OCSC Mike

This is just a roll call (which I started on 4/28). I haven’t started my blog yet.

It will appear in your cruise docs but it will also be linked to your account. Yes, you need to book onboard. We had one last month.

If you click on the number above the daybed chart on their website you can see a view from the daybed. I had 22 and have been there twice... tbh, none of them have a good view of the ocean b/c you're so far back with loungers in front of you and the floating slides/obstacles in the ocean. And yes, we had some ants but not enough to really bother us. If you're dead set on a beach daybed, I'd go with #22 again but there's not a huge difference. All that said, we went back last month and got a pool daybed that time and enjoyed it much more. We had #21 and would definitely choose that one again (it gets more shade than most of the others and has a nice 4-top table next to it). Unfortunately no. We used RCBLOG the first time we went and when I inquired about them the 2nd time I was told they didn't plan to offer them going forward. Never went in there, sorry. If you're interested, I have live blogs with lots of pics of our two trips, you just have scroll through until you get to day 4 of them; they're kind of long. April 2025 - Pool Daybed: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/52146-wondering-about-a-cp-balcony-on-easter-april-20-27-2025/ July 2024 - Beach Daybed: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/47621-wondering-about-paradise-beach-crowded-cococay-and-aqua-nation-july-14-21-2024/ Hope this helps!

What am I missing? I'