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@Lovetocruise2002 and @GregD Thanks to you both for taking us along. You are beautiful people with beautiful families. Every evening I would look forward to your pictures and commentary. Last night hubby put in a DVD for a movie we wanted to enjoy, he was like "I'm ready!" I responded "I'm not, still catching up with Sabrina and crew!" He laughed and did something else until I was finished. Then he said didn't she go to Norway? So we revisited all of the photos from page 1! The content was amazing, you guys did great, I felt like I was there with you. I felt the cold, I felt the food coma (with zero calories) but most of all I felt the joy! Happy Birthday D16 and Happy Anniversary Greg D family. I enjoyed your journey and personally feel like I visited myself, thinking of checking this one off my bucket list, I even stayed Star Class! Safe travels all, be well and until next time...

@Carotthat We were just on the Mariner at capacity the concierge lounge was standing room only by about 1715. If you would like to enjoy this amenity I would suggest going to the lounge a little before 1700 and grab a seat. Then hit the buffet snacks for your little appetizer first. The drink servers come from the bar next door but if you are early our concierge Dudley pointed us out to the server as to where to start the drink orders. When we arrived after 1730 for sure we just left, I believe Mariner is a sister of Adventure so the same set up. Room service for breakfast (you can order from the MDR) was fantastic when we had it, the MDR food was okay (we didn't hate it) check out the menus on your app before the sailing) what we don't enjoy is the noise and the constant franticness of the MDR. We had amazing servers though, even with your own table you are practically in the next parties lap. Enjoy your sailing and congratulations on your Royal Up! We have a loosing streak going 26 bids zero chances to pay more! Oh well, I may be unlucky in RUB but I am blessed in life! Have the absolute best time, but beware you will love the bigger cabin, that's for sure!

Happened to us right before our Mariner sailing. Either I paid it, I did not owe it, it was a canceled voom package(109.00$) or they would have taken it from Sharlas commission. Their math made no sense, I was sailing in a few days and even though I produced my cancelation proof they refused to acknowledge. We ate it because it was a good rate to begin with and I was not allowing them to cut my TA's commission. Another reason we are taking a Royal break after this 30 year anniversary sailing at the end of the month.

Not only this Pins should be given 5 or more specialty dining amenity to enjoy as well. Pin is no small milestone. It seems a lovely thing to do. (No I'm not a pin, no where near it) *depending on length of sailing

Well, I may have over done it! I just finished my 30th duck for our 30th anniversary cruise. 30, wow I was having so much fun where will I hide them all? I was going to leave in the cabin also, do I tell my steward & ask him/her to leave for the next guests? Should I place it in the room safe? The icebox? Dear fellow bloggers, where else can I hide 30 ducks? It's the Harmony & Central Park is always crawling with ducks as well as the boardwalk area, any and all suggestions appreciated. I know no stores & pools, I really want to hide them all for a fun surprise! HELP??

I had @Sharlapay for mine ahead of time for our July sailing. We then tip on top of that as the service is usually outstanding. Last sailing on the Mariner was a bit rough so I left our room steward a cabin so clean he didn't have to practically lift a finger BUT the prepaid gratuity was all I felt was earned. First time EVER we didn't give extra. The snafu in the MDR when we arrived and someone else was dining at our assigned table (specially requested off in a quiet corner it was day 4) We still gave our hard working servers extra gratuity but the head waiter received nothing extra either. Our servers were so upset they kept coming over to our table across the restaurant to make sure we were okay! I felt strongly that their hard work not be reflected in a lost gratuity because someone clearly palmed the head waiter some extra $$ for our table. I never pre-paid gratuities before about 3 sailings ago & now I'm hooked. I like my on board account just being our extras for me it leaves me feeling great stepping off the ship as opposed to getting hit in the face with that last folio.

Its the first thing we do each and every time. Check in at your muster location, once it's complete relax and enjoy! FYI your specific location is listed on your Royal App. Enjoy the Symphony!!

So funny I was thinking the same thing. I explored everything Labadee has to offer and I like you just want the laid back beach experience you describe. That is why I actually would choose Labadee over CoCo Cay every time. Moving forward after experiencing the beach club on Coco Cay especially when there are two ships there, I'll opt for that beach moving forward. As of right now though, not moving forward. Curious to see though how they proceed. I'll be watching.

We visited Labadee on the Allure and the Mariner in May and June 2022. The prices started at 999.00 and up. In May we counted 5 cabanas rented, June just 3 rented. It seems to me that is money that was lost by Royal due to those prices. They sat empty earning 0$ . Made zero sense to me, rent them all at a reasonable rate or rent a very few and lose lots of revenue. Seems a bit foolish when they need $$ right now. I rented a beach cabana in March 2022 for half of the cost of what is being charged now. Most were occupied. Just to confirm these were Bare Foot Beach Cabanas

We sailed the Oasis in November 2021 and the suites 11-11 (beer, wine, soda) was not occurring. Only time bar was open was happy hour. Fast forward March 2022 it was open 11-11 for beer, wine soda. Like @twangsterpointed out just expect inconsistencies for sure.

