AJK

Absolutely!  Here or there you might pay a buck it two extra but overall mostly stuff is covered!  Jane

In May I sailed on Mariner and Navigator.  All my drinks were covered with the DX at The Bamboo Room on Mariner, but was charged $1 on Navigator.  Didn't bother me, but I found it odd.

Some of the top top shelf liquors at say the R bar will not be included but they will notify you if its above the limit and tell you how much it will cost.

Sp basically, don't sweat it. Gotcha.

Sp basically, don't sweat it. Gotcha.

I usually establish a relationship with key bartenders early in the cruise by offering a single with my SeaPass card when ordering drinks with DX.  Pool bars for example.  
They get to know you and remember your drink orders.   At busy times this can work in your advantage.  
I was on Navigator in December.  Shortly after the ship went into dry dock and months later I was back on in March.   Bartenders not only remembered my name but also my drink preferences.   The very moment I walked up on boarding they they welcomed me by name with a smile on their face months later.  
A extra tip, a smile and patience when they are slammed goes a long way.
You don't have to tip above the 18% you have already paid.
PS - I still remember his name too - Edgardo, a great bartender.    Then there was Zoltan in the Bamboo Room, then...

Now should be know as RCI Cruise Speak (RCS for an acronym) - definition -  purposely confusing as to maximize confusion and profits when required.

There is some confusion and like many things Royal it depends.
Oasis class historically covered up to $13 drinks.  Quantum class was the same but the verbiage for Quantum class stated $12.  In practice it was enforced at $13. Other ships were just $12.
Along came Bamboo Room (currently only on ships with $12 cap) where they have $14 drinks and DX verbiage that states $12 but you are charged $1 overage for those $14 drinks.   Lately came a revelation that Bamboo Room drinks would be included in the DX but no firm verbiage to back that up. 
So there you have it.  Very clear, right?

It will cover up to $13 drinks and most drinks are $13 or less.    Anything above that you will be charged the difference and the gratituity (I believe) on top of that.  For example, I like Oberon wine which many ships carry... It's $15 a glass so I pay the $2.37 difference...    I have found this to be the case on all the ships I've been on (5 different rc ships), but I admit I haven't been on Independence.  Jane

Bravo, Sabrina - splendid blog!
 

Yoi never know, once one an around the world trip, a hotel in Hong Kong had checked out my social media presence and a solid chocolate airplane with edible runway was waiting for me in my room. That’s the difference between good and great service. 

Grits are not Cream of Wheat
 
Butter and salt, with pepper optional.  No sugar, no berries!
 
I'm gonna hafta take my wife to the Canada and feed y'all some proper, creamy grits!!!
 
?

Wait.... are those.... blueberries in your grits?? ?

I have all my weekends off and only have a "workday" every other Monday........I'm retired and volunteer at our local NC Aquarium every other Monday. 

I sincerely hope they were doing shots of something better than Jose Cuervo Especial!! ? Patron Silver at a minimum when you have the DBP!

Keep in mind that even with The Key, you have to be out of your room by 9am. The lounges will be open but most areas are being cleaned in preparation for the next set of cruisers. I remember on one of my first cruises someone was joking about how you become old news on that last morning. It's so true! I always think about that on the last day. 

My first cruise is coming up, so I have no status. Booked The Key at 160 days out.

I was on navigator earlier this summer. I also have anxiety about crowds and figured I wouldn't really enjoy a cruise. But, actually, you never feel like there are that many people around unless you are at a planned activity. The viking lounge was empty earlier in day and was a great inside spot for piece and quiet, as was the card room. Port day was wonderful, the ship was empty and everywhere was peaceful. I also liked deck 4 after muster, no one was around. It turned out that I like cruising much more than I thought I would. Have fun on your adventure and know that the fear of the unknown is much worse than the actual reality. Good luck! 

