Mr. Candyman

The easiest way to go about it is to just calculate the total price and decide if that will be a good deal for you.  Don't try to wait for a lower price because it's not guaranteed to happen.  If you see a lower base price for something you already purchased, recalculate and see if you save money.  If so, cancel your previous purchase and repurchase at the lower price.  You'll drive yourself crazy trying to figure out Royal's "sale prices"  I can tell you that $8.99 for the soda deal is the lowest I've seen it in six months, but the Refreshment and Deluxe Beverage have been lower than your post.  Same thing applies for excursions and almost everything else in cruise planner.  It's a pain but try to check your cruise planner at least once a week (before midnight on Sundays) because prices constantly change; feel free to check more often if you choose.

The easiest way to go about it is to just calculate the total price and decide if that will be a good deal for you.  Don't try to wait for a lower price because it's not guaranteed to happen.  If you see a lower base price for something you already purchased, recalculate and see if you save money.  If so, cancel your previous purchase and repurchase at the lower price.  You'll drive yourself crazy trying to figure out Royal's "sale prices"  I can tell you that $8.99 for the soda deal is the lowest I've seen it in six months, but the Refreshment and Deluxe Beverage have been lower than your post.  Same thing applies for excursions and almost everything else in cruise planner.  It's a pain but try to check your cruise planner at least once a week (before midnight on Sundays) because prices constantly change; feel free to check more often if you choose.

I can't speak from experience but someone posted earlier that between 12:00pm-2:00pm is probably going to be the busiest.  The terminal should already by open as the previous cruise will be disembarking.  From what I've read, boarding can start as early as 10:30am, if the ship is ready for it.  I'm sure quite a few people are going to go by the boarding times RCI has given them and not be there as early as they possibly can.  Make the family wake up and go...they will thank you for it later once on-board.

No.  The kids club do not have times on any of the kids compasses.  The teen compass does have times but they are not listed in the regular cruise compass so not in the app.  I like the app as a guide but I still use the paper compass mostly as that will be the most accurate.

I was thinking AMC Coral ridge on Oakland Park Blvd & Federal Highway.  I think Riverfront (which is long gone) was the last time I set foot in a theater on the east side of the county.  

We actually don't go towards the cabin hallway until @ 1:30.  Everybody starts lining up in that area @ 12:45 so you are basically just in a bottle neck, including people sitting on the steps.  Than on top of that you have people figuring out where their cabin is and grabbing luggage.  Instead @12:30 we hit the WJ.  @ 1:15 we hit the bar for a drink to take to our cabin to consume while we unpack.  By that time everybody has cleared through the staircases, hallways, etc.   No crowds just easy peasy.

Would that be a cross between the Labadoozie and a poodle?

I think they do the same thing in Labadee with their Labadoodles

Correct

I wanted the DBP as it dropped in price. However it would be over 800 usd ( within over 1000 for us in CAD) .
And as much as I can talk myself into thinking I could drink that much considering the price per drink....thinking of it as 1000 for drinks for the week is insane! We plan on not holding back, if we want a drink just order it and go from there. That being said my husband is not a big drinker and as another member mentioned we have our young daughter with us so it's not like we can just sit back and drink all day. 
Also with our dining package we get a 40% rebate on wine so it will help. And I think I'll be bringing 2 bottles on board.

That's a good question...they probably handle the situation as discreetly as possible.  I've never experienced anyone that rowdy on a cruise but would assume they take the same steps as the would in any nightclub.  I'm sure a bartender knows what signs to look for.  If you start to become obnoxious and belligerent, I'm sure security will step in and maybe escort you to your cabin and tell you to stay there to sleep it off.  And I would assume if you didn't, you'll be detained somewhere out of sight until you sobered up.  They probably wouldn't kick you off unless you caused serious damage or assault someone....I'm just speculating.

You can use the Royal App to chat with each other while connected to the ships Wi-Fi.  I know the chat feature isn't available on all ships but you're good on Allure.  You can purchase Voom for 2 devices and just share between the 3 of you.  This way your 15 year old can communicate with her friends if you wanted her too; or do the same with a 1 device plan. 
There's no need to purchase the International plan as AT&T has an International Day Pass that is $10 a day per device but charged ONLY if you use it.  You do have to contact AT&T so they can add it to your plan or you can log onto your account and do it yourself.  I have that as a backup just in case one of us accidentally takes the phone off Airplane mode.  Here's some information: https://www.att.com/offers/international-plans/day-pass.html
Also make sure you have your phones set up for Wi-Fi calling before you leave home and test it . The phones need to have an address set in case of dialing 911, which is why it can't be done on the  ship.  
 

Definitely go with the Voom.  I'm pretty sure with AT&T, once you reach 200mb, you'll be charge a ridiculous amount for an additional 200mbs.  Also, if you trying to text with others on board, then you might want to look into a multi-device plan..   

No, your're not missing anything.  Sometimes purchasing the combo doesn't come out cheaper than buying them individually because they offer different"sales".  In order to cancel, just go into cruise planner and under your order history there will be an option to cancel.  I personally try to make my new purchase before cancelling the cheaper just in case something goes wrong.  Sometimes you are able to and other times you have to cancel first.   

Yeah when I called to ask my TA, he had no idea and was puzzled why he hadn't gotten any notification.  I figured it was still fresh news and everyone just hadn't been notified.  To this day, I still haven't received an email about it from Royal but I did notice the itinerary update in my cruise planner. 

They're still out there but there's no guarantee that they'll be put on sale.  I think it depends on the alcohol sales.

That seems about the going price and it's a good deal (price wise), but now you'd have to down 10 drinks in a couple of days versus having the entire cruise to milk 10 drinks.  It's shareable so that helps.  

In the Allure situation lots of TA's and passengers weren't notified by Royal; myself and my TA included.  Like you said, if not for the forums many of us would still be in the dark so we can hold that one against the TA's.  I got lucky and discovered a good TA but glad you found one as well with Michelle.    

Yes they will remove the dividers for you.....just make sure everyone knows to knock before entering any cabins so no one just walks in on you getting dressed or worse ?

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! 

You can use your own tumblers, and I think for contamination reasons Bartenders wouldn't be able to make it in your cup; but feel free to transfer it yourself 

It needs to be set up prior to boarding on Wi-Fi so that you can set an address for dialing 911.  Afterwards, turn on airplane mode to test it out and you'll be good to go for your sailing.

Prices pulled from my recent sailing on Allure (liveblog in signature)
Virgin frozen drinks (like pina coladas): $7
Specialty coffees (including lattes): $4-5 
Fresh squeezed OJ: $5
Smoothies (if you are on a ship that makes them): $8.25
Water: ???? prob $2. Unknown because the bartenders never bothered to key it into the POS once they saw you have a beverage package. 

You don't have to buy 2 packages to cover the entire family unless there are adults in the other stateroom.  Even then, just make sure someone in the purchasing stateroom is in the photos being taken so they can be tagged.  The package includes all of your children under the age of 21 regardless of what stateroom they are in.  When you get on board, go to the photo people and have them link the staterooms.  
They will sometimes offer a discount on-board but from what I have seen, it's still been cheaper through the planner.
For photos it has to be done via the photo people on-board