Now that we are unpacked, we are ready to explore the ship. First things first, time to mask up and put my bracelet on. Masks are required indoors with a few exceptions. You may take your mask off when you are actively eating or drinking( while you are stationary) or if you are vaccinated and are in a vaccinated guest only location.
Fitness Center & Vitality Spa
My first stop was to check out the Fitness Center & Vitality Spa. The fitness center onboard has a variety of options from classes to free weights. Before entering the center, I was asked to sanitize my hands. Throughout the fitness center you will find sanitizing stations not only for your hands but for the machines as well. The machines are marked as available and unavailable to maintain social distancing protocols.
We then made our way to the Spa. Again we were asked to sanitize our hands and then we were off for a quick tour and to book our appointments. There are a variety of treatments available and they book up fast.
Sports Court
Are you looking for Adventure? Look no further! You can rock climb , surf, boogie board, race a friend down a slide or play basketball all in one area. Again you will find not only hand sanitizing stations but you will also find stations to wipe down the equipment. I also observed crew members constantly cleaning the equipment when not in use. When we lined up for the Perfect Storm, we noticed social distance markings on the floor.
Adventure Ocean
For those with little ones, Adventure Ocean is open. They are practicing social distancing so there is limited capacity. Masks must be worn at all times for children over the age of 2. Registration and pre-booking is available on embarkation day.
Pools
Located on Deck 11 you will find 3 pool areas to enjoy. Before you enjoy one of these areas of the ship, make sure to visit the towel station to check out your towels. You will need your seapass card when checking them out and returning them to avoid a fee.The Solarium Pool(adults only), Splash Away Bay for the little ones in your life and the Main Pool. Also located on deck 11 you will find the Solarium Bar, The Lime and Coconut and El Loco Fresh. Make sure you have a Lime and Coconut drink and a taco while you are on board, I sure did! Proceeding up to deck 12 we discovered clam shell chairs, loungers and cabanas. They are all free of charge and first come first serve for use. We made good use of the Cabana on day 2.
Diamond Lounge & Suite Lounge
If your Crown and Anchor Status is Diamond or higher you will have access to the Diamond Lounge via your room key. There is a concierge that can assist you in booking show tickets, spa reservations, and answer questions about your account. In the morning you can enjoy a continental breakfast, throughout the day there may be light snacks available. Most importantly for the coffee lovers out there like me, there is a coffee and cappuccino machine which is always available.
If you are staying in a Grand Suite or higher, you will have access to the suite lounge. Much like the diamond lounge you will have all the same amenities. The only exception is the suite guests will have a cocktail reception everyday beginning at 4:00pm
The Royal Promenade
Deck 5 is home to the Royal Promenade which consists of dining venues, shops and bars. The Royal Promenade is home to Cafe Promenade. If you need a snack or a coffee no need to look further. I highly recommend their lattes! Need a midnight or early morning snack? Head on over to Soreeento’s Pizza, they are open until 3 am. One of my favorite things to do is visit all the shops. Check your cruise compass for daily sales. Lastly for a small upcharge a visit to Ben & Jerrys is a must!
Royal Theater
It’s showtime! Decks 3&4 are for vaccinated guests and masks are not required. Once we chose our seat on deck 3, we were able to take off our mask. Deck 5 is for unvaccinated guests and masks must be worn. Reservations are required and can be made via your Royal Caribbean app.
Studio B
Studio B is a combination ice rink and theater. Not only will you see professional ice shows here, but you can test your balance on skates during their free skating session. This is my favorite show onboard. The ice is covered to transform this space into a theatre to host onboard activities.
Next up an in depth review of the dining venues!