Hello!  
First of all please let me say that you need to relax!  The first day and last day are nothing to fear and it is not half as bad as what it may seem like on this board.  The worst part is the waiting in line depending on where you are boarding.  Since  you have The Key, any of the light stress that you may feel will dissipate!  This experience is completely relaxing and please do not let the pre planning get you worked up! 
1. I have brought them but have yet to use them, but they are handy for hanging up bathing suits on the wall and such, leaving notes for your stateroom attendant and a bunch of other things.  The use of the hooks is only limited by your imagination! 
2.  I honestly can not answer that one as I have not gone to one trivia event yet! 
3.  Another one that I can not answer as I have not used it, and honestly don't know enough about it to answer. 
4.  There are PLENTY  of quiet places that you will be able to find, they do a great job of having events all over the ship and in different places so it does not feel crowded depending on the time.  Of course times during dinner, and sales on the promenade obviously will be busier than normal times.  If you pay attention to what is going on and where you will have no problem avoiding the crowds, especially if you stay away from the promenade during those busy times.  I have found that the solarium at night is not packed at all!  I can assure you that you will be surprised at how few people are there during the evening.  I have been there in the evenings on every sailing and there are few people around at that time.  If you would like to make him happy and are self conscious those are the times to go, this year we were on Anthem and went to the hot tub several times and both times were in the evening around 8 or 9 and we had no issues being crowded whatsoever.  There was a max of maybe 15-20 people in the Solarium at the most.  There are tons of areas on each ship that you will be able to find that are quiet, but it all depends on when you desire to go.  I have found that the quietest times are usually early mornings or in the evenings in the open air areas.  I am a early riser and get up around 6-7 every day, so I get up and work out, eat a light breakfast and wait for the wife to get up which is usually between 10.  I explore the ship and read and find the quiet areas, such as the library, or any other quiet area, in the evening they are all over the place because either people are eating, or watching a show so the upper decks are not busy at all unless there is something special going on.  
5.  Yes, we do it frequently, if there is a port that we do not desire to go to, then we will stay onboard and enjoy the quiet of the ship!  Great thinking and you will enjoy your time!  I actually have come to enjoy those days because the boat goes from capacity down to less than half in a matter of a few hours!  
I apologize but I did not catch what ship you were on but I can assure you that what I told you about quiet places is true no matter what ship!  I have gone from the smallest (Majesty) to the one of the largest (Oasis) and it still was the same.  There will always be nice quiet spots!  Enjoy your cruise and please destress, this is a vacation and there is no need for it!  Sit back and relax! ?

I don't know about outside the U.S., but we just recently downgraded thru our travel agent and my purchases made on cruise planner stayed exactly the same.
 

1. Hats, Lanyards, anything you can hang that the hook will support.
2. About 20-30 minutes...bring a hiliter to use on your Cruise Compass each evening to map you the next day
3. The press tends to over sensationalize events on cruise ships for some reason. My experience and understanding is that events you hear about are much more frequent on land than on a good cruise line. We will use the Key for the first time on our next cruise. The benefits I see are --> embarkation day lunch, VOOM surf n stream is included, priority seating at shows...I think priority boarding and embarkation are icing on the cake. The only time boarding took a while was due to extra time for a ship to be cleared, and that was beyond the cruise line's control. As far as stress avoidance...if the way finding signs for The Key are easy to spot when you arrive at the terminal, that's a plus. Have your Set Sail Pass cued up on your phone app, and possibly a backup paper copy of your set sail pass within easy reach. That will alleviate a lot of stress. Get to the port early. Since you are on a 4 night sailing, I would guess that there will be a lot of first time cruisers figuring it out too. I think you are ahead of the game judging by your great questions.
4. Explore the ship on embarkation day do find areas that are appealing to you. The Solarium on every ship we have sailed has been fantastic. Each ship I have sailed has had an area that appeals to mostly everyone. Myself, I like ships with seating at the aft to watch the wake. It has always been peaceful. It depends on the class of ship you're sailing.
5. Yes, port days are a great time to enjoy the ship. If you haven't been to Cozumel before, there are lots of posts in this blog about great things to do there, especially out of the port area. Taxis are easy to use, and whether it's shopping, an excursion, a day resort or just exploring, it is a very fun place to visit.

