SweetHomeLady

I wish people would stay nice and positive.  I would be sad if this turned into something like that other place.  If you sail in Star Class, enjoy the perks, you deserve them.  If you sail in the smallest inside cabin, enjoy the cruise, don't stress about what others do, say or wear.    Unless they share the drink package, then knock yourself out.
 

?I remember that too!  We had a 15 minute package and had to go down to the computer room.  Internet was so bad that by the time we got a good connection, we had already lost 5 minutes or more!  

Not sure how many cruises it is on sale for but it was $24.99 now it is $19.99 thats 20%off

I never look at the "percentage off". Just look at the price per day.  The rest is simply marketing.

Correct. In addition to the regular plans that are for the duration of the cruise, the only other choice is a 24 hour pass. $29.99 last I checked.

Honestly, after many many cruises, I find that the tip "a lot" advice you get on any of the forums is very exaggerated.
You pay your gratuities that are charged daily or prepaid.  This also covers the buffet, Cafe Promenade and El Loco Fresh who area all in the tip pool.
You pay18% per drink or via the package purchase that added the 18%
You pay an 18% gratuity for a specialty restaurant, or if pre-purchase before boarding it is included in the price.
Really about the only time you have to worry about extra tipping is when you finally reach a C&A level where you are getting free drinks, or use the services of the concierge, then it seems more appropriate.  Then again if any service is way over the top, then you might consider a little extra. 
No one on the staff is going to label as "that cheapie" , they reserve that for those that remove their daily gratuities .... ?
 
 

I need to amend my above figures as I consulted with the CEO (Wifey) and we booked in March of 2019. Our booking includes  our 2 sons in an Ocean View Cabin and my wife and I in an Ocean View Balcony Cabin. The combined price drop has been a tad over $2600.oo! We are newbies and didn't book ASAP because we didn't know that strategy at the time. This site has been AWESOME! We are also cruising over New Years, potentially the most expensive time to cruise, another newbie mistake. I guess my point is that the seasoned cruisers know all the tricks and won't see big discounts on their cruise fare. Most of us first timers though really benefit from that weekly call to check rates. We don't bother to look at the promotions because the fine print is just about infinite. Just call and ask if the rate is lower.  To all you regular contributors the extra green is very much appreciated! THANK YOU  

24 hour periods except the last day whwn they usually have 30 minute packages.

I remember using this feature on Rhapsody for the desktop computers at the RC Online area so we could check in for our next day's flight home and print boarding passes in 2017.
I believe the cost was about $10-12 for 30 minutes. Surprisingly, I was able to use the ship's Wi-Fi on my phone for about 3 hours after my 30 minutes expired.

My first Royal Cruise was 11 years ago.
Three weeks before my x decided to become my x.
The cruise was awful. Why? Because all I remember from that cruise was him being drunk, a jerk, and not wanting to do anything at all. His drink of choice was "Grey Goose Martini with Six *&^%$ olives". Six. Never understood why SIX? To this day.... if I hear anyone say "Grey Goose Martini..." I cringe and hear in my head "with six olives".
This December marks 10 years free of my x. I wanted to celebrate with a "do over" and in 217 days, I board the Grandeur of the Seas (same ship) and I will indulge in all the cruise ship vacation fun and experiences that I wanted to do all those years ago but instead listened to a drunk jerk complain for seven days.
I am going to go do all the things and take excursions and dance and see the shows EVERY night! I am going to have so much fun and I am going to do it right this time!
?

I take a mini medicine kit.  One plastic sleeve each of Benadryl, anti-diarrheal, mucinex, ex-lax, Sudafed, Pepto-Bismol tablets, etc.  A few band-aids, small tube of Neosporin.  Much cheaper and more convenient to have it if needed.  I also take a mini can of Lysol in case one of us gets sick, we can manage the germs to protect the other.  I also put two Clorox wipes in a Ziploc bag and wipe down the entire cabin first thing, just in case.

I take a mini medicine kit.  One plastic sleeve each of Benadryl, anti-diarrheal, mucinex, ex-lax, Sudafed, Pepto-Bismol tablets, etc.  A few band-aids, small tube of Neosporin.  Much cheaper and more convenient to have it if needed.  I also take a mini can of Lysol in case one of us gets sick, we can manage the germs to protect the other.  I also put two Clorox wipes in a Ziploc bag and wipe down the entire cabin first thing, just in case.

I take a mini medicine kit.  One plastic sleeve each of Benadryl, anti-diarrheal, mucinex, ex-lax, Sudafed, Pepto-Bismol tablets, etc.  A few band-aids, small tube of Neosporin.  Much cheaper and more convenient to have it if needed.  I also take a mini can of Lysol in case one of us gets sick, we can manage the germs to protect the other.  I also put two Clorox wipes in a Ziploc bag and wipe down the entire cabin first thing, just in case.

