HeWhoWaits

When the conversion was made from 1 point per cruise to 1 point per night, every cruise (regardless of length) was counted as 7 points. An extra point was added to that total to account for the possibility of longer cruises. 2 cruises =14 points + 1 extra = 15 like you see. Those who took longer (e.g. 10 night) cruises didn't get what would now be considered "full credit" but those who sailed shorter (3 or 4 night) itineraries made out like bandits.

12k a day? I can get in that many just going back and forth between my table and the buffet line!

Biggest drawback to Freedom is the lack of Izumi

But in the case of a plane ticket, you can still use it (with a standard change fee and any increase in the fare) up to 364 days later. Not true with a cruise.

Needs more bacon!

Is it bad that my first thought on seeing the title of the thread was "why are Crockett and Tubbs investigating Elsa?"

I'm clearly in the minority here, but every SeaPass card I've ever gotten was in the trash before we left the debarkation city.

My reality: Step 1 - What food venues are open? - Let's go! Step 2 - There is no step 2.

Anything above 55 is shorts and sandals weather! On a Saturday, if the predicted high is near 60 I'll leave the house in shorts down to about 40. And I have shoveled snow from the driveway and sidewalk wearing shorts (but not sandals) on many occasions.

I miss "the good old days" (as recently as summer 2012) when there was an "early risers" breakfast available outside the Windjammer at 6:00 a.m. Fruit and pastries to help get me to the opportunity for more substantial fare. 7:00 is too late for the first available breakfast, IMO.

I usually find the temp in the MDR and theater to be much too hot - which means my wife if very comfortable. I usually find the temp in other indoor public areas quite comfortable - which means she is chilled. Bottom line - it is likely that someone in your party will be comfortable and someone else will not.

Simple answer - Aft Balconies are the way to go.

You've got some great grandkids!

I choose "d) all of the above."

Those who raised a stink about this simple gesture should have their C&A accounts flagged as individuals to be up-charged on every future booking. Does that suggestion sound petty enough to match the complainers?

In October sailing out of Baltimore the initial security check had a priority line for Emerald and above verifying that you had a set sail pass and passport, but once past that step everyone went through the same metal detectors. It obviously depends on port AND what "level" of passengers get priority depends on how many there are at or above certain levels on the sailing.

Savory bites are a bread item that used to be available on the tray of bread that came around for diners to select each night. They are no longer considered a "normal" offering and are only available by special request. As @Susie noted, they are small rolls (one big bite or two smaller bites) which have poppy seeds on them.

I, too, was looking forward to the lamb shank on Grandeur in October and was VERY disappointed in the quality of what was placed before me. Overcooked and too full of fat.

Special request that you have to make on the first night but SO worth it at dinner the rest of the trip - Savory Bites.

Kids who are staying in suites are welcome in the Suite Lounge as long as they are accompanied by a responsible adult. It won't be surprising if your kids are better behaved than some of the "adults" in the room.

That's not $433.23 total - it's $433.23 more than you already paid for the ticket you have.

It all depends on what you enjoy. If there is an excursion of particular interest to me, I'll book it. If not, I'll check information about the port for things to do and/or plan to just walk around the shopping area. The other good option already mentioned by @WHStoneman is to just enjoy the ship itself while it is much emptier.

On our cruise with an 11 month old, we had five adults so baby sitting wasn't an issue. Yes, gratuities are charged for the child (just as you are paying for that child as a third passenger in the stateroom).

On our recent Grandeur trip, I found out about a change from Monday afternoon to Tuesday morning for my excursion AFTER BOARDING. At least you know well in advance.

VERY loosely interpreted and enforced. "Formal" night in recent times seems to mean you should wear a CLEAN tee-shirt with your not-too-ratty jeans. This doesn't mean everybody dresses in less than resort casual for the MDR, but there will be some.