Mum2Mercury

Leaving him at the next port would've been completely fair. He's using illegal drugs and behaving terribly towards his fellow passengers.

In all honesty, the ship doesn't want crimes reported. They want to present an image of a completely safe ship -- but, in truth, not all passengers are going to behave politely. Realistically, with the cruise over, you are very unlikely to get any resolution. Consider that any time you're out of your private cabin, you're on camera. If ship's security wanted to find him, they would have been able to do so. Easily. As in illegal drugs? That should have interested security. Okay, he's rude and crazy -- and possibly on drugs. The best option is to get away from such people -- those of us who live a reasonable life will never "win" with them because they just don't care what they do. They feel entitled to behave as they please. Fair? Not even close! But realistic. Looking back -- hindsight being what it is -- it would've been smarter just to move away without saying anything to him. Again, don't mess with crazy people. You just don't know what they'll do. That's too bad, but the moment to pursue the issue has passed. Why didn't your boyfriend push it? That's true.

Weird flex, but I hope you enjoy it. Burgers are definitely the most popular choice at lunch. If they were as bad as some people claim, people wouldn't choose them after the first day. Personally, being low-carb, I pretty much always eat the same lunch: a large green salad and a bit of chicken or fish.

One more thing: When our kids were small, we used to bring glow sticks ... the kind you can buy at the Dollar Store ... for them to take to bed at night. They give off enough light to keep kids comfortable in an unfamiliar bed /even enough to go to the bath room at night, but not enough light to disturb others.

Processed foods, which cannot introduce any unfortunate elements into the island's ecosystem, are allowed. So Cheerios, pretzels, granola bars, cookies, etc. are perfectly fine. Shelf-stable "juice box type" milk is also a good choice. It'd be smart to have your toddler try it out at home, as toddlers aren't known for their love of trying new foods.

Lots of excellent tips! I'll add a few more: - I saw a really smart family boarding right ahead of us on a recent cruise: The dad was pulling a collapsible wagon filled with two toddlers and the family's numerous carry-ons. The mom walked behind carrying a baby and watching to see that the boys didn't escape the wagon. I'm sure they used the wagon to wheel the kids off the ship for island stops too. - It seems most kids' swimsuits tend towards blue. My daughter only allows my grandson to wear red, orange, yellow or neon colors in the water. It makes him easy to spot, even in ocean or lake water. I totally support her in this safety rule! - When my kids were small, I used to make homemade coloring books before vacations or other events (even things like a trip to the dentist or Christmas at their aunt's house). I'm no artist, so they were nothing special, but the books gave my kids a clear vision of what was go happen ... I'd make pages about packing our suitcase, about the long drive to Florida, about using our best manners in the dining room or riding the elevators, etc. As we colored them, we'd talk about what it'd be like and what I expected of them. They always behaved better when I took time to do this. - We also practiced ordering an appetizer, an entree and a desert at home. The kids thought that was great fun. The wait staff in the dining room go above-and-beyond for kids. Once -- back when we still did traditional dining -- we had a waiter who brought a plate of cookies for each child at the table to take back to his or her room. On another cruise, my youngest was going through a shy phase and wouldn't speak up to say what she wanted for dessert -- the waiter said, "No problem. I'll bring you the Shy Girl Special." It was a brownie, ice cream and chocolate syrup served in a fancy glass. She felt special and was much more willing to speak up at later meals; my other three girls were jealous and started asking for the Shy Girl Special.

Eh, burgers are probably the single most popular item at lunch each day. They're not sitting around for an hour; they turn over pretty quickly. Definitely!

They left the information about these events in your cabin on Day 1. It's clear and concise -- says no additional invitations will be sent, shares location of Loyalty Desk for those who have questions. I see no reason for complaint. If you didn't read it, that's not their fault. While I still want a paper Compass each day, I get that they're trying to minimize paper. This is consistent with that goal. Yes, delivering to the wrong cabin IS a big problem.

