JBC

I can see the argument for not tipping additional if you don't have a drink package, since you are paying the gratuity already and you likely are not looking for a lot of repeat service, otherwise you would have a drink package.  I always buy one though, and I always bring $100 in ones on a week long cruise.  Throw them in the safe, and take as needed throughout the week.  Heading to sit by the pool for a few hours on a sea day, I will grab some ones and go.  $2 on the first drink and a buck on the rest and you will never wait for a drink server to come by.  After dinner and heading out to the shows and bars for the night, I will grab more and do the same.  Bartenders pick up on the cash tippers real fast.  Give them your card with the cash right when you are ordering, your drinks will be on point!  Rented a bungalow at Labadee, the group of us pooled and gave the two attendants $10 each as soon as we arrived, as soon as the bar opened they brought us a cooler full of beer, and it was never empty.  Took care of them both on the way out as well, and they couldn't have thanked us enough.  To each their own, but if you have a drink package, I don't see how after spending thousands on a cruise, why an extra hundred makes any difference, especially when it will make your experience so much better.       

The MDR menu changes daily.  There is a section on the menu that is static...usually favorites...then each evening there is a section of different things.  I agree with @ama537621 in that there is always at least 1 seafood option, sometimes more than 1.
And my PERSONAL preference is MDR...it's "free".  On a longer cruise we have done a two-night specialty dining, but we are more than please and satisfied in the MDR...especially since I'm waited on and served.  If I haven't particularly cared for a dish in the MDR (which I can think of 1 time), the servers are very accommodating at bringing something else.  We have never left the MDR unsatisfied or hungry.

I'm certain I've gotten though 25 drinks in a day before, Coffees, Sodas, Cocktails
On of the big nights they had on Anthem the Music hall was hiving, myself, the wife and a few couples we got talking to over the week decided to go all out that night.
The night was like the set up to a joke, an Englishman a Scotsman and an Irishman up at the bar, and we decided to try all the drinks on the menu to see which we liked best. Mine was the Old No. 7, much to the barman dismay as it takes about 5 minutes to make one properly. Fair play to the guy, those drinks where proper.
Next morning the crew where going though on of their drills, we where off on an early excursion, as we passed one of the stairwells we spotted the Barman from the previous night and said hello. He look at me and asked "How the hell are you still standing?"
Twas a good night :)

I always cruise at either winter break or Easter break, and I have always paid less than $50 for the DBP.  I am sailing on Adventure over Easter this year and it has been at $44 for the past few weeks.  I originally bought it on either Black Friday or Cyber Monday for $47 a day, but then I cancelled and re-bought it a few weeks ago with voom included for $53 a day, which I thought was a great deal.  I would be annoyed if I couldn't get the DBP for under $50, not that it would stop me ?  

I can't completely remember, but one is the kids area and the other two are essentially side by side?  There is no pool in the adults only solarium.  I don't recall a big difference in any of them and they are all equally crowded.  
If it is a sea day and you want to hang out by the pool with some shade, you better be up really early if you want more than 1 chair.  I was really surprised that at 8 am on a sea day the majority of chairs with shade were "taken".  By late morning just about every chair will be gone, aside from a solo chair in between people here and there, or a few on the top deck in wide open sun.  My family likes to enjoy the pool area for most of the day on sea days, but I can't be in complete sun.  So I just get up early, before 8 and go grab some chairs and unlike most people actually stay there.  My wife will take the kids to breakfast, and when they come back I will go grab something, and then by 9-10 am we are all at the pool for the day, but at no point do we just throw our stuff on chairs and leave.  It always amazes me that I will get there so early and see all the chairs around me saved (towels, bags on them, etc.) and people won't show up until 10-11 am, sometimes later.  That is so rude to me, but despite what anyone says, it is rampant and very common and the staff don't seem to do much about it.  It's my only real gripe about cruising.     

