FManke

I like- Sea of Love- the Robert Plant version. Six Months In A Leaky Boat- Split Endz Sloop John B- Beach Boys Come Sail Away-Styx Honorable mentions-The Love Boat Theme-Jack Jones, The Morning After-Theme from The Poseidon Adventure

Well, peoples wallets will dictate what direction they go in. If people decide to stop cruising RC because they feel that the quality of food has dropped or because they don't like the coffee that's served, RC will have to make some decisions. But they will always side with the vocal majority, meaning those people that are constantly cruising with them and spending their money with them. Not that any negatives view points are not valid. I've read complaints from people that say the food quality of RC has dropped over the years and then continue to cruise with them. Why? If you don't like a product or feel that the quality of said product has diminished, you should stop buying said product.

Lobster is offered every night ion the MDR, for a cost. Yes?

I understand why you, as well as others don't like the thought of paying for something that was once "included." I think the cruise industry is just offering people what they want and are willing to pay extra for. They aren't forcing you to pay for these things and if you wanted to cruise without paying for the extra dining, you can. There are a lot of people who say they cruise and only ever eat in the MDR and others who only ever eat in the specialty restaurants. That's both their choices. Exactly what RC and others are giving you, choices.

Any benefit from paying in full before final payment date? Any downfall?

Ok, so this question is asked many times, in various forms. But, if you could have 3 non-family member dinner companions, in all of history, who would they be? Here are mine. President Abraham Lincoln, John Bohnam from Led Zeppelin and Albert Einstein. And a couple of throw ins- Ernest Hemingway, for cocktails. And I don't even drink any more! Arnold Palmer for Fairways of George Carlin for nightly entertainment

God knows I'm going to need it after 7mos of planning and waiting!

I can imagine. The analogy isn't the same, but once my then 9yr old discovered Dave N Busters, there was no going back to Chuck E Cheese!

DocLC, Did you have Carly last July on Serenade? What did you think?

What time do you have to get there to reserve them?

I booked ours through RC because it was easy and I didn't know what the heck I was doing in the first place.

That would surely be the case if they were sailing out of San Francisco!

Are they offering the ultimate plan for your cruise?

That's good service!

Is the WJ able to whip up something on the spot?

You forgot cruise companions. They can make or break a cruise I would imagine. As I have yet go on my first cruise, I can't be sure. But I am positive I won't have any issues as I am cruising with my beautiful wife of 27yrs.

Doesn't really seem the same.

I didn't know which ones to book either, being a first timer. So I just booked all three! Izumi's, Giovanni's and Chops!

I know that the bottled water package price for 12, I think 500ml bottles, is $39. So that would be like $3.25 per bottle at a discounted price. So my guess is like $4 plus a bottle on board, regular price.

I don't recall ever reading a bad thing about Sabor.

That's weird as I was able to purchase my beverage plans at 7mo out, and dining just became available about 157 days out. Which was still considered early.

In that case, maybe I should have mentioned Baked Jamaicans!

I know exactly how you feel. My wife says I'm obsessed! I call it planning!

I agree with you rjac. I think depending on which cruise your on you will find Baked Alaskans, Baked Caribbeans, Baked Mexicans, Baked Europeans and Baked Americans.

I joked with my wife last night, that I hoped we loved our first cruise, because the thought of losing 7 months of my life planning for something that we wound up hating would just be too much to accept.