alfaeric

Just off the Radiance- sometimes service was good, but others not so much. Like in our cabin- there were places where we just could not get good wifi. And when nobody is around, it's pretty darned good out in the centrum or theater- but add people, and it basically stops working. I don't think the wifi was set up to be used with massive amounts of people that have an app.

As soon as you board, hook up to the App, and you can make reservations. Just did that on the Allure having all of the pre-boarding shows "sold out" and every show was open OTHER than the comedy show.

The way we read it, some of them are happy to rebook everyone at the end of the day, and others need to have you check in as you leave, or contact them if you miss the dinner before. It's kind of annoying, and I really wish they let you reserve via the app- it's not as if they can't filter out who have access or not. It would be a whole lot easier if you miss one night for any reason. We had a recent cruise on the Allure where we missed one night, and then the next night wanted to experiment with the new menu. The next day, we forgot to walk up there (as we didn't have a number, and the reservations number does not do CK), so could not get in that night.

Not sure this helps, but our recent cruise the Radiance suggests that the core problem isn't starlink as much as it's the wifi routers on the ship. Once we got connection, the speed was decent, but getting that in our cabin was really tough. The other indicator was that wifi access when it got crowded in spaces was really, really poor. So everyone using the app at the same time (or at least being connected all of the time) really, really hurts performance. Basically, this means you have a double problem...

Even before covid, my spouse and I would not want to sit with some random person in a love seat.

Unless you force or demand to be a random 3rd in a love seat, I don’t think you are.

I wish I had gas, lol.

Not during the normal live bands, and some of the bands do popular dance music.

Yes, those chairs.

So we were sitting in the Centrum in one of the love seats. As a quick overview, the Centrum has individual seats and love seats normally arranged around a table in 4s. It was quite crowded with a band playing, and a large group next to us. All of a sudden one of them asks to squeeze in with us. While it’s a comfortable seat, we still think it’s just for two unless you are your own group. So we say no, and they get upset telling us they are seats for free and start to argue. That ends and we get up to dance for a while and another of their group goes and sits in our couch. We have left stuff there to return to after the song so it was clear it was taken. When we come back to sit, they tell us that it’s a seat for three and argue about it. For your group, fine, but I really don’t see that you should impose on us. Then they get mad at us. Seriously? We get glares from them the rest of the time. Even before the pandemic, they are love seats for 2 nominally. 3 if you all know each other- not to force you way to sit with people you don’t know. Geez.

In a GS on Radiance right now, can’t hear a thing above us.

When we got off the train, we could not figure out which bus to get on. Eventually, we found a nice bus driver who took us to where the ship was boarding. That also meant that getting off was east- bus to the station, and back to Rome.

Meandering off topic, you can make reservations via the app as soon as you board. We did that last week on the Allure. OP, have a great cruise- we had a little bit of an adventure getting from the train station to the port in Citiveccia.

Later embarkation is what we always do. Works like a charm. You can still eat a late lunch when you board as an option.

We carry everything on, and just schedule our boarding time to be close to 1pm so that we can directly go to our rooms. Easy. After rushing to get on a few times, the fascination was lost vs the time it took for the luggage to be delivered and to unpack later in the day.

Just remember one thing- all shows but the comedy club are not really sold out before the cruise. So once you get on board, fire up the App and make your reservations. We just did that last week on the Allure. Worked like a charm.

I see this was moved to the general board for Galveston, but it is a specific issue to Royals new terminal. It’s still a work in progress for leaving the terminal.

We waited for a while for one, and they didn’t show. There is a taxi stand, but there wasn’t any waiting around. One couple got there before us, and said that one came and left without anyone. Thankfully, it was a short walk downtown for us. Just be aware that there may not be taxis like there are at most other ports. If you can walk out to harbor side road, the other companies on the island can pick you up there. And there are shuttles that take you to the distant parking lots which should take care of that walk.

To answer the title question, yes there is. And it’s really nice! And a good place to shower off the sand and take a nice clean dip before returning to the ship.

Yes. It’s set up for either an espresso or longo shot of coffee.

Wish I could help more, and we are happy we are not in Michigan right now- as far as I can tell, we will lose our fridge. And the shooting up in EL has been tough in A2 as well. I really don’t understand why people think it’s their business about other people- masks, who they love, etc. If they would focus on themselves more, maybe they will be more happy instead of lashing out. But I honestly think you will be ok for the short time in FL. But one observation I have seen this week on the allure is a veggie option every night, and it’s not a salad. Granted, it’s one dish. So hope there is some new things you will enjoy.

As soon as you board, connect with the royal app, and make reservations. All but the comedy shows don’t actually sell out prior to the cruise. I did that for this weeks cruise on the allure and got all the shows when we wanted them. Well, except for the comedy club.

I sure hope the needy reply to this by going someplace else ASAP so that cruise fares drop for the people who think twice a day is wasteful. Please.

Another suggestion- go to Florida for a cruise. Plenty of choices for different entertainment there. We've sailed on the Anthem a ton of times, and noting how many first time cruisers clap when asked during the opening light- it's still quite a bit more economical to appeal to them than us repeating cruisers. As for replacements or alternates- any of the Voyager or Freedom class ships will work- since the original year round ship was a Voyager class ship. And at least some Freedom class ships have more advanced shows. In terms of itinerary- since the ship has to fit into a 14 day cycle, there are not many choices. In the winter, the best it can do is 7 night cruises, since 6 isn't really an option for more than 2 ports. And to do that, you can only go as far south as the Bahamas and make it back in time. When Bermuda warms up, you can cycle a 5 and 9 night, which lets it go a little farther south- but again, other than San Juan, St Thomas, and St Marten- can't really go farther south than that and make it back in time. And of course, going north is already limited in choices, too. Sorry to say, if you want something different than the constraints of sailing out of New York, you are going to need to go someplace else.

I’m not really sure it would matter much. We’ve been there on the Anthem when the Harmony was there. Which would be north of 10,000 already. Add another beach along with the current space, the additional people should easily be accommodated.