twangster

Right.  The "bang for the buck" wasn't there when Enchantments costs soared above initial estimates when they first started thinking about it.  They found it wiser to put the money into new ship builds.
The bigger the ship is, the more complex a task it is to stretch it.  With the earlier (smaller) ships it was easier.  

Part of the reasoning to purchase specialty dining is the ambiance and service, not just the food.  CK also checks the ambiance and service boxes.
Let's put it this way - when I have access to CK that tends to be where I eat.  
While food taste is personal, ambiance and service are less so.  
On lobster night ask for a full tail, not the standard CK lobster dinner which is bits of lobster in a sauce.    

From a documentary about Royal Caribbean and it's history I saw while sailing on Symphony.  They deemed the final price too high to continue with Grandeur.  

I frequently use the nature trails around Labadee.  They provide the best views of the ship and Atlantic.  I wouldn't call it hiking though, they aren't that long and are easy compared to some real hiking I've done.  They are more like walking paths but I guess if someone has mobility challenges they could become strenuous.
Your map is a little out of date.  The area #14 isn't used anymore. 
They start very close to base area 200' from the the pier.  On your map this is right after starting on the path after #1.  It's a slight uphill climb but not hard at all if you like to walk.

Soon enough there is a viewing area looking back towards the ship.  


Freedom on a different visit.

This continues around the corner. 


The ship is behind you at this point


This area is supposed to be related to spa services but I've never actually seen people here getting a massage.




At this point you are approaching the landing zone for the zip line but there is a path that continues around the landing zone.
Sometimes they close the path to the point.



Dragon's Lookout Point or #6 on your map.


There are some more paths around but this is the primary one to explore.  The other green paths on the map are really sidewalks around Labadee.  The entire area is very walkable and often I'll never use the trams but prefer to walk.
There is another path "through the woods" for lack of a better phrase but these don't really go anywhere exciting and have no views to speak of.  There are some old buildings found off them that aren't used anymore.  This is the red path labeled strenuous on your map.  You can walk it just to do it.
I'll be going 3 times in December from Oasis.  Are you on Ken's big cruise?

Wait.  You're still cruising?!?!?!?

I was booked on Navigator for a B2B on the first two sailings after the amplification.  A couple of things...
Navigator was the first Amplification that included so much in the refresh.  Previous amplifications had included less.  Strong winds and weather impacted the Navigator refresh.   That is obviously out of their hands to control but always a possibility during a refresh.  I'd say Royal learned some lessons during that process.  It cost them money in the form of refunds and future cruise credits so it's not like Royal wants to repeat that experience.
Having said that there is always a possibility of something occuring during a dry dock.  Look at Oasis when a crane fell on the ship.  That's another cruise that Royal cancelled on me.  Oh well, cranes happen.  It's not like they did it on purpose.  
 
This next statement is pure exaggeration.  Yes the blaster water slide was not open (the other slide was), the final fitness area was closed so they implemented a temporary fitness area and Adventure Ocean was closed.   That's hardly "half of the stuff".   
This next statement is interesting.  I appreciate these aren't your words, but someone else putting words in the mouth of CC.  I often find myself at odds with CC.  All the more reason to book it.  
 
That first sailing on Navigator was amazing and one of my best cruises.  I couldn't imagine avoiding the ship for a month.  It's possible that something isn't finished on the first cruise out of refresh.  Only you can decide if that will ruin the entire cruise or if you can move past that and enjoy everything else that did finish on time.  
 
 

I was booked on Navigator for a B2B on the first two sailings after the amplification.  A couple of things...
Navigator was the first Amplification that included so much in the refresh.  Previous amplifications had included less.  Strong winds and weather impacted the Navigator refresh.   That is obviously out of their hands to control but always a possibility during a refresh.  I'd say Royal learned some lessons during that process.  It cost them money in the form of refunds and future cruise credits so it's not like Royal wants to repeat that experience.
Having said that there is always a possibility of something occuring during a dry dock.  Look at Oasis when a crane fell on the ship.  That's another cruise that Royal cancelled on me.  Oh well, cranes happen.  It's not like they did it on purpose.  
 
This next statement is pure exaggeration.  Yes the blaster water slide was not open (the other slide was), the final fitness area was closed so they implemented a temporary fitness area and Adventure Ocean was closed.   That's hardly "half of the stuff".   
This next statement is interesting.  I appreciate these aren't your words, but someone else putting words in the mouth of CC.  I often find myself at odds with CC.  All the more reason to book it.  
 
