Floski

This thread brought the laughs on a Tuesday morning!  
I've been on 8 or so RC cruises now (a rookie around these parts, I know), and I have never had one incident with another cruiser and drunkenness.  And most nights I am out "enjoying the ship" until after midnight.  
Now I have definitely had a few incidents with sober people on a cruise ship (elevator etiquette, line cutting at the windjammer, pool chair hogs), but those are topics for another thread!  

@Censored Well I tell ya, I am a Recovering Alcoholic. One of the ones who goes looking for the "Friends of Bill" meetings when I am on board. I have cruised both before and after I became sober and, when I was drinking, I cruised both with and without the DBP.
I can assure you cost of the drink had absolutely nothing to do with how much I drank or weather or not I got "drunk and obnoxious". The only thing having the DBP did for me was allowed me to get my drunk on without the worry of what my wife would say when we got the balance sheet being charged to our card on the last night. The getting drunk part was a foregone conclusion.
These days I call and get the DBP for my wife and I get the Refreshment package. You can do that if you call and tell them why. (Yes, I am in recovery and my wife drinks, it happens all the time)  The DBP makes it easy and we don't worry about when or how many Margarita's she can have or how it will impact that balance sheet. We get on the ship and don't worry about anything till we pick up our luggage when we disembark. 
It's called "Being on vacation" you might have heard of it.
 
Oh just a reminder..... your first post had nothing to do with the DBP..

Definitely wasn't a Scotsman as we would have that necked by lunchtime! 

I actually think the drink limit might be WHY Carnival has this issue. One thing I've seen over and over with people who get the DBP on Royal is that they love the freedom to try a new drink (beer, wine or cocktail) and if they don't like it, they can just not finish it. BUT I'd imagine with drink limits people wouldn't want to "waste" a "slot" so they would be more likely to finish every drink they get AND maybe even feel challenged to meet that 15-drink limit every day.
Just a thought.

I have never cruised. It never seemed like my kind of vacation. I signed up for one because some friends are going and I really enjoy hanging out with them. We make our own fun. We also enjoy a drink.
My friend group is the #1 reason I want to go on this cruise. The unlimited drinks package is the #2 reason. I would still go without the drink package, but I wouldn't be as giddy about it.
I don't plan to get drunk on my trip. I learned in high school that drinking too much makes me feel bad, and I don't want to waste my vacation feeling bad.
If I have a good time, the drinks package might be the reason I come back for a second cruise. So RCI may want to hang onto that.

Seems the title was classic click bait so people would read the post. Strange axe to grind but everyone is entitled to their opinions. Other fun tags to get your post viewed next time "Royal Caribbean going out of Business" or "Coco Cay suffers the fate of Atlantis and sinks beneath the waves."

Seems its a common occurrence to experience intoxicated cruisers aboard .   They can become loud, obnoxious, annoying, angry, and get involved in fights.  Personally I think this is due to the offering of the Unlimited Drink Plan.  People simply want to take liberties and drink as much as they possibly can. Then come the consequences .   Time to stop this plan or change it?  

Awesome, ellcee!!  Bravissimo!
 
So, forgive me if I'm obtuse, but I'm curious about wearing a mask being a sensitive topic.
When we sailed on Harmony this spring, I felt a little "off" (it was not covid!), so unfortunately
spent more time in our cabin, and when I did go anywhere onboard, I wore my mask.  I
don't recall feeling uncomfortable or feeling like people were staring at me.  
It sucked, and I wanted to go maskless, but I try to be a responsible person.  So, I applaud
you and A2 for doing the right thing!! 
Thanks again for the outstanding blog!
 

I    feel like.....this is a thread of people who ALL BUY the DBP, have thoroughly enjoyed the fruits of the DBP, perhaps even kindred spirits who have experienced the delightful impact of the DBP and are looking to others who affirm the same position.....we ain't cruisin' without the DBP.  Just pay it!
My point was to say.....you have to accept the absurdity of $14 a drink (just like at a local restaurant) as the baseline in your calculation, then throw out that metric so as not to buzz kill the daily fee of DBP.
Bottom line, it sounds like everyone in this thread would be pretty fun to hang out with on the next cruise.  Just sayin' 

The only time I’m not drinking something while onboard is when I’m sleeping which is about 6 hours out of 24. So do the math 😜

Awesome, ellcee!!  Bravissimo!
 