I can't completely remember, but one is the kids area and the other two are essentially side by side?  There is no pool in the adults only solarium.  I don't recall a big difference in any of them and they are all equally crowded.  
If it is a sea day and you want to hang out by the pool with some shade, you better be up really early if you want more than 1 chair.  I was really surprised that at 8 am on a sea day the majority of chairs with shade were "taken".  By late morning just about every chair will be gone, aside from a solo chair in between people here and there, or a few on the top deck in wide open sun.  My family likes to enjoy the pool area for most of the day on sea days, but I can't be in complete sun.  So I just get up early, before 8 and go grab some chairs and unlike most people actually stay there.  My wife will take the kids to breakfast, and when they come back I will go grab something, and then by 9-10 am we are all at the pool for the day, but at no point do we just throw our stuff on chairs and leave.  It always amazes me that I will get there so early and see all the chairs around me saved (towels, bags on them, etc.) and people won't show up until 10-11 am, sometimes later.  That is so rude to me, but despite what anyone says, it is rampant and very common and the staff don't seem to do much about it.  It's my only real gripe about cruising.     

I can't completely remember, but one is the kids area and the other two are essentially side by side?  There is no pool in the adults only solarium.  I don't recall a big difference in any of them and they are all equally crowded.  
If it is a sea day and you want to hang out by the pool with some shade, you better be up really early if you want more than 1 chair.  I was really surprised that at 8 am on a sea day the majority of chairs with shade were "taken".  By late morning just about every chair will be gone, aside from a solo chair in between people here and there, or a few on the top deck in wide open sun.  My family likes to enjoy the pool area for most of the day on sea days, but I can't be in complete sun.  So I just get up early, before 8 and go grab some chairs and unlike most people actually stay there.  My wife will take the kids to breakfast, and when they come back I will go grab something, and then by 9-10 am we are all at the pool for the day, but at no point do we just throw our stuff on chairs and leave.  It always amazes me that I will get there so early and see all the chairs around me saved (towels, bags on them, etc.) and people won't show up until 10-11 am, sometimes later.  That is so rude to me, but despite what anyone says, it is rampant and very common and the staff don't seem to do much about it.  It's my only real gripe about cruising.     

I can't completely remember, but one is the kids area and the other two are essentially side by side?  There is no pool in the adults only solarium.  I don't recall a big difference in any of them and they are all equally crowded.  
If it is a sea day and you want to hang out by the pool with some shade, you better be up really early if you want more than 1 chair.  I was really surprised that at 8 am on a sea day the majority of chairs with shade were "taken".  By late morning just about every chair will be gone, aside from a solo chair in between people here and there, or a few on the top deck in wide open sun.  My family likes to enjoy the pool area for most of the day on sea days, but I can't be in complete sun.  So I just get up early, before 8 and go grab some chairs and unlike most people actually stay there.  My wife will take the kids to breakfast, and when they come back I will go grab something, and then by 9-10 am we are all at the pool for the day, but at no point do we just throw our stuff on chairs and leave.  It always amazes me that I will get there so early and see all the chairs around me saved (towels, bags on them, etc.) and people won't show up until 10-11 am, sometimes later.  That is so rude to me, but despite what anyone says, it is rampant and very common and the staff don't seem to do much about it.  It's my only real gripe about cruising.     

My kids are 9 and 11 and we will let them go on their own for short periods, like hitting water slides when we are sitting out of view at the pool, or going from the pool to the room, going from the room to Sorrentos or something like that.  I don't think we would have a problem with them "wandering" the ship at 12 or 13, as long as it wasn't for more than an hour or two at a time, and we had a set plan to check in with each other.  My wife is more hesitant with that stuff than I am.  I always point out to her that after about age 9 or 10 I was out of the house all day and my parents had no way to contact me and my rule was just be home in time for dinner.
I would just tell my kids we will be at the Schooner Bar, come check in with us every hour.  ☺️      

