Mum2Mercury

Yes, any drink package will work on Coco Cay. Not the question you asked, but something to know: If you buy an individual drink on Coco Cay, it'll cost about $1 more than it'd cost on the ship. Something to do with VAT. This won't affect you if you have a drink package, and it's not a big deal for the person who's going to buy two drinks on Coco Cay. Just something to know.

I'm zeroing in on this detail because something similar happened to us: We reserved a ship's excursion (not something we often do) during the BF sales; the discount was fairly significant. In December I received an email saying, "Excursion's cancelled. Money refunded." The excursion in question was available in three versions ... and (wouldn't you know it!) I chose the one that they cancelled. The one I chose came with a lunch, and I suspect their caterer fell through? Anyway, I called and told them I wanted the same excursion ... one of the other two versions. No problem! I insisted that I wanted it for the BF sale price, even though that was over. Given that Royal cancelled on me, I thought that was totally fair. I only had to go up one level to get the BF sale price. Anyway, if you really want those lunches, you should do the same.

I was about to say, Sounds like pizza all over again.

What I've seen over the years: - Black Friday sales are on "cruise extras" -- beverage packages, dinner packages, excursions -- not on cruise tickets themselves. - Black Friday sales have been lackluster over the past few years (maybe pandemic related?), but this year they had some good options. I was quite pleased with the things we reserved. - As with most things, it's all "buyer beware". Royal isn't alone in playing games with BOGOF, raising prices so they can offer a "discount", etc. - If you're a thrifty traveler, you should keep an eye on your cruise prices. Every week or so -- not just on Black Friday -- do a "dummy booking" to see what the cruise is selling for. If your room category has gone down, call in and ask for a price match. I recently saw a price drop of about $200; took about 15 minutes on the phone to lower my price.

I've never bothered to tag my carry-ons.

Would it be possible to sleep on the sofa?

I've been one floor under the Windjammer -- never heard a peep.

Thinking along those lines, keeping cruisers onboard would result in more drink sales and more gambling. I doubt that's the reasoning though.

I laminate my tags at home. Works great, and a typing-paper sized laminating sheet costs about a dime. I attach the tags with zip ties.

Good for you! Usually I'd say, "A 5/4 isn't long enough! Doesn't justify your travel!", but since you're using this as a "test" to see whether you like cruising, I think you're making a good choice. We did the same thing ... and we all loved it. You'll come up with some questions! Serendipitous!

My husband found a video -- sorry, don't know where he found it. Apparently the author of the video had the Express Pass for a current cruise and while boarding he spoke to someone in IT: - People who are getting the Express Pass are those who are "easy": American citizens traveling with a passport. - The author reported that his party arrived at the terminal at 10:05 and by 10:20 they were through the check-in /sitting in the chairs waiting for boarding to begin. - The author reported that people who purchased The Key and suite guests were allowed through first. Express Pass people were second, and (as indicated by the name) they were FAST getting through.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2023/11/02/royal-caribbean-express-boarding-pass Few details. I'd love to know more.

The point is that not everyone who advocates for packing light /packing in a single modest-sized bag is flying. The implication was made that all the people walking off the ship with a single bag were "part of the problem". No, it's not about rationalization or getting caught: If the airline says, "You may bring X amount as a carry-on", and you bring X amount, you're not wrong to bring X amount. If you bring X+1, yeah, you're doing wrong, but X is 100% acceptable.

I've also heard it ... for decades, I'm quite sure. It's good advice.

Something like that happened in my family too: When my grandfather died, my grandmother saw his birth certificate for the first time ever ... and she had no idea his name wasn't really Robert. There's no one left to ask how it came to pass that his "real name" was dropped. His driver's license, etc. all said Robert. In past decades names just weren't "as official" as they are now. My grandmother was born at home /never had a birth certificate. She made it past 50 before needing a birth certificate, and she had to take the family bible and a relative who could swear she remembered the day of her birth, and they created her a "retroactive birth certificate" (my wording, not the real name). Thinking about it, she never liked her long, old-fashioned name /always used a shortened nickname ... I wonder why she didn't take that opportunity to make the nickname official! Good luck with this odd situation, and please let us know how it works out!

You should try the Cordon Bleu.

Random thoughts: - I am never sea sick on a big ship, but I occasionally (and without warning) have trouble with car sickness and occasionally have trouble on a small boat (like an excursion boat). DON'T ASSUME you'll be sea sick. - I like Crystalized Ginger for car sickness. I make my own (loads of recipes on the internet -- it's basically just sliced ginger boiled in sugar water), but you can buy it in the produce department at Harris Teeter under the name brand Sweet Melissa. The relief is INSTANT, though short-lived. It could be a powerful tool to tide you over until your real medicine can "kick in". - Pay attention to the dosage you're buying. A good friend of mine went on a cruise and had no problem with sea sickness ... until she used up her first box of 24-hour medicine. Too late she realized that her second box was an 8-hour dosage. - I didn't realize that Zyrtec was useful for sea sickness. But I take an allergy pill September - February, which isn't uncommon. Are allergy pills something that can be "overdone"? - Definitely buy the store brand. No reason to spend more money on the name brand -- not when you can see on the package exactly what's in the pill.

