MotleyCruiser

We leave this Friday on Mariner, also in an Aft Balcony #8390
Its also our first Diamond cruise too! 

Holy cats were you all correct about arriving early. We left the hotel at 10:45 and with expedited boarding we were on  the ship about 11:15.(Our set sail passes told us to report at 12:30, btw) 
She’s gorgeous.  Detailed write up later but  here’s Mom and me holding court in the Gold Lounge (there is no Gold Lounge) on deck 12. 

I'm hoping @Matt will book some Group Cruises that I can actually go on and not interfere with already booked cruises & life here in Texas.  Go Matt!! #2021

SIXT.com
Rent at the airport and drop downtown. Pretty sure that have a free shuttle too.  We also rented from them and returned the car to Orlando Airport for no extra charge. GREAT rates. we got a Mercedes once for $24 a day.

rented at airport returned to 5th St.

Thanks for that video, @MotleyCruiser.  I worried that was before dry dock but I hadn't thought to look at YouTube.  There was a recent video on there from a Mom who did a day onboard the ship.  From around 10:45 - 11:20 she explains where children in swim diapers are allowed.  Hopefully this is helpful to someone else!
 
 

Ohhh , you plan your activities based on RCL IT ? You are a very  brave man ?

we don't set sail until January, so not sure yet.  Still haven't decided if I will let him try it or not! 

highlight of our cruise.

Board games? Why bring a board game when you can have a drink package?

Cash is king

2014 we were on a charter cruise (Monsters of Rock...imagine that). It was on a different cruise line (rhymes with MSC). They did drink packages different. It was a deal, 72 drink TICKETS for $356.00 TOTAL. When we got on board we divided up. I was to go get our VIP stuff and the Mrs. went to the designated bar for our drink ticket. Well, bar could not find our confirmation...good thing I print everything out. By this time, I am back and they hand us a standard envelop with a large amount of ticket inside.  There were 144 tickets in this envelop. Their mistake.  Two nights later, the light on our cabin phone is blinking. We call....Guest services tells the Mrs. "We have your drink tickets here. Please come get them" She explains that we SIGNED for them already. They insist that we come get these tickets....NOT 72 but 144 more drink tickets for a 4 night cruise. SHOTS FOR EVERYONE. WE MADE A LOT OF FRIENDS THAT CRUISE!!
 
288 drink tickets divided by 2 people 144 divided by 4 days = 36 drinks pp per day or one drink every 40 minutes 24/7

2014 we were on a charter cruise (Monsters of Rock...imagine that). It was on a different cruise line (rhymes with MSC). They did drink packages different. It was a deal, 72 drink TICKETS for $356.00 TOTAL. When we got on board we divided up. I was to go get our VIP stuff and the Mrs. went to the designated bar for our drink ticket. Well, bar could not find our confirmation...good thing I print everything out. By this time, I am back and they hand us a standard envelop with a large amount of ticket inside.  There were 144 tickets in this envelop. Their mistake.  Two nights later, the light on our cabin phone is blinking. We call....Guest services tells the Mrs. "We have your drink tickets here. Please come get them" She explains that we SIGNED for them already. They insist that we come get these tickets....NOT 72 but 144 more drink tickets for a 4 night cruise. SHOTS FOR EVERYONE. WE MADE A LOT OF FRIENDS THAT CRUISE!!
 
288 drink tickets divided by 2 people 144 divided by 4 days = 36 drinks pp per day or one drink every 40 minutes 24/7

2014 we were on a charter cruise (Monsters of Rock...imagine that). It was on a different cruise line (rhymes with MSC). They did drink packages different. It was a deal, 72 drink TICKETS for $356.00 TOTAL. When we got on board we divided up. I was to go get our VIP stuff and the Mrs. went to the designated bar for our drink ticket. Well, bar could not find our confirmation...good thing I print everything out. By this time, I am back and they hand us a standard envelop with a large amount of ticket inside.  There were 144 tickets in this envelop. Their mistake.  Two nights later, the light on our cabin phone is blinking. We call....Guest services tells the Mrs. "We have your drink tickets here. Please come get them" She explains that we SIGNED for them already. They insist that we come get these tickets....NOT 72 but 144 more drink tickets for a 4 night cruise. SHOTS FOR EVERYONE. WE MADE A LOT OF FRIENDS THAT CRUISE!!
 
