VillainsGin

Thanks, but I think this will be tricky for us.  This is our BOA/RCL credit card free cruise.  Moving ships might be a problem for us.  We had to book directly with RCL and the other couples used their own TAs.  I'll check it out but may give up on switching pretty quick.  ?

I think I got spoiled as last November Symphony was my first Oasis class ship experience.  I have since sailed Harmony.  Have Allure coming up next weekend and then Oasis for Thanksgiving.  All four Oasis sisters in a year...just did them in the reverse order!

You can easily Google on the internet to get a list of standard drinks and their ingredients.  Most bartenders will be familiar with those.  Use that list if you want to find yourself some new favorite drinks to order back on land.
But to take advantage of being on a cruise, what I would do is just sit down with the menu at whichever bar you stop at and sample the drinks on it. 
You can get an tequila sunrise, screwdriver, old fashioned, long island iced tea, whiskey sour, lemon drop, etc., at pretty much any standard bar on land.  But you can't go to a standard bar on land and order a Tokyo Tea and expect them to know what's in it, or as mentioned above, the Coco Loco.

Can't stand the slippery nipple and sex on the beach...I was a cocktail waitress in college, I always felt that people ordered for a shock purpose.  It is bailey's and Sambuca, layered in a shot glass.  For me, if I wanted a drink like that I would order a B52 after dinner.  B52s are layered like the slippery nipple.  It is Baileys, Kahlua and Gran Marnier.   OBTW bartenders hate when you order layer drinks because to layer it, requires pouring the alcohol on the back of the spoon so it does not mix.  That means time, unlike ordering a Jack and Coke.
If Bailey's and shots are in your wheelhouse.  Order a BRAIN.  It is schnapps (usually peppermint).  Than they pour in Baileys, and finally a dash of grenadine.  The Baileys coagulates in the schnapps and then the dash of grenadine will travel in it to look like blood veins in the brain.
My husband loves the frozen concoctions when sailing.  On land he is a Bulleit Bourbon and Coke guy.  He likes the Kracken lava flow and Miami vice.
I believe Miami vice is 1/2 pina colada and 1/2 strawberry daiquiri. 
At Bolero's they have my favorite drink.  It is called either the Royal Marq'rita or Crown Marq'rita.  It is a traditional margarita, but they add Royal Crown in.  If you like magaritas than you want to go to that bar since they have a huge selection of specialty margaritas.  I typically do not like my margaritas frozen, and request it on the rocks, which they will do.
Typically on a cruise I like to have Caribbean style drinks that are not frozen.  I will say the only one I won't order on RCL is the Mojito.  Tried it on every ship we have sailed, and it really isn't like what you get on land.  I understand why.  The bars are always packed and they don't have the time to muddle the mint which is key.

Not that I have ton of experience, but most of the ships that I've been on have pretty standard mixes and liquor selections between them.

Excellent, I like you. 
 

I just did it today. Our very first cruise. Thanks to reading these blogs I already saved $$. Bought the DDP for $55 last week for the 11 day cruise on Dec. 30th. Today it was $51. Doesn’t seem like much but for two people 11 nights plus the 18% I saved $103.84. Just canceled and repurchased. I’ll continue to watch especially on Black Friday, thanks to Cobra614 above! 

its sprinkled with the shredded extra cash you provided them to garnish the shake.
Similar to gold flakes ?

You have to think of it from their perspective too. At the end of the day they're a business and profiting not only benefits them but usas well. All the new features with the bell and whistles that comes with the newer ship pushed out or pushing out. The grand selection to find a ship to fit your budget and needs with prices varying if you're not content with it. I never cruised because my first one ever is in Jan, 2020 but I'd like to support them with my budget "if" possible.
 
Just my 2 cents.

I feel the exact same way!
I joined few days ago and I have been extremely active and engaging just because of the friendly vibe!
Started my addiction of cruising although I have not experience my first one yet, but its coming on Jan, 2020.
I already want to start lining up my year to squeeze cruises in when I can haha.

This topic came up on Periscope tonight.  Posting it here for whoever might want it or be looking for it.  @Matt






 

And Sex On The Beach.  The list is countless. Mostly from the 80`s.  Bahama Mama is or was served a lot on cruise ships in the Caribbean.  They are all legit drinks and all very good.  

Check out this post from lovetocruise2002:
 

if it isnt the sanitation or ship stranded at sea with no electricity there was the sinking of the concordia which was/is owned by them.

sex on the beach, slippery nipple, fuzzy navel, Jack and Coke, slow gin fizz, whatever they are drinking, Bahama Mama, Hendricks and tonic. And last is the drink of the day. Always a crowd favorite.  You will have plenty to choose from. And hopefully not a headache or hangover.  Please hydrate. 

LOL! Just don't touch or eat anything if you go Carnival... another failing sanitation grade from the CDC!
At least they weren't stranded at sea with no working plumbing this time! One of the only cruise lines that I have no desire to sail (unless it was free).
https://www.newsweek.com/carnival-cruise-ship-fails-health-inspection-report-dead-flies-1453497
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/carnival-fantasy-cruise-ship-fails-inspection-by-federal-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention/
https://nypost.com/2019/08/15/gross-carnival-ship-earns-the-lines-worst-sanitation-grade-ever/

Thank you! The excitement and anticipation is overwhelming when I start youtubing others on the cruise haha.
Any major tips or advice I need as a noobie?

yeah on the thread i posted above someone helped answered that the price reflects the "unpublished on-board price" not what is shown on the cruise planner.

I was just asking this last night!
This was actually answered towards the bottom of this thread here: 
 

I feel the exact same way!
I joined few days ago and I have been extremely active and engaging just because of the friendly vibe!
Started my addiction of cruising although I have not experience my first one yet, but its coming on Jan, 2020.
I already want to start lining up my year to squeeze cruises in when I can haha.

don't get me started with chick-fil-a's shakes! oooooo they're amazing.
I alternate from their peach shake and the frosted delight which is milky orange/lemon cream shake.

don't get me started with chick-fil-a's shakes! oooooo they're amazing.
I alternate from their peach shake and the frosted delight which is milky orange/lemon cream shake.

I feel the exact same way!
I joined few days ago and I have been extremely active and engaging just because of the friendly vibe!
Started my addiction of cruising although I have not experience my first one yet, but its coming on Jan, 2020.
I already want to start lining up my year to squeeze cruises in when I can haha.

I will be perfectly honest with you, there is NO need to buy anything special, we have a cheap one that we got from Amazon, if you pay more than $15 then you are paying WAY too much!  Just make sure that it gets aired out prior to packing it away and it will last quite some time!  I have the one listed and it has done us well for the past 4 years, and I know that it will last quite a few more.  
https://www.amazon.com/24-Pockets-SimpleHouseware-Crystal-Organizer/dp/B01D58DRVC/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2EQ99C5JV5VL0&keywords=shoe+organizer&qid=1566423417&s=gateway&sprefix=shoe+organi%2Caps%2C442&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzRjgyNTg5Wkk2N08mZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAwOTE5ODQzSk9RTzRTUzVKTDVHJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA0NzI4NzEzS1dIVEtLWVMzUkhIJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
 
Good luck and happy cruising!!! ?

Last cruise on Symphony had the drink package, they let my daughter go in several times and go to the counter and just get a milk shake (no meal required).