Gears

Not only is it poor customer relations, but I think RCL is taking a big risk with this kind of thing. If a charter is done prior to publishing a deployment schedule, sure. Or, there’s a charter request and the requesting organization can have access to all staterooms not currently booked, then fine too.
 
In this day in age with social media and the news media drooling over abused customer stories, RCL risks some serious brand damage. Vacations are a huge issue for people…tick off a few thousand and it can cost some serious dollars beyond any revenue gained from a charter.

Not only is it poor customer relations, but I think RCL is taking a big risk with this kind of thing. If a charter is done prior to publishing a deployment schedule, sure. Or, there’s a charter request and the requesting organization can have access to all staterooms not currently booked, then fine too.
 
In this day in age with social media and the news media drooling over abused customer stories, RCL risks some serious brand damage. Vacations are a huge issue for people…tick off a few thousand and it can cost some serious dollars beyond any revenue gained from a charter.

Aim for excellence instead of perfection. Punch out a reasonable list of things you would like to do and discuss it. Trying to do everything and schedule every moment will just result in stress...and what I have experienced to be the "non-vacation".
 
The vast majority of first time cruisers are repeat cruisers. That's why RCL has built a fourth Oasis class ship. Something you didn't get to...next time!
 
Have a look at the thread 'Things We Have Learned To Do On A Cruise'. There are some experienced wise words in there with respect to relaxing and not trying to do too much.
 
Have an awesome trip!

Aim for excellence instead of perfection. Punch out a reasonable list of things you would like to do and discuss it. Trying to do everything and schedule every moment will just result in stress...and what I have experienced to be the "non-vacation".
 
The vast majority of first time cruisers are repeat cruisers. That's why RCL has built a fourth Oasis class ship. Something you didn't get to...next time!
 
Have a look at the thread 'Things We Have Learned To Do On A Cruise'. There are some experienced wise words in there with respect to relaxing and not trying to do too much.
 
Have an awesome trip!

I've learned to book the cheapest midship cabin so that I can cruise twice a year instead of once.

Here's another thing we learned..
 
Some may say 'duh, no kidding dude'...but, on the other hand we walk by many open staterooms when they are being cleaned and there are folks who haven't clicked on it yet.
 
Unpack your suitcases. Empty suitcases go under the bed so they don't take up floor or closet space. Use a mesh laundry bag and put your dirty laundry in the suitcases under the bed.
 
Assuming of course...you're not bringing a travel trunk(s) for a suitcase most should fit. :)

Over time my wife and I have learned a few tricks and established some habits when on a cruise.
 
Here's two of ours:
 
1. Take the stairs. Only exception is going to the Diamond Lounge on Deck 14 and then to late dinner. Otherwise, it's the stairs 100% of the time, no exceptions. Even coming back from an excursion on deck 1 and up to the deck 10 stateroom. No rush, just take your time and get it done. Hoping this keeps at least 5lbs off the scale...
 
2. Light in the bathroom at night. Nothing worse than getting up in the middle of the night to pee (when your 40+ it's at least once, 50+ at least twice) and flipping on the light switch only to blind yourself. Then exiting the bathroom only to greet complete darkness...stubbing your toe and causing a general ruckus. Since the electrical outlet in the staterooms is only active when the light switch is on, we bring with us a small LED light that sits on the counter that we only have to tap to turn it on or off. Just enough light to do what you need to do. Far easier on the eyes and at least you can see the obstacles on the way back to the pillow.
 
What are some of your tricks and things you've learned to do?

Over time my wife and I have learned a few tricks and established some habits when on a cruise.
 
Here's two of ours:
 
1. Take the stairs. Only exception is going to the Diamond Lounge on Deck 14 and then to late dinner. Otherwise, it's the stairs 100% of the time, no exceptions. Even coming back from an excursion on deck 1 and up to the deck 10 stateroom. No rush, just take your time and get it done. Hoping this keeps at least 5lbs off the scale...
 
2. Light in the bathroom at night. Nothing worse than getting up in the middle of the night to pee (when your 40+ it's at least once, 50+ at least twice) and flipping on the light switch only to blind yourself. Then exiting the bathroom only to greet complete darkness...stubbing your toe and causing a general ruckus. Since the electrical outlet in the staterooms is only active when the light switch is on, we bring with us a small LED light that sits on the counter that we only have to tap to turn it on or off. Just enough light to do what you need to do. Far easier on the eyes and at least you can see the obstacles on the way back to the pillow.
 
What are some of your tricks and things you've learned to do?

When we had it last September ..... there was no limit in quantity or frequency (at least we never had a problem every time we wanted a refill) ---
 
Intoxicated folks?  That's a whole different issue, that, in my opinion, has nothing to do with quantity in terms of policy, every person's ability is different ......  and every adult should know his or her limitations.
 
What was amazing, was, we witnessed a fight (incredibly childish) during the belly flop contest (both participants were sloshed) - it lasted maybe 30 seconds because Security was on it at lightening speed, most folks probably never noticed it......which is a good thing.

Snorkeling and diving on Bonaire are really superior....but the beaches are not that great.  They are very rocky and full of coral.
 
There is a little beach area that you can actually walk to from the ship that has a little pier where the water taxi docks... but again, it is very rocky so if you decide to go there (or any beach, IMO) be sure and bring your water shoes or flip flops.  Otherwise, you will tear your feet up.

