UkuleleCruiser

I am very interested in this. I love they store inside each other. But mostly I love that they are pretty inexpensive. Now if only they were decorated with seashells, light houses, and flying fish....

That's interesting about passports.  I know you need photo ID such as a driver's license but I've never been told passport specifically is a requirement.  I've been to Cozumel 3 times this year and never carried my passport off the ship. Most recent was on Freedom in November.  i used my driver's license.  San Juan also requires photo ID and I used a TWIC card since it's plastic and easy to carry around with my SeaPass card.  

Zip lock was the water proof pouch I was referring to, lol, yea, we couldn't figure it out, unless it was a post hurricane security measure, they had extra security officers at disembarkation reminding people they needed their Passport, a lot of people had to go back to their rooms for passports.

As you consider packs for port days also consider waterproof options.  Rain happens.  
I'm currently using a large fanny pack.  While fanny packs aren't my favorite fashion accessory they work well for carrying a couple of lens for my DSLR.  Function trumps form and I'm old enough to not care what people think of me and my fanny.
I also have a lightweight dry bag that folds flat and inserts below my lens but if a rain storm happens I can pull it out and place my fanny pack and DSLR into it.  I did just that on St Thomas yesterday and it was very comforting knowing everything was safe.  Phone, wallet, money all went in.
A full backpack is too much for me most days and I like being agile.  
 

Joe,
My daughter gave me one of these a few years ago and it has plenty of storage space/pockets. I have used it many times while traveling and cruising. Handles a laptop and two bottles of wine no problemo.https://www.swissgear.com/backpacks/1900-scansmarttm-laptop-backpack
rjac

I, too, am in desperate need of new luggage.  I had been looking at the Away bags.  Their bags fit inside each other for ease of storage, and they have chargers built into them.  They also seem reasonably priced.
I'm appreciative of the other information here.  Definitely need to do more research before making a decision...

There's a brand called Away that I've heard good things about, including from @DocLC either here on these boards or possibly a podcast episode he guest-appeared on. They look rock-solid, and their carry-on unit has an integrated battery and USB charging ports to let you charge up your phone / tablet / laptop without having to hunt for an outlet wherever you are. Given how much my family uses our devices, I'm strongly considering getting at least their carry-on for myself.
If you go to that link and use promo code "ATP" or "TALKSHOW" (possibly "THETALKSHOW", it seems to change from time to time) you should get a small discount -- they're a regular sponsor of two of the tech podcasts I listen to and that's the code associated to each of them.

Ugh. It’s Ttavel Pro, not Luggage Pro. I make that mistake a lot !

We love the art auctions. You can also win door prizes. Just know that if you win art, they will charge a shipping fee of about $30. We did that, and have our art proudly displayed in the tube they shipped it in. The more free champagne you drink, the less the $30 fee seems!

We love the art auctions. You can also win door prizes. Just know that if you win art, they will charge a shipping fee of about $30. We did that, and have our art proudly displayed in the tube they shipped it in. The more free champagne you drink, the less the $30 fee seems!

Shhhh, don't spread that around!

But not too many or you might end up on YouTube...?

Definetly! And have a few drinks before you go also.

Wow! Time flies!

I would try to find an excursion on your own instead of the Royal excursion.  Might be a better experience.  
I think I've posted this before, but here's my son holding one the rays.

So, it sounds like lower expectations may yield better results. Or bring a sting ray bat to fend people off with.

So, it sounds like lower expectations may yield better results. Or bring a sting ray bat to fend people off with.

I haven't been on in awhile, and thank you for noticing! With my cruise coming up in February, I felt I needed to get involved with my message board peeps again, and make sure I had the low-down on the up-and-up!

My wife and I cruised on Navigator of the Seas November 2015  -- Our first experience with Royal Caribbean. Loved the promenade concept of the ship -- That was really a focal point. However, the very best thing about the ship was the California Wine Pairing dinner we had at the Chops Grille. Wonderful! We are cruising on the Liberty of the Seas December 2016, and the very first thing we signed up for was the Chef's Table Dinner. We are looking forward to it.
 
What are the coolest or most unique things you have found about the ships you have been on? I am particularly interested in Liberty, but eager to hear what everyone thinks.
 
-Ukulele Cruiser
10/09 -- Carnival Conquest
10/12 -- Carnival Conquest
11/15 -- Navigator of the Seas
12/16 -- Liberty of the Seas
12/17 -- Norwegian Pearl

I'd love to get a Navigator ship figurine to commemorate my wife and I's trip last year. However, i neglected to pick one up on the ship, and they are apparently hard to get on land! I'm hoping someone might be able to pick one up for me! Thanks in advance either way -- You'll love the ship!

But more importantly, who ironed the guy's tux?

But more importantly, who ironed the guy's tux?

Think it varies by ship, just off Vision of the Seas (older Vision class) and they seemed to be very strict. Got called to the naughty room to sign over my powerstrip that I have taken on all 14 cruises before without a problem.
 
Sidenote - Got to listen to the jackass from one of the Suites abusing the poor security guard for 20 minutes because he wouldn't let him take his iron, he wanted the ships captain personally to come down to security and explain to him who was going to iron his tux for him before he would step aside and let the rest of us do our thing. (Eventually we all kind of pushed around him so we could sign over our stuff and get going).
 
Don't recall seeing any bags pulled for hair straighteners but there was a large pile for powerstrips, several for irons, etc.
 
My advice would be to bring it, if they do take it from you they give it back at the end of the cruise and if they don't then you have it. Just don't be a jackass if they do take it from you :)

I'm not sure I can actually comment on this yet! I sailed on Navigator last time, and had a wonderful aft balcony. Incredibly memorable. But until I sail the Liberty in 9 days, that's my only Royal Caribbean ship! (I did like it much better then Carnival Conquest, FYI) What about everyone else?

We had an upgrade from an Inside Cabin to a Promenade View -- The Oceanview is the same larger cabin (even larger in your case) but with a prettier view. Congrats!