Mike_

I am not so sure of tipping either... at least my views are changing.
 
On day one when we meet the attendant I introduce myself, ask for the extras I will need, such as extra pillows, ice in ice bucket, extra towels, etc. Then, when the cruise completes, I tip at the end. If he was great, and the room was exceptionally clean I will tip. I don't want to tip early because I don't want the attendant to think that's all they get, or that since they were tipped they can forget about me either. I have never had bad service, but I have had "great" service, and there is a difference.
 
I changed my tipping procedures because I heard some things since my first cruise. On one podcast, not RCB, I heard the attendant, nor anyone on the ship, does not get to keep their tips. They are pooled amongst everyone, servers, on the cruise, and the employee can be terminated if they are found to hide their tips. This makes sense, as not every server has equal chances of tips. e.g bartenders and wait staff have best chances. Also, I heard from a steward, that they only get paid if the rooms are full. So for example, if only 10 rooms of his 12 assigned are full, he only gets paid from those full rooms. Also, the tips that we are charged on tip of our bills are supposed to be the "tip". I admit that $25 per day for room and waitress seems small, all your drinks include a tip charge.
 
I also heard the best thing you can do for a staff member is to remember their name. Then when you complete the end of cruise critique, mention the great ones who served you in that critique. Their names are ver hard though, so I may ask to take photo instead... but that feels really creepy too.
 
My two cents.
 
Mike_

I am not so sure of tipping either... at least my views are changing.
 
On day one when we meet the attendant I introduce myself, ask for the extras I will need, such as extra pillows, ice in ice bucket, extra towels, etc. Then, when the cruise completes, I tip at the end. If he was great, and the room was exceptionally clean I will tip. I don't want to tip early because I don't want the attendant to think that's all they get, or that since they were tipped they can forget about me either. I have never had bad service, but I have had "great" service, and there is a difference.
 
I changed my tipping procedures because I heard some things since my first cruise. On one podcast, not RCB, I heard the attendant, nor anyone on the ship, does not get to keep their tips. They are pooled amongst everyone, servers, on the cruise, and the employee can be terminated if they are found to hide their tips. This makes sense, as not every server has equal chances of tips. e.g bartenders and wait staff have best chances. Also, I heard from a steward, that they only get paid if the rooms are full. So for example, if only 10 rooms of his 12 assigned are full, he only gets paid from those full rooms. Also, the tips that we are charged on tip of our bills are supposed to be the "tip". I admit that $25 per day for room and waitress seems small, all your drinks include a tip charge.
 
I also heard the best thing you can do for a staff member is to remember their name. Then when you complete the end of cruise critique, mention the great ones who served you in that critique. Their names are ver hard though, so I may ask to take photo instead... but that feels really creepy too.
 
My two cents.
 
Mike_

I am not so sure of tipping either... at least my views are changing.
 
On day one when we meet the attendant I introduce myself, ask for the extras I will need, such as extra pillows, ice in ice bucket, extra towels, etc. Then, when the cruise completes, I tip at the end. If he was great, and the room was exceptionally clean I will tip. I don't want to tip early because I don't want the attendant to think that's all they get, or that since they were tipped they can forget about me either. I have never had bad service, but I have had "great" service, and there is a difference.
 
I changed my tipping procedures because I heard some things since my first cruise. On one podcast, not RCB, I heard the attendant, nor anyone on the ship, does not get to keep their tips. They are pooled amongst everyone, servers, on the cruise, and the employee can be terminated if they are found to hide their tips. This makes sense, as not every server has equal chances of tips. e.g bartenders and wait staff have best chances. Also, I heard from a steward, that they only get paid if the rooms are full. So for example, if only 10 rooms of his 12 assigned are full, he only gets paid from those full rooms. Also, the tips that we are charged on tip of our bills are supposed to be the "tip". I admit that $25 per day for room and waitress seems small, all your drinks include a tip charge.
 
