WAAAYTOOO

I'll borrow a story from @AnnetteJackson...
She had clients sailing on Christmas and they split up in the morning, wit the mom taking the kids to breakfast while dad went to the tree on the ship and had some things there.  He stood with them while Mom took the kids to see the tree on the way to breakfast where they found their Santa gifts.

If you want a cabana I recommend you request it through the Concierge when he/she contacts you by email about 1 week before the cruise.  They probably will not be able to confirm it until you board b/c the Star Class guests have first right of refusal but once the SC have chosen or declined your Concierge will snag one for you.
With the recent hurricane damage there are fewer cabanas than normal but I would feel confident that you will get a cabana if you want one.  B1 or B2 are good ones at a reasonable rate.

I want to go on a cruise with you ?

I have always believed that the daily tips did not include the specialty restaurants, but that the cover charge for the restaurant did include the tips for the meal.  We book a package pre-cruise so it's paid for before the cruise.  
 
We have never removed any of the tips for the dining staff even when we have the 5 night package.  I can see if 18% is being added to everything, including the packages, that one of two things are likely to occur.  One, the number of cruisers going to the specialty restaurants will be reduced and with Chops on Oasis class ships being $49 plus the new 18%, or if the cruisers go to the specialty restaurants, they will have their regular gratuities reduced for the dining staff.
 
Either way, Royal Caribbean's greed will have some affect, albeit not as large as perhaps I think.  We have tipped what we considered extra on our past cruises in the specialty restaurants, but if they choose to tell me what I "have" to tip in Chops etc. that will be the most they ever see from me. I may also decide to go back to more meals in the MDR.  
 
If all of us who choose the specialty restaurants decided to only go to the MDR or other free locations, something will have to change in our favor.   I love Chops, but a fee of $49 in addition to the food I have already paid for is stretching things, but to increase the price by 18% makes it almost not worthwhile.  This next cruise might be the end of my specialty dining on Royal Caribbean.

Hi, just joined :) 
1st ever cruise is on the Freedom out of San Juan on the 25th Nov 2018.
Lots of good information here for a cruise newbie like myself 
 
 

I'm going to check it out if it's open, sounds wonderful! In 2 weeks I'll be on my first RC cruise and I've never been to St. Thomas. Thanks for the info! 

Well, whatever RC does on Coco Cay, you can bet your butt there will be an 18% gratuity fee involved!

Definitely NOT allowed! ;)
It's been changed. Enjoy your cruise.
It looks like you'll be getting on as @donolog is getting off. You'll also be onboard with @toodle68, @LaurieB, @crazytaxman, and @hisfuzziness .

It depends on what the promo includes (I know...sorry, such a useless answer !).  Most promos allow you to rebook but (for instance) the weekly Going, Going, Gone sale is for new bookings only.
Just keep in mind that even if you manage to get a better deal on the cruise fare, you will lose any other associated promo items (such as kids sale free, onboard credit, free gratuities or whatever else they may have given you as part of your original "deal") you received.  The GOOD news is that there could be more promo bennies associated with the rebooking so you will just have to weigh whether or not it would be a net gain or a net loss for you to rebook.  If you have a travel agent, they can do the pros and cons for you.  If you booked directly with Royal I have found that the agents are generally very helpful in helping you decide whether the repricing would be a good thing or a bad thing for you.
Bottom line - it can't hurt to call and ask.  
Good luck !

Hi.
Anybody on the Ovation in March from Sydney, the cost of the refreshments package and shore excursions are all cheaper today than they have been for last few weeks.
Refreshment package down to £15.96 ($20.85 US based on currency rate) which includes the drinks gratuities. Bargain IMO - but will still check back every day as you never know what deal they have hidden away!!
Having picked up tips on this great site I have cancelled everything I had already booked and now re-purchased on the lower rates - even if only to save around $60 (every little helps!)....not bad for 5 minutes work.

On demand handshake is $5 but no gratuity.  If you buy the Captain and Crew handshake package it is subject to 18% gratuity at time of purchase.

Is it true that photo ops or even a handshake with the Captain of the ship are going to have an 18% gratuity?

Maybe someone has already started another thread.  If so, just merge this one into the existing one, please.
I have been reading on CC that for all specialty dining reservations made on the ship, they are now charging an 18% grat on top of the cost of the meal.  So far, at least, it seems to be only for reservations made on the ship and does not apply to dining packages pre-purchased, but if this is the new "rule" I would expect that to change soon.
It is my understanding that the gratuity has always existed, but that it was being included in the overall charge for the meal.  Now it is being added on TOP of the existing cost.
This doesn't surprise me in the least and I have been expecting it but it is still just another step on the path headed in the wrong direction, IMO.  I find the price of specialty restaurants to be exorbitant already and this just makes the insane.

It depends on what the promo includes (I know...sorry, such a useless answer !).  Most promos allow you to rebook but (for instance) the weekly Going, Going, Gone sale is for new bookings only.
Just keep in mind that even if you manage to get a better deal on the cruise fare, you will lose any other associated promo items (such as kids sale free, onboard credit, free gratuities or whatever else they may have given you as part of your original "deal") you received.  The GOOD news is that there could be more promo bennies associated with the rebooking so you will just have to weigh whether or not it would be a net gain or a net loss for you to rebook.  If you have a travel agent, they can do the pros and cons for you.  If you booked directly with Royal I have found that the agents are generally very helpful in helping you decide whether the repricing would be a good thing or a bad thing for you.
Bottom line - it can't hurt to call and ask.  
Good luck !

My god, I would be in heaven if I could bring that back. Strict limit for Canadians is about 38oz....now because a lot of bottles out there are 26 oz, they will usually allow 52oz to come back but over that, chances are you are paying.
 
And at $1 per ounce duty being charged on anything over that, its just not worth it....Always some stupid rule being Canadian...

Thanks to all for the information.  My plan to sneak away for a quick cruise was scuttled by wife's pre MLK holiday work schedule that wasn't as flexible as I had hoped (the downside of being in the education field).  Sailing out of Tampa is still on my list, but sadly it will still remain for now.   

In the Main Dining Room all you have to do is ask for more than one of whatever you desire.  I frequently get an app or two, a soup, 1 entree, a curry, and generally I get a dessert forced upon me even though I'm stuffed. :)  
On lobster night some people order multiple tails.  Not that I've done that personally, LOL.
For the specialty dining options like Chops you get a bunch of apps and sides, one steak or main entree, and a dessert (or more than one if you ask for it).  Places like Giovanni's, well, if you leave there hungry you are doing it wrong. :)  They bring out so much food you risk physical harm to your internal organs if you eat it all!

platinum here. one more 7 night'r and ill be emerald. free soda and bag of chips as a gift...can't wait. lol

thanks for the reply sir....makes perfect sense to me....this response is exactly what I was talking about how nice the people were here...just a prime example of what I was talking about....

MBK999,  
 
Tampa airport is about 10 minutes away from the port.  Cab should only be less than $20.  with tip.  Hope this helps.  

Everyday,
I have no excuse except being old...

Probably should code up a bot to answer for me based on keywords. RoboMatt

My friends and I said it slightly different, "pics or shens".  Proof, or we call shenanigans!

My home town , Tel Aviv. 

How's this for the wonky RC website....check out the restrictions....?