Giovanni's seems to have reviews in one of two categories, either it was awesome or it was OK. We've been to Gio's twice (two different ships) and found it to be OK. Some people raved about it on the same cruises. I do encourage you to try as many things foodwise on a cruise as possible. If you haven't been to Gio's, give it a try. (Unless you've got multiple stomachs, good luck with eating more than one entree :) )
 
Checkout the multi-dinner packages if you haven't already, they may work for you. If you plan on going to specific restaurants, do the math to determine if it's less expensive with a package or to buy individually. 
 
I agree with another post here that the Chops price is topped out. You can get a Chops steak in the main dining room for about $20(?). The atmosphere in Chops is nice, but extra price delta is difficult to justify. Chops used to be $25.

Minutes.  You're docked at both ports, so you should be able to walk off.  And usually, the gang way opens before the posted time and before official announcements are made, so if you go early there definitely won't be much of a wait.

So I did the Navigator 9 day from Miami that visits Curacao, Aurba, and Bonaire.  I have to say, of all the ports of call I've been to, Bonaire was simply incredible.  I cannot give a high enough recommendation to Renee Snorkel Trips.   Renee is a former marine biologist who relocated to Bonaire 25 years ago. Her knowledge is simply second to none.  I certainly won't get into the pro's and con's of booking an excursion through RCI or through places like Shore Excursioneer, but I will tell you what we were looking for.  
 
1.  Something unique
2.  Something not packed full of our other shipmates 
3.  Something affordable 
 
I stumbled upon her website about 2 months prior to sailing.  Her website says she does small groups, and the cost for a two hour trip is 40 dollars, equipment and beverages included.  I'm sold.  
 
When she says small groups, she means it.  It was my sister, my dad, and a couple from the ship from Toronto.   We drove about ½ mile down the street from the ship and just parked on the road and she said that this was our first stop.  I thought it was somewhat strange, but when I tell you that you will encounter more fish than you have ever seen in your life, I'm not exaggerating.  The only fair comparison I can make is that it was like snorkeling in a fully stocked aquarium.  Renee points out all of the different varieties of fish, including several octopus.   The water was calm, and crystal clear.   Renee ventured to say at the first stop we saw between 150-200 different species of fish all at a depth of 4-7 feet. 
 
The second stop is the Bonaire Marine EcoPark which offers the deeper of the two stops, and it allows you to see the vast schools of fish swim through the coral.  This stop is about 5 minutes in the opposite direction of the first stop.  
 
I hate to be 'that guy' that gushes... but out of the 12+ sailings I've done, Renee offered the best excursion I've come across.  To give you an idea of how impressed I was, outside of the 120 dollars it cost for the three of us to go, we tipped her another 120 dollars because of how friendly, and knowledgeable she was as a tour guide.  
 
http://www.reneesnorkeltrips.com

Had lunch at Sabor yesterday and was disappointed. Very limited menu and no tableside guacamole prep. No queso fundido, which is my very favorite dish at Sabor. The manager did offer to try and replicate queso fundido for me if I came back but I don't know if I will do that. It was nice of him to offer though.
 
Can't remember what the price scheme was but I don't recall seeing individual prices on the menu.
 
I truly prefer the full dining room Sabor (on Nav and other ships) to the "cantina" Sabors on the O Class ships.

Totally understanding of PTSD and other challenges. 
 
But...I'm having a hard time seeing a small Yorkshire Terrier being carried through the Promenade and Casino, or a small dog sleeping on a chair in the Schooner Bar while the mid-20s owner has a drink chatting with his travel companions as service dogs.
 
RCL has a service dog policy...but the policy says "Evidence that a dog is a service dog is helpful but not required." Translation...'feel free to bend and abuse as you see fit'.

Totally understanding of PTSD and other challenges. 
 
But...I'm having a hard time seeing a small Yorkshire Terrier being carried through the Promenade and Casino, or a small dog sleeping on a chair in the Schooner Bar while the mid-20s owner has a drink chatting with his travel companions as service dogs.
 
RCL has a service dog policy...but the policy says "Evidence that a dog is a service dog is helpful but not required." Translation...'feel free to bend and abuse as you see fit'.

We are stopping at Costa Maya in a few weeks on the Indi. We have stopped there a few times, but it has been at least eight years +/-.
 
We are thinking of going into Mahahual and finding a nice cafe/restaurant/bar to hang out at.
 
Is going into Mahahual a better experience than hanging out at the port compound? If so, is there a particular place and how much $$ should we bring with us?
 
Bing Bong!

We are stopping at Costa Maya in a few weeks on the Indi. We have stopped there a few times, but it has been at least eight years +/-.
 
We are thinking of going into Mahahual and finding a nice cafe/restaurant/bar to hang out at.
 
Is going into Mahahual a better experience than hanging out at the port compound? If so, is there a particular place and how much $$ should we bring with us?
 
Bing Bong!

We are stopping at Costa Maya in a few weeks on the Indi. We have stopped there a few times, but it has been at least eight years +/-.
 
We are thinking of going into Mahahual and finding a nice cafe/restaurant/bar to hang out at.
 
Is going into Mahahual a better experience than hanging out at the port compound? If so, is there a particular place and how much $$ should we bring with us?
 
Bing Bong!

We are stopping at Costa Maya in a few weeks on the Indi. We have stopped there a few times, but it has been at least eight years +/-.
 
We are thinking of going into Mahahual and finding a nice cafe/restaurant/bar to hang out at.
 
Is going into Mahahual a better experience than hanging out at the port compound? If so, is there a particular place and how much $$ should we bring with us?
 
Bing Bong!