Ret MP

I like wine. I really do. But, I'm not a wine snob. That's not an accusation that anyone commenting in here is. I just don't find any issues with drinking wine out of a box or gallon jug. Some of it can be very good. And I have spent a few years wine tasting in NAPA Valley. So, I fully understand that people's taste are all different, especially when it comes to wine. AND, I feel I'm A LITTLE more educated in wine than many. No, I'm no expert and don't claim to be. For me, this is an issue of integrity and rule following. As stated many times in this forum, I'm a rule follower. I do believe that the vast majority of rules are there for a very good reason. Bring on only 2 bottles or 750ml is a very good one. It can cause wine drinkers, of which I am one, to purchase wine on the ship, the ship (company) makes a profit, and that goes towards keeping the fare costs down. I'm usually a Star Class cruiser (once again, just fact, not bragging), I can drink all the wine I want at no extra charge, BY THE GLASS. So, I purchase a bottle at a time (the first bottle of wine or champaign during the cruise, in the suite, is usually comp'ed). I like to sit on the balcony and drink wine, a lot of wine. I'm not going to have someone bring a GLASS of wine to me every 30 or so minutes. I just go ahead an purchase a bottle or two, one at a time, on the sea days that I just enjoy the sea going by. If the ship doesn't have the wine that I like, I move on the my second choice or third or ............. When I go to a Steakhouse on land, I don't take my own steak because they don't have a Corn fed Iowa prime Ribeye. I'll eat their Kansas Corn fed prime Ribeye OR I don't go.

I really think it depends on what cabin and/or category cabin you are in. I've stayed in a few cabins that have the blackout curtains and the sheers. On Independence of the Seas last Oct/Nov we stayed in cabin #9308. The below isn't that cabin but it is exactly the same. At least as far as curtains are concerned.

Oh, Okay, I see.

Keep an eye open, they USUALLY have a meaning or statement of something current or "self-Deprecating". I love humor, even at my own expense. BTW, I left open the opportunity for you to ask, "You look a little older than a 3rd grader in that picture". I would have answered, "I never said how many years I spent in the 3rd Grade".

I can blame my grandmother for Curried Lamb w/mint sauce and Mango Chutney. Love it all but the Lamb part. Every time we visited with her and Grandpa on Kingston St., TO, out came the Curried Lamb. I ate it, didn't like it. I was threatened with near death if I didn't eat it. My wife now uses the same recipe but modified from the Lamb to Chicken. It's a special meal and we only have it when my kids or Gkids visit.

LOL - But, isn't Scotland a member of the U.K.? But, that would be false, eh! However, the Canadians did give us Poutine. And I'm thankful for that. However, when I was a kid, in Montreal, I'd go to the local snack stand and order Fries with Gravy and Cheese or just Fries and Gravy. Don't remember it having a name of its own.

But, the policy or at least the FAQ is still there. And it does say, "SUCH AS" which means they are merely examples. And it could come back at anytime as written or modified and the big hint is, "Please check with your server for more details". So, I suggest that those interested in the UDP, keep a very close eye on this and do a little research.

I once posted that I believe there is an up charge for some items in some specialty restaurants using the UDP. I didn't have all the specifics at the time. But, I just remembered someone posted at some point earlier that they had to pay an up charge to get what they wanted or settle for something else. Well, I got some push back, some politely and some not. Well, I think the OP has brought to light how they are either doing the up charge or not give the UDP folks what is actually on the menu for the none UDP folks. Also: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/will-the-unlimited-dining-package-include-everything-on-the-menu Q: Will the Unlimited Dining Package include everything on the menu at a standard specialty restaurant? A: premium items such as the seafood tower or upgraded steaks at Chops Grille will have an upcharge. Please check with your server for more details. LEARN MORE

WOW, I didn't know that there is Dr. Pepper+Cream Soda Zero. I'm going to have to look high and low for it.

Well, I hope the first Lobster Tail is larger than my..............thumb. Which, from my experience are no larger than my............thumb. And only half of a tail at that.

This is not a disagreement, you do what makes you comfy. WE, on the other hand, close the curtains, even in a ocean view balcony cabin or suite. My wife thinks that the people next door could always look around the balcony partitions. I don't know why anyone would want to go through that trouble just to see this undercarriage. But, each to their own. LOL

Oh man, I hope you are pulling my leg or at least wrong. We're so looking forward to it.

