Jack_Lime

First Time Cruise!! Set sail yesterday.
The only mistake I made was OVER PLANNING. RCI had the cruise planner on the app a week before set sail. And I obsessed with it, planing to do Everything.
All that planning was a waste of time, just lounging around is too much fun on this boat.  If I could give any advice to other first timers, Calm down and enjoy yourselves. Eeven if you miss that "one special event", so much more is going on you will be fine.
 
My "Anti-Mistake" = Drink package, free espresso, free smoothies, and all the beer. Sure I may not have made the best deal, as I didnt drink much on embarcation day - Doesnt matter, the non-stress over how much I spend is wonderful.

First Time Cruise!! Set sail yesterday.
The only mistake I made was OVER PLANNING. RCI had the cruise planner on the app a week before set sail. And I obsessed with it, planing to do Everything.
All that planning was a waste of time, just lounging around is too much fun on this boat.  If I could give any advice to other first timers, Calm down and enjoy yourselves. Eeven if you miss that "one special event", so much more is going on you will be fine.
 
My "Anti-Mistake" = Drink package, free espresso, free smoothies, and all the beer. Sure I may not have made the best deal, as I didnt drink much on embarcation day - Doesnt matter, the non-stress over how much I spend is wonderful.

Hey All. 
I was under the impression that I would have a single un-grounded plug in my stateroom. See pic related I have 2 "grounded" plugs.
This is in an "Ocean View" stateroom on deck 5 - Majesty Of The Seas.
I know safety regulations prevent "grounding" in the plugs, so they must have an "adapter" to allow people to not need extra adapters.
the plugs are a little loose, I bumped into my phone charge and it fell out, but if you just dont mess with it you will be fine.
My plug extender did fall out though, this may be an issue for people with many things to plug in.
 
Just an info dump, Enjoy your sailings everyone!!

Think of it as a typical mid-range Hotel --> bar hand soap, shower dispenser for soap, shampoo & conditioner, box of facial tissue, couple rolls of TP, etc . If you want more of anything, ask your room attendant as soon as you see them. I usually ask for a couple of additional towels.

Have you tried clearing your browser cache?  Most of the time this seems to work for me. 

What do you collect as keepsakes from your cruises?
I collect luggage tags!

 
I like seeing them with my running bibs and medals

 
I also collect SeaPass cards (which I intend to mount on a frame or shadow box.  The souvenir cups from the beverage package are also part of the collection, except the cheap flimsy plastic ones they were using in summer of this year (2019).  I thought of collecting Cruise Compasses but I might just keep scanned version on digital storage.

Wonderful! Spreadsheets rule my life. this will be much useful.
I have roommates who I did not invite on my expedition. they can deal with the coffee pot, lol

@Jack_Lime here is the one I put together for our cruise this past September. Don't forget to stop your mail, turn off the coffee pot, and take out the trash before you go. ? Have a great time!
 
Master Packing List.xlsx

all the time....forever.....

.. I want a robot to make me drinks.

I just make sure to have more underwear and socks than two times the cruise (assuming double change plus extra). If something needs to be sent to laundry to wear again or I need to purchase something so be it. However, I usually come home with extras. You'll be fine. Enjoy the cruise.

Try this?
What to bring on a cruise.pdf

I would only make the change if the overall price is cheaper than the DBP + Voom for 2 devices. You will not have a problem using two phones at the same time on the 2-device package. 

I never used anything but USD in Cozumel.

I am so glad I found this blog before my upcoming cruise.
SO MANY questions answered here, little things that I should not have been stressing over, already handled and squared away.

I am so glad I found this blog before my upcoming cruise.
SO MANY questions answered here, little things that I should not have been stressing over, already handled and squared away.

I am so glad I found this blog before my upcoming cruise.
SO MANY questions answered here, little things that I should not have been stressing over, already handled and squared away.

RC Blog

How much weight I would gain.. lol ?

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 .... ?
 
 

Be kind to bartenders. Last cruise I was at the Sky Bar settling down for the International Belly Flop Championship. Ordered a Hurricane. Bartender was Hugh. He made the standard 2 shots of rum, one dark, one light followed by a lot of juice and ice.. Gave him a 2 dollar bill. He smiled. Next one he let the shot cups overflow a little into the glass. Gave him a dollar. Third drink he just poured in rum glug, glug, glug. Alcohol to juice now at 50/50. Another buck for Hugh. Last one (#4) he glug glugs the well rums then goes into the fridge and pulls out a bottle of Kraken and gives me a nice dose of that. Hardly any room for juice, just a splash fits in. Hugh gets another 2. I'm hammered by now and I ask Hugh to marry me before leaving. Wife has cut me off by now. 

Did I say be kind to bartenders?

 

If you have prepaid gratuities then you do not have to tip anymore, tipping extra is then up to each individual. 
We left a tip for room attendant, what it was i will not say because to be honest if i say i left $500 then it puts pressure on others to do likewise and if i say i only left $10 then it make me look cheap. But i left something and they should be grateful no matter the amount left. 
Bar staff i didnt tip until last night, no way im tipping someone extra every drink just to get better service after all its their job to serve people.
Your on vacation to enjoy yourself not worry about whether you are tipping enough. 

I too am going on my very first cruise soon. I never know how to tip coz I'm rarely in that situation, and I always feel awkward when doing it. That's why I pre-paid the gratuities and thought that solved the problem.
From what I learn here today, looks like the biggest expense on my upcoming cruise will be tipping. The amount you guys suggested are way more than I plan to give.
Thank god I read this thread. Otherwise I'll probably be labelled as "that cheapie" by the staff.
Just one quick question. I don't drink at all. But do we usually tip servers at the buffet, Cafe Promenade and El Loco Fresh? I mean where the food is "free".
And at MDR, where we're not gonna receive any bill, I can just tip our server before we leave right?
Thanks.

My last cruise I gave a little extra to bar staff and cocktail staff ... It was a bit random with some exceptional getting it more often. I gave extra my two chops visits and tipped after a CK meal (only had one). I gave a bit extra to room steward and suite concierge. This was my first cruise tipping the suite concierge as it was the first time in 3 suites we actually used him a few times (only to make some calls and replace cards but it saved is some time and hassle.)

I'd suggest saving most of the cash the for the end of the cruise  (those envelopes the Stateroom Attendant provides or that you pick up at Guest Services) and using your Seapass to provide "additional tips" when merited with the following exceptions:   If you don't pay by the drink, e.g., you have a package or take drinks in the Diamond Lounge, then the previously provided advice by @AshleyDillo makes sense.  That is what I do.  Tipping trends also vary by cruise itinerary -- in Australia you wouldn't tip as much or as often as in the US.  Also, some countries have Value Added Taxes and different compensation practices.  Compared to the rest of the world, Americans over-tip and can contribute to rising expectations.  That said, I strongly believe in rewarding outstanding service, and to me that is more than 18%, so I make up the difference somehow.  Whatever you choose to do, you will be fine; just have a good time, and cruise again when you can!