SolariumSnoozer

Yes, at least working with a travel agent as I always do.  When I am far away in time I prefer refundable to cover me in case of inevitable changes.  
Once I know I am firm on the dates, I'll start looking at prices again.  
More often than not, the NRDB (non-refundable) prices at 150 - 90 days are more than my refundable rate was many months earlier when I booked it originally and it makes no sense to change.
Once in a while though, I can save a little bit, or upgrade to a better cabin at a small price increase while also converting to NRDB.  This is the more likely scenario (upgrade).  
I'm not sure what magic my TA does or the hoops they go through, but that's why I use a TA.  

I was successful again, luckily I work for a slower EMS agency so its not too difficult to stay on the phone for 30 minutes during the day. Using a travel agent would just make it too easy though, sometimes being stubborn doesn't pay off.

I know how you feel as previously I would do all the cruise planning myself including monitoring cruise fares.  But then Royal cancelled one of my cruises and the cruise options they provided were lousy and I felt very unfair as they did not take into account what my priorities were.  Fortunately for me, the cancelled cruise was so far in the future I was still able to get a good deal on an alternate cruise and I let the issue slide.  Shortly after re-booking, I read on this blog about someone else who had their cruise cancelled by Royal but the cruise was very near term and Royal wanted to charge them more money to book a comparable cruise.  They had a travel agent who fought for them and was able to resolve their issue and I thought what if that had been me.  At that point I decided I wanted to have an advocate in my corner and I would rather spend my time on tripadvisor researching excursions or on youtube watching videos about my ship, cabin, entertainment options etc. rather than fighting with Royal and their sometimes uninformed/difficult representatives. 

I know how you feel as previously I would do all the cruise planning myself including monitoring cruise fares.  But then Royal cancelled one of my cruises and the cruise options they provided were lousy and I felt very unfair as they did not take into account what my priorities were.  Fortunately for me, the cancelled cruise was so far in the future I was still able to get a good deal on an alternate cruise and I let the issue slide.  Shortly after re-booking, I read on this blog about someone else who had their cruise cancelled by Royal but the cruise was very near term and Royal wanted to charge them more money to book a comparable cruise.  They had a travel agent who fought for them and was able to resolve their issue and I thought what if that had been me.  At that point I decided I wanted to have an advocate in my corner and I would rather spend my time on tripadvisor researching excursions or on youtube watching videos about my ship, cabin, entertainment options etc. rather than fighting with Royal and their sometimes uninformed/difficult representatives. 

My wife and I booked the Sea Cow Snorkeling Trip through Royal Caribbean and loved it.  We are amateurs but the experienced snorkelers on the trip also raved about it, you can read all the reviews on tripadvisor here:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147268-d1798673-Reviews-Sea_Cow_Snorkeling_Trips-Kralendijk_Bonaire.html
 When you are in the water there is something to see everywhere you look.  The tour guides snorkel with you and help point out the more obscure things so you don't miss anything.

No, 
No, unless you have an international plan on your cell you should place your phone in airplane mode.  VOOM is a WIFI service not cellular and airplane mode shuts off your cellular service so you don't receive roaming charges.  You can communicate with your parents using a messenger service like whatsapp if they have a device with the app installed.  Whatsapp allows you to text, call and video chat with others, I hope this helps.

Did some research for a trip (not a cruise) next month. I decided to try Travelex based on their coverage versus cost, take a look here:
https://www.travelexinsurance.com
 

Some cellular carriers have an international plan where they charge you $10 a day to use your phone outside the US.   You use the minutes and data on your existing plan but it may not be offered everywhere.  Call your carrier and ask them what international plans they offer that cover the ports you will be visiting.

No, 
No, unless you have an international plan on your cell you should place your phone in airplane mode.  VOOM is a WIFI service not cellular and airplane mode shuts off your cellular service so you don't receive roaming charges.  You can communicate with your parents using a messenger service like whatsapp if they have a device with the app installed.  Whatsapp allows you to text, call and video chat with others, I hope this helps.

I've seen the tip jar and I've seen them put it in there immediately and other times I assumed it went in later.
Unrelated but useful tip, the bartenders can break bigger bills with the tip jar money upon request.

Tips on the receipt might be distributed among all ship employees.  There's a better chance the tips in cash is shared with just the bar staff

I have done this several times.  Let's take @Matt's lava flow for example.  You have the refreshment package and order the non-alcoholic version along with a shot of Kraken.  The Kraken will cost you $9.38 ($7.95+18%grats).  The regular alcoholic version is $15.34 ($13+18%grats assuming OA class).  Not a huge difference.  However, if it's a drink involving multiple shots, like a margarita, it's not worth it. 

