Rachelle

Hey 
 
Easy.. book as Baby and your last name and use the due date.  Then when the baby is born you can adjust all that on the reservation.
Congrats on the new baby!
 

Thank you! We thought of this option and decided to keep everyone together for our own selfish reasons LOL definitely something we'll most likely  do in the future though

Have so much fun! We will be on the same cruise as well! Please come say hi if you see us and I may do the same! I always love making friends on the boat!

First off, welcome to the blogs, 
You have asked a questions that will undoubtedly bring up a myriad of emotions and responses. Yes, in the US there is a culture of tipping. While I am not positive of the booking and tipping process for cruises booked through the UK, if there is a possibility to pre-pay your gratuities through your cruise fare that is probably the easiest way to go about this. RC will automatically add a daily rate to your bill, and then once on board that covers your stateroom attendant, MDR service staff, etc etc. If you purchase a beverage package, gratuity is added on automatically so no additional tipping is needed there as well. If you dont buy a beverage package, that same gratuity is added to the drink when you purchase on board one at a time.
What some people do is remove the autogratuities at guest services and pay tips directly in cash. The daily rate for those not in suites is $14.50 per person per day, and 17.50 for those in suites. Again, this is supposed to be divided up amongst stateroom, dining, and other backend staff. The time I removed the autograts, I gave our stateroom attendant and main server $250ea in cash at the end of the cruise. Both of these individuals I think went well and above normal duties to make our cruise experience exceptional. I also felt that after that, did I tip enough....so now I stick with the autograts, and then tip more if I feel that the staff went above and beyond, and not worry about it anymore. 
For bar staff, I have always had a beverage package with gratuities included. What many people here will do is also tip $1 per drink additional to the bartender who is friendly with you etc, and soon you will find that you arent waiting as long for drinks etc, and that bartender becomes friendlier etc and will remember you. 
I think your best bet, is to pre-pay the daily charge, and not worry about it and enjoy your cruise. If there are any crew members that you feel stand out more than others, then reward them with some extra cash at the end of the cruise.
Here is a podcast that @Matt did that discusses tips as well that you may find helpfull. 
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/podcast/episode-51-tipping-and-gratuity

I’ve always used Royal’s transfer service from FLL to Port Everglades. They use big buses.

Another option would be to drop everyone off at the cruise terminal with the luggage and you and another person return the van and uber back.  Less people and no luggage would be much easier.  

We have used GO Shuttle several times just not there.  I really like using them.  We had several in our group to (8 people) with no issues.

YAY!! Congratulations and have so much fun! Do you know if you get motion sickness? I suggest getting a few tiny vials of "Motion Eaze" before your trip. Available only at Walmart, Publix, West Marine, and I believe a couple other retailers. It is an oil you put behind your ears that helps with any motion sickness and (*hot tip) HANGOVERS! lol 
I have fairly extreme motion sickness where even car rides make me sick but this is the only thing that has EVER helped! I tried the bands and dramamine but I swear by Motion Eaze.
Have a blast! Looking forward to reading about your trip.

@TJ! Tip right then and there as they take your bag. Chances are you won't see them again when they (or whoever) delivers your bags to your stateroom

We used them from Orlando a couple,of years ago, no problems, they were very nice , usually they wait till the van is pretty full, but with a group that size, they probably would pick you all up and go. I would use them again.

YAY!! Congratulations and have so much fun! Do you know if you get motion sickness? I suggest getting a few tiny vials of "Motion Eaze" before your trip. Available only at Walmart, Publix, West Marine, and I believe a couple other retailers. It is an oil you put behind your ears that helps with any motion sickness and (*hot tip) HANGOVERS! lol 
I have fairly extreme motion sickness where even car rides make me sick but this is the only thing that has EVER helped! I tried the bands and dramamine but I swear by Motion Eaze.
Have a blast! Looking forward to reading about your trip.

I second that. You have to wait until you board to book your reservations. From my experience the 1st night will be booked for you. If you would like to change this you can see guest services or any of the specialty dining restaurants. Any of the specialty dining restaurants can also book your reservations in advance to any of the other restaurants. 

Can confirm! Its sweet and easy to drink. Plus its fun to make/see be made. 

Sweet treat, Mudslide Lavaflow style

Royal Gold Margarita

YAY!! Congratulations and have so much fun! Do you know if you get motion sickness? I suggest getting a few tiny vials of "Motion Eaze" before your trip. Available only at Walmart, Publix, West Marine, and I believe a couple other retailers. It is an oil you put behind your ears that helps with any motion sickness and (*hot tip) HANGOVERS! lol 
I have fairly extreme motion sickness where even car rides make me sick but this is the only thing that has EVER helped! I tried the bands and dramamine but I swear by Motion Eaze.
Have a blast! Looking forward to reading about your trip.

My DH ordered a Blue Moon (beer) at Chops when we had Embarkation day lunch back in May of last year. Waiter misheard, brought him Bourbon -- he decided to try it, although he's not a bourbon drinker, then had to tell the waiter, "Nope, I want my Blue Moon".  Luckily, we had the drink package, so it didn't cost him anything to try...

I'm not one for big, over the top sweet drinks, so I usually stick to simpler beverages...but I love the Tropical Old Fashioned. - 
Muddled cherries and pineapple stirred together with orange bitters and Malibu Coconut rum"

Miami Vice and frozen Mojitos..yum

Do they have gingerbeer? I sometimes like mixing that with scotch and citris. 

I love Bellinis because they are quick and easy to make but feel more indulgent that a regular glass of wine.

Congratulations, JT!  You are on a wonderful adventure.  The most important thing to remind you about is that you must have the proper documents to fly and cruise.  These are really the only things that will keep you off the ship.  Everything else can be improvised, if needed, but if you do not have the proper documents at the port, they will turn you away.

Hello Everyone,
I've been on this blog for several months now so i'm still considered fairly new to this community.
This has been an absolutely blessing with all the helpful & kind members to the plethora of information!
My cruise has finally come to fruition after a decade of day dreaming! I am 19 days away!
I will be sailing on Symphony of the Seas with Ocean View Balcony 7 days. (I have never left California, flown an airline, or cruised before)
I've bought my S/O a osmo pocket because she was inspired to be a travel vlogger after being inspired by all the youtube videos. (smh)
We have a connecting flight from CA -> TX -> FL the night before the cruise and have a hotel booked for the night.
Return flight is also connecting from FL -> AZ - > FL
Sailing on the 4th.
My Question:
Is there any tips/advice/suggestions/warnings for my journey from land to sea? 

My family and I will be traveling on an upcoming Allure of the Seas holiday cruise that stops at Cococay.  I saw that they offer an hour-long jet ski tour as an excursion ($98), but does anyone know if it's possible to simply rent a jet-ski there, without doing it as part of the group tour?  If that is available, do you recall how much it costs and where you rent them?
Thank you!

Yes, unless you are booked in a Grand Suite or higher, where the Suites Concierge can help with booking reservations prior to boarding.
The trade-off with purchasing the dining package at a discount is that you must wait until you board to make reservations. Those who pay full price, get first options for dining locations and times.  That being said, you should have no problem getting your first or second choices for dining times at the restaurant  you want.  There will be a kiosk somewhere on the ship (ship-dependent) where you can make all of your specialty dining reservations as soon as you board.