WackyCactus

Let me chime in on this.

I had the biggest social anxiety fears when I went solo back in January.  I was asking everyone on here for advice, and they were quite helpful.
As a side note, I also went solo in March.
But, to get to your question.  I had the best cruises of my life going solo.  I answered to NO ONE.  If I wanted to do something, I did it when I wanted to.  I've always been coupled up on a cruise and beholden to the other persons whims.  Let's go do this instead of what I wanted to, etc.
I climbed the rock wall, that was a new adventure for me, and I LOVED IT!!  I went to the ice skating show on my own, AND LOVED IT!!!  I saw Grease in the theater and, ohhh... I LOVED IT!!!  I went to every specialty restaurant on the ship on my own.  I LOVED IT!!  I think the only one I didn't enjoy was Izumi, that's because they sat me in the back corner by the kitchen and it was noisy, and HOT as a mug!
I did excursions on my own.  I was a CocoCay on my own, and I enjoy water slides, and I did all those with me, myself, and I.  I LOVED IT!!!!  There was an excursion on speed boats in Cozumel.  I got to drive the boat, with no one else in there.  JUST ME!!!  It was by far the best excursion I have been on.
If I had known how much fun I have doing things with just me, I would have done this a long time ago.
Like I said, I have a fair bought of social anxiety.  Solo cruising kicked that to the curb.  It makes you meet and chat with people.  Anyone and everyone.
I would also recommend joining the Facebook related to your ship and cruising date.  This is a MUST do.  I met several people that way 😛 
You'll have a blast, just have the expectation that you WILL be comfortable with yourself, and that you are an amazing person and kick ass!!  You'll have a blast!!!!
 
As a side note.  I forgot to put this in here... Get a balcony room.  I loved hanging out on the balcony.

Let me chime in on this.

I had the biggest social anxiety fears when I went solo back in January.  I was asking everyone on here for advice, and they were quite helpful.
As a side note, I also went solo in March.
But, to get to your question.  I had the best cruises of my life going solo.  I answered to NO ONE.  If I wanted to do something, I did it when I wanted to.  I've always been coupled up on a cruise and beholden to the other persons whims.  Let's go do this instead of what I wanted to, etc.
I climbed the rock wall, that was a new adventure for me, and I LOVED IT!!  I went to the ice skating show on my own, AND LOVED IT!!!  I saw Grease in the theater and, ohhh... I LOVED IT!!!  I went to every specialty restaurant on the ship on my own.  I LOVED IT!!  I think the only one I didn't enjoy was Izumi, that's because they sat me in the back corner by the kitchen and it was noisy, and HOT as a mug!
I did excursions on my own.  I was a CocoCay on my own, and I enjoy water slides, and I did all those with me, myself, and I.  I LOVED IT!!!!  There was an excursion on speed boats in Cozumel.  I got to drive the boat, with no one else in there.  JUST ME!!!  It was by far the best excursion I have been on.
If I had known how much fun I have doing things with just me, I would have done this a long time ago.
Like I said, I have a fair bought of social anxiety.  Solo cruising kicked that to the curb.  It makes you meet and chat with people.  Anyone and everyone.
I would also recommend joining the Facebook related to your ship and cruising date.  This is a MUST do.  I met several people that way 😛 
You'll have a blast, just have the expectation that you WILL be comfortable with yourself, and that you are an amazing person and kick ass!!  You'll have a blast!!!!
 
As a side note.  I forgot to put this in here... Get a balcony room.  I loved hanging out on the balcony.

Let me chime in on this.

I had the biggest social anxiety fears when I went solo back in January.  I was asking everyone on here for advice, and they were quite helpful.
As a side note, I also went solo in March.
But, to get to your question.  I had the best cruises of my life going solo.  I answered to NO ONE.  If I wanted to do something, I did it when I wanted to.  I've always been coupled up on a cruise and beholden to the other persons whims.  Let's go do this instead of what I wanted to, etc.
I climbed the rock wall, that was a new adventure for me, and I LOVED IT!!  I went to the ice skating show on my own, AND LOVED IT!!!  I saw Grease in the theater and, ohhh... I LOVED IT!!!  I went to every specialty restaurant on the ship on my own.  I LOVED IT!!  I think the only one I didn't enjoy was Izumi, that's because they sat me in the back corner by the kitchen and it was noisy, and HOT as a mug!
I did excursions on my own.  I was a CocoCay on my own, and I enjoy water slides, and I did all those with me, myself, and I.  I LOVED IT!!!!  There was an excursion on speed boats in Cozumel.  I got to drive the boat, with no one else in there.  JUST ME!!!  It was by far the best excursion I have been on.
If I had known how much fun I have doing things with just me, I would have done this a long time ago.
Like I said, I have a fair bought of social anxiety.  Solo cruising kicked that to the curb.  It makes you meet and chat with people.  Anyone and everyone.
I would also recommend joining the Facebook related to your ship and cruising date.  This is a MUST do.  I met several people that way 😛 
You'll have a blast, just have the expectation that you WILL be comfortable with yourself, and that you are an amazing person and kick ass!!  You'll have a blast!!!!
 
