Matt

I have heard meclizine is the most powerful non-prescription med there is, and it is what RC gives out in the medical office.

Three weeks! That is really getting close now

There is not. At least, none I have seen.

Probably the best strategy is to call ahead.

Paul is correct. One big misconception about OBC is that you can apply it to one thing or not. RC just applies OBC to your SeaPass account as a credit.

Here is an in-depth look at the Select drink package: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2015/08/10/depth-look-royal-caribbeans-select-drink-package

Honestly, I have no idea. The only reason we even know Freedom is getting Voom is because there was a promotion offering free Voom on Freedom. That deal was for cruises beginning in May, so it's anyone's guess when Voom gets turned on.

All Oasis and Quantum class ships have it right now. Enchantment, Freedom, Majesty, Jewel, Empress and (we think) Liberty are all getting it this year.

Sounds to me like a great room! The benefit is it looks like you get some extra square footage because of the odd shape. It is all the way forward and it's worth noting some people feel more motion in the front of the ship. Generally, these odd shaped rooms benefit you more because you get more living space. Plus you get two windows!

How much are they charging for Chops on Empress?

That deal is still there, or it should be. You won't see it until you get onboard and see the OBC in your account. You have to book at least 3 restaurants to qualify

Category I Is an oceanview and here is one video. Not the best cinemography but better than nothing!

That or Google image search. What category are you considering?

Great point. This saves me a lot of money. While you are correct, I would not bet on this being an option available on any sailing.

Here's a brand new one from Freedom of the Seas last week: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compasses/freedom-of-the-seas/sun-2016-01-17-0000-0

Good news, Allure was able to dock there today http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/01/26/royal-caribbean-resumes-visits-private-destination-of-labadee

We booked a Hampton Inn in Gainesville, Florida, which was about 2 hour drive from Tampa (we were driving from Georgia) and found that to be a great choice for us.

Welcome to the message boards! First and foremost, Anthem of the Seas has a special kind of dining called Dynamic Dining and it sounds like you have Dynamic Dining Classic, where you have a rotation of different complimentary restaurants that you will dine at each evening and retain the same wait staff and tablemates. As RC stated, you will get your exact order of restaurants when you get onboard. If you would like to dine at Chops Grille, a specialty restaurant, you have two options: book it now online or wait to get onboard. There really is no danger in booking it now online, because you will simply skip whatever restaurant you were scheduled to go to in your rotation on the night you select for Chops. Which evening you select for Chops Grille is completely up to you. There really is not a "wrong" night to pick. It really is up to you, in terms of what you prefer.

In your case, I would try to estimate how much you would drink on an "on day" and figure how much the cost of those drinks are a la carte and compare to the package. I think you will better off a la carte because if any of those drinking days hits on a port day, you would likely save even more money drinking on shore. I guess what I am trying to say is you have to sit down and figure out the math of how much you think you would drink and see how close you are to the daily cost of the drink package.

You can bring food to give to the staff to provide. Classic example is a bottle and formula. You could certainly try to go a little early or later. They are usually as accommodating they can if they have space. I guess what I am saying is you can certainly try, no harm in that.

We did a group tour in Barbados with Tyronne Griffith tours, that I described in this live blog post: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2013/09/27/jewel-of-the-seas-live-blog-day-6-barbados

Thanks for the feedback. I certainly understand your frustration and I would be frustrated too because I really love going to Labadee. Keep in mind with Jim Walker he has an agenda, namely to earn a living by providing legal services to people who feel they were wronged by cruise lines. Not saying Jim is 100% wrong (or right), but he is far from an unbiased source of information. Hope you will not let this incident change how you cruise!

Interesting, usually non-Voom is $20 per day per device. Freedom is getting Voom at some point this year, but was not aware it was activated quite yet. Someone sent me a copy of the Jan 17 Freedom sailing and it was $15: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compasses/freedom-of-the-seas/sun-2016-01-17-0000

Dutch side is obviously closer and it does offer some nice options. French side offers some better shopping but both sides are great options. I think beach-wise, Orient Beach is prettier.

Love Maya Chan http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2010/08/02/excursion-focus-maya-chan-beach