mdgwow

Biggest mistake was probably on our first cruise.  We had arranged air travel and cruise through a travel agent and flights were the same day as the cruise.  The travel day was so tiring and stressful due to weather and traffic getting the airport, finding our transfer from airport to ship, etc. that once cabins opened we went to our cabin and passed out, completely missing sail away.

Paying for a balcony room...then forcing myself not to miss anything on the ship, that I never gave myself the time to just sit and enjoy the balcony I paid for.

Welcome to the message boards.
The Key does not allow you to move to the front of all lines.  The Key does provide priority at specific events such as on boarding day in the terminal or at the times listed for specific activities such as FlowRiders, Zip Line and Rock Wall.  These times are set aside for guests with the Key.   It can also provide a designated seating area in some theaters that is set aside but you have to get inside the theater like everyone else to reach the reserved seating area. 
Don't confuse that with "if there is a line, the Key allows you to go to the front".  That is not the case.

Bring a pen and a highlighter with you. You never know when you want to write a thank you note and you most definitely want to mark out those activities that you don’t want to miss on your cruise compass.

Take care of those who take care of you...
 
I'm talking tips. Works everywhere...

Once onboard put your phone in airplane mode

Bring your patience. Some people will act rude, but go into the trip with a vacation state of mind, and any absurd actions from other passengers will roll easier off your back. 

I know this is making it in there as @Matt is an early arriver..but it is absolutely my #1 tip for everyone.  We are fortunate that Royal doesn't make us adhere to the assigned boarding times like some of the other cruise lines do.  Take advantage of that always!

1. Arrive to the port early. You are paying for your day 1 and the sooner you get on the ship, the sooner you can start your vacation.
2. Bring a USB port outlet for more charging space. Do not confuse this with a surge protector, since it most likely will be confiscated.
3. Be friendly to the crew and chat with them. Room stewards, for instance, enjoy when we have conversations with them because their jobs are very repetitive and have to clean up after us. It can really make someone's day.
 

I'd like to know too @FlowBro Ty, I just booked her yesterday for march 1 2020!!

If you decide to work with NextCruise on the ship go to their office on the first - third day of the cruise as they will not be busy. If you wait later in the cruise it will get more hectic as the week progresses. On my last cruise I went to NextCruise on the first day with a plan already of what I was looking for and I was the only one in the office. It worked out well and was carefree as can be.

Re-pricing prior to final payment.

Just like @JLMoran said, if Royal raises gratuities, you will be grandfathered in to the old rate. My TA, @StephanieH, said the same thing.

Just to have the peace of mind that it's taken care of.....no advantages at all.  In my case I was paying for 6 of us; so to not have an additional $605 at the end of the cruise added some comfort.

Also, put on a happy face. No matter how much it hurts.

Don't let the porters see you cry.

Be like Super Mario and never worry about disembarkation! 

Post our last cruise I thought of several ideas how to make the embarkation day more bearable , please feel free to add some more of your ideas :
Do not try to get even with the ultimate drinking package – try not to drink too much alcohol during the  last evening/night , it will make the morning easier. Try to go to sleep early so you will get several hours of sleep before leaving the ship. Avoid WJ at the disembarkation morning , try to go to another place for breakfast  , WJ is a mad house during disembarkation morning. The best time to fly back from the port will be 11:30 am – 1 PM (depends how far the port is from the airport) so you can leave the room around 8 am and go directly to the airport without the need to figure out what to do until your flight. If you have very late flight consider to take day stay in one of the hotels , nothing worse than walking  around with tired sad people around you trying to  pass time until your flight. Check your bill during the day before the last day so if you need to fix something with guest services you will not need to wait in long lines. If you have enough vacation time try to take few days to continue your ovation after the cruise , for example, you cruised from Orlando with the family ? why not to  add few days in the different parks. If you can , give yourself one day off at home before going back to work. If it is possible always try to do self disembarkation , it will allow you to control when to pack, when to go out from your room (up to 8:30 am) and you will not need to check if your numbers were called or not. User the Luggage Valet program if available . that way your suitcase will arrive directly to your home airport and you will not need to carry them before via custom.  Use the porters , some time they can save allot of time by using special queues. ·          

Like the previous replies, any time after 10am is fine. Showing up early can also save you a good deal of time not having to wait in long lines at check in. This past January we arrived to the pier in San Juan at about 10:30.
After luggage drop off, security check, check in, & sea pass photo/issuing, we were  on board by 11:00 seeking out our first drink to celebrate the beginning of our vacation!

Steph, Dan and I will be on the following week (1 Dec) and I do believe that there is a not-to-be-mentioned BOT on that same cruise with us.  When I booked this cruise I had absolutely no idea that it was the second cruise after dry dock.  I think if I were you and had the very FIRST cruise after dry dock I would be a bit nervous.  LOL
We are doing a S2S for this one.  Brilliance out of Tampa from Nov 25 - 30 (for Thanksgiving).  Then the next day we board Oasis (1-8 December).  We'll be Star Class on Oasis so I'm not EVEN going to try and figure out dining options at this point. That will be a job for the Genie !   I am certainly not holding my breath that they are going to replace Cats.  It's far too late for that at this point unless they've been holding that intel in TOP SECRET and nothing has leaked out yet....highly, highly unlikely.  I believe there is a complication with the license agreement and Royal was forced to hold it over...at least that's what I have read.
This was a casino comp for us too.  I upgraded to SC back before they changed the "rules" and upgrading became not-so-awesome.
Anyway, I'm glad you will be on ahead of us.  You can let us know what is finished and what they're still working on !!

Labadee Yes. Coco Cay its closed... It used to be thet it was open while also in Coco Cay but they didn't get their deal renewed with The Bahamas to do that..