Ditchdoc

I don't think the solarium was ever completely packed.  As always, there are 'choice' locations that can vary depending on individual tastes. Mostly there are lounge chairs,  some groupings of sofa/chair combinations, a few with cushions. There were a few large chairs 'for two' with canopy overhead. The solarium is on at least three levels. The top level has a bar centrally located with covered, shade areas to each side with a combination of deck lounge and table/chairs for small groups that maybe want to play cards etc. The lower levels are partially shaded with an arching roof over head that is translucent, constructed in bands. If you look at a picture of the ship, the area above the bridge is it. This results in some direct sun and filtered shade across most of the solarium.
What is choice or not is a personal preference but even on this sold out cruise I think you would have found a spot somewhere.
I  might also note the Solarium Bistro is located there and provides a nice lunch.
In the past we ate almost all our breakfast and lunch meals in the Windjammer. This cruise we avoided it almost entirely. There are a half dozen places on the ship you can eat various meals with no surcharge. We tried most all of them and enjoyed the experience of not having to "fight for our food" in the Windjammer.

Itinerary
Initially, depart Port Canaveral, two days at sea, St Martian, San Juan PR, day at sea, CoCo Cay and Port Canaveral.
Along the way, we were advised weather was an issue at CoCo Cay and it was dropped. Instead Port Canaveral, two days at sea, St Martian, San Juan PR, Labadee, day at sea and Port Canaveral.
 
Cabin
We had a balcony overlooking the interior Central Park. This was something new for us and it was OK. A few decks up were the pools and calypso music playing much of the day but in general it was quiet and serene. We miss seeing the ocean from our room as we are typically on an out side balcony. Truth be known, an empty ocean gets boring pretty quick but a balcony is nice at many ports and when land is in sight. On this trip we looked at trees and people strolling. We could not help but wonder how the all the plants faired when the ship repositioned or was subjected to cold weather.
People
The ship was full. About 6,500 guests. Of these is was said 2,000 were children (under 18 I assume). There were a LOT of teenagers and quite a few toddlers. This is the first cruise I have been on with this many kids. It was Christmas/New Year’s school break and that contributed. Royal has also redirected its marketing to entice a younger audience e.g. Parents with school age children as can be readily seen with the redesign of ships to include water slides, splash play areas and more to visibly attract a younger crowd.
I personally like a more sedate experience free of screaming, yelling and crying children. At the same time, one cruise I was on a few years back was overwhelmed with wheelchairs and people using walkers. In either case, a high tolerance and consideration for crowds and lines is becoming the norm.
If you take time to look around some of the nook and crannies on board, you can find areas more sedate. There is a running/walking track on deck 5 that is completely covered with occasional view of the ocean and lifeboats. One time around this uninterrupted track is about three quarters of a mile. There are also some alcoves with deck chairs and some stairways to a few out of the way spots seldom visited by most.
Solarium
Trying to find a quiet area is more difficult. The solarium is designated as above 16 only but this is often ignored. On Harmony the solarium is huge. Even so it was still crowded during peak times. Even though the solarium is large, the space is limited to deck chairs, a few tables and a couple of jacuzzies. There is no pool that is found on some of the older ships.
New Years Celebration
All over the ship there were activities. The primary party spot was on the Royal Promenade. Adjacent to the Schooner bar is a band stand/stage overlooking the promenade. This was the focal point. At first we claimed a seat in the Schooner Bar only to be told we had to leave due to a private function. Later we found out seats in the Schooner bar were being sold at $500 each for the New Years Calibration. A similar “private function” as held on the nearby Rising Tide Bar for $800 a seat. We moved a spot in front of one the shops and found a seat. We were there early and stayed there thorough midnight. The crowd grew and grew to the point of being a bit scary at times with people trying to hold their spot and other others trying to move about. I saw a couple of people fall or get jostled and end up on the deck. To their credit, those around backed up, gave them room and helped them up. No injuries noted. Just a bit scary.
At midnight there was champagne and a balloon drop of hundreds if not thousands balloons suspended in nets at the ceiling. To one Royal waiter I give kudos for braving the crowd and trying to make sure as many as possible had a glass of bubbly at midnight, including ourselves.
 
