JennyB

I get this statement and agree whole heartedly. I do the same. I don't mean to be combative. It seems like you are unhappy and might have been for awhile with the situation. If this is correct, why do you continue to cruise on RCCL, as you show at least 3 more RC cruises coming up? It seems like other cruise lines might be better suited for your life style. If RCCL isn't willing or able to suit your needs, then they deserve to lose you as a customer.
Have you ever tried contacting someone at RCCL either before the cruise or once on board with your concerns? You can't be alone. Just because something isn't on the menu doesn't mean they couldn't provide you with a meal that you would enjoy. 
Whatever happens, I hope you find a resolution to your liking and enjoy your upcoming cruises. 

This thread has been locked due to continued political discussion, abrasive discord, and personal attacks.  For more information on changes in itineraries due to new Cuba travel restrictions, please check https://RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com and https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2019/06/05/royal-caribbean-cancels-all-scheduled-visits-cuba

Just called and got the Voom & Deluxe Drink Package and the Refreshment Package, totaling $418, including gratuities. I did a drink calculator and it came out to be about 410, but that was JUST with drinks, not with the VOOM, so I think we'll come out ahead, especially over the cost if we signed up onboard.  And then just the fact that we won't have to worry about budget, etc. once on board.

From Olive or Twist on the Independence during open bar.  Hot food was pretty standard, but the cold snacks had nice presentation.
Melon balls and Prosciutto, shredded veggie wrap.

 
Olives in pesto.

Calling all foodies! Please post your pictures of the amazing food you had on your trip! 

Perfect Day at CocoCay is proving immensely popular.  Higher demand equates to higher prices.
Sales do occur from time to time.  
The safe thing to do is to buy it now but keep checking for sales.  If you find one, cancel this purchase and buy it again at the lower price.
You have up to ~3 days before sailing to cancel for a full refund if you change your mind.

Oh I agree! We have travelled a lot with her and the young passport photo has never been an issue. I'm not renewing it till it's due! Lol

Ok...you all have convinced me and I will leave bright and early for anticipated arrival to port between 9:30am and 10:00am.  Told my family it's all I want for Father's day is for them to be in the car at 6:30am...asleep, awake...I don't care.  So I guilted them!!
I trust and believe you all!!!  
So much great info here from such helpful folks.  I'd be lost if I hadn't found this site!

I would also suggest going through the “live blog” section here on the message boards. There have been some great ones from Symphony and there is so much information hidden in live blogs. They are great for learning.

We always carry our passports off of a ship in any country (except for the private islands). no one will ever be able to convince us otherwise. 

If you prepay gratuities or are just billed the standard amount, there is a breakout that tells you how much goes to the waiter, the room attendant, etc. (I received a little business card at Guest Services to help me with calculations). You can give more at the end of the cruise using the provided "envelopes" and extras are available at customer service.  For example, we tip the room attendant an extra $20-$30 for the week, which would cover 2 or 3 guests.  It isn't a lot more ($1-2 per day for each person).  We base our tipping on the premise that 20% is right in today's economy and the default gratuity is 18%, so we 'owe" everyone another 2% if the service is good as expected. (ditto for the dining room).  We try to bond with the stateroom attendant as he/she can really make the cruise more enjoyable - like getting a mattress topper, unhooking the locked door between adjacent balconies, reminding us to lock our safe, etc.  Sometimes engaging the staff and treating them like real people is a good way of enjoying great service.
We don't use room service but the previous advice seems to be on track.

Woa, "friend" is a strong word. I'd say "guy from the internet that I can tolerate being downwind from occasionally"

The discounts are off the "onboard" price which they play with and don't tell you what it is.  In wither words, it's royal Caribbean math and it won't make sense!  Just buy early, check often, and if the price goes down cancel and rebook.  There is no penalty to do this!  Enjoy your first cruise!  You will have a great time!  Jane

If it's available to pre-book, check your cruise compass... 
When I look on MY cruise compass (we're sailing Navigator in July) it's listed under the tab "onboard activities" and it's called "The Observatorium".
But it could also be sold out online.  You can always call RC and find out for sure.

What specifically do you use/recommend? And Why?

If you buy the regular alcoholic drink, like a Lava Flow or Daiquiri, you will pay the full price.
You have the option to request the virgin drink, which will be covered by the Refreshment Package, and a shot of whatever the normal alcohol is (e.g., Rum for both of the above) on the side. Then you would just be charged for the shot, which you are free to pour into your mocktail and mix up with the paper straw as best you're able. That said, others here have recommended just paying full price for the regular beverage so it's properly mixed and prepped.

well you all win!  i told my wife the feeback and now the flight is canceled i was able to do so with in the 24 hours.  now we will be taking a 12pm from FLL or a 2 from miami.  if it was not MIA i think we would have been ok but i always forget how big the city really is.  thanks everyone!

Personal preference but for us, it would be too much decadent food .  I think mentally we would feel we would need to eat full meals since we're paying extra.  We currently have BOGO booked on Navigator (booked before they changed it to Chops + 1) and are most likely cancelling  as that's 2 our of 4 dinners.  Maybe we're in the minority, but we like the MDR, especially when you get the same waiter each night.  And I couldn't imagine adding in lunches at the specialty places too.  But again, that's just us.  It's a personal preference.

There have even been several times where I have taken a smallish nap in the late evening, after dinner and before the late show, and came back after the late show and the bed was remade again. 
 
Ninjas for sure!

How do they Know!
Leave for 30 minutes, come back and the room is made up.
Magic!!!

Also add to the mix having the UDP. Arriving early will tremendously help when it comes to availability of times and venues.

I believe the politically correct term is "beauty-deprived individuals."
(Either that or "Uggos.")

I truly appreciate all of your feedback, it is helpful.  As far as the Schooner Bar, yeah, I get what you are saying.  But, I promise, we didn't talk the entire time, and we really enjoyed the music.  Just a few comments here and there, and I did sing along but at a respectful volume.  If he had pulled us aside, maybe it wouldn't have been so bad.  But to do it over the mic was embarrassing.  

OHMYGOSH!  We're the uglies!?I  ?