NS8VN

People have been able to book those things for quite a while.  It is in no way indicative of RCCL's confidence in something being open, all they have to do is refund the money if things aren't open.

Sounds like they are bringing in some of the really large items that will require the pier to dock and unload.  Assuming they have to close it for a day to do so then it makes some sense that they are cancelling the smallest ship so as to affect the smallest number of passengers.
Not that I wouldn't be as angry as anybody at this.  However I will give them credit that they did this before the final payment date.

Do you want to start a fight on the RC Blog forums? Because this is how you start a fight on the RC Blog forums. 

Where are you hearing so much about them?  On this and a few other forums I have almost exclusively heard of complementary upgrades as a result of the original room being unavailable for one reason or another.  (An aside, to upgrade a room means to get a better room.  The cost, or lack of additional cost, is not a part of the definition.)  I have heard of many people getting better rooms at really good rates, but very very few who have gotten randomly selected to be upgraded at no cost.
Much like Disney World, it seems that things that used to be random bits of (as they are referred to there) "pixie dust" have become well known thanks to forums and social media.  As such people started asking, and in more than a few cases demanding, these formerly nice bonuses bestowed by kind customer service individuals.  So companies put a stop to it across the board.  Given that instead they can sell the rooms for a premium, they probably wondered why they were giving them away in the first place.

Either a fire that is not an immediate risk to passenger safety at this time, or another fairly serious incident.

Kilo is the RCCL version of General Quarters.  It's to get crew to emergency stations.
Hopefully it is a drill, or that someone was just smoking in their room and set off their smoke detector.
Stay safe, and keep us informed when you can.  At least you get another story to share from your trip ?

Day 2 highlights- few days late as Voom has been slow and I’m struggling to upload pictures
Windy sea day.  Slides are fun and had low lines throughout the day. 

Sky Pad
Sky pad it was open from 9am-7 pm.  The sky pad had long lines (60-90 minutes) almost all day.  The kids waited once during the day for over 60 minutes and tried it again around 5 pm and only waited 30 minutes.  There’s a staff member who weighs each person and you are given a wrist band saying the number of bands to be hooked up to.  It’s about a 30 minute wait at this point.  They say you can choose your adventure: candy, space or music.  I’ll try to get a pic of the choices.  My kids didn’t have the greatest luck choosing their game and the headset would slide down from Soccer’s and Cutie’s heads. College felt a bit sick after it and so did I.  I think next time we’ll try without headsets.  You are allowed to do flips if you don’t wear a headset. Overall it is a fun experience but I would suggest getting there first thing or around dinner time. 
 
Sushi making class.  College, Football and I did this class and it was offered at 11:30 on day 2.  Really fun class and a great lunch.  
 
Windjammer is crazy. During breakfast, there were announcements asking people to leave tables if they were finished eating.  Some groups had set up card games! 
 
MTD crowds.  Make a reservation! The line to check in without a reservation extended to Studio B on the first night.  The second night wrapped around the side towards the ladies bathroom as the photographer was set up in the middle.  
 
Formal night was night 2.  Food good but the beef is slightly over cooked.  I usually like my beef cooked to medium but it’s more on the medium well side.  Here is the menu for formal night.  
Speaking of the MDR, am I the only one who hates the production of the waiters singing? They sang some Italian song last night.  While I love the wait staff, I think this completely interrupts the meal timing and conversation.  I would never expect my wait staff on land to sing especially in a high end restaurant. 
There are 1140 children on board.  
 
Grease was shown on night 2 at 6 and 9 pm.  This is the only showing of the cruise.  I walked in at 8:55 and found decent seats with College Ski.  Mr Ski hates Grease and saw it with me on Harmony but won’t see it again.  That worked out well as Cutie had a rough night and needed to go to bed early. 

Cruise Day:
All 6 of us are onboard.  Left the hotel at 10 and they were boarding at 11:30.  We were the first on the ship!  A quick photo drop.
Suite area pier 18
i don’t remember seeing umbrellas in splash away bay.  
Handwashing stations in windjammer
skypad fun. I’ll describe later. 
JS toiletries

