Bbjunkie

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.  

The tanning place has an agenda, so of course they will recommend using their services for an extended period of time. 

If you haven't been to the Caribbean before,  I would be very cautious in the sun.  You can burn incredibly quickly at those latitudes,  tanned or not.

... save money and your skin (cancer risk) and buy a bottle of sunblock :) your body will thank you! 

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

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

Sorry for the long post, but I love this discussion.  One question (about less sea days) has led us down a path looking at a few different approaches to cruising.  Obviously, there is no “right” answer, but it was very interesting to hear the preferences of others.  I thought the “choices” comments were very astute and got me thinking … One of the reasons my soulmate & I cruise with Royal Caribbean, so often, is the wide variety of experiences on board. 
1).  The Ship is the Destination:  How can anyone disagree that the ships are so special that they want to maximize their time on the ship?  The large ships offer so much that visiting no ports would probably be fine for some.  Our last trip on Harmony was so busy, there was little time for afternoon naps (we think this is necessary if you dance all night).  Even their medium sized ships are packed with on board options.  So many ships (Oasis, Quantum, Freedom Classes) have so many itineraries, we have not run out of sailings yet that meet our needs.
2).  Travel is the Main Goal:  We have spent a lot of time in Europe with self-directed land vacations.  It is a different experience and has its advantages.  One thing that is an absolute pain is packing, unpacking and travel between destinations.  When we are in “Travel Mode” it is such a treat to unpack and pack once and wake up with a new experience almost each day.  These are not necessarily restful vacations, but they are stimulating and are normally filled with many special memories.  Although these can be had on the large ships, we find that small and medium ships are better to meet this objective.  We have been on Grandeur twice in the last year (and will sail one more time before the year’s end).  Lady G does not have all the “bells & whistles”, but she has taken us to many places we have never been before.  She also has been the catalyst, for our main reason for cruising …
3).  Make Your Own Fun:  We did not start with this strategy, but it is becoming our primary one.  Sometimes, day to day routines can foster a complacency that turns into a “rut”.  Travel is one way to shake this up, but we think the concept is a little simpler.  By using new experiences (ship or port), we “connect” better on cruise ships.  Relationship building is about shared experiences, and we find that we converse more, laugh more, dance more (and drink more too) on the ship.  It does not matter if the ship is big or small, if the number of days are few or many, or if we are in port or at sea … we make our own fun.
Regardless of how you cruise … Have a Blast.
 
Curt from Canada

I, too, like sea days, but I also like visiting the places on port intensive cruises.  For me, going to the Med is all about those destinations and not about the vehicle to get to those destinations so for me, I'd adjust my expectations to the destinations.  But I'm in the USA, and I dont get to see the Med all that often.  Its more of a once in a lifetime experience.  But I also understand why for others the ship is the destination rather than the ports.  Repositioning cruises are perfect for those who are all about the ship rather than the destination.  Like I also see people saying Nassau is on so many itineraries that frequent caribbean cruisers would probably prefer another sea day to visiting Nassau again.  But everyone has different tastes.  I think that's why I like the smaller ship sailings that seem to me to have more sea days than they do port days.  
I think also with Oasis class, the ship CAN be the destination.  If belly flop, sexiest man, etc are your thing, I might even look into shorter Med cruises and do back to backs rather than a single long cruise.  More sexy man more belly flop and more sea!  

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

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.  

Interesting.   I completely understand what you are saying, but aren’t all the activities you’re looking for available in the evenings on Port days?   I know that you’re saying Port-Intensive cruises leave fewer days for ship-centered “main” shows/activities.   I just don’t see that as being the case.   Commenters seem to be focusing on the Mediterranean, but we use one of the 7-day Eastern or Western Caribbean Caribbean as an example.   On Coco Cay day, if you’re back on the ship by 5:00, the main shows are still going that evening at 7:30 and 9:30, aren’t they?   I mean, your premise makes Port days and main shows mutually exclusive, and they aren’t.   I think what limits main shows really isn’t dependent on Port days, rather, I suspect it’s based on performer contracts and multi-use venues.   For example, I’d guess the skaters in 1887 are contracted to perform x number of times every seven days.  Also, Studio B is use for other events.  They seem to cover the ice and have non-skating things on the same days, then uncover the ice and have their skating shows and open skating on the same days.   I KNOW the dancer contracts work this way.  They are contracted to do a certain number of shows per week, they have rehearsal times, they meet with guest dancers and give workshops for them, etc.   But if it were a cruise that only visited 3 ports, with 4 sea days, they would not be required to do more.

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.  

The price never got below 48 for my 12 day... And 57 for beverage and voom.  And that was in the year it was offered and including black Friday.  So apparently people are wanting to drink on this 12 day because I agree it's all about supply and demand.  The 1200 about killed us on this trip but I guarantee we wish break at least even with water and coffee and if not, at least I know we are in debt now, not later!  Jane

This is a prime example of the difference between cruisers who use the ship as a means of transportation and the ones that use it as a all-inclusive resort. Still others pick and choose parts of both. Isn't that the best part of cruising? Choices?

Question#5
 
Are they your kids? Did you pay for the cruise? What's the question here....they don't respect or obey you?
 
Not sure this is a question for a cruise site....sounds more like an attitude and discipline question...if they wont do what you ask or want them to do when it comes to putting on a pair of pants...my god.......

