foxrunner

Now I get @Twangster's bye line. Thanks!

The price has not returned to those rates for my sailings. Admittedly prime time over New years, so look for someone with more regular season sailings. We will re book the water park for $80 a head, because it was great!

I think the reason that people jump all over cruise industry is it is perceived as luxury/non-necessity. People must fly and stay in hotels for work. Cruising also has a snobby rep that as @CrznTxn explains is unearned. I admit that I don't really proselytize about the virtues of cruising because most people just don't get it unless they have cruised.

Just back from the Allure in Jan. We brought 2 bottles on board. They were opened and served in the in the MDR. No fee what so ever.

I have never had the UDP but on our cruise we went to Hibachi for the family and had a date night for DW and I at Giovanni's.One advantage of not using a package is you can reserve in the cruise planner prior to departure. Packages require you to make reservations once aboard unless you are cruising above JR Suite. Sometimes it is better to get exactly what you vs saving a few bucks. This comes from a relative cheapskate .000000000000000000

Road Beef should be extra tender as it is Michelin 5 star!🤣

Speednoodles per the usual nailed it. We enjoyed the Key benefits but really needed to catch an early flight. That is why we got the Key. I'm not going to purchase for our next cruise.

On Allure this Jan we needed to sign waivers for each activity. Super planner inside tip, you can't sign the waiver with a beer in your hand. I'm not sure how I know that....

Never been to the Club, the water park was a blast for the two 50 somethings and 2 late teens. I agree with the advice to pick one. The problem, I'm guessing you got in on the club at about the cost of the waterpark. Club prices seem to have shot through the roof. Your kids will love the waterpark and the adults will I'm guessing prefer the club. If you are frequent cruiser and will go back to CCC you might have sticker shock upon return with the Club price. If you aren't returning and paid $80 pp or less for both you might want to do both. For us the park is $80 per person and the Club runs $200 per person. My original plan was to have the teens go to the park and wifey and I going to the club. I didn't purchase at $80 per for the Club. Now it is $200 for the Club and beyond what I want to spend. A tram which we didn't take runs around the island.

1. Family time and connectivity, and what I mean by that is connecting to each other. My wife and I will be empty nesters too soon, and the time with our sons is getting more and more precious. 2. Retracing Teddy Roosevelt's adventure up the Orinoco River.

We had them in checked luggage as well. No issues to or fro. The real secret is WASH your hands, try not to use doorknobs or railings. Keep your fingers out of your eyes and mouth. The drink package also provide a invisible shield of protection.😉

We stole this idea from @Lovetocruise2002 and had no problems bringing them aboard. We didn't keep the wipes in the original container and again no problem. We cruised in Jan prior to Corona virus, but none of us were sick during or after the cruise. We wiped down each cabin upon arrival. Worth the short money and small time investment! Those unused wipes are handy to have around the house if someone gets the flu.

This ^^^^^ And I can"t stress this enough.....this^^^^^^^^^

What if all these extra costs equaled another cruise. Which would you rather have? We are stylistically active cruisers vs relaxing cruisers. Be careful you don't find yourself on the hamster wheel of we need to do everything.

We are just off Allure this Jan. We went to JR for free breakfast and were underwhelmed. Didn't try it for lunch, and food preferences are very individual. For breakfast I'd go to the WJ ,Central Park Cafe, solarium bistro, MDR.