T-2 Packing and stressing out 
Who?  
Welcome to the Skis crazy family travels.  I'm Mel, married to Mr. Ski and we have 4 kids:  DD18 College Ski, DS15 Football Ski, DS12 Soccer Ski and DD7 Cutie Ski.
I'm not a great blogger and I'll be without my computer this trip.  All updates and pictures will be on my Iphone.  I'll try to remember to upload the daily activity sheet and I'll send Matt the Cruise Compasses after the cruise.
Where?
This sailing will be Independence first regular Caribbean cruise after her TA and the "Bliss" clothing optional cruise.  Yes, I have medical grade sanitation wipes to wipe down the stateroom.  This 5 night Western Caribbean takes us to Labadee and Falmouth.
Why?
Why this cruise instead of the amazing group cruise on Symphony also going on this week?  I'm having a bit of FOMO but this works better for us.  We typically go to WDW every 2 years this week and I just couldn't do it again!  WDW is the exact opposite of a relaxing cruise vacation.  So in January, I looked at cruises and felt that we got a good deal during a school holiday for 2 connecting Junior Suites. Also, in the mix was College Ski.  She wanted to spend some time at home seeing friends.  So the 5 night was a compromise.  I want my kids to want to vacation with us as we will most likely only be able to do family vacations with everyone for a few more years.
What could go wrong?
Flying separately on 3 flights over 2 days.  Soccer, Cutie and I will fly out tomorrow.  Weather looks good.  I'm not worried which probably means I should be!
And here comes the drama(s).  When I booked in January, I knew there was the slimmest chance Mr. Ski and Football Ski would not make the cruise.  That slim chance has become a 50-50.  DS HS football team is in the quarterfinals (awesome) and if they win Friday night Mr. Ski and Football Ski will not be on the cruise (bummer).  I have to root for the win even if that means missing the cruise.  If the team loses tomorrow night, they will fly out Saturday morning.  A day of the cruise flight and it would be horrible to lose and then miss the cruise due to a flight delay. 
Next, College Ski is in the path of the nor'easter that is hitting today.  Hopefully by Friday night, it looks that by tomorrow night it will be dry.  This is her first flight by herself to somewhere other than home and school.  I've checked the aircrafts entire path for tomorrow and other airlines flights out to FLL.  Fingers crossed.
Starting to question the decision to take this trip.  Too much pre-cruise excitement and I haven't started packing!  Speaking of packing, I should start!  I'll come back with plans, excursions, etc.  It will be my reward for packing.  Brothers Osborne "It Ain't My Fault" is my packing theme song!
 

So that means you are going to miss the special charter cruise on Nov 11th?  You know, the adult-only clothing-optional one that advertises special "play areas"?  You have to be really upset to be missing out on that one! ?
I'm so glad they sterilize the ship top to bottom between every cruise already...

So that means you are going to miss the special charter cruise on Nov 11th?  You know, the adult-only clothing-optional one that advertises special "play areas"?  You have to be really upset to be missing out on that one! ?
I'm so glad they sterilize the ship top to bottom between every cruise already...

So that means you are going to miss the special charter cruise on Nov 11th?  You know, the adult-only clothing-optional one that advertises special "play areas"?  You have to be really upset to be missing out on that one! ?
I'm so glad they sterilize the ship top to bottom between every cruise already...

So that means you are going to miss the special charter cruise on Nov 11th?  You know, the adult-only clothing-optional one that advertises special "play areas"?  You have to be really upset to be missing out on that one! ?
I'm so glad they sterilize the ship top to bottom between every cruise already...

Congrats to all those who are cruising this month! Have fun on the Group Cruise!
November 2018
3 - Auto (Rhapsody of the Seas)
4 - Floski (Oasis of the Seas)
4- BobNoxious (Freedom of the Seas)
5 - Renee Siao (Navigator of the Seas) Update: We won’t be visiting Boston, New York, and Port Canaveral. Instead, we’ll be visiting Bruges/Zeebrugge (Brussels), Belgium, Le Havre, France, and Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. 
9 - Matt (Symphony of the Seas)
9 - RBRSKI (Mariner of the Seas)
11 - betatke1480 (Oasis of the Seas)
11 - Dcruiser (Oasis of the Seas)
12 - davelliott (Mariner of the Seas)
16 - davelliott (Mariner of the Seas)
17 - Matt (Symphony of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise)
17 - CGTLH (Symphony of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise)
17 - hallyluhopper (Symphony of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise)
17 - melski94 (Independence of the Seas)
17 - RBRSKI (Symphony of the Seas)
17 - Susie (Anthem of the Seas)
17- princevaliantus (Jewel of the Seas)  
18 - SouthernYankee (Adventure of the Seas)
18 - WAAAYTOOO (Navigator of the Seas)
18 - mikebarr (Liberty of the Seas)
19 - bcarney (Serenade of the Seas)
19 - RatedPG (Serenade of the Seas)
19- betatke1480 (Enchantment of the Seas) 
22- eaglesfaninfl (Brilliance of the Seas)
23 - mworkman (Navigator of the Seas)
23 - spiralqueen (Enchantment of the Seas)
24 - J_Keeble (Symphony of the Seas)
24 - henrysea13 (Adventure of the Seas)
24 - SouthernYankee (Adventure of the Seas)
25 - CruisinUngs (Anthem of the Seas)
25- Ray (Freedom of the Seas)
25 - Steph215 (Anthem of the Seas)
26 - NS8VN (Independence of the Seas)
26- Chitown Traveler (Mariner of the Seas)

Before jumping the gun on this, can we confirm this is actually a thing and not just a random one-off situation and/or a mis communication?

