ChessE4

We went with a group, and I've seen better caverns in US. I wouldn't recommend unless you've never been in one. Warm inside.

An alternative is to the Mayan ruin at Cozumel, perhaps with a beach visit. San Gervasio. No need to ferry to mainland. When kids are older try the mainland Secret River.

As we are aging, our OBC for next several cruises is coming from profits selling stock at recent high. But if we were younger I would hold onto it.

That doesn't make a difference. Our cruise showed up in maybe a week. Perhaps try using a laptop to view your CAS account and see if the trip is there.

I can't use the vouchers I have. I think five vouchers is plenty, even if you use a couple for bottled water on a port day.

At least top decks have open air, casino does not. That is why it should be smoke free.

Use your passports for your cruise, but renew at some point upon return. When you renew, you'll send in the old passport, so you can't use it. You need to allow 2 to 3 months and only travel with other documents, if at all. It's nice to have an official state ID of some sort that isn't expired, perhaps for voting. (Our state requires ID.)

Did you purchase travel insurance (which we normally do), and if so, what protection does it offer? Also, this is a good reason to have a travel agent who can sort through all of the options.

When our son was young, he stayed with my mother in law and my wife stayed with me, so 2 rooms of two. No problem. No extra papers in US. I don't know about Australia. PS. Sounds like you may have 4 and 2, so room with kids needs to have pull down beds or sofa bed, of course.

Sadly, pet care complicates long cruises during retirement. If you anticipate extensive travel, avoid getting a new pet. Or move next to a family with responsible kids...

When we did ABCs from Florida the Dress Your Best night, aka formal 2, was Bonaire, so it can be port night. The last night isn't formal due to bags being packed.

Agree. Personally, we won't pay $1k a day for the two of us unless it includes airfare, e.g Europe or South Pacific. The Caribbean isn't worth any sort of premium; been there, done that, have the t-shirt, key chain, and holiday ornament!

On an 8N cruise the 2nd formal could be night 6 or 7, but not night 8. Night 7 might actually be a port day, depending on itinerary. Last year that happened on one of our cruises.

Our son cruised before specialty dining and enjoyed the included dining options.

For us, the cost of a catsitter is part of our cruise planning. We skip internet, and it's a wash. We usually have a couple of free days to stay in touch with the sitter.

At a small plaza near the fort we ate mofunga at a local bar and restaurant. We walked from port, and going back it's down hill.

At Santorini 12 years ago we did a black sand beach excursion with Royal. Umbrella and loungers were provided, we had a lunch at a restaurant across the street, and a convenience store with gifts was nearby. You had to fend off a few massage requests.

On our first trip from Barcelona the interior room helped me sleep, but room was cramped with teenage son. We like a little more space, but I like being able to sleep after a long port day.

Last year they actually emailed us to arrive an hour later. If they've fixed the turn around snafu, then you're back to the scheduled checkin time, as stated.

We booked Hawaii for 2024 only to have Royal cancel it. So that is another issue...

We snorkeled elsewhere in Roatan, but fins do protect your feet and give you leverage if currents are strong. My one "danger Will Robinson" was being caught in the current at Coco Cay. I am glad to see you are taking a vest.

Reminds me of Passengers movie minus the suspended animation (sleep).

I have seen tea bags but not instant coffee. Maybe someone else has seen them? PS. They have hot chocolate packets.

Agree with everyone. I will say we are more likely to spend on excursions than ship stuff. We will always remember having pizza and gelato in Italy, climbing a Mayan pyramid, or the excitement of being pushed downhill in Funchal. But I can't remember many meals on the ship, just a handful of great free performances.

I meant restaurant take out, not drive thru. Thanks for pointing this out. During covid our local family restaurants just did takeout. So we call ahead now.