Stelkp

I didn’t know that I could book it prior to getting on the ship until  reading this post a couple of days ago , so I booked. So bummed that the only seating times were all after 8:15. Maybe if I go earlier and wait there’s hope? But then I’ll be one of those annoying people you speak of lol! 

Boy O Boy, this thread turned to a load of crap, quickly.  No 🚢!

They pile that ship High and deep!

Seems like a good time to insert one of my favorite photos...

Just bought these! Thanks for the tip 

Smoking in the casino

I'll take this soda or pop idea a bit further...when we moved to a very rural county on Maryland's eastern shore 30+ years ago, we learned the older (our age) locals call Coke or Pepsi that comes in a can a "machine soda" which they shorten to 'chine soda. Gotta love local dialect.

People who allow their young children to play as if they were at an outdoor playground when they are actually inside at the Cafe promenade. Kids were chasing each other around other occupied tables.
I really don't understand when it became acceptable for people to allow their children to bother other people.

Heck, I don't even wear that stuff in normal daily life. Do I have political opinions? Sure, but I don't need to advertise them to everyone I meet.

Political statement clothing. Of any leaning. I like to escape politics on vacation. 🍹

This was so informative and reassuring. I’m going July 8 and we have the beach pass. Now I know we did the right thing lol

I would think that means 11k.   We were there last month on Symphony.  Mariner was there the same day.  I talked to some Mariner passengers they said they had 3800 on their ship.  We had 5822.   You did not feel congested at all.  There were empty loungers  everywhere.  
Typically they have the ships arrive and depart at different times.  For example Mariner docked at 8 a.m., but departed at 3.  We rocked at 9 and departed at 4:30.  Most people will leave to get back to the ship about 1 HR prior.  For us that meant by 2:30 it was only Symphony passengers.  
I am 57 too.  I will caveat my post by saying we booked the day pass to the beach club on this cruise  so I can't say anything about the grill area for food.  If you don't want congestion and a feel of a private beach, splurge on the day pass.  Its not a 10 out of 10 its a 20 out of 10....you read that correctly.  Once you go there you will always buy it.  Everything there is amazing from the bathrooms where you get true hand towels to the loungers and lunch.  We got there and a front row lounger next to the beach.  The tanning ledge pool loungers were always available, only the beds at the pool were taken. The lunch is as close as you get to a specialty restaurant....you can order surf and turf.  You van order everything off their menu. Its too much food....they even gave us cookies to go bc i said i am too full.  The infinity pool was never packed. The solarium on the ship had more people. The beach was empty...again, 9k were on the island that day.  They have attendants to take your drink orders from your lounger just like beach beds and cabanas, however, if you do go to the bar you will get your drink in 2 minutes. No lines there at all.
The negative of the beach club is the snorkeling is bad.  You need to go over to Chill to snorkel.

Yes, you can drink at Playmakers, but the food is not complimentary.

