Mrs. RoyalMoyal

Pellegrino for Diamond+ 340

Bottles of water for two Diamond+ and an Emerald (plus a beer, OJ, and Grapefruit juice [D+]). Keep in mind this is a 3 night sailing.

I want to say that in 2021 you’ll have Anthem back in NJ, although there’s some speculation whether Odyssey (latest Q ship) will take her place. Assuming that’s correct, you’ll most likely have the same 8/9-night options for Bahamas and Perfect Day going southbound over the summer, alternating with 5-night Bermuda runs.

Usually they say 12pm or later.  I don't know if they will make an exception for 10mins.  The cost is $25 per person and then the additional charge for any checked luggage.  If you are in a GS or above, the $25pp fee is waived.

We usually go ashore, but sometimes we don't, and it is OK! The ports vary quite a bit, so it is up to you. Do some research before you go. Set a budget!
If you want to get away from a port, be ready to hand over some cash. Some of the best days have cost our entire family 50 bucks (Megan's Bay in St. Thomas by taxi, on our own), some $400.00 (small group snorkeling 6 hour tour with lunch in Bonaire).  Generally, if we leave the port again via boat, we book through the cruise line (like going to St John from St Thomas). And sometimes the excursions with the cruise line are simpler and the same cost as going on my own, I took my older son to Kennedy Space center, it was transportation and entry only, and it was about the same cost as renting a car without the car shuttle hassle. 
When we stay on a ship, it's because there are things on the ship we want to do without a crowd.. even just take my son to the "circle pool", go to the gym, or just read. Or it's a port we have seen before, or the port stop is just too short, or we just need a lazy day off. If there are 6 ships in Nassau, I might get off, take a photo of the ships, and get back on board - without leaving the pier!  
I agree with melski94   :Mix it up, have a walking day, a beach day, and a snorkeling day.  

To me, a short stop in a location is also a good litmus test for determining if we want to visit for a longer land-based vacation. St. John for 6 hours is great...St. John for 6 days is way better.

I can see the argument for not tipping additional if you don't have a drink package, since you are paying the gratuity already and you likely are not looking for a lot of repeat service, otherwise you would have a drink package.  I always buy one though, and I always bring $100 in ones on a week long cruise.  Throw them in the safe, and take as needed throughout the week.  Heading to sit by the pool for a few hours on a sea day, I will grab some ones and go.  $2 on the first drink and a buck on the rest and you will never wait for a drink server to come by.  After dinner and heading out to the shows and bars for the night, I will grab more and do the same.  Bartenders pick up on the cash tippers real fast.  Give them your card with the cash right when you are ordering, your drinks will be on point!  Rented a bungalow at Labadee, the group of us pooled and gave the two attendants $10 each as soon as we arrived, as soon as the bar opened they brought us a cooler full of beer, and it was never empty.  Took care of them both on the way out as well, and they couldn't have thanked us enough.  To each their own, but if you have a drink package, I don't see how after spending thousands on a cruise, why an extra hundred makes any difference, especially when it will make your experience so much better.       

Me too !!

Food in Old San Juan with children.
#1. Pizza.  Yes, I know, you are in Puerto Rico. But this pizza is good, really, AND they have Belgian style craft beer(s) on tap, both items are just not on your ship. Pizza Rustica, corner of Calle Forteleza and Calle Tanca. Ask for a table upstairs, it's less "barzy" 
#2. La Bombadera Cafe, Calle San Francisco, has great Mallorca breakfast sandwiches.  Oh, and GREAT coffee, what coffee used to be before Starbucks. It's cheap, too. 
#3 The Parrot Club, this is pricey, though, and will take up too much of your day. The Mofongo and the ribs are both good, and unlike anything I can get here in Ithaca.
2:00 PM is WAY to early for this port. 
P.S. The gift shop in the fort has cold bottled water and gator-aide for sale, and there are restrooms too.
Have fun!
 
