Razerbkfan

When we started as a newbie I had read about securing your luggage using small zip ties you can buy at any hardware store. The thought was you could open fairly easy if asked. But your luggage is more secure than being unlocked. We pack a set of nail clippers in our carry on bag we board the ship with. Security for the ship is quite a bit different than airport security. We then clip all of the ties when the bags get to the stateroom. Anyway 6 cruises later we've never had the problem doing this.

Leaving on Majesty next month. This will be our first visit to Coco Cay. Curious how they assign tenders or do you just get in a line?

I agree normally some type of beef option every night. I think you can pay an up charge if you want the aged steak similar to what you would get in Chops. Although if I'm going to pay an up charge I would just go to the specialty dining venue so you get the whole experience. Remember you can order more than one entree so try something you've never had. Add it with the beef you normally have and you will really be on vacation. Lunch typically has a menu in the MDR plus they have had a really good salad bar where you pick your ingredients but they prepare it for you. We enjoy having both breakfast and lunch in the MDR because the pace is slower and not as crowded as the windjammer. However on port days we usually do room service in the morning so we can get to our excursions Agree your reservation should have shown you either as fixed dining time or my time dining. You should be able to change by contacting RCL or if you used travel agent they can help you.

I'm a relative newbie with only 4 RCL cruises, but I think the answer is no on the use of OBC in the casino. It would of course work for any drinks you might order but all of the games are played with cash. The casino is about the only area on the ship that you need to take cash for. Almost everything else you pay with you seapass card which the OBC will be credited to.

We have never had any trouble at airport or boarding for our cruise with our pill organizers. Just as a tip we printout a listing of all of our meds and my spouse and I each keep a copy. That way if for some reason we would have to visit an emergency room we could give them the copy instead of trying to remember each dosage and med we take.

We sail mid October also. Looking at the web cams and talking to relatives in the area it sounds like cruise port and most parking areas are ok. Problem is you can't drive in or out right now. Best guess is that port will be open. It looks however like they have water in the "strand" so shopping or dining before you get on the ship may be iffy. Having been through Katrina the long lasting effects are harder to get a handle on. Finding a pre cruise hotel or staying a few days after may not be easy to arrange. We like to cruise out of Galveston and love the people and the area. We are praying for them.

The last couple of cruises we've put a couple of cartons of soda in a throwaway bag and sent it with our tagged luggage. It was delivered with no problem. We figured if they confiscated it we would donate it to the crew. My wife gets the soda package but likes more than just the coke products served on board. Sending it tagged kept us from having to lug it around until the rooms are ready. As mentioned we see a lot of people carry on but haven't seen them stopped. I agree I think they are really concerned about alcohol not soda or water

And that is why we love to cruise. All of us on the same ship, having a great time, but approaching it from our own direction. My wife and I both work customer service jobs. So when we cruise we're that couple that sits at a table for 2 or off by ourselves in the deck chairs nowhere near the pool. Time to unwind, be together and let someone bring the drinks to us. Don't get me wrong we have our favorite bar on the ship and some of the bartenders are a show themselves. At the same time no rush, no worries, and waiter can you bring me one of those tall drinks that those people over there just got served is our cruise order. By the way thanks to Matt and the rest of you on this blog. You convinced us to give this cruise thing a try a couple of years ago and we dont know why we waited so long.

We've cruised Liberty several times. Our experience is that your table area in the MDR will have a bar steward to take your drink orders. You certainly can order wine by the glass and they do a good job coming around asking if you would like another. Also don't forget that the drink package gives you a discount on a bottle of wine. So if your table mate doesn't have a drink package it might be cheaper to just order them a botttle. The MDR staff will save any unfinished bottles for you so you can enjoy them another night. As other mentioned it's fun to meet at one of the bars prior to going to dinner and you can carry a drink into dinner. Same goes for after dinner don't for get to order one to go. It saves standing in line at the show venues.

Ok remember to each their own. My wife enjoys the idea of dressing up for diner each evening so yes we way over pack. Prior to the cruise she starts saving those hangers you get from the dry cleaners. She hangs her dress outfits and then puts them in one of those folding hardcase suit bags. When the luggage is delivered she just needs to pull everything out of the bag and it is ready to hang. My walmart sack of cloths just get thrown in the drawer. Sail on!