually go to Windjammer first. In my experience -- and I only sail in the fall, which is quiet, off-season -- all the complaints about Windjammer on Day 1 are overblown. We don't always snag a prime seat by the window, but we have never been unable to find a seat. People do take longer in the Windjammer on Day 1, but I think it's because people aren't yet accustomed to the layout and are taking longer to figure out where the silverware is located, where the ketchup is kept, etc. And people do have their carry-on bags with them, which won't be true later in the week -- but most people seem to eat and move on. Sometimes we grab a table near the pool (these are in the shade) and go to the Windjammer one at a time for a plate. If you just want a small sandwich or snack, consider Promenade Cafe. Pizza doesn't usually open until a little later. If you go to the main pool deck and walk forward, you'll find outdoor seating areas that're usually empty. The Solarium isn't usually busy early on, but the kids can't hang out with you there. If you want to go to the library, you'll be able to do so. It's located between the cabins and never closes. From the library you'll be able to see (closed) doors on each side leading to the cabins. We once hung out in the Promenade before cabins opened. My husband had taken a hankering to have a beer from the British pub. That was my least favorite choice -- I'd rather be outside somewhere. One more thing while you're talking about what to carry on: Don't carry on your swimsuits. If you think you want to enjoy the pools, slides and Flowrider early, board wearing your swimsuit + a cover-up. Easier than finding a place to change, especially if your children are small. We're always the same. I don't think I'll ever fail to be excited on boarding day. You can check the app to see what time the Flowrider will open. It's a popular activity, so have your husband arrive a little early. He will have to sign waivers (for himself and the kids), and the kids will get a wristband that shows their father has given them permission for the whole cruise -- this will take a bit of time. A tip for later in the cruise: You can probably see the Flowrider line on your in-room TV -- have the kids check the TV to see how busy it is before heading out. Since so many people are using the pools /etc. early, the towel station will be open early too. I suggest you talk to your kids about the importance of returning their towels. It's smart to check towels out on the first day, then exchange rather than return them -- this means you'll always have fresh towels in your room (even if you want to swim early or late), and your room number will go in /out of the computer fewer times -- fewer opportunities for human error. They'll do some wine tastings /liquor tastings on the first evening -- those are published in the app + the paper Daily Compass. These are always mobbed. The staff is super-busy on the first day -- they have to turn over the rooms, bring luggage on board, manage muster drills, and more. I find it hard to believe they're offering secret tastings. If you're after some free alcohol, consider going to the Champagne Art Auction; I always enjoy seeing the auction, though I'd never buy at those prices. Let's talk about muster drill: You want to knock that out as soon as possible after boarding -- so you can quit thinking about it. Another thing you should do early: Go to the main dining room and check out your table assignment. It'll be printed on your Ship ID. Most people will be at these two places ... or on the move, just checking out the ship, not finding themselves a nest. Once the captain announces that rooms are open, you'll be surprised how fast the place will clear out. A bar? No. ALLLLL the bars. The pool bar will be busy within an hour of embarkation beginning, and it won't slow down. You can usually get faster service at the Solarium (adult pool) bar or the Plaza Bar (inside Windjammer). You didn't ask this, but you can use your boarding pass to purchase a drink before cabins open. When you get to your cabin, your Ship ID cards will be in an envelope just outside the door.

We were on Explorer last fall and had a great time. The ship seems to be in good condition, though it doesn't have as many amenities as some of the newer ships. Enjoyed the food and entertainment. I'd sail Explorer again in a heartbeat!

I've given up trying to meet their standards. I took straight-on, no-smile, no background, single person photographs ... they re-take it every time.

You're allowed to bring 12 bottles. Can't remember the size. A practical person will bring a couple empties (or a refillable bottle) and refill them with ship's water, which is just as purified as the bottled stuff.

My daughter broke her arm skating, and this is much the same as the treatment we received in our local emergency room: They x-rayed her arm, verified the break, and sent her home for a couple days with a removable splint. I thought this was wrong /thought she should have been given a cast -- but the doctor we went to a few days later /the doctor who did give her a cast said that they have to wait a few days for the swelling to go down. I remember how miserable she was for those few days -- nauseated, just generally icky. I didn't know that's what broken bones do to you. Regardless, I'm sorry you went through a hard time. I wouldn't like it either, but what were your choices? Leave your husband alone in a foreign hospital while you returned to the ship to pack up? What did you expect Royal to do for you? Sounds like it's the hospital's job to help you return to the states. They have Social Workers to manage things just like this. So true, so true. We don't get full-coverages -- since we drive, we aren't concerned about losing our luggage, and we have medical insurance that'd pay -- but anyone can have an accident, and a Medivac could be life-alteringly expensive. Medivac is the one thing we really need.