So, forgive me if I'm obtuse, but I'm curious about wearing a mask being a sensitive topic.
When we sailed on Harmony this spring, I felt a little "off" (it was not covid!), so unfortunately
spent more time in our cabin, and when I did go anywhere onboard, I wore my mask.  I
don't recall feeling uncomfortable or feeling like people were staring at me.  
It sucked, and I wanted to go maskless, but I try to be a responsible person.  So, I applaud
you and A2 for doing the right thing!! 
Thanks again for the outstanding blog!
 

At those prices, they had better get some premium brands back onboard.

At those prices, they had better get some premium brands back onboard.

Still rough seas but nothing like it was. Got out of bed around 10 and forced myself to find my friend but we spend over an hour looking for one another because internet was down. Can’t be mad because who knows what was going on with Ian. I gave up and got myself a drink. Was it the smartest with not feeling great? Probably not but it was fun.   
 
Rained on and off all day til later afternoon but we drank the day away first at the pub then Vintages and then naps since we were both a little queasy. Lunch was the MDR- meh. Wasted some time in the casino. 
 
Dinner. Dinner. Dinner was 150 CP. what a lovely dinner. The food was great and we were both very happy. Still trying to get through my OBC so I splurged on a bottle of Moët. My friend isn’t fancy but she enjoyed it. Got the cheese plate for dessert. Holy crap. Real cheeses, good cheeses. Even a perfect sized spread of Allouette. Every dinner has been decent to good so far (Giovanni’s, Izumi) but this felt special. 
 
I don’t know what’s going on with either of us but we’ve been content to skip entertainment every night. Dinner has been at 730 and if we make it til 10pm it’s late. No complaints, we just are tired. 

So happy you're sailing again!!
I'm interested in where you guys end up and the route(s) you sailed to get there, thanks to Ian.
Very sorry for you and your friend's losses.  

I'm finally starting to feel the excitement of a booked cruise after 3 canceled solo trips! The first two were canceled by Royal in 2020 and then this past January I chickened out and canceled my upcoming March cruise. I just wasn't ready. Was talking to a work friend one day and saying I had all of these FCC's I needed to use but the thought of cruising solo after basically being alone for two years did not interest me at all. She said she was interested and we booked. This isn't necessarily my dream itinerary but when we booked in March flying didn't sound so good and neither wanted the extra expense of hotels and flights. Luckily it's Oasis so there is plenty to see and do.
 
The Ship - Oasis, first time on this ship for me!!! Out of NJ, about an hour and change from my Long Island home. I love the idea of getting in my car after the cruise, even better it's a Sunday, traffic wise. 
The Where - Orlando, Nassau and CocoCay. 
The Who - 2 ladies above 40, that's all y'all need to know. 
Staterooms - We have 2 balcony staterooms on the 12th floor. I don't think I've been that high in a while. Solo rooms tend to be lower but no solo room for me this time. I love this friend but not enough to share a room and thank goodness she's on the same page.
Drink Package for both of us - I have dreams of making this package work for me and 100% forget that even in college and part of the pandemic learning to make fun cocktails I have a low tolerance. Wish me luck. Ordered water for the room because I had extra OBC. I drink a lot of water anyway.
3 Night Dining Package - I had a ton of OBC so I got this for both of us. I'm a little picky. I don't hate the MDR but can't do it every night, I've done Unlimited Dining but that's also too much food wise. 
Excursions - Orlando, not getting off the ship. I don't see a purpose and we have a perfectly good ship to run around or relax on.
Nassau - forgot the exact name but the VIP Cabana for 2. Unlimited drinks and plenty of food. Gonna have to run to guest services Day 1 because it won't let me add my friend's name and when I bought it said "for 2" - now the price is double. Worst case scenario I'll buy it for her without telling her. This is something I wanted to do so it's not her fault if I messed it up.
CocoCay- we did the beach club. From what I hear we'll be able to find loungers with little issue. She's looking forward to the food. I just want to be served and be lazy. Maybe I'll paddle board if I can find it, maybe I won't leave the lounger, we'll all find out that day.
Randoms - I booked 2 days for casitas. I hear mixed reviews but yet again, I had extra OBC and if it means not having to be mad at seat savers well then it's worth it to me. Booked a massage for myself because, duh, vacation.
 
