Matt

That is a great choice!

I'd be kind of surprised if that scenario would work, but never hurts to ask, right? Sorry, no first hand experience here with that idea.

Welcome Sandy!

I would bet money any liquor you purchase onboard will be held until the last night of the cruise, regardless of if you buy it from RC or on shore. So you are correct in that assumption. Royal Gifts will allow some liquor (mostly wine and champagne) to be pre-purchased and delivered to your room. Outside of Royal Gifts, I am not aware of a means to do what you are asking.

Yes, no fee to have your own bottles of wine opened for you.

I've seen nothing yet to substantiate that rumor

I think this is what you're looking for: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/royalgifts Yes you can. The bar staff is pretty loose with the bottled water and I've seen and experienced many instances where one person with a drink package gets an alcoholic beverage plus a bottle of water.

The Ultimate Beverage Package is one kind of Unlimited Beverage package. I think you're confusing the various terms. Here is more info on the Ultimate package: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2015/07/01/depth-look-royal-caribbeans-ultimate-drink-package

I have not, but hope someone here can assist!

Royal Caribbean will raise the rate of its automatic gratuities: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/03/29/royal-caribbean-raises-gratuity-amount-guests Anyone with existing reservations should seriously consider pre-paying gratuities now, because it will lock in today's gratuity rate instead!

Sea days for sure. Not sure about Vision, but Izumi was not open for lunch on embarkation day on Brilliance, FWIW

Week of April 4, I believe: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/03/14/royal-caribbean-provides-additional-2017-2018-deployment-schedule

Now that you say that, I agree the Four Seasons version is the version I prefer too.

I haven't used them but I have heard good things about them.

My advice is walk around the port area and scope things out. The one time I went to Belize, I did a beach excursion at Goff's Caye, which I did not love. I think speaking with a taxi driver and getting a quote and some suggestions may be a good bet. If you don't like what you see/hear, you can just hang out in the port.

I have booked cabanas twice at Nellie's. Bother were over the water cabanas. The benefit of the over the water cabanas is the quietness/seclusion. You get far more privacy than the beach cabanas. But as you noted, the beach cabanas have easier access to the ocean. Over the water cabanas have a private staircase, but it leads right into the middle of the water. This is more of an issue for children.

Thank you for the report!

Carry-on. Per the rules, you are supposed to carry it on so they can verify it is wine and you have the right amount. Plus, checking wine could cause one of two (if not both) scenarios to occur: 1. Wine bottle to break 2. Luggage flagged by security for possible prohibited alcohol, resulting in your luggage delivery being delayed and a trip to the "naughty room"

Welcome Bret and Jeanne! So glad you are here AND you are joining us for the group cruise!

All I have stuck in my head now is the Spinners song: "Working my way back to you babe"

Royal Caribbean does not post its Cruise Compass' in advance, but you can see old Cruise Compass' here: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compass

I might be way off base, but I am pretty certain RC has pulled out of South America until further notice, based on the Brazilian economy issues.

Welcome Hayley!

Here are some mock ups And the bag

Which restaurants are you trying for? In my experience, even when a restaurant is "sold out" there can be walk-up availability, especially right when it opens up for dinner. YMMV