I take a mini medicine kit.  One plastic sleeve each of Benadryl, anti-diarrheal, mucinex, ex-lax, Sudafed, Pepto-Bismol tablets, etc.  A few band-aids, small tube of Neosporin.  Much cheaper and more convenient to have it if needed.  I also take a mini can of Lysol in case one of us gets sick, we can manage the germs to protect the other.  I also put two Clorox wipes in a Ziploc bag and wipe down the entire cabin first thing, just in case.

If you've prepaid your gratuities and excursions, and you know about the drinks, be aware that they add 18% gratuity to the drinks that you purchase onboard.  
Only other extras would be specialty dining, extras that you'd get in the MDR (lobster and surf and turf can be extra), drinks in souvenir cup, souvenirs in general, extra tips that you may choose to give on those drinks you buy (over the automatic 18%), in room pay per view movies, room service surcharge and tip, any laundry or dry cleaning, special onboard experiences that have a charge.
 
But in terms of "hidden charges" if you've prepaid the gratuities and excursions, only what you choose to charge to your seapass card will appear on your final invoice.  You can keep an eye on your seapass account on your television to be sure, and then if something appears that you dont expect, dispute it with the customer service desk when you see it, rather than at the end of the cruise when there would be a long line. 
 
Wanted to add this video from @Matt 
 
 

Ordering room service breakfast and enjoying it on your balcony.

Ordering room service breakfast and enjoying it on your balcony.

Ordering room service breakfast and enjoying it on your balcony.

I'm going to join in the chorus of Enjoy the sea.  Watch a sunset over the open ocean.  Watch a sunrise over the open ocean.  Meditate  (ok that's a little spiritual, sorry, its a thing I do) on the vastness of the open ocean when you're nowhere close to land.  Its absolutely awe inspiring that I get on every ship I've ever been on.  
Also, find a quiet spot on the ship.  You may have to search for one.  Maybe its the library, maybe its a nook off of the centrum, maybe its the solarium.  Maybe its in one of the specialty restaurants.  Maybe its the art gallery.  No matter the place, find a place to get away that's not your room, and its at least semi quiet.  Have a conversation about your trip, what you've done, who you've met.  Its amazing that in all of the hustle and bustle of a cruise so many forget to just take time to reflect on those experiences.
I'd also suggest, dont miss formal night.  Yes its adult prom.  But I love it.  No matter the cruise line, no matter specialty unlimited dining packages, take time to enjoy formal night.  Take pictures.  You dont get this moment many times anymore as an adult.  So make the most of it.  Get in those suits, get in those sparkly or flowy dresses or pantsuits.  Have FUN at adult prom.  Its 3 hours of your life.  Suck it up for 3 hours and then you can put on your track suit again.  

I too am cancelling my cruise and taking the FCC, but elected to do RoyalUp.  For the time being, I've got bigger, hurricane sized, problems than this to deal with. 

I wonder if it is the same Youtuber who got most of the facts and projections wrong when Oasis was damaged in the crane incident.  
Some bloggers and vloggers will do anything to get clicks and followers, even make stuff up.
Fortunately here on royalcaribbeanblog.com @Matt sticks with known and confirmed information, not speculation.
If you want reliable information you'll find it right here https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/

I for one have stopped trying to promote the cruise industry and agree wholeheartedly with everything they said.
The last thing I need is more people to book cruises (driving up the cost for me).  
It's terrible out there folks.  The sea was 90' yesterday (away from the Promenade deck).  I hear that 99% of all cruise ships got stranded (away from a boring existence) yesterday.  Everyone on board is sick (of being on land).  I went missing (and none of my clients know I'm on a ship).  There were 75 mph winds (for anyone driving on the interstate with their hands out the window in Florida). 
Yep, it's not a life for the faint of heart.  Avoid cruising (so I can book cheaper cruises).
If they don't want to go, please don't try to correct them.  
 

You should share with them Matt's podcast #284 - Reasons people avoid going on a cruise (and why they are wrong)   
I'm assuming people who say things like that have never been on a cruise themselves (like my brother in law!).  Don't let them get to you and have a fabulous first cruise and many more to you!

Like @KathyC said, we will need a little more info and please give your posts a more appropriate title.
As someone who has had a Sea Day Brunch on Grandeur of the Seas, I'd love to help. (It was spectacular, by the way.)
Unlimited Lobster & Filet Mignon brunch. Also included eggs benedict & nearly all the breakfast foods you could imagine along with Mimosas, Peach or Strawberry Champagne Bellini's, & Bloody Marys for $30 per person.

I am testing out the key with my wife on our last minute cruise coming soon(mariner sept 9th). This is a splurge cruise to celebrate my big project at work being finished. I don't get much vacation time, so I am all about paying for whatever I can to make my time off super relaxing and convenient. For me cruising is a chance  to do fun activities or lounging with as little effort as possible. Carrying around luggage or fighing the crowds on embarkment day for lunch, waiting in line for shows ect....  I can handle these things, but I don't wanna