WAAAYTOOO

WAAAYTOO will probably weigh in on this, apparently a favorite of Dan’s.  Ok the fact that I know that means I spend waaaytoo much time on these boards!!!

Plus private island Deluxe beverage package uses. Long walk back to the ship and up 17 decks to get another cold one. 

@WAAAYTOOO makes a great point and why I have always purchased the DX (DBP) when in Sky Class. 
If I am heading the theater I don't want to have to route myself through the deck 17 SL to get a drink to carry all the way to the theater.  It's much easier to go to the theater where there will be roaming servers and just order a drink.  Repeat this idea over and over for a week and you had better be wearing very comfortable walking shoes for all the mileage you'll be putting on them always going to the SL.
When I feel like a drink, I want a drink right there.  I don't want to have to visit the deck 17 SL every time I feel like something, to be restricted to basic (cheap) wine or beer.   
I love Central Park at night and simply ordering a good drink from the Trellis Bar or Vintages beats having to go all the way to deck 17 to get a cheap glass of wine that's hard to get past my nose.   

Thank you, when I search "Suite Lounge" here and on line I get much better results.  Great tip!
Thank you for the input!  I'm putting your convenience argument into the mix ? 

Hmmm....this is really a hard thing to quantify.  Some people truly enjoy the service of a Genie and some think they are completely overrated and unnecessary.  How's that for a non-answer ?  I'm going to be completely honest, here.  I am one who loves, loves, loves the Genie and Dan honestly doesn't really care for the Genie service.  The first time we did SC it was so new and so different from anything we had ever experienced, we both really enjoyed it.  The second time and the third time, etc. Dan began to resent that the Genie always seemed to be interrupting us for one thing or another.  The door bell and/or phone seemed to ring incessantly...which is true. They were always bringing something or dropping by to take something away.  If Dan got his way every time, we would probably never do SC again.  It's just too much commotion for him.
To answer your question, yes, I think having a Genie is going to be even more important in the restart than they ever were before.  Once they start to ramp occupancy back up I think things like specialty reservations are going to be more and more difficult to get.  I think things like expedited boarding and disembarkation are going to be more and more valuable.
One of the services of SC that I really love is the fact that they do your laundry for you.  You can have it sent out once a day, twice a day or never. I really enjoy this service.  They bring it back to you on hangers with your unmentionables in a bag.  There are so many things that are nice....
Is it worth the money ?  I guess I think it is. Many disagree.  It's hard to really quantify the level of service that SC provides.  Many will say....I'll just buy the UDP and the DBP+Voom and I will have the same thing, minus the Genie and save myself $$$.  But that's really not all there is to it.  On the first 2 SC cruises, I hosted the CC Cabin Crawls.  We had no less than 40 people on each of those who came to our cabin and were offered all the beer, soda, water, and food from the specialty restaurants (most of that food came from Jamie's/Giovanni's).....all at no charge.  We also offered champagne and wine (which we paid for but it was very inexpensive).  It was so much fun to show off our suite and have everyone enjoy themselves.  On each of those Cabin Crawls I know for SURE that we "sold" Star Class to at least 3 couples....so it's probably in Royal's best interest to cover such events.  Sky Class gets complimentary room service from the MDR menu.  Star Class gets room service from any and all of the Specialty Restaurants.  Big difference.
As far as what the Genie can do that you cannot do for yourself, the only thing that really comes to mind are the reserved seats at entertainment venues.  It's nice to be able to arrive at an entertainment venue just minutes before it begins and have the specific seats that you want, reserved for you.  Here is another example.  We had a credit card issue on one of our SC cruises.  The CC company (which was the Royal Caribbean Visa card, BTW !!!) began declining our onboard charges.  YIKES !  That was a real problem for us almost instantly as we charge considerable $$ to our onboard account at the casino.  The Genie talked with the revenue dept. and it was resolved - or so we thought.  Next day....charge declined.  By now, Dan was furious not to mention the fact that it was embarrassing when the casino pit boss had to tell us that our cash withdrawal had been declined.  Oh boy....  We tromped down to Guest Services, hoppin' mad.  It just so happened that another one of the Genies just happened to be there...and b/c the Genies all know who the SC guests are, even if they are not the Genie, he recognized us and asked if he could help.  When Dan explained the problem, the Genie disappeared behind the GS door and reappeared very shortly - this time with the ship's Revenue Manager - and this time, the problem was fixed...for good. Perhaps our Genie should have done this in the first place, but it was nice that it finally got handled properly by a fellow Genie.  They truly are a team.  We are always told that if, for some reason, our Genie is not available, feel free to ask any Genie for help. 
If you can afford it, SC is definitely a treat.

That isn't a threat to me.  I'm gettin' beat up everywhere.  I can take it !  LOL

Welcome to the blog and to sailing with Royal Caribbean.  
Before the COVID pause in cruising, the Suites Lounges for the Oasis class ships had an open bar from 11AM - 11PM where suite guests and Pinnacle Crown & Anchor members could enjoy a limited selection of beer, wine, water, soda and juices.  It is not clear if that same level of service will be available on the ships once cruising resumes. So the answer to your question is....we really do not know right now if this will be the case or not.
Whether or not you need a DBP is certainly a personal issue.  We do not find it particularly convenient to go back up to the Suites Lounge (SL) to get a drink, if you are in a different part of the ship.  We nearly always get the DBP b/c it gets us just about anything to drink that we could possibly want.  It includes alcohol, water, soda, specialty coffee, fresh squeezed juice, wine, beer.  It is a "convenience" thing for us...plus we know that we have already paid for all of our drinks before we board the ship.  No big surprise bills at the end.  So if you want to be able to get a drink of your choice at any and anywhere, the DBP may be a good choice for your group.

