Va4fam

I pack two to three days in advance of the trip.  Some items get grouped together a week before.

My kids typically pack the night before or the morning of departure.  Typically something gets missed.

Great questions @JustmeCindy.   I'm sure you will get answers from people with a lot more knowledge than me.  I will chime in on a couple of your questions:

 

#1-Love your idea, but I've never found a drink package that allows you that much flexibility.  You either buy it the first day (sometimes the 2nd) for the entire cruise or not at all.   Many cruises will offer a 10 punch drink card during the last couple days of the trip which might help.   On shorter cruises we bring 2 bottles of wine (allowed by RCI), buy additional drinks as needed on land or the ship, and then keep an eye out for the drink card.  

#2-if you bring wine on board (2 bottles per cabin that has someone 21 or over) you have to put them in your carry on.   Not sure about the other beverages.  

#4-Typically you are free to come and go when your ship is in port.   Make sure you have your SeaPass card and ID/passport with you.

#7-Understand about the passport worries.   The reason you need a passport when you are off the ship is in case something happens and you are unable to get back on the ship.  Can you make copies of the passport and keep them in the safe in your room?  You might be able to take the copies with you but not sure how that works if you need help from the consulate or embassy.  Our 15 year old did fine with his passport during our Western Med cruise which was very port intensive.  Not sure if that makes you feel better!

 

We have not sailed Grandeur yet.   Baltimore is practically in our back yard so I guess I take it for granted she would always be waiting to take us on a trip.

Looks like I need to book her before it's too late. 

No complaints about Enchantment, she was our first RCI cruise.

We signed up for the RCI card a few years ago, got the bonus points, exchanged it for onboard credit, and never used it again.   It was a great way to get a couple hundred dollars for OBC, but better cards out there give you greater flexibility for travel rewards (or cash!).

 

If you win an upgrade bid to a JS or larger, do you still qualify for double Crown & Anchor points?

 

Thanks @twangster for the clarification.

Probably pull the trigger on the drink package this week and hopefully get a better deal on Black Friday.

2 adults and 2 kids (regular drink package) is going to add up quickly!

We've done the drink package for cruises with lots of sea days, and we've done the drink cards for port intensive itineraries.

How many days into the cruise do they continue to offer the drink package?  If it's day 2 of an 8 day cruise, do you pay for the remaining days left?

 

We are on the December 28th cruise on Anthem!   Less than 10 weeks away.

 

I think this is my first post!