Anditoo72

Think of whatever you need to make you comfortable at home, and consider bringing that. 
I travelled with my father who was having knee issues, so we brought a small folding camp stool, which he used to elevate his leg when relaxing.  We also used it to hold the room service tray during breakfast on the balcony, etc.  I don't always take one, but in this case it was great. 
My husband likes to sip on coffee all morning long so I bring an insulated mug from home for him so he can carry it around with him wherever we go.  I wouldn't take it for me, because I would never use it. 
If you get chilly easily, bring a wrap for dinner.
I have a small black jeweled coin purse that I carry to dinner.  It is just big enough for my room key, a lipstick, and a mint.  It is small enough to put on the table beside my plate.  I stow my receipt from any drinks at dinner, reapply my lipstick, then off to the show!  When I cruised alone I had a small purse that was large enough to hold a paperback and I carried that around with me all day so I could read while waiting.
Think of your comfort items and bring them for yourself!  Enjoy your cruise!

Bring small bills to purchase items in port.  Little shops may not have enough change to break large bills.  Also this will somewhat lessen the impact if you receive counterfeit currency as change. 

Sorry, but the reason I never talk about it is because I feel, in my not-so-humble opinion, to be at best an unsolicited sales offer and at worst a border-line racket.
The shopping seminar is more about which stores have paid RC to advertise as stores to go to, rather than an educational overview of which areas of the city/island truly represent a good place for value or deals. Any store that is mentioned in these seminars have paid to be mentioned. Moreover, there is often a kick back for sales referred.  Not to mention that "little hook up" is a ploy to get you into the store.
If you want to learn about the port you are visiting and/or the best areas to shop, I recommend utilizing the internet and getting recommendations from other cruisers who have gone to these places.  

Better yet power down the phone and put it in the safe till the cruise is over.  The peace and tranquility is amazing.  A dry eraser or post it notes work great. We tell everyone if their is an emergency just call RC and they will contact us.  Don`t worry be happy.  And ENJOY the cruise.  

We shut our phones off completely.  Hubby takes his tablet so that is what he uses to surf and stream.  When we travel as a group, the night before at dinner we discuss what we will all be doing the next day. 

+1 on this!  I enjoy the extra info from the shopping seminar, especially about the port itself, and freebies!

We usually skip 1st formal night in the MDR.  Grab a quick bite at Windjammer and take advantage of the empty hot tub and pool. 

Thanks for the tip about shutting off Wi-Fi.  ?

oooooooo...good idea!!!

For those that just to be in contact all the time, small hand held portable radios work well. Some are more expensive but basic units come in in various packages of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and even 20 radios for about $10-11 per radio. The range is pretty good onboard. This is not such a bad option for 2-4 people as long as you keep up with the radios and keep them charged.
Phone and Voom is going to cost as well. Putting phones in airplane mode turns off phone service but maintains WIFI or data/Internet. Voom is basically $50 a phone and allows unlimited text. If you want data, then its $100 per phone.
Connection back to the mainland will depend on your phone service provider. Most charge about $2 per minute or offer some kind of package deal.
Your phone is constantly checking for new texts and e-mails. Those checks are connections you get billed for. If you just have your phone turned on, its racking up a bill that can be $100s. It's not much fun having your provider text you that excess charges have reached $200 when you were not expecting it. Been there, done that.
Unless you just have to have all that continuous communication or have deep pockets, I'd suggest turning off your phone and putting it inside your room safe for the duration. 
If you want to use your phone camera, think about putting it in airplane mode and turning off WIFI. You can still take pictures and play Bluetooth music on your phone (not streaming) to your wireless ear buds if you want. You could also read e-books and play some games and use some apps that do not require data or Internet.
 
 

I know @Matt never EVER talks about it but attend the shopping seminar. You'd swear they don't exist with matt around...jk.   I think it is helpful and informative about each port and many times you get a little hook-up.  Free taxi to the downtown Cozumel area once. Cut the very long line and discounted ferry at St. Thomas another time..  Plus free swag! If it's free, it's for me!!

Drinks will still be free for a Star Class guest wearing a Wow band.  It's the not the color of a Seapass card that makes drinks no charge.  SC includes the DX drink package and that is coded onto your account, just like any other guest who buys the DX drink package.    As a DX drink package holder I have used a Wow band to order drinks and wasn't charged.  
The downside of using a Wow band to order a drink is that is usually requires you remove it and hand it to the bartender.  If enough people were to do so I could see a bartender mistakenly returning the wrong band to a guest.  When I use my SeaPass card to order a drink a quick glance at it let's me know it's my card coming back to me.  
Wow bands can be used in water, that's a perfect time to use them leaving your card in the room to go in a hot tub or pool.  On Anthem that backfired on me when the towel station RFID reader couldn't scan my Wow band.  They tried several times and reverted to using my cabin number.  Same issue trying to return my towel and for several days. Had to double check my bill to make sure there were no towel charges.  That may have been an isolated issue with one reader.  
Some people have a reaction to the silicone band.  Some people are allergic to silicone, some allergic to latex, some allergic to copper, etc.  No perfect solution that everyone will enjoy wearing.  Some people don't like the prospect of a watch like tan line on their arm.  Like everything on a cruise, it isn't for everyone.

