love2cruiseonwheels

I agree with what @AshleyDillo said.

You definitely want to be picked up long before 12:30.  12:30 would be a good time to ARRIVE to the port.
They typically have everyone off of the ship by 9:00-9:30am.  They open the terminal for new passengers typically at 10:00am, so you may want to consider that as your pick-up time.  

Hi,
I knew the milk shakes where not included. I just wanted to know so I had the money ? 
I might upgrade to the Refreshment package so I am not stuck with just soda. ? 
I just wanna make sure I wouldnt be thowing  away money or be able to spend it somewhere else.

I'm 46 years old and still terrified of being late :)

Your mums a genius... and I imagine a great motivator... i bet it motivated you to check in that is for sure  :)

My mom put a watch on my wrist and said if you want to see the outside of the cabin for the rest of the cruise you will check in on very specific intervals. It worked very well!

Tried them our first couple of cruises, surprisingly we generally were able to get "signals", however, we quickly learned that a lot of other people had the same idea and the channels can get crowded.
 
I spent about an hour one morning listening to some crazy lady bitching out her husband for not answering her (in between lots of other side conversations) ... turned out the crazy lady was my wife ..... walkie talkies no longer travel with us.

If I drive 40 miles out of range of my FM station I can't get it in a car, so I doubt you'll get anything out at sea.  I did use IHeart Radio to listen to my FM stations in my stateroom on the ship, but that requires the internet package.

VOOM is "only" internet.  But if you setup your phone to use Wi-Fi Calling, your Verizon calls and texts will be sent using the internet so you avoid international roaming.  I don't remember if you have to call/visit Verizon to setup your account first, but you definitely need to do it before you leave.  You can't activate Wi-Fi Calling for the first time when you are already roaming.  (The phone needs to do some sort of one time setup using the actual Verizon network).
Remember this will only work while you are on the ship.  In port, you may be able to find free Wi-Fi or you can get it by making a purchase at some restaurants/stores.  If that doesn't work, Verizon also has Travel Pass which allows you to use your plan internationally for a daily charge of $5,  10, or ? depending on the country.  Again, I think you have to add the feature to your account before you leave.  Then, the first time you attempt to make a call/text from a foreign country, you'll get a text asking you to authorize the daily charge.  It's actually good for 24 hours from the moment you say yes which means if you do it in the afternoon in one port, you would still have access in the morning in a different port.  However, Travel Pass does not get you access at sea on the ship so you have to remember to turn Wi-Fi Calling off and on at the appropriate times.  Cellular At Sea roaming charges are expensive.
Hope that helps.

@JLMoran Summed things up nicely.  It's, generally speaking, a regular internet connection.  If your phone supports WiFi calling that should work - but it's just one of the many ways of keeping in touch.  The below articles should provide some additional guidance.  Reach out with any questions!
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/07/27/how-stay-touch-someone-your-royal-caribbean-cruise
http://cruisehabit.com/wifi

You can even make phone calls .... IF --- And that's a big IF you're phone can do Wi-Fi Calling ......
When we were on Grandeur in September, my wife was able make phone calls all the time ...
The key is making sure your phone is in Airplane Mode and being hooked up to the Wi-Fi (Voom)

I think you should get Surf and Stream because it is overall a better online experience, regardless if you plan to stream or not.

@love2cruiseonwheels  Well, milk shakes will not be part of the soda package, but I think they are about $5 each.  Last I knew, soda is about $4 each.  So if you drink 3 or 4 sodas each day of your cruise then buy the package.  The Soda package on my two upcoming cruises is currently selling for $9 pppd.  Hope this helps...

The soda package will only include soda.
The Refreshment package is probably what you are looking for.  That will include bottled water, specialty coffees, milkshakes, smoothies, mocktails, non-alcoholic frozen drinks, etc.