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So True. There are definite pluses of traveling with a Passport. However I don't find the risks very high if you don't (the liklihood of needing to travel home early during a cruiseis very unlikely). I personally have cruised over 20x to carribean or mexico (west coast) since the mid 90's and have only used a BC and DL. Everyone has an opinion on this... but obviously either form of ID is acceptable...so to each their own

Thanks for update..Obviously their was a Captain change since our cruise 4 weeks ago

We cruised on Odyssey over Thanksgiving. You are correct about Ana and I believe she just started in November. The Captain is Captain Per Kristoffersen

Assumimg you are going on a closed loop cruise originating and ending from the same US port to most eastern, western and southern carribean itineraries ...He will be fine . It would be helpful to know your planned itinerary to give you 100% confirmation

On Odyssey of Seas over thanks giving there was over 1300 kids... the Teen club closed between midnight and 1am.... I observed older teens in Sorrentos between 1-2am quietly chatting and eating pizza. I also observed teens sitting in chairs on upper deck overlooking pool well after 1am. My experience is...security leaves quiet kids alone...and will not enforce unless complaints or loudness

We cruised on Odyssey of Seas over Thanksgiving. I believe they started disembarking between 7-7:30. We did self disembark. We left our cabin with luggage at 8am...`exited ship...went thru immigration...grabbed a cab and arrived at FLL at 8:35 for our 10:50am flight. We spent more time in TSA then time spent leaving ship to airport. FYI...and this was Sunday after Thanksgiving which was a heavy travel day

Im partial to Odyssey...Solarium is wonderful. Seaplex and Playmakers is one of a kind!

I was on Odyssey last month $1-2 per game. They also have several ATM like machines where you can by credits.... But I would suggest purchasing in cruise planner so you save 20%....

Totally agree!! My grandson literally spent the whole cruise there. IMO...one of the most innovative concepts introduced on a ship. The size is aslong as a full sized basketball court and even wider. Adding Playmakers above with 50+ TVs and a large screen TV was brillant.

Nice review and comparisons,,,, ased on reading your comments I would suggest trying Yacht Club. Your inconsistenciy issues, lines, inclusions and overall service will be alot better. We've cruised Yacht Club twice and will not cruise MSC any other way.

I agree with OP.... If Im spending mega bucks on a cruise....I do not want an amusement Park atmosphere and large crowds. Yes their are other cruise ship options which better meet what a cruise should be. Six flags enviornment...``not my cup of tea

You could or could not be right.., all 3 of us kept our phone on airplane mode for full cruise … only grandson had internet ( 1 user) and only once did I borrow his access code and access on my phone . We received no notifications off ship as any local Wi-Fi spots required a password to connect. But he got notified of chat texts all week… wife and I never did and had to constantly check upper right corner (…) for a red message waiting indicator.

No.... that would have been $13 for the week or remaining days on cruise (pro rated as week goes on)

My grandson had a internet package and our messages came across as a notification alert on his phone.We all have Apple phones...wife and I did not have internet package

totally agree... it almost not worth purchasing especially if internet was a bit more reasonable for a family

Everyone you want to chat with has to purchase the chat option. It works as Biker stated above. However....unless you have the internet package you wont get a notification someone chat messaged you...so constantly have to check the Royal aoo to see if your three dots are "red" which means a message is waiting for you. At times we had inconsistent service...some of my chats weren't received....but overall it definitely saved time.

We cruised on Adventure of Seas 3 years ago.... A good sized ship with a great Promenade. Alot of open deck space at the front of ship. It is older and has a older feel. I believe ship went into service 2001. We had a good time . Pool deck , bars and activities were fun

We sailed on Odyssey over Thanksgiving...My grandson was in the 13-17 group...No limitations at all... Alot of group activities and lots of Sports in Seaplex. A friend on cruise said his younger kids went to Adventure Club and he didn't see any differences from past cruises and also used the babysitting service at night. It amazes me how there are so many differences on each ship

Stealth Dog... As you visit the Solarium Bar...Andy and Johnny are the 2 best bartenders on ship. Super friendly and alot of fun. Tell them Chuck and Caroline Page say hi... Andy always remembers your name. We were late afternoon regulars!!

I guess we were lucky when we cruised Odyssey over Thanksgiving...we had a daily Compass waiting for us when we returned to our cabin each evening. Never had to ask?!

Just off Odyssey... BJ $15 min 3 card poker $10 min

I wouldn’t worry about that… all their Thanksgiving week cruises were full and many with 3/4 occupancy. They are fully staffed

Just go!!! They won’t even know you have a cold!! They are so busy checking people in that’s last thing on their mind. When we cruised 2 weeks ago I did all the talking and handing over of docs at check in for wife and grandson. Have a wonderful cruise!!

Stopping in Nassau is getting old.... no interest especially with up to 30K passengers with the new pier expansion. I'd rather do Cozumel with the crowds...

I can confirm the same from our Thanksgiving cruise. There are a couple links for Captains and Cruise Directors in these topics. Since Captain Per and Cruise Diretor Anna are currently on Odyssey...I'm sure you can get their last names from these links and then do a social media search for more info on them