DragonsFly

I split the difference and bring the Passport Card with me as my photo ID.

Was on Serenade earlier this year and they had a Thermal Suite you had to pay for but also had a sauna that was separate that was free.

Was on Serenade earlier this year and they had a Thermal Suite you had to pay for but also had a sauna that was separate that was free.

I've been on one cruise with a norovirus outbreak. The first thing to go was any self serve spaces on the ship. The buffet, the drink stations, the ice cream machine, the dinner table bread basket - all of it switched over to crew controlled in a matter of hours (or shorter) from when it started showing up. While it isn't common they take it very seriously. Which I was very glad about since their attention to it meant I didn't get it.

I've been on one cruise with a norovirus outbreak. The first thing to go was any self serve spaces on the ship. The buffet, the drink stations, the ice cream machine, the dinner table bread basket - all of it switched over to crew controlled in a matter of hours (or shorter) from when it started showing up. While it isn't common they take it very seriously. Which I was very glad about since their attention to it meant I didn't get it.

We got to Tampa about 9:30am for our cruise in January. The disembarking passengers were getting off and the porters could not take our bags till sometime a bit after 10am.

I booked this excursion in Colon because of its description on the Cruise Planner:

"Enjoy gliding along the historic Panama Canal on an exciting boat ride while learning the ins and outs of how this structural wonder operates, serving as a key channel for international trade. Cruise on the Chagres River to Gatun Lake, where a lush tropical paradise replete with exotic flora and fauna emerges. Watch as the waters of Gatun feed the Panama Canal locks system. Along the way, discover the culture of the Emberá people of Neopono Puru Island and take in a traditional tribal dance."

We were never on an exciting boat ride along the historic Panama Canal.  They only brought us to the Visitors Center to see the canal from afar.

We did go on a boat ride, but that was to visit the Emberá people of Neopono Puru Island, not to learn the ins and outs of how the Panama Canal operates.

They gave me a partial refund, $46.90 out of $169.00, when I complained about this at the Shore Excursions desk.  But that wasn't the point.  If they had an accurate description of this excursion, I wouldn't have booked it at all.   Even the visit to the Emberá people felt like a commercialized tour of a supposedly indigenous group of people.  That's another story in itself.

Just beware of this excursion.

Yes, the card will work for chai lattes. In my experience on Radiance in September, a 12oz chai counted as 1 punch, a 16oz as 2 punches (I imagine a 20oz would have been 3). So the best bang for your buck would be to order 12oz.

Does anyone know if you can use the coffee card to get a chai tea latte? It isn't an espresso based drink but is sold with them so I'm hoping.

Yes. Card works for tea and coffee but no alcohol. Bought my wife chai latte with card. Go to Cafe Promenade, not Starbucks.

Or just don't bring it since they are prohibited.

I guess I’ve just been lucky. We send out laundry nearly every cruise and I’ve never had anything ruined.

I would be happy to come along and sit the kids!  A balcony room would be fine. 😁😁

Take all important items-medicines, ID and medical equipment in your carry on. Add a day or two of clothing just in case.
it amazes me when I read of lost bags and the owner complaining their meds or documents were in there.  
I even have a foldable recycling bag in the outer pocket of my carryon.  If they tell me there’s no room for my carryon I’ll unpack half that stuff from the carryon into my recyclable bag so I still have my most important items in my possession. 

Same here. If you get cut off this reason, arguing your case isn't likely to get you anywhere but it will provide great entertainment for those watching.

Any time the cruise is port-heavy we spend way less on drinks.

Thanks for reminding me...There is another GREAT use for the insulated tumblers...my kids would get soft serve from deck 14, put the "ice cream part" in the tumblers, go down to Sorrentos and fill the tumblers with root beer to make floats.  Pizza and root beer floats are awesome!

Even as a non-user of Adventure Ocean it may be the most important feature of Royal Caribbean to me.  It keeps kids so busy and so entertained that they are rarely bored or act out on the ships.  As someone who has never had kids and doesn't particularly enjoy spending time around them, this is such a benefit.  They are happy, I'm happy, parents are happy, everyone benefits!  Without Adventure Ocean I would probably have to cruise an adults-only line.

That flat iron looks like a weapon to me. ?