newcruiser77

Thanks! I don't know how they expect you to be prepared when they don't promote the themed nights in the cruise planner!

Just to add my two cents, for what it is worth especially for new cruisers or others shorter on funds. I have never been in any type of suite and never paid extra for a meal.  I have always enjoyed my cruises, the food I have eaten and especially the staff. The room stewards, MDR and WJ staff have always gone out of their way to help in any way possible.

Ok, first, if you're reading a forum where people are shaming other people, leave that forum.  That's unnecessary.  We don't do that here. There's no reason for you to feel badly about a cruise like that. 
$50 is plenty because it truly is on top of what is expected.  If you WANT to leave more, that's fine - if you want to leave less, there's nothing wrong with that either.  I've left less, I've left more, depending on my particular room steward.  

Being a first time cruiser you might consider a different approach.  If you are like the vast majority on here you will probably cruise again.  Choose one specialty dining restaurant and give the MDR a chance.  Your menu for the MDR covers a lot of different foods that are really good.  Formal night is lobster night.  And remember you can choose as many things as you want and as much as you want. (including lobster)  Your chance to try some different foods,  like escargot.  I eat at a specialty restaurant on occasions and enjoy it but you already paid for the meals in the MDR,  Windjammer etc.

Yeah, there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to when you'll receive your acceptance ..... The only time I tried, and was accepted was on Brilliance last April .... we found out 4 days out.

I am sailing on March 1, so I got my acceptance with 17 days to go.  On this and other boards, I have seen people get accepted as early as 45 days out and as late as 24 hours out.  As far as I can tell, it is random.  Best of luck.
I was happy with what I had and to me, the randomness was sort of fun.  I enjoyed checking every now and then to see if anything had changed.  I used the theory that "you can't win if you don't enter".  As far as randomness of room location, I think most of the categories you mention are in good locations.  I am not sure how we will like having the handicapped bathrooms (we got an accessible suite-which I feel a little guilty about) , but I know we will enjoy the extra space in our suite.  We also have an elevator, which I find amusing because I positively hate elevators and go out of my way to take stairs whenever possible.  

It depends, and there is no answer. In my experience, closer to sail date.  Perhaps 30-45 days or so.

Oh no! I am on Oasis in May and was hoping they'd show at 60! Maybe 30? I will probably still keep checking daily even though I'm still at 88, hahah

We are sailing in a week without prepaying gratuities.   I am staying onboard for the next sailing the following week...I have My Time Dining and have not pre-paid gratuities.