UkuleleCruiser

That makes me sad - I had really hoped that they had one...I will bring my own wine bottles

I generally book out as far as I can so I can pay for the cruise over time. My next cruise is only $58 a paycheck. Very affordable. Plus, every time they deposit a check, I get a little email reminding me of the fun to come.

Tell them you just found out you ARE pregnant. Otherwise they might just say hold off on trying til after the cruise.
 
 
 
Putting off a cruise for a kid, though...that's just wrong

Thread of the day!

So last night, at about 2 a.m., my wife was woken up by a sound coming from downstairs. So of course she woke me. It freaked us out bad. It sounded like someone was downstairs watching TV. I get to our bedroom doorway and tell the Mrs. to get the gun!! As I stand there waiting for her return, I'm listening intently and recognize a voice! It was Michael Poole talking!!!!!!!
 
Turns out my tablet was charging in the kitchen and somehow the Periscope app opened and played the pool party Michael attended the previous night!! Unbelievably bazaar!!
 
Be cafeful Mr. Poole you almost got shot in Texas. Jk ;)

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.

Thanks Matt. I figured that would be the case. But hey, I'd be putting my best Jim Carrey face and say there's a chance.

That is an epic reference right there

That's why we book out of Galveston: Because it's not too bad a drive from Dallas. Fortunately, Royal Caribbean sails out of there with two ships. Never been on the Vision: Actually, never did a short booze-cruise 4-5 day cruise. It's always been 7. That seems to be exactly enough time for the wife and I to look forward to going home. Otherwise, we probably just wouldn't leave the ship.

We were on the Liberty sailing 12/26/16, and it was delayed arriving due to fog. We didn't board until almost 4 pm. I didn't hear what happened with people who had the drink package, but every person did receive a $20 credit. This was to offset the cost of eating an extra meal in Galveston. 
 
The departure was further delayed because after we all boarded, the fog closed the port again. We didn't leave until noon the following day.
 
The bigger problem largely had nothing to do with Royal Caribbean: Port of Galveston is just not equipped to handle 3,600 people showing up at exactly the same time, which is what happened. It was a complete mob scene. In addition, the port should have had a way to deal with baggage throughout the day so people who were there prior to 3:30 or so won't glued to the pavement with their bags. We should have been able to drop them off and wander around Galveston. We couldn't use the $20 credit to buy lunch because we had no way to stow our baggage. 
 
Finally, Royal Caribbean's computer crashed, and they tried to do manual boarding to get things started. This was also a mess, because the port staff (Not Royal Caribbean staff) didn't really understand what to do, and tried to send people on to the ship without their sailpass cards...
 
That didn't really answer your question, but perhaps you will hear from someone who has a drink package...

We were on the Liberty sailing 12/26/16, and it was delayed arriving due to fog. We didn't board until almost 4 pm. I didn't hear what happened with people who had the drink package, but every person did receive a $20 credit. This was to offset the cost of eating an extra meal in Galveston. 
 
The departure was further delayed because after we all boarded, the fog closed the port again. We didn't leave until noon the following day.
 
The bigger problem largely had nothing to do with Royal Caribbean: Port of Galveston is just not equipped to handle 3,600 people showing up at exactly the same time, which is what happened. It was a complete mob scene. In addition, the port should have had a way to deal with baggage throughout the day so people who were there prior to 3:30 or so won't glued to the pavement with their bags. We should have been able to drop them off and wander around Galveston. We couldn't use the $20 credit to buy lunch because we had no way to stow our baggage. 
 
Finally, Royal Caribbean's computer crashed, and they tried to do manual boarding to get things started. This was also a mess, because the port staff (Not Royal Caribbean staff) didn't really understand what to do, and tried to send people on to the ship without their sailpass cards...
 
That didn't really answer your question, but perhaps you will hear from someone who has a drink package...

Hey wait, I'm emerald....

As soon as a review starts with, "I'm a Emerald/Diamond/Diamond plus member, so..." ... I'm PROOOOBABLY going to ignore it. 

We just returned from the 12/26/16 sailing of Liberty of the Seas, and this was not evident. We could buy an $8 glass of champagne, no problem. I think a whiskey was about $7. Now, there is an 18% gratuity added.....

Last year, on the Navigator, I had a bag go missing at debarcation because the tags were torn off.
 
This year, next week in fact, I am cruising on the Liberty.
 
I am considering reinforcing the tags with clear packing tape to make them more durable.
 
Thoughts?

The original poster said debarcation, are these the tags for getting off the boat or on?  I did buy the plastic ones with the cable for the luggage tags, I got the larger ones in case
I decide to go on another cruise line.  Never had an issue.  Some times I have a hard time getting it off the bag.  But I used to use staples before I got these.

I learned quickly not to buy anything mechanical, or any jewelry I expected to be valuable. My friend bought expensive watches that never worked, and has had trouble getting them replaced from the manufacturer. And the jewelry baubles bought for gifts never lasted longer then a couple wearings. I have always had a wonderful time on the cruise, but restricted purchases to t-shirts and ship models and such. YMMV.

I don't limit this adventurous dining to the ship...I do this at every restaurant.  Wait people will always bring you the best they have to offer since they know their tip will reflect their choices.  They KNOW what is good coming out of the kitchen.  

Some more info on luggage tags, in general: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2014/12/21/royal-caribbean-luggage-tags-everything-you-need-know

I would suggest getting a clear heavy duty packing tape. That is what I used on my last cruise. 

Didn't eat there, but looked at the menu.

I have done that before, it works. But for my upcoming trip I purchased luggage tags from amazon. They are reusable and can be used not just for cruising:
 
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009PGOCUE/ref=as_sl_pd_tf_lc?tag=royalcacom-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=B009PGOCUE&adid=1FEG7A640D0M53WW66YB&&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.royalcaribbeanblog.com%2Froyal-caribbean-luggage-tags

My onboard breakfast tradition is to have the corn beef hash and smother it in the sausage gravy that they use with the biscuits.  
 
It's not my favorite food by far, but it is something I look forward to. And the impact in your cholesterol level is minimal, because you are at sea. :)
 
Favorite food would have to be the curries in the MDR - you have to ask the waiter for them, they are not on the menu.

When we dine in the evening, either the MDR or the speciality restaurants, I have the server surprise me.  Never want to know what they are bringing and it is fun.,  They always bring the best.  

oh we will! I just love the fact that its on deck 12. So close to the pool, windjammer, daycare ( we have 3 little kids) and of course... bars!! :D