I also heard the best thing you can do for a staff member is to remember their name. Then when you complete the end of cruise critique, mention the great ones who served you in that critique. Their names are ver hard though, so I may ask to take photo instead... but that feels really creepy too.
 
My two cents.
 
Mike_

C&A = Crown and Anchor Society.  It is Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program.  You can register for it at any time (used to be only after your first cruise, but not anymore).
You reach Platinum after 30 nights of cruises.  So 10 3-night cruises, 5 7-night cruises, etc. Level information: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cas/benefitsLoggedout.do
Yes you can eat in MDR every night because there are 7 different menus that Royal Caribbean uses.
Specialty restaurant pricing varies greatly. Johnny Rockets is just $6.95 per person while some experiences are almost $100 per person. Totally up to you.
 
Voom is RC's high speed internet: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2015/07/08/royal-caribbean-high-speed-voom-internet-everything-you-need-know
 
Dynamic Dining is a different approach to dining available only on Quantum class ships. Essentially, there is no MDR but instead guests dine at smaller complimentary or specialty restaurants.
 
The risk with cruising with a birth certificate is if you get stuck outside the USA, you will have a very difficult time getting back into the country.  You will have to go to the consulate and apply for a visa and jump through a lot of hoops. If you have a passport, you can fly home that day with no problem.

Elle,
 
I have found personally that I do not beat the cruise ships on drink packages.  The package for two can cost me $800 for two people, and I usually end up spending under $500 on a 7-8 day cruise, and that's with $1 tip for each drink.
 
If the cruise is port intensive, more than 3 in a 7-8 day cruise, I loose.  I end up on an excursion, walking around town, drinking some in town, etc.  If your not on the ship you are not drinking for free; except in Labadee where your drink package is extended to the island.
 
I prefer better beers or foreign types, and they are cheaper than domestic on cruise ships.  Guineess is $4 vs Bid light is $6.50.
 
My wife drinks less than me, so you used to have to get the package for everyone in the stateroom; I don't think this is the case anymore.  If it is, you loose.
 
I just did a cruise with unlimited drink packages, and after three-four days of drink I was exhausted and had to take a liver nap. If my liver is napping, I loose.
 
It's also hard to drink a lot of the fruity or creamier drinks, too filling.  They are the more expensive drinks.  e.g. $12+.   
 
Once on a RCL cruise I was able to buy five Coronas and a cooler full of ice with a bottle opener for $25.  They brought the whole thing to me with a cup of limes.  However, if you had the drink package they would only bring one beer at a time.  So that is a pain as well.
 
The good thing is you can have a mimosa for breakfast, wine at dinner, etc. and know ahead of time what your total costs are.  However, there is always a special drink each day that is discounted, etc.  so there are ways of saving and making your booze dollar go further. 
 
My first two cruises I paid cash, and beat the packages.  The last cruise it was included as an incentive, I drank a lot, but I still don't think I beat them; I might have broke even.
 
Good luck.
 
Mike_

For those who can't get enough of the podcast, the message boards, and the blog, check out Periscope, which is an app developed by Twitter that allows for live broadcasts or live video blogging. If you download the app and follow theRCLblog, you'll be notified of live broadcasts by Matt, which can also be viewed through the app for 24 hours following the broadcast.
 
Also, keep in mind that Matt will be cruising on the Anthem next week, so we might be lucky enough to catch some live broadcasts from the ship
 
I'm enjoying the "scopes," so I just thought I'd share for those of you who might know about Periscope. I know Stephanie is a regular, as I'm sure many others are, too, but all here may not be aware of this.

This week's podcast episode is previewing our Allure group cruise! http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/podcast/episode-128-allure-of-the-seas-group-cruise-preview

You just described my cruise plans

Well, I finally booked all the entertainment venues.
 
I have not booked any excursions, but I am interested in doing something in Jamaica or Cozumel; not sure what yet.
 
We decided to fly into Ft. Lauderdale two days early too, since it's a Sunday departure. So I plan on enjoying a few relaxing days before the party starts!
 
