OCSC Mike

Other than one last minute deal I grabbed for last October, I've been booking nothing but group rates (which come with refundable deposits) so I'm on board for booking upon release now. I just hadn't made that transition until I saw prices were getting crazy. I used to be able to book fairly late and find deals for the summer when we're flexible... but those days are obviously gone.

I wasn't playing the "book when it opens" game back then... and I really stick to PC anyway as I'm sure you've noticed. My wife wants to try the class so we'll see how absurd the prices for Star are during the next release.

Her food/drink venues are at least! Her prices and home port... not so much.

Ugh, that's awful. Parents usually smile at that stuff in my experience. We often say hi and make small comments to kids like that as well. Good, enjoy the peace... and inevitable shenanigans... just not hers.

They really are. I keep saying I'm not really interested in Icon, and I'm not, but I can't help but look at John's pics.

Good point. Sometimes we skip the MDR entirely on nights my picky wife won't eat anything on that menu besides boring grilled chicken b/c I'm confident the entree I want will be in WJ (often the Indian option). Half the MDR menu or so is always there anyway.

Solarium Bistro requires reservations even though it's free and essentially a buffet and is not meant to be hit n run like WJ so not sure that part will work too well. Similarly, the MDR is not meant for that purpose. That said, my wife has done that in the past (maybe once or twice ever) and they were kind enough to grab her a dessert to go under a covered plate, but that was someone going out of their way to be kind. WJ is never a problem, pop in and out for anything you want as many times as you want. Our version is early seating in the MDR followed by stopping by the WJ afterwards to see what they have.

Nice to see people saving some $$$.

Just noticed last night that we won’t be alone at CocoCay anymore. Allure will be with us. Slightly unusual itinerary change for Allure. It was supposed to go to Labadee but now it’s going to CocoCay twice during the same 7N cruise. Can't blame Royal for filling CocoCay but not exactly thrilled about it. I’ve been spoiled by multiple solo trips on Wonder (including my upcoming one). Not the end of the world though.

They already did that.

OMG! I have an online English friend who mentioned canned hot dogs... I've made fun of them ever since, lol.

As long as it's not too hot in there, I agree. We also learned in March that it floods if you sail through a downpour, lol, but that wasn't a big deal.

I read elsewhere that power has been restored but the ship was not moving (yet).

AFAIK, it's generally big box TA's like Costco that don't participate.

Of course! Now use your f'ing vouchers!

@WAAAYTOOO can get very opinionated at times, lol. I like them too (although I generally skip bread b/c I'm busy overeating other stuff).

I'm sure they could make it work. Just didn't want anyone to think I was actually posting out of knowledge. Poker fans may remember a VERY long time ago (early-mid 2000's maybe?) the WPT Caribbean tourney final table was held and filmed aboard Voyager in Studio B.

They're converting Studio B into a Battlebots arena. (This was a dumb joke if that wasn't clear.)

I almost tagged you to let you respond.

Good situation to have a TA help rectify. Hope she gets it taken care of.

Good call. I'm not a big drinker and no judgment to anyone who drinks a lot (without causing harm or severe shenanigans) but I should have thought of that. I keep mentioning how I'm going to try to use up our 10 vouchers without much help from my wife but it will entail drinking throughout the day (and keeping a few beers/Trulys in the cooler), not pounding drinks after dinner just to use them up... and definitely not in the heat on CocoCay (although the frozen drinks I'd usually get there aren't exactly strong).

I don’t mean to sound callous, I hope everyone was OK, but I don’t get it. We’re on CocoCay in June/July most years and it can definitely get hot (was actually pretty hot this March). I don’t even do well with heat in general but I’m mostly fine there. There’s shade everywhere, free water & flavored water to stay hydrated, the pool to cool off (I’ve never been in a pool onboard but we do use the Oasis pool to counteract the heat). Usually just sit on the underwater bench in the shade & look for the big iguana that lives on the pool island. Then I go back to eating of course. After you just got me excited about it? Sorry. You’ll have to try it again in the 3rd leg for research purposes. And of course I’ll still try it regardless.

There’s also an Indian dish on the MDR menu every night. Had a great experience in CK on Wonder last June. There was an Indian family eating there every night (as was my family) and when I told the CK manager I enjoyed Indian food while cruising around night 3 he told me the CK chef was making a dish special for that family each night & I was welcome to ask for some whenever I wanted. I had it every night the rest of the cruise. So good!

1. As usual, I have no words for the shenanigans you encounter. 2. Glad the casino went so well (on the point-earning front at least). 3. I don't want to speak ill of your mom... let's just say I'd be your brother in this scenario, not you. This is why I made the good daughter comment earlier. 4. I'm on food porn overload from the recent live blogs. Everyone has a burger place but Playmakers always looks so good! June 2nd can't get here soon enough.

Hey @Dawn G., welcome to the forum! The above post should answer most of your questions. You CAN just show up for the shows, there's always a standby line, but it's easier/better to have reservations. If you have any other questions, fire away.