CrimsonCruiser

The bungalows in Labadee are such a great bang for the budget and I REALLY wish Cococay had something like it. This is our first trip at the new coco cay and we (also) booked the breezy bay beach bed after loving the bungalow experience in Labadee. but I do wish we had a bungalow with couch and table vs a bed that I anticipate will get covered in sand as we traverse the area.

After being (lovingly?) pestered by Royal (7 emails in 2 days) the mom went ahead and tossed our hat in the Royal Up ring Saturday. Fingers crossed all that marketing was because they weren't getting any bids and we win by default with our minimum bid.

I fell in LOVE with the truffle pasta in Coastal Kitchen and now desperately wish it was served shipwide Since I don't like chocolate I skew toward the Apple Blossom. It's delicious! (runners up are the key lime and no sugar added peach shortcake...when it's ACTUALLY a CAKE) FRENCH ONION SOUP!!!!!!!!!!! Ever since realizing it was a thing that could be done on ships I want Royal to do Kbbq. it's my "treat" on land and I'd love to get it on vacation

sugar free ice cream does exist in the MDR and it's usually what I end up getting (that or sherbet if they have it) and I can't taste a difference.

Entertainment reservations are open! Just booked ours and glad for it because so many of them conflicted with our selected my time dining reservation! Was able to snag good time for everything! also for planning help the show run times per a Jun 2023 cruise planner are: 1887 (the ice show) - 45 minutes Fine line (aqua show) - 45 minutes Grease (main theater) - 90 minutes Columbus (main theater) - 90 minutes

I was just logged in, checking on things for our upcoming cruise and noticed this new "Courtesy Holds" tab. I like it. It's rare for me to only need 24 hours if I'm contemplating (and we book with a TA anyway) but still...pretty cool I think.

Some reviews from this blog's staff: 2019: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2019/03/26/royal-caribbeans-the-key-worth-it 2021: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/11/22/royal-caribbean-the-key-review 2022: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/10/06/i-tried-the-key-again-see-if-its-worth-it

Do I have to ask about the drink of the day? I was looking at the boards they have on each bar but noticed they weren't specific for the day....

I run cold and prefer to be warm and we've only sailed Caribbean in summer so it's hot hot hot out there. With the exception of the ice skating theater and the main theater, I've never needed the shawl/cardigan I bring onboard. I tend to carry it to dinner or around the ship the first couple days, thinking I'll need it but i don't. And if I do hit a point where I'm chilly, it's so easy to pop back outside and get thawed. Lol

You can purchase room decorations on board and tell them what day you'd like them to be put up. Your room steward will do it when they come in for your cleaning - which is usually when you're gone for dinner or out for the day's activities. As for ways to NOT spend $450 for a private proposal, Dazzles is usually empty when there's a good gap in programming. It was a place my mom and I often chose to chill because it's quiet but overlooks the boardwalk and has lots of bright light and glass/crystal to reflect said light. Another option on the ship is a semi-secret mini path in Central Park. I don't exactly remember where it is but I've attached some photos. You can kind of see it as you take the main paths through and throughout our whole cruise on Allure last year I never saw anyone using it (I think because it's out of the way if you're actually trying to get somewhere)

up to $15 already? didn't it just go from $13 to $14 late last year?! Making me real happy I have those Diamond drinks

Curious if anyone tried or heard anything about these local places? The original fat boy Jimmy's (BBQ) Shieka's They're in the same area as Holland House and pop up on a list for "how to to eat like a local"

I believe flowers would fall into the category of with fruits and things that are usually prohibited in international travel because they may have bugs not native to the area. I imagine whatever Royal used to sell before had to go through a series of certifications.

If they are in your room while you order room service, I don't believe there are any caps on how much you can order at a time. So you can get something for everyone if you want. You may run into plate limits on the MDR dinner option but idk for sure since, if you had just gone down to the MDR you could get multiple entrees.

Breakfast for suite room service dining has always felt like the same food served in Windjammer. In fact, I would put money on the food actually coming from their (though I have no proof of that)

It's absolutely unlimited. The "bigger" "problem" might be if the machines run out. It happens and you may find yourself staring at a very grey "sold out" screen especially late at night or just before a port visit. But yeah, refill as often as you want.

I've not seen any excursion that doesn't have it baked in to the cost to drop you off wherever they pick you up. BUT there may be an option to stay longer where they stop (a beach, downtown etc), at which point I would just say make sure the driver knows but then you have essentially waived the built-in return trip and are responsible for getting back on your own.

We just hit Diamond and want to save those 4 daily drinks to actually get booze at the bars hahaha. I'm pretty sure we're still going to get our money out of it - we generally refill 4 or 5 times a day - but I've been spoiled by being on smaller or older ships and getting the package for between 5.99 - 7.99 per person per day

I am quite disappointed to see that the soda package is still $9.99 per person per day. It was $7.99 back when we first booked the cruise and hasn't come back down since. *sigh* also nothing else available has moved with this new "sale" this is the first sailing where the sales have been shyte

Still open to dining suggestions if anyone has anything. Obviously more amenable to "town" now.

Can anyone confirm if the vests are still free for use for adults with your own equipment? I'm not sure I want to spend the money to buy a vest....I've seen conflicting information that they are either free or cost $10 to rent for the day.

August 2023 going for $134

I was definitely thinking of doing this - it doesn't hurt to ask at least. And now that I know that everyone is recommending taking the ferry into town anyway sounds like it could be a good plan

Good to know! Any chance you recall the pricing for a water taxi?

O.O how did you find that?! Also...I KNEW the extensions were a lie! They're already preplanned!