About 5 years ago I had a similar situation.  My son was sharing a cabin with my brother and nephew.  When I checked in on-line the process asked me if there are other guests I need to check in.  I answered yes and was able to check just my son in and have his sea pass card tied to my credit card.  My sister did the same for my nephew and my brother checked in just for himself.  As I recall it was quite easy which is unusual for RC on-line products.  This was important not only for the sea pass card but it also allowed me to sign all the required paperwork including waivers for my son and let RC know I was responsible for him.

+2 On Michelle, just booked an Alaskan cruise with her a couple of months ago, excellent service 

I just spent a day in Key West and did the following:
Toured the Truman Little White House - This was interesting particularly if you have an interest in Presidential history. Tour was about $20 a person for 45-60 minute tour.
Toured the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum - I did not find this tour as interesting as the Little White House and it's a little chaotic because they allow people not on the tour to enter and exit areas where the tour is currently operating.  If you go here bring cash (about $15 per person) as they do not  accept credit cards
On the budget friendly side:
Definitely watch the sunset at Mallory Square, get there at least 30 minutes early to get a space near the water.  There are also a bunch of "street' performers there if that interests you. 
We went to the southernmost point.  Really just a picture spot, nothing else to do there but you have to say you were there if you go to Key West
Walk Duval Street from Mallory Square (bay side) to the Ocean.  Lots of window shopping and people watching to do and gives you a great feel of Key West. I would guess its about 15 blocks long.
Sorry, can't recommend any of the beaches or water sports as we didn't have time.
Lastly, I wanted to visit Dry Tortugas Park, located West of Key West but it was all booked up that day.  It's an all day excursion to the park/fort but it is a little expensive, you can get more information here:
https://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm
Hope this helps, congratulations and have a great time.

I just spent a day in Key West and did the following:
Toured the Truman Little White House - This was interesting particularly if you have an interest in Presidential history. Tour was about $20 a person for 45-60 minute tour.
Toured the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum - I did not find this tour as interesting as the Little White House and it's a little chaotic because they allow people not on the tour to enter and exit areas where the tour is currently operating.  If you go here bring cash (about $15 per person) as they do not  accept credit cards
On the budget friendly side:
Definitely watch the sunset at Mallory Square, get there at least 30 minutes early to get a space near the water.  There are also a bunch of "street' performers there if that interests you. 
We went to the southernmost point.  Really just a picture spot, nothing else to do there but you have to say you were there if you go to Key West
Walk Duval Street from Mallory Square (bay side) to the Ocean.  Lots of window shopping and people watching to do and gives you a great feel of Key West. I would guess its about 15 blocks long.
Sorry, can't recommend any of the beaches or water sports as we didn't have time.
Lastly, I wanted to visit Dry Tortugas Park, located West of Key West but it was all booked up that day.  It's an all day excursion to the park/fort but it is a little expensive, you can get more information here:
https://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm
Hope this helps, congratulations and have a great time.

+2 On Michelle, just booked an Alaskan cruise with her a couple of months ago, excellent service 

+2 On Michelle, just booked an Alaskan cruise with her a couple of months ago, excellent service 

@chrissylee19 , you can only reserve entertainment on Oasis and Quantum class

I would think twice before booking one of these rooms on Explorer.  I had one on Explorer and the room itself was very nice, especially the view, but there is a small deck over these rooms that can be reached via some stair on the sundeck.  The sundeck, deck 12, has the track and certain runners would increase the length of their laps by leaving the track, climb the steps and run around this small deck before returning to deck 12.  Each morning we were awakened at 5:30 with people running on our heads.  

Great blog, thanks for taking the time to share your vacation.

If you are concerned about the website, you can always call Royal directly and have one their representatives do it for you.  I have done this numerous times.

The selfie @twangster took of himself as he soared through the air dangling from one of the drones was amazing.  It's a shame you and @Matt missed it since you skipped the photos. I can't believe they took a volunteer from the audience for that role. Shows a lot of natural athletic ability, obviously.  