My kids are 9 and 11 and we will let them go on their own for short periods, like hitting water slides when we are sitting out of view at the pool, or going from the pool to the room, going from the room to Sorrentos or something like that.  I don't think we would have a problem with them "wandering" the ship at 12 or 13, as long as it wasn't for more than an hour or two at a time, and we had a set plan to check in with each other.  My wife is more hesitant with that stuff than I am.  I always point out to her that after about age 9 or 10 I was out of the house all day and my parents had no way to contact me and my rule was just be home in time for dinner.
I would just tell my kids we will be at the Schooner Bar, come check in with us every hour.  ☺️      

The Bungalows in Labadee are worth every penny imo and I book one every time I am there.  It is the first thing I do once my cruise is booked and the cruise planner is open. 

When we go back on Oasis in Nov, I'm just gonna straight up give Tricia a $20 with my first drink.  She 
was awesome in Jan, regardless, but I was tipping on the receipt and I doubt she got all of it.  
Solarium, here I come!!!!

So likely when my wife is attempting to watch some nonsense video on facebook, it will buffer and be slow and I should just spend the extra $35 so I don't have to listen to her complain?  

On my last cruise on Harmony, I was at the pool at around 8 am on a sea day and planned on staying at the pool most of the day.  I had my laptop to get some work done, my headphones, a book, and my drink package.  So I was set for the long haul.  I found a decent spot for my wife and I, although there were not many available at 8 am.  The two chairs next to us had towels and sandals on them, much like the pictures above.  Other than a few trips to the bathroom, I never left my area (I skipped lunch).  At around 3 pm two older people finally showed up to those chairs, picked up their towels and shoes, and left.  They didn't even sit in the chairs.  These were in a shaded area, so pretty prime real estate.  I wanted to say something to them, but I was so stunned that by the time I got over my shock they were gone.  I do not understand how people can be that rude.  I pray that karma comes around on people like that.      

On my last cruise on Harmony, I was at the pool at around 8 am on a sea day and planned on staying at the pool most of the day.  I had my laptop to get some work done, my headphones, a book, and my drink package.  So I was set for the long haul.  I found a decent spot for my wife and I, although there were not many available at 8 am.  The two chairs next to us had towels and sandals on them, much like the pictures above.  Other than a few trips to the bathroom, I never left my area (I skipped lunch).  At around 3 pm two older people finally showed up to those chairs, picked up their towels and shoes, and left.  They didn't even sit in the chairs.  These were in a shaded area, so pretty prime real estate.  I wanted to say something to them, but I was so stunned that by the time I got over my shock they were gone.  I do not understand how people can be that rude.  I pray that karma comes around on people like that.      

On my last cruise on Harmony, I was at the pool at around 8 am on a sea day and planned on staying at the pool most of the day.  I had my laptop to get some work done, my headphones, a book, and my drink package.  So I was set for the long haul.  I found a decent spot for my wife and I, although there were not many available at 8 am.  The two chairs next to us had towels and sandals on them, much like the pictures above.  Other than a few trips to the bathroom, I never left my area (I skipped lunch).  At around 3 pm two older people finally showed up to those chairs, picked up their towels and shoes, and left.  They didn't even sit in the chairs.  These were in a shaded area, so pretty prime real estate.  I wanted to say something to them, but I was so stunned that by the time I got over my shock they were gone.  I do not understand how people can be that rude.  I pray that karma comes around on people like that.      

On my last cruise on Harmony, I was at the pool at around 8 am on a sea day and planned on staying at the pool most of the day.  I had my laptop to get some work done, my headphones, a book, and my drink package.  So I was set for the long haul.  I found a decent spot for my wife and I, although there were not many available at 8 am.  The two chairs next to us had towels and sandals on them, much like the pictures above.  Other than a few trips to the bathroom, I never left my area (I skipped lunch).  At around 3 pm two older people finally showed up to those chairs, picked up their towels and shoes, and left.  They didn't even sit in the chairs.  These were in a shaded area, so pretty prime real estate.  I wanted to say something to them, but I was so stunned that by the time I got over my shock they were gone.  I do not understand how people can be that rude.  I pray that karma comes around on people like that.      

