Snotarni

We connected with an ATV company and had a 6-hour tour of the island... it was great!  Splash in the Sun was the company.

Well...  there's still many boxes around to be opened and unpacked, but, we're in our new home in Titusville...  We're trying the first of several (6 straight!) Monthly 3-day cruises  😉 this weekend.   I commute to Orlando 4 days a week (we had to get an EV (gas prices!)...) and lovely wife is commuting to KSF...  we're excited to call Florida home, and looking forward to no/minimal airfare for cruises!!  🌞

I think you'll see pre-cruise testing going away before vaccine requirements.

Yep... I think we were able to do it online...  We did the 6-hour tour with a single ATV.  It was really a great way to see both sides of the island.

We connected with an ATV company and had a 6-hour tour of the island... it was great!  Splash in the Sun was the company.

Independence last weekend (3/4-3/7) count was ~3,200 guest (85% capacity). 
 
One crew member stated that it was the highest guest count, so far,  since coming back.  They were expected higher counts to continue.  

You can always ask at Guest Services how many people are on the ship once it's underway.  Then you just compare it to how many passengers the ship can hold.

We will be first timers on Indy April 1st, with 4 kids in tow. They're 15, 13, 11 & 8, and they have know idea we're going. It should be fun!

We were in Costa Maya in December...  Maya Chan was phenomenal...  bumpy taxi ride, but all you can eat, drink, and the beach was nice...  we floated in the water, and the waiters brought us drinks all day in the sun...  😉

I'll be on the one right after you on 4/11. First time on Royal with 3 kids in tow...can't wait! 

Unless you're meeting friends there, there's no reason to go in the diamond lounge if you have suite lounge access.

The other difference is that in the suite lounge you do not need to use your Diamond drink coupons at happy hour but in the Diamond lounge you do. 

Have you thought about also going to 150 Central Park? I think its better than Chops. Especially the Fried Cheesecake😃

My DX purchase depends on 1 thing
Is @Matt going or not?
Now, for those that have partaken in an official OR unofficial group cruise with @Mattyou know how it goes - breakfast, day drinking, lunch, nap, pre-dinner drink(s), dinner, pub/schooner (multiple shots + drink of choice) THEN Casino (multiple shots and drink of choice). On a sea day, probably 12-15 drinks, port days, 8-10 not counting waters/soda. For me, getting the DX is very worth it as I usually end up saving money. 
Now, if it's just me, I'll get the Refreshment package and be ok. 

We were on Indy this past weekend, too. I was told ~3,200 guest and 85% capacity.  It felt like 85%, too! lol
Also agree, Playmakers crew were running around like crazy. Kind of felt bad for them. They definitely needed backup.  
 
We were on Indy for NYE  and it was so different. 50% capacity is like having a cruise ship to yourself. 
 
I was glad to see they were brought back the pool contest (Sexiest Man and Belly Flop) this time around. Felt like things were getting back to normal.  Little by little.  
 
We will be back again April 1 (one weekend before you), so it will be interesting to see if any other changes occur in the next few weeks. 
 
Happy cruising! 
 

We were on Indy 2/25, had the same impression in regards to crew being overwhelmed but they were throwing out 2000 as the number at guest services and the ship was definitely not close to full (second time on Indy and a couple on Mariner since relaunch so i have an idea of what a post-covid "crowded" ship looks like).
 

Please add:
Allure of the Seas; November 10 2023
Thanks!!

Thank you for all the updating you do here @Lovetocruise2002

You can see the daily menus for the MDR in the app well before the cruise begins.

Look for music performances in Central Park.  It's great to have a drink while listening, assuming nice weather.

Trellis bar in Central Park

Add:
September 2, 2022 - Freedom of the Seas.   

Lovely wife and I just finished making an offer on a new home on the Space Coast due to job changes!!  Yay!!  We are so looking forward to moving to Sunshine and long weekends at Coco Cay!  @WAAAYTOOO story inspired us to make the change!!  Thanks, and excited to call FL home!  #independenceismynewweekendgetaway

Having followed you in your move from VA to FL, I am now planning my move to FL from VA, thank you for this thread. 

Since I am already on this thread, wishing @Snotarnia hearty welcome, I will go ahead and post a small update of my own !!
Our "bird cage" (sans birds, @SpeedNoodles  LOL) is finally done !!!!  It took FORever to get it all done.  Permits, inspections, installation, inspections....round and round we went for nearly a year.  It will be the focal point of our home, when the new furniture arrives.  At that time, I will post some pix.