Good luck to all, I am excited for vacation, and meeting everyone.
 
Toot, toot!
 
Mike_

Well, I finally booked all the entertainment venues.
 
I have not booked any excursions, but I am interested in doing something in Jamaica or Cozumel; not sure what yet.
 
We decided to fly into Ft. Lauderdale two days early too, since it's a Sunday departure. So I plan on enjoying a few relaxing days before the party starts!
 
Good luck to all, I am excited for vacation, and meeting everyone.
 
Toot, toot!
 
Mike_

I also plan on attending the scheduled meets that Matt has planned especially looking forward to Sabor after hearing Matt talk about it for over a year I must try some Guac with him

We pre-booked a bunch of the shows when entertainment first came out.
 
The only excursions I have booked right now is our cabana on Labadee.  Otherwise, have not tackled excursions yet.  
 
I hope everyone is aware of the schedule of events we have planned for the cruise that everyone is invited to! http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/royal-caribbean-blog-allure-of-the-seas-group-cruise-events

Dan and I will be there with 20 friends ! We have booked MTD reservations, reservations for Aqua theater, Mamma Mia !, Blue Planet, ice show and comedy club. Some have booked a couple of specialty restaurants. It is our first time to experience Coastal Kitchen and I noticed that you cannot reserve any CK meals online so we'll have to wait until we get onboard, I guess.
 
At Labadee we hope to get everyone into Barefoot Beach and cabanas with those of us in suites and most of us are going to Nachi Cocom on Cozumel. We have nothing booked yet for Falmouth.
 
I check the website daily and there sure seems to be a lot of good rooms still unsold. I think, when I looked yesterday, there were 13 D1 cabins available and many Grand Suites. You'd think they would be trying to discount these rooms and get them sold, but it doesn't look like they are. Of course, unsold rooms means less crowding for us and hopefully a motivation to sell things like drink cards...
 
Speaking of drinking, many of our team will be purchasing drink packages. I haven't broken the news yet the prices are up...
 
We are very excited too !

We will be there!
 
We actually haven't booked anything yet.  I plan on booking some specialty restaurants to take advantage of the 30% discount, but that's about it.  We're experienced cruisers but RCCL is all new to us, so I don't even know where to start.
 
In Cozumel we'll be roaming and eating, that's the main plan.  There is a driver we've used in the past and I should probably see if he's available.  We aren't huge beach people, so in Labadee I'd guess we'll do some brief exploring and then relax on-board.  Finally, for Falmouth I'm very torn.  I have great memories of MoBay, and would like to head there again, but it's a bit of a trek from Falmouth.  

I can assure you this gets you nowhere

Doc,
 
    Being a celebrity onboard takes a little getting used to.  Especially when they keep showing your fat gut on the big screen.
 
    However, it was a great time.  A lot of interesting kind people too, which really made the cruise.
 
Mike_

I feel like the Freedom of the Seas continually comes up in Podcast and comments as being a special ship... am I crazy or is it regarded as such?
 
I am looking for future bookings and was thinking of giving this ship a try.
 
Thanks,
 
Mike_

Matt,
 
My initial feeling is that the smaller ships it feels like the center of the ships are where everything happens, and the elevators are located there. However, on these big ones the elevators are severely forward or aft, which always makes for a long walk. And, they appear less intimate. Just a feeling.
 
Thanks,
 
Mike_

Matt,
 
    I am not sure I like these big ships yet, I will hold my judgement until we do Allure in February.   My first two cruises were on smaller ships, Jewel and Vision, and I really like their sizes...  I think.  Very charming, lots to do, but the layout seems right to me.  However, I have my eyes on that Freedom of the Seas...  there are a lot of "love" comments on your Podcast about that one, I might have to give it a spin.  :)
 
Mike_

Hello All,
 
   Just back from NCL Breakaway and the cruise turned out to be very good.  Not to the level of RCCL, but still very nice.  
 