We all need to remember that Royal did that. I'm not advocating hurting the individual cabin stewards, but we all need to let Royal know we don't like those two moves coupled together.

When we hit Diamond, we will tip on drinks. Right now we're already paying 18%, and that feels adequate unless someone really goes above and beyond. Good points, but when we were new to cruising we used to bring more -- and then carried it right back home. We have a good feel now for what we'll actually spend. And we have two separate credit cards for emergencies. A thousand or so for gambling -- wow! I'd be interested to hear what denominations of cash people bring for the casino. We give $3 for each small suitcase. On a short cruise, we share one; on a week or longer, we bring two. So we're not really spending a chunk of change tipping the porters: $3-6.

Ah, you threw me off with the word "kids". I first saw Mayan ruins on a land-based Mexican vacation -- this was back when they'd let you climb the ruins. The steps were so narrow that we had to turn our feet sideways, and climbing was really hard. Excellent advice.

Oh, no -- as a high school teacher, I much prefer school to start in early August: - Assuming you're on block scheduling -- I think most schools are -- starting in August means you can complete the fall semester in December /take exams /return textbooks /go home for Christmas break 100% done with classes. Then you come back in January and start anew. - Students who finish their classwork in December ("graduating early") can take community college classes beginning in January. No overlap between high school and college classes. - Our kids graduate the weekend before Memorial Day in May. They never go to school in June at all. - Families can vacation those first two weeks of June, when prices are a little lower and weather is a little more mild. May or may not be good for elementary school -- I don't claim to be an expert on that age group -- but I'll choose early August every time for high school.

My children are long aged-out of the kids' clubs, and I have a grandchild who'll be partaking for the first time soon, but here's what I remember: - Go to the kids' club as soon as you board -- well, I don't mean you need to sprint, but go as soon as you conveniently can -- and "join". Once you've done that, you can drop your kids off at your leisure. - You can decide whether to allow your older children "self check-out" permission, and staff can send you a notification on your phone when your younger children want to be picked up. - The kids' clubs advertise their daily schedule -- used to be we'd get a paper Kids' Compass for the appropriate age group on our bed in the evenings. It's probably on the app now. They have nice activities: science experiments, scavenger hunts, video game tournaments, PJ parties. Sometimes they even take the kids to the buffet together. - Children all get a wristband, which they must wear at all times, that tells staff their muster station and more. - They are not at all lenient about moving kids "up or down" in age groups. - Be sure to send your children to the club activities on the first evening. That's when kids'll be meeting new friends.

Honestly, we bring very little cash: - We use our credit card for gas and meals on the road. - We pay most things -- including basic tips -- ahead of time. - Drinks onboard have an 18% tip added. Unless someone's really gone above and beyond for us, we feel this is adequate. - I prepare an envelope for each island stop, which includes cash for any tours we're planning -- as well as taxis, meals, tips, whatever seems appropriate for that stop. - We don't really buy souvenirs.

I don't think all of this is going to come together: - Ruins tours tend to be whole-day activities, and they don't tend to include snorkeling. Maybe you could manage snorkeling on a different island? - No, kids can't go on a separate excursion on their own. We just visited Chankanaab for the first time last fall and LOVED IT. It's more of a beach stop rather than what you're describing, but it could be a great choice for you: - It's inexpensive -- about $20/per person + a $12 taxi ride each way. - Plenty of beachfront + snorkeling. Also dolphins, a pool, kayak rentals. - They have a Mayan "trail" with replicas of huts, statues and more. While it's not real ruins, we enjoyed it, and I'm sure kids would. - We enjoyed the sea lion show (no extra cost). - Food and drink is reasonably priced. - Clean bathrooms -- showers too. The port times should be listed on the website where you can make reservations. In general I dislike ship's tours, but -- yes -- 6-7 hour tours (and sometimes multiple forms of transportation in a country where I don't speak the language) should give anyone pause. One more thought: We once did an ATV ride on Cozumel -- the ride was GREAT, and we stopped at several spots of minor importance to the Mayans. Not fully "ruins" but still fun.

