djm619

Yes, and a small sewing kit. Buttons and zippers always need to be fixed.

We always break our $100 bills at the casino.  The line usually isn't as long as Guest Services. 

I assume you're flying into Orlando (MCO). I would drive to Port Canaveral, keep going past the port and stop at a grocery store or wine store in Cocoa Beach. Quite a few of them there, and just a few miles past the port at worst.

I use this for my belt loop

Family friendly comedy = Skip it. Not saying you have to swear to be funny, but material tends to be pretty watered down IMO.

The downside to the Freestyle machines is that they are only in a few limited spots around the ship. Still worth it, IMO, but just be aware that you might be walking around a bit for a refill.

My grandkids didn't even unwrap theirs.  They just asked for cokes at the bars.

Yes, just show the bartender your sail and sign card and it will have a sticker that says soda package on it and they will give you a glass of whatever pop you want. To use the Coke freestyle machines, you need the special glass, which has a microchip in it that will active the machine. 

I believe the special cups are for the Coke freestyle machines.  She can get a soda anywhere, no cup needed unless she uses the machine.

No worries.  All questions are welcome.
Unfortunately, the only meal of the day that is complimentary in Chops as a result of being in a full suite, is breakfast.  If you want to eat at Chops on embarkation day, and you do not have The Key, you can ask your Concierge to make reservations for you and pay full price, which would be (assuming it is the same price as it’s showing for my Sept 2020 cruise on LoS) $21.99 + 18% gratuity per person.  It’s a nice way to enjoy lunch onboard on embarkation day.

There is - no shirt, no shoes, no service.
On formal night some people simply wear their tee-shirt that isn't stained and their sandals that still haven't been permanently formed to their foot. It's like going to church in your "good" (insert name of favorite sports team here) jersey.

Specialty restaurants don’t follow formal nights.  The dress suggestions is consistent all nights of the cruise.  No specialty venue requires a jacket or dress.  

Furthermore you can never accommodate everyone.   There is no appeasing everyone all the time.  
The minority who is isn’t being appeased in the current approach are those that get offended when people don’t dress like they do.  
Many people get dressed up and take pictures and don’t concern themselves if someone else is wearing jeans and a polo.  Many people go business casual.  Some go smart casual.  These are the majority.  
They have created an approach for the majority.  

I would say this is the fundamental point where we disagree.  There's simply no need to accommodate the shrinking "I want everyone dressed up" crowd.  There are literally other cruise lines (including multiple lines owned by Royal) that cater to this crowd.

I am always hearing about how little the crew get paid and now people will be angry because gratuities go up. It's truly damned if you do, damned if you don't.  Maybe people just like being fault finders.

Yes, if you get the UDP the embarkation lunch is included.  Whether it’s worth it or not is a subjective question.  We always get the UDP b/c we no longer enjoy the MDR but I will be the first to admit that with just 3 specialty restaurants, it can get repetitive.  We love the full service Sabor so we really enjoy the UDP on Liberty. 

We sailed on the MSC Seasise, I didnt feel like it was the best ship for families.  The play area was cool with the bowling lane, F1 simulator, and the 3D game system. It was entirely to small for the amount kids, and it was poorly organized.  Kids and adults just standing around trying to play with no help. One person in charge of all three items. Plus it only had 3 arcade games.  Hardly the best!!!

I believe that I wore shorts in the MDR for dinner on night one during my last sailing, but I was also in a nice t-shirt and my shorts were khakis (not gym shorts). As been said, the dress code is suggested; not enforced.

I guess I've never really given this topic a lot of thought until now reading all the responses here.  On formal nights on cruises we just skipped the MDR and picked the windjammer or whatever else and that was it, we just didn't feel like participating and having to pack "fancy" clothes (we both work in a professional environment and don't feel like dressing too fancy on vacation).  I can understand the sentiment with the formal nights for people who are accustomed to that from prior cruises, it is neat to see people who go all out and dress up, I guess I never thought twice about what other people were wearing because it didn't affect my vacation or if I was having a good time.  My thoughts are, do what makes you happy and as long as you're not hurting someone else, then you do you.

No, you do not have to use the OBC first.  We always have OBC on our account prior to the cruise but I "save" all of that OBC for when we are on board.  You can either use it to make pre-cruise purchases or save it for use once you get on board.

We just got back from a 5 night Bahama cruise on the Mariner of the Seas.  I am a 57 year old female.  If any of you are feeling hesitant about trying out the Flowrider and the water slides on the ship - DON'T.  Both were a blast.  I told the staff at the Flowrider that if I came over to the side I was done.  I didn't want to "wipe out."  I was able to ride it on my stomach, and even put my arms out to my sides.  I didn't get on my knees or even try to stand up.  Just being able to stay on it for a little while was fine with me.  
I did the blue water slide, and it was a breeze.  I didn't do either of these two activities until the last day we were cruising, and wish I had done them every day.
YOLO!

Can you "nest" any pieces?  Put a smaller suitcase inside a larger suitcase then slide the larger suitcase under the bed.  

The good news, is with Royal Caribbean pretty much gratuity is covered for your onboard experience. Auto-gratuity will hit your seapass account to take care of the dining room staff & stateroom attendant. Any purchase you make onboard has 18% auto tip, so you're good there too.
The situations outside of that where tipping is appropriate is....
The porters who take your bags on the ship and off the ship when your cruise is over ($1-$2 per bag) Taxi drivers (depends, but a dollar or two extra is customary) Shore excursion tour guides (I don't have a good rate to share here, it really depends on the tour. Feel free to ask others in the group what they are tipping) Casino (tip the dealer $1-$2 when you are on a winning streak)

I think I might have over kill with the magnets.  I bought the 100 pound from Amazon.  Oh well. I can always hang the wife on the wall.

I think I might have over kill with the magnets.  I bought the 100 pound from Amazon.  Oh well. I can always hang the wife on the wall.