1.  Everyone has chimed in, and all the suggestions are good.  The best one that I saw on this thread used them with the folding shelves (Brilliant).  Independence rooms have lots of space, so it will probably not be required.  Still, for hanging up small items the hooks are great.  One big tip ... The first time I used them to hang up robes.  I forgot them as we left the ship (my rookie mistake).  You will become so used them, you may think they are a part of the room.  Make sure you pack them up when you leave.
2.  I always tell new cruisers the most difficult thing you will do on a ship is try to determine what you will NOT do at a given time.  On a ship like Independence you will frequently want to to do more than one thing at the same time.  The compass will be in your room each evening.  Take at least one highlighter and mark the events you MAY want to do the next day.  Spend the early part of each day to plan out your day.  Do not take on too much, hopefully you will have other cruises to catch up on stuff you missed.  We are starting to take a nap in the afternoon (age has its privileges), to help full appreciate the evenings on board.
3. We do not use The Key, but for a first time cruiser it can be a great idea.  Ask lots of Crew members what to do with it.  I am certain they will be very helpful.  You are correct that The Key will make embarkation and debarkation easier w.r.t. meals.  On the other days you may enjoy the Main Dining Room more for Breakfast and Lunch.  The Windjammer is a zoo (except if you eat a little bit earlier or later than the norm).  Any bad things you have heard about cruising are grossly and severely over-hyped.  You will have a blast. 
4.  Already suggested, but the promenade deck outside that wraps the ship of Deck 4 is quiet and tranquil.  There are places to sit in the shade and it is very relaxing.  Smart walkers use the deck due to the views, quiet and shade.  Also, Olive or Twist on Deck 14 (aft elevators) is normally very quiet with even better views.  We go there often to read during the day.  It is also a quieter place for Sail Aways.
5.  You are correct.  Port days are almost always very relaxing on board.  You will have the run of the ship.  We have been to Cozumel many times.  It is a 50/50 chance that we get off the ship these days.  
 

The only time I notice, and can be bothered by crowding is right after the Muster Drill. It really depends on the ship, but if you are outside, under your lifeboat, and if crowds get to you, wait for everyone to disperse then head back into the ship. If you are inside in a public venue, wait comfortably in your seat! This is a nice time to walk all the way aft or all the way forward (if you can get to the helicopter pad) on your ship, deck 4 is a nice, quiet getaway on sea days - one side will be smoking, one side will be non-smoking.

You sound alot like me.  We just did the Empress ( first time cursing) and it was amazing and relaxing and all my fears were for nothing.

I used the hooks for everything--- we were able to hold up the extension cord to the CPAP so it wasn't on the floor and a trip hazard. I hung up my hats, and lanyard and purse and used them to keep track of the paperwork I wanted to have handy.

The Compass was actually pretty easy and that was a huge stress factor for me pre-cruise--- I grabbed it after dinner and went to town with highlighters ( one color for adults and one color for kid) I usually was reading it and highlighting while we waited for a show to start. I found it oddly relaxing to just pick where I wanted to be and knowing it would start at the assigned time.  

We loved Cozumel--- we bought a day pass to the El Cozumeleno Resort.  There was almost no one there so it was very intimate and private. It was very nice to be greeted by name at the entrance and shown to our assigned beach chairs and assigned lunch cabana and assigned waiters.  There was no thinking at all--- we could use the beach, the pools, it was all inclusive food and drinks.  It was a fantastic off ship experience and the cab ride to and from gave us a chance to sight see a little.

 

Uh oh....do not say this to @Sweety! I personally hunt out any chocolate period....red velvet or no lol!   Jane