Unsure what I clicked, as I didn't save it -- just the first thing that popped up.

If I were booking for a party of five, I'd want two connecting rooms. You can see that cost online.

I think you were lucky. I just checked the website, and it says 8-11 weeks. That'd be IF you had pictures in hand and the application filled out. Then there's the appointment: my daughter's getting an adult passport for the first time right now, and she's frustrated at the lack of appointment-spots. I'm not saying a passport isn't a good choice -- just that it's not something you can count on getting quickly. The risk of traveling on a cruise with a birth certificate isn't zero, but it's quite low. Consider, too, that even with a passport, the possibility of you being able to fly home is small -- you'd have to wait until you reach an island, hope they have a flight for you today or tomorrow, and pay a large price for that last-minute ticket.

If you're cruising in 7 weeks, you're cruising with whatever you have now. Fortunately, yes, what you have will get you on /off a closed loop cruise. All you'll need for Coco Cay is your Ship ID. Nassau did want a picture ID in addition to the Ship ID. Personally, I would consider staying on the ship in Nassau. We felt genuinely unsafe leaving the ship /entering the city. We weren't so afraid of crime -- we had our cash and ID on our persons /hidden under clothing, and we were on populated streets mid-morning. What scared us was the crush of people crammed together in a bottleneck between the dock and the city. If anyone had fallen, or if someone had started pushing, people could've fallen and been trampled. And we didn't really enjoy Nassau. We agreed that we're not going into Nassau again; we might take an excursion that leaves from the docks /doesn't require entering the city. We've also been to Cozumel recently, but they did not require a picture ID. They did require us to hold our backpacks down for the drug dogs to sniff. We were on the International Pier -- could that make a difference?

That "Kids Sail Free" promotion pops up constantly, but it isn't genuinely free. If you're paying for everything, you'll still pay taxes /fees, transportation, insurance, excursions, and probably a soda package for the kids. Not that the sail free thing isn't a good deal, but don't expect a genuinely free trip.

My grandmother and her sister (a nun, who lived to be 104) taught me this when I was just a child: After you drink, make Jello in your stomach. Drink a cup of hot water + jello, followed by a cup of cold water. They claimed it would "gel" in your stomach and prevent all that unpleasantness. Probably depends upon your ship and what else you choose to bring. Regardless, we drink powdered Gatorade -- little "sticks" that're easy to bring onboard /easy to mix with a cup of water. A tip: Mix your Gatorade a day ahead of time; if it "sits" before you drink it, it tastes just like the stuff you buy ready-made -- but those little sticks (purchased in bulk from Amazon) are about twenty cents each. Might be more now -- I last bought while the pandemic was in full swing. A couple hundred sticks last a while.

Complicated question, as it involves many moving parts and every cruise is different. Thoughts: - I assume you're talking about people who have Guarantees. People who've chosen their room are not going to be moved -- not unless something's really wonky. Not all of us consider the same rooms "best", and if you've chosen a room you're highly unlikely to be moved without your knowledge /consent. - If you have a Guarantee, you might get an upgrade within your category; for example, we paid for an Inside Guarantee and got a Promenade View. That feels like an upgrade, but it's still an Interior. - The cruise line always wants to keep SOME interior rooms available because those lowest prices bring people in, then they might opt for a more expensive room. - The ship will not (often) willingly give an upgrade if people are willing to pay through Royal Up.

We've sailed several ships since reopening, and I'd say the highlights are: - Most MDR food is good, but not great. - Selections are reduced in the MDR. - Vegetables are skimpy in the MDR. - Only one lobster per customer (without extra cost). - Windjammer salads are fresh and plentiful. - Vegetables are plentiful in the Windjammer. - Grilled chicken thighs in Windjammer's lunch are always a winner -- different marinade each day. - Windjammer always has burgers, hot dogs and fries -- lunch and dinner. - Windjammer offers steaks or chops each evening, and they are superior to the MDR's.

Assuming you're an American citizen leaving from an American port and returning to an American port, you can use any of these three for a cruise: - Official certified birth certificate + state ID (usually driver's license) - Passport card - Passport book