Mum2Mercury

In all honesty, the screaming kid thing is kinda overblown. I haven't personally seen a lot of unhappy children at Coco Cay -- or any beach. But I do see why some people might like to spend their day in an all-adult atmosphere. Do first-time cruisers spend more? They're all really good looking too. It's a marketing video, so that's to be expected. I don't think that's a natural progression. Yes, it's fine that they have an option that doesn't appeal to everyone. I just checked the price for my upcoming Wonder cruise: $64.99 + that 18% they add to everything. I'm not the target audience, but I wouldn't be interested at any price. An idea: They want this to appeal to party-people. If they were to offer this area with unlimited drinks (or maybe X number of drinks for the day), they might attract people who aren't willing to pay for the drink package for the whole week. Of course, they'd have to triple -- no quadruple -- the lifeguards.

These two comments make sense.

Ditto. I literally called this morning (about something else), and the customer service rep asked me about how we wanted the beds arranged.

Admittedly, I don't have a "business brain", but it seems to me this board is an insight into how frequent cruisers think -- for free. I think if I were RC, I'd have someone peruse these boards once a week or so /report back the findings. I do enjoy the lunch on Coco Cay. See, I wouldn't because I can get that quiet spot by the ocean for free at Chill Island. I was 100% satisfied. What does concern me is that they're building up for-cost stuff all over Coco Cay, and it may end up limiting the "no cost" spots.

I have one much like this -- mine's black, and I don't know the name brand. It's in the attic currently. It came from Walmart or Target's camping department years and years ago. It folds flat, lays nicely between clothes, and runs on D batteries; I always take an extra set of batteries, but I don't. usually need to change them. I prefer battery powered because I can move it anywhere in the room /can take it out to the balcony /could even take it to the pool deck.

So the problem is that she must mail away her current passport ... and she could be without it for weeks. Very inefficient system. I really think we need an overhall of the whole passport system. Exactly when is your last planned cruise vs. her expiration date? How many weeks in between? Do note that you have to make an appointment to turn in your paperwork, and they aren't always available for weeks -- consider scheduling well in advance. That may be the wisest choice. Without expediting, you just don't know how long it's going to take: My husband and I sent our renewals out on the same day -- and we're both natural born Americans with no red flags. His zipped back to him in something like two weeks. Mine took the slow train and I despaired of ever receiving it. Even though the internet said it was still "in progress", it showed up LITERALLY as I was putting the suitcases into the car the afternoon before we left for our cruise. My husband saw me come back in the house with the envelope, and he yelled, "Luck of the Irish!" You're right. If this were a common problem, we'd hear about it here. Still, I'd lean towards bringing excess paperwork. The boarding line is no place for assumptions.

I'm pretty sure the cruise contract forbids homemade goods, but I suspect that's not really enforceable -- as someone else suggested, pack your goodies snugly in the middle of your bag and no one will see it.

I was never the all-out party girl. I went to clubs in college only because it was expected and because my friends were going. Even when I was (what I perceive as) Royal's target age for this beach, I would rather have had a quiet evening talking or playing board games. So, yeah, I'm not paying for the club-on-the-beach vibe.

LOTS of people are saying -- and I'm with them -- they're turned off by the idea of a loud DJ in this adults-only area. But I think I know why Royal's going this direction: They've gotta offer SOMETHING to entice people to the area. Something more than an exclusive location. People who want a quiet day in a lounger with a view of the ocean and quiet to read their book aren't willing to pay $$$$.

Pizza, but I don't think many of us are super-motivated by even the best slice.

Multiple thoughts on these two cabins: - No, you will not hear the elevator mechanical noises from 7311. You'll have a hallway between you and the elevators. However, since this is the first room on the hallway, you may hear a good bit of foot traffic passing by your door. - 7311 is located mid-ship and quite near the elevators, which most people consider "the best". - I suspect a housekeeping closet may exist to the side of 7311. If so, this is good and bad -- good in that extra toilet paper and cleaning supplies can't possibly be loud during the night, bad in that the door may open /close frequently as cabin stewards bring their carts in /out and return for supplies in the fairly early morning. And maybe I'm wrong about such a closet altogether. - Looking out from 7311, your view will be a staircase and the R Bar. Likely a lively view. - In contrast, 7593 is halfway down a hallway, making for a longer walk -- but, assuming you're able-bodied, not much farther. You would get less foot traffic this far down the hallway. - If you choose 7593 you're definitely between two residential cabins, but you're not in a connecting room. You're not likely to hear a lot of noise, but the possibility of a rude neighbor exists. - If you choose 7593, your view will be the Promenade shops. Less action. - The entertainment bridge (from which the singers /dancers perform) is about halfway down the Promenade. I think it's over the shops? So 7593 would place you closer to this entertainment bridge, but it is ONLY noisy during the couple dance parties, which last about 30 minutes. - With our curtains closed (on Deck 6) we could hear the thump-thump-thump of the bass during the dance parties. When we opened our curtains, we could hear the music but it wasn't overly loud. We sat on the sofas and enjoyed our front row seat. - Either way you're near the library. We like using the library as a quiet spot just to get out of the room if one of us is sleeping. If you're traveling with others, it's a good meeting spot before dinner, etc. - Are any rooms available on Deck 6? We prefer Deck 6 because you get a better view of the Promenade. Noise isn't an issue except during the couple dance parties. We also like Deck 6 because it's just one quick flight of stairs down to get a drink or a snack. It's become our favorite deck. Which of these would I choose? Honestly, they're pretty equal. I'd probably take the second one to avoid the excess foot traffic to /from the elevators, but that's a small thing.