It's helped to read all your blogs and how you've all fared - whether covid wasn't a big deal to you or not. Thanks for sharing (and if you made it this far, thanks for reading!)
 

Itinerary Change!!

I decided to tackle this question with what I would do if I was taking my own first timer - specifically my godsister.
First thing I'd do is book a show together for all of us, so they have something to look forward to already. On Wonder I'd pick the aqua theater because it should appeal to everyone since it has so many fun aspects.
Second would be a casual walk about of the ship. On such a large ship, I think it's easy to get overwhelmed and turned around so it may make them not want to venture too far on their own. A walk about would let them see things first hand that they may want to do (together or separate) and give them some idea of their bearings.
Third, I'd take them to at least one or two of the chiller events like trivia or a game show. I think a good showing of the different levels of what can be done would make sure the first timer gets a good all around experience on the ship. (in a similar vein, I once took an ex to his first anime convention and he didn't know what to do but I had so much on my plate I couldn't show him around. For him, the first time was really boring and hectic because he could only follow me as I ran from photoshoot to photoshoot. Fortunately he came back a second time and with a bit more confidence/experience, he was good to go around on his own and said he had more fun getting to do calmer things. From this experience, I realized not everyone goes to places for the same experience and it's best to let them taste all the different ways they can have fun so they can choose their best flavor)

I've had Bloody Mary's earlier than that.  You can order them at the Windjammer bar, in the MDR if  you're having breakfast there.  They just don't open most of the regular bars until 10:30.  Hey, the staff has to have SOME time to sleep!  🙂

I have seen people getting drinks at the Windjammer bar around 6:30. So that is definitely an option.

It's hard to know (other than reviews of past performance) if a TA is a good TA until you need them to be a good TA

How ironic.  
Joe, I've always enjoyed your posts (I thought it was like 25,000 before your first cruise!) and am very sorry about the crappy experience and, worse still, your poor cat.  
A little while ago, I was wondering where you had gone, so I actually did a search of your name and found this thread.  Talk about irony.
I agree with you about the blog family - it seems to have grown a lot, even since CV.  There was always the same folks contributing and replying, but I guess the virus caused a big pause for all of us.  I kind of miss having familiar names to converse with and seemingly get to know.
 
Anyway, it's good to see you're still around; I hope you post more.  

Nachi is super cool.  NOT a party atmosphere like Sancho's.  Nice pool, restaurant, and loungers all over.  You are assigned a waiter upon arrival and he/she will take care of you the entire time (food, too).  I love it there.

How ironic.  
Joe, I've always enjoyed your posts (I thought it was like 25,000 before your first cruise!) and am very sorry about the crappy experience and, worse still, your poor cat.  
A little while ago, I was wondering where you had gone, so I actually did a search of your name and found this thread.  Talk about irony.
I agree with you about the blog family - it seems to have grown a lot, even since CV.  There was always the same folks contributing and replying, but I guess the virus caused a big pause for all of us.  I kind of miss having familiar names to converse with and seemingly get to know.
 
Anyway, it's good to see you're still around; I hope you post more.  

Your list seems typical for most cruises.
Some folks love the MDR, others hate it. Same with Windjammer.
Chair hogs are a way of life on the cruise ship and I have seen it on every cruise we have taken except for the cruises right after they started sailing again with fewer passengers. Everyone has an opinion on how it can be fixed but there is really no way to cure it without some extreme confrontations which the cruise lines will never do.
Royal on the WiFi is at least fixing that with the installation of Starlink which for me is a game changer as I typically work half the time I am sailing. Love my remote office view.
There is really no dress code now. They have only suggestions and some follow them some don't. We personally do not dress up but do avoid the MDR on those night to not spoil the ambiance for those that do.
For us it is about the relaxation and interaction with new acquaintances that we have met over the years so the sea days do not bother us as much but we do love our port stops and have explored some very unique places that we have never seen at home.