Diane.M

Whaaaat??  

 
?

oh yes its real and good too try the raspberry ?

It was real on the Oasis.  My hubby ate it every night! 

I haven't done this excursion, but I would imagine that as long as she paid to be on the trip, the operator will be fine with her staying on the boat while the rest of the passengers go and snorkel. I'm mobility limited and snorkeling isn't an option for me, but I went with the rest of my family on an all-day beach and snorkeling trip in St. Maarten where I just stayed on the boat the whole time. The captain and first mate were totally fine with it and made a point of talking with me and otherwise making sure that I wasn't feeling totally left out while the other passengers were ogling the fish.
If they have an email address listed, I'd suggest contacting them that way just to be 100% certain, but I'd be stunned if they weren't OK with a paying passenger choosing to stay on the boat for whatever reasons.

Are you sure that you all want to eat together every night ?  As an organizer of many group cruises, I have found that this is worse than herding cats.  Inevitably, one or more of our group will always have something else to do when it's time to eat.  For my own sanity, I have ceased trying to organize meals for everyone.  Dan and I decide when we want to eat, let everyone know of our plans and if they want to come along, great.  If not, I don't push it.  I will usually try and organize at least ONE group meal but there is no way I will EVER try and corral everyone anymore.  It is like trying to wrestle a pig.  You end up frustrated and on your face in a pile of sh*t and the pig just squeals with delight and scampers away.

Shamelessly promoting my favourite class of ship again. I came across this video tonight and really wanted to share it. @Matt has some great blog posts comparing the 4 ships but this video was so well put together and gives a great comprehensive visual.  Whether you are a first timer or you've sailed all 4, it's still worth a look, especially if you are deciding between them as I find many people are.  Also, there are some really good shots of the new features on Symphony, including food shots from Playmakers and Hooked.  It's 20min long and there is an ad in the middle but have a look. Can't wait for my next Oasis class sailing! 
 

Why is the moon cuddling with your better half? And why do you seem OK with this? ?

I took all those cruises to...hey, you've got a monkey on your back WAAAYTOOO!  LOL.
Upcoming cruises
Grandeur - June 30, 2018, Grandeur - October 6, 2018, Grandeur - December 22, 2018, Jewel - March 13, 2019, Grandeur - September 5, 2019
 
Past cruises
Carnival Fantasy - October 2000, NCL Sun - December 2002, Grandeur - December 2007, Carnival Victory - October 2008, Adventure - December 2008, Carnival Triumph - May 2009, Liberty - December 2009, Grandeur - April 2010, Allure - December 2010, Radiance - December 2010, Radiance - April 2011, Oasis - September 2011, Jewel - November 2011, Serenade- December 2011, Jewel - May 2012, Freedom - September 2012, Jewel - December 2012, NCL Epic - February 2013, Grandeur - August 2013, NCL Dawn - December 2013, Adventure- December 2013, Navigator - May 2014, Explorer - November 2014, Oasis - January 2015, Freedom - May 2015, Liberty - October 2015, Allure - February 2016, Freedom - June 2016, Navigator - December 2016, Harmony - February 2017, Grandeur - May 2017, Grandeur - September 2017, Harmony - September 2017, Allure - November 2017, Allure - April 2018
 

Hey...that one on my right shoulder looks like he's throwing you a kiss, Danno.

I have 3 seven days and 1 nine day cruise left to get t o Diamond plus.

@Pooch, I don't think anyone here would claim that this is inappropriate for the MDR on the non-formal nights. Where most of us who have a complaint tend to draw the line is wearing shorts in the MDR, or a ripped t-shirt, or muscle shirt. I certainly think what you described is perfectly fine and better than I saw several wearing on the "smart casual" nights, where they tended much more to "casual".
I think this is the key phrase, and where maybe most of us find ourselves getting riled up -- what exactly is "presentable"? I think it comes down to what you were taught and learned over the years; for me, that was to find out the decor of where you're eating dinner and you base your clothing decision off of that, plus the formality of whatever event is there. The MDR, in my view, is decorated and styled to look like a nice, semi-upscale restaurant. So I at least wear long pants and a button-down or polo shirt, as I feel like that's what's appropriate; more if I know the wait staff are themselves in suits and white gloves, but generally not less.
But not everyone feels that way, and if part of that "not everyone" is Royal themselves, so that they aren't going to enforce the expectations they outline in the Cruise Compass each night... well, I have to learn to suck it up, I guess.
I'll be the first to admit that I'm old-fashioned. Heck, when my older daughter had her first date with her boyfriend, the guy scored serious bonus points with me for coming to the door to pick her up and say hello / introduce himself to my wife and me, instead of just pulling into the driveway and texting her he was there so she could run out. She told him as much afterward, so of course he now comes to the door every time, but that first time without prompting was genuinely appreciated. I've let the claymore in the rack by the door dull a little bit since then. ?

March 23, 2019 celebrating our 40th Anniversary on Western Caribbean Cruise.  Symphony of the Seas.  This will be our first cruise!!  Accompanying us are my daughter and son in law, sister and brother in law.  They are both celebrating 20th Anniversary.  It is our Anniversary extravaganza 

Have fun!  You'll love cruising! 

I will be going on my first cruise in March, I want to go a little crazy.  Thanks for the link!  My daughter does calligraphy, and it is our anniversary cruise.  I may have her make up something very unique.
 

I will be going on my first cruise in March, I want to go a little crazy.  Thanks for the link!  My daughter does calligraphy, and it is our anniversary cruise.  I may have her make up something very unique.
 

I will be going on my first cruise in March, I want to go a little crazy.  Thanks for the link!  My daughter does calligraphy, and it is our anniversary cruise.  I may have her make up something very unique.
 

You can find some great magnet hooks here: https://shop.cruisehabit.com/collections/cabin-comforts 

If I'm supposed to dress up, I will. If it's formal night and and I'm not in the mood to wear a dress and I have nice pants and a top on, so be it. My travel mate last time took formal night to another level - it was a borderline costume  - she looked beautiful. I, on the other hand, had a little black dress on.  Nothing fancy. I'd prefer people to put a little effort for the overall feel of the night BUT, at the end of the day, you do do. Mr-I'm-Wearing-Shorts is not ruining my night or my experience. I judge others on manners  not their clothing on a vacation.
 
 

That is a possibility, hubby has lost quite a bit of weight and if he wears his existing
suits they will need tailoring

LOL close but no.  This did make us both belly laugh!
 

And that's another 2 am daily activity:
It's a good example how big the ship is

Only if you're sitting in the heated seat in the thermal suite while listening to an episode about the thermal suite and how great the heated seats are. Then the meta might be a little overwhelming. 

We may get a blazer and new dress slacks.. that is a possibility
 

I did not say anyone in my party wore shorts. In fact there was a shopping trip the week before to ensure we were formally dressed on formal nights, but there were shorts on many men

This week on the Anthem a few people showed up in shorts. I am sure any long pants are fine.