ThyriC

These two links will help you in making a decision for yourself.  Many here will advocate getting a passport just in case of many circumstances preventing a closed loop cruise.  
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/cruise-ship-passengers.html
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/united-states-citizen-travel-documentation
I'm also a member of team passport because there are so many potential "what ifs" for me to be comfortable with just a birth certificate and ID.
 

Guys thank you for all the comments and information it was great. We booked CLS on the Oasis can't wait.....

Well I guess we found who WONT ever be confused over where their luggage is when they go to pick it up

We've done it guys!  We've converted another one!

For me, the peace of mind of a passport far outweighs bringing a birth certificate and ID along with you.  This is my reason.  
1.  I will likely want to cruise again.  Do I want to be limited to places that will accept the birth certificate/ID combination?  
2.  The big "what if".  What if I get hurt on excursion?  What if the ship diverts somewhere and everyone has to fly home?  
3.  Convenience.  All I need is the book.  I dont have to worry about damaging the birth certificate which is only as durable as the paper its printed on.  The passport book is more durable for multiple trips.  Also airports and cruise terminals are accustomed to processing a passport.  I'm sure they're accustomed to a birth certificate as well but my brain believes they're more accustomed to a passport
4.  Security.  The birth certificate contains details about you that could be used to steal your identity more readily than the passport.  Combine those details along with your drivers license number or ID number... that can be very dangerous for identity theft.  I'm not saying that it WILL happen, but identity theft is real.  
5.  The passport is good for 10 years.  This is longer than any other ID in the USA and it proves both identity AND citizenship.  I've used my passport before for employment to satisfy both requirements in one document rather than the usual social security card and drivers license.  
 
If you're concerned about the cost of the passport, see if the places you're travelling to accept the passport card instead of the book.  
 
In terms of the "absolute requirements" not the "its convenient" stuff
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/cruise-ship-passengers.html
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/united-states-citizen-travel-documentation
 

That happens a lot here at Cruiseaholics Anonymous. ?

We've done it guys!  We've converted another one!

I think im going to change my mind on this.. I found a suite on Freedom for what it would cost us for a balcony on Symphony or Harmony lol 
 

Pub drink menu

Yep the suite we booked looks like it’s straight out of Las Vegas in the 80’s. It should be interesting. Although, I prefer Vegas in the 80’s to present day so we may be their target cruiser. 

I'm going to agree with Waaaytooo on this.  The decor in my opinion already looks dated.   It looks like some throwback to the 80s.  I think my bedroom as a teenager had this color palate and minimalist design.  
I think they're taking their inspiration from Vegas with these, with suite lovers being all about the massive adult party and .... extra curriculars?  I can see their inspiration being kids poking their heads out of the sunroof in a limo screaming WOOOOO!
I just dont think I'd be able to relax on one of these ships.  I mean the views look nice, and a stocked bar does seem nice, but the mood lighting, black white and red decor, guitars everywhere, I just am confused that they're attempting to attract just one type of client.  
Comeon Virgin, these ships are definitely luxe, why not have one of the rockstar suites called "Hangover Recovery" or something like that built to relax in?  And instead of unlimited cocktails in your suite, how about unlimited massages?

So I asked my fellow suite snob mother why she does the suite over the standard rooms.  She told me she didnt always do suites.  She and my father both have done everything from inside cabins all the way to suites.  When they were younger they did a lot of the onboard activities like trivia, the shows, the lectures, the demonstrations, they were super active.  But as they aged, they dont do so many activities.  And they're not big sun worshipers either, not into the floriders or the rock walls or big into pools.  They'll do the pool maybe once but their trip is all about the relaxation and the views of interesting destinations.  So as they got older, the room became the focus rather than all of the activities.  
 

So I asked my fellow suite snob mother why she does the suite over the standard rooms.  She told me she didnt always do suites.  She and my father both have done everything from inside cabins all the way to suites.  When they were younger they did a lot of the onboard activities like trivia, the shows, the lectures, the demonstrations, they were super active.  But as they aged, they dont do so many activities.  And they're not big sun worshipers either, not into the floriders or the rock walls or big into pools.  They'll do the pool maybe once but their trip is all about the relaxation and the views of interesting destinations.  So as they got older, the room became the focus rather than all of the activities.  
 

So I asked my fellow suite snob mother why she does the suite over the standard rooms.  She told me she didnt always do suites.  She and my father both have done everything from inside cabins all the way to suites.  When they were younger they did a lot of the onboard activities like trivia, the shows, the lectures, the demonstrations, they were super active.  But as they aged, they dont do so many activities.  And they're not big sun worshipers either, not into the floriders or the rock walls or big into pools.  They'll do the pool maybe once but their trip is all about the relaxation and the views of interesting destinations.  So as they got older, the room became the focus rather than all of the activities.  
 

So I asked my fellow suite snob mother why she does the suite over the standard rooms.  She told me she didnt always do suites.  She and my father both have done everything from inside cabins all the way to suites.  When they were younger they did a lot of the onboard activities like trivia, the shows, the lectures, the demonstrations, they were super active.  But as they aged, they dont do so many activities.  And they're not big sun worshipers either, not into the floriders or the rock walls or big into pools.  They'll do the pool maybe once but their trip is all about the relaxation and the views of interesting destinations.  So as they got older, the room became the focus rather than all of the activities.  
 