I've heard those pianos are notoriously out of tune

We are not strangers to cruising.  We have sailed twice with Princess, one of which was a quick 3 day to Santa Barbara and Ensenada Mexico, a 7 day Mexican Riviera, and 3 times with Carnival, a 3 day Ensenada, 7 day Western Caribbean (which was life changing and 1st time in the Caribbean), and a 7 day Mexican Riviera on the Panorama.  So, it was time for something different.  I was curious about why my mom has raved about Royal and why many are so loyal.  My girlfriend and I wanted to start out light on a 4 day Freedom of the Seas May 2nd 2022 to Coco Cay, then Nassau with a 3 day stay for our first time in Miami.  We decided to go bigger and longer for my birthday in November on Harmony for an 8 day Nov 12th to the Southern Caribbean.
Overall I can see why Royal is well liked.  I met quite a few passengers who sail only with Royal.  It was on this sailing where a passenger told me about her Diamond status and 4 free drinks a day.  That alone intrigued me!  Anyhow, the little taste we got definitely makes us want more.  Of course there were some pros and cons but we enjoyed ourselves, after all no ship I've encountered is perfect.  And speaking of perfect, Coco Cay was the main draw and it was amazing!  It was an almost perfect day at Coco Cay, since the weather could have been better.  The Daredevil's Peak waterslide was unexpectedly very intense and I almost couldn't catch my breath.  If it weren't for the climb I would have done it again.  Nassau was cool especially hanging with friendly locals at The Fish Fry.  A worker at Coco Cay educated me on how there are over 700 keys and Islands in that area.  Jeez!!  
Our spacious balcony was roomy and the bed was very comfortable.  Only specialty dining we did was Giovanni's Italian Kitchen which was so delicious!  We love buffets and Windjammer was good for the most part.  Our last cruise on Carnival Panorama the Lido Marketplace was mostly not good.  For example, I've never had bacon that was absolutely inedible!  It actually tasted a little fishy too.  I like fish, but not for my bacon to taste like it.  Main Dining Room on Freedom was also quite good and loved the filet for $16 from Chops.  We will be dining at chops when we sail on Harmony.  
If I had one or two complaints, we feel Royal tends to charge for every little extra but at least those extras are not necessary.  We also didn't care for the loud Reggaetón music playing in the Windjammer.  In my survey I noted that it was a bit too loud.  I guess those 4 day sailings are more of a party atmosphere from what I've heard.  Anyhow, we are really looking forward to our next sailing in November.  It cannot come soon enough!  I'm glad I discovered Matt's channel on YouTube and this Blog.  It helped us out a lot! 
 
 
 
 

We did the resort pass to Margaritaville in April on the school vacation Easter cruise.
Crowds were VERY light.  We had a whole section of maybe 50 chairs to ourselves.  Pool and beach were relatively empty.
The kids absolutely loved it.
Food was good.  Drinks were EXPENSIVE!!!!!

Get the muster drill out of the way.  Get my bearings set on the location of key places on the ship if it's a class I'm not familiar with or rusty about.  Order a drink. Go have lunch. And by then rooms are ready.

Oh goodness - I am experiencing this RIGHT NOW!!  Fortunately I am 2.5 weeks out but last night my son called telling me his son (my grandson) just tested positive for COVID.  Yes, we had them over for Memorial Weekend.  Now everyone in the family is scrambling for a PCR test since our home tests have been showing negative.  At least if I do have COVID, I should be well enough to cruise on June 19th.  Fingers and toes are crossed.

The family slide raft gets taken up by conveyer belt.
The other rafts you have to bring up

Skip the beach and do the Kennedy Space Center!

Coco Beach is fun if you haven't been there. I never miss Ron Jon Surf shop when I am there. Other than that, there are three pretty good restaurants near the main RC terminal...the area is pretty much a long stretch of strip malls.

We've been there once during a land vacation, once during a port stop. It's a good, not amazing, beach and I'd do it again on a summer cruise. (Our cruise stop was in March and it was too cold to be enjoyable). Chairs/umbrellas are easy to rent and affordable and Ron Jon's is almost a stop in itself.

I agree too, it's a nice beach, and with the lounge/umbrella vendors, it's really easy. 
I'm not normally a beach person, but I did accompany my wife and cousins to this beach, spending some actual time there.  And I enjoyed it.😎
I've been to all the cruise ports in Florida, and Cocoa Beach is my favorite.
 
What's not to love?😍

Hi all. I bought the coco beach transfer at the Orlando stop on oasis. Watched some YouTube videos of a beach and some restaurants and beach rental chairs. Anyone have anything to share? Like “don’t go” lol. 

i didn't do this port because i've been to this area a lot.  Cocoa beach is nice if you are going to hang by the beach. There is a pier and a couple of restaurants and shops. 
Up to you if you think it's worth the price.  check this link for more info. https://www.cocoabeach.com/