Kim&N8

Yes, all cruise ports in the greater NYC area reach the sea by traveling under the Verrazano-Narrows bridge.
Royal tends to use Cape Liberty in Bayonne, NJ which is in between the bridge and the Statue of Liberty (South of where the ship is shown sailing in the movie).  The movie would make it appear the ship is heading to the Manhattan cruise port that currently Royal typically doesn't use.     
Quantum class are their largest ships that can fit under the bridge.  Anthem for example, currently uses Cape Liberty in NJ.  However I suspect the movie wanted to show Manhattan to make it instantly recognizable.   
The ship speed heading up the river looks awfully fast as well.  That's likely because they had some stock footage of the ship somewhere sailing in open water and used that in the computer generated effect.  
Totally fake.

Let me just start by saying group cruises are amazing.  They are a totally different experience than cruising on your own, if you participate in the group activities.  You do as much or as little with the group as you want to.  You can join in on group excursions - if you want.  You can sit with everyone for dinner in the MDR each night - if you want.  You can join Matt for a live podcast recording - if you want.  You can come play a game with everyone - if you want.  You can dance in the Solarium until 2am - if you want.  LOL  Your participation level is totally up to you.  There will definitely be activities the group does that is not available to other cruisers, like the podcast recording or game. 
We went on the Harmony group cruise last September and probably did 1/3 of all the group stuff.  We originally were booked on a sailing the week before, but the hurricanes enabled us to change our plans to join the group cruise.  Since we got on only a few days before the sailing, we did not get to sign up for a lot of the group stuff nor were we seated in the group table in the MDR.  But we joined in the welcome meet-up, the bar crawl, sat with everyone at some of the shows (but not all), went to the live podcast recording, laughed at the Super Password game show, danced until 2am one night, went on a bar crawl, played trivia, and did eat with a small group one night in the MDR (most were at specialty restaurants that night).  Just to name a few of the things. 
One of the fun advantages of being with a group, is that you find a friend where ever you go.  MEI gave everyone a lanyard (us included) so it was easy to spot someone else in the group.  Our group was around 100 people, so it was easy to find someone to sit and chat with, have a drink with, when ever you were looking.  This was going to be our first cruise solo (meaning without the kids) in 20 years, and we were looking forward to finding some others to hang out with. Even though we enjoy each other's company, we enjoy the social aspect of cruising even more.  But there were plenty of times we wanted some quiet time, so we just did things together then.  We have an empty nest and spend a lot of time alone together.  HAHA!    
At least one group activity is scheduled every day; here is a list from the Harmony cruise: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/royal-caribbean-blog-harmony-of-the-seas-group-cruise-events 
I will say if you ARE going to join the group, book with MEI.  There will be activities they coordinate that you cannot join in if you booked yourself or with another TA.  

Definitely a special effect. No Oasis class ship can fit under the Verrazano-Narrows bridge.  

You're pretty much doing everything I think any of us here do. Just missed the part about "wailing and gnashing of teeth when there is no more of any of the above to do for distraction, because you're all caught up!" ?
Oh, and of course, "Looking at available itineraries and making mock bookings for hours on end to see what might be the next cruise after this one."

Anybody else wonder what Royal Caribbean must of thought of the scene where they are on a shore excursion in they were all smoking dope and getting high? Hopefully people don’t think that happens.

Who's ready for the premier of "Like Father?" If you have Netflix, you may spot a familiar face or three!  Friday August 3rd, the movie that was filmed during the Royal Caribbean Blog Harmony of the Seas Group Cruise last September is finally here!  A few of us from the group volunteered as extras, so keep your eyes out and you may see some of us! 

I haven’t noticed a happy hour for hooked before but see it listed now in the app. Has anyone seen this before or is it new?
 
 

If you ever go to Dominica, I strongly recommend going to the Papillote Tropical Gardens. It has the most amazing collection of tropical plants, flowers and fruits on beautiful grounds. We received a wonderful tour and then had lunch in an open air restaurant they have onsite. The day we were there they had flying fish on the menu that tasted very good. (and now I can say I've eaten a flying fish!) It wasn't on any ship shore excursions. I booked the reservation myself online. We took a very interesting taxi ride to get there.

Thee older cars in a couple of your photos, especially the taxi stand, are really cool. Amazing how they look, almost pristine. I saw a special on tv last year all about Cuba, the "taxis" in particular. The car owner has operational standards that the vehicle must be in as well as the exterior finish and condition. These folks take being a taxi driver serious! 

That explains why it reminded me so much of San Juan when I watched your morning scope yesterday.  Beautiful pics @twangster!  I think you more than "did it justice".

It's the Morro Class of forts. No FlowRiders on these

I saw that today in an email and I was thinking, hmm, got to remember that one for a 2021 cruise, Yes, I am out that far already.  When I mention that to friends they always have the same response, how can you plan out that far and I say, if you want the deals, you got to plan. Either you wait until the last moment or plan them out.

@twangster welcome back to Miami! 
 

Looking like Dominca is not a rumot anymore? @Matt
 
  

@twangster welcome back to Miami! 
 

I think your supposed to keep your shoes on in the dinning room not leave them at the door @twangster 

I think your supposed to keep your shoes on in the dinning room not leave them at the door @twangster 

Added! Enjoy your cruise
Both have been added, albeit a couple of days after sailing. Enjoy your B2B.
Added. Can't wait to hear about the trip.
Both have been added.
Enjoy your cruises; they've all been added to the list.
Done!
You are officially the last person on the list!
I'm assuming Liberty of the Seas here since Legend has left the fleet. If not, let me know and I'll correct it.
You are now!
Added! Enjoy.

I think your supposed to keep your shoes on in the dinning room not leave them at the door @twangster 

I think your supposed to keep your shoes on in the dinning room not leave them at the door @twangster 

I have to wash my feet somewhere.  Like my pink flip flops?

Welcome to the message boards!
The ability to use iMessage for free is an unpublished feature that guests have discovered.  It's not an official offer from Royal.  I've seen it work myself but since its a side effect the loophole could be closed by Royal at anytime.  No one knows if that is coming or not, or when it might end.  If it still works for your cruise that's great but don't be upset if you board and discover they've fixed it.  
My understanding is that the $7.95 charge for the chat feature in RoyalIQ is per person, not per cabin.  I believe your device is assigned a unique phone number on board and two devices can't share a phone number at the same time.  Having said that I've only cruised solo on Anthem and have no direct experience trying to use multiple devices per cabin to prove my supposition.  
On this cruise I was in cabin 11300.  Note how my extension became 88113001.   The last digit is 1 for the first device.  I believe additional users in the cabin would have a last digit of 2 and so on.  

The section in the app where you purchase the chat options doesn't really address it:

It all depends on what your looking for.   If you go into the casino without doing any homework on how the games are played you will probably lose.  If you just want to experience a casino then put the money you plan on losing into one pocket and start feeding the slot machine.  Any money you win put in the other pocket.  When you run out of money in the pocket you plan on losing,  walk out or quit gambling.  Than way you dont lose much!  Or save the money for your cruise casino.  At least they have classes on how to play the different games.

BYE @twangster
 
 

BYE @twangster