We went on Harmony in February, had a group of 10.  When you exit through customs to the outside, the first people there are RC employees that arrange group transportation, it's like $20 per person to go to the airport if I remember, which is high.  Instead of that, after you get outside from customs, hang a left and walk to the corner of the building.  There is private group transportation there, I believe the workers were wearing red vests.  It is $9 per person to go to the airport, you tell them how many you have and they flag you an appropriate vehicle.  It was super easy.  RC sets up shop on the prime real estate right outside customs, but a 1 min walk farther away and the same transportation is half price.    

We went on Harmony in February, had a group of 10.  When you exit through customs to the outside, the first people there are RC employees that arrange group transportation, it's like $20 per person to go to the airport if I remember, which is high.  Instead of that, after you get outside from customs, hang a left and walk to the corner of the building.  There is private group transportation there, I believe the workers were wearing red vests.  It is $9 per person to go to the airport, you tell them how many you have and they flag you an appropriate vehicle.  It was super easy.  RC sets up shop on the prime real estate right outside customs, but a 1 min walk farther away and the same transportation is half price.    

I can see the argument for not tipping additional if you don't have a drink package, since you are paying the gratuity already and you likely are not looking for a lot of repeat service, otherwise you would have a drink package.  I always buy one though, and I always bring $100 in ones on a week long cruise.  Throw them in the safe, and take as needed throughout the week.  Heading to sit by the pool for a few hours on a sea day, I will grab some ones and go.  $2 on the first drink and a buck on the rest and you will never wait for a drink server to come by.  After dinner and heading out to the shows and bars for the night, I will grab more and do the same.  Bartenders pick up on the cash tippers real fast.  Give them your card with the cash right when you are ordering, your drinks will be on point!  Rented a bungalow at Labadee, the group of us pooled and gave the two attendants $10 each as soon as we arrived, as soon as the bar opened they brought us a cooler full of beer, and it was never empty.  Took care of them both on the way out as well, and they couldn't have thanked us enough.  To each their own, but if you have a drink package, I don't see how after spending thousands on a cruise, why an extra hundred makes any difference, especially when it will make your experience so much better.       

I can see the argument for not tipping additional if you don't have a drink package, since you are paying the gratuity already and you likely are not looking for a lot of repeat service, otherwise you would have a drink package.  I always buy one though, and I always bring $100 in ones on a week long cruise.  Throw them in the safe, and take as needed throughout the week.  Heading to sit by the pool for a few hours on a sea day, I will grab some ones and go.  $2 on the first drink and a buck on the rest and you will never wait for a drink server to come by.  After dinner and heading out to the shows and bars for the night, I will grab more and do the same.  Bartenders pick up on the cash tippers real fast.  Give them your card with the cash right when you are ordering, your drinks will be on point!  Rented a bungalow at Labadee, the group of us pooled and gave the two attendants $10 each as soon as we arrived, as soon as the bar opened they brought us a cooler full of beer, and it was never empty.  Took care of them both on the way out as well, and they couldn't have thanked us enough.  To each their own, but if you have a drink package, I don't see how after spending thousands on a cruise, why an extra hundred makes any difference, especially when it will make your experience so much better.       

Pina Colada with a Myers floater!