To tell you the truth, I don't use bathrobes. After I shower, I go straight to my nightgown. Couples snuggled up on balconies aren't in public. Oh, that's a dressing gown? I'd have called it a robe. I'm really friendly, but I'm not going to agree that wearing your bathrobe in public is appropriate. I don't think I'm alone in this opinion.

Available without cost, pretty much everywhere: - Iced tea (if you're Southern, you won't care for it) - Lemonade (good -- it's Nestle's concentrate) - Fruit Punch (not always available, but good) - Ice water - Hot tea and basic coffee All of the above is sugar-full, so I try to drink it in moderation. Assuming you're able-bodied, I strongly recommend carrying on your allowed 12 bottles of non-alcoholic drink -- in a backpack, it's not hard to carry, and it's considerably cheaper than buying anything onboard. I personally like to bring cans of Diet Dr. Pepper, but now you're making me consider Diet Peach Snapple. You can also bring those little powdered drink tubes and pour it into your water.

What interests me from this list: - above-water hammocks - pizza, though I have really enjoyed the food at the two big Coco Cay buffets - the cabanas right there on the long pool What turns me off: - the beach itself looks rather inferior and small - any cost at all -- honestly, I know my "worth it meter" is set lower than other people's, but the max price I'd be willing to pay for this experience is about $20 -- MAYBE I'd go $25 - 1500-2000 people in this small area? - most of all, the idea of a DJ and loud music -- if I want music, I'll use my headphones /cater to my own taste Methinks they meant "exclusive" as in "everyone won't get in" rather than "luxurious". A whole lot of cruisers aren't happy with the basics -- a whole lot of people "need" to feel they've had something extra, or their vacation wasn't enough.

Yes! My husband just signed up for a flu shot + a Covid booster. I'm going through an odd medical condition and am not allowed to have my vaxxes right now, but, as soon as the doctor clears me, I'll follow his lead. They're saying Covid is like the flu -- it's a virus, which mutates over time. Fortunately, it's becoming weaker, but the new vaxx is for the new strain. We do. - My daughter and I both caught a nasty cold about a month ago -- she was the one who said, "We have all those tests in the closet." - On our first cruise after the pandemic, my husband came down with a case of sniffles. He tested in the privacy of our room (negative), and he could then go about the cruise confidently, knowing he was not endangering his fellow passengers. Yes, common sense goes a long way. Use your own cabin rest room as much as possible. Wash your hands before you eat /use hand sanitizer if that's not possible. Simple actions with big results.

I have not seen "loads". I did note one girl in a bathrobe in the Windjammer on my last cruise. People were giving her looks.

Several thoughts: - I don't really know what a dressing gown is. - White robes are utilitarian, not classy. - Yes, spas and upscale hotels provide robes for use in the spa areas, where clothing comes on /off for whatever treatments or massages. - Getting to and from the hot tub is a bit of a non-starter; even if it's cold, the robe isn't keeping you warm -- I mean, your legs are still bare and your arms aren't in anything snug and warm. And, again, you can get to your cabin pretty quickly. - Really, this is only one step up from wearing boxer shorts as outer wear. If you open your mind too much, your brain /common sense falls out.

Coming in late, but I'm with the majority: We don't bother with foreign currency. Specific thoughts: - Admittedly, we spend very little in port. We might buy a couple drinks or snacks -- we haven't had our American dollars turned down yet. - We do save up small bills before a trip so we have the right amount for this or that. It seems that vendors often "don't have change". - You never know how much you're going to need in port, so you run the risk of coming up short (and having to use American bills anyway) or having money left over, which is a pain. - Years ago we did order foreign bills -- mainly to excite our daughters, who were still young enough to be impressed with foreign bills -- and it was a hassle. I had to leave school quickly and get down to some building to sign /pick them up. We judged the experience "not worth it".

We've been on more than one Royal Caribbean ships. Very nice place to visit!

Exit the tub, head back to your room. Easy. No need to complicate it. Why would anyone change clothes near the hot tub when every cruiser has a private stateroom within a 5 minute walk?

The worst I've experienced was trying to visit a dam out west. Not Hoover -- oh, I can't remember the name. Had to take off my hiking boots, empty out my purse. Even had to remove a metal hair barrette -- yeah, a little thing a step up from a bobby pin. Glad you got through without undue trouble.

Very few people wear bathrobes outside their personal cabins. Don't be that person. Obviously no one will "confront you", but people will look and judge. Bathrobes aren't for public view.

Yes, I was going to say the same thing: Lately we've found a paper on the desk listing our perks. Personally, I liked the coupons because it was easier to remember them /know what we had left.

Certainly I'm aware that different materials exist, but I hadn't really thought through it.

Well, that's confusing to me because I KNOW I saw very beat up, cracked hard-shell luggage at Marshall's, and I thought to myself, "Who'd buy that?" Perhaps actual use isn't as damaging as being send to a clearance store? I lost some luggage that way! You can leave the 4-wheeled suitcases for me! I like that you can stop pulling, and they stay still. We only have one 4-wheeler, but it's my favorite. I guess the real answer is, Buyers take your time and pull your potential suitcase up and down the aisles a while.