Florida Fan

Do the beach beds at Coco Cay have sun-blocking covers? I'd love to try one, but I have to watch getting sunburned. Thx.

Thanks for the map. It's really helpful, and great for dreaming about an upcoming cruise.

Wow, I don't know how others see it, but this seems really cheap to me. Just have your drink and enjoy your cruise, but it's not a COSTCO.

Can anyone recommend a strategy to find shade on Coco Cay? We were there a few months ago, but unfortunately there was another, larger ship unloading too, and we were slow to start. The few shady spots were all gone. We'll get a quicker start next time, but any other ideas?

Another reason for a short cruise: maybe you can get your trusty dogsitter for that long. We're retired and have plenty of time, but our dogs are old. If our dogsitter can come for only 3 or 4 days, then that's what we book. If you have dogs, you understand. 😊

What a beautiful view! Do people who live there enjoy watching the ships being built?

Add me to the Allure lovers. After that, I love the smaller ships.

I booked a balcony cabin on the 14th deck in the 14636-14646 area. It looks like it's under an overhang for a pool 1 deck up, but the overhang might be a good idea, since I could be out on the balcony without direct sun for more time. Any comments on the location?

I got confused about the Concierge Lounge being closed to D+. I thought all Lounges were being closed, but now I see the Diamond Lounge will still be open to us. Thanks everyone for the helpful info.

I'm Diamond+, but haven't sailed for a few years. Always used the vouchers for drinks, but it sounds like I can use them for a cappuccino, water, or juice too. Is this true, even without a Drink Package? Since the Lounge is off-limits to me now, this seems only fair.

My first "inaugural" was on Freedom of the Seas and have done about 5 or 6. The first one was great...lots of great gifts and on the date advertised. Since then, the dates have been moved around, more short sailings sold before the "inaugural", fewer gifts, and more malfunctioning. In spite of all that, we're booked on the Jan. '27 sailing and hope again to be on the first revenue. With all the chaos, we love to say 20 or 30 years later, we were the first. It's up to you.

I booked the Jan. 27th cruise around 6AM this morning. I saw only 1 OV balcony for 2 people, and that was on the 14th deck. I didn't want to be that high, but I booked anyway and will keep checking for a year for a price drop & better location. My guess is that the inaugural date will move around anyway, so lots of unknowns. And yes, I paid for refundable.

I wanted a balcony, but only 2 available on deck 14. I'll have to wait. Looks to me like someone has blocked everything.

Looks like bookings will be in the morning.

I think I need a b2b2b in order to try everything.

It does seem awfully low-key. We've booked maiden voyages starting with Freedom, and the introductions always seemed to have more razzmatazz.

If they sell cabins on the first transAtlantic, we're going. Two questions: 1. Will it be as smooth as a normal transAtlantic? 2. If I don't want direct sunlight, should I be on the starboard side or port side?

Thanks for the responses. Very helpful!

I'm going to book a cruise in the next couple of weeks and want to get travel insurance. Is it better to get it with Royal Caribbean when I book or with a private insurance company?

What happened to The Pearl?

I'm surprised that Royal's home page doesn't have anything on Icon of the Seas. I thought they had something a few weeks ago. A new ship, but no home-page marketing? Something up?

Thanks. I don't mind doing that.

At first, I thought you were kidding. Such a stupid policy! Not related to real life whatsoever. So sad.

Can I bring and refill my own metal water bottle on a Royal Caribbean ship? I prefer not to use plastic water bottles.