As a side note.  I forgot to put this in here... Get a balcony room.  I loved hanging out on the balcony.

Let me chime in on this.

I had the biggest social anxiety fears when I went solo back in January.  I was asking everyone on here for advice, and they were quite helpful.
As a side note, I also went solo in March.
But, to get to your question.  I had the best cruises of my life going solo.  I answered to NO ONE.  If I wanted to do something, I did it when I wanted to.  I've always been coupled up on a cruise and beholden to the other persons whims.  Let's go do this instead of what I wanted to, etc.
I climbed the rock wall, that was a new adventure for me, and I LOVED IT!!  I went to the ice skating show on my own, AND LOVED IT!!!  I saw Grease in the theater and, ohhh... I LOVED IT!!!  I went to every specialty restaurant on the ship on my own.  I LOVED IT!!  I think the only one I didn't enjoy was Izumi, that's because they sat me in the back corner by the kitchen and it was noisy, and HOT as a mug!
I did excursions on my own.  I was a CocoCay on my own, and I enjoy water slides, and I did all those with me, myself, and I.  I LOVED IT!!!!  There was an excursion on speed boats in Cozumel.  I got to drive the boat, with no one else in there.  JUST ME!!!  It was by far the best excursion I have been on.
If I had known how much fun I have doing things with just me, I would have done this a long time ago.
Like I said, I have a fair bought of social anxiety.  Solo cruising kicked that to the curb.  It makes you meet and chat with people.  Anyone and everyone.
I would also recommend joining the Facebook related to your ship and cruising date.  This is a MUST do.  I met several people that way 😛 
You'll have a blast, just have the expectation that you WILL be comfortable with yourself, and that you are an amazing person and kick ass!!  You'll have a blast!!!!
 
As a side note.  I forgot to put this in here... Get a balcony room.  I loved hanging out on the balcony.

My family did this and it was wonderful! I went in 2019 so I will tell you what I remember. You can climb some of the ruins, there are many ruins to look at and you are a bit "in the jungle", we saw many monkeys in the trees when we were there. The ride to the ruins was in an airconditioned bus and we got to see a good bit of Costa Maya. The Lagoon Beach was AMAZING! The water was calm, peaceful and just perfect! I am not a snorkeler, so I don't know how the snorkeling is. But, this is a lagoon and not the ocean so it seems like this may not be ideal for snorkeling is that is really your thing. We did have lounge chairs and lunch was provided at the lagoon, but I do not remember what was served. We just fell in love with Costa May through this tour. I think it was a great combination or island tour, ruins, and beach. We have booked the lagoon only version of this tour for our next stop in Costa Maya! We have been on many excursions before and this one is our #2 favorite of all time (#1 is in Costa Rica).

What I really cannot figure out is why we continue to see posts like this everywhere.  It's not like the poster doesn’t know about the purpose and various opnions on masks.  Some people agree with you, while others (like me) do not, although those words are not nearly strong enough to express the depth of the disagreement.  No one on these boards is going to change anyone's mind.  I am willing to argue about it much more than most, and even I am tired of it and realize the futility.  In my opnion your opnion on masks is wrong at every level,  but you do you.  Just not on a cruise ship until the rules change.

With the explosion of COVID cases in Florida, I can see why masks would be required on cruise ships and elsewhere.  Things will get better, but we need to take note of our current situation.

Entitlement aside.  I'm not burdened, and don't feel it a burden to protect not only myself, but those around me.  Those being other passengers, and definitely the crew at large.  So, maybe take a step back and understand that this isn't just about you and your desires, this is about every one as a whole.
Your decision not to go on the cruise is yours.  I don't feel that anyone is going to be burdened by your choice not to go.
On the flip side of that, I'm definitely going on my two cruises coming up, mask and all.  I'm going to enjoy them, and have great food, drinks, and conversations.  I'm going to go down water slides, swim in pools, and relax.  I'm going to go on amazing excursions.  Then I'm going to go to the future cruise place and setup my third cruise to Alaska.  If I'm required to wear a mask then, I'll still be elated to go, and I won't feel burdened.
I'm glad to hear that you are vaccinated.  Maybe just give this cruise a try and see how it goes.  If you don't like it, you don't have to go again, but go with an open mind as to what it can be, not what your perception of it is based off a mask.

