tiny blonde

I'm enjoying my planning, too! ? Since we love GOOD Italian food, I think we'll head to Giovanni's as soon as we board. As for the shore excursion, since we've never been to Cozumel I'm thinking we'll just meander around the village, shop, maybe have lunch or watch some chocolate being processed, and when it gets hot head back to the ship. We can venture farther afield on the next cruise/visit!

Thanks!

When is the best time to make a reservation, before the cruise or after boarding?

Gratuities are paid up in advance. Besides, that's no fun for us! I'm looking for $50 worth of fun. What will give us bang for the buck? ?

My travel agency (CruisesOnly.com) has informed me that I will get $50 back after the cruise IF I spend that amount on board the Brilliance. That's for Hubby and me combined. So it will behoove me to spend that much, although we hadn't planned on spending. So . . . . what would you recommend for $50 or slightly more? A meal for two at Giovanni's Table? A pair of drinks and a souvenir from the gift shop? What can $50 buy on the ship for an elderly couple who don't drink or party much, nor eat much, but definitely appreciate quality? We don't eat meat but we do love pasta and eggplant and Asian food.

Thanks, Matt. I enjoyed reading the live blogs and seeing the photos!! I can hardly wait for my cruise . . . the anticipation will take me through the long wait.

Has anyone seen a show in the Pacifica Theater that they thought was Las Vegas quality? Or terrific in any way, not to be missed?

Thanks to all of you who have taught this newbie. I've been watching the price of my cruise and it went down by 10%, so I called my booking agency and they got me a new price, $371 lower! I don't remember exactly how much the fare was when I booked, but I know what it is now, and I'll keep watching. What a great savings!

LOL, I do know just what you mean! I've connected with Michelle and will be loyal to her, when I am in position to make the switch to MEI - for my next cruise! Changing hairdressers was a little harder . . . . . but I just failed to make a next appointment (hee hee).

Do you spend most of your time on your balcony, or on the ship, below decks?

This blog is the friendliest, most helpful and upbeat source of useful information anywhere! Thank you all. I'm proud to be about to become Loyal to Royal (I think I have to actually take my first cruise in order to qualify.)! But you have answered all my questions . . . . . . so far. ?

I spoke w. Michelle and she was very helpful. I think I'm going to keep my April booking and I'll definitely use MEI for my next cruise (and I think there's going to be a next cruise!!! ? )

Wow, thanks, @WAAAYTOOO , that's just the information I needed. I'll call her now. Thanks also to @mworkman , I can't ignore two votes (that makes it unanimous!)

I'm thinking of cancelling my cruise and changing to a different RC cruise (same ship, same itinerary, different dates). Is this an opportunity to change to the TA that is so strongly recommended here on the message boards? One that is affiliated with RCI? What agency is that??

Thanks, Matt. I'm thinking of changing it to February - same ship, even same stateroom, from what I can see. As you know, I plan to spend as much time on our little balcony as possible. So I'm hoping for warm sunshine. I'm just concerned that it will be too cold on the balcony in February. But by Friday morning I imagine we'd be south of Key West and into the tropical temps . . . . would you hazard a guess what it will be like on those two sea days in February? For me to be sitting out on the balcony all day?

Thanks, @Dawn T. . That's a beautiful photo! We're going on the Brilliance, too. Why do you and your husband always choose January, given that it's cool and windy?

I'm booked Tampa to Cozumel in April, and it occurred to me that it's very hot around Cuba and Mexico in April, and I don't tolerate heat well. March is out because all the colleges have Spring break in March. So I thought I'd switch to a late February cruise. But is it very cold on the water from Tampa to Cozumel in February? Please advise. Thanks.

Thanks, haley_bopp, that supports my own conclusion when I went to book a hot stone massage on shore day, using the Cruise Planner. The price ("from $89") was suddenly $129 and, after mysterious charges (the gratuity/) were added, $159 for 50 minutes! I cross-checked and can get a hot stone massage around the corner from where I live for only $79, half that price. And the local massage establishment has a vested interest in getting repeat business, which is not the case on board a ship. So thanks, you helped me save money, and I'll book my massage for the day BEFORE embarkation day. ?

How does the stone therapy differ from a Swedish massage? Is there any massage involved, or just the placement of stones?

I've read here that massages cost less when most of the passengers have gone ashore. Since I feel no pressing need to see Cozumel (I love Mexico, but I'm not sure the island will be my cup of tea), I thought I'd stay aboard and have a massage. When do I book it for the lower rate? Way ahead of time, or on the day I want the massage?

Thank you, FManke. I'd be lost without you bloggers, 'so glad you're here to help! ?

Thanks, Atlantix2000! So, since I've prepaid gratuities, I guess we won't have to tip. Except maybe the person who delivers our luggage? Or is that included?

Thanks, Matt! Your responses are very helpful!! This also gives us an idea of how much cash to bring. Although I suppose the drinks are charged to the key card and can be paid with a credit card? Also, I read somewhere that gratuities are automatically included in the price of the drink . . . . . true? Also . . . . just whom do the pre-paid gratuities go to?

My husband and I are going on our first cruise at the ages of 82 and 84, and we no longer drink much, but I'd like to have maybe one mixed drink with dinner and he might enjoy a beer in the afternoon. How much does a rum drink cost on board without a drink package? And a beer? The package price seems much higher than anything we would consume. Advice appreciated, please!

I recommend either 1 or 3. Being on your own isn't so bad, quality time with nieces and nephews and sibs AND solitary time when you can get a massage or soak in the hot tub, have a spa day, etc. AND if you can save up enough money, maybe he can fly down and join you! You don't have to decide that now. You can accomplish your intended goal of finding out if you like cruising and how you'll want to do it when you cruise just the two of you, i.e., what kind of cabin, which deck, which packages, etc. You can be doing the research while he's doing the academy. Yours is the more fun! And celebrate together when you get home. And I ditto what rtread wrote above. It's just this one time, you'll have lots of opportunities to cruise together!