Adam P.

Considering these are both things I would have gotten anyway, I hope these show up on any of my future sailings... haha! 

I have heard of a few things that have been done on a few of the cruises i've been on.  The one that sticks out the most and that I witnessed first hand was when several people  were not back on the ship at departure time.  Forgive me for not remembering the port but I do remember it was on Indy 8 nighter dec 2014.....
 
The ship, of course, has a list of all the passengers that have not boarded the ship as the time for departure from the port of call gets close.  In this particular case it was about thirty minutes past when we were supposed to leave and you could clearly tell by watching from the outer deck under the life boats that they were waiting for some people to see if they would make it back.  I'm always nosey and curious in weird situations like this so I started investigating of course.  There were several officers running around with walkie talkies so I inquired if we were waiting for passengers to which they confirmed.  So i pressed it a bit further and asked how long they would wait and what happens if they don't show up.  The response that I got was pretty cool..  They apparently, on this ship at least,  go into the missing people stateroom and see if the passports can be located and bring them down to the gangway...  (I know, crazy, I didn't believe it either.)
 
As i'm standing there continuing to watch as the time goes by literally 20 feet above the only gangway left on the pier, they had finally waited long enough and the ships horn sounded.  I then see the ropes being removed and pretty soon the gangway is being slowly pulled away.  At the very last possible moment, sure enough, a ship officer hopped off the ship handed about 4 passports to the port police, or whomever they were, and away we went!!
 
I was amazed that they went through all of the trouble for the passengers who were late, but would sure be appreciative if it were me for some reason.  I would never miss the ship unless laying dead somewhere but yeah haha... It was interesting needless to say.

I have heard of a few things that have been done on a few of the cruises i've been on.  The one that sticks out the most and that I witnessed first hand was when several people  were not back on the ship at departure time.  Forgive me for not remembering the port but I do remember it was on Indy 8 nighter dec 2014.....
 
The ship, of course, has a list of all the passengers that have not boarded the ship as the time for departure from the port of call gets close.  In this particular case it was about thirty minutes past when we were supposed to leave and you could clearly tell by watching from the outer deck under the life boats that they were waiting for some people to see if they would make it back.  I'm always nosey and curious in weird situations like this so I started investigating of course.  There were several officers running around with walkie talkies so I inquired if we were waiting for passengers to which they confirmed.  So i pressed it a bit further and asked how long they would wait and what happens if they don't show up.  The response that I got was pretty cool..  They apparently, on this ship at least,  go into the missing people stateroom and see if the passports can be located and bring them down to the gangway...  (I know, crazy, I didn't believe it either.)
 
As i'm standing there continuing to watch as the time goes by literally 20 feet above the only gangway left on the pier, they had finally waited long enough and the ships horn sounded.  I then see the ropes being removed and pretty soon the gangway is being slowly pulled away.  At the very last possible moment, sure enough, a ship officer hopped off the ship handed about 4 passports to the port police, or whomever they were, and away we went!!
 
I was amazed that they went through all of the trouble for the passengers who were late, but would sure be appreciative if it were me for some reason.  I would never miss the ship unless laying dead somewhere but yeah haha... It was interesting needless to say.

Hey, Adam. We are doing Mr. Sanchos this trip. We had not done Mr. Sanchos b4 but wanted to see how it compares to Nachi Cocom, which we did in Feb when we were there.
 
We have gone to the mainland before. We particularly like Playa del Carmen. It's such a cute little seaside town and we've done the ruins numerous times which I highly recommend. Like Doc says, however, it is a very long day...but well worth it.
 
For shopping, you can't beat the plaza just a short cab ride away.
 
If you're interested in a close, all-inclusive, try the Grand Park, which is a 5 min walk from the port. Just turn left out of the compound and you will come to it shortly. You can actually see it from the ship -it's the big thatched hut close by the port. The last time we went it was $40 PP and included food and drinks for all day. if you're willing to sit through the timeshare spiel, it's free !
 
Actually, we are in the OS all the way forward (8506) on the starboard side. Would love to say "hi". We'll be in the casino. Nervous to see what he casino is like !
 
Yes, it's Raye...

Adam, I know you did ask me, but I'll give you my two cents for half price. ;)
 
The trip across is worth it, but it does make for a very long and exhausting day. We did the ruins, and would do it again, but you spend a lot of time just getting there and back. It's a plus, though, that you have an extended port stay, so it may be worth doing.

You can use my robe how's that?  We get them in our cabin but I never us it.  GF loves it tho!
 
P.S. It sort of sounds like you aren't really even going to give RCCL a chance since you seem to be 100% negative before you have ever even cruised with them.  Hopefully you get the WOW we all have gotten in the past!  Freedom class ships are the best IMO.  

Premium Package is only 49$/day company wide.  In the US anyways.  With gratuity, it is just over 57$/day.  Well worth it IMO.  

