NS8VN

Welcome to the forum. 
Just want to clarify that there is an important difference between "debarkation" and "deportation".  If you are being deported after a cruise then you did something very wrong

Welcome to the forum. 
Just want to clarify that there is an important difference between "debarkation" and "deportation".  If you are being deported after a cruise then you did something very wrong

My thoughts exactly.  I'm very interested to see if it really is a big enough draw to justify the costs.  Will this actually increase revenue?  Will this attract more cruisers?  I'm looking forward to seeing how it pans out after it is open for a few years.  I do see the logic and agree with twangster on this being a great way to keep smaller ships relevant.  Can't argue that someone who might normally not take a short cruise on a smaller ship could be persuaded by a visit here.
I however completely disagree on hurricanes being no more issue here than Miami.  Miami is in much danger to hurricanes, no question, but they are on the mainland.  After the storm passes semi trucks and trains of materials and supplies head in.  Bucket trucks from power companies all over the country converge on the affected area (I have seen the convoys heading down I-75 from here and Michigan after hurricanes).  An island does not have these luxuries.  Cruise lines are still avoiding Tortola 6 months after they were hit.  And I can't wait to see people (most likely unfairly) decry RCCL for diverting ships and supplies from needy islands to "fix their water park".  I'm sure the engineering team is aware of and doing their best to account for hurricanes, but the comparison to cities on the Florida coast is thin at best.
Regardless, I still say the design choices are ugly, that the water slide is a terrible eye sore, and that aside of adding the dock this is not a positive move.  Time will tell whether I'm in the minority or not.  I'm fully prepared to be, if most people love it then I guess RCCL is making the right move.  Like I said, I look forward to seeing the results.

Royal did say a while back that its strategy was to modify their product towards the millennial generation (not over used any more than baby boomer generation, generation X, etc.). I think this aligns to their strategy as do the facilities on the Oasis class ships we see and are going to see.
BUT...
My reaction was something else. RC...are you in the cruise line business or the resort business? Many, many, examples exist of business ventures not being successful because the company(ies) ventured outside their core competency in a effort to increase revenues by trying to be everything to everybody. Is this the same? Some may say yes, others may say no.
I see BIG business risk in this. The size of the capital investment along with the operational costs for a resort (not their core competency!) of this nature...on a small island in the Bahamas...in hurricane alley. What makes this special versus something on the mainland a few hundred miles to the west that will compel people to get on a cruise ship? I've filled out many RC surveys and I don't recall a 'would you like a wave pool at a port of call' being part of it...I have to wonder how they have arrived at the conclusion that this is a good investment beyond someone's personal pet project. Hope they don't turn CocoCay into an eventual rusting piece of junk. I think their capital could be better deployed.
 

My thoughts exactly.  I'm very interested to see if it really is a big enough draw to justify the costs.  Will this actually increase revenue?  Will this attract more cruisers?  I'm looking forward to seeing how it pans out after it is open for a few years.  I do see the logic and agree with twangster on this being a great way to keep smaller ships relevant.  Can't argue that someone who might normally not take a short cruise on a smaller ship could be persuaded by a visit here.
I however completely disagree on hurricanes being no more issue here than Miami.  Miami is in much danger to hurricanes, no question, but they are on the mainland.  After the storm passes semi trucks and trains of materials and supplies head in.  Bucket trucks from power companies all over the country converge on the affected area (I have seen the convoys heading down I-75 from here and Michigan after hurricanes).  An island does not have these luxuries.  Cruise lines are still avoiding Tortola 6 months after they were hit.  And I can't wait to see people (most likely unfairly) decry RCCL for diverting ships and supplies from needy islands to "fix their water park".  I'm sure the engineering team is aware of and doing their best to account for hurricanes, but the comparison to cities on the Florida coast is thin at best.
Regardless, I still say the design choices are ugly, that the water slide is a terrible eye sore, and that aside of adding the dock this is not a positive move.  Time will tell whether I'm in the minority or not.  I'm fully prepared to be, if most people love it then I guess RCCL is making the right move.  Like I said, I look forward to seeing the results.