I remember what a teacher of mine said while teaching us the usage of "can" and "may" - "You CAN but you MAY not".
What you plan to do is not allowed with any of the beverage packages.  It has some kind of ripple effect. Actions like this causes RCCL to come up with STRICTER policies for the packages. As an example, they now require ALL (adult) guests in a stateroom to get the Ultimate Package regardless of their drinking habits. I'm sure the main cause of this change in policy goes back to guests in the past using their companion's beverage privileges.  
There are a lot COMPLIMENTARY beverage options that come with your cruise fare.   I hope your daughter will find something from there to her liking.
My two cents.

Yeah, don't you hate it when someone writes those? ? 
Just because someone makes a comment that could be construed as partisan and nobody yells at the person about it does not make a site "political leaning" or "only for right wing folks".  I do believe it is typically called "tolerance", "not reading any ill-intent", or at the very least "letting it go". 
I do, unfortunately, very much believe you are being serious.

I do sincerely hope you enjoy your cruise.  I hope when something irritates you on the ship you can let it go and not allow it to ruin your trip.

It really doesn't matter what one types in a "chat" environment, "someone" will take issue with it.   I prefer to look at Mont's comment about wishing the best for the people down there.  But, I always seem to find a "silver lining".   And, the term "fake news" is a water fountain comment now days.  Doesn't matter if we like it or not, it's here to stay.  Just like the word "Deplorables".  And, I'm a "left" or "right" kind of person. Now, Let's all have fun!  After all, we're talking about our upcoming cruise.
 

Yeah, don't you hate it when someone writes those? ? 
Just because someone makes a comment that could be construed as partisan and nobody yells at the person about it does not make a site "political leaning" or "only for right wing folks".  I do believe it is typically called "tolerance", "not reading any ill-intent", or at the very least "letting it go". 
I do, unfortunately, very much believe you are being serious.

I do sincerely hope you enjoy your cruise.  I hope when something irritates you on the ship you can let it go and not allow it to ruin your trip.

Yeah, don't you hate it when someone writes those? ? 
Just because someone makes a comment that could be construed as partisan and nobody yells at the person about it does not make a site "political leaning" or "only for right wing folks".  I do believe it is typically called "tolerance", "not reading any ill-intent", or at the very least "letting it go". 
I do, unfortunately, very much believe you are being serious.

I do sincerely hope you enjoy your cruise.  I hope when something irritates you on the ship you can let it go and not allow it to ruin your trip.

So True. Life's short just have fun. Don't worry be happy.

Maybe I 'got' his sense of humor being Canadian but I don't think he was trying to be left, right or anywhere else.
It's hard not to scan the TV line-up and not hear extreme rhetoric from many news outlets, Canadian or American (yes, Canadian news endures the same political diarrhea with its politics except it ends in 'eh')  so I think his point was, while those stations continued their verbal diarrhea few even mentioned this earthquake or the impact to the people of Haiti while these supposed 'news' channels chose to remain babbling on.   

Exactly, I feel people almost always get the math wrong on the drink packages.  As you mention, assuming someone books their cruise well ahead and keep an eye on the Cruise Planner it is very likely they will get a sale package.  For reference I have seen it several times at $48pppn, so that's not even the biggest sale.  Now, if you are someone like me (or OP) who is choosing between the soda package or deluxe package (rather than deluxe package or no package) then we should factor in that it is between an $8.50 package or $48 package.  So now we can consider the deluxe package to actually be $40 (rounding for simplicity).  Now, coffee or fresh squeezed OJ?  So if we get a single glass of OJ and a single premium coffee, we are talking another $10.  Feel like some bottled water?  Three would be another $10.  Now we are looking at needing to buy $20 worth of drinks.  That's 2 mixed drinks or 3 beers (wine somewhere in between).
The point is not to encourage anybody to get a drink package they don't want, rather make sure you are factoring in the complete value of the package as it's much more than booze.  The Refreshment Package might make sense as well if all of those things sound good but the 2 drinks average per day still seems excessive to someone.  Just know that the 5-7 drink estimate people come up with is leaving a lot out of the equation.
As to the actual question of the thread: you can't just get a package for one day for the reason you can't just sign up for a week at the gym.  RCCL knows many people won't take full advantage of the package throughout their cruise, rather it is a convenience for them.  So those people essentially subsidize the package for those taking plenty of advantage.  Much like all the people signing up at a gym in January are subsidizing it for those still working out in March.  It's all a numbers game and RCCL has the numbers down to a science.

The Sun?  Have you no standards, sir? ?

I'll be on that cruise and drink package is a no brainer...between bottled water...Cpl beers around the pool deck...glass of wine or two at supper.....your almost even...and you get the soda package with it so yeah..not hard to break even..
 
I wont get into the details but the drink package is usually "paid" for after my first day on the ship...lol