Bbjunkie

They are now listed on the RC website. They are calling them Thrill and Chill Bahamas Cruise. We are going next week on the Navigator and wish we had this Option!

Yep, was on Navigator in June, too.

I could go on and on about what I loved and why I loved it, and post all kinds of pics, but I don’t want to drive people crazy.   But I will say this, there is a relaxation option for every style.  There are activities for every level.   I love that I don’t have to spend any additional money for food or drink.  It is immaculate.  There is no one begging for you to buy their goods, use their taxi, take their tour, etc.  And frankly, it’s just beautiful.    
 
If you like more details or photos, let me know.

I LOVE it and can not wait to go back.   I travelled with several others in a very large group, and we are discussing going together again with a main requirement being visiting Coco Cay.  It truly was our perfect day.  

We paid this for our Oasis Lagoon Cabana at the end of June.   I’m only coming here to give a little update from the Oasis cabana photos earlier in the thread.  There is a heavy wooden coffee table-like table with a storage cabinet and a lockable safe.  We liked this for our phones and things while we were off in the pool.  It was also a good place to set food while eating.  (The attendant will bring you menus and serve.).  Also, someone mentioned above the loud pool party with a DJ. While it is true that there is a DJ and it’s a party atmosphere, that is really only around the bar area.   The pool is gigantic, and you can be in several other parts of the pool and not even really notice the party happening on the other side.

Yep, was on Navigator in June, too.

See that starboard side cabana?  The yellow one with the aqua roof?  (Actually on the left side of the photo). Well, that shadow of a head is my husband!   

I've only cruised once, and only to Nassau & Coco Cay, but they were checking photo IDs in Nassau at the port security check when we re-boarded, before you got into Royal's own area.

I could go on and on about what I loved and why I loved it, and post all kinds of pics, but I don’t want to drive people crazy.   But I will say this, there is a relaxation option for every style.  There are activities for every level.   I love that I don’t have to spend any additional money for food or drink.  It is immaculate.  There is no one begging for you to buy their goods, use their taxi, take their tour, etc.  And frankly, it’s just beautiful.    
 
If you like more details or photos, let me know.

I think you may have mis-read what he was saying. I took it that he makes a point of reading the name tag of every person he meets in a service role, in addition to asking for the names of homeless people he meets, so that he can be sure to call them all by name and treat them all with at least a small measure of respect. For sure there are people who look at ship crew as nothing more than "the help" and barely deserving of notice, but I don't think @KJ1231 is one such by any stretch. "Do unto others..."

I find this to be an interesting takeaway from @KJ1231’s post. I personally read his post as saying that you should treat EVERYONE like they are human beings and not just a job or an economic status. So treating homeless people like human beings, treating cruise staff like human beings, etc. I’m curious where you got the “to be pitied” from his post. 

This is exactly why I get frustrated when people talk of removing the daily gratuity and just tipping cash, “to the people that deserve it”.   

We always make a point to talk to crew and address them by name.
I learned a lesson a few years ago that explains why. I was walking the streets of Dublin, Ireland with a priest and he would give the homeless on the street a few Euro's here and there and he would always ask their name. Those he'd run into again he would recall their name and say, e.g., "Good morning, Brian!" as he gave them the a few coins. I asked him how he knew their names and he explained that one time he gave a repeat customer a few coins and called him by name. The young man began  to cry because no one had called him by name in a long,. long time.
Ever since that trip I look at name tags, ask homeless their names and try to remember for next time. One night I had the family in the car when I went to a section of Philly I minister in regularly. As we came off the expressway one of the "regulars" was panhandling. I rolled down the window and said "Good evening, John" as I gave him a dollar. My wife and kids in unison asked how I knew his name. I told them it was John, that I spoke to him before and that he was originally from Pittsburgh. They were amazed.
Our cruise last week on Anthem was made so much better by our waiter and waitress in the MDR - Francisco from the Dominican Republic who has been on Anthem for 4.5 years, and Liezly from the Philippines who is on her first contract with RC after working another line (she likes RC a lot more than the other cruise line which she would not name). They took great care of my grandkids during meals - had the high chair at the table before we arrived each night, ketchup smiley faces for the fries, prompt, courteous and always a smile on their face. They were awesome. Its the first time in 4 cruises that I gave wait staff a tip but I always try to remember names for the survey. 
On North Star last week, Declan from Scotland rode up with us. He is new to working cruise ships and loves it so far. He does North Star and kids stuff. He went on a cruise last year, loved it and went on a couple more to observe before deciding to apply. He filled all of us in on living situation and maybe because he is new it doesn't bother him yet but he was fun to be with for the short ride.
Bottom line - I think good interaction with passengers who show a genuine interest in crew is a real pick-me-up for some. If they make a difference in your cruise it doesn't take much - and doesn't have to be $$ - to show your appreciation.
 

My daughter is turning 18 later in the year and she is auditioning for a dancing role with Royal Caribbean. If she was successful in getting a contract and then discovered ship life is not for her then so be it. It's only 7 months and would be a good experience I think.
If not successful with Royal, she will try other cruise lines such as Princess and P & O (Carnival). Fingers crossed she is successful with Royal so I don't have to cruise on those other lines! ?
 

Yet in spite of this, they still manage to take care of us passengers with a smile on their face, as good spirits as they can muster for us, and as much attentiveness as the crowd they have to serve allows. Not gonna lie, it makes me feel like I've been cheaping out at least a little on the amount of extra tip I give them at the end of the cruise.

As long as they don't play "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald", any music is fine.

Sleep with one eye open!

I LOVE it and can not wait to go back.   I travelled with several others in a very large group, and we are discussing going together again with a main requirement being visiting Coco Cay.  It truly was our perfect day.  

I could go on and on about what I loved and why I loved it, and post all kinds of pics, but I don’t want to drive people crazy.   But I will say this, there is a relaxation option for every style.  There are activities for every level.   I love that I don’t have to spend any additional money for food or drink.  It is immaculate.  There is no one begging for you to buy their goods, use their taxi, take their tour, etc.  And frankly, it’s just beautiful.    
 
If you like more details or photos, let me know.

Yes, you can!   (Purchase same day on the island).  We had a cabana at Oasis Lagoon, too.  

It was a CocoLoco.   It’s the drink of the day on the island, and is “Royal’s Drink”.  Word is it’s the same as a Labadoozy, but I haven’t been to Labadee soo can’t confirm.  (Next summer!)

Those are acceptable for your guys. In the end dress for yourself, not for others. If it's allowed by RC, others have no right telling you what to wear. If others can't enjoy their meal because people are not wearing what "they" think they should, that's on them.
Happy cruising!

It was on Facebook, too!!   I had a little crazy-fan moment when I saw it, as if I know you personally. ???

I could go on and on about what I loved and why I loved it, and post all kinds of pics, but I don’t want to drive people crazy.   But I will say this, there is a relaxation option for every style.  There are activities for every level.   I love that I don’t have to spend any additional money for food or drink.  It is immaculate.  There is no one begging for you to buy their goods, use their taxi, take their tour, etc.  And frankly, it’s just beautiful.    
 
If you like more details or photos, let me know.

It was a CocoLoco.   It’s the drink of the day on the island, and is “Royal’s Drink”.  Word is it’s the same as a Labadoozy, but I haven’t been to Labadee soo can’t confirm.  (Next summer!)