S.A.M.J.R.

So why did you mention "sharing packages", the poster you quoted didn't mention it? And, the poster you quoted made no mention of "underage drinking".

I don't think anyone is saying a passport isn't ACCEPTABLE. They're just pointing out that a passport, much less one with 6 months remaining before expiration, isn't REQUIRED.

Let's see... "this should be good" referred to what I was expecting to happen... people saying "Don't give alcoholic drinks to those underage". "They shouldn't do that". "They'll be kicked off the ship". You know, the morality police that are around here. The reason I mentioned packages (as I explained earlier, but you either didn't read or ignored) was because I figured someone would either assume the GF had the deluxe package, or they would ask if they had the deluxe package. Silly me, I thought people would actually read and comprehend what I wrote and I wanted to head off that confusion. I do THANK those that answered the asked question.

People reading things that aren't there, even after MULTIPLE posts clarifying the situation. So, EXACTLY who is trying to "scam the system" and how? And I didn't ask what's the worst that can happen, I asked what was LIKELY. And what information is being "falsely reported"? Are you just making up a scenario to go on a rant? DS and GF would both have college classes, DS would have college soccer, older DD (teacher) would be back in school, younger DD would have college classes. 'Tis not. Sigh. Someone else who didn't read. This has NOTHING to do with sharing a package. My understanding is the drinking age on the ship is based on the embarkation port. In this case, Galveston, so drinking age is 21. If I'm wrong on that, let me know.

Yes, see questions all the time about sharing deluxe packages. I mentioned the refreshment package because I figured if I didn't mention what package (if any) they had, someone would either ask or assume. Looks like it didn't matter

Never said I would try (or wanted to) limit charges. Never said anything about GF buying DLX package. Does any actually READ posts, or just guess at what's posted? Let's make it simple... GF purchases an alcoholic drink. GF shares (or gives) the alcoholic drink to DS (who is technically underage). What is Royal LIKELY to do IF they get "caught" (which I think is unlikely unless he overindulges)? Question has nothing to do with a deluxe pkg, has nothing to do with ports. Has nothing to do with limiting purchases.

At this point, the plan is to link hers.

This ought to be good... We're going on a cruise next year and taking DS(will be 20yo, 9 months) and his GF (will be 21). We will be providing a refreshment package for each of them. HOWEVER, it won't surprise me if GF buys an alcoholic drink and shares it with DS. I am going to discourage it. If they do so, I doubt they'll get caught. However, if they do get caught, what's a realistic punishment? Slap on the wrist, "don't do that again"? Kicked off at next port?

It will never STOP going around. Just like the flu.

And how do you find out if it IS SOP? Asking TPTB would be a good start I would think.

Probably about as productive as posting on CC that Royal "lies".

And with it being the Presidents Cruise, wouldn't that be a good time to bring up a "systematic issue" with higher ups to get their answer? The OP *IMPLIED* they did (somewhere in the thread), but refuses to mention how the conversation went.

Based on reading here (over the years, not just this thread), some cruises change time to match a port, some don't. It's really only an issue in one of the following situations: * You're doing a 3rd party excursion. In which case, reach out to the operator, let them know what ship and date you're on. They're going to have a pretty good idea of when you'll be getting off the ship and when you need to be back (based on the time THEY know). * You're exploring on your own. In which case, confirm before you step off the ship that your watch or phone is matched to SHIP time, AND know what time you're supposed to be back. If SHIP time is different than LOCAL time, make sure your device doesn't automatically change itself (or keep up with the change).

Do you not consider 10-13 weeks "long"?

An article from nine months ago supports the danger theory? Got anything more recent that the riots are close to Labadee?

Saw these articles last night... https://www.thestreet.com/travel/royal-caribbean-bad-news-for-customers-good-for-disney https://fortune.com/2023/07/29/royal-caribbean-earnings-profit-pandemic-recovery-revenge-spending-travel/ So expect prices to go even higher.

Have you tried calling Royal and saying you want to cancel with a full refund because they've significantly changed what you were looking for?

based on?

Why? Labadee is a secure area.

It's a good thought, but don't count on it... https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/05/politics/state-department-passport-delays/index.html https://abc7.com/passport-delays-2023-us-passports-application-how-to-get-a/13459772/ https://time.com/6291865/long-waits-us-passports-visa-processing/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2023/07/07/passport-renewals-17-weeks-summer-2023/?sh=cd52b7451222 All of the above articles are from earlier this month.

Agreed. And a company should be willing to refund your money if they've made a significant change to the offering. Is cutting housekeeping a "significant" change? And you're right, no company is perfect. So you're saying, even though you don't think you're getting good value for the money, other companies are "worse"? THATS why you continue with Royal? In which case, you're satisfied with the value for the money.

And again, what's wrong with saying "if things are that bad, either stop cruising or find another company"? No one can explain why, if you don't think you're getting a good value from a company, you keep giving them money? That's really what this boils down to.

Here's the problem though. Royal Caribbean is no longer providing twice a day service (except to suites). If that is something that is important to you, which only you can judge, for whatever reason, then either book suites, or find another line. As long as you (general) keep giving Royal money and put up with the cutbacks, they don't have reason to change back. Folks claim Royal reads on here. OK, fine. But the ships are sailing full. So why would they go back to spending money they don't need to?

My suggestion is to get a hotel near MCO. Use their free shuttle to get you from the airport to the hotel. Arrange for private transportation (there are a LOT of them) to get you from the hotel to the port the next day (because you are flying in the day before, right?). Yes, more expensive, BUT less hassle. If you need a car, based on what you've written, I would drop off the two 80 year olds, luggage, and four others at the pier. Go return the car with someone else (keeps you company) and catch the shuttle back.

Personally, I honestly don't mind complaints as long as they're not over the top. Speaking of the Half and Half debate... If it would have been: I tried to get Half and Half for my coffee, but the container marked as such just had milk in it. I know there's been other reports of the same thing on different ships, so I wanted to add what I experienced. I asked the worker if they had half and half, and was told "no". I totally get it. Instead what we got is: I tried to get half and half for my coffee, but the container marked as such just had milk in it. It's another way of Royal trying to save money and another example of how they lie about things. Despite being on a cruise with some Royal muckety mucks, I won't tell you what they said when I asked about their lying. I do agree with the OP though... if you aren't getting the service you expected or are mistreated, vote with your wallet. Continuing to work with the company does nothing other than say you're fine with their choice.