Fairlynew

Yes, our joke  when the weather reports call for snow is that the grocery stores must be overstocked on bread and milk.

I can relate to this too.  Most of NC shuts down with a quarter inch of snow.  Several reasons:
1. We get very little snow and none of us know how to drive safely in it
2. We get so little snow that it makes more economic sense to shut down on the rare occasions than to invest in snow plows 
3. Most of our “snow” is really ice. 

If they want to encourage traditional dining, they need to adjust the times.  5:30 is simply too early to try to get ready for dinner after a busy day in port (or even on the ship) and the late time will not work for most families.  I'm not sure what the solution is, but perhaps instead of offering MTD, they could stagger the traditional dining, and seat groups at 30 to 45 minute intervals instead of 2 fixed times.

I’m not sure.   I’ve never done that.  We got all reservations including hibachi easily.  Later in the week we wanted to change nights and were actually able to schedule hibachi on the day we were making the changes-i.e. same day reservations.    At first they said 8 pm that night then moved us to 7.   The ship was full that week and we were in a Central Park balcony so no concierge.   I will say that we made an effort to be friendly and polite to everyone which may have led to the hostess helping us with the changes more willing to accommodate us.   

If you are really ambitious, you can check in at midnight on the day check in opens to get your boarding time.  I was lucky enough to be traveling with someone on West Coast time last year, and they were able to get an early boarding time.  I don't know how necessary it is, though.

You make your own reservations for the dining package once you get on board the ship.  We did not have any trouble getting the times and places we wanted; we were a group of three.  Larger groups may have more issues.  Also, we did not usually need reservations for lunch.  I don't know how it works for holiday meals, but they do make a courtesy reservation the first night, so they probably would reserve something-there might an upcharge though.  The only upcharge we encountered was $10 pp for the hibachi, which we did not mind because the experience was really fun.  I also imaging that the MDR will have a festive atmosphere on New Year's Eve if you don't want to pay anything extra.
There were 2 ships at Coco Cay the last time we were there-a voyager class (can't remember which one) and Allure.  Both were sailing at or near full capacity and we had no issues with seats.  

Generally, I find the suite concierges to be very helpful and responsive, but as with anything, some are better than others.  On one trip, we totally gave up on the concierge and started using guest services-the concierge was so bad, it was worth waiting in line.  That was the exception, though.

Keep checking the prices for the unlimited dining package.    We really enjoyed it, especially for a relaxing lunch on sea days.  It can be a good value if the price is right.  For our 8 night cruise on Allure last spring, we paid $199 each and felt it was well worth it.
I have been to Coco Cay twice and never spent anything extra.  There are plenty of loungers in the sun and the shade.  Both times I have been, we start on the beach, then move to the pool later in the afternoon.  No problem finding great spots with shade either place.  I also saw lots of seats in the sun.
Have a great trip!

Sounds like several of us will be on the October 23 trip.  I will be as well, with my husband, daughter, and son in law.  Other friends are also going and staying at the Westin port area.  That's probably what we will do as well.  

Sounds like several of us will be on the October 23 trip.  I will be as well, with my husband, daughter, and son in law.  Other friends are also going and staying at the Westin port area.  That's probably what we will do as well.  

By the way, when did they remove the Bar Harbor stop?  I booked on Saturday, and it was still showing, although I did notice there are no excursions listed.

Thanks!  I tried to search for threads already written with this information, but I missed this.

I am so sorry.  We used Emed tests for our flight home from Rome last month based upon advice given to us by friends.  If you test positive in a pharmacy, you have to quarantine.  At least with the Emed test, you are not in Italy's system.  You still can't fly, but your quarantine is not as strict.  
I am glad that the CDC is ending the testing requirement to fly home.  For our trip, the most stressful moments were testing prior to the cruise, then testing to get home.  

I am so sorry.  We used Emed tests for our flight home from Rome last month based upon advice given to us by friends.  If you test positive in a pharmacy, you have to quarantine.  At least with the Emed test, you are not in Italy's system.  You still can't fly, but your quarantine is not as strict.  
I am glad that the CDC is ending the testing requirement to fly home.  For our trip, the most stressful moments were testing prior to the cruise, then testing to get home.  

I am so sorry.  We used Emed tests for our flight home from Rome last month based upon advice given to us by friends.  If you test positive in a pharmacy, you have to quarantine.  At least with the Emed test, you are not in Italy's system.  You still can't fly, but your quarantine is not as strict.  
I am glad that the CDC is ending the testing requirement to fly home.  For our trip, the most stressful moments were testing prior to the cruise, then testing to get home.  

Glad you could cash out your vouchers.   I was on the ovation in August.   The North Star was not operational then- we were told due to mechanical issues.   I was very disappointed.   Sad that it remains closed.   
I’m also sorry about your genie issues.   I would like, one day, to perhaps have a genie, but it will be a real stretch for me.  If I sacrificed to book a star class suite and had the experience so severely diluted , I would be crushed, sad,upset, angry, etc.   Of course, with the current economy, I’ll be lucky to book an inside cabin unless things improve 

Glad you could cash out your vouchers.   I was on the ovation in August.   The North Star was not operational then- we were told due to mechanical issues.   I was very disappointed.   Sad that it remains closed.   
I’m also sorry about your genie issues.   I would like, one day, to perhaps have a genie, but it will be a real stretch for me.  If I sacrificed to book a star class suite and had the experience so severely diluted , I would be crushed, sad,upset, angry, etc.   Of course, with the current economy, I’ll be lucky to book an inside cabin unless things improve 

Grand suite!

Thank you so much!

Remember that a lot depends on the concierge.   I have sailed Sky class 3 times.  Two of the three the concierge was outstanding.  The other time, our experience with the concierge was so bad that we lost all trust.  We preferred to stand in line for regular guest services. At least we knew we could rely on them. 

In addition to the logistical and security issues, the unique specialty restaurants encourage to book another cruise on the ship with the unique restaurant to try it out.  No financial upside for Royal in allowing this, although I think it would be great fun!

We did a Disney cruise when our children were younger.  They loved it, but my husband and I were bored (and I am a Disney fan).  It almost turned us off cruising.  We did not try again for several years.  When we did, we loved Royal.  We find it to be fun for all ages.

We have done the same thing as Pooch.  Loved it!  Planning on same thing this trip.

We took a suggestion from here and walked the 10 minutes to Great Bay Beach.  Rented 4 loungers & 2 umbrellas for $30 close to the water.  We had access to plenty of alcohol on the ship so we got soda & waters (5) in a bucket for $10.  Delicious lunch from the restaurant right behind us delivered.  Total of about $120 with tips for the day for 4.  It was also very close to shops so we could go back & forth as we pleased.  Really enjoyed the day.  There is also a water taxi at the port if you don’t want to walk. $7pp each way.

Next time, ask them to substitute sparkling wine for the pinot grigio-gives it an awesome boost of bubbly-even more light and refreshing.