SLJ

Here's a link about the nursery. It is not free. You'll have to pay $8/hr to use the nursery. The free program is only for kids 3 years-old and up. And they do recommend reservation at the beginning of the cruise because there's a specific staff to kids ratio they have to follow. But you can cancel any reservations later on if you feel like you don't need them. Hope this help! https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/category/category/royal-babies-tots-nursery

Thank you for the update! I'm okay with that, assuming this doesn't compromise on safety right? I'm just happy that they don't plan to cancel.

I'm on the same sailing as you @spiralqueen ! This is our first cruise and this propulsion thing is making me a bit nervous. I've been looking forward to this for a year. I find myself checking the blog multiple times every day looking for any updates.

That's good to hear. Did you also get the same waiter every night?

Email them 3-4 weeks before your sailing. That's when they begin planning table arrangements.

So I emailed RCL Dining less than a week ago asking them (nicely) to put us at our own table of 4 and also to place us closer to the centre where we can admire the grandeur of the 3-level dining room as this is our first cruise. Not only did they emailed me back within the week, they accommodated both of our requests. Not sure if this happens often but I'm one happy customer right now. One thing I found interesting is that they placed us at American Icon which I assume is the MY Time Dining floor. But the sitting is the same. (5:15) So I guess it doesn't matter which floor right?

I read on the sample cruise compass that those who wish to carry their own luggage off the ship must disembark between 7am and 8am. We do want to carry our own luggage but 7-8am is too early. Can we leave at our own time with our luggage? Have you seen people go to breakfast carrying all their luggage?

thanks @twangster!

Hi cruisers, does any of the specialty restaurants open for lunch on port days? Planning to skip one of the ports and it'd be great if we can enjoy a nice lunch onboard.

I tried to convince my husband to wear a kilt for our wedding. He refused. His uncle almost showed up in one.

I don't blame your wife. I have the exact same affliction! lol.

So true!! I never get to dress up anymore. Nowadays I'm either covered in my kids' snot or milk, or food splatter from cooking. Alright, I'm gonna fancy it up like no one's business.

Thanks @fonemanboband @SpeedNoodles. This makes me feel more at ease. Do they allow you to use your own camera at the photo ops?

Hi cruisers, I was planning to bring a floor length black dress with gold sequin for the formal night. Does it sound too fancy? How fancy do the ladies go nowadays?

I don't think the bottled juices are included. Just like canned sodas are not included but fountain sodas are. And Johnny Rocket's milkshake is definitely not included in the refreshment package.

Hi cruisers! We're going on Symphony next year and it'll be a 4-port cruise. I want to skip one of the ports to enjoy the ship. Which would you skip? Roatan, Costa Maya, or Cozumel? The last port is CocoCay which I'm definitely going.

Thank you @12thman It has been a long wait for us and these last 35 days seem to go by REALLY slowly!

Not a problem! @12thman I shall report back after our cruise (May 12-19). When are you going on yours?

@12thman We're going on the Allure too, in May. Since this is our first cruise and we have our second cruise booked for next year, I figure I'll try without the package this time and see how much our drink bill will come out to at the end of the cruise. During the day we'll have our thermos to fill up on lemonade, ice tea, water, etc. and we'll buy a drink at dinner. Since we're not big drinkers, our bill should be less than the package. We'll see.

@marti314 That's very true. After gathering everyone's insight, my gut tells me the package won't be worth it for us.

And how do you guys handle port days when you're off the ship for half the day? Will they fill my thermos with a mocktail so I can bring off the shop?

Thanks @marti314 Do you know how much are the mocktails? I assume they'd be cheaper than the ones with alcohol right? I'm trying to work out the numbers to see if we can drink enough to make it worth while.

Hi everyone! The refreshment package is 30% right now on cruise planner ($26.80 Cdn). I'm debating whether it'd be worth while for us to get it. So my questions are: 1. How much are the non-alcoholic cocktails onboard? That'd be something I'll be using the package for the most as I'm not a big fan of sodas. 2. Can we get the refreshment package just for the two adults and not our 3 and 5 yo? They won't be drinking sodas and I can always fill up their thermos with water or juice from the buffet in the morning. Thanks!!

@WAAAYTOOO I think our neighbor has that love seat set up. I made sure ours has the sofa bed for our kids. Come to think of it, we probably would be the louder neighbor ?

@tradercj This is actually what I want to look for as we'll have 14 people and will be staying at a hotel the night before. Thanks a bunch :)