Jolly Ogre

I don't like it but not for the reason you think.
I think it is really crappy that they decrease the service to the guests but up the rooms that the attendant has to service, so it is more work for them.

And then you are still paying for 2 packages. 
I do not and will not pay for a package that will not be used or have any meaningful benefit. 
My wife only drinks water, tea, and black coffee. All of which are already included in the cruise fair. So a deluxe package for me would cost me that plus a refreshment package. It will never be worth it.

And then you are still paying for 2 packages. 
I do not and will not pay for a package that will not be used or have any meaningful benefit. 
My wife only drinks water, tea, and black coffee. All of which are already included in the cruise fair. So a deluxe package for me would cost me that plus a refreshment package. It will never be worth it.

I have never purchased the deluxe drink package not because I would not be able to get value out of it, it was because I would have to purchase it for my wife as well and she does not drink that much. Even if I were to call Royal and then just get the refreshment package for her, she is still not going to get the value out of it as she only drinks water, tea and black coffee.
I would just get the refreshment package for me and then get alcohol ala cart. It has saved me hundreds on all my sailings. Now that we are Diamond, we get 4 alcohol dinks per day. She will likely only use 2 per day if that. I will get her other 2 weeee!!

And then you are still paying for 2 packages. 
I do not and will not pay for a package that will not be used or have any meaningful benefit. 
My wife only drinks water, tea, and black coffee. All of which are already included in the cruise fair. So a deluxe package for me would cost me that plus a refreshment package. It will never be worth it.

I don't like it but not for the reason you think.
I think it is really crappy that they decrease the service to the guests but up the rooms that the attendant has to service, so it is more work for them.

I don't like it but not for the reason you think.
I think it is really crappy that they decrease the service to the guests but up the rooms that the attendant has to service, so it is more work for them.

6 comp drinks! Let's go! 

I have never purchased the deluxe drink package not because I would not be able to get value out of it, it was because I would have to purchase it for my wife as well and she does not drink that much. Even if I were to call Royal and then just get the refreshment package for her, she is still not going to get the value out of it as she only drinks water, tea and black coffee.
I would just get the refreshment package for me and then get alcohol ala cart. It has saved me hundreds on all my sailings. Now that we are Diamond, we get 4 alcohol dinks per day. She will likely only use 2 per day if that. I will get her other 2 weeee!!

I don't like it but not for the reason you think.
I think it is really crappy that they decrease the service to the guests but up the rooms that the attendant has to service, so it is more work for them.

I have never purchased the deluxe drink package not because I would not be able to get value out of it, it was because I would have to purchase it for my wife as well and she does not drink that much. Even if I were to call Royal and then just get the refreshment package for her, she is still not going to get the value out of it as she only drinks water, tea and black coffee.
I would just get the refreshment package for me and then get alcohol ala cart. It has saved me hundreds on all my sailings. Now that we are Diamond, we get 4 alcohol dinks per day. She will likely only use 2 per day if that. I will get her other 2 weeee!!

YES!!  We learned about this in the 6th grade... come on children...please use what is little left of your brains.

Just wash your hands and eat. You encounter way more germs going about your everyday life than in the Windjammer, where at least you can be sure 90% of the people have recently washed their hands (which can't be said for everywhere else you go). The surfaces you encounter everywhere you go, your cell phone, your remote controls -- these things have way more germs and bacteria than a buffet that's cleaned thoroughly and regularly. 
This fear of buffets is mostly driven by optics and myth. 
And norovirus is not a major worry on cruise ships. Most outbreaks happen in healthcare settings, nursing homes, schools, etc. 

This is exactly why we don't do the buffet much.  We carry hand sanitizer in our pocket as use it as soon as we sit down if we do choose to eat in there.

Umm...yeah that could make you feel better but it will not really hydrate you more. At least that is not how we were taught in chemistry and med school. But then again what do I know??!!
If it makes you feel better then you do you. 🙂
 

We got there about 10 in the morning. No problem getting a reservation at all. We ate about 1 PM...got rained on pretty good about 3 as we were heading in.

we had true last time as well - i grabbed some PH drops off amazon to put in and it made me feel like i wasn’t drinking the trash water 😂
i also started doing a liquid iv mineral in a 16oz every morning and found that combated the heat and sun and salty food and alcohol very very well. 

ours was the fixed glass with the curtain.

Allure JS as well

We have sailed on Symphony and Oasis in a JS and there was the full tub with a 1/2 fixed glass wall with a shower curtain that was full tub width. 

We got there about 10 in the morning. No problem getting a reservation at all. We ate about 1 PM...got rained on pretty good about 3 as we were heading in.

And it's booked. 
Usually I price out what I want and ask my TA to book it or book it and transfer the reservation to her. This time I specifically asked if she had any group rates for and Southern Caribbean itineraries and she was able to beat the pricing I was getting online with an already existing group.  Yay MEI!

+1
I used Danielle until she left and then Michelle took over and I have been more than satisfied with her since.

We were on Oasis just a few months ago and really enjoyed Giovanni's.
I would say skip Izumi if you are not doing the hibachi. I love Izumi's but it is for the show as well as the food. Going just for the sushi to me would not be that much of a value.