My thoughts exactly.  I'm very interested to see if it really is a big enough draw to justify the costs.  Will this actually increase revenue?  Will this attract more cruisers?  I'm looking forward to seeing how it pans out after it is open for a few years.  I do see the logic and agree with twangster on this being a great way to keep smaller ships relevant.  Can't argue that someone who might normally not take a short cruise on a smaller ship could be persuaded by a visit here.
I however completely disagree on hurricanes being no more issue here than Miami.  Miami is in much danger to hurricanes, no question, but they are on the mainland.  After the storm passes semi trucks and trains of materials and supplies head in.  Bucket trucks from power companies all over the country converge on the affected area (I have seen the convoys heading down I-75 from here and Michigan after hurricanes).  An island does not have these luxuries.  Cruise lines are still avoiding Tortola 6 months after they were hit.  And I can't wait to see people (most likely unfairly) decry RCCL for diverting ships and supplies from needy islands to "fix their water park".  I'm sure the engineering team is aware of and doing their best to account for hurricanes, but the comparison to cities on the Florida coast is thin at best.
Regardless, I still say the design choices are ugly, that the water slide is a terrible eye sore, and that aside of adding the dock this is not a positive move.  Time will tell whether I'm in the minority or not.  I'm fully prepared to be, if most people love it then I guess RCCL is making the right move.  Like I said, I look forward to seeing the results.

God, I just wished they would stop with all the "New" sales they offer!  The only thing changing is the wording which equates to NOTHING.  And then I love when they say "only four hours left"  or "Sales has been Extended"   
Please Please Please Marketing and Sales for RCCL, lets start having some real sales!!!!  I would say one every quarter, hell, I would be happy with once a month!
Anyway, Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!  We leave on the Allure Sunday!!!!!  Sorry about the rant!!!

Actually I found Castaway Cay to be a lot like CocoCay ... very little in the way of flashy, splashy colors and craziness .... much more tropical island getaway.
New CocoCay seems like an attempt to go way out into left field.

I only speak for myself, obviously, but this doesn't excite me one bit. I live 30 minutes from 2 indoor and 1 outdoor water parks, but I don't have a tropical island nearby. I haven't been to Coco Cay yet, but I have been to Castaway Cay a few times.  Castaway Cay is the idealized tropical island, it is quaint and has the Disney "fake-authentic" feel about it. You feel like you are on a quiet island, even though there is always water and drinks and a buffet a tram ride away. Now look at that picture of what it will look like as you walk off the dock and on to Coco Cay. Painfully bright and gaudy like any other water park in the world. There's nothing special about it to me. I'm sure it will be fun, I'm sure a lot of people are excited for it, but to me this is just hurting a great destination.

And of course there is the potential up charge. (I use "potential" loosely, I consider it a guarantee) I wonder how crowded the remaining free beaches will be. I'm willing to bet the new food areas won't all be included either.

I only speak for myself, obviously, but this doesn't excite me one bit. I live 30 minutes from 2 indoor and 1 outdoor water parks, but I don't have a tropical island nearby. I haven't been to Coco Cay yet, but I have been to Castaway Cay a few times.  Castaway Cay is the idealized tropical island, it is quaint and has the Disney "fake-authentic" feel about it. You feel like you are on a quiet island, even though there is always water and drinks and a buffet a tram ride away. Now look at that picture of what it will look like as you walk off the dock and on to Coco Cay. Painfully bright and gaudy like any other water park in the world. There's nothing special about it to me. I'm sure it will be fun, I'm sure a lot of people are excited for it, but to me this is just hurting a great destination.

And of course there is the potential up charge. (I use "potential" loosely, I consider it a guarantee) I wonder how crowded the remaining free beaches will be. I'm willing to bet the new food areas won't all be included either.

I only speak for myself, obviously, but this doesn't excite me one bit. I live 30 minutes from 2 indoor and 1 outdoor water parks, but I don't have a tropical island nearby. I haven't been to Coco Cay yet, but I have been to Castaway Cay a few times.  Castaway Cay is the idealized tropical island, it is quaint and has the Disney "fake-authentic" feel about it. You feel like you are on a quiet island, even though there is always water and drinks and a buffet a tram ride away. Now look at that picture of what it will look like as you walk off the dock and on to Coco Cay. Painfully bright and gaudy like any other water park in the world. There's nothing special about it to me. I'm sure it will be fun, I'm sure a lot of people are excited for it, but to me this is just hurting a great destination.

And of course there is the potential up charge. (I use "potential" loosely, I consider it a guarantee) I wonder how crowded the remaining free beaches will be. I'm willing to bet the new food areas won't all be included either.

I  get it as they want to get them interested and hooked now and keep them for long term as they get older, have kids etc......
 
