My partner and i will be taking our very first cruise this winter - 5 nights on the Independence, stopping at Cozumel and Costa Maya. The price was very good so we were able to book a balcony room, which I'm extremely happy about. My partner considers our hotels or cabins just for sleeping and showering, but I like the idea of open air ocean access right from our own private space. And if I'm feeling anti-social and don't want to be in public areas, I like to know I have somewhere to hang out that isn't essentially a walk-in closet. Anyway, enough rambling. (Can you tell I'm excited? 
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I have some newbie questions. I have been researching and I sort of know the answers, but I always appreciate feedback from my Dis peeps, and the Cruise Critic boards are pretty overwhelming.
My partner is graciously treating me to this cruise so I want to make sure he enjoys it. My nefarious secret plan is to get him hooked, and to book our next cruise while onboard. But ssshhhhh, I didn't tell you that.
1.) We will probably do some sort of specialty dining package. Is it imperative that I book now, or can it wait until we get on the ship and try out the MDR? How much we like or dislike the MDR food will influence which package we buy.
2.)Mytime vs. scheduled dining. During our booking I chose my time so we would have flexibility. What are the benefits of scheduled dining. We will be requesting a table for 2 - is that easier with one vs the other? Do I need to be requesting or reserving anything now, or can I wait until onboard?
3.) Dress code. Consensus seems to be that for the dining room the minimum required is long pants (even jeans), and a shirt that has no holes or tears. No shorts, swimsuits, cover-ups, thank tops. Am I getting that right? I know that smart casual seems to be the 'suggestion', and that perhaps shirt and tie, suit or tux would be the 'suggestion' for formal night. I also know opinions vary wildly on this. Would nice jeans, dress shoes and a nice, untucked button down shirt be acceptable on a regular MDR night? I want to be comfortable, but I don't want to stick out or seem disrespectful of the dress code. Probably overthinking it.
4.) For purchases, we use the sea card to charge to our room account, correct? Then we pay it with cash or put a CC# on the account? Is there just one account for the room, or could we each have our own in order to keep expenses separate?
5.) Do I need to reserve seats for any of the shows beforehand? I'm wondering specifically about Grease.
6.) And finally, does anyone have a suggestions for any particular ruins site or tour in either Costa Maya or Cozumel? This is my partner's one request of something he wants to do so I'd like to impress him.
Thanks for reading my novel of a post, and for any insight you can offer!
) I have some newbie questions. I have been researching and I sort of know the answers, but I always appreciate feedback from my Dis peeps, and the Cruise Critic boards are pretty overwhelming.
My partner is graciously treating me to this cruise so I want to make sure he enjoys it. My nefarious secret plan is to get him hooked, and to book our next cruise while onboard. But ssshhhhh, I didn't tell you that.
1.) We will probably do some sort of specialty dining package. Is it imperative that I book now, or can it wait until we get on the ship and try out the MDR? How much we like or dislike the MDR food will influence which package we buy.
2.)Mytime vs. scheduled dining. During our booking I chose my time so we would have flexibility. What are the benefits of scheduled dining. We will be requesting a table for 2 - is that easier with one vs the other? Do I need to be requesting or reserving anything now, or can I wait until onboard?
3.) Dress code. Consensus seems to be that for the dining room the minimum required is long pants (even jeans), and a shirt that has no holes or tears. No shorts, swimsuits, cover-ups, thank tops. Am I getting that right? I know that smart casual seems to be the 'suggestion', and that perhaps shirt and tie, suit or tux would be the 'suggestion' for formal night. I also know opinions vary wildly on this. Would nice jeans, dress shoes and a nice, untucked button down shirt be acceptable on a regular MDR night? I want to be comfortable, but I don't want to stick out or seem disrespectful of the dress code. Probably overthinking it.
4.) For purchases, we use the sea card to charge to our room account, correct? Then we pay it with cash or put a CC# on the account? Is there just one account for the room, or could we each have our own in order to keep expenses separate?
5.) Do I need to reserve seats for any of the shows beforehand? I'm wondering specifically about Grease.
6.) And finally, does anyone have a suggestions for any particular ruins site or tour in either Costa Maya or Cozumel? This is my partner's one request of something he wants to do so I'd like to impress him.
Thanks for reading my novel of a post, and for any insight you can offer!
. I am not sure if shorts are not allowed or not, little kids could probably get away with that easier. but i think nice jeans, button down shirt would be acceptable on regular night. you could throw on a tie for "formal" night if you want but like you said, everyone varies on this - it is nice that you want to respect the dress code too
