FManke

Pack for a week and wear everything twice. That works for me, but I'm a guy, if you couldn't tell.

Nothing wrong with that, as long as you are comfortable. Could be worse, you could wear shorts!

People in general don't like change and this is just one example. You used to be able to get a steak dinner for $5, but those days are also long gone.

That's no good. Are there certain cruise terminals that are known for long lines? Which are the best?

If that's the case, it seems to be working as more people than ever are cruising. Keeping the cruise fares as low as possible allows more people the opportunity to cruise. And once you've cruised, they've got you. Also a la carte pricing, allows people to get what they want by paying for it, but allows others not to have to pay for what they don't want and/or won't use.

I agree with DocLC. Wait until you get on board to do anything. If they can fix it, and I don't see why not, great. And if they can't you haven't lost anything by waiting to get the soda pkgs. I don't see why it matters who in the room gets the free soda pkgs, as long as it's not more than two free per room.

I'm not looking for free drinks, as I don't drink anymore, 19yrs this year. I was just curious about how cruising might have changed over time. Good information though.

That's true, and I'm sure I'm quicker than room service, even as old as I am, with one bum knee! And I get to keep the tip!

For those experienced cruisers out there, (nicer than saying old), was there ever a time when they served free drinks on a cruise? Or should I say, was there ever a time when drinks were "included" in their cruise?

If you put all those on at once, you'd look like the Mr. T of lanyards! I pity the fool who don't wear a lanyard!

I saw that Lattetudes has desserts, but was looking for a more quiet and romantic place for dessert. I guess there's always room service.

I just brought this topic up because my wife actually thought of a question I hadn't asked already! She wondered if there was somewhere to go for a nice sit down dessert and coffee later in the evening. Not everybody wants dessert right away after eating a big meal. If the desserts were better, as every one has mentioned, might be a nice idea for Giovanni's or Chops to stay open late for just a really nice dessert/coffee/after drink kind of thing.

By all the comments about drinking and such, the point at which the cost of the drinks, outweigh the pleasure of drinking hasn't reached that point yet. So, at what price point would you stop, or seriously curtail your drinking? $15, $17, $20 a drink? If they priced the drinks to a point that forced people in way to get the drink packages, because they were a "good value" they would still make a lot of money. Anybody see that move coming in the future? I think the longer the cruise, the harder it is to get your value, from the drink packages. That's a lot of drinking, everyday, for an entire cruise.

If you had a tux swimsuit, you'd be ready for formal night!

I know what you mean. I kind of equate it to a fanny pack. If you use one, that's fine. Just not sure if it's for me. I was thinking about just getting one and then just running it through a belt loop and keeping it in my pocket to avoid loosing my ids. But then if I have it in my pocket, why do I need a lanyard. I don't keep my keys on a lanyard and have never lost them. And since we will be cruising this Oct, I'll be wearing pants everyday, as opposed to shorts or trunks in a warmer climate, so I think I'll be ok.

Should I use a lanyard or not? I know this is a person preference, but I would like the pros and cons.

I think that may be easier than going sugar free or carb free, although I think those can be done, if you set your mind on it.

We do that in the Windjammer, but thought it might not be formal enough for the MDR.

We let ours dry on the backs of the dining room chairs in the MDR during dinner.

Thanks for the info. Other posts have said the same regarding the desserts, nothing special. Maybe I'll be so full from dinner, that I won't want dessert. I don't know if that's a good or bad problem.

Does anybody know what kind of desserts they serve at Giovanni's? There are none listed on any of the menus posted.

Can you just go to a specialty restaurant for dessert and coffee?

That should cover it.

Being that this will be our first cruise, I guess the good thing is that we won't know what we are missing.

Seems like buying a drink lately is like following the stock market! Up one day and down the next. In both cases, watch out for the crashes! Within reason, they can charge what they want, as they have a captive audience.