Oh, but I think you can take credit for Haggis. It is the national meal of Scotland, right. "........one-third of American tourists visiting Scotland thought that a haggis was a wild animal and almost a quarter arrived in Scotland thinking they could catch one! So, if you wish to preserve your belief in little furry creatures, or if you have just purchased tickets for a “Wild Haggis Hunt”, please do not read any further! Perhaps it is because the truth is a little more frightening than fiction, and too much for a Scotsman to admit that his national dish consists of a sheep’s stomach stuffed with diced innards. Haggis is typically served with root vegetables; otherwise known as haggis with mashed tatties (potatoes) and neeps (turnips)". LOL https://www.answers.com/Q/Where_did_blood_pudding_originate_from

That's funny. I really dislike Rum. I really do. But, there's something about that Kraken. I just enjoy it. There was a real long discussion about Kraken on another board/forum. I never heard of it until then. I'm glad I went on a cruise last May and gave it a try. Opened my eyes and stomach! LOL.

Stay on the ship! Okay, I'm kidding! How am I to tell you or anybody else what they will or will not like. It's a personal thing, for sure. Having said that, I don't see the allure (no pun intended) to Coco Cay, not as a Sexy Senior Citizen, anyway. During the first week in November there were two ships at Coco Cay, we didn't rush to get off of the Independence but we weren't to slow either. We walked and walked and walked in an effort to find a place to sit and enjoy at least a little of the views. It didn't matter to us if it was an ocean view or a pool view. Well, after almost walking around the whole island, in and out of lounger coves, we finally found a place with several empty loungers. We had a great view of Sea Grapes and a very obstructed view of a pool. AND, the people several loungers away were playing their own music above the piped in music. We were back on the ship by ~11:00 - 11:30 AM and enjoyed an almost empty ship. DISCLAIMER: This is our experience and only our experience. You may have a completely opposite view of things, I don't fault you for that.

Nicely done!

Love me some Diet Dr. Pepper. However, if it's going to be an adult drink, Dr. Pepper with Cream Soda in it and Kraken Rum. Ummmm Ummmm Ummmm

I understand. I was very popular in the 3rd grade when I had that picture taken. It's a curse, I tell ya!

I find that the "Specialty" restaurants are about the same, not matter what ship. Chop's is Chop's. However, I do like Jamie's (I thank that is the one on the Ovation) is much better than Giovanni's (I may have them reversed). So, at least for me/us, "Specialty" restaurants don't really enter into my/our decision as to what cruise to take. Oh, we do like Hookeds a lot. But, again, not a big decision maker.

They counted them because they were "SODA POPS". If they were just "SODAs" or "Cokes", they probably couldn't.

That is good fruit for thought. If your (not necessarily you klfrodo) cruise costs, let's say, ~$500.00 - $800.00 per person, the Comprehensive probably isn't economically a necessity, depending on your income, of course. However, if your cruise costs, ranging from 6k to 12k, it makes more since no matter your income unless you are in the upper upper income levels and you live well within your means. When my wife and I take one of our, what we call in-between cruises, we will look at not purchasing the "Comprehensive". In-between cruises = We can't wait for our next "big" cruise, so we, spontaneously book a short/inexpensive cruise to scratch the itch. I'm just extra sensitive and cautious about the unpredictable. I try to cover all bases. Not always possible but I try.

There is actually absolutely no restrictions at all. However, you may not be the most popular person on the cruise. People that partake are usually scorned and made to be social pariah and you will become isolated. So, bring as much whine on the ship as you want.

Can you imagine if the Airline Industry/TSA banned golf clubs on commercial aircraft. The golf industry, PGA, LPGA, and the new one would collapse and there would be a social uprising. Wouldn't effect me though. I'm the son of a very successful Canadian and South Florida teaching/club Pro and I very much dislike the game.

I aim to please!

Exactly! I'm just one of a minimum of 4 people that usually cruise as part of a group. So, I go with the flow. However, if I had my way, I'd pick the ship first then the number of sea day. My destination is the ship and the sea. So, the larger the ship and the more the sea days, the happier I am. However, there are only two destinations that I pushback on, Bahamas and Jamaica. I have nothing but negativity towards those two. But, that's for another time and another thread.