Remember..cruises did exist prior to ubiquitous cell phone usage!  There are lots of ways to keep tabs..let the kids have a bit of freedom but designate specific times and places that they must meet up with you and check in.  They can then let you know what their plans are and where they will be.  Or do that through the app..tell them to check it every other hour and make sure they respond to any messages you sent.  

The added benefit of not booking your schedule full is taking time to relax and wind down.  Some folks feel the need to do something at every port.  By the time the cruise is over they need a vacation from their vacation.  
You can also see how the weather is and make plans based on how the day plays out.  
In Cozumel there are a lot of shops in the cruise port area if you feel the need for the t-shirt to prove you went there.  That Cozumel compound is secure, only ship guests can access it, not than Cozumel has many safety issues.
Roatan has a small area of shops lining the port area.  
 

IMHO- you are on a floating mega resort in Star Class. As far as the cruising experience goes (minus the boutique lines like Regent), it doesn’t get better! Stay on the ship and enjoy the Harmony. There’s no need to get off in Cozumel and certainly you are missing nothing of note in Roatan. Enjoy!

We just returned from a cruise with a stop at CoCo Cay where we had an Oasis Lagoon cabana.  We absolutely loved it, and would do it again, however, it was $349 for 8 people.  The price of cabanas seem to be driven simply by supply and demand.  We were on Navigator, and although Majesty also ended up being there at the same time, that was a last-minute itinerary change because of the sudden Cuba restrictions.   The point being, our price was driven by the fact that there were only 3,200 passengers to vie for the purchase.   Since Symphony holds almost twice as many passengers, I’d expect the prices to be about twice as high.   All of that being said, if you get off the ship early, you will EASILY find plenty of open lounge chairs with umbrellas wherever you would choose to hang out.   It’s not necessary to book a cabana.

This was our kids!!   Thanks so much for coming to watch!!  

What ship are you on?   You said 4-day and Cozumel so I’m assuming you are sailing out of Tampa on Brilliance?  If so, it isn’t a gigantic ship, so the crowds won’t be as crazy as you may be imagining.   Also, try to dismiss the rare occurrence of of disaster from your head; the things you mention are EXTREMELY uncommon.  Like, win-the-lottery, struck-by-lightening uncommon.
I know it doesn’t do any good to tell someone suffering with anxiety to relax, so I won’t even go there, but let me assure you that there will be PLENTY of places for you to relax, almost by yourself if you’d like.  Except for sea days right around the pool, there are often quiet open spots on upper decks.   Find a bench or seat, take a book if you’d like,  time can go by without you realizing it because you are so relaxed.  Turn your chair to the sea and watch the water go by.  Seriously, there is nothing more relaxing and you will forget there are people there.  I can also say with experience that your self-consciousness, while understandable, is unnecessary.  I can’t even explain how much your fellow passengers couldn’t care less about what you look like at the pool. They don’t notice you, and they don’t care.  Let yourself go, have a great time.  
 
The game shows take about 30-45 minutes.  Almost NOTHING on a cruise takes an hour or more.  They are intentionally scheduling things so they are quick and move on to the next.  I encourage you to do them; they are lots of fun.   If you are on a ship with an X vs. Y game and a Crazy Quest, you may want to avoid them because your anxiety may be overwhelming.  They are a ton of hilarious fun, but they are often frantic and very adult.  The pace and craziness might be too much for you to enjoy.   If you’d like more detail, feel free to message me and I’d be happy to go into more explanation.
Please let yourself enjoy your trip!  

If Navigator sails out of Terminal A, then you can't go wrong with just parking at the port.  The garage is super easy to navigate and very convenient as you are right there.  

A lot of the ports have shore excursions that are designed  for later departing flights. After disembarkation you take the shuttle bus, go on the tour and they drop you off at the airport

I just use my phone...I have an iPhone XS Max.  I think it takes awesome pictures.  It's the only thing I use my phone for while on a cruise. It's in airplane mode the whole time.

What ship are you on?   You said 4-day and Cozumel so I’m assuming you are sailing out of Tampa on Brilliance?  If so, it isn’t a gigantic ship, so the crowds won’t be as crazy as you may be imagining.   Also, try to dismiss the rare occurrence of of disaster from your head; the things you mention are EXTREMELY uncommon.  Like, win-the-lottery, struck-by-lightening uncommon.
I know it doesn’t do any good to tell someone suffering with anxiety to relax, so I won’t even go there, but let me assure you that there will be PLENTY of places for you to relax, almost by yourself if you’d like.  Except for sea days right around the pool, there are often quiet open spots on upper decks.   Find a bench or seat, take a book if you’d like,  time can go by without you realizing it because you are so relaxed.  Turn your chair to the sea and watch the water go by.  Seriously, there is nothing more relaxing and you will forget there are people there.  I can also say with experience that your self-consciousness, while understandable, is unnecessary.  I can’t even explain how much your fellow passengers couldn’t care less about what you look like at the pool. They don’t notice you, and they don’t care.  Let yourself go, have a great time.  
 
The game shows take about 30-45 minutes.  Almost NOTHING on a cruise takes an hour or more.  They are intentionally scheduling things so they are quick and move on to the next.  I encourage you to do them; they are lots of fun.   If you are on a ship with an X vs. Y game and a Crazy Quest, you may want to avoid them because your anxiety may be overwhelming.  They are a ton of hilarious fun, but they are often frantic and very adult.  The pace and craziness might be too much for you to enjoy.   If you’d like more detail, feel free to message me and I’d be happy to go into more explanation.
Please let yourself enjoy your trip!