The Royal Countdown!

Posted:  Cruises Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

I don’t know about you, but I find myself spending a lot of time sailing the seas in my daydreams when I can’t actually be out on the ocean. Here’s the thing, though: I only started cruising myself in 2018, and at that time, our David’s Cruise Program worked solely with Disney Cruise Line. Since then, we have expanded BIG TIME and now work with multiple cruise lines! While I have only sailed with Disney so far, that’s about to change!

Two Royal Caribbean ships docked at Perfect Day at CoCo Cay.

Let me tell you, the excitement is real as I sit typing these words! I have just booked my first Royal Caribbean Cruise, and I cannot wait to sail away on a new adventure! Since I have a while to wait before embarking on this new voyage, however, I thought it would be fun to countdown the top 5 things I’m most looking forward to on my upcoming sailing!

  1. Lounging by the Pool

Quiet Pool in front of big windows. The pool is empty, and the windows look out to the port.

Cruising is a fantastic way to treat yourself to some R&R! I’ll admit that I’m someone who often struggles to “turn off” in my usual day-to-day life. When I’m on a cruise ship, however, my first instinct is to find the nearest lounge chair! Soaking up not only the sun but also the poolside ambiance is one of my favorite activities to enjoy when cruising. Considering Royal Caribbean has some pretty amazing features on their pool decks, including waterslides, whirlpools, and more, I don’t think I’m going to be disappointed! With everyone living their holiday dreams, seeing a sun deck full of sunglasses and smiles is definitely something I’m looking forward to!

Main Pool Deck onboard the Wonder of the Seas at night. A Lifeguard is standing on duty.

Another spot for sitting back and enjoying some quiet time during your sailing on many Royal Caribbean ships is the Solarium. The glass panes surrounding the loungers, pool, and whirlpool in this area mean that you can still enjoy the ocean views and warm temperatures, even if the weather outside is less than ideal for sunbathing. The Solarium is for guests aged 16 and up on most sailings, so if you’re looking for a tranquil atmosphere and don’t have kids in tow, this might be the perfect place for you!

Another Empty Quiet Pool with pool loungers 

 

  1. Boardwalk View Balcony

Something unique to Royal’s fleet is that ships in their Oasis Class have distinct “neighborhoods.” Each neighborhood has a different style, theme, and set of amenities to offer. For my upcoming cruise, I will be sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas with a stateroom in the Boardwalk neighborhood. 

Entrance to the Boardwalk onboard the Wonder of the Seas. A neon side reads "Boardwalk."

Unlike a traditional balcony stateroom that would usually look out directly to the ocean, the Boardwalk View Balcony staterooms look inward towards other portions of the ship yet still offer a bit of outdoor space for those who don’t want to feel cooped up in a cabin with no view. There’s also the bonus of a slightly lower price point! The Boardwalk View staterooms offer a glimpse of the ocean, close proximity to the Carousel and eateries in the neighborhood, and the AquaTheater is right there, so you can easily check out the shows!

Bright Red Convertible Car statue on the Boardwalk.

The stateroom itself has two twin beds that can be converted to a Royal King, so it’s perfect for a smaller party yet still offers some flexibility depending on your preferred sleeping arrangements. They’re also designed with plenty of storage space for luggage, which is perfect for someone like me who tends to overpack but also likes to stay organized.

Stateroom onboard the Wonder of the Seas. Large bed with a couch and a dresser.

 

  1. Dining

As this is a much larger ship than I have sailed on in the past, Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas has dozens of dining locations, and I am chomping at the bit to check them out! Many of the restaurants onboard are included in the cost of the cruise, though there are also some specialty dining eateries that you can choose to enjoy for an additional fee. 

Array of Appetizer offerings from Chops Grille onboard the Wonder of the Seas.

There truly is something for everyone! From Italian to Brazilian, Mexican to Japanese, American classics, and even Starbucks, no matter what kind of cuisine you’re craving, chances are you’ll be able to find it on this ship! Personally, I am really excited to try Giovanni’s Table for some pasta, Johnny Rockets for a tasty cheeseburger, and sample an array of options at the Windjammer buffet. I’ve also heard great things about the Main Dining Room menus, so I have no doubt I’ll be filled to the brim with delicious dishes throughout the cruise, no matter where I dine!

Cold Salad and Cheese offerings on the Windjammer Buffet onboard the Wonder of the Seas.

 

  1. Entertainment

I’ll admit, at first, I was a bit overwhelmed looking at the numerous entertainment options onboard Royal’s ships! I even found myself exclaiming, “Mamma Mia!” Why? Because that Broadway show is currently being performed on the Allure of the Seas! In addition to traditional stage productions, Royal Caribbean also offers cool-as-ice shows at their onboard ice rink, splashy spectaculars at the AquaTheater, and live music in venues around the ship.

Cast of the Effectors II onboard the Wonder of the Seas, standing on a stage filled with colorful lights.

If you want to be a part of the action, there are also lots of options you can participate in, such as pool parties, dance classes, game shows, parades, DJs, cooking classes, drink tastings, and theme nights! Personally, I love a good theme party, and am eager to start getting my disco hippie costume together for 70’s night! I think it’s easy to say I’ll never be bored during my time on the ship!

Aqua Theater filled with spectators as water shoots up from the stage and performers stand in front of the water.

 

  1. Perfect Day at CocoCay

The Island of Perfect Day at Coco Cay taken from the docked ship.

Who doesn’t dream of spending a day on a private island enjoying fun in the sun?! At Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean delivers just that, and I cannot wait to enjoy all of the amenities and activities they have to offer. Featuring both the largest freshwater pool in the Bahamas and the tallest waterslide in North America, CocoCay has something for everyone!

If you want to lounge on the beach, you can! If you want to conquer Daredevil’s Tower and splash the day away on waterslides, you can! If you want to sit at a funky beach bar and enjoy some sips in the sunshine, you can! CocoCay even has a beach club with floating cabanas you can rent! I think I am personally most excited to check out Chill Island and the Wave Pool at Thrill Waterpark for the perfect combination of relaxation and excitement.

Post on the beach with directions signs pointing to landmarks on CoCo Cay.

Of course, this is just the beginning of epic amenities and offerings that Royal Caribbean has in store, and I’m sure there are many, many other features of this award-winning cruise line that I am going to fall in love with! I’ll be sure to report back after the cruise and let you know what my favorites were!

The Wonder of the Seas and the Anthem of the Seas docked in the ocean.

 

Thanks for counting down with me!

~Stacy

 

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