Haahahahahah.... I guess it depends on what you may be going to the naughty room for.  I have only experienced it once, and that was back in 2008 for my honeymoon cruise.  Which was also my first cruise.  I apparently did not read the list of restricted items close enough.  I will repeat that this was my honeymoon.... :blink: Luggage was not to our room by the late seating for dinner.  Afterwards called GS and was informed I had to go to the 'Naughty Room" to retrieve my luggage.  Went to GS where of course I was escorted to the "sassy rejected luggage place" by a beautiful girl who was about my age at that time, 23... Who then instructed me to remove said restricted item from my suitcase while she watched..  SOOOOO embarrassing let me tell you haha.  BUT.... If I was to be going there to claim my case of bottled water, probably would not be any sort of big deal at all.  Easy peasey.   :D

Sounds more like kindling ;)

If the cruise was delayed there would have been an equal or worse amount of uproar from all of the passengers who were delayed.  And then the people demanding all of the compensation they are "entitled" too etc ect.  Lose lose for RCCL no matter what they would have done.  The eventual decision is the most costly one, as we have all seen though.

The closests I've come to the "gold card" is seeing the sign with the picture of the "gold card" on it indicating the reserved section in the WJ.  I also had to go into the section to pick up my son at lunch with AO, so I was almost living the gold life there.

I think the Chef's Table is definitely worth the money at least once.  I'm not sure where they will hold it....but I have done it twice and thoroughly enjoyed it both times.  Be prepared for a lot of food and a lot of wine !

Agreed... sometimes as much as 14$.  Makes the drink package pay for itself quite quickly at that price if you are planning on 4 or 5 drinks/day.

Yes, to my knowledge, Jr Suites still get a silver card

Pinnacle is the only C&A level that gets a gold card. Suites (grand suite and higher) also get gold colored cards.

LOL!!  Restricted.... about sums it up yep.

Beverage packages released today!!  WOOT  :P  Time to get my PP for some good times onboard.

Sorry for the slow response.  Looks like you already figured it out haha!!   :D

I've sailed with the Premium Package on my last five cruises..... definitely includes bottled water.  As you can see by the screen shot I just took in cruise planner, there is even a bottle of water in the picture advertising it.

Chops is $35 PP.
 
I have been waiting for the MDR selection to open up...but still no joy.  I will probably not eat at Chops on my April 11 sailing unless it's comped to me in some way.  Not a huge fan...but I would like to make my MTD reservations.  Will continue to wait, I guess.

I have experimented with this.... The results of what I found were either quite astounding or pure coincidence.  I will go with that it was not coincidence.  I do believe that the porters have full control of where they place your bag which will also determine how fast it gets on the ship and therefore how fast it at your room.  I have given the standard 5-10$ many times in the past, and had my bags delivered at what I thought was a reasonable time.  Nothing special but not after dinner or anything.  On my last 3 cruises I have given 25$.  10$ for each suitcase and $5 for the garment sky roll.  Guess what.... each time... bags were already not only delivered when the staterooms were released, but put right inside the room!  You can't tell me that is coincidence!  Or maybe i'm just crazy haha.  But yeah.... I'm in the mindset of tipping a bit more gets your bags extra attention.  

I have experimented with this.... The results of what I found were either quite astounding or pure coincidence.  I will go with that it was not coincidence.  I do believe that the porters have full control of where they place your bag which will also determine how fast it gets on the ship and therefore how fast it at your room.  I have given the standard 5-10$ many times in the past, and had my bags delivered at what I thought was a reasonable time.  Nothing special but not after dinner or anything.  On my last 3 cruises I have given 25$.  10$ for each suitcase and $5 for the garment sky roll.  Guess what.... each time... bags were already not only delivered when the staterooms were released, but put right inside the room!  You can't tell me that is coincidence!  Or maybe i'm just crazy haha.  But yeah.... I'm in the mindset of tipping a bit more gets your bags extra attention.  

I have experimented with this.... The results of what I found were either quite astounding or pure coincidence.  I will go with that it was not coincidence.  I do believe that the porters have full control of where they place your bag which will also determine how fast it gets on the ship and therefore how fast it at your room.  I have given the standard 5-10$ many times in the past, and had my bags delivered at what I thought was a reasonable time.  Nothing special but not after dinner or anything.  On my last 3 cruises I have given 25$.  10$ for each suitcase and $5 for the garment sky roll.  Guess what.... each time... bags were already not only delivered when the staterooms were released, but put right inside the room!  You can't tell me that is coincidence!  Or maybe i'm just crazy haha.  But yeah.... I'm in the mindset of tipping a bit more gets your bags extra attention.  

Sorry for the delayed response.  By 1000 the morning rush hour is indeed over.  Traffic can still be nutty, but not nearly as bad.  
 
I can't really make any recommendations for transfers except to say that Uber is available in South Florida (including to and from air and sea ports) and frequently when traveling, depending on the distance and number of passengers, it seems limo services can offer great value.
 
BH
(current 71F in South Florida)

I stayed once at the Doubletree by Hilton in downtown Miami the night before a cruise. The hotel was fine, the location was great. It is very close to both the airport and the port of Miami. It didn't take more than 15 minutes to get from airport to hotel, or hotel to cruise port( not during rush hour of course). Very easy.
 
 
eric reeves