loki007

You could literally stand at the Dog House and eat dog after dog. I generally eat my weight in Sorento's Pizza while on board. Even if I'm not hungry I have to grab it when I walk by. If you get the drink package same goes for cocktails

I've been on Oasis twice and it was complimentary. Its never busy for dinner. you could probably just walk up but might as well make the res even if you don't end up going.

I love the Key and have used it on 2 cruises pre-covid. If you are planning to buy wifi it totally makes sense to upgrade to the key. The priority boarding is obviously nice, the embarkation lunch at Chops was great. I think the best perks though are priority debarkation on port days (think about getting off first at Labadee or Perfect Day and having your choice of chairs). The reserved chairs at shows and special times for activities is also valuable. The debarkation breakfast and leisurely debarkation process was one of the best things we liked about the key.

Royal is at the mercy of the CDC on this one. They have been since this all began. The CDC's stance is their is no evidence that mixing the vaccines provides sufficient protection. The reality is the current COVID situation in the US is a dumpster fire and Canada's numbers are low (probably due to their surpassing the US in % vaccinated)

Giovannis on Oasis is spectacular. Highly recommend. Definitely not your local pizza place.

I think you'll love Royal. We've cruised on all the Disney boats when the kids were younger and have now transitioned to Royal. The first pro for royal is price point as you noted. We can get 2 connecting balconies on royal for the price of one balcony on Disney. I also really like the Royal drink package so u are not gouged $15 for every cocktail like on Disney. In terms of on board experience The Royal Freedom and Oasis class (all we've been on) have much bigger pool decks, more pools, more activities (flow rider, rock climbing) and the adults area is much better. Of Course I think Disney wins with overall service, shows, and I really miss the on board movies. In terms of food the lower price for Royal will allow you to upgrade to the UDP and go to a different restaurant nightly. Food quality is about the same. I also enjoy going to the casino on royal after the wife has retired for the night. The best thing about Royal is there aren't nearly as many unsupervised kids running around the ship at all hours.

not at check in but once on the ship at guest services. We always get our kids a cabin near us and get the extra keys.

The vaccines are 95% effective, which is excellent, never has it been said that the vaccines offer 100% immunity. No vaccine in history has offered that. What they do guarantee, 100%, is you wont end up in the hospital fighting for your life. I work in a hospital. Today is our first day since March 2020 we do not have any COVID patients. In the past 3 months every patient in the hospital, some of whom died, were guess what? NOT Vaccinated. What the Celebrity Millennium demonstrated was the effectiveness of the vaccines at stopping spread. 2 patients (who were vaccinated) tested positive but asymptomatic, and not 1 other crew member or passenger tested positive. That's 2 people out of about 1300. Amazing results.

You'll enjoy both those rooms. We had a boardwalk balcony on Oasis and its just a great spot to people watch and you can see a lot of the shows. My father in law had a central park balcony and its just incredibly peaceful, plus the difference between day and night is amazing.

I've been on Allure pre-amplification. Not sure with COVID if amplification will be complete by next summer? It's a great ship as are all the Oasis class. We love Johny Rockets on the board walk for breakfast (never busy, people don't realize its included, Vintages wine bar in central park, Dinner at Chops (try to sit outside in Central Park). Definitely make time to see Mama Mia in the theatre. You can't go wrong, you'll have a great time.

Finally a step in the right direction.

sorry the Pandemic has turned my brain to mush...edits made ?

You should always have a drink in your hand as you roam the ship ? but you definitely want to try the drinks and all the venues. Some will have specialty drinks like the Caribbean old fashioned at Schooner Bar, and if you are on Oasis Class taking a ride on the rising tide bar or having a drink from the Bionic Bar is cool. We used to love the Champagne Bar on Allure and Oasis but they've been replaced by Bionic on Amplification.

cruisecritic.com has good reviews of most ships. I prefer to watch ship reviews/virtual tours on YouTube. Search YouTube for Harr Travel or cruisesit.com they both do a really nice job reviewing ships.

We have allowed our kids to stay in non-connecting rooms many times. You may need to have 1 adult registered in the deck 6 room but once you are on board go to guest services and they will give you extra keys for both rooms so the adults can have keys to the kids room. You might feel more comfortable if the interior was on deck 10 as well if that’s on option but as long as you and your kids are good with is go for it, have fun.

You absolutely cannot go wrong with Chops. Request a table “outside” on the patio in Central Park. By far my wife and I’s favorite meal ever on any boat.

Grab a couple slices of pizza on the Promenade, then up to the pool deck for cocktails. Can’t wait

You don’t hear anything when in the room with the balcony closed.

I’m not worried about vaccine verification. I’m vaccinated and am fine being around unvaccinated people without a mask. I know I may still get the virus but have 100% protection from getting sick to the point of being hospitalized, if the unvaccinated want to roll the dice and take that chance more power to them.

Cocktail consumption is now limited to Mai Tai's and Rum Runners!

They will continually run different promo's. Just log in regularly to see the prices. You'll learn what the lowest price and best promos are and then can buy when they are offerred again. I'm sure prices are up post COVID but last cruise in 2019 I paid $49 per day for the drink package. The lowest I've seen so far on Feb22 booking is $58 per day

I'd like to see 100% vaccination mandatory for adults At this point in the US you are choosing to get COVID if you choose not to take the vaccine and that's fine with me, just sit on the sidelines so we can all return to living. Have a 50 year old in the ICU today...if they ever wake up I bet they'll wish they got vaccinated.

We stay at the Residence Inn across the street from the Port. They will allow you to leave your car (can't recall the cost but cheaper than the terminal) and take the shuttle to the terminal. There is also a park and shuttle place but I have never used it.

i hope you reconsider