 
 
 

I Also Heard From Someone  That They Will Have A Live DJ At The Flowrider

I Heard Form Some One That The FlowRiders Are Going To Get A New Ride Surface ? 

It's deck 18 and a crew only area.
At one point in time a decade ago it was conceived to be a guest area.  If you visit the ship model on Oasis in the aft elevator banks you will see loungers and what clearly looks like a guest area.  Why it never was utilized as such is unclear.  
Crew do use it or so it seems.  

??? hahaha love it!

I've been known to cruise with 12 pairs ?????

We usually skip 1st formal night in the MDR.  Grab a quick bite at Windjammer and take advantage of the empty hot tub and pool. 

Twelve days with the unlimited dining package and unlimited drink package? That would get rid of all the wrinkles in my clothes.
My advice is stretchy pants, and lots of them.

Stocking up on bacon; best tip of the entire thread!

Brilliant, thanks Baked Alaska.

Thanks Lovetocruise2002 I was getting off of Freedom when the recent posting was made, so I missed it! Your link is helpful, thanks.
  

Eat.  Seriously, there are a ton of options, from shaved ice on the street (snow cone) to super expensive restaurants. Or go have a drink.
Have a Mallorca sandwich, it's a breakfast sandwich.  It's great, if you like bread, ham, eggs, and swiss cheese. I like Cafe Bombadera on Calle San Francisco. Cafe Mallorca is good too.  Order coffee, too.
It's a nice port to walk, but you need to be able to walk uphill and on cobbled surfaces, as most streets are made of old ship ballast, and the sidewalks are narrow and there are curbs.
Both Forts are nice to see, you can enter both for $7.00,  look for the golf cart that is currently operating on the trolley route to fetch a ride up to the fort, or get a taxi.
The rain forest is nice, but it takes time to get there and back on a bus.. 
We went for pizza at Pizza Rustica, and I proceeded to fold my slice in half before biting into my pizza, and I got a few chuckles.
 

Thanks to @Lovetocruise2002 for sharing those hotel reviews.
I'd also add that proximity to PortMiami is irrelevant in my opinion since no hotel allows you to walk to the ship and/or avoid a car/bus ride to the port.  With that in mind, I think it's more important about picking a hotel that offers access to something you are interested in or amenities you enjoy in a hotel.

Let you waiter know the speed that you want service, skip dessert (oh my!) and don't order alcohol (egads!) and the entire meal will be quick.  I wanted to get to the Flowrider at 6:00 PM last Anthem cruise, because it was one of 2 warm days.  We sat down at 5:30, I ordered "just fried chicken", and it came with my family's drinks and I was on my way in 20 minutes, leaving my husband with my teenage boys. My waiter told me that he could have taken my order the night before and had my meal ready for me when I sat down!  

I take my breakfast every morning on the balcony when we cruise.  Before anyone else in the cabin is awake.  I find the time peaceful and relaxing.   
I've watched the sun rise and the ship come into exotic ports of call.  I reflect on the day that was and the day to come.  Then I shatter the calm by waking everyone up to start the day. 
 

More young people relevant events on the boat. My wife and I love cruising and are in our late 20s. I feel like many of the events such as the 70s dance party are geared towards such an older audience. I have seen what Carnival is doing with their new ship venues including a brewery that is definetly marketed toward millennials, I think Royal needs to jump on board and start marketing toward that generation
 I would also like events on the ship early in the morning. We are the weird people up to run at 6am even on vacation, but there usually aren't any fun events to do during the morning/early afternoon on the ship. 
An adults arcade type environment similar to a Dave and Busters would be awesome as well (I always feel weird old guy hanging out playing skee ball with a drink in my hand surrounded by little kids).  

Check to see how many ships are in port... if it's 6 ... enjoy the ship!  If you are the only on in port (ha ha ha ha ha) then go for the beach day.  

TMI ALERT !
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