Snotarni

Well seeing that I don't have the same luck as @tonyfsu21, I went ahead and cancelled all my bids and upgraded myself to star when I saw it pop up last night!  First cruise back from dry dock, might as well go big or go home right? lol

As others have stated this is the safest form of vacation right now. I also believe that it is one of the more fun as well. We did WDW and universal right before our cruise and the magic wasn't there. There was little character interaction, barely any shows and enough people who didn't care about protocols and rules, to make you feel unsafe.
I think the biggest thing to cruising during these times, is to have understanding and patience. Ports and itineraries will change, we are trying to visit these beautiful places but must remember they aren't as well off as others. So, we need to understand that they need to protect themselves in the long run. Unfortunately, mask is a thing, imho it is not as bad as you think. There will still be chances to laugh, dance, sing and mingle. 

When you get to your cabin, you’ll find a letter about your Beach Club purchase. It should have a number to call to make your lunch reservation. On the Oasis, it was the host desk at Chops Grill that handled the beach club restaurant reservations. On the Anthem, I think it was the main dining room host desk. Best to call as soon as possible. I always pick 11:30am.

Also, the beach club is $99.  Not an amazing price, but it was $189 yesterday.  Also, $99 is what I paid for it a year ago.  Hasn't been that low since.  So a good deal.  This is Christmas week.

We're trying to RoyalUP to Star Class on the Oasis sailing on 12/12.  I guess we'll find out in a few weeks...

We're trying to RoyalUP to Star Class on the Oasis sailing on 12/12.  I guess we'll find out in a few weeks...

We're trying to RoyalUP to Star Class on the Oasis sailing on 12/12.  I guess we'll find out in a few weeks...

That's what we did last time in St. Thomas, and may very well do that again

We're on the same cruise and were thinking of heading over to Water Island on our own (Ferry departs from Tickles Pub which is a short walk from the ship);  However, it looks like we're in from noon to 7, so I'm not sure the ferry times line up.  Water Island is very quiet, has a great beach, and a great beach restaurant with good food and cold beers...  😉

I was going to recommend a trip up to Mountaintop for some breath-taking views, but if you're scared of heights, then the drive alone 
would not be fun for you.  Pity.  It's a gorgeous spot to see all of the surrounding islands.

It did not...  I think we've never seen the Balloon actually fly 🙂    The winds at 100ft were a little too high for safety requirements.   The attendant did tell us that although we signed up for a specific time, they'll honor your reservation no matter what time you show up (would've been nice to know since we left the ship early to get there, and missed the call (into our room) that canceled the Balloon ride..  🙄 )   Also, he mentioned that the best chance for the Balloon to fly is during the Late Spring/Early Summer timeframe..  May/June/July. 
We're shooting for May now!!  

Thanks...  we're booked for 9am so maybe we have a shot!  🤞

I thought about doing one from Freedom as well (10/8), but now (it seems) that more people are going on the YASBC's than will actually read a live blog, so, I guess it makes no sense to do one.  🤣 

Point taken
However, you still haven't addressed the question of the dining room attendants and crew that work in unvaccinated indoor areas of the ship where passengers are not masked currently and how that would differ moving forward. I wont get in trouble again but then there is the whole question of the efficacy of cloth masks and if they would truly protect the crew. One would think that masks will not be a requirement forever on cruise ships as the pandemic wanes. I will not mention theater in front of the crew but I do recognize that some protocols in place do not stop the spread of covid (EX: Crew filling your soda cup at Freestyle machine). However, I am choosing to sail during a pandemic and agree to the protocols. Just as crew have chosen to work on a cruise ship and assume the inherent risks of doing so
I think the best protection for the crew is to get vaccinated and as other people have mentioned, the crew skews younger where their risks from serious outcome should be minimized especially being vaccinated. 
There is no way to keep Covid cases from happening on cruise ships. All they can do is effective protocols that have proven to slow the spread. 
As cruise ship customers, we do have a choice to spend our money on sailings during the pandemic with the listed protocols. It is a reasonable expectation that Royal will provide protection for their crews as Royal does not want to lose revenue. Also, it is up to the personal responsibility of the crew to protect themselves as well by being vaccinated and not work a cruise ship if they have medical conditions that would make them more susceptible to Covid. My cruise dollars during this pandemic help support the crew as well as me choosing to sail during a pandemic. 
I sail in November and I will follow all safety protocols that Royal has set.  

Money allocations and certain other things can only be done under an "emergency" declaration, otherwise too much red tape. Leaving their options open in case they need it - easier to extend an existing one that institute a new one, most likely.

When we were there last week on 10/6 with Oasis, I only saw it go up once when we first arrived... I believe they grounded it for the remainder of the day.
 

We were there Friday. It did not go up all day. The tram driver told us he rarely ever sees it go up and needs pretty much zero wind. He thinks it was a huge waste of investment by RC. His words… 

I agree with this.  I like having the extra options above and beyond the MDR. When you are a repeat cruiser the MDR food gets old. 

It did not...  I think we've never seen the Balloon actually fly 🙂    The winds at 100ft were a little too high for safety requirements.   The attendant did tell us that although we signed up for a specific time, they'll honor your reservation no matter what time you show up (would've been nice to know since we left the ship early to get there, and missed the call (into our room) that canceled the Balloon ride..  🙄 )   Also, he mentioned that the best chance for the Balloon to fly is during the Late Spring/Early Summer timeframe..  May/June/July. 
We're shooting for May now!!  

Freedom this past weekend had 3,300 guests.  There was definitely more guests on board but 3,300 is still a light load for this class of ship, relatively speaking.  
I rather enjoyed not being the only person in the pub listening to the entertainer.  It was awkward being the only person clapping on other ships.  The ship had more energy and I rather enjoyed it.  
Lines were never too long.  Sorrento's had 3 or 4 people in front of me for the line.  I was always able to sit at the bar in the Pub.  Ice skating show was well attended but not full.

My shorts are hiking pants with zip on legs.  Shorts by day, long pants for the MDR then immediately back to shorts for the rest of the night.
I fly with them too.  Planes can be cold but when you land in Florida I can't stand having long pants on while lugging my luggage around so I get off the plane and immediately remove my zip on legs.  

I'm with @Matt - crew likely won't say anything, but the guests are going to be judging you. 🤣
I always do nice jeans or khakis with a button down shirt or polo at a minimum any time I'm going anywhere besides Windjammer for dinner.
Then again, I'm also one of those people who prefers to "dress up" when flying, as well - I refuse to be the guy in pajama pants and a t-shirt, regardless of *how* early my flight is.

Welcome to the message boards.
Shorts in the main dining room is one of those "third rail topics" that has very strong opinions, in part because Royal Caribbean leaves the exact rule vague.
Like Celebrity, the rule is not exactly enforced. So would you be able to get away with wearing shorts in the main dining room? Probably. Do others have thoughts on the appropriateness of it? Yup. 
Personally, I would not wear shorts to dinner in the main dining room. But I have no problem wearing jeans or khakis with a polo/short sleeved collared shirt.

1 - Sleep well
2- Sleep better
3 - Sleep really well
4 - Where is everyone?  Why is the bar half empty?
5 - Yeehaw!  This is fun! 

Hip height wooden railings also stop covid in the schooner bar, as do open doorways between vaccinated and unvaccinated areas in the Boleros/Playmakers interface and the balcony railing between the unvaccinated upper area of the theater and the lower vaccinated level of the theater....