Riley

You can do that, yes. Ordinarily I add $$ to my seapass card at the slots (a small amount like $30, for which I have never seen a fee), play one minimum bet and then cash out.

Yes, if you have a regular dining session (the 5 pm seating, for example, rather than whenever - even if you're "My Time" you can set the same time and table, just request it from the host your first day). You will have a regular table and the wait staff has set sections.

Couple of points as this is always a robust topic: - The casino or guest services can usually break down $20s into smaller bills. I usually carry about $20 in singles and the rest in $10s and $20s to break down as needed. - You can also ask guest services to add an explicit tip: I ran out of cash so visited the desk and asked them to charge me an additional amount to be paid directly to my cabin steward. They had no problem with that. - Totally agree with the comment to note folks who have provided great service and be sure to call them out on the survey. The staff have meetings where good comments are read out and they are recognized, just like any other service group. This is also helpful in staff getting raises and promotions. - I don't prepay gratuities as if something ever really blew up I'd have flexibility on the ship to rectify it or remove that portion, but I usually leave the daily amount alone and tip on top of it. On a 7-day cruise for the two of us I usually tip $20 to $30 for the waiter, $10 to $20 for the assistant, $1 per set of drinks to the bar staff ( we are a high enough level we don't pay for most drinks so there's no 18% added) and $30 to $40 for the cabin steward. On occasion I have tipped more, or (for someone like a head waiter or concierge who went above and beyond and who don't ordinarily get tipped out) offered a $20 handshake at the end of the cruise.

We pack a string bag or a drugstore backpack (light and cheap). I only carry the minimum - towel, seapass card, bottle of water, a little cash and my Rx snorkel mask for example. With an excursion that includes transport, the guide or driver will tell you if you can leave your bag on the bus or not (usually you can) but it's like anything else - don't leave alone anything you'd really miss if it got lost or taken.

Yes it's the little metal one. I don't think they have big tea pots but you can request a coffee carafe of hot water.

Like others have noted, for Diamond and beyond it makes no sense to grab a drink package. The Lattes in the Diamond Lounge via the machine they have up there are pretty decent, especially if you get an extra espresso shot. We are D+ and even my Chicago Irish self has a bit of trouble going through 5 drinks a day plus our carry-on wine plus the "50% off two drinks" loaded onto the sea pass card. A few times I ended up getting a bottle of Pellegrino to go for the room as my final drink.

Yes - the perk is offered as an onboard credit, not a discount off the booking.

For frequent cruising it's totally worth it. Note that the stock award varies by length of cruise - short cruises are $50 (less than 5 days, if I recall) mid cruises (6 to 13) is $100 and long (14 days +) are $250. Whereas yes, it would take many, many cruises to recoup the cost, I look at it as the equivalent of a dividend. I own 200 shares (the award is per cabin and sometimes my spouse and I travel in two cabins, so this way we both get the perk) and am receiving the equivalent of well over a 10% dividend while the stock recovers. t Even if it doesn't increase a dime over what I paid for it, that's a really nice return.

Check with the Miami airport - there is a COVID test site in the terminal.

Create a packing list and then winnow from there - it's easy to overpack and every port has places to shop. "Formal" nights are as formal as you want to be; a nice scarf over a blouse and slacks that dresses your look up is often enough. You don't have to pack a gown, though if you want to, feel free as some people go all out. You can check ahead both on ship and on the Royal Caribbean app for meals to plan what you want to eat. TIP: the dining room staff wants you to be happy; the chefs will try to adapt for you as best they can. For example, I speak with the head waiter the first night and request low-salt options where possible.... soups and sauces they can't do much about but most of the entrees they can reduce the salt on, especially steaks and other food that is cooked to order. The main dining meals are all fantastic but a little light on the veggies, so I usually ask for a side of grilled asparagus or steamed broccoli. Tip your bar tenders and they will do you right for drinks. Guest Services will break down large bills upon request so you don't have to have a bunch of singles. If you run low on cash don't use the on-ship ATM (high fees) if you can avoid it. Ask the casino staff to show you how to put money on your sea pass card to play the slots, then play a nominal bet and cash out the rest. You're paying gratuities but I always tip extra to my bar tenders, wait staff and the cabin steward. Depending on how long the cruise is, an extra $20 for people is worth it.

The gardens are worthwhile and she might change her mind... downtown Victoria (right at the harbor) has nice walking and some cute little shops, plus it's fun to watch the seaplanes take off and land. If you have the time the Museum is really good and they have solid whale watching choices right there as well.

The driving tour is pleasant for a couple of hours' trip. The Old Town area is also easily walkable. Good luck!

The White Pass Rail wasn't going all the way into Canada last Fall - they stopped prior to the border due to repairs (Canada had opened the border by that point) so it depends on repairs status. the train ride was still a must-do!

They accept PCR and antigen BUT not self-tests. You need either a BINAX-Now, ID-Now or a "proctored" (via video link) self-test.

Extra chargers or battery boosters is a must.

It's $18 per person and plan on about 20 minutes' drive. If you sign up ahead of time (which is required) a rep is supposed to meet you at the baggage claim kiosk for your flight - there is also an RC kiosk centrally located in one of the Terminals (MIA is a big horseshoe and I don't recall which terminal but as you walk look for any cruise kiosk and they can direct you. Carnival's is huge and easy to find....)

Confirm with Guest Services (or your concierge, if you're Diamond or better) and they can print out tickets.

One last suggestion is you don't have to carry small bills - Guest Services will break a $20 down into small bills for you.

If you run low on cash and don't want to pay ATM fees, you can use a slot machine in the casino.... Insert your Seapass card in any slot machine, set up an account to draw from your on-file credit card, load the machine up with however much you want, play a minimum bet and then cash out the rest. I regularly grab an extra $20 to $30 that way as-needed and then we don't have to carry more than a couple hundred bucks cash with us at the start of the vacation.