HeWhoWaits

This is a great example of sharing the reasons a particular cruise or particular ship was less than anticipated (or even possibly "the worst ever" among those cruises the poster has taken. Thank you.

We've had things canceled AFTER we boarded (and not just those that happen because of an itinerary change necessitated by weather or a medical emergency). It doesn't happen often, but it's not something new.

My wife's favorite is the pistachio pound cake. Usually only shows up once a week in Windjammer.

Diamond vouchers can be used anywhere you "purchase" drinks (alcoholic and otherwise). This includes ordering in the MDR and specialty restaurants.

No chance to accomplish that. Just sign up for an afternoon boarding window and enjoy the game THEN head to the ship.

That is correct. You also see DD for Darling Daughter but I don't recall ever seeing DS in reference to male offspring.

We did this excursion in July. We had five stops. The tour guide kept calling one stop a "distillery" but it was a brewery (not bad but Watlings would've been better). Our version included New Duff, Tasty Teas, the brewery, a stop to get conch fritters, and a lunch at the last stop. The history and sights included during the driving around was a bonus.

I qualify as an old fart, but most of my alcohol consumption on cruises happens after dinner.

The brig on the ship is always an option. No need to finish cruising first.

Making a paper list of shows and times from previous cruises is a great idea. There is someone available to help with app questions during the cruise. On both Ovation and Freedom this year, there was a kiosk set up with scheduled hours. The time was fairly long on embarkation day and reduced as the cruise went on. If the tech helper isn't available, Guest Services can assist with most app-related questions as well. Your parents just need to not be afraid to ask for help.

I-95 is used on Royal ships to designate the work and crew access corridor on Deck 1.

Take an old hotel key card for the slot. Any old card will do.

Your experience is based on taking a boat to Blue Lagoon. We were booked through Royal on an excursion that used a bus. All of those excursions had to walk about 3/4 of a mile to get to the excursion pickup spot (and back afterward).

For excursions that use local transport, it was quite a walk from the far pier shown above. They had a few golf carts that indicated they were only for mobility issues. The application of "mobility issues" was pretty tight - only if you were in a wheelchair as I saw some folks who didn't "qualify" for the cart who had to stop and sit several times along the way. The distance walked is currently a little more than usual because of construction going on at the piers.

You asked us to not judge. Sorry, I have to judge. Great post. Your viewpoints are not only valid as they reflect your experience, but most of them are spot on with what many (most?) experienced cruisers think.

Unlimited Dining Package (UDP) and Deluxe Beverage Package (DBP). Easy enough for some to confuse the two when abbreviating, especially if you have never purchased either (and never intend to do so).

Why not just use the high end of the price range in your comparison? Then if it's lower, you feel like you're coming out ahead.

One thing the cruise lines could learn from the Vegas casinos - big enough plates at the buffet.

We're going on a Holland America cruise next year. Their "all-in" fare costs more than the regular fare plus the extras that we will use.

Those three were so good on our Alaska trip in May that I made sure to get them again on our S2S in July. NSA not required for my health, but some of the NSA desserts are better than many of the "regular" desserts, IMO.

That's one incident every 8.5 years, not 8 per year. 8 per year would be alarming. One every 8 years, not so much.

I don't recommend being mad or offended that he WANTS you to take the trip you planned. A few days apart isn't the end of the world and he SUPPORTS you. Go on the cruise and enjoy it. Bring home lots of photos and memories to share with him and let him enjoy your trip too, without the anxiety of doing something that frightens him.

Even easier - have a printed Set Sail pass and hand that to the bartender to scan.

OP doesn't indicate that they are staying in a suite. If not, the grandchildren will not officially have access to any of the suite amenities that are also granted for Pinnacle status. Also - Pinnacle is the only status that does not transfer based on relationship so even if the grandkids are linked to the grandparents they would not be considered Pinnacle.

Get there too early and you'll be fighting with the traffic for all those leaving the cruise that is disembarking (and all the other cruises disembarking at the other Miami terminals). The porters will be there, but they're busy getting to departing passengers moved out.