Hoski

On the Oasis class, we missed the parade, the character breakfast, and although I can't name many of them, the Compass spanning multiple pages, full of way-too-many choices of things to do. I bring up the last as it was a serious issue on our cruise on Oasis this past October: because there were limited activities, even the remote activities were full. For example, my daughters and I decided to show up 30 minutes early for the daily trivia so that we could grab a drink and our 'choice' of seats. We were stopped at the entrance as no seats were available... FOR TRIVIA. Same went for evening karaoke sessions. Unless you committed to arriving an hour early, most events were impossible to attend. They made an amazing effort to return us to sea but unless you wanted to attend the art auction for a fifth time, there weren't the wide selection of activities we are accustomed to. 

Savory Bites

Some ships used to have a sushi bar within the windjammer area, now it'll cost you extra.  First couple times I was on a ship with a Johnny Rockets there was no upcharge for that either.

The Pepper Mill, the asst. waiter (usually) would come around and ask if you wanted pepper.  Also the variety of bread instead now you get a little basket with about 5 oi pieces in it. and every night it always 2 pieces of WHITE Italian type bread and a couple of WHITE rolls . Nothing in dark flour. maybe once in a while a seeded roll.  Also as I mentioned before the Savey bites

Main dining room servers used to bring the bottle of wine we were buying by the glass (Deluxe Package) so they didn't have to go to the service bar if we wanted a second (or third 🙂 ) refill.  I guess they caught on to that tactic.

I miss being able to prebook entertainment before getting on board. Also, I miss the full entertainment schedule. Too many cancelled shows 😥

I miss the in-person, full lifejacket, sweat in places that should never see sweat muster drills.

Here is the collection so far. Isn't the best picture.

So I was wrong. The older ships had a unique design. Newer ones, outside the inaugural chips, are just "ship name".

Magnets.  I was on Freedom and no magnet of the ship.  I wanted to add it to my collection.  I ended up buying a key chain and I will buy the self adhesive magnet to make my own, not the same, but it's something!
 
 

Midnight and/or midnight chocolate buffet (with ice sculptures).  Not that I care about chocolate, but the spread was visually impressive.

I think if they sell a soda package on a ship without a Freestyle, then the price should be significantly less. Just sayin’.

We always tip nightly as I’m never sure to have the same servers.

Last year was the first CK experience for us.  We dined in CK nightly, but because we had different waiter nearly every night, we opted to tip a few bucks each night.

You can probably get tickets through the website. 
There may be other companies, but this is the one I see the most. 
 
https://www.trolleytours.com/boston/hop-on-hop-off
 
Leaving from Ravenna (ie Venice) and ending in Civitavecchia (Rome).   It’s a bucket list cruise for us. 

Home2 Suites by Hilton Newark Airport, 620 Route 1 & 9 South, Newark, NJ
I booked this for my daughters and myself for October.  Website says it will be $10 per day parking for cruises but front desk told me on phone it would be free and they have a shuttle. 

Bring back horse racing.  😉

We write last name only.  Since there is not a lot of room write we prefer the larger print in hopes of it being more clearly seen.  But like most have mentioned, I don't think it matters much...

FYI- Make sure you also have a legit luggage tag that will not come off with updated information (email/cell). Our bag was lost disembarking, and all our tags from RC were gone when our bag was finally found (days later). The lady at the port had no idea which cruise line my bag belonged to bc all the RC tags were gone. Thank God I had a legit luggage tag....still waiting on my bag to be shipped to my house. Bag was lost July 1st. Apple Air Tags for me from now on.

This sounds like the casino credit applied they apply to the final folio.  Players that accumulate enough points receive credits from the casino on the last night.  It appears on the folio as category - credit, description - casino comps.  Not sure how many points are required but you can probably check with the host.  The credits vary greatly from ship to ship, based on our experience.  

If you have free tests from the government you can get them proctored from 3rd party sites like OnPoint or RapidTestAndTrace for $15-20/person.

If everyone in your party is vaccinated you can do a rapid antigen tests.  The at-home tests run about $35 a piece and are very convenient.
 
https://store.emed.com/s/category/covid19-athome-test-with-verified-lab-report-emed/0ZG8c000000LZXk?c__results_layout_state={}

We buy the VOOM and then download WhatsUp app to keep in contact.  Our regular text works for most of our phones but not with my daughter who has an iPhone so that's why we use that app.  I feel the price of the VOOM is worth it to give my teen and young adult some freedom.

Go to Shore Excursions with your tickets and have them switch them once onboard.

I booked the Columbus Cove Bungalows on my sailing. We picked the bungalow that was at the far end near the wall as it was near the water. However once we were ready to go in the water it was full of trash. I told the bungalow attendant and he said he would tell someone but no one came by. We wanted to move but by that time there were no open cabana's left. After I got back on the ship I told the shore excursion team and they said they would look into it and get back to me. They never got back to me. Anyone else run into a problem with trash at the bungalows.

When my 10-year-old son and I did our Panama Canal Cruise we spent three days in San Juan.  We went to Old Town San Juan and had so much fun looking around and doing things that we went back the second day.  I would highly recommend the Old Town and see the fort and the pigeon park.