That first sailing on Navigator was amazing and one of my best cruises.  I couldn't imagine avoiding the ship for a month.  It's possible that something isn't finished on the first cruise out of refresh.  Only you can decide if that will ruin the entire cruise or if you can move past that and enjoy everything else that did finish on time.  
 
 

Maybe we should organize a walk, or a Labadee bar crawl.  

Maybe we should organize a walk, or a Labadee bar crawl.  

Only been to CK on one ship - Anthem - but that was all I needed. For me, the experience and food was better than any of the specialty restaurants I've been to; only Chef's Table surpasses it, but of course that's not a restaurant unto itself and it's as much about the experience as the food.
The filet that CK serves is, for me at least, waaaay better than what I've had from Chops. You can only get it on one night, but I'm not a huge steak person and once on any vacation is enough. In addition, many of the items served at Chef's Table actually come from the CK menu (or perhaps CK picks up the items that are noted as most popular / enjoyed at Chef's Table), so you have a chance to experience some of that without an up-charge.
I also loved the service and ambiance of the place compared to the specialties. While there are indeed a lot of tables, on all but one of the nights we practically had the restaurant to ourselves; maybe 5 other couples dining there at the same time, and each of us was put into a separate section so we each had a very intimate setting. Even on the "busy" night it wasn't close to packed. Our server was always fantastic, giving me great wine recommendations each night and making us feel very well cared for with every meal.
As far as having to "beg/hope for an open reservation", I do understand that on the Oasis class ships that is a definite issue due to the number of suite guests and pinnacles on a typical sailing; but on Anthem (and it seems the other Q class ships) this was not an issue at all; we went straight to the CK desk on embarkation day and had no problem making our dinner reservations for every night of the cruise even though the ship was sold out.
So to have all of that, and have it included as part of the price of the JS or higher room? That is definitely special, and a genuine perk of the suites. I would ask the counter-question -- why you would feel any obligation or strong desire to pay extra for another specialty restaurant at dinner when you have your own limited-access specialty restaurant included and available only to you and the relatively handful of other suite guests? Especially when it's paid for in your cruise fare?
I'd argue to save the specialties for lunch time on sea days, when it's cheaper and the menu is nearly the same as dinner.

+! ^^

Great suggestion!

You all know that I am 100% Team CK.  I agree with everything that @JLMoran mentioned above.  Having done specialty and CK, I feel that food quality is slightly better in CK.  And to add to what @STANMELB mentioned, I would prefer to spend my money in a full suite rather than get a balcony/ocean view/inside cabin and pay extra for specialty.  I also feel that the service in CK is more personalized and attentive compared to specialty.  Add in the ambiance (especially on Oasis class ships) and CK is the clear winner.
When sailing in a full suite, we never do specialty.  CK is more than enough for us.  We never feel like we are missing out on specialty because most things you can get in specialty, you can get in CK.  The only time we have done specialty in when not in a full suite or when we sailed star class.

There is a very big difference in the clientele that tends to book the two lines.  Celebrity doesn't require scanning your card to get a pool towel.  Towels are all over the place.  
One is a mass market cruise line, one tends to be booked by a more mature & refined audience.  Open towels wouldn't work on Royal.  

I was booked on Navigator for a B2B on the first two sailings after the amplification.  A couple of things...
Navigator was the first Amplification that included so much in the refresh.  Previous amplifications had included less.  Strong winds and weather impacted the Navigator refresh.   That is obviously out of their hands to control but always a possibility during a refresh.  I'd say Royal learned some lessons during that process.  It cost them money in the form of refunds and future cruise credits so it's not like Royal wants to repeat that experience.
Having said that there is always a possibility of something occuring during a dry dock.  Look at Oasis when a crane fell on the ship.  That's another cruise that Royal cancelled on me.  Oh well, cranes happen.  It's not like they did it on purpose.  
 
This next statement is pure exaggeration.  Yes the blaster water slide was not open (the other slide was), the final fitness area was closed so they implemented a temporary fitness area and Adventure Ocean was closed.   That's hardly "half of the stuff".   
This next statement is interesting.  I appreciate these aren't your words, but someone else putting words in the mouth of CC.  I often find myself at odds with CC.  All the more reason to book it.  
 