I haven't really addressed our cruise director on this sailing - Bobby Brown.
I have to say a CD doesn't make or break a cruise for me.  I like some more than others but it's not a deal breaker for me.  I had Bobby as a CD on Harmony (I think).  To be honest he didn't leave a great impression on that cruise.  
However in the "always keep your mind open" department he has been better than I anticipated on this cruise.  I've actually watched the Morning Show more than I usually do. 
One thing he added to this sailing was a unique special - "How Do You Maintain An Ice Skating Rink On A Cruise Ship?".  
As a cruise geek this was really cool.  Ice cool.  Just kidding, but really informative.  
We enter Studio B to see someone.. watering the ice.

Joining Bobby in this presentation is Rubin, the stage manager who looks after Studio B.

They discuss thing like where the dance floor used during "RED" or Laser tag is stored (hint, it's under the center section and it slides out from under the seats). That's different from other ship in different classes.
As it turns out sailings like a 12 night transatlantic are an opportunity for some maintenance activities.  The ship has been in service for several months and while things like the ice surface could go on, once the ship enter routine seven night sailings it would be much more disruptive to perform certain essential maintenance including replacing the ice in Studio B later on, so they took advantage of this 12 night sailing to melt Studio B.  To. The. Floor.  They melted it down to the bare floor.  Like defrosting a freezer at home, once in a while it just has to be done.  
They began melting it down right after (ok, during) the last ice skating show.  That took overnight, then they had to clean it all up and get ready to make new ice.
They have since been building the ice up, millimeter by millimeter, by hand, watering each layer every 15 minutes or so, around the clock, since.  In fact as we listened to the presentation, the crew came out to repeat the watering process we saw when we first arrived.

Then again.

The water is special filtered water.  This will continue for the three days, around the clock, until the ice approximately 3.5 cm thick (1 1/2").  But that's not all.  
If anyone follows Nick Weir, VP of Entertainment for Royal he has been touting how they have AMPED up the projection technology on Symphony over Harmony.  That in part starts in the ice.
Within the ice is embedded a membrane that enhances the resolution of the surface as a projection technology.  That membrane was just replaced here on Symphony and you can see it now only because this new ice is crystal clear.
At a distance you don't even see it.

Zoom in closer and you do. 

Symphony is the first to employ this projection surface embedded within the ice, not even Harmony has it.  Not yet.  
Studio B has it's own mini-Zamboni used to dress the ice surface each day.

The projection technology consists of six side mounted projectors that project onto this surface.

Each projector costs around $100k.  Combining the six projectors, three port, three starboard into what appears to be a complete image requires precision.  The manufacturer is based in Japan and when they need to re-align them (it's a moving ship in seas, stuff moves) they need to fly the engineer in from Japan to align them occasionally.  
Next they talk about drones.  Very interesting.  Forty eight drones with twelve spares on hand.   Very special technology because within Studio B there is no regular GPS signal like a consumer drone might use.  They have to create a reference 'cube' within Studio B for the drones to fly within.  That's where these black boxes hanging from the ceiling come in.

There are several of them mounted around the perimeter of the ice.  Combined with some floor mounted reference points and two portable white cubes placed on the ice surface they create a 3D GPS-like environment for the drones to operate in.  Now that they told us this, I recall seeing two white cubes sitting in the middle of the ice floor at the start of the show '1977'.
Before the show starts, while we are all waiting outside in line, the drones have to be checked to ensure they are happy with this reference cube.  If they aren't it has to be recalculated.  This is very new technology in use and with 48 drones operating in synchronicity, it's very precise.
The drone batteries are very special and they can't be flown due to HazMat laws.  That means when they need new batteries, they'll need to be shipped to America now that Symphony is on her way to Miami.  
As we listen on, two more crew come out to "grow" the ice.  Another few millimeters accomplished.

It turns out these are two of the Ice Skating cast.  Even they get into the act.  It's a team effort, four times an hour, around the clock, for three days.
You know how they don't seem to open the doors soon enough?  I certainly felt this on Adventure of the Seas recently when the Ice Skating show had long lines.  It turns they can't.  The room is temperature controlled and letting all that air conditioning out affects the ice surface.  They have to keep the doors closed as long as they can.  Lesson learned, be patient.  
It was a very interesting presentation unlike others I've seen on a ship and I thank Bobby for putting it on.  It gives me a greater appreciation for the level of effort that Royal puts into their entertainment.
One last note.  On the way out I saw these coins embedded in the ice.

Seems to be a tradition for the current cast who just changed over.  The previous ice skating cast, their first contract complete, has just headed home for a short vacation.

Following, love Bermuda you will have a great time.