We didn't care for the WOW because not only was uncomfortable to wear,  made your wrist sweaty (it is plastic), but we were told at that time you needed to take them off when you went into the water.  It was just easier to walk around with the sea pass card.

This is a great tip, especially for the classes with reservable entertainment. I found the group for my August Harmony cruise, and this morning someone alerted that the entertainment reservations were open. Now we have everything we want when we want it (well, I'd schedule everything an hour earlier, but they're not running the ship on cranky first grader time, are they?).

Um - lol - so, guess you 'stockup' on bacon during breakfast ?  #LooksForBaconEmojii

IMHO it’s an epic fail. There will be people on both sides of the fence but for me, it’s no good. When you want a drink at the pool the bracelet needs to physically come off your wrist so that the attendant can take it back to the bar to scan for your drink. Also, I would say the RFID works about 40% of the time for entry into your stateroom. It’s sometimes less of a hassle to just pull the card out of my pocket. 

Just a warning with the WOW band - you can't use it to pick up your child from the child care center.  Even with a license.  They will only release a child with the room card (which would have been great to know when we showed up right at the end of the program the first time we picked up). Also you can't use the WOW band to get on and off the ship.  There were other restrictions I know I'm forgetting.  But overall we quickly decided it was a waste since we always needed the card anyhow (with 4 kids someone was always at the kids' club, so we always needed a card to pick them up).

https://www.facebook.com/groups/582558342078755/?ref=share
I’m sorry I would’ve done it earlier but it took me this long to figure out how to copy the link! ??

I bring towels, cheap Wal-Mart kind,  for a couple reasons. Have checked out towels aboard ship and at first class resorts before, returning them properly but still getting charged. I caught on at the resort that people overheard us either overheard my account number/ name or simply said "we're with them". Had it happen with drinks there as well. Aboard with seapass that shouldn't happen but being asked to shell out $100 extra and having to plead my case with receipts in hand shouldn't have to take place... 
The second reason for bringing them is I can wall off between dirty clothes and clean in my suitcase when repacking to move on. On that note turning dirty clothes inside out is good marker for whats been worn or not when in a rush... 

Day 1 - find a bar that is convenient and has the selections you like best, and go ahead and give a nice cash tip.
They'll look out for you the entire cruise.  
 
 
I know - it's always about the drinks with me.  ?

@Pima1988
“Take a flat iron (hair) even if you don't need it.  Traditional irons are not allowed, but hair flat irons are.  The beauty of a flat iron is you can use it like a traditional iron for shirts and pants.  I don't take downy release because I take a flat iron.  Look at a flat iron, and you can see how you can use it to iron out wrinkles in the sleeves of a shirt, or crease the pant legs.  It takes up little room, and you don't need to worry about any liquids leaking on your clothes.”
I never thought of this ?

@Pima1988
“Take a flat iron (hair) even if you don't need it.  Traditional irons are not allowed, but hair flat irons are.  The beauty of a flat iron is you can use it like a traditional iron for shirts and pants.  I don't take downy release because I take a flat iron.  Look at a flat iron, and you can see how you can use it to iron out wrinkles in the sleeves of a shirt, or crease the pant legs.  It takes up little room, and you don't need to worry about any liquids leaking on your clothes.”
I never thought of this ?

Twelve days with the unlimited dining package and unlimited drink package? That would get rid of all the wrinkles in my clothes.
My advice is stretchy pants, and lots of them.

My nephew and nieces like the flavor add in to water. They love Hawaiian and Crush flavors. This gives them a different taste to water and they don't want soda.

A couple of random thoughts on things we used and experienced....
purchased a small usb rechargeable fan for use in the bathroom and at night  brought a couple of battery powered mini "candles" to use as a night light in the bathroom  not all suit cases fit under bed. With us, one did. One did not.  when we ate at WJ, we did it at off times. Either earlier or later than most. Cut down on crowds.  brought whole fruit back from WJ to keep in cabin fridge.   port days are a great time to stay on ship. Pools empty. Lots of room to walk around. Spa treatments less expensive, if you so choose.  on beverage package, always picked up a couple of bottles of water on the way back to cabin, to stock the fridge.  if you are taking excursions, choose ones that have only a stop or two. You will have more time at each location. All day trips, entice you with a lot to see, but you will spend as much time on the bus, getting from here to there as you will seeing the sights.  the helipad was a great place for sail away. Went there right after muster.