Our first cruise ever was a Disney cruise.  We loved it.  I believe we took that one shortly before the prices of Disney cruises skyrocketed.  When we went to book another one, I got massive sticker shock and looked elsewhere.  Ended up doing Royal on Freedom and loved it too.  Just got back from cruise #3, which was on Harmony.  Freedom seemed a little bigger than Disney, but not crazy big.  Harmony was crazy big.  Going from Disney to Allure (which is the same size as Harmony), you are going to feel like Allure is twice as big as a Disney ship, and that can be overwhelming.  It is going to take you 4 days or so to figure out where everything is and how to get around, so don't freak about it on day one.  Just go with it.  My best advice to you is to plan ahead as much as you can, don't just wing it.  I would say make reservations for all the shows in the cruise planner, and then arrive about 20 mins early and wait for them to start letting people in.  This way you will get decent seats.  Stop back in your room after dinner to grab the next days cruise planner and read it over while you are sitting in your seat waiting for the show to start.  Do all of the shows, including any comedy shows, they are always good.  Transfer your reservation to a travel agent.  Like others here we use MEI, it is free and they know Royal well.  Don't worry about the dining wait list.  They tell everyone this far out that the early dinner session is on a waitlist.  Tell the travel agent you want the early seating and you will get it.  They will be able to help you with room assignment too.  I could have sworn Royal has rooms with pull down beds to sleep 3 people.  Regarding the food, I am not a hard core foodie, but I have eaten in my fair share of fine dining restaurants, and I will tell you the MDR on Royal is just fine, probably just a small step down from a fine dining restaurant.  Royal's specialty restaurants are great too, but they are not a requirement, especially if you don't want to spend the money.  One big difference on Royal compared to Disney is that Royal does not have the restaurants around the pools serving burgers and chicken fingers and what not during the day.  So if you want to eat lunch you will have to go to the Windjammer or to the various free restaurants on the ship (they have a hot dog place, a pizza place, etc - just not by the pools).  We normally do breakfast in the Windjammer early (before 8) and if it's a sea day then head to the pool to secure chairs (they go really fast on sea days) and we skip lunch, but with young kids I know they can't wait until dinner to eat. Royal does have the ice cream machines near the pools like Disney though.  If you do eat in the MDR, sign up for family dining.  They will serve your kids first and then the Adventure Ocean staff will come and pick your kids up from the MDR and take them to the kids clubs.  You can then finish your meal in peace!  My kids didn't love the kids clubs on Disney, but I can't get them to leave the ones on Royal.  That is subjective and every kid is different though.  Unlike Disney, you don't rotate dining restaurants, you will be at the same table in the same MDR every night.  The menu will have several staple items that you can get every night, and then several new items each night.  I usually have a hard time picking what to eat, there are a lot of good options.  
I have several friends that are Disney fanatics, and if that is you that is fine, but get it in your head going in that this is not Disney.  Royal has tons of stuff for kids, but it is not quite Disney level for kids.  In my opinion, while Disney excels in kids entertainment, they lack a little in adult entertainment.  Once the shows are over, I found the night life on a Disney ship to be kind of dull.  Royal's bars and clubs will be hopping every night until well after midnight.  Adventure Ocean is open until 2 am, and I know it sounds crazy, but most nights I go to get my kids around midnight and there are a ton of kids in there still, and my kids are mad that I am coming for them "so early".  I just find that for the money, Royal is a much better value for it's mix of kid and adult stuff - more of a vacation for everyone.  Royal is usually about half the cost of Disney, give or take.  Those ice cream Mickey bars are good, but they are not that good!  This blog is the only place you need to go for information on Royal.  If you can't find the answer here, then the answer doesn't exist!  So just post away, everyone here is super friendly.  Good luck, and enjoy your planning.            