So I asked my fellow suite snob mother why she does the suite over the standard rooms.  She told me she didnt always do suites.  She and my father both have done everything from inside cabins all the way to suites.  When they were younger they did a lot of the onboard activities like trivia, the shows, the lectures, the demonstrations, they were super active.  But as they aged, they dont do so many activities.  And they're not big sun worshipers either, not into the floriders or the rock walls or big into pools.  They'll do the pool maybe once but their trip is all about the relaxation and the views of interesting destinations.  So as they got older, the room became the focus rather than all of the activities.  
 

I recommend anyone departing out of Tampa or Galveston, book a hotel room for the night you return and your plane trip out in the afternoon the next day.  Especially if you're cruising in fog season (I think I saw a video a while back that fog season is between december and march)  That way if you experience fog delay, you're covered.  The hotel room you can usually cancel a day ahead without penalty if the arrival is delayed due to fog but your flight isnt in jeopardy.  
Royal cant control the weather, and if the port is closed due to fog, its the coast guard closing the port.  This is for safety,  While you may not see the fog immediately, the fog is somewhere ahead and its so thick that visibility is next to nil.  Usually it burns off fairly quickly but if it's really bad and hangs around a while, they've closed the port for everyone's safety.

So I asked my fellow suite snob mother why she does the suite over the standard rooms.  She told me she didnt always do suites.  She and my father both have done everything from inside cabins all the way to suites.  When they were younger they did a lot of the onboard activities like trivia, the shows, the lectures, the demonstrations, they were super active.  But as they aged, they dont do so many activities.  And they're not big sun worshipers either, not into the floriders or the rock walls or big into pools.  They'll do the pool maybe once but their trip is all about the relaxation and the views of interesting destinations.  So as they got older, the room became the focus rather than all of the activities.  
 

So I asked my fellow suite snob mother why she does the suite over the standard rooms.  She told me she didnt always do suites.  She and my father both have done everything from inside cabins all the way to suites.  When they were younger they did a lot of the onboard activities like trivia, the shows, the lectures, the demonstrations, they were super active.  But as they aged, they dont do so many activities.  And they're not big sun worshipers either, not into the floriders or the rock walls or big into pools.  They'll do the pool maybe once but their trip is all about the relaxation and the views of interesting destinations.  So as they got older, the room became the focus rather than all of the activities.  
 

So I asked my fellow suite snob mother why she does the suite over the standard rooms.  She told me she didnt always do suites.  She and my father both have done everything from inside cabins all the way to suites.  When they were younger they did a lot of the onboard activities like trivia, the shows, the lectures, the demonstrations, they were super active.  But as they aged, they dont do so many activities.  And they're not big sun worshipers either, not into the floriders or the rock walls or big into pools.  They'll do the pool maybe once but their trip is all about the relaxation and the views of interesting destinations.  So as they got older, the room became the focus rather than all of the activities.  
 

For me, the peace of mind of a passport far outweighs bringing a birth certificate and ID along with you.  This is my reason.  
1.  I will likely want to cruise again.  Do I want to be limited to places that will accept the birth certificate/ID combination?  
2.  The big "what if".  What if I get hurt on excursion?  What if the ship diverts somewhere and everyone has to fly home?  
3.  Convenience.  All I need is the book.  I dont have to worry about damaging the birth certificate which is only as durable as the paper its printed on.  The passport book is more durable for multiple trips.  Also airports and cruise terminals are accustomed to processing a passport.  I'm sure they're accustomed to a birth certificate as well but my brain believes they're more accustomed to a passport
4.  Security.  The birth certificate contains details about you that could be used to steal your identity more readily than the passport.  Combine those details along with your drivers license number or ID number... that can be very dangerous for identity theft.  I'm not saying that it WILL happen, but identity theft is real.  
5.  The passport is good for 10 years.  This is longer than any other ID in the USA and it proves both identity AND citizenship.  I've used my passport before for employment to satisfy both requirements in one document rather than the usual social security card and drivers license.  
 
If you're concerned about the cost of the passport, see if the places you're travelling to accept the passport card instead of the book.  
 
In terms of the "absolute requirements" not the "its convenient" stuff
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/cruise-ship-passengers.html
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/united-states-citizen-travel-documentation
 

I know I might come off as a bit of a suite snob but many of my previous cruises I've sailed everything from balcony to oceanview (I do draw the line there because I have to look at the water)  My rationale is that I dont go on as many cruises as others do.  Maybe once a year or once every 2 years if I'm really splurging.  This is the same for land based vacations for me.  Hub and I do work wonderful jobs (I'm in IT and he's in manufacturing) but we are childless and have our debts pretty much all taken care of so the once a year vacation is our splurge.  
This year will be his first cruise because as a Marine his view of ship life is a little bit skewed.  He's a bit of a homebody and not the crazy social butterfly that I am, so more space in the room for him makes sense to us.  When I cruise solo or with friends or with my mother, I dont need all of the space of a suite because I'm out and about and that room is for one purpose, sleeping and sunrise watching.  But when taking him, I wanted something roughly the size of a hotel room so he could see that cruise ship rooms arent all tiny.  Yes some are tiny and I'm OK with being in a tiny room as long as its clean and comfortable, but for his first my goal was the size of the room.
Now granted, We're not going on an Oasis or Quantum ship.  We're going on Grandeur.  So we're not in one of the giant loft suites or aqua theater suites.  Our perks are less.... perky but still nice.  And the price was definitely right for us.   
Once he gets bit by the cruise bug like me, then my logic says that we can move towards the larger ships and promenade balconies or outside balconies.  Or maybe we just stay suite life and sate the cruise bug less.