Geema

Agreed but you've only had 2 meals by 5pm? I have 2 breakfasts every morning, lol. "Pre-breakfast" is usually a Park Cafe McMuffin when available or else just some pastries to go with my DL/SL cappuccino before having an actual sit down breakfast with the wife (or extended family if it's a family cruise). Then there's lunch, afternoon meal, dinner, and 2nd dinner. 🤣
 

I usually eat at 5, so I'm okay with that.

Make sure your watch or phone is set to ship time...not the time of the port where you are! :)

Is it true there was, yet, another brawl at Royal? Not on one of their cruise ships, everyone was sober and cranked up on coffee/expresso and it occurred in their
IT department! 

I have been very fortunate when it comes to C & A status.  A few years ago, after a 2013 cruise on the Allure, I was shown as being just a couple points shy of Diamond status.  We booked a 2015 cruise on the Jewel and opted for a suite with my daughter and her friend booked in the same cabin as us.  After that cruise I was well clear of Diamond status.  
Next we book a four night on the Brilliance, get our Diamond balcony discount and enjoy the Diamond lounge.  Then in 2017 we take a 8 nighter on the Freedom and again get our discount and Diamond benefits.  A few weeks after returning home I go to check our point totals to see if they have been updated and they had indeed.  I now stood as a Diamond member with a mere 86 points, not the 104 I was expecting.  
So now I start doing the math.  First thing I had to figure out was how many points I should have had for my sailings prior to them changing the point structure (back when you got 1 point per cruise). I knew there was a formula involved which took some googling to find.  Bottom line is that when I figured it all out I did indeed have 86 points.  So I managed to get two cruises as a Diamond member prior to technically being one.  Thank you RC mystery math.
So I figure I have to reason to complain that we never received our Diamond pins.  The bummer is I thought I was so much closer to D+, lol.
 

To add to that, I think it's gold seapass card in a suite that is non-Oasis or Quantum class.  If you are sailing Oasis or Quantum class then they have their Sea, Sky, Star colours right?  The dark purple for Star, the burgundy/purple for Sky, and I have no clue what the Sea colour is but will find out in 10 days!

Geema, I was confused about this for a little while also, you only get a gold Seapass card if you are in a suite, when you hit gold status the card will still be silver (For a regular room) but say gold across the bottom, I think that if you were to ever get a "Star" class room that the card is Purple or lavender.

Welcome to the boards!  We are all learning together here!
Even if you are exempted you will have to purchase the refreshment package (the non-alcoholic one).  I am not sure what the "official list" of exemptions are right now.  Medical and religious reasons is two for sure.  Others will probably know more.

I think some of us might be missing the point, it's not whether we can get them on the ship or not, we don't want anything on the ship with a heating element that the Cruise ship company and Coast Guard see as a possible fire threat.
Fire on a ship is a bad thing.

I see the guy running that Kickstarter is also named Ari.  Must be a total coincidence that you are posting nothing but messages praising it  
Pretty sure repackaged Flameless Ration Heaters are not allowed on cruise ships.

The policy is no wet bathing suites in the dining rooms.  Wet shower clothes are not addressed in the dining or formal night policy.  

I have a travel steamer I have taken on 15 cruises and it has never been confiscated. It is shaped differently and I don't think they know it is a steamer. This isn't exactly it, but it looks similar.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/Norelco-Travel-Care-Fabric-Steamer-Wrinkle-Remover-w-Carry-Pouch/162895644320?hash=item25ed5646a0:g:tdoAAOSwp7tafmRl

Geema that is brilliant. I get my hair cut every 3 weeks at the barber with a #2 clipper. Yet now feel the need to have a flat iron in my luggage!

I also use my hair flat iron to get wrinkles out.

What about getting caught in the rain?
Sorry, couldn't resist.

I will defend your right to smoke, as long as it doesn't infringe on my rights not to inhale second hand smoke. Truth be told, I wouldn't cruise on a ship that allowed karaoke through out the ship! I don't do that either. 

Hot shower, hang clothes, close bathroom door.  Works better with wrinkle release applied first.  Oh and BTW, real men do it too.  

i still say they should tow a dinghy behind the ship with a rope ladder attached, and smokers have to climb down to it to smoke

It's not an unusual for a cruise director to ask the audience during the welcome aboard show.  Someone always cheers when they ask if anyone is celebrating a divorce.  Sometimes its me.  

? One of these things is not like the other... ?

I wear bling flip-flops with my formal dress.  Comfort above fashion.  Sorry

For those of us who can no longer wear heels, (sciatica), I plan on wearing Bling sandals or bling flip flops. 

For guys its not acceptable...closed toe shoes (and socks?).....doesn't matter how dressy it is is my understanding.

Welcome to the boards! You can always check in "people connect" and the "master members cruise list" has members and sailings listed.
Hidden fees might come from:
- beverages like specialty coffee, alcohol, fresh juices, sodas, bottled water
- shore excursions if you did not pre purchase
- merchandise you might buy on board
- specialty dining if you want to try it and did not pre purchase
- every once in a while, there might be an activity on the cruise compass that requires an extra fee. It will be noted by a $ beside it
I'm probably forgetting stuff but others will chime in.  Gratuities is going to be one of your biggest chunks if you did not pre pay them. Whatever you do, don't remove them.  It gets divided amongst many crew members even those who do not directly wait on you but play a role in making your vacation wonderful. If anything, bring a few extra bills to tip extra to the crew members who make your vacation extra wonderful.

Matt:
FYI, Royal's web page may be out of date.  This service was provided to us in Seattle in September.  It was a great time saver!