UkuleleCruiser

This is my current collection. It includes:
Princess Cruises Grand Princess
Holland America ms Eurodam
Celebrity Millennium
Celebrity Solstice
Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas
Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas
Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas
 
I have not sailed on any of these ships, so if you have and want the memento, make me an offer.
I prefer to trade for ships I have been on:
Navigator of the Seas
Carnival Conquest
Rhapsody of the Seas
 
Let me know! 

perfect guys! I cant help with those 2 i'm afraid, but going on rhapsody in may for anyone interested.

Royal just  upgraded me to a guaranteed suite. Santa gave me my present early.

Matt, 
 
This is from the Chop's description. They actually list a menu, but it looks like the "something extra" is still... well, extra! I absolutely have no problem paying more for dry aged steak or lobster, but in looking at the $75 price tag per person it looks like it's JUST the Chop's experience, plus a glass of champagne. 
 
I tried calling customer service. They didn't know, and I didn't have time to wait on hold. If an answer doesn't appear here, I'll call back and see what I can find out.
 
It looks to me like it's just an upcharge because it's a "holiday date" and there isn't much different about the experience. I already have chops and chefs table booked. Not sure I need to spend this much money to duplicate those experiences on New Years Eve.
 
Interested in your take -- Maybe there's a whole bunch extra that I'm missing!

Did a detailed spreadsheet comparing buying drinks individually versus the package, and gave RCCL the benefit in the spreadsheet of not including the 18% gratuity per day.  So, if the wife and I bring on 2 bottles of wine, and we drink about 3 drinks per day (6 total, 3 per person), we came out about $100 ahead buying our own drinks. I used a $10 price per drink as an estimate -- House wine is about 8 bucks a glass, as i recall. It all has to do with how much you drink to determine if it's a good value for you.

We plan on doing the Mixology class (which recent reviews have said was very fun) and the brunch on our cruise next week (woo hoo!  next week!).  We are already booked for a chef's table on Saturday.  Do people suggest doing those early in the week, or later as a nice way to end out the cruise?
 
I would like to do lunch in Giovanni's but no real desire for a pasta class.

Martini Mixology sounds like fun. 

OK, aside from Chefs Table and a few LaFite Wine Tastings, there are a few culinary activities onboard that the wife and I are either doing or strongly leaning towards. Please rate and debate the following:
Martini Mixology -- R Bar
Pasta Class -- Giovani's
Champagne Brunch and Galley Tour
 
 
and......GO!

Try a Yeti or one of the cheaper wanna be Yetti's at walmart, I think they are called Bubba.  Guy I work with uses one all the time, coffee stays hot all day (and I mean all day) and he says cold drinks will last for several hours.

Trail mix? How many cruises do I need to book to get trail mix?

I always bring a travel mug with me on cruises, and have never regretted it. This year, I am considering my choices:
 
1) inexpensive travel mug from Starbucks. These actually only cost $1.00, and I use a hotsleeve I have for another ceramic cup. (Not bringing the ceramic) This hods 16 ounces. Disadvantage: It doesn't keep the coffee hot that long. Advantage: It is an actual cup which I could use for ice water or other beverages on board. here's an article about it: https://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2013/10/14/trash-talking-starbucks
 
2) I have a Stanley travel mug that resembles a Stanley thermos. It also holds about 16 ounces. Advantage: Keeps coffee hot a good long time. Disadvantage: you can only really use it as a travel mug type drink container, so putting cold drinks with ice makes it difficult to access the ice. http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/store/jump/productDetail/68928?searchid=7SPFGPLA&feedid=googlenonbrand&product_id=68928-GRN&adpos=1o3&creative=60642850578&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CLnajLOhn9ACFYaGaQodeyYG-w
 
What travel mugs do you guys bring? And what do you think?

we are spending a week at Disney right before the cruise, so we'll likely bring our Disney mugs since we'll have them anyways lol

It is causing no problems.  It has moved away from the main passenger terminals.  The other Carnival ships and Liberty of the Seas can do their normal business

I'm on board Adventure over Black Friday.  Should I wait for Friday (in long lines) for booking, or should I do it earlier in the week and hope for a price adjustment?

With all the cruises I've taken before, this is the first time I'm actually booking onboard.  It will feel weird not spending hours or days at the computer agonizing over which ship, itinerary, stateroom, and week we'd like to cruise... it's part of the experience I actually like. :)

We took my daughter on her first cruise when she was about 3 years old.  The waiter asked her what she wanted on the first night.  she said "strawberries" which were not on the menu.  He came back with strawberries and did so every time she asked for them.  She's now in college and rarely eats them, but she sure loved them then.

I read this morning that Carnival's Liberty is dead in the water in Galveston due to engine problems. Is this causing any hold ups with embarcation on Royal Caribbean ships? There are only 3 slips, and at least 5 ships cruising there...

You're correct in that a drink over $12 will cost you only the difference.  This is the same as it was under the old Ultimate package.
 
Bottles of wine are a bit different, as you'll get a 40% discount on bottles of wine under $100 and 20% off bottles above $100.

Yes: You pay the difference, plus an 18% tip.

Ziplock bags are key.

I've been thinking about purchasing individual bottles of wine to have with dinner. Didn't get as far as looking at the slippers.

Trail mix? How many cruises do I need to book to get trail mix?

This is what you get at Emerald right?

lol... leave it to us to turn an innocent conversation about harmless cookies into a discussion on the deliciousness of bacon..

Yes. I bring quart and gallon sizes.

Who has time for prepacked cookies??...there is so much more fabulous food offered throughout the ship!