Food
What a delight. Three decks adjacent to the three main dining levels are full of stainless-steel loaded kitchens. Pastry/deserts, a bread bakery, sauces, salads, entries, all have designated preparation spaces. No doubt much preparation/slicing and dicing is done in advance, many main dining room dishes are created to order. When you think of the guests and crew, about 60,000 meals are created each day. It is a true ‘food factory’ and I found the food quality to be average and better than many restaurants you may find around your hometown. The service was excellent. Occasionally there was an awkward delay in service but never a true inconvenience.
 
Labadee and no CoCo Cay
 
I didn’t particularly care one way or another. Its been a while since I visited CoCo Cay and I was interested in seeing the additions. Other than that, I have little interest in water parks and slides, etc.
Labadee is a nice area. We got off the ship early and found us a nice shady spot at the edge of Nellies beach. We had a nice view of the water, shade and were some removed from the crowds, for about 45 minutes. As more and more people arrived, more chairs were set up around us as loud parents tried to keep excited kids corralled. I had hoped to read and nap. I did read a bit and to be honest, the kids and parents spent a lot of time in the water leaving the area relatively quiet at times. But so much for a “lazy” day on the beach.
As Diamond members we are fortunate to have access to most all the alcohol we care to drink in the evenings and we seldom drink during the day. On Labadee we decided to indulge in a frozen cocktail. I had a Pinta Colada while my wife had a frozen Margarita. These were 8-ounce plastic cups, nothing special other than being frozen, they were $12 each. Our entire week on board we spent $87, most of which went to two bottles of Sheridan (a liquor not sold in the US and goes great as a toast or on deserts) and these two drinks.
Pricing
I know many have deeper pockets than I do and Royal certainly caters to those well off with art auctions, gambling, high end multi-level suits with a private conseriege, and private cabanas on private islands with prices that surge well into the thousands of dollars. At the same time there is a lot to be done for free and at “special occasion” prices.
There are several shops that at various times tout “duty free”, 30%, 50% and 75% off. You can find a few good deals, especially on liquor. Watches, jewelry and such are generally so overpriced that even the deep discounts only bring them inline with what you can buy almost anywhere else.
Occasionally some one does win big in the casino on board. Generally, the slot machine odds are set so low that the only real winner is Royal.
US Customs in Port Canaveral
No doubt this can vary and I am sure it does from time to time.
When we disembarked we had our passports. We briefly stood in front of a camera that use facial recognition. Within about 3 seconds we were told to “pass”. That was it. We picked up our luggage and left. Other than what ever automated/scanning process may have taken place in the background, we did not talk to one individual. No one looked at our passport, no one asked what we bought, what we had in our bags or search one item. It was painless and fast. We were amazed. I had even grown a beard since my passport photo was taken. Apparently it was no problem.
 

Prices are high. I'll stick to what's free and leave the rest to the elite that don't mind shelling out big bucks.

Prices are high. I'll stick to what's free and leave the rest to the elite that don't mind shelling out big bucks.

It is a nice gym. Mostly Life Fitness and Hammer equipment. Treamills, stationary bikes, elliptical. Circuit machines, racks of dumbbells and benches, barbells and a squat rack. Floor exercise area.

It is a nice gym. Mostly Life Fitness and Hammer equipment. Treamills, stationary bikes, elliptical. Circuit machines, racks of dumbbells and benches, barbells and a squat rack. Floor exercise area.

Prices are high. I'll stick to what's free and leave the rest to the elite that don't mind shelling out big bucks.

We are doing eastern Caribbean on Harmony, same date.
I am sure there will be NYE festivities ship wide. You could certainly be in one of the lounges. The major event will be a balloon drop on the boardwalk. I'm sure there will be a party poolside and maybe fireworks.
There will be areas for everyone that will let your family celebrate in a way everyone will enjoy.
 
 

Prices are high. I'll stick to what's free and leave the rest to the elite that don't mind shelling out big bucks.

Prices are high. I'll stick to what's free and leave the rest to the elite that don't mind shelling out big bucks.

