Orange Crush

I am hoping for a planner sale....need a good deal on the drink package for our Oct cruise!

The $55 price is the discounted price.  On the cruise planner it states "price shown reflects your discount". 
Whatever price is shown on the cruise planner is what the price will be per day, per person,  before gratuities are added.  I just ignore all their percentages and BOGO hoopla and just look at that price.  If you already got it for $46, keep it.

I feel like Royal's doing too much nickel and diming for the base fares they're charging.  
I'm looking at options for an Alaska trip next year and I'm seeing quite a few sailings where Celebrity, which is allegedly the "premium brand" is pretty close to a comparable Royal itinerary's base price but includes perks like a drink package and better OBC.  Royal's may be a couple hundred dollars cheaper here and there, but after all the packages, Celeb's often less expensive overall.

It's the one thing about the US that is kinda annoying... + Gratuity + Tax.... just advertise the final price already! Arghhh!! ?
 

My wife would have been in trouble, I love me a Guinness! ?

In my six cruises, I've only ever been a witness to one incident ..... it was on the pool deck during the belly flop contest on Grandeur ..... those security personnel swooped in like Ninjas and "escorted" those involved out of the area so quickly, unless you were paying attention, you never would've noticed it ....
Very impressive.

I usually establish a relationship with key bartenders early in the cruise by offering a single with my SeaPass card when ordering drinks with DX.  Pool bars for example.  
They get to know you and remember your drink orders.   At busy times this can work in your advantage.  
I was on Navigator in December.  Shortly after the ship went into dry dock and months later I was back on in March.   Bartenders not only remembered my name but also my drink preferences.   The very moment I walked up on boarding they they welcomed me by name with a smile on their face months later.  
A extra tip, a smile and patience when they are slammed goes a long way.
You don't have to tip above the 18% you have already paid.
PS - I still remember his name too - Edgardo, a great bartender.    Then there was Zoltan in the Bamboo Room, then...

There is no requirement to file a suit against someone.  It was a tragic accident and the grandfather is at fault.  The outcome is something they will all have to live with somehow.  What they should do is begin to move on without suing anyone.
I'm wondering if they played their cards too soon.  At this point the damage they've done by spreading falsehoods and outlandish claims is done.  There is no taking that back.  The only reason for Royal to settle would be the cost of on-going litigation and the fear of losing should it go to trial.  The lawyer moved very quickly and went public so fast, followed soon after with the national news interview.   In doing so he may have damaged the opportunity for a settlement.  What's next for him?  Trying for another interview on another news outlet? 
They've played most of their cards and no settlement so far.  Settling now has the appearance of an admission of guilt.  

If the windows are sealed, the ONLY solution is to ban smoking on the pool deck.
The smoke and smell is already bad enough that as an asthmatic I cannot walk through the smoking-permitted area most of the day.

Mariner.  Which has Izumi, Chops, Jamie's & Playmakers.
I just looked again today and it's there for $76 per person (whole cruise, not per day).  I was able to book it this time.

I think it's pretty obvious who is right and who is wrong.  If the grandfather set the baby on a railing on a balcony or an open area on one of the upper decks, same thing would have happened.  If the window had been closed and the baby fell into the window, it's likely the pane would've held the weight but not guaranteed.  A screen probably wouldn't have.  And the baby still could've been severely injured or killed. 
Their Today Show performance disgusted me.
I don't think this is anything more than trying to gin up public outrage against Royal Caribbean and pushing them to settle to shut them up.  It isn't about protecting other children, it isn't about restitution for Royal Caribbean's negligence, it's about taking advantage of self-inflicted tragedy to blame somebody else for their own stupidity and get a big check in the process.

I think it's pretty obvious who is right and who is wrong.  If the grandfather set the baby on a railing on a balcony or an open area on one of the upper decks, same thing would have happened.  If the window had been closed and the baby fell into the window, it's likely the pane would've held the weight but not guaranteed.  A screen probably wouldn't have.  And the baby still could've been severely injured or killed. 
Their Today Show performance disgusted me.
I don't think this is anything more than trying to gin up public outrage against Royal Caribbean and pushing them to settle to shut them up.  It isn't about protecting other children, it isn't about restitution for Royal Caribbean's negligence, it's about taking advantage of self-inflicted tragedy to blame somebody else for their own stupidity and get a big check in the process.

I think it's pretty obvious who is right and who is wrong.  If the grandfather set the baby on a railing on a balcony or an open area on one of the upper decks, same thing would have happened.  If the window had been closed and the baby fell into the window, it's likely the pane would've held the weight but not guaranteed.  A screen probably wouldn't have.  And the baby still could've been severely injured or killed. 
Their Today Show performance disgusted me.
I don't think this is anything more than trying to gin up public outrage against Royal Caribbean and pushing them to settle to shut them up.  It isn't about protecting other children, it isn't about restitution for Royal Caribbean's negligence, it's about taking advantage of self-inflicted tragedy to blame somebody else for their own stupidity and get a big check in the process.

I think it's pretty obvious who is right and who is wrong.  If the grandfather set the baby on a railing on a balcony or an open area on one of the upper decks, same thing would have happened.  If the window had been closed and the baby fell into the window, it's likely the pane would've held the weight but not guaranteed.  A screen probably wouldn't have.  And the baby still could've been severely injured or killed. 
Their Today Show performance disgusted me.
I don't think this is anything more than trying to gin up public outrage against Royal Caribbean and pushing them to settle to shut them up.  It isn't about protecting other children, it isn't about restitution for Royal Caribbean's negligence, it's about taking advantage of self-inflicted tragedy to blame somebody else for their own stupidity and get a big check in the process.