Not really what you asked, but related: You can get cut-up fruit (in a cup) at the Park Cafe. I've enjoyed that.

I was going to recommend the same thing: Grab what you want from Windjammer. That assures you'll get exactly what you prefer ... lots of apples and no bananas, or whatever you personally like.

Welcome Aboard menu: - I like the Crispy Crab Cake - I have to have a Shrimp Cocktail every time it's offered ... and at 4 shrimp, it's not hard to have that plus another appetizer. - I was a little jelly 'bout a neighbor's Spinach & Artichoke Dip. Might have to try it next time. - Caesar Salad you can skip. It's out of a bag, which is okay at home ... but disappointing on a cruise. - My husband has Escargots every time they're available ... loves them. - I really like the Pan-Roasted Fish Fillet. Nice combination, but would've like a bit more sauce. - My husband wasn't overly impressed with the Prime Rib. A bit fatty. - Key Lime Pie is good but not great. - Skip the cheesecake. Caribbean Night menu: - I do not care for the French Onion Soup. - Asian Tacos are good, as are the Crispy Coconut Shrimp. - The Tiger Shrimp are good ... and what's wrong with an all-shrimp dinner? - The Roasted Chicken and Pork Chop are good but not great. - I'll choose Carrot Cake every time it's offered. Royal's rendition is good but not nearly as good as my homemade. Mexican Night menu: - The Tortilla Soup is good but not great. - I tried the Corn Cakes last time ... they were a solid choice. - My husband had the Enchilada last time, and I wished I'd chosen that instead of the Carne Asada, which was okay (lots of cilantro, and people have strong opinions about that). - The Coconut Cake is not bad, but it's not really worth the carbs. Italian Night menu: - The Garden Mixed Salad is much better than the Caesar Salad. - I tried the Crispy Parmesan Aricini, and I'd have it again ... but I wouldn't seek out the recipe. - Thumbs up for the Pan-Seared Fillet of Sole. - The Chicken Parm is quite good, though the serving was huge. The spaghetti with which it was served was forgettable. - My husband tried the Lasagna and said he wouldn't get it again. The meat was chopped up (not ground), and he wasn't a fan. - I love Tiramisu, but I wouldn't get Royal's version again. - Overall, Italian night is a good evening to eat in the MDR, then pop up to the Windjammer for dessert. French Night menu: - If you order the Calamari, all you'll taste is the breading. - The Chicken Cordon Bleu is the worst item on Royal's menu. It's like a worse version of those little individuals you can buy at Aldi's for about $1.29. - The Beef Bourguignon was tasty ... would definitely get it again. - The Beef Tenderloin is good. - My husband liked-but-didn't-love the Seafood Linguini. - Again, nothing on the French Night's dessert menu really excites me ... another good evening to go to the Windjammer for dessert. Overall thoughts: With the exception of the Cordon Bleu, nothing we've had in the MDR has been BAD; some things were better than others. I totally disagree about the fish being "mystery meat". No-extra-cost steaks aren't bad, but they are on the thin side. The bread is what you'd get at a good-quality grocery store deli.

I've ordered two appetizers (never two entrees), and they were brought out one at a time -- but the second followed quickly and timing was not a problem. I really think it has to do with the small size of the tables. My husband had the lasagna, and it certainly wasn't tiny -- maybe you had a bad piece? He didn't think it was very good though. Specifically, he complained about the "beef ragout" instead of ground meat. Very good point. I hear a lot of "all the time", "everyone", "so many people" ... and it's something I might've observed once. I agree that the entree sizes are rather unpredictable.

I don't think that idea can be supported with evidence. Just stating the obvious: If an airline allows passengers to bring a rolling carry-on + a personal item, the passengers are not "cheating" if they bring a rolling carry-on + a backpack. Obviously some people don't like it, but that doesn't make it "cheating". Also, judging by the busy parking decks, MANY of us don't fly to cruises.

Nice write-up! Random thoughts: - Sorry you caught Covid. - Mid-sized ships like Explorer are our favorites. - People who board after noon tend to have more trouble finding seats in the Windjammer. - Love the name "Beam Me Up, Scotty" shower. - I've finally reached the point that I don't "stutter-step" over that glass floor in the casino. - I also despise the smoke in the casino. - I agree with your assessment of most MDR food as "good but not impressive". I think most of the bad-bad reviews on this site are unfair. - I agree that the ice show is not to be missed, and -- yes -- go early. It is best enjoyed from the front row.

No. We enjoyed Grandeur, but my husband definitely missed Playmakers.

Random thoughts: - About the clothes: I think I'd bring all my clothes onboard during the initial boarding ... and then, at the half-way point, return one suitcase to the car. One suitcase'd be easy to tote out to the car, then you'd have less to carry off when you actually disembark. - Breakfast on the last day is just the same as other cruise days ... except that they open earlier and people are a little more serious /eat faster and get out. - I've had the short ribs in the MDR. They ARE one of the best entrees.