   The stateroom may have been smaller, but I didn't notice.  The balcony was smaller, but the showers were bigger than I was used to on RCCL.  Instead of an enclosed circle, it was more rectangle; however the water leaked out the bottom of the door where a gap was( we had some heavy seas to Bermuda which I thought was really cool, but caused water to slosh around the bathroom sometimes).  The food in the MDR was very good, as was the buffet.  We ate at one specialty restaurant, the Italian one, and it was not up to MDR.  I loved leaving out of NYC, as it was a train ride vs plane; I live near Philly.  And, we had the unlimited drink package, which was offered free of charge, and this was nice.  I don't think I could ever beat the ship at per drink vs ubp.  I tried!  I did like that the dress code was a lot more relaxed on NCL than RCCL.  Dress up night was only one night, and they said if you don't feel like it, don't.
 
    We lucked out and beat the hurricanes.   Weather was perfect until the last day, which was too windy to go topside.  However, we had the ubp, so that was okay.   Bermuda was great.  Rented scooters, my wife took a spill, so next time I would rent a double and put her on back.  We also bought a day pass for CoCo Reef, which included lunch, beach chairs, umbrellas, pool, etc. for $65pp.  
 
    Thanks for all the advice offered above, I am glad that I continued with the cruise.
 
Mike_
 
P.S.  I got off this cruise and swore I was done with cruising for a long time.  Then I got home, uploaded my photos and said, "I can't wait for the next one!"  Five months. ;)

And... the only way to limit those blues is the knowledge that you somehow talked your wife into booking another cruise while aboard.  Crazy.
 
I actually said to my wife the last day of our last cruise, "I think I am done with cruising for a while."  The next day, I was already looking towards the next one.  I am joining Cruisers Anonymous, this blog and podcasts are not helping.

I was wondering if everyone goes through these ups and downs during a cruise.
 
For example:
 
Day one, I am tired from the travel and relieved that I made it to the boat.
 
Day five or six, I feel so stuffed that I can't wait until I am off it.
 
Day seven, at night, I keep drinking and wondering the ship remorseful that I have to leave her the next day.
 
I was on a cruise out of Tampa last year on Vision of the Seas, and that ship partied from the life boat drill until we docked.  That was an excellent cruise, no downs, only ups!
 
Mike_

Hello All,
 
   Just back from NCL Breakaway and the cruise turned out to be very good.  Not to the level of RCCL, but still very nice.  
 
   The stateroom may have been smaller, but I didn't notice.  The balcony was smaller, but the showers were bigger than I was used to on RCCL.  Instead of an enclosed circle, it was more rectangle; however the water leaked out the bottom of the door where a gap was( we had some heavy seas to Bermuda which I thought was really cool, but caused water to slosh around the bathroom sometimes).  The food in the MDR was very good, as was the buffet.  We ate at one specialty restaurant, the Italian one, and it was not up to MDR.  I loved leaving out of NYC, as it was a train ride vs plane; I live near Philly.  And, we had the unlimited drink package, which was offered free of charge, and this was nice.  I don't think I could ever beat the ship at per drink vs ubp.  I tried!  I did like that the dress code was a lot more relaxed on NCL than RCCL.  Dress up night was only one night, and they said if you don't feel like it, don't.
 
    We lucked out and beat the hurricanes.   Weather was perfect until the last day, which was too windy to go topside.  However, we had the ubp, so that was okay.   Bermuda was great.  Rented scooters, my wife took a spill, so next time I would rent a double and put her on back.  We also bought a day pass for CoCo Reef, which included lunch, beach chairs, umbrellas, pool, etc. for $65pp.  
 
    Thanks for all the advice offered above, I am glad that I continued with the cruise.
 
Mike_
 
P.S.  I got off this cruise and swore I was done with cruising for a long time.  Then I got home, uploaded my photos and said, "I can't wait for the next one!"  Five months. ;)