That first sailing on Navigator was amazing and one of my best cruises.  I couldn't imagine avoiding the ship for a month.  It's possible that something isn't finished on the first cruise out of refresh.  Only you can decide if that will ruin the entire cruise or if you can move past that and enjoy everything else that did finish on time.  
 
 

There is a lot going on around the ship but I'll be back soon enough so I'm not doing the ship's entertainment staff justice.  I'll post the Cruise Compasses once I get home to scan them in properly.
Outside for a walk on the Promenade deck there were a lot of stars visible.  That made me pull out my night sky photography app and see where the Milky Way might be tonight. Sure enough...
Majesty has these shelves along the forward section of the Promenade deck that worked great for my little tripod.

While we were well past sunset the long exposure catches enough light coming over the horizon to make it look like a sunset.  The lights of a city were on the horizon to starboard.
The big dipper was very prominent tonight.  It stood out more with the naked eye compared to this 10 second exposure.

In this one I caught a passing airplane with it's strobe light flashing every second.

For this one I setup on the floor of the deck trying to get into the shade of those Windjammer lights.  In the darkness of the forward deck I got some strange looks as random guests walking past were wondering what I was doing crouched down low in the dark.  Oh well, all in the name of taking a picture.

All in all not bad.  Majesty like Empress is also a good ship for stargazing with it's dark forward Promenade deck.

They go into a cooler to keep them at nominal temperatures.  On the tour they explain there are two controlling factors, time and temperature.  Everything is monitored for both.  The reality is they can't make 3,000 of everything on the menu a few minutes before dinner starts.  Once prepared they don't just sit out waiting for dinner, they go back into refrigerators at the appropriate temperature to keep them safe and fresh.  

Too many lenses :)
However for bucket list cruises I tend to go overboard with my photo gear even though I tend to accommodate 95% of my photography desires using an ultra wide angle lens on my mirrorless combined with the pocket camera telephoto capabilities.    

Part of the reasoning to purchase specialty dining is the ambiance and service, not just the food.  CK also checks the ambiance and service boxes.
Let's put it this way - when I have access to CK that tends to be where I eat.  
While food taste is personal, ambiance and service are less so.  
On lobster night ask for a full tail, not the standard CK lobster dinner which is bits of lobster in a sauce.    

Coastal Kitchen is Royal's answer to a trend in the cruise industry to provide a dining venue dedicated to Suite guests.  You must be in a Suite (or be Pinnacle in CAS) to have access to CK.
In my experience it provides a better experience over the MDR and in some cases approaches or equals specialty dining experiences.
Unlike specialty dining, the CK menu rotates and differs from one night to the next.  It is possible to eat every dinner at CK and not repeat an entree.  Contrast that to a single specialty dining venue where the menu never changes night to night.  The Chops menu is the Chops menu from now and forever for example.   
Dining is very personal.  A menu one night in CK might not be appealing to some guests but very appealing to someone else.     
It's included for dinner when booking a Junior Suite.  Full Suite guests can eat three meals a day in CK.
Chops costs extra for all guests (except Star Class) while CK is included.  The handling of CK for Junior Suite guests does vary from ship to ship and cruise to cruise depending on how many full suite guests and Pinnacles are on that sailing.   

I frequently use the nature trails around Labadee.  They provide the best views of the ship and Atlantic.  I wouldn't call it hiking though, they aren't that long and are easy compared to some real hiking I've done.  They are more like walking paths but I guess if someone has mobility challenges they could become strenuous.
Your map is a little out of date.  The area #14 isn't used anymore. 
They start very close to base area 200' from the the pier.  On your map this is right after starting on the path after #1.  It's a slight uphill climb but not hard at all if you like to walk.

Soon enough there is a viewing area looking back towards the ship.  


Freedom on a different visit.

This continues around the corner. 


The ship is behind you at this point


This area is supposed to be related to spa services but I've never actually seen people here getting a massage.




At this point you are approaching the landing zone for the zip line but there is a path that continues around the landing zone.
Sometimes they close the path to the point.



Dragon's Lookout Point or #6 on your map.


There are some more paths around but this is the primary one to explore.  The other green paths on the map are really sidewalks around Labadee.  The entire area is very walkable and often I'll never use the trams but prefer to walk.
There is another path "through the woods" for lack of a better phrase but these don't really go anywhere exciting and have no views to speak of.  There are some old buildings found off them that aren't used anymore.  This is the red path labeled strenuous on your map.  You can walk it just to do it.
I'll be going 3 times in December from Oasis.  Are you on Ken's big cruise?

