HeWhoWaits

$9.99 per day plus the 18% gratuity is $11.79. Comparing Orange Vanilla Coke to Orange Vanilla Coke here.

2 per day it's worth paying as you go ($8.36) as the daily package cost is $11.79. At 3 per day ($12.54) you come out ahead by purchasing the package. Main reason for the package at less than 3 per day would be the convenience of being able to use the freestyle machines on those ships that have them.

We use the glasses from previous cruises somewhat regularly - we hang with a crowd that loves to party and a couple times a year we do the layered drinks using those glasses.

This was also the case for the Vera Bradley bag mentioned above - the individual would have been VERY surprised at what she carried home had we not connected before leaving the port.

A great idea. When we disembarked in Baltimore in October we were among the last people off the ship. Went to our designated area to get our bags and wouldn't you know - my wife's distinctive Vera Bradley bag was missing and another (newer and nicer) bag of the same size and pattern was right there. We were able to reach the other individual by calling the number on her luggage tag, but since she had already exited the terminal we had to go outside to get the right bag and hike all the way around the terminal to get to our car. What should have been a quick "grab and go" luggage experience turned into a 60 minute ordeal and a long trek instead of a "pop out the door" experience.

Sea day with a toddler = follow the child wherever they lead you - it's a great way to explore the ship in ways you would never consider. Plan to have almost every crew member you encounter fawn over the young 'un.

If you are wine novices, I would caution you that there is a real possibility that the selection by the sommelier may not be to your liking. On our most recent cruise, all of the wines were dry and hearty - perfect for me but not to the liking of ANY of the other 7 people at the table, all of whom were experienced wine drinkers (but none who I would classify as oenophiles). Proceed with caution. You should be able to book onboard for the same price available in the Cruise Planner, so it might be wise to inquire onboard about what varietals may be included in the tasting ahead of reserving.

Your drinks last long enough for this to be an issue? One of us is doing it wrong, and I think it's YOU.

Only THE best reason to go to the MDR every night!

Or he could just ask his wife to tell him how much he had to drink. She'll be delighted to tell him how much he overindulged.

Grandeur in October - asked waiter about them at dinner the first night - he had no clue what I was talking about. Head waiter came over - she knew about them and promised to have them starting night two. Every dinner for the rest of the cruise included a basket of at least 15 of the little gems - including the night that we arranged to come at early seating instead of our scheduled late seating.

If you're concerned about Deck 3 feeling like a basement when you DO have a window, how would ANY room without a window appear to be preferable?

The prepaid gratuity covers the per person gratuity for your stateroom attendant and dining staff. Gratuities on purchases like drinks are always additional. Gratuities for room service are paid directly to the individual who comes to your stateroom - bring some small bills (unless you are a REALLY generous tipper).

Brand new, not in use, staged to be shown off - any ship photographed in that state will look "pretty sterile."

Favorites - yes! Avoid - never!

Did they try to spin it as "the big, bad cruise company mistreated these poor, lost souls" or report on it as a fact that you can't be late and expect them to wait?

In the Cruise Planner, you can add guests from other reservations to excursions and dining even if the reservations are not linked. You just need to have the reservation number and some basic info about the primary passenger on the reservation.

Not a huge fan of IPAs in general, but Stone is one of the better ones.

One watch out if you book the tour - don't plan on making it to anything else that is scheduled earlier than an hour after the tour supposedly ends.

This works for different reservation numbers if they are linked. When we travel with our full family in a 2 BR suite, there are two separate reservation numbers FOR THE SAME stateroom. One lists the first four guests, the second lists the others and has a different reservation number.

I can think of thousands of things better after a hard day of goofing off than a Corona! The number of BEERS that would be better numbers in triple digits.

Many stateroom attendants will bring a new bucket of ice daily even if you DON'T ask. We usually ask on embarkation day and it just keeps getting filled for the rest of the trip.

Blame it on the Blog!

It's all about control - even though you can reserve MTD at the same time and request to be seated with the same wait staff every evening, the lack of certainty would drive her crazy.

Early is too early vs. our norm and late is too late vs. our norm. MTD would be the way to go for me but my wife doesn't like the idea.