Noonstar

@WAAAYTOOO Thanks for the advice and tips, especially on ordering to the suite. I can really see why you are the absolute Queen on SC. 

You can do anything you want to do !  You can plan everything and then change your mind 5 times a day if you want to.  I normally only ask the Genie to make our embarkation lunch reservations ahead of time so that I know what I will be doing that first day....but from then on, I just play it by ear.  It's never too late.  The Genie can get you in wherever you want to go at any time.  With so much to do on an O class ship, your plans/itinerary will change at the last minute.  When you're ready to eat, call the Genie and tell them to make you a reservation at whichever restaurant you want to go to.  Sometimes we just don't feel like going to a restaurant to eat and so we will ask the Genie to order our food and have it delivered to our suite.  The only issue with doing this is that you have to be sure to ask for EVERYthing you want (including salt, pepper, butter, bread, etc.) b/c they will bring you EXACTLY what you order and nothing more.
This kind of flexibility is really what being Star Class is all about.  Don't feel like you are stuck with a schedule that you set earlier. It allows you to be spontaneous and change your plans.  The only thing you DON'T want to do is "stand up" the Genie.  I have only done this once and I felt like a complete ingrate.  Yen had held seats for us at a show in the theater and we started playing poker and completely forgot about it.  By the time I remembered, I was running down the Esplanade to find her and she was coming back from the theater.  Of course, she had released the seats that she had been holding (and standing there waiting for us to show).  I had truly wasted her time and I felt terrible.  Other than that, do what you want to do, when you want to do it !

@SuperNinja enjoy your cruise! 
 

I think a culturally enriching cruise would be GREAT!  Especially since its culturally enriching.  You're not going to be culturally enriched if you're not immersed in that culture.  
What I would suggest though, if you're sailing out of china, read up on the visas.  DO A LOT OF READING ON THE VISAS.  China isnt somewhere where you just take your passport and you're done.  Same with reading up on Chinese culture norms.  They're much different than the USA.  And that's a good thing.  Just realize, its their culture, their country.  
Also I'd recommend spending a week in China before your cruise (or after) because you're travelling all that way.  Really get to know the local culture, local food, local people.  Really get enriched.  
I'm adventurous when it comes to not speaking the local language.  There's a lot of pointing that happens when you dont speak the local language.  And pointing in a good way.  Your mobile device is your best friend when it comes to your pointing game.  Want a particular food?  Bring it up on the phone and point!  A good translation app helps a lot as well in understanding chinese characters.  

I just received my questionnaire from the genie yesterday! So excited. Can’t wait for the cruise.

Hello everyone, I am a new member here.
I am booked for my first 5 nights Quantum of the Seas cruise which will be starting on 30 November. Can't wait for it and so I have trawled the internet and various blogs for information and advice. So far, this is the best website both in terms of depth of discussion as well as breadth of topics.
Read that they will be adding an escape room and laser tag on Quantum too! ? 
Unfortunately, I have just found out about the royal suites class categories! 

Your totally welcome. The app is very useful so that people can view the daily compass for each day before they get to their stateroom and you can also add activities that you would like to do on any of the days that they are being presented.
Also you can made reservation for dinner and for shows (that require reservations) right in the app. 
 
Ships that suggest show reservations are the quantum class and oasis class.

For the Quantum class & Oasis class: All of the shows that require reservations will be listed under the Onboard Activities tab starting @ about 60-75 days before the cruise.
Keep checking your cruise and planner to see if any shows are available to reserve pre-cruise.
Also reservations for the shows can be done once you have boarded the ship on embarkation day.
If you forget to reserve shoes you can still see the show but you have to arrive 10-15 minutes before the beginning of the show because once the doors to the show close you will not be able to enter.

if you have a smartphone or tablet you should download the Royal Caribbean International app now and then you can view the cruise compass for your cruise before your cruise. The app is free to download, and can be used on any royal Caribbean ship without purchasing a WiFi package. You can make all of your reservations through the app just as if you were making reservations on the cruise planner using a laptop or computer 
Mytime Dining times can be done before you reserve  the days and times of the shows that you wanna attend. 

I should clarify that the food thing is a Star Class perk..didn't mean to infer that it was included with the beverage package.

Really! That's news to me, I always thought that the Deluxe Beverage Package only covered drinks and not any food items in the bars. Wish I had known that wasn't the case, I'd have gotten something to nosh on with my beer at the pub!

It includes individual alcoholic drinks up to $13 (you pay the difference for any overage).  I say individual because it doesn't include flights or tastings or buckets of beer where you are served multiples at once.  You also get specialty coffee, bottled water, fresh squeezed oj, smoothies and juices from the spa cafe, milkshakes at Johnny Rockets, soda..basically everything that has a normal charge and isn't complimentary for everyone will be included. 
You also shouldn't get charged for any food that comes with a charge like the stuff at the pub or in Vintages.

You are right. It is the grand loft suite. Not the grand suite. Thanks for pointing out the difference.

Hooray!!! I just found out that I have booked a grand suite instead and it comes with a royal genie!!!