It can not get much simpler. If you don't want to get run over, don't walk in traffic.
There is easily over a million square feet of space on a large cruise ship. A smoking lounge that was 1,000 square feet is 0.1% of that. A smoking lounge that is enclosed, ventilated, with doors is sealed and contained. If you walk in and complain of second hand smoke, I would say the problem is simple. Leave.

I am a fitness buff. I eat well and go to the gym 5 days a week.
I also enjoy life and believe in moderation.
I enjoy a good whiskey and a good cigar on ocassion. Cruising is one of those ocassions. I always enjoyed the concierge lounge on ships that had them. I also realize it's a bit of a niche market and allocating square footage that does not make money is a corporate no no.
I would settle for a nice spot out side, out of the wind with a nice view most any where on the ship where I could have a drink and a smoke. They have found room for water sldes, candy shops and many other things I have little interest in. Reserving a small, appropriate space for people like me should not be that hard, biased, controversial or political.

Prices are high. I'll stick to what's free and leave the rest to the elite that don't mind shelling out big bucks.

Prices are high. I'll stick to what's free and leave the rest to the elite that don't mind shelling out big bucks.

Prices are high. I'll stick to what's free and leave the rest to the elite that don't mind shelling out big bucks.

If I filled 12 water bottles with vodka, do you think they would notice ?

I question what went wrong that this ship was out of control?
 
RCCL has used dynamic positioning for 10 years since voyager class.  Push a button and the ship stays put.
 
This Carnival ship depends on two screws, rudder and bow thrusters ... A much less accurate control system.
17 mph winds probably played a part but it does not excuse poor seamanship.

Our first cruise we were concerned about dressing up on formal nights.
By the 4th cruise is was ... whatever ... business casual with a tropical twist usually. I have a few dress "cruise shirts" that are not too loud with an island/tropical print. That and a pair of cargo pant slacks and loafers.
I still see a few people that go all out. They are usually getting their photo taken and are part of some party or family celebrating something.
I occasionally see someone in cutoff jeans come dragging in. Personally, I think that is a bit too casual for the dining room. If you can't dress any better than that, go to the Windjammer or Johnny Rockets.
Have I ever seen seen anyone "torn apart" over their attire? Not once.

True. There is "book smarts" and there is "common sense". I have known some PhD's that could not pour water out of a boot with instructions on the heel.

True. There is "book smarts" and there is "common sense". I have known some PhD's that could not pour water out of a boot with instructions on the heel.

I there are different ways to comprehension and understanding.
 
If EVERYONE senses the danger of an open window EXCEPT this one person, how can the entire world be designed to accommodate this one person?
 
The ADA states that "reasonable accommodation" should be made for the handicapped. I would say a 40+ inch vertical distance and a 20+ inch horizontal distance to the lip of a window, before you fall, is pretty reasonable. It would take a concerted effort to over come that barrier that a reasonable person would not attempt.

Our first cruise we were concerned about dressing up on formal nights.
By the 4th cruise is was ... whatever ... business casual with a tropical twist usually. I have a few dress "cruise shirts" that are not too loud with an island/tropical print. That and a pair of cargo pant slacks and loafers.
I still see a few people that go all out. They are usually getting their photo taken and are part of some party or family celebrating something.
I occasionally see someone in cutoff jeans come dragging in. Personally, I think that is a bit too casual for the dining room. If you can't dress any better than that, go to the Windjammer or Johnny Rockets.
Have I ever seen seen anyone "torn apart" over their attire? Not once.

True. There is "book smarts" and there is "common sense". I have known some PhD's that could not pour water out of a boot with instructions on the heel.

It has 4 - 9 cyl. diesel engines
There are two propellers.
These ships have a drive configuration that are electric diesel. The diesel engines actually run generators. The generators in turn run electric motors that turn the propellers. Additional generators may be dedicated to ship operations other than propulsion.
There could be more than two electric motors connected to gear boxes so one motor can be off line with out effecting operation.
Typically these ships have one engine more than needed for full power operation. That is so one can be off line continuously for maintenance. If two are off line, full generator power may not be realized.
Engine rooms can stretch over 5 decks or more to include control rooms and all the various electrical panels, engines, motors, generators and so on.

True. There is "book smarts" and there is "common sense". I have known some PhD's that could not pour water out of a boot with instructions on the heel.