Day 1 cont'd:
So we had explored Deck 5, now it was time for Deck 6. I should add, because I think someone asked about it elsewhere and I don't think I added it here. We had left our hotel at around 10:15 or 10:30 (not really sure), I think we arrived at the port around 11, and we were on the ship by 11:15. And that was with the security check and bathroom stop, and the ride to the port. So it was really quick.
Oh my goodness and I forgot that we had dropped off our bags in the theater! That's where we looked down and saw the sculpture of the lollipop!
The Key: One of the perks of The Key is that you can drop off your carry on luggage in the Royal Theater and it will be delivered to your room before any checked luggage. We went straight there when we boarded, gave them our room number/name, and dropped off our bags.
This was a very nice benefit, and one that I really appreciated. Our luggage was in our stateroom when we went there, no problems at all.
The Key: Then we were given wristbands, and we were told those were for priority access to activities like the Flowrider, Rock Wall, Zipline, Abyss, etc. I hadn't heard of having priority access, so I was confused. All of the documentation I had read said we would have special hours just for Key members. I was told yes, there would be special hours, but we could also go to the front of the line any time with the wristbands. I asked again and was told no really, you just go to the front of the line and show your wristband and you get priority any time. We did not test this out as my son was not comfortable cutting in front of other kids who were waiting, and I was not about to encourage him to do so. There were NO signs ANYWHERE stating that Key guests could cut the line, nor were there separate lines (I think there was a suite/Diamond/Pinnacle line at The Abyss, but NO Key line anywhere). Some people have said they would have no problem cutting the line because they paid for the privilege and too bad for the people who didn't. I have been told "It is just like having a Fastpass or Express Pass" but I disagree. At Disney/Universal there are signs EVERYWHERE about Fastpasses/Express Pass. You get emails from Disney/Universal explaining it all to you. You see separate lines labeled "Fastpass" or "Express Pass". You wait in a different line. Imagine the chaos that would happen at Disney/Universal if there were only one line, and anyone with a Fastpass/Express Pass could just shove past everyone else and go to the front. IMO this is a terrible system and not one we were comfortable using.
This was no benefit to us as Key members.
So Deck 6 has the Boardwalk, which leads to a few dining options, the Aqua Theater, and you can access the Rock Climbing wall.
You will probably visit this area at night, for the Aqua Theater, or maybe after you descend from The Abyss, but hopefully you'll also visit during the day to eat, or just to enjoy this part of the ship.
As you walk down the Boardwalk, you will see one of my favorite art installments on the ship:
It shows how carousel horses are made, with some disembodied hands (not my favorite part), and it leads to the carousel.
So yes, those pictures are from an evening, not day 1. I cheated. Sorry. But I was kind of overwhelmed on the first day, getting my bearings, and I didn't take all of the photos I wanted to that first day. Or if I did, they were kinda boring like this.
There is another art installment on the Boardwalk, but either it wasn't working properly or DD couldn't get it to work. You are supposed to wear the "hair" and hear something. She said she couldn't hear anything.
You'll also walk past Zoltar, who will yell at you, giving you flashbacks of the terminal in Miami. And also you'll remember the movie Big.
For dining, you have the Boardwalk Dog House, Sugar Beach, and Playmakers.
Boardwalk Dog House is the only option of these that is included in your cruise fare. They have a few options, different types of hot dog/sausage, not much in the way of side options.
I got a regular Coney Island Dog there once, and it was good. Nothing outstanding, but it was a hot dog, and it was good.
Then you have Sugar Beach, which is a candy and ice cream shop, and none of it is included in your cruise fare, which is why we did not set foot in there until the last night of our cruise, when I figured I should at least take some photos.
Next to Sugar Beach is Johnny Rockets. Johnny Rockets has a surcharge for lunch and dinner, but breakfast is included in your cruise fare. Let me repeat that, because everyone hears "Johnny Rockets has a surcharge" and dismisses it. But breakfast is included in your cruise fare. You can order from the menu, it is made a la carte, and the servers are nice, and the food is really good!
Next to Johnny Rockets is this climbing structure for little kids. We called it The Pringles Thing because it looks like a bunch of colorful Pringles. Well the kids on the ship seemed to love it!
Past The Pringles Thing is the rock wall, and the Aqua Theater. You need to make reservations for Hiro, the main Aqua Theater show, but the second show (Aqua Nation) does not require reservations. Go to both shows. I'll say it again later, but go to both shows!
This is not one of the shows, btw. This is the cruise director. Oh also they show movies here, and other shows. And if you are doing scuba training this is where you will do it.
On either side of the Aqua Theater are the rock climbing walls. DD had said she would do it, but that never happened. I never really encouraged it, either. We were busy with other things.
In the middle of the Boardwalk is the exit from the Abyss slide, which is the 10 story slide down the back of the ship. I'll talk more about this later.
Then turning further to the right is Playmakers, which is basically a sports bar/arcade. The drinks are included in the beverage package, but you will pay for any food you order. We didn't eat here, but I did get bottled water and a few glasses of wine throughout the week.
And I believe that's it for Deck 6!
Always sat in the middle seat to keep the peace. My boys are grown now and we rarely travel all together- but I still sit in the middle seat on a plane- DS22 is a window seat napper and DH likes the aisle seat.
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