MaryCS62

depends on the machine. I forget which ship I was on, (Anthem?) but there were 2 machines side by side by Sorrentos- 1 had a water option, one didn't.

Was on Vision mid March - some portions were tiny ( 2 small pieces fried chicken, maybe 1/4 - 1/3 cup mashed potatoes, small vegetable servings, shrimp cocktail - 4 watery shrimp), and others quite large - Caribbean chicken was 1/2 a chicken, plus large side dishes. but unfortunately I didn't care for the spices, so didn't eat much. I actually can't eat large quantities anymore, & I never felt I needed more food than I got, although I know I could have. Weirdly, 1 thing I noticed was that certain things needed salt - anything without a specific spice profile (ie, the above mentioned Caribbean chicken)- & I rarely salt anything except potatoes and macaroni. Lobster night, I tasted the rice & veg sides - ending up spooning a little of the melted butter on it and salting it as well.

That's why, when we did the special, it was socks, underwear and T-shirts. In addition, since it was a jr suite and had a tub, DD was able to hand wash quite a few things, then we set them by using chair clips on the balcony chairs

Hmm - was looking at that one for early Jan (have to plan around hubby's school schedule). I can't usually do the regular pools (knee troubles makes it difficult to use the ladders) so my only option for pool is the Solarium, usually. Didn't know Odyssey didn't have the covered pool that Anthem did (have done 2 on her, figured we'd like Odyssey too)

I think it depends on 2 things - 1, there is a window of time (I think 3 days prior, but don't quote me on that) at which changes cannot be made, and 2, as long as the primary person in the room stays the same, it is ok. Never done it myself, this is based on others' stories.

oh, well - at least I didn't pay more than I had to ...

me too! but not til I had already cancelled and re-ordered it

I was just coming to post that same thing!! DH loves the filet there, so we grabbed that deal originally on Black Friday for our March cruise

when early dining was 6pm and late was 830 (or 9?) pm, early was good. When they switched it up, we still had to go with early when traveling with my daughter who went to bed early (medical issues) so no choice there. DH and I had MTD on a cruise last year, and it was hit and miss - didn't really care for it, plus we had to fight to not be stuck in a dark, out of the way table. We have done late after it was changed to 730, and preferred that time.

The theater is large, and you shouldn't have any trouble getting a seat. I enjoyed it, hope you do as well

You would need to rent a wheelchair or scooter for him (pre cruise) if he can't walk long distances easily - as far as I know, RC wheelchairs are only for use on the ship. Prior to boarding, you can request wheelchair assistance to get him onto the ship, but they will just bring him to whatever deck boarding is on and leave him there. Scootaround and Special Needs at Sea are rental companies that will rent you scooter, manual wheelchair (I think) or electric wheelchairs, which are typically delivered to the stateroom.

Glad it worked for you. I was thinking of doing a few dinners that way on my upcoming cruise, but not sure I could convince DH to do it with me. We will see....

and, unfortunately, it is fish heavy, which is alright with me, but DH would not care for it at all. Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what substitutions they will make?

or ask your cabin steward for an ice bucket to be filled daily - you can put the bucket in the cooler to keep it colder, or just put the milk cartons in the ice

Well, this is going to be our first cruise on Diamond (8 day on Vision in March) so we will see what it is like. I do like to keep bottled water, drink sodas, although it will be more of a pain without the freestyle machines, and we will be using the drink vouchers for alcoholic drinks, and I will probably give 1 or 2 a day to DH, since I don't drink much anymore. Vision is also a smaller ship, and we've heard that sometimes Diamond cruisers may get limited to the lounge if there are too many Diamond Plus & Pinnacle aboard, so not sure what will happen.

Got very familiar with the policy when traveling with DD who, while over 21, could not have alcohol - but loved the mocktails, sodas & hot chocolate she could get. Then, due to various health issues, last cruise DH & I took alone, he got DBP and I got Refreshment - needed my specialty coffees, soda & waters, and brought wine for myself for dinner. We just hit diamond, so get 8 drinks/day between us, and with bringing wine on board, figure we'll do just fine with both of us getting the refreshment package

Actually, only adults 21+ have to either also get the DBP, or call Royal and get the the Refreshment package for the non drinker. Under 21 - they can get or not get the refreshment or soda package, as they choose

you can also ask your cabin steward for a corkscrew, and uncork it yourself, prior to going to dinner.

or stop in the middle of, or right at the end a grocery store aisle, therefore blocking traffic in both directions.

Does your hotel not offer an airport shuttle? Most of the Newark airport area hotels do that

DH & I just picked up the lunches at both Chops & Giovanni's for our cruise in March on Vision - prices much better than the dinners, and the menus are close enough to make us happy - neither of us can eat the way we used to, so the lunches will be fine for us

I've only seen iced drinks, not frozen ones, unless they were from the standalone Starbucks location, and I never looked at their menu (on Oasis).

in addition to coffee, there will be hot (not actively boiling) water available - usually for tea or hot cocoa packets. Not sure that will do the trick for you.

to add on to that - specialty coffees cost you - but are included in the deluxe drink package & refreshment package. There are also coffee cards that are for 15 specialty coffee drinks (from cafe promenade, park cafe, cafe lattetudes, cafe 270 & sometimes windjammer - locations are ship specific). Freestanding Starbucks locations are NOT included in any package, although you can use starbucks gift cards, I believe.

I think DH & I are in that group as well - is anyone planning a St Patrick's day pub crawl? (asking for him...)