If they can keep a balance of things(relaxing and active) then I am all for it. I don't want to cruise and feel like I am at Disney or any theme park for my whole cruise and be surcharged up the ying yang with extra fees and costs to do anything fun or interesting.
 
 

I think the person who told you all of this is talking out of their backside. Diabetics can't eat it because there actually is sugar in it...there aren't that many gluten free choices and they are clearly marked. It doesn't matter to many diabetics if it has 'less sugar' and someone who is gluten free wouldn't benefit from 'less gluten'.
I think, as mentioned above, it's subjective.

Welcome to the boards!
I just want to clarify what you are asking.  You are saying that you do not require an HA room but booked one?  Ok, no problem so far.  So occasionally HA rooms are booked up with people who do not require them, and then someone who does require one books and they have to reassign someone so the handicapped person can have an accessible room.  And your question is how can you stop a handicapped person from getting an accessible room, on account of you (someone who does not require an accessible room) booking it first?
I would say good luck with that, but I feel more appropriate would be "break a leg"!

Welcome to the boards!
I just want to clarify what you are asking.  You are saying that you do not require an HA room but booked one?  Ok, no problem so far.  So occasionally HA rooms are booked up with people who do not require them, and then someone who does require one books and they have to reassign someone so the handicapped person can have an accessible room.  And your question is how can you stop a handicapped person from getting an accessible room, on account of you (someone who does not require an accessible room) booking it first?
I would say good luck with that, but I feel more appropriate would be "break a leg"!

Welcome to the boards!
I just want to clarify what you are asking.  You are saying that you do not require an HA room but booked one?  Ok, no problem so far.  So occasionally HA rooms are booked up with people who do not require them, and then someone who does require one books and they have to reassign someone so the handicapped person can have an accessible room.  And your question is how can you stop a handicapped person from getting an accessible room, on account of you (someone who does not require an accessible room) booking it first?
I would say good luck with that, but I feel more appropriate would be "break a leg"!

Welcome to the boards!
I just want to clarify what you are asking.  You are saying that you do not require an HA room but booked one?  Ok, no problem so far.  So occasionally HA rooms are booked up with people who do not require them, and then someone who does require one books and they have to reassign someone so the handicapped person can have an accessible room.  And your question is how can you stop a handicapped person from getting an accessible room, on account of you (someone who does not require an accessible room) booking it first?
I would say good luck with that, but I feel more appropriate would be "break a leg"!

Welcome to the boards!
I just want to clarify what you are asking.  You are saying that you do not require an HA room but booked one?  Ok, no problem so far.  So occasionally HA rooms are booked up with people who do not require them, and then someone who does require one books and they have to reassign someone so the handicapped person can have an accessible room.  And your question is how can you stop a handicapped person from getting an accessible room, on account of you (someone who does not require an accessible room) booking it first?
I would say good luck with that, but I feel more appropriate would be "break a leg"!

Unless you have a list specifically saying soda is allowed you would be wasting your time.  Besides the wording making it very clear that it is not an all-inclusive list, " The following are examples of items that guests are not allowed to bring onboard ", arguing with security personnel is a great way to get a tour of a security office and jeopardize your boarding.  Just bring the soda.  Odds are they will allow it, but if they don't then just leave it and go on your way.  Please don't start your cruise off by making a scene over some cans of pop.
Welcome to the forum!

Just to add what's in the blog post, the staff was incredibly helpful and accommodating.

This is out of the article on the main blog page:
" The sushi class is offered on most Royal Caribbean ships, but I had resisted trying it primarily because I do not eat shellfish and I knew many of the rolls made used shellfish.  While dining at Izumi on Brilliance of the Seas, my waiter informed me the chef could adjust my offering for something I could eat, so I decided to give it a try. "
So it sounds like they can adjust the content to meet your friends needs if you let them know in advance.

The Titanic Soundtrack, Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, and the Gilligan's Island Theme are some of my pre-cruise favorites.

I see the guy running that Kickstarter is also named Ari.  Must be a total coincidence that you are posting nothing but messages praising it  
Pretty sure repackaged Flameless Ration Heaters are not allowed on cruise ships.

The Titanic Soundtrack, Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, and the Gilligan's Island Theme are some of my pre-cruise favorites.

The Titanic Soundtrack, Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, and the Gilligan's Island Theme are some of my pre-cruise favorites.