RobWhatley

is that because you are sad at the rc selection or sad at my lack of ipa appreciation lol?  Jane

Actually, not everyone is C&A; you still have to sign up, and not everyone does that. Also, even if you signed up when you booked your first cruise, you don't reach that first "Gold" level until after that cruise is done.
There's a boarding line for people not in C&A or who haven't yet "ranked up", and then separate lines for each of the different levels. Suite guests (including Jr Suites) get top priority along with Pinnacle C&A members, all of whom get to board first.
Amusingly, @Matt pointed out in one of his podcast episodes that sometimes the line for the non-C&A guests is actually shorter than the other lines, because as you noted so many people do join it. But then he still takes his "designated" line because, well, he's earned those perks! 
You can see all the different perks for the C&A levels here.

You can do that, but don't do that.

We cruised with a couple who's husband had Alzheimer's.  Of all the people we cruised with we had the most fun with them.  Of course someone was with him 24/7 but they are a fun couple.
 

My guess is because it works.  It's why JC Penney failed miserably when they tried to get rid of sales/coupons/gimmicks and post lowest price. It almost ruined the company. 

I'm pretty sure that's still a thing.  Some sort of free spin.

I think we get 3 gold coins each to use in the special casino machine.  I’ve never won more than a key chain (which I no longer take since I could start my own key chain store if there was a market ) but Dan seems to do better than me most of the time.  On the last 2 cruises he has gotten a raffle ticket for a drawing on the last night.  Of course, that’s where the good luck ends. No prize at the drawing but at least there is some anticipation.  
I don’t think it’s $5 though...

Just saved $85 on the 6 day Deluxe Drink Package for our cruise. :) Might want to watch cruise planner pretty close.  Also, someone set up a facebook group for this cruise, FYI.
Freedom of the Seas January 28 2018 if anyone is interested. 
Cindy and I are "almost" doing the double digit dance.  107 days.
Best of luck to you all on saving a few bucks.  :)
Rob
 
 

You'll love this.....according to three different cust. service reps and two different supervisors the discount is as follows: the cost of the deluxe drink package is $55.00 per person per day and each gets a 25% discount off the $55.00, hence the "discounted" price of $45.00. But wait....$55 - 25% is $41.25 NOT $45.00. When I mentioned that, the reply (unanimous) was the $45.00 includes the 18% gratuity, wrong again. $41.25 + 18% = $48.68. Amazing!!!!
At this point in time I think I'll load up my RC credit card for obc and not even think about a drink package! 

I would love for you to share your cruise compass... is this the eastern 6 day to cozumel, Costa Maya and grand Cayman?   I will be on that cruise in March.   I bought the pkg last week for 45 a day plus gratuities and saved about 70 dollars off full price.   Jane

@jce2, the group already exists. @RobWhatley was just informing everyone in case any here were on the same cruise and interested in joining it. Just looked it up on Facebook and confirmed it's there.

Nothing says you can't try.  Let us know if it works...

Cash tips are amazing tools! 
 

I've never seen anyone try this ..... I'd be curious to see how successful you are with it ..... I say, Go For It.  What's the worst thing that can happen, the say "No" --- then you move on.
In other words, it never hurts to ask, it never hurts to try.

Ahhh, but to have room service deliver fresh coffee and croissants/rolls first thing in the morning (you decide when) and then enjoy them on your balcony on  cruise days in your pj's.....nothing better.

The type of plate doesn't matter, there are a lot of slobs onboard who will just drop whatever, where ever. 

Sounds like it's time for a beer or two!

To close this - I escalated, and escalated, and escalated until there was no one higher up to escalate it to ... and finally they agreed.  It took what I consider an inordinate amount of time for them to accept my additional money, but they did.  Now I'll have a balcony for 7 days to replace the 3 days in Old San Juan that we'll have to forgo pre-cruise due to the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.  To top it off, my airline waived the change fees so that we fly in the day of the cruise, so all in all this was a good Monday. :)

Depending on the ship you will either have to pick it up the last morning or they will bring it to your cabin the night before.  As far as I know, they don't have a limit but customs might want to have a word with you.   I've bought on 6 bottle once, worse part is carrying it off.  Gets heavy standing in the lines.

Anywhere on the beach at Mahahual.  There are massage vendors set up all along the beach.
Tip :  Do NOT allow anyone to "find" or "arrange" a massage for you.  They will double the price and keep half for themselves.  Find a table and negotiate your own price.  Of course they will start out higher than $20 but just insist that you've always paid $20 and they will agree, in the end. 
We usually go to the Krazy Lobster.  The food and service are good and there are good masseuses there.  They have tables, chairs, loungers and hammocks.  They also have $1 Coronas !

I agree with you regarding Falmouth!

Yeah, and the heartburn/indigestion too!

I guess you can resurrect Chops because last month on Allure there was a ribeye steak.  Our waiter recommended it to my son and he loved it so much that he when we went again, three of the four of us ordered it.  It was really good.
We had a five night dining package and ate at Chops three times, Giovanni's once and at Sabor once.  Obviously, we loved Chops and our service was wonderful.  Giovanni's food was good, but the service was nothing like that in Chops.  Sabor was meh and not worth doing again. 
 
The MDR is not a favorite of mine in that it is too loud, the service isn't that good and the food leaves a lot to be desired.  My next cruise which will again be on Allure, will have 7 nights in specialty restaurants.  We will go to Chops at least three of the seven nights and will have the same waiter as we had last month.  I know we will go to Giovanni's a couple of times and will figure out the other two nights.   I won't feel the least bit bad not going to the MDR for dinner.

Thanks for reporting on the ribeye steak; this is great to here. 
We ate at Chops 4 nights on an 11 night cruise with two nights at Izumi and one at Giovanni's. However, in January on the Allure, we bought the 5 night dining package as well and had a 6th from our TA as a travel perk, so we never ended up in the MDR. We only made it to Chops once as it was only so-so in comparison to the other specialty restaurants onboard.