Entitlement aside.  I'm not burdened, and don't feel it a burden to protect not only myself, but those around me.  Those being other passengers, and definitely the crew at large.  So, maybe take a step back and understand that this isn't just about you and your desires, this is about every one as a whole.
Your decision not to go on the cruise is yours.  I don't feel that anyone is going to be burdened by your choice not to go.
On the flip side of that, I'm definitely going on my two cruises coming up, mask and all.  I'm going to enjoy them, and have great food, drinks, and conversations.  I'm going to go down water slides, swim in pools, and relax.  I'm going to go on amazing excursions.  Then I'm going to go to the future cruise place and setup my third cruise to Alaska.  If I'm required to wear a mask then, I'll still be elated to go, and I won't feel burdened.
I'm glad to hear that you are vaccinated.  Maybe just give this cruise a try and see how it goes.  If you don't like it, you don't have to go again, but go with an open mind as to what it can be, not what your perception of it is based off a mask.

Entitlement aside.  I'm not burdened, and don't feel it a burden to protect not only myself, but those around me.  Those being other passengers, and definitely the crew at large.  So, maybe take a step back and understand that this isn't just about you and your desires, this is about every one as a whole.
Your decision not to go on the cruise is yours.  I don't feel that anyone is going to be burdened by your choice not to go.
On the flip side of that, I'm definitely going on my two cruises coming up, mask and all.  I'm going to enjoy them, and have great food, drinks, and conversations.  I'm going to go down water slides, swim in pools, and relax.  I'm going to go on amazing excursions.  Then I'm going to go to the future cruise place and setup my third cruise to Alaska.  If I'm required to wear a mask then, I'll still be elated to go, and I won't feel burdened.
I'm glad to hear that you are vaccinated.  Maybe just give this cruise a try and see how it goes.  If you don't like it, you don't have to go again, but go with an open mind as to what it can be, not what your perception of it is based off a mask.

I feel I need to come bunk with some of you all 🙂

To be fair, it would be no different than it was pre-pandemic

Was on Adventure on the Dec 1st sailing.  Customer service told me there was 1700 on it.   There were really no lines for anything and you could get lounge chairs at the pool at any time. 

@Kim Amato we also reside in Florida & were not happy when they advised us the evening before our sailing that the mask requirements were going to be even tighter then when we booked the sailing. I was not happy as we also only wear masks IF inside a Doctors Office. We decided that night in the hotel as a family we wanted to be at sea for Christmas & we also agreed that Royal is a business and like it or not, agree with it or not we signed up to sail during these weird times and knew things evolved and changed all the time.  Some ones sailing had to be the first one with last minute notification & it was ours.
We decided not only would we sail we wouldn't engage in speaking or complaining in any active conversations about it once we were on the ship, alas taking away from our joy we had anticipated. It was tough at first because in the terminal there were some really heated discussions but we promised each other we spent a lot of money to celebrate the blessings we were experiencing and the crazy year we had just gone through. 
Honestly after the first night I promise you, we didn't even flinch;  the idea of wearing it everywhere was worse then actually wearing it everywhere. I personally was more perturbed at how Royal packed the ship, relaxing to soon being a bit cavalier with so many people on board, we sailed twice since the "come back" & that was a bit much coupled with the limited capacity protocols everywhere else. 
You know your own comfort levels, the masks that @SpeedNoodlesmentioned were all over the ship, people really seem to like them, comfortable I was told especially with glasses, (mine always fogged up) 
Some actively desire this industry to fail, I am not one of them. We enjoy sailing and hated it when they were shut down. Whatever you decide have a very Happy & Healthy New Year! Denise

Entitlement aside.  I'm not burdened, and don't feel it a burden to protect not only myself, but those around me.  Those being other passengers, and definitely the crew at large.  So, maybe take a step back and understand that this isn't just about you and your desires, this is about every one as a whole.
Your decision not to go on the cruise is yours.  I don't feel that anyone is going to be burdened by your choice not to go.
On the flip side of that, I'm definitely going on my two cruises coming up, mask and all.  I'm going to enjoy them, and have great food, drinks, and conversations.  I'm going to go down water slides, swim in pools, and relax.  I'm going to go on amazing excursions.  Then I'm going to go to the future cruise place and setup my third cruise to Alaska.  If I'm required to wear a mask then, I'll still be elated to go, and I won't feel burdened.
I'm glad to hear that you are vaccinated.  Maybe just give this cruise a try and see how it goes.  If you don't like it, you don't have to go again, but go with an open mind as to what it can be, not what your perception of it is based off a mask.

Well, it's good of you to be an upstanding person.
 