I frequently use the nature trails around Labadee.  They provide the best views of the ship and Atlantic.  I wouldn't call it hiking though, they aren't that long and are easy compared to some real hiking I've done.  They are more like walking paths but I guess if someone has mobility challenges they could become strenuous.
Your map is a little out of date.  The area #14 isn't used anymore. 
They start very close to base area 200' from the the pier.  On your map this is right after starting on the path after #1.  It's a slight uphill climb but not hard at all if you like to walk.

Soon enough there is a viewing area looking back towards the ship.  


Freedom on a different visit.

This continues around the corner. 


The ship is behind you at this point


This area is supposed to be related to spa services but I've never actually seen people here getting a massage.




At this point you are approaching the landing zone for the zip line but there is a path that continues around the landing zone.
Sometimes they close the path to the point.



Dragon's Lookout Point or #6 on your map.


There are some more paths around but this is the primary one to explore.  The other green paths on the map are really sidewalks around Labadee.  The entire area is very walkable and often I'll never use the trams but prefer to walk.
There is another path "through the woods" for lack of a better phrase but these don't really go anywhere exciting and have no views to speak of.  There are some old buildings found off them that aren't used anymore.  This is the red path labeled strenuous on your map.  You can walk it just to do it.
I'll be going 3 times in December from Oasis.  Are you on Ken's big cruise?

Coastal Kitchen is Royal's answer to a trend in the cruise industry to provide a dining venue dedicated to Suite guests.  You must be in a Suite (or be Pinnacle in CAS) to have access to CK.
In my experience it provides a better experience over the MDR and in some cases approaches or equals specialty dining experiences.
Unlike specialty dining, the CK menu rotates and differs from one night to the next.  It is possible to eat every dinner at CK and not repeat an entree.  Contrast that to a single specialty dining venue where the menu never changes night to night.  The Chops menu is the Chops menu from now and forever for example.   
Dining is very personal.  A menu one night in CK might not be appealing to some guests but very appealing to someone else.     
It's included for dinner when booking a Junior Suite.  Full Suite guests can eat three meals a day in CK.
Chops costs extra for all guests (except Star Class) while CK is included.  The handling of CK for Junior Suite guests does vary from ship to ship and cruise to cruise depending on how many full suite guests and Pinnacles are on that sailing.   

That's a pretty strong statement.  Just because one sale to the next doesn't equate to significant savings compared the last promotion doesn't make it a scam.  
On any given sailing it's very common for half of the ship to have never cruised with Royal or cruised ever.  
Marketing promotions and sales target the majority which are those that have never cruised before.   They aren't booked yet, Royal is trying to entice them into booking.  Experienced cruisers like yourself understand.  Just because you personally didn't save money on each new promotion doesn't make it a scam.  On the contrary it proves you already have the best deal that has been available.

I frequently use the nature trails around Labadee.  They provide the best views of the ship and Atlantic.  I wouldn't call it hiking though, they aren't that long and are easy compared to some real hiking I've done.  They are more like walking paths but I guess if someone has mobility challenges they could become strenuous.
Your map is a little out of date.  The area #14 isn't used anymore. 
They start very close to base area 200' from the the pier.  On your map this is right after starting on the path after #1.  It's a slight uphill climb but not hard at all if you like to walk.

Soon enough there is a viewing area looking back towards the ship.  


Freedom on a different visit.

This continues around the corner. 


The ship is behind you at this point


This area is supposed to be related to spa services but I've never actually seen people here getting a massage.




At this point you are approaching the landing zone for the zip line but there is a path that continues around the landing zone.
Sometimes they close the path to the point.



Dragon's Lookout Point or #6 on your map.


There are some more paths around but this is the primary one to explore.  The other green paths on the map are really sidewalks around Labadee.  The entire area is very walkable and often I'll never use the trams but prefer to walk.
There is another path "through the woods" for lack of a better phrase but these don't really go anywhere exciting and have no views to speak of.  There are some old buildings found off them that aren't used anymore.  This is the red path labeled strenuous on your map.  You can walk it just to do it.
I'll be going 3 times in December from Oasis.  Are you on Ken's big cruise?