(Found a few more minutes to answer a bit more for you
My understanding is that you can basically snack anytime you want anywhere you find food on the ship as well. We are not big drinkers so I doubt we will run up much of a tab for liquor but I have been told there may be a soda/coffee card we can purchase? Worth it? Does this cruise offer upgraded dining for a price? Is it worth it? Eating in the specialty restaurant is the only real upgrade dining. And as a once during my cruise, special meal, I think worth it. But for me, I could never eat like that everyday, Way to much food, and takes quite a long time. And a totally unnecessary expense.
Aside from that, food that you pay for would include soda drinks, the specialty coffees, and liquor. And if I'm remembering correctly there's a little shop that has the special coffees that you pay for, you may have to pay for the fancy pastries they have there. (Sorry my memory is vague. On one ship we sailed, the pastry shop had free pastry and pay-for coffee. On another ship it was the coffee that was free, and pastry you paid for . Ask at the counter.)
They do sell a all you can drink soda card. It's a per day cost of about seven dollar a day. If they've introduced an all you can drink coffee card I haven't heard about it yet.
I have heard that tipping is now included but I guess some people tip beyond that for great service?
Usually tipping is NOT included in the cost of your cruise. It is possible that your wife's employer has "pre-paid" the standard tip for you. You really have to find that out for sure. Some people choose to pay the tips with their cruise fare, just to have it out of the way. Otherwise the standard tip is automatically added to onboard cabin bill. About $11 per person, per day. If you get exceptional good service you can always increase that by adding to it on your account or, (we prefer ) just give them a little extra cash on the last evening of the ship. Go with your feelings on the matter.
For Cozumel, we like to shop and were thinking of just going downtown for a relaxing few hours. Is there anything better we have to do? Cannot miss? Is there anywhere in particular that will allow us to get the best local shopping at a good price and a nice relaxing lunch where we don’t have to worry about it being too local (getting sick is not something I am willing to chance.)
For Cozumel, it's a great shopping port. Especially if you're looking for silver. And a great place to have lunch is Poncho's Backyard. We've been there three times. Great quacamole and amazing Marguaritas. As for getting sick, Cozumel is an island not like mainland Mexico. Their water is clean. If you take an excursion to mainland, like going to Tulum, then be more careful. As for the fresh foods on Cozumel, ( Supposedly if you can't drink the water, you need to be wary of fresh foods too.) ....well, I don't know. If the concern is because of the water the fruit was washed in, then no worry. But if it's the food itself, well all I can offer is that I've eaten fresh fruits every time I've been to Coz. So far so good. There are no guarantees.
Any other special tips or advice is appreciated. Well let me point out the links to the Cruiser's Compass in my signature. (Click right under my little Eeyore) You can likely skip parts about booking a cruise, but the other pages may be of interest.
