Kansas Eagle

We got the DBP on a recent 4-night cruise to Nassau; I decided to try new drinks every day since I rarely go to bars; this was my chance to "explore!"  My favorite moments and drinks:
1.  As soon as we got on the ship, we went right to the Pool Bar and got drinks of the day -- sat there sipping and watching everyone come on board, with our frosty drinks in hand (well, the weather wasn't HOT, but they still tasted good!)
2.  Trying a Chocolate Martini.  Sounded gross -- tasted divine, and looked beautiful!
3. Coconut Mojito, Frozen Mojito
4.  Baileys with my coffee in the morning!  I'm not a huge fan of lattes, but I love cafe au lait with a dollop (or two) of Baileys!

More than likely, yes. The answer could be no, but in my experience most often luggage is delivered prior to that.

If you will be carrying on a duffle bag I always throw a pair of jeans in the duffle for this reason.  Like everyone else says though this is your vacation and don't get too stressed about the little things.

Day 1 is pretty much anything goes.  As long as you are not in swimming attire, you should be fine in the MDR.  If you get cold easily, I would pack a light sweater/cardigan in your backpack/carry-on to wear in the MDR. 

Yes you should have your luggage, but if not you will be fine in the MDR.

Not to worry. The MDR staff understands complications with luggage showing up late or not at all (God forbid). Enjoy boarding, relax, and check out the ship. I recommend you do a Google search of your cruise ship name and look at the Royal Caribbean web page that has the deck plans. That way, you where your room is as well as other places you might be interested in (bars, restaurants, pools, etc) before you board.
Welcome to the message boards. Feel free to ask away with any questions you may have. Oh, and enjoy your cruise! 

on the first day of your cruise you will meet your stateroom attendant. At that point request that he brings you Ice in your ice bucket everyday. You do not need to give them an additional tip as long as you do the standard gratuities. I do this every cruise and works out great. 

Hi All,
I have come full-circle and have now purchased the Deluxe Drink Package for the wife and I.  We leave in 5 days!
Looking for drink ideas, especially "Boat" drinks.  We don't have much call for those here in Kansas!
 
Cheers!

If you are hanging out in the pub and get to know the bartender (and have a drink package) ask if you can have a Strongbow and a shot of fireball on the side.  Some will make you wait a few minutes for the fireball but I dump the fireball into the Strongbow cider and it gives it a nice cinnamon flavor and cuts the sugary taste of the cider alone.
I call it a StrongBall.

For idling around the ship, either a specialty mojito or margarita from Boleros lounge is great. Also second the Lava Flow recommendation.
During dinner I usually have a glass of one of the "Adventurous Reds" that doesn't go too far over the drink package limit; they have good Tuscans, Malbecs, and Zinfandels on board. If I trust the waiter (more likely in a specialty restaurant or Coastal Kitchen than the MDR), I'll ask for their recommendation of a wine to pair with the meal; have discovered some new wines I liked and wouldn't have thought to try on my own.
I've discovered that after dinner I like having an iced coffee with Bailey's Irish Cream. Just be prepared to be a bit wired around midnight. ? 
Oh, and at breakfast time give a Bacon Bloody Mary with Skyy or Gray Goose vodka a whirl! Add an espresso shot on the side for a "breakfast of champions". I plan to try that on my next cruise after seeing @Matt post that on one of his prior cruises! ?

I like martinis and classic cocktail drinks with dinner.  Depending on the meal, I could have a cosmopolitan, an appletini, even a manhattan (a long lost art that not enough people appreciate) or something interesting from their custom martinis.  Otherwise its white wine
As for bar drinks on a mission, find your favourite bartender, and ask them to make you what THEY like to drink.  Its almost always good and boozy.  .Or after making friends with your friendly neighborhood bartender, ask them to make you something for you special.  Tell them what you like, and what you avoid.  I've had some amazing drinks that are totally new and unique and in my experience asking bartenders to do this for you, they really like doing it.  Most are making strawberry daiquiris and pina coladas all day, it lets them really use their bartending skills.  I know in my job I like actually using my job skills rather than the mundane.  
 

On the last morning, we usually aim to eat breakfast by 7:30am and we leave our bags in the room.  We vacate the room entirely before 9am.  If you are not planning to eat until 9am, then you might want to take your bags with you out of courtesy to the attendants.  Turn around day is always very hectic for them.

On my cruise here were the breakfast time for the last morning:

My normal routine (as a morning person) is to be be up early, shower and head to the Windjammer for breakfast.  It opened at 6am on my cruise and I was there close to that.  Then I go back to my cabin, brush my teeth, finish packing last minute items I didn't pack the day before and then I head down to the self-assist meeting venue and join the line.  
I'm shocked!  This must be the only cruise day you are up before 9am!  (I know you are NOT a morning person)  ? 

From my Cruise Compass, here were the boarding day restaurant times from my cruise:

 

On this site there are a collection of "Cruise Compass":
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compass?ship=277
This is a daily newsletter left in your cabin highlighting all that's going on around the ship and open times for activities and restaurants.  Familiarize yourself with one from Liberty.  They won't be identical to your cruise but usually close enough so you'll get an idea.  
This one is from my cruise on Liberty and contains the departure letter explaining self-assist:
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compasses/liberty-of-the-seas/sun-2018-02-25-0000
 

Welcome to the message boards!
Each specialty dining venue has it's own menu as you've seen.  Most items are included but there are typically a few items that cost more than the cover charge you pay to eat there.  Full Maine Lobster in Chops for example carries an additional charge above the cover charge.  Those extra charge items have a price on the menu.
The specialty dining restaurants tend to have some rules.  You can't order 10 steaks in Chops for example.  You might be able to order 10 side dishes though.  To be honest it's so much food I've never tried.  Your waiter will explain it all.  Ask as many questions as you like.  
Soda packages typically work anywhere on the ship except room service.  
SeaPass cards are handed over when there is a chargeable item involved.  When you visit the MDR (main dining room) they will ask your cabin number.  You'll never have to produce your SeaPass card unless you request something that isn't free.  If you have the soda package they'll ask for your card to confirm you do indeed have the soda package.  Sorrentos is included so no SeaPass card involved.  Asking for a chargeable beverage at Sorrentos will require a SeaPass card.  
Debarking - A letter will be provided a day or two before arriving back.  The letter will explain the process and times for "self-assist" guests like yourselves who carry their own luggage off.  Self assist typically starts as soon as US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) give them the clearance to start.  There will be a stated time in the letter such as 7:30am to 8:30am for self-assist.  Early birds will go to the designated self-assist meeting point before the stated start time.  A line will begin to form and your place in the line is based on when you arrive at the self-assist meeting point.  Once CBP give the go ahead, the line begins to move and you leave the ship.  Once the line starts moving it typically is pretty fast to get through CBP so budget 30 to 60 minutes to reach your car.  
On my Liberty cruise last year the scheduled arrival was 8am.  i lined up at 7am and was about 30 from the front of the line.  They started letting us off at 7:30am (early).  I was outside hailing a Lyft at 7:45am.  I got lucky, have cruised a lot, know the routine and CBP was kind that day.  My Lyft ride share had me at Hobby airport at 8:40am.
On boarding day they always have some restaurants open typically starting around 11:30am.  Getting on the ship right at 10am is unlikely.  The terminal typically opens around 10am to begin check in and the ship has to wait for all previous guests to leave and only when US Customs says the ship is clear can they start taking on new guests.  That is typically closer to between 11am to noon but if you are lucky could happen before 11am.  Consequently there usually isn't much of a wait to enjoy lunch.