Geoff P

I liked Key West as a cruise stop, it’s like the perfect amount of time there...and it’s way better than say, Nassau.  I’ve been to Key West a few times, both on a cruise and for a week long vacation once, the week there was too much, could’ve done more like a long weekend, but stopping for a day on a cruise is nice.
I don’t think the people that own the businesses by where the cruise ships dock don’t want us there...unfortunately they were apparently out-voted.

I like the “traditional” look of a ship, so most of the older smaller ships as far as exterior esthetics are concerned in the RCL fleet...but I actually like the quantum class ships...probably an unpopular opinion but I think the oasis class ships are ugly from the outside...I think they’re awesome with all they offer...but just that they look like someone put a hotel on top of a barge...a barge that was slightly too small for the hotel at that, and there’s just no real contour on the side of the ship, just rows and rows of balconies. 

Royal has made their Odyssey conveyance video public.
https://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/video/1178/odyssey-of-the-seas-conveyance-vinfographic-/
Good explanation of the process.
 

I getting really tired of seeing an adorable husky pup giving us so much pessimism! ? LOL!

Book early. Watch pricing. You can get your price adjusted up until final payment. Lots of time for those prices to change.
 
FWIW, the Adventure July 2022 sailing I grabbed has dropped twice now since release two weeks ago. Not much, but a bit. 

I STILL WANT BMcBFOTS!!! ?

We were on this one with you!   Not sure how you guys felt but we actually ended up enjoying the trip even with all the delays and changes, with Anthem being only half full, plus the compensation Royal gave us made it pretty nice!  Also opened us up to Bermuda to the point where that’s the next cruise we’re booking to try it out during their normal season.

That’s awesome!  We didn’t make money on it but with the OBC and FCC we essentially went on that one for free.  Plus having a FCC hanging around makes it much easier for me to convince my wife to book another cruise, can’t let those credits go to waste haha! 
I definitely agree, not in any rush to say over in Bayonne again anytime soon after that, although our hotel was in Brooklyn, still wasn’t great for sure.

FYI: there are some new sailings out for May 2022 - March 2023. Mainly Adventure and Anthem out of Bayonne to Canada, Bermuda, the the longer Southern Caribbean for Anthem.

Not really hoping to watch the shows in the aqua theater from the balcony just kind of wondering what there might be for a view from the balcony other than the people across the way lol

I have these photos from harmony from the balcony of cabin 10329. I personally like the cabin layout and the view from the balcony. Spent a decent amount of time there when we in port. These photos are from being docked at perfect day. 

You will definitely have more of a view all the way aft than you would further forward on the Boardwalk.

It was there before, but disappeared for I want to say most of December and just came back today.

At some point an Odyssey planning guide was added to the RCI charter website.  Per the various planning guides:
 
Quantum
Suites 125, Balcony 1,446, Ocean View 148, Interior 375.  Total Staterooms 2,094
 
Anthem/Ovation
Suites 129, Balcony 1,436, Ocean View 148, Interior 378.  Total Staterooms 2,091
 
Spectrum
Suites 142, Balcony 1,487, Ocean View 142, Interior 366.  Total Staterooms 2,137 
 
Odyssey
Suites 125, Balcony 1,482, Ocean View 132, Interior 366.  Total Staterooms 2,105 
 
Main Theater Capacity 
Quantum 1,299, Anthem/Ovation 1,394, Spectrum 1,350, Odyssey 1,350
 
Crew
Quantum 1,500, Anthem/Ovation 1,500, Spectrum 1,551, Odyssey 1,550
 
Guest Capacity
Quantum 4,180, Anthem/Ovation 4,180, Spectrum 4,246, Odyssey 4,198
 
Gross Tonnage
Quantum 168,666, Anthem/Ovation 168,666, Spectrum 169,379, Odyssey 169,000
 
 

Some people have preferences and when they get assigned outside of their preference it's "bad".  For example being the last cabin all the way forward or aft means more walking.  Some don't like that.  I see it an opportunity to eat more in the Windjammer.  

I don't think so

"Bad" is subjective, meaning if you prefer a particular deck or position on the ship you might not be happy with a GTY, but for the most part I've been lucky with them! 
If you're looking for refundable deposit option then GTY is not going to work because it's only a non-refundable deposit option. But it's a great way to save money if you're not picky about your room.

I did a GTY on Serenade and ended up in a deck 7 forward balcony in the area where the balconies are extended.  Balconies above can look down on you when you are at the railing and your neighbors are right there as in "Can you hold my beer while I take a picture?".  
I had seen these balconies and avoided them but having been placed in one I learned to love it.  I now seek out these cabins on Radiance class.  Someone else may not like the concept.  Since I use my balcony fully dressed it's not an issue for me.  
One's person's bad is another person's dream.  
If there are any obstructed or partially obstructed balconies they are candidates for GTY but so are more expensive categories that sell last since they are priced higher.   
The trick to saving money with a GTY is having low expectations so when it isn't that bad you are pleased with your discount.  However if you do a GTY enough you will eventually get the worse balcony on the ship.   Sometimes these are far forward or aft, or the deck below the pool deck where you'll hear deck noise from above.  Assume the worst.  If that would ruin your cruise then consider paying more to pick your cabin now.  
 

Yes, exactly.  No dividers to open so if sailing with other family in adjoining cabins you can't open the space up but that also yields more privacy.  
The newer style is more open which lets more light into the cabin and offers better views from the cabin.   However I wouldn't let that stop me from booking one.  It is more difficult for neighbors to poke their head around so it's definitely more private.  

Adventure for example has the cove style balconies.

They can print them for you at the port if needed.

I was actually surprised with how long the paper straws held up for...then again, I didn’t tend to let a drink sit around for too long either ?

Not sure what the pricing is for your cruise, but with our recent cruise the cost of the refreshment package was just slightly more than the $13 a cocktail costs without the DBP.  If you think about it like that, and you plan on using the DBP “to the max” as you said, you could purchase the DBP for you and the refreshment package for your mother, and more likely than not still save money and come out ahead, plus anything she uses her package for would be a bonus on top of that.  Depending on the cost of the DBP per day, you probably only have to order 4-5 cocktails a day to break even, not to mention coffees, bottled water etc.

I was actually surprised with how long the paper straws held up for...then again, I didn’t tend to let a drink sit around for too long either ?

I was actually surprised with how long the paper straws held up for...then again, I didn’t tend to let a drink sit around for too long either ?