288 drink tickets divided by 2 people 144 divided by 4 days = 36 drinks pp per day or one drink every 40 minutes 24/7

2014 we were on a charter cruise (Monsters of Rock...imagine that). It was on a different cruise line (rhymes with MSC). They did drink packages different. It was a deal, 72 drink TICKETS for $356.00 TOTAL. When we got on board we divided up. I was to go get our VIP stuff and the Mrs. went to the designated bar for our drink ticket. Well, bar could not find our confirmation...good thing I print everything out. By this time, I am back and they hand us a standard envelop with a large amount of ticket inside.  There were 144 tickets in this envelop. Their mistake.  Two nights later, the light on our cabin phone is blinking. We call....Guest services tells the Mrs. "We have your drink tickets here. Please come get them" She explains that we SIGNED for them already. They insist that we come get these tickets....NOT 72 but 144 more drink tickets for a 4 night cruise. SHOTS FOR EVERYONE. WE MADE A LOT OF FRIENDS THAT CRUISE!!
 
288 drink tickets divided by 2 people 144 divided by 4 days = 36 drinks pp per day or one drink every 40 minutes 24/7

2014 we were on a charter cruise (Monsters of Rock...imagine that). It was on a different cruise line (rhymes with MSC). They did drink packages different. It was a deal, 72 drink TICKETS for $356.00 TOTAL. When we got on board we divided up. I was to go get our VIP stuff and the Mrs. went to the designated bar for our drink ticket. Well, bar could not find our confirmation...good thing I print everything out. By this time, I am back and they hand us a standard envelop with a large amount of ticket inside.  There were 144 tickets in this envelop. Their mistake.  Two nights later, the light on our cabin phone is blinking. We call....Guest services tells the Mrs. "We have your drink tickets here. Please come get them" She explains that we SIGNED for them already. They insist that we come get these tickets....NOT 72 but 144 more drink tickets for a 4 night cruise. SHOTS FOR EVERYONE. WE MADE A LOT OF FRIENDS THAT CRUISE!!
 
288 drink tickets divided by 2 people 144 divided by 4 days = 36 drinks pp per day or one drink every 40 minutes 24/7

2014 we were on a charter cruise (Monsters of Rock...imagine that). It was on a different cruise line (rhymes with MSC). They did drink packages different. It was a deal, 72 drink TICKETS for $356.00 TOTAL. When we got on board we divided up. I was to go get our VIP stuff and the Mrs. went to the designated bar for our drink ticket. Well, bar could not find our confirmation...good thing I print everything out. By this time, I am back and they hand us a standard envelop with a large amount of ticket inside.  There were 144 tickets in this envelop. Their mistake.  Two nights later, the light on our cabin phone is blinking. We call....Guest services tells the Mrs. "We have your drink tickets here. Please come get them" She explains that we SIGNED for them already. They insist that we come get these tickets....NOT 72 but 144 more drink tickets for a 4 night cruise. SHOTS FOR EVERYONE. WE MADE A LOT OF FRIENDS THAT CRUISE!!
 
288 drink tickets divided by 2 people 144 divided by 4 days = 36 drinks pp per day or one drink every 40 minutes 24/7

Hmmm ... maybe the Genie can read you some stories and tuck you in too ... for a complete "childhood" flashback ... ha ha

I was just wondering if anyone had experience with the waterpark and toddlers. Minimum height requirements for the waterpark are 48”. But you have to buy a ticket for four and up. My four year old would definitely not meet that requirement. What’s the deal? Would it be a waste of a ticket?? 

We have always had excellent service in the food department. A friend brought his son onboard who was a picky eater. They made him his favorite meal (spaghetti) every night even though it wasn't on the menu. When the waiter noticed I wasn't interested in the entrees listed he asked me what my favorite cuisine is (Indian), and I was surprised when he brought me a plate! And if something arrives cold, I would never hesitate to send something back (politely). We sprung for Chops Grille on Empress in 2018, and the crab legs (or lobster... I cannot recall) arrived undercooked. They brought out an entirely new tray. 

I use these same exact ones also, but putting two of the paper ones on the luggage is a good idea. I never had the primary one come off, but I've seen situations where they have with other folks.

LOL.  So, those day beds go for $150 a day, and the couch I camped out at goes for $500 a day.  But, but, it’s got a TV (not pictured).  Self-proclaimed models/social influencers also started posing around the pool and walked around narrating video selfies.  Gonna go check out the pool in the West tower and see if it’s a little less douchebaggy.

Swing and a miss!  ?

Hey I resemble that remark!! ;)

Just except that it is chaos and will take longer than you want to and longer than it should.
I am an over planner and insist on it being as simple as possible.  I rented with Budget. Your result may vary.
I rented at MCO airport ….next morning dropped wife and child at the ship...dropped car at Budget on the main drag in Cocoa by myself. when shuttle pulled up I jumped in the front seat with no bags at all. met up with family. I didn't want to drag around people and luggage.  UGH!
returning ...did the opposite...went solo to get rental car ...Budget shuttle pulls up to specific location.... hopped in front seat. Drop off...I was first one out and beat everyone to the line at counter. got car got fam. easy breezy.