WHStoneman

ok aren't the ships confined spaces and the lack of personal sanitation the cause of noro virus with all the people crammed into small spaces now we add dogs cats turkeys hamsters and whatever to the mix where does the litter box go where does the dog poop and pee I have seen a great dane that its owner said was a support dog the smell will become overwhelming and what about fleas and ticks does the ships doctor certify the health of the animal I think not I applaud you Royal for doing the right thing in my humble opinion animals do not belong on cruise ships yes it costs me a lot of money to board my 3 cats and 2 dogs when Im cruising but I accept it as part of cruising it would never occur to me to bring little poopsie or Sylvester on a cruise its not fair to all the passengers with allergies or just don't want to cruise with other peoples pets 

We are cruising Rhapsody of the Seas, December 22, 2018.   I thought that I should probably make my reservations for Chops and Giovanni's.  Went to the Cruise Planner and proceeded to find that All of the Speciality Dining Dec, 24-25 are booked solid and there are NO spots open.  I did get to book Giovanni for Wednesday, 26th and Chops for Friday, 28th.  Maybe we might have a cancellation but it doesn't look too promising at this point.  If you haven't made your reservations yet...better hit it soon and hope you can find open spots for reservations.  

I would think it's unknown until you get into the ports due to other ships being there.  Just a matter of who's in the port first and the size of the ships in port will also play a factor.

Even with a private table reserved ahead of time, it is a good idea to go to the dining room and verify after boarding and before dinner the first night.

Agree!  Barrachinas in Old San Juan will hold your luggage for free in a back room.  They do a great job and only asks for tips ;). Besides, it’s a great excuse to stop for their amazing pina coldas!  

Sounds like too much trouble to me...vbg....I'll meet you at the pool, casino, buffet, spa, running track, putt putt,  MDR, Library, Atrium Bar, etc.    I know we can find something else to do.  

Agreed. Don;t waste your time

It appears that you already KNOW what to eat and what not to eat.  As dining should be,  moderation in everything.  You don't need to order extra appetizers, two entreés just because they are available at no charge in the MDR.    RCL offers sugar free desserts and they are plainly labeled on the menus and at the buffets.  If you feel you have over indulged, they head upstairs to the walking track and hit it for fifteen twenty laps.  Bon Voyage and Bon Appétit!!

It appears that you already KNOW what to eat and what not to eat.  As dining should be,  moderation in everything.  You don't need to order extra appetizers, two entreés just because they are available at no charge in the MDR.    RCL offers sugar free desserts and they are plainly labeled on the menus and at the buffets.  If you feel you have over indulged, they head upstairs to the walking track and hit it for fifteen twenty laps.  Bon Voyage and Bon Appétit!!

It appears that you already KNOW what to eat and what not to eat.  As dining should be,  moderation in everything.  You don't need to order extra appetizers, two entreés just because they are available at no charge in the MDR.    RCL offers sugar free desserts and they are plainly labeled on the menus and at the buffets.  If you feel you have over indulged, they head upstairs to the walking track and hit it for fifteen twenty laps.  Bon Voyage and Bon Appétit!!

It appears that you already KNOW what to eat and what not to eat.  As dining should be,  moderation in everything.  You don't need to order extra appetizers, two entreés just because they are available at no charge in the MDR.    RCL offers sugar free desserts and they are plainly labeled on the menus and at the buffets.  If you feel you have over indulged, they head upstairs to the walking track and hit it for fifteen twenty laps.  Bon Voyage and Bon Appétit!!

Yep....stealing is stealing no matter what form it takes.  Aren't you required to buy ONE drink at a time with a mandatory waiting period between orders?  If your cabin mate happens to be a lush...I don't want to participate....vbg.   Everyone should go ala carté.  

Going to the MDR for me has always been my first choice.   As a matter of fact, I would never consider going to the buffet for dinner and NEVER have.  I want to be seated, wait staff assisting, white linen, the whole experience.  During my eight cruises, I have seen many items "disappear" but that will not make me change my preferences.  I can't comment on bringing some food from the buffet to the MDR, since I don't know what they are offering different.   I do eat in the buffet for breakfast but it still is a "Bob's Hog Trough" experience.  I cruise to be pampered, not to experience what is typically available when going out am home.  

1. No you do not, you can go to any dinning venue, I prefer to dress business casual, but you will see people in tuxedos and evening gowns to nice jeans and button up shirts. Any specialty dining, Wind Jammer buffet, they are all open for dinner, specialty require reservations.
2. This is a loaded question (No pun intended), read this article and see if it helps, to me it really depends on how much you drink, what your itinerary is, IE. if you have 4 stops and plan on going ashore everyday, then you won't be on the ship to utilize your drink package, https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/04/13/answers-10-commonly-asked-royal-caribbean-drink-package-questions
 

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

One of the things that impressed us when we started cruising 15 years ago was how nice it was to be able to dress up and enjoy being amongst an entire ship of passengers all trying to look their best.  You did not dare go to the MDR in the evening unless you were in compliance with the "evening dress' recommendation.  Over the last few years this standard has not been enforced and in fact most nights it looks no better than your local McDonalds at lunch time, and sometimes even worse than that.  RCL should return to their previous standards.  For those slobs who are just to stressed out by having to get dressed up while on vacation RCL should rope off a section of the MDR or possibly dedicate the upper floor to accommodate those who wish not to look descent and come to the MDR to "eat" instead of a dining experience.  

If you are seated after sundown, you might as well be seated next to a black wall....you can't see anything!  

Don't know if I understand your question, but yes they choose the first night for you, but as soon as you get on the ship, go to one of the restaurants or MDR and find out what choice was made for you, if you don't like it, you can change it right then.

It depends on the itinerary. In some itineraries, the gratuity is charged/prepaid as party of the booking. In others, it's charged daily and can be removed by request at Guest Services. 
Personally, I'm off the opinion that they should not be removed and have conceded that they're the price a cruising as the fee covers both those who directly serve you and many others that provided service to you indirectly. 

As a cruise enthusiast, in starting to realize how much Royal had done to improve the industry as a whole. While they sometimes do things I disagree with, ultimately we would not have the industry like it is today without Royal. 
Not only do they have the most innovative and most spectacularly designed ships, they are pushing the industry to design more spectacular ships. For example, when I was looking at the MSC Meraviglia on YouTube I realized how much they had been influenced by Royal Caribbean's designs. Most striking is their rendition of the Royal Promenade and two story suites (e.g., Crown Loft). They even have a comedy club reminiscent to the one the Oasis class. 
I also think that the move to greater onboard technology is directly related to Wow Bands, although I wish Royal would roll this out to more ships. And if you look at the refurbishment of the Caribbean Princess, on of the biggest additions was too additional specialty restaurants. I also credit Total in general with kicking off the refurbishment tend of the older ships. 
Just my two cents. 
 
 

I asked the MDR Host and his reply was "the dress codes are ONLY suggested not required except no tank tops ever". I guess times are changing. Now, the MDR feels like a GOLDEN CORAL restaurant. 

I recall a trip in 2010 and was asked to leave the evening  MDR seating because I was wearing flops.  I still question that since women are permitted to wear open toe sandals....and they are the same thing.  Now I wear a nice pair of black house slippers and they have never questioned my choice.  And they are more comfortable.  

I'd love a cruise to nowhere and back.

Stopped doing that long ago...it is a waste of time!!    If you catagory is sold out, RCL is NEVER drop the price so why bother.  Price drops only occur with excess inventory.  

The cannoli is my wife's favorite dessert at Giovanni's table