Wow....I think with that group I would definitely go with the floating cabana if the price isn't outrageous.  I think you will have WAAAY more room on the floating cabana than you would with the beach cabana.  I guess the biggest concern with having a 6 year old would be them falling into the water from the cabana but my guess is that the child would be wearing a vest most of the time anyway so maybe it's not that big a deal.  ...and just b/c you are on a floating cabana  doesn't mean that you can't go to the beach and let the little one play in the sand.  The reverse is not true.

You just have to let the rep know that you want the COVID coverage.  I always call and speak with a rep even when I am renewing an existing policy. 

@Matthas been pretty quiet on this leg.  He must be having a lot of fun !  Good for him.

Me too (looking forward to meeting you).  I was able to make airline reservations waaay back to PR (and also to Barbados for our Feb 22 Grandeur cruise) and I had airline credits to use, otherwise I probably wouldn't have booked out of CONUS either. Who knows if I can even get to either PR or Barbados.  If they require us to be vaxxed then we won't even be able to go.  I've decided to stretch the limits of my patience and just hold off doing ANYthing for now.  I figure I have a 50/50 chance of doing any cruising....either we will or we won't !!   LOL

Welcome to the blog and to sailing with Royal Caribbean.  
Before the COVID pause in cruising, the Suites Lounges for the Oasis class ships had an open bar from 11AM - 11PM where suite guests and Pinnacle Crown & Anchor members could enjoy a limited selection of beer, wine, water, soda and juices.  It is not clear if that same level of service will be available on the ships once cruising resumes. So the answer to your question is....we really do not know right now if this will be the case or not.
Whether or not you need a DBP is certainly a personal issue.  We do not find it particularly convenient to go back up to the Suites Lounge (SL) to get a drink, if you are in a different part of the ship.  We nearly always get the DBP b/c it gets us just about anything to drink that we could possibly want.  It includes alcohol, water, soda, specialty coffee, fresh squeezed juice, wine, beer.  It is a "convenience" thing for us...plus we know that we have already paid for all of our drinks before we board the ship.  No big surprise bills at the end.  So if you want to be able to get a drink of your choice at any and anywhere, the DBP may be a good choice for your group.

Well the other dad brought his daughter in to get her first dose of Pfizer, so... looks like the cruise experience will proceed! This will be their first cruise, too ? My daughter got first dose today as well.

Ok so shopping is out.  Original cruise had Key West and Costa Maya for shopping/sightseeing & Cozumel & Grand Cayman for beach.  Now it’s Coco Csy (beach) Antigua (beach) St Thomas (beach) ☹️☹️ 

@melmar02 we just got the call, finally out of permitting (in permitting since 8 April) and they were excited to tell us we are on the "dig list" Ready? 23 August!  When I took the phone call I thought it was starting in a week or two, but no such luck.. They are quoting us 6/7 solid months to conclusion (March 2022) due to supply chain issues and high demand. Watching your build has made me less anxious about the whole ordeal. ? Thanks so much for continuing to share. 

Heck I just want to get on the ship.  Can aways warm the roll under your arm. ?

For all the guesses posted above - this is why 2021 will be a great year to cruise!
I've sailed on a ship where 2/3 cancelled because of a hurricane.  It was fantastic!  No lines, few crowds, lots of space.
2021 is shaping up to be an awesome cruise experience! 
In 2022 and beyond people will be like... "I should have cruised more in 2021 without normal capacity".

@WAAAYTOOO Thanks
But also I am excited to try CK on my allure sailing, I think I am going to make my cabin mates get the Cauliflower steak, duck and rigatoni, while I get the filet. We can share or order more...

Oh, you absolutely MUST do a live blog for us on this one.  I don't think we've had anyone stay in the UFS yet !  Congratulations.

That's the first competent decision they've made since 2019

Wow....I think with that group I would definitely go with the floating cabana if the price isn't outrageous.  I think you will have WAAAY more room on the floating cabana than you would with the beach cabana.  I guess the biggest concern with having a 6 year old would be them falling into the water from the cabana but my guess is that the child would be wearing a vest most of the time anyway so maybe it's not that big a deal.  ...and just b/c you are on a floating cabana  doesn't mean that you can't go to the beach and let the little one play in the sand.  The reverse is not true.

That's the first competent decision they've made since 2019

Wow....I think with that group I would definitely go with the floating cabana if the price isn't outrageous.  I think you will have WAAAY more room on the floating cabana than you would with the beach cabana.  I guess the biggest concern with having a 6 year old would be them falling into the water from the cabana but my guess is that the child would be wearing a vest most of the time anyway so maybe it's not that big a deal.  ...and just b/c you are on a floating cabana  doesn't mean that you can't go to the beach and let the little one play in the sand.  The reverse is not true.

Oh, you absolutely MUST do a live blog for us on this one.  I don't think we've had anyone stay in the UFS yet !  Congratulations.

I bet it becomes permanent.