WAAAYTOOO

Steph, you CAN sign up for MLife on the Royal Caribbean website. I've done it myself. Just signing up gives you almost nothing (I think there is some minimal savings at MGM properties but nothing you couldn't get other way, I'm sure) but you CAN become a member online at RCI. I'm sure you have to visit one of the properties and establish some kind of history in order to gain any kind of status. I rarely go to Vegas or AC so I'm thrilled that MGM is building a big casino closer to us - just outside of DC. Can't wait for it to open ! While Club Royale reciprocates with MLife, I wonder if MLife returns that favor ? I would assume that they do. Guess I'll find out when MGM opens at National Harbor.

Actually, you a CAN get the free drinks at the Champagne bar. That's usually the one we go to (or the R bar for the renovated ships) b/c it's right by the dining room.

I feel that the suite upgrade is worth every penny. I have not booked an owners suit before but I have seen them and they look awesome ! Besides the much larger cabin, the suites perks make the experience so much more. Just the gold card alone is worth the money. The upgraded balcony furniture makes the balcony space so much more useful and having the ability to book room service from the nightly MDR menu is so nice. Having a reserved area in the theater, ice show and Aqua theater means you don't have to arrive so very early just to fight for a decent seat. I have never used it, but there is a reserved sun deck area on most of the ships so you don't have to fight tor a deck chair. Unfortunately, no private suites pool like with NCL...hopefully something for the future. On debark, the concierge personally escorts you down an employee elevator and there is a priority line to customs so you do not have to wait in that long, winding line. There are some behind-the-scenes tours that are worth the effort and these include a bridge tour which has been eliminated from many of the other tour packages.

Congratulations ! If it were me, I would call rather than email. If you are booked through a TA, call them and ask them to inform RC that you are celebrating the engagement. If you are booked directly, just call the reservations number and tell them you want to add a celebration to your reservation...and as you suggest, you need to do it today. Unfortunately, I have no experience with any of the celebration packages. Good luck and again, congratulations !

There was an "all white" night on the Liberty last week. I don't remember which night it was, and I did not attend, but they did have one.

1. Tap water, lemonade, milk and coffee and tea (hot or cold) are all complementary anywhere on the ship. It might be difficult to get milk anywhere except for the dining spaces but I'm sure they would find it for you if you want it elsewhere. This goes for complementary or specialty dining. Alcohol of any kind and/or soft drinks all cost additional money. The only exception for specialty dining are the dining packages that specifically include wine and they make those very obvious so you will know which ones they are. 2. You are INcorrect about the alcohol packages. Both adults in a cabin do NOT have to purchase any package. If one person wants a beverage package and the other does not, then only 1 can purchase...but be warned, there is absolutely NO sharing allowed and they are very strict about it. 3. Can't help you on which package is best. Neither of us has ever purchased a drinks package. It is my understanding that the ultimate package is basically a combination of the premium and royal replenish (soda and water) packages. In general, the ultimate covers everything, the premium is wine and beer and the royal replenish is soda and water. There are some specific restrictions, but as an overall summary, this is probably good enough. Not sure which beers are covered in the premium package but I believe that most imports are covered. I could be wrong about this one. I'm not a beer drinker. Matt has posted some very good overviews and details about the different beverage packages on the blog. Just do a search for beverage package.

Yep, I confess. I am a cruise nerd, too ! Like Stephanie, I am the one that others come to when they are thinking about cruising. I have limited experience with other lines (Carnival 3 times, NCL 3 times...no others) but if you're thinking about going on Royal Caribbean, I am your man ! (...well, actually woman, but who cares !!). I love looking on cruisedeckplans.com to make sure that there aren't any "warnings" about the room I am thinking of booking.

What a nice story. It has been my experience that the wait staff - and particularly the management - will ALWAYS go out of their way to make sure you're happy. You will still hear the stories of people who have bad experiences but rarely do you hear the good stories so thanks for sharing it !

John, I agree...the Promenade is always our "rendezvous point"....next to the car. I also agree that there is NO need to wait until midnight for some delicious Sorrento's pizza and some of their delicious Mediterranean olives. ...and those cute little bread sticks.

Yes, August is considered hurricane season (June - Nov.).

