Kirsten

me too. I'd spend a lot more time in there if it wasn't so disgusting 

There are some jobs you can do as a teacher and be a digital nomad, but you most likely will need a really good internet connection. I worked part-time for VIPKID teaching English to kids, but then needed to make more $.  It was super-convenient, though. 

Embark tip: The best way to go with the test result is printing it, but if you want to have everything digital, before arriving to the port make a screen shot for the results of all the people in your cabin. The reason is sometimes the internet signal in the port is not good and it can take a loooong time to be able to show the results, and there is nothing that can be made before showing the results. When you do the screen shot make sure that is the full page and you can see clearly the name of the person, type of test, date it was taken and, of course the result.
Debark tip: Make sure to put something distinctive on every piece of your luggage so you can recognize them right away: A ribbon (NOT red, please), a bright tag, a pompom, duck tape, etc. This is not only for you to spot your luggage but for other people not to take it by mistake. You have no idea how many times it happens that when someone go to get their baggage they cannot find it because somebody took it and is already gone. The other thing you can do that is very helpful to find quick your luggage is to take a picture with all the pieces when they are ready to be left outside your cabin with the number tags and whatever you put on them to be recognized, so next  day at debark if you don't find them right away it would be easier for the agents to help you. This is really a good way to do it.

The total charge you pay for the package when you purchase in the cruise planner includes 18% gratuity.  You won't have any additional charges on your account for it.  Sometimes when you order a drink, the server will give you a zero balance slip to sign.  There is a line on there to write in a gratuity amount.  If you were to add additional gratuity on the slip, then that would appear in your account balance at the end of the cruise.  That is optional as you have already paid the gratuity.
I like to bring a lot of dollar bills with me, and if it is a situation where a server is delivering me a drink (at the pool, in the theater, etc) then I will give them a buck or two cash, instead of adding it on the slip.  If I walk up to a bar and order a drink, I generally do not add or give anything additional.  To each their own though.

There are some jobs you can do as a teacher and be a digital nomad, but you most likely will need a really good internet connection. I worked part-time for VIPKID teaching English to kids, but then needed to make more $.  It was super-convenient, though. 

My thought process never included working for the cruise line, but working (teaching in my case) online while onboard. I currently teach adjunct for a local community college and have 9 years before I can retire from my K-12 position. I would love to be able to continue to teach online while spending much of the year onboard. However, I don't think Texas Teacher Retirement System's pension will afford me that luxury... need to find another side hustle. 😆

You're 100% correct and if you do one instant of research on what it's like to work on a cruise ship you will quickly find this information. Windowless cabins. Bad food. Long hours. Strict rules. 
I think the original post posits what it would be like if the experience were something different. That it's more like having a typical day job at a restaurant, where you worked 5 days a week and had the rest of the time to do what you please. If that were the case, obviously it'd be a pretty decent job, but I think they acknowledge that's not the actual circumstances of working on a ship. 
Maybe I'm wrong and they were actually fantasizing about the reality of life working on a cruise ship, but this daydream seems more hypothetical than rooted in reality.

I totally agree - my thought is that if they were ever going to fully ban smoking then this would have been the perfective opportunity to do so.  I wonder if RCCL has ever actually polled their current customers to ask if smoking in the casino is a deal breaker for them?  Another option would be to ask guests to complete a survey while cruising.  It may be a case that below a certain cut-off age smoking is just not that important as less people seem to be starting when young.  Maybe we will get there, just wish it had been now!

I wish they would ban smoking in the casino too. We were wishing the no smoking would stay. Our party of six will not be spending our money in the casino because of this change on our Wonder cruise next month. 

I'm not ok with allowing smoking in the casinos again!

Very true. I’m fully vaxed and got covid 2 weeks ago. Just felt like a bad cold for 3 days. Flu is much worse in my experience.

Unfortunate about the smoking in the casino returning.  It was so nice being in there and being able to breathe IMO.

Royal will go back to pre-Omicron protocols https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/02/09/royal-caribbean-will-end-stricter-face-mask-rules-its-cruise-ships

Choosing between masks and pre-cruise testing, I’d choose the masks. I’m used to them already.  It’s the testing that really adds stress to cruise preparations.
 

Another vote for no smoking in the casino. I hate even walking through there.

I'll go one step further... I'm hoping by May, the coronavirus and all its variants will no longer be public health issues.

Media coverage:  Cruise ship banned from sailing for littering.

This is good news and great timing for everyone sailing after February 15th......including ME!!!
Wish they would have kept the casino smoke free.  

I leverage both the soda machines for diet sodas and the deluxe package for the booze.
So far my favorite combo is diet vanilla root beer and a shot (or 2) of Kraken rum.  The bar tenders get to know me quite quickly and are curious what I am up to next.
Follow me for more recipes!  j/k 🤣🤣🤣

Wow third quarter of next year! Looks like time to throw in a few more cruises to take advantage of lesser capacity.

Per their quarterly results posted today, the plan is for full capacity to return in the third quarter of 2022.

Guess a new intern was hired.

I love that there are different things for different people.  My husband and myself don't gamble or drink alcohol.  Some people would wonder how we could possibly have fun without doing those 2 things?   But we love the food, entertainment, solarium, flowrider, rock wall, ice skating later tag, trivia, etc...  I like that there is something for everyone.

Our loyalty to Royal is based on the activities you listed above - the main one being Flowrider.  No other cruise line offers this activity.  Some of the smaller / older RCCL ships do not have Flowrider, rock climbing etc, so I would think that those who enjoy the quality and service that Royal offers may enjoy those ships more since they are perhaps not looking for the other activities and amenities mentioned in OP.

Not every feature or activity appeals to every single cruiser.  That's actually the point, that is the design.  
When you have 5,000 guests you'll never find one activity that appeals to everyone.  The entire concept of Oasis class was to spread out those 5,000 guests so they aren't all trying to do the same thing at the same time.  Royal Caribbean provides a multigenerational family cruise experience.  In order to do that they need to provide activities that will appeal to each generation.   Grandparents may not climb a rock wall but they can watch their grandkids do it.
At the same time on a typical Oasis class cruise there are just over 50% of the guests that have never been on any Royal ship.  The Bionic Bar may be a gimmick to you but it is something that can be marketed as a feature that is appealing to someone who has never seen it before and never been on a Royal ship. 
The Suite Sun Deck isn't packed every cruise but to say it is never used is not accurate.   Why would a suite guest pay a premium for access to a suite sun deck if it was small and packed and you could never get a seat?  They've sized it so that suite guests can usually get a lounger if they want one.  However not all suite guests are sun seekers who want to layout in the sun.  This will vary one cruise to the next.
When someone who has never cruised before looks to pick a cruise ship and cruise line it is often the small details that can sway them into choosing Royal Caribbean.   There are guests who only book Royal just for the Flowriders.  If waiting in line for a Flowrider isn't your thing those guests appreciate you since that means there is one less guest lining up for it - they are very popular.  
There are activities that small kids can't do because of their size and there are activities that old folks won't want to do because of their age.  In the middle are guests that will be drawn to one activity or another based on their personal level of activity and different classes of ships provide different activities for the same reason - so that all kinds of different people can find something that appeals to them.