Our first cruise ever was a Disney cruise.  We loved it.  I believe we took that one shortly before the prices of Disney cruises skyrocketed.  When we went to book another one, I got massive sticker shock and looked elsewhere.  Ended up doing Royal on Freedom and loved it too.  Just got back from cruise #3, which was on Harmony.  Freedom seemed a little bigger than Disney, but not crazy big.  Harmony was crazy big.  Going from Disney to Allure (which is the same size as Harmony), you are going to feel like Allure is twice as big as a Disney ship, and that can be overwhelming.  It is going to take you 4 days or so to figure out where everything is and how to get around, so don't freak about it on day one.  Just go with it.  My best advice to you is to plan ahead as much as you can, don't just wing it.  I would say make reservations for all the shows in the cruise planner, and then arrive about 20 mins early and wait for them to start letting people in.  This way you will get decent seats.  Stop back in your room after dinner to grab the next days cruise planner and read it over while you are sitting in your seat waiting for the show to start.  Do all of the shows, including any comedy shows, they are always good.  Transfer your reservation to a travel agent.  Like others here we use MEI, it is free and they know Royal well.  Don't worry about the dining wait list.  They tell everyone this far out that the early dinner session is on a waitlist.  Tell the travel agent you want the early seating and you will get it.  They will be able to help you with room assignment too.  I could have sworn Royal has rooms with pull down beds to sleep 3 people.  Regarding the food, I am not a hard core foodie, but I have eaten in my fair share of fine dining restaurants, and I will tell you the MDR on Royal is just fine, probably just a small step down from a fine dining restaurant.  Royal's specialty restaurants are great too, but they are not a requirement, especially if you don't want to spend the money.  One big difference on Royal compared to Disney is that Royal does not have the restaurants around the pools serving burgers and chicken fingers and what not during the day.  So if you want to eat lunch you will have to go to the Windjammer or to the various free restaurants on the ship (they have a hot dog place, a pizza place, etc - just not by the pools).  We normally do breakfast in the Windjammer early (before 8) and if it's a sea day then head to the pool to secure chairs (they go really fast on sea days) and we skip lunch, but with young kids I know they can't wait until dinner to eat. Royal does have the ice cream machines near the pools like Disney though.  If you do eat in the MDR, sign up for family dining.  They will serve your kids first and then the Adventure Ocean staff will come and pick your kids up from the MDR and take them to the kids clubs.  You can then finish your meal in peace!  My kids didn't love the kids clubs on Disney, but I can't get them to leave the ones on Royal.  That is subjective and every kid is different though.  Unlike Disney, you don't rotate dining restaurants, you will be at the same table in the same MDR every night.  The menu will have several staple items that you can get every night, and then several new items each night.  I usually have a hard time picking what to eat, there are a lot of good options.  
I have several friends that are Disney fanatics, and if that is you that is fine, but get it in your head going in that this is not Disney.  Royal has tons of stuff for kids, but it is not quite Disney level for kids.  In my opinion, while Disney excels in kids entertainment, they lack a little in adult entertainment.  Once the shows are over, I found the night life on a Disney ship to be kind of dull.  Royal's bars and clubs will be hopping every night until well after midnight.  Adventure Ocean is open until 2 am, and I know it sounds crazy, but most nights I go to get my kids around midnight and there are a ton of kids in there still, and my kids are mad that I am coming for them "so early".  I just find that for the money, Royal is a much better value for it's mix of kid and adult stuff - more of a vacation for everyone.  Royal is usually about half the cost of Disney, give or take.  Those ice cream Mickey bars are good, but they are not that good!  This blog is the only place you need to go for information on Royal.  If you can't find the answer here, then the answer doesn't exist!  So just post away, everyone here is super friendly.  Good luck, and enjoy your planning.            

I flew Spirit from Niagara Falls, NY to Fort Lauderdale one time.  Same reason, direct flight, cheap.  The flight was supposed to leave at 2 am and arrive at 5 am.  It is late well over half of the time, which I found out after I booked it.  Long story short, it departed at 5 am, the seats seem smaller than most airlines, and they do not recline at all.  I am a bigger guy, 6'2", and I could not have been more miserable.  Everyone on the flight was miserable, they charge extra for anything and everything, luggage, carry ons, picking your seat assignment, breathing the air on the plane, etc.  I vowed afterwards that I don't care how much more another airline is, I won't fly Spirit again.  I am a Southwest fan, and fly them 80% of the time.  
Not saying they won't get you there, but with Spirit, you definitely get what you pay for.  And flying Spirit anywhere on the same day as departure would be comparable to Russian roulette.