And what if a child put their hand in the fan!   The cruise line will always be blamed.  Sad for what happened, but angry that the family will not take responsibility.  I am sure it was an accident, the grandfather didn’t want to hurt his granddaughter, but speak truthfully if you want to make sure it never happens to another child.  No other parent will put a child on a railing, because in a split second that child can get away from you.  

I sincerely hope not. I've been around cruise ships since I came into this world; correct me if I am wrong, but I don't remember ever seeing screens in windows on open decks on any cruise line. Now, I only go back as far as the 50's, so I could be wrong. Both the parents and the attorney state that the open window is  in the Kids Zone, but the Kid's Zone is centered over the keel. It does not include the area that the toddler fell from.  
I understand we need to have compassion for the family, but we also have to be just and realistic in assigning the blame for this situation. I have yet to hear if this was the first time on a cruise ship for this family and yet, they talk about it being unimaginable that a window would be open on a pool deck. They speak  as though having fixed windows is the norm, which it is not.
 
 
 
 

Here's what was posted on the Freedom FB page: (if not appropriate, I apologize and please delete):
Cheryl Knipe Brinson
18 hrs This is a copy of Louise Calder’s post that was sent to the Today show. You can share from here. If you have an opinion to express send it along to the show.
This is a very long post but wanted feedback suggestions of any changes in this email I plan to send to the TODAY Show. I will wait a couple of hours before I send it in case someone sees a change or addition I should consider. Thanks for your input.: Dear TODAY SHOW- I am very saddened by the news that Monday you will be interviewing the parents of the 18 month old child that tragically fell from the Freedom of the Seas. While my heart goes out to these poor parents for the loss of their child, I'm disappointed that you are doing this interview on the Today Show before we truly know how this accident happened. The police investigation has not been completed and all facts have not yet been released to the public. Trying to present an unbiased report would seem to be an impossible task at this time since others involved in this story are unable or unwilling to talk to you until all the facts are available.
Since the entire show was taped on board her the day I Christened her in 2006, I know that the TODAY show has spent time on the Freedom of the Seas. You should already be aware that the "children's play area" is NOT "right next" to the wall of windows. And if you check some of that footage you will also notice that the only windows that open are above an adults waist, and tinted making it quite clear that some are closed and some are open in order to keep the pool humidity controlled on that deck. No child could have reached those upper windows, open or closed, without someone holding the child up to them or somehow allowing the child to climb up to them. It is ALWAYS the adult's responsibility to monitor their young child whether it be near an open window , a pool, a fire, or any other potential danger. Whether on vacation or at home the responsibility belongs to the adult that has accepted the duty of watching that child. As a grandparent myself I understand that this must be a heartbreaking experience that will haunt this grandfather for the rest of his life. It is hard to accept that one little mistake can result in such a catastrophic tragedy. However trying to place the blame elsewhere, while a very human self-protection, will never absolve him of the responsibility that was his and his alone. I believe when this investigation is finished we will find that this was a truly awful ACCIDENT but one that resulted from an error on his part. And who of us is not human enough to commit an error.
If this were truly a fault in the design of cruise ships we would certainly be hearing of children falling from windows all the time. It is unfair to interpret this accident as an example of how "dangerous" cruising is. ANYTHING can be dangerous if normal precautions aren't taken.
To my knowledge, I know of no other time in the Freedom of the Seas 13 years of sailing that ANYTHING like this has ever occurred aboard her and I'm sure you can imagine that I keep a close eye on what happens on her,
Katherine Louise Calder
Godmother for the Freedom of the Seas

Did they make any reference to the barrage of posts from people supporting that this is a ridiculous & baseless lawsuit?

I just watched the interview on the Today Show.  How I wish someone had advised the parents not to do this interview. It will only expose them to undue scrutiny in today’s social media climate.  
It also saddens me that they have not taken responsibility for this accident.  They kept blaming “the open window in the kid zone” which in my opinion could not have been accessible to an 18-month old child.

Plus cruise fares go up to cover the cost.  The cost to defend themselves (millions) plus the cost of any settlement.  
We all get to pay for this guy's new boat.  

He's just trying to make a buck and get his 15 minutes of fame ...... that's the extent of his compassion.

Nah, people on social media seldom understand anything.  Period.  It should be "Baseless Gut Reaction Book."
It's a tragedy and I can't even fathom what the family must be experiencing, but I don't see how it's anybody but the grandfather's fault.
You don't put a baby on a railing in any situation, ever.  A hard fall from just a few feet can be fatal.  How many "do not sit or climb on railing" signs have they got on the ship?  Do they need to add "especially babies!"? 
Whether he thought the window was opened or closed shouldn't figure in to it in the slightest.  Setting aside that it's blatantly obvious when the windows are open, what possess someone to think setting a baby on a precarious surface to bang on glass is a sensible thing to do?

I've never had an issue doing it on embarkation day.  My first stop once I get aboard is always the dining room to find my table so I don't need to be shown during the dinner rush and can just go directly to my table. I've always been able to get it changed at the hostess stand if it's not to my liking.

Definitely go with the Voom.  I'm pretty sure with AT&T, once you reach 200mb, you'll be charge a ridiculous amount for an additional 200mbs.  Also, if you trying to text with others on board, then you might want to look into a multi-device plan..   

This is why many of us are voicing our thoughts in this thread.  We all have compassion and feel terrible about the loss of life.  If the family hadn't attacked the cruise line with such tenacity refusing to accept any blame or admit it was simply a terrible accident many of us would have remained silent and grieved with them.