I have only sailed on OTS ships on RCI. Other lines of course, but only OTS for Royal

Matt has a point...had forgotten about the fire. There could have been some collateral damage that is just being manifested

This is kinda unfortunate since Freedom just had a renovation in January. I was on the Freedom in May and didn't notice any of the things you've noted but then I rarely notice something unless it's very obvious.

When I was on the Freedom in May they had the balloon busters and it was definitely an added complexity. I had fun but as with most things involving a slot machine, I didn't do very well. I should definitely stick to the poker and craps tables. :) As Marc already knows, I will be in the tournament on the Liberty too...but not expecting much as I hate slot machines and they hate me back. :(

Adventure is a great ship for your first cruise. You are going to love it ! Unfortunately, the show times are not published b/c they are so fluid and always subject to change. As a rule, there will be an early show - generally around 8:00 PM and a late show, generally around 10 PM...but each ship maintains its own schedule for such things. If you are planning on going to the evening shows, I would recommend that you choose another dining time other than 8:30. That is going to be right smack dab in the middle of the 2 show cycles and will likely make getting to the shows a little problematic. Personally, I always eat as early as possible so that I can get that out of the way...but that's just me.

RC has a 48 hour price match guarantee ? I've never heard of it. Since RCI doesn't allow anyone to discount their cruise fares I would be surprised if there could ever be a lower fare advertised.

OMG how much would I love popcorn ! It's the only thing I miss about movies on a ship !

Speaking of movies, do they still have the small theaters on some of the ships or have they been removed during renovations ? I know the Jewel had one on our TA a few years back and I believe that the Freedom class ships had one up front on deck 2 or 3. On the longer cruises I often enjoyed going to see a movie on sea days. You never see them advertised though...they are rarely even on the deck plans which makes me think that maybe they've been removing them during renovations to make room for something else.

Looks like the Owners Suite is gone, Marc so I will have to settle for my aft Jr Suite :(

I'm with you, Marc. Hard to concentrate on anything else. I've never had a drink package and I've never played in a big slots tourney. Have experienced the rest b4. Be sure and give the union guys a good tip at the pier. The one and only time I left out of Bayonne someone cut the metal luggage tags off of my luggage. I assume they didn't think I tipped enough. Also, on that same trip, leaving Bayonne we ran smack dab into a nor'easter and had the roughest 2 days at sea I have ever experienced. I certainly hope our trip to Bermuda is smoother than my last trip was ! When I first started cruising I left out of Tampa a lot so I have taken many 5 nighters. Waaaytoo short for me now. This one is an exception these days.

Steve it is so nice to hear a good news story on this subject ! Thank you for sharing it. It's nice to know that they are giving the Concierges the freedom to do the right thing. There's nothing more attractive (and appreciated) than graciousness and nothing more unattractive (and deplored) than officiousness and ungraciousness.

Wow ! Who knew ? A limit to how much joy you can spread. What's wrong with this picture ?

Steve I just love going into town and hanging out. It's about a 10 min cab ride into town. It's very small, all walkable, beautiful beach, $20 beach massage, hammocks, $1 Coronas, fresh lobster prepared on site, awesome guacamole ....just a wonderful, easy, fun day. I also highly recommend the ruins. I guess it's Tulum ? I can never keep them straight. Might be Altun Ha. Doesn't matter...all very interesting. I have always felt very safe. Many of the shop and bar owners are American. I once asked the owner of a bar (used to be Coco Loco owned by a guy from east LA but now is Krazy Lobster own by someone else) if they ever had trouble with drug cartels. He just laughed and said they would NEVER come there and if they tried, the locals would just "take care of it" with their machetes. Not sure if that made me feel safe or not, but I keep going back. I have never taken an excursion (except for the ruins) b/c we just love hangin out on the beach but I'm sure anything on the water would be incredible. It's my favorite port next to Curaçao. One piece of advice if you decide to go to the beach and get a massage. Do NOT let anyone arrange the massage for you. They double the price and take half for themselves. Just walk up to one of the tables where they are doing the massages and wrangle a price for yourself. It's always been $20.

Yeah...I HATE Google Chrome. Will have to think about this one.....

I think it's a browser issue. When I changed internet browsers I was able to get through, no problem. I think my Explorer needs to be reloaded. UGH.