They left the information about these events in your cabin on Day 1. It's clear and concise -- says no additional invitations will be sent, shares location of Loyalty Desk for those who have questions. I see no reason for complaint. If you didn't read it, that's not their fault. While I still want a paper Compass each day, I get that they're trying to minimize paper. This is consistent with that goal. Yes, delivering to the wrong cabin IS a big problem.

They left the information about these events in your cabin on Day 1. It's clear and concise -- says no additional invitations will be sent, shares location of Loyalty Desk for those who have questions. I see no reason for complaint. While I still want a paper Compass each day, I get that they're trying to minimize paper. This is consistent with that goal.

No, it's not necessary; however, it's a free download and is handy -- so why not?

Random thoughts: - I think burgers are always available at Windjammer at lunch and dinner. I don't choose burgers often onboard, but they're good ... not the best I've ever had, but certainly good. - "Burger of the Day" seems to be a popular choice. - I don't think walking into the Windjammer is all that difficult a task ... it's quite close to the pools. - I've never had to fight anyone to get food at Windjammer. Sure, I've waited in line, but I have never encountered difficulties such as some people whine about. - I don't understand why anyone buys burgers at Johnny Rockets when they're free in Windjammer. - This discussion of free vs. included in the ticket price shows that some people here will fuss over anything.

Even I know who Messi is, and I had to watch the last competitions on a Spanish-speaking network!

Let's get into the way-back machine: Johnny Rockets used to be included in the sailing price, but Royal claimed it had become a hang-out for teenagers, who'd claim a table and sit all afternoon. I personally never saw this. So they added a fee -- something like $4.99/person. And the fee has increased and increased. I'd have more respect for the choice if they'd just said the truth: We want this to become a revenue-generating item, and we're going to add a fee. Don't shoot us some BS line about teenagers. If I were going to choose a burger place to put onboard, I'd go with Five Guys. Those are some good burgers. As a baker with decades of experience, I can tell you the problems: They whip the desserts -- over-whip the desserts; this incorporates more air /less product. And/or they incorporate geletin (generic word for Jello, but no taste version) to provide stability. And many of their desserts are pre-made /frozen. This isn't new -- they've been doing it as long as I've sailed Royal, and dessert has never been their thing. Eh, I rarely follow the rules.

'Bout 20 years.

Multiple thoughts -- yeah, I'm blowing off the "one thing" concept: - I've never seen bacon like that. Looks like a thin pork chop. - I'm not unhappy with most of the food, but I'd like to see better quality no-extra-cost steaks and larger servings of vegetables in the MDR. - I'd change the large hamburgers in the MDR into smaller sliders ... so people could choose a small burger + other options. - In terms of a specialty Indian restaurant, if this were added, would you cut out the Indian food options in the MDR? - Instead of a smaller plate /lower cost specialty restaurant (which they'll never do) I'd like to see more options for a single specialty restaurant item in the MDR for a fee. For example, I'd buy Hooks' Messy Fish sandwich in the MDR. This would give diners more options, and the whole family wouldn't have to make the same choice. - Yes to more small food options. We do B4D -- Breakfast for Dinner -- every Thursday, and it would be a great late-night option, but I wonder how many people would go for it? But they need to be either no-cost or very low cost (like $5 at most) or people won't frequent them -- when did you last see Johnny Rockets full at lunch or dinner? - I'd like to see Fish and Ships expanded to more ships. - We all know dessert has never been Royal's strong point. What about a Nothing Bundt Cake franchise onboard? - I'd love to see smoking onboard disappear altogether, but -- again -- never going to happen. - I agree with more afternoon indoor activities. Outdoor games like Giant Jenga? Bowling would be great. I'm not particularly interested in an afternoon matinee of the musicals /shows, but I do enjoy going to afternoon movies. But NO shopping talks. Oh, a "Paint and Sip" type class would be fun. I'd attend a cooking class. Yoga classes would be fun. - Oh, at home we LOVE going to the Board Game Cafe. We pay a fee to stay all day, and we try out as many board games as we want. Games are so expensive these days; we like to "try before we buy". Super popular place -- they have all the newest, best games, and they have workers who "check the games back in" to be sure they're intact. - I'd like to see Playmakers Sports Bar on EVERY SHIP. It's my husband's favorite, and he's not alone. - I used to love the Tutti Salad! - Yes, I'd like to see gratuities rolled in to the ticket price, but -- again -- that's a thing that'll never happen. All the cruise lines want to keep that lowest ticket price really low; it's how they get people in. - I'd like to take out the arcade and instead offer the rental of a Playstation (or some other gaming system) and games that families could keep in their room for the week. I know, no one goes on a cruise to stay in their room, but families with gamers would enjoy it as an afternoon or late-night respite, and it might keep some of the teens out of the public areas late-late at night. - I'd like to see multiple alcohol packages offered; for example, a "just beer" package that would cost less than the EVERYTHING package. Or a punch-card for 10 drinks (something that pops up every so often) instead of the EVERYTHING package. You know, an "in between between" nothing and a very expensive, all-inclusive package. - I'd like to see the Chocolate Breakfast come back to the MDR.

