USCG Teacher

100% this! I worked in casinos and have played in casinos, when some self-proclaimed expert would get mouthy/uppity, I would generally in a less than friendly manner direct them to find a higher-limit table if they were uncomfortable playing with less experienced players.  Everyone deserves a chance to sit at a real table and play for fun and to be comfortable doing so.

I'm not sure if it's still a "thing," but I remember on a number of past cruises there were lessons given in the casino a various times throughout the week.  It cost a few bucks (maybe $20?), but they would walk players through how to play blackjack, roulette and craps, and even do a few simulated games everyone got play in.  At the end, you ended up getting what you paid for the class in free play to come back and try for real.  My wife enjoyed it immensely, and she ended up trying craps for the first time by the end of the cruise.  She promptly lost her $20, but she had a good time!

It sounds to me like your concern includes what other people might think.
I have been on a lot of cruises since the restart...many without the mask mandate. There were always people who were masked. It's not an unusual thing. I have never seen nor heard anyone commenting about someone else masking up. It's just accepted as an individual choice...as it should be. For me, even though there's mask-wearing everywhere, masks are barely noticeable anymore. It's just a part of life. Do whatever makes you feel safe. Everybody else does.
Enjoy your cruise!

As @Mattsaid, it will vary by sailing. On Ovation in May, my estimate would be right at the 20% he mentioned. On a short Freedom sailing earlier this month, it was less than 10% from what I observed. The following week on Explorer, the number was closer to 30%. In each case, that percentage also varied by venue.
Your party will definitely not be the only ones wearing masks.

Thank you all so much for these responses!  It's nice to know that everyone does what they feel is best for them and that there is no concern of feeling out of place.  We are so excited to get back to cruising, but just want to be as safe as possible.  I appreciate you all!

I will be wearing a mask on my upcoming cruise, the numbers are too high for me to not personally. Do what makes you feel comfortable!

No "calling out" of those wearing masks but definitely in the minority. If you are more comfortable that's what matters.

On the Harmony last week, they were people wearing masks but not a huge amount but no one seemed to be out of place. All the RCI employees wore masks and a button with what they looked like without their mask.  You just do what you feel comfortable doing.

On Freedom right now and while masks are optional, there is still a small percentage of people we have seen wearing one. 

On our cruise last month...Some were wearing masks but most people were not and all crew were wearing masks.  If your group feels safer wearing a mask...Go for it!  You will not be the only ones wearing one.

I think I'm going to look for it.  It may not end up being my thing, but I still feel like I'm missing out on some fun.   Thanks!  🙂
 

I did this at the restart on adventure and I think Oasis.  It was $25 and they gave it back in promo $ AND 2 drink tickets!  (Actual slips of paper)  it was great!  I’ve not seen it since.  They do offer lessons, free…just need to check the app or compass.  On Oasis last month lessons were only in the smoking section.  Hard pass! Ironically no one was playing on the non smoking side. 

That is a REALLY good idea! 
For me it's usually a cell phone charger or some type of cord that I shove in last minute.

Is this the polite way of telling us to keep our Virgin discussions somewhere else ? 😇😊😉
JK
 
 

I think you're missing my point. I'm not talking purely people that come and only make one post.
I'm talking people that make their first post, and people jump down their throat with snark because it's their first post assuming that they are a complainer.
There is no excuse for being a jerk to someone else on this site. 
If someone comes here and their first post is "the cruise sucked", it sounds to me like they need advice on how they could have easily avoided most of the problems they ran into with info. 
So what I'm saying is there is not ever a free pass for treating someone new to the site badly. If they swear off cruising, hate Royal Caribbean, and think they should get a million dollars in restitution, then that's their misinformed opinion. Obviously none of us agree. But we can respond with a "Sorry you didn't like your cruise, but next time you should try read about a drink package so you aren't hit with a giant bill later for all those drinks".
Hope that makes sense.

But if there was no adventure ocean, there'd be more kids running around the various decks. So you indirectly benefit
 

Just because you all have been so supportive here, I thought I’d post the next chapter in the story.  As there is an FCC Kicker promotion going on this month, I gently (sort of) nudged my brother to contact the new TA about getting something booked.  I am happy and somewhat surprised to say he did.  Looks like we are back on Harmony in May, 2023 for a 7 day western Caribbean cruise.  There are reasonably priced Junior Suites available (on the hump of deck 8 so perhaps slightly larger balconies) and I think we are gonna jump on it.  He is going with the refundable deposit this time!😄😄 I wish I could get him the deal he missed but at least it’s the same ship & cabin category.  I think we are dumping the cousins in a balcony cabin.

One huge labor-related thing that has changed during the pandemic is that many people have realized that they no longer want certain jobs for little money.  If hotels want more people to sign up to clean, they need to pay them more (and raise rates or make less profit....guess which one they'll do?).  They don't want to pay cleaning staff more, so they'll blame a "labor shortage."
Labor shortages are fairly easy to solve.  Many companies just don't want to do the one thing that'll solve them.

Check these tag holders out on Amazon. They are great for the paper tags. 
 
https://amzn.to/3cK5BcY
 

I am still learning to get the most out of each cruise without overdoing it.  For me, that is more important than moving up the ranks.  For example, I think I let myself down at the ABCs as we didn't get to do a beach excursion. Kind of dumb for that itinerary.....  I think learning to feel good and have fun each day of any vacation is where I will place emphasis.

I asked for a Mule and mentioned that I love ginger beer.  Bartender gave me the rest of the can.  

100% this! I worked in casinos and have played in casinos, when some self-proclaimed expert would get mouthy/uppity, I would generally in a less than friendly manner direct them to find a higher-limit table if they were uncomfortable playing with less experienced players.  Everyone deserves a chance to sit at a real table and play for fun and to be comfortable doing so.

100% this! I worked in casinos and have played in casinos, when some self-proclaimed expert would get mouthy/uppity, I would generally in a less than friendly manner direct them to find a higher-limit table if they were uncomfortable playing with less experienced players.  Everyone deserves a chance to sit at a real table and play for fun and to be comfortable doing so.

If you want to go under deeper then the surface, take the snorkel mouth piece out of your mouth hold your breath and dive. 
Snorkleling is all about just breathing, it weird to believe you can have your head/most of your body submerged and still breath.  Once you master that your in awe of what your seeing, it so peaceful and awesome!  
 

100% this! I worked in casinos and have played in casinos, when some self-proclaimed expert would get mouthy/uppity, I would generally in a less than friendly manner direct them to find a higher-limit table if they were uncomfortable playing with less experienced players.  Everyone deserves a chance to sit at a real table and play for fun and to be comfortable doing so.