Matt

If you don't want to pay for Voom and the new app wont be ready in time that really just leaves roaming texting with your cell carrier. Check with your carrier, but it can be fairly inexpensive. Here's an overview of how to stay connected on a cruise https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/07/27/how-stay-touch-someone-your-royal-caribbean-cruise

I completely understand. Keep an eye out for discounts offered once onboard. I've had decent luck in looking through the Cruise Compass for them, or talking to waiters who walk around the ship looking to drum up business.

I'm so glad you asked. For Cozumel, here's what's posted about the US Embassy in the Cruise Compass.... \ Like many of you, I have no idea where Cuahtemoc is either so I google mapped it..... 21 hours by car!!!!!!!! TAKE YOUR PASSPORT WITH YOU

I don't think the food will be cold, rather, they want to close down the restaurant sooner and there is an issue between the actual hours of Wonderland and what the website listed. They won't precook your food, if that's your concern.

Here's an overview of the dining packages: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/01/28/spotlight-royal-caribbean-dining-packages

I believe millenials are a target market, but not the only target market for RC. They obviously offer certain things that should be appealing to millenials, but they also offer plenty towards baby boomers, Gen X'ers and whatever @Big Dawg Ron is.

I believe the purpose of a passport is to avoid going to the embassy in the first place. If you're the sort of person who prefers not to buy a passport because of the cost/hassle, fine. Roll the dice on birth certificate and save the cash long term. But if you actually buy the passport, I don't see the rationale of leaving it in the room anymore so than any other valuable that you bring off the ship with you such as cash, phone, jewelry, etc.

Check out this podcast episode all about cruising with young kids: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/podcast/episode-180-guide-cruising-young-children-royal-caribbean

Having heard Michael Bayley speak on numerous occasions, I'm pretty sure this was said in a joking manner. You may not find it funny and/or in poor taste, which is obviously something you can absolutely do. The one thing I do like about Michael Bayley is he does not regurgitate PR prepared pieces. He's fairly open about strategies, and doesn't shy away from a joke here or there. I prefer his take to what Disney often does, which is to tote nothing but playful PR lines about what they do. I think ultimately, the jist of what he's saying is RC caters to many age groups, and not just one. I don't think the comment was intended to say "we don't like millenials" or "millenials are silly" or really any slight on them. Simply, RC attracts cruisers of all ages.

Agreed. I have to think a sizeable portion of guests buy an internet package to communicate with other guests.

You can, but the daily price is higher than the daily price if you just bought it for the duration of your cruise. You can login onboard and buy a 24 hour pass (so it's 24 consecutive hours, not a calendar day). I believe the 24 hour pass onboard for Voom Surf and Stream was $29.99 at last check. Put your phone in airplane mode. Yes, but it's a pain with security and whatnot. It's not awful, but everytime I've considered it I decided it was not worth the hassle. Plus, there's so much going on during day one, I'm usually busy. Your best bet is to meet them. From a pure security standpoint, there's not a place or means to leave random things. The days of lockers or holding is largely past us it seems. First come, first nap They can, but you have the option to disable their charging privileges. You can define this at check-in. I'm no vegetarian, but I think you will find plenty of selection. If you find the selection lacking (or you just want to mix things up), speak to the head waiter and they can arrange special dishes for you. I've done this many times and had great success.

Here's a first time cruiser's guide to using the Cruise Compass.

Night 2 and night 5 or 6. Depends on the sailing. Check a past Cruise Compass https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compass Yes. All of it. Seriously, try the cucumber martini from 150 Central Park, the roast beef sandwich from Park Cafe, desserts from Cafe Promenade, hot dogs with all the fixings from the Boardwalk Dog House Oasis has so many great things onboard. Definitely see CATS, eat at Sabor and Izumi, and EXPLORE. The ship is so big but there's a lot of little gems all around. Check out our First Timer's Guide to Oasis of the Seas. Wet. Sorry, couldn't resist. Quite lovely in the Solarium.

According to my wife, yes. Me? Meh, it's comfortable. Yes, I know this may be shocking to hear a husband and wife find disparity between temperature settings. It largely depends on the wind direction, speed, and your ship's heading. I've had occasions where the air is stagnant outside and other times I felt like Mary Poppins at the end of the movie.

Not sure the fact you're in a guaranteed room has anything to do with the entertainment schedule being available to book or not. My first guess is your sailing is still too far out to reserve entertainment. Keep checking the Cruise Planner periodically. By 90 days prior to sailing, it should be there.

I've done a few spin classes onboard. Like the drink packages, if you do enough fitness classes, the fitness class pass has the potential to save you money. It's really up to you to take advantage of them.

I just checked the app, and I see Allure sailings starting with the Apr 15 sailing, going all the way through the June 17 sailing.

I've always assumed that's a bug, or at least, RC would love to end that loophole.

I'd say 50% is a safe bet. It's probably higher than that.

Here's an in-depth blog post about if a drink package is worth it: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/05/25/are-royal-caribbeans-unlimited-drink-packages-worth-it And/or, check out this video review:

I believe it is a private lesson, although I don't know that for certain. You cannot prebook. What you need to do is go to the Sports Desk on the ship and inquire about reserving a time. As you mentioned, going on day 1 is a great idea!

Many of you already hit the important notes, but just a reminder.... A Passport card will not get you out of the country if you get stuck there A photo of your passport is as useful as a photo of cash Leaving your passport on the ship while you are in port is useless In short, invest in a passport and bring it with you every time you leave the ship. I feel better now

I don't see why this would be a logistical problem. The key is to manage your time so you get to the airport on time, but otherwise this should work. The other issue you should consider is if you're swimming all day, you may want to shower prior to going to sit on a plane. There may be showers available at the resort you're considering, but just something to think about.

Don't overlook two smaller cabins and splitting up. It may not be that much more expensive, and then you get an extra bathroom! Thank you for supporting our sponsor! I don't think it's a mistake. Full disclosure: I haven't stayed in those rooms, but I think the "noise bleed" issue in this particular location shouldn't be an issue. I've stayed in rooms near elevators, underneath restaurants, etc and had pretty good luck with it not being noisy. That's definitely a lot more for a different room. Like you said, that can pay for a lot of other other cruise costs!

Unrelated tip, you can go much earlier than 12:30. The check-in process at the terminal will begin closer to 10am or so. So you could go there and drop off your luggage much earlier than 12:30.