I don't think TAs can do that ahead of time. I wonder if she was just verifying that you have the proper identification to get you on board /checking your expiration dates ... you know, avoiding a problem down the road? We've never sailed Adventure, but we've sailed similar sized ships, and we boarded at 10:30. Good point! Once -- just once -- my boarding pass didn't open at all. I didn't freak out only because everyone else on my roll call was saying the same thing, so I knew it wasn't just me. It opened exactly 24 hours late. Don't get the idea that you have to swoop in exactly at 12:00 or everything good will be gone-gone-gone. You could probably still get a prime entrance time mid-morning the next day. Probably. I want to know I'm getting that early time, and I'm a night owl anyway, so no problem for me. An offshoot topic: I check in using the computer. No reason you can't do it with your phone. Just preference.

Random thoughts: - Your check in will open at midnight in the time zone from which you'll sail. If you're a time zone "ahead", then -- yes -- 11:00 is your time. - We've always been able to get 10:30 (on a big ship) or 11:00 (on a small ship). Those have been the earliest times. - I thought the time slots were 30-minutes? Like 10:30 - 11:00? Someone else said an hour? - Yes, the check-in process is very easy to understand /quite apparent. The time slot question will be the very last item. First it'll ask for your passport number (or other documentation), your credit card number for your online charges, and it'll give you a chance to upload a photograph -- don't bother; they just re-take it at the port anyway. Finally at the end you'll choose your time slot. - You must complete check-in for every member of your party. Yes, most people want the earliest time slot. In my experience, the ports ARE enforcing check in times. Do note that if you get the earliest time, you'll still be behind certain special groups -- suites, Key people, I don't know who else. My husband gets a bit salty about this: We're in the 10:30 group! Why are they going ahead of us? Because they're special, Dear.

True! Aside from a drink or two, we don't spend anything on Coco Cay, and we really do consider it a "perfect day". It's not about whether you CAN spend that much; it's about whether it's a good value. I COULD easily spend that much, but I don't see it as a good value for a day's seating. Yeah, you're right. My husband and I have taken whole cruises for less. Oh, yes. If you buy a drink (assuming you don't have the package) on Coco Cay it'll cost about $1 more than if you buy it on the ship. Something about VAT.

It's the size of the venue. Fewer chairs than, say, the main theater.

Exaggeration, Folks. I haven't noted anyone in the MDR on my recent cruises who wasn't neat and clean.

My "Well, duh" moment was figuring out I should never set my luggage out on the last night. Separating from your luggage means you have to find it again ... carousel, zones, floors ... it's all chaotic. Took me exactly one cruise to figure out a better way. Your luggage is on wheels. If you're able-bodied, take it off the ship yourself.

Whereas, I thought the question was, "How quickly can I expect to exit the ship?"

I don't remember the bread being better in the past.

Take it from an excellent baker: Royal's bread has always been good, but it's never been anything more than you can get at your local Food Lion deli. I can make far better bread in my own kitchen.