Let's start with the good - there was no ugly and really not much bad either. The good news is that we tested negative and made it on to our long awaited vacation! The airports - both coming and going - were insanely busy. We thought since it was after the holidays, it wouldn't be so crowded but we were wrong.
We flew in a few days early and stayed in Cocoa Beach which was awesome - warm and not crowded. The Covid testing was very streamlined. Not a big deal other than it added more time in getting on the ship. I would suggest testing just before you leave - just for peace of mind. Reportedly, last week the passenger count was 2200, this week it was 1800. Cast members stated that there were lots of cancellations but no one would tell us how many were covid related. We did hear of a number of families that were turned away because one person out of a group tested positive at the port. They also said that the CDC just lowered the ship capacity from 60% to 40% due to the uptick in Covid cases. I have to say that we felt safer on the ship than anywhere knowing that everyone was either vaccinated or had tested negative.
It was strange to be on a somewhat empty ship. Nice because you never had wait for anything. Service was faster, no wait for loungers, elevators, dinner was quicker and quieter. Pools weren't over run with guests. I think they only allowed 13 kids in the pool at a time?? We didn't sail with young children but we did notice a line for the pools. My son and his friend went to the 1820 society (for 18 to 21 year olds) and had a great time. They said there were about 20 to 25 kids most of the time.
The cast members were thrilled to be there and bended over backwards to accommodate - and they were everywhere - so many of them. Cabanas was mostly the same other than everything was served and it wasn't as big of a deal as I thought it might be. Palo's was amazing!! IF you have to pick, we thought brunch was better than dinner. More variety.
Masks were required indoors and this was enforced but pretty lax everywhere else. There is no paper anywhere. Drawings still happened in Animators but papers weren't returned. The not so great thing was that the entertainment was lacking. Only two entertainers and they were meh. None of the regular production shows took place. Believe was cancelled twice. They repeated the ones they did do - Aladdin and Frozen - and they were great. Only one guy playing the guitar and he was everywhere - no other live music that I can recall. The characters are everywhere but can only stand to the side of you. If you hadn't experienced the character interaction previously, you would be fine. The fireworks were done twice and they were really great. If you are on the starboard side, you can see them from your balcony. Awesome!!
Grand Cayman was cancelled and Nassau replaced it - also meh - but better than nothing. Castaway Cay was awesome as always. We parasailed and really enjoyed that. We booked 120 days out - it was cancelled but then pixie dust happened and we were able to re-schedule onboard.
We had stateroom 6192 on the very back of the ship and it was awful. We moved to a midship balcony - same deck. I have always wanted to stay in one of the aft staterooms but so glad we didn't. The exhaust fumes were overwhelming, the flagpole took up half the balcony and view but worst of all was the vibration. I had been warned but thought it couldn't be that bad - but it was. Laying on the bed was like putting a quarter in a vibrating bed and as a result, the entire room rattled. We were only in it for a few hours when my husband said no way and we moved.
That is all I can think of for now. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Kathy
We flew in a few days early and stayed in Cocoa Beach which was awesome - warm and not crowded. The Covid testing was very streamlined. Not a big deal other than it added more time in getting on the ship. I would suggest testing just before you leave - just for peace of mind. Reportedly, last week the passenger count was 2200, this week it was 1800. Cast members stated that there were lots of cancellations but no one would tell us how many were covid related. We did hear of a number of families that were turned away because one person out of a group tested positive at the port. They also said that the CDC just lowered the ship capacity from 60% to 40% due to the uptick in Covid cases. I have to say that we felt safer on the ship than anywhere knowing that everyone was either vaccinated or had tested negative.
It was strange to be on a somewhat empty ship. Nice because you never had wait for anything. Service was faster, no wait for loungers, elevators, dinner was quicker and quieter. Pools weren't over run with guests. I think they only allowed 13 kids in the pool at a time?? We didn't sail with young children but we did notice a line for the pools. My son and his friend went to the 1820 society (for 18 to 21 year olds) and had a great time. They said there were about 20 to 25 kids most of the time.
The cast members were thrilled to be there and bended over backwards to accommodate - and they were everywhere - so many of them. Cabanas was mostly the same other than everything was served and it wasn't as big of a deal as I thought it might be. Palo's was amazing!! IF you have to pick, we thought brunch was better than dinner. More variety.
Masks were required indoors and this was enforced but pretty lax everywhere else. There is no paper anywhere. Drawings still happened in Animators but papers weren't returned. The not so great thing was that the entertainment was lacking. Only two entertainers and they were meh. None of the regular production shows took place. Believe was cancelled twice. They repeated the ones they did do - Aladdin and Frozen - and they were great. Only one guy playing the guitar and he was everywhere - no other live music that I can recall. The characters are everywhere but can only stand to the side of you. If you hadn't experienced the character interaction previously, you would be fine. The fireworks were done twice and they were really great. If you are on the starboard side, you can see them from your balcony. Awesome!!
Grand Cayman was cancelled and Nassau replaced it - also meh - but better than nothing. Castaway Cay was awesome as always. We parasailed and really enjoyed that. We booked 120 days out - it was cancelled but then pixie dust happened and we were able to re-schedule onboard.
We had stateroom 6192 on the very back of the ship and it was awful. We moved to a midship balcony - same deck. I have always wanted to stay in one of the aft staterooms but so glad we didn't. The exhaust fumes were overwhelming, the flagpole took up half the balcony and view but worst of all was the vibration. I had been warned but thought it couldn't be that bad - but it was. Laying on the bed was like putting a quarter in a vibrating bed and as a result, the entire room rattled. We were only in it for a few hours when my husband said no way and we moved.
That is all I can think of for now. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Kathy
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those are the rooms we would have had. The limiting kids in the pool is a bummer. And I feel like we pay for quality entertainment. On past cruises there has generally been a magician or very good variety act. 