Same here, visited in May second floor roped off all the time. Go early as they packed you in on the first floor, standing room only even in the a.m. Go early to get a seat.

Grab your favorite drink at any open bar you see and head up to Ellington's. The bar isn't open but the lounge is and the views are amazing. Great people watching up there and it's climate controlled. I believe it's on deck 14 aft, just so quiet and lovely. Floor to ceiling windows and you have views of the deck as well as the seas. Oops my bad it's called Viking Crown Lounge I believe. I'm referring to the same one @MikeK is below.

@whitsmom So I just checked the Hyatt on the airport property has a DAY STAY situation. They could spend the day there, luggage secure and enjoy the pool and restaurants. It looks like it is perfectly set up for your exact situation. Look under "offers" & sure enough I believe it is available from 1000-1800. If their flight is at 2000 it's perfect, they could gather their luggage get through security & be at the gate refreshed and ready to board their flight. I would totally opt for this if it was me. I hope this helps Looks like 169.00

On the Mariner we had to be out by 0800, they sent a letter to the cabin earlier in the week saying cabin must be cleared by 0800 so they could clean for next sailing. The cabins were open for us by 1300 on embarkation day so it seems this is the way of the Mariner. On our Oasis sailing it was out by 0900, cabins open at 1400. That was in March. And now that I'm thinking about it everyone has to be off the ship for the ship to be cleared for embarkation meaning all sea pass cards scanned as exiting the ship maybe someone knows more about this?

Your hubby sounds like my hubby, but for what it's worth sending positive vibes your way. If you can't control it, you shouldn't worry about it. I personally know you can roll with, you go @Lovetocruise2002. Enjoy every bit of this trip. I wish we were there with you.

UPDATE: Happy to report I received an email from Dudley! I'm not going to post it because I felt it very personal but I can confirm here the "higher ups" received my email explaining how he made our trip special & in turn notified Dudley. His message was so heart felt, he said he was being recognized from the ships Officers including heads of HR, Food & Beverage and more even to include some team mates. Congratulations Dudley & thank you Royal for following up with this positive action.

I love duck hunting. If I find more then one I go ahead and hide the other. I am not on Facebook so I post here and on Instagram. For the first time I am hiding them, on the Harmony 31 July! If you find it please post it on the sailings roll call! Here she is!

Oh wow, I wish you would have! To be honest I totally understand though. I was in a panic when I landed in the @Lovetocruise2002 star class take over! Would I mesh with the group? Would they think I was a jerk? OMG, the panic! All for naught, everyone could not have been friendlier. I have been fortunate enough to meet so many wonderful people from this site, I hope I can remember them all, @wordell1@SebagoSue and @bellemiche everyone kind and smiles for days. I even waved at @Matt on our first return to sailing cruise from the Bahamas when we both had cabanas in the CoCo Cay waterpark. Back then I didn't want to encroach on his family time and he was clearly documenting the sailing for this blog, so I kept my distance as well. I get it, I really do! Thanks again for your efforts for us on that sailing. My daughter always says "mom I'm not allowed to meet any of my on-line friends, how are you meeting the cruise blog strangers any different?" Because it is! Gees

We've been on six sailings so far after the come back and we never let our guard down. We are not walking around in fear at all but we make conscious decisions based on the reality of the moment. Maybe we have just been lucky; who knows but so far so good. Sailing again 31 July. We are basically practicing healthy habits we did before the pause but like I stated in other threads with capacity ramped to the breaking point and staff seemingly exhausted we feel a break from sailing is in order for us.

Following along for sure, looking forward to your amazing adventures!

The Ice Show Under the Big Top

We stayed here in March, we drove over the day before and they had a parking deck for a safe parking situation. The pool was okay, the food was quality albeit a little pricey. You could walk across to the Publix for any forgotten items. The hotel was clean and no nonsense, we could see the ships with the port view room. Easy short drive over to the port, no complaints this time. We stayed here due to be Hiltons Honors members and have no problem staying in the future.

That was me! Shout out to @Sea Squirreland Leticia, we were only in a CLS and she cleared us into the theater albeit no reservations and we enjoyed the show that was finally happening after so many cancelations. I remember thinking what kind and generous people we were sailing with. We were really touched. We didn't have reservations because they were not available to book as the shows schedules were crazy. Not for lack of trying.

I just perused my Royal Up offers for my July31 Harmony sailing. Typically lately the starting bid has come down, when I looked today all initial bids went up, by a lot. If I remember correctly a minimum of $800.00 for each category. Unbelievable, the Stars especially (which are sold out) start super high minimum bid 2,800 and up from there, wow!

Lido Beach, gorgeous area on the Gulf. Ringling Brothers Museum and grounds is a great day. St. Armand's circle steps from the beach, a very nice place to stop for a day or two. We stay at Lido Beach Resort. The Gulf waters are gorgeous and the beach is huge.