Our First Sea Day on a Royal Caribbean Cruise
Sea day. No port, no coastline, nowhere to be.
I slept in a little, but Justin wanted to sleep in a lot, so I left him to it and headed up to the pool decks. I found a chair on the second level of the outdoor deck and turned it to face the open ocean.
No land in any direction. I’ve wanted to see open ocean my whole life, and there it was, just water meeting sky all the way around. By the time the husband found me, I’d already been for a dip in the pool and was finishing my second piña colada. No regrets.
Brunch in the main dining room
We went down to the main dining room for brunch, our first meal in there. It’s three levels open to each other with a massive chandelier hanging through the middle, and it feels like a throwback to the golden age of cruise ships. That’s how it’s described, and I agree completely. The whole room feels a step more elegant than anywhere else on board.
We did a three-course meal again, and yes, steak again.
An art auction, a volleyball court and a rock wall
The husband went back for a nap (a theme of this trip), and I went to my first ever art auction. I felt so out of place but at the same time I love experiencing new things and I learnt how it works too!
Afterward we changed into sports clothes and went up to the sports court on the top deck. There was an open volleyball tournament going, and between the wind and the sway of the ship, aiming the ball was almost impossible.
Then I tried the rock climbing wall. I made it about halfway. Between my long nails and how much the ship sways that high up, my legs were shaking fast. I’m counting halfway as a win.
The Solarium, hibachi and the Royal Promenade
We cooled off with daiquiris in the Solarium, the adults-only pool area, before getting changed for dinner at the hibachi grill. Hibachi chefs definitly know how to put on a show. They had people singing and laughing through the whole meal. Quintissential dinner and a show.
After dinner we wandered the Royal Promenade and ended up at Vintages, the wine bar, listening to Juanito play piano.
The show and the disco party
Then we caught a show in the Royal Theater: a live orchestra, dancers, acting and incredible singers.
When the show ended, everyone went straight from the theatre to the Promenade for the disco party. And I mean everyone. We danced the rest of the night with the cast and what felt like the whole ship.
A day with nowhere to go, and somehow it was one of the fullest of the trip.
Wander gently.
Tips for your first Royal Caribbean sea day
Get up to the pool decks early if you want a good chair facing the water.
Book a main dining room brunch at least once. The room alone is worth it.
Try the rock wall early in the day, before the wind picks up (and maybe avoid if you have nail extensions.)
Check the daily schedule for the Promenade party. It’s the most fun night on the ship.