I do hope you make the second cruise!!!

Entitlement aside.  I'm not burdened, and don't feel it a burden to protect not only myself, but those around me.  Those being other passengers, and definitely the crew at large.  So, maybe take a step back and understand that this isn't just about you and your desires, this is about every one as a whole.
Your decision not to go on the cruise is yours.  I don't feel that anyone is going to be burdened by your choice not to go.
On the flip side of that, I'm definitely going on my two cruises coming up, mask and all.  I'm going to enjoy them, and have great food, drinks, and conversations.  I'm going to go down water slides, swim in pools, and relax.  I'm going to go on amazing excursions.  Then I'm going to go to the future cruise place and setup my third cruise to Alaska.  If I'm required to wear a mask then, I'll still be elated to go, and I won't feel burdened.
I'm glad to hear that you are vaccinated.  Maybe just give this cruise a try and see how it goes.  If you don't like it, you don't have to go again, but go with an open mind as to what it can be, not what your perception of it is based off a mask.

Entitlement aside.  I'm not burdened, and don't feel it a burden to protect not only myself, but those around me.  Those being other passengers, and definitely the crew at large.  So, maybe take a step back and understand that this isn't just about you and your desires, this is about every one as a whole.
Your decision not to go on the cruise is yours.  I don't feel that anyone is going to be burdened by your choice not to go.
On the flip side of that, I'm definitely going on my two cruises coming up, mask and all.  I'm going to enjoy them, and have great food, drinks, and conversations.  I'm going to go down water slides, swim in pools, and relax.  I'm going to go on amazing excursions.  Then I'm going to go to the future cruise place and setup my third cruise to Alaska.  If I'm required to wear a mask then, I'll still be elated to go, and I won't feel burdened.
I'm glad to hear that you are vaccinated.  Maybe just give this cruise a try and see how it goes.  If you don't like it, you don't have to go again, but go with an open mind as to what it can be, not what your perception of it is based off a mask.

Also- important to note that the majority of people are adherent to the rules. Some folks even prefer to go above & beyond and wear masks outdoors regardless of whether this provides additional protection or not. No judgement anywhere on the ship regarding protocol. It’s a positive experience and RC is doing what they need to do to stay safely afloat. 

Currently based on Oasis of the seas which I am sailing:
masks indoors on ship. You can remove while dining and drinking at restaurants and bars. You DO NOT need to wear a mask outdoors on pool deck and other areas. Outdoor in ports (no mask) inside vehicle on way to an excursion you must be masked. 
 
Thoughts: No big deal at all. 

Just got off the Navigator.  Mask was indoors the whole time, not outdoors.  When we were in line to be served food at Johnny Rockets or El Loco Fresh they asked us to put it on.  No mask required at the pool.
Once we got off the ship in Mazatlan/Cabo/Puerto Vallarta we took masks off.  Nobody ever asked us to put the on except for obvious indoor settings, i.e. in a store/shop.
MDR or Windjammer you wear it like before.  Sitting at the table the mask is off.  Walking around to buffet mask is on.

I’m guessing you haven’t been paying attention, both because you didn’t notice this policy going into effect in mid December and because you don’t seem to realize that with the Omicron virus, being vaccinated is only helpful for preventing severe disease for most people, not for preventing transmission.  I would think it would be more “burdensome” for your 85 yo mother to go on a cruise and catch covid, potentially assuring it would be her last cruise.  Deciding what works just for you is not really a thing with an incredibly contagious, potentially life threatening disease.  I think a land based vacation in your rule-free Florida bubble would be more fun for you.
 

The reality is that presently covid is on cruise ships more then it ever has been since the restart. 
They seem to be doing whatever they can to slow it down and AVOID another shut down. 
If you aren't comfortable by all means cancel. But I truly believe this is better then the alternatives which could be no cruises. 

We would probably rather have a refund for the first cruise but would still like to go on the second cruise.  Above all, we just want to do the "right" thing whatever that is.  We just want to be completely transparent with Royal and report the positive test.  I would think a positive test would raise some 'red flags" for Royal and might prevent us from doing both cruises of the B2B.  We also don't want to go to the port only to be told we can't go on the cruise.
The FAQ part on the Royal web site says the following: 
100% cruise fare refund for you, and your Travelling Party, if any of you tests positive for COVID-19 within 14 days prior to the cruise or at the boarding terminal prior to the cruise. 

When I used to purchase the beverage package, I would do what I call a "water run".   With a backpack on me, I'd go to most of the bars either on the pool deck or the promenade asking for bottled water.   Some bartender give two.  I end up with a supply of bottled water in my cabin.  Most times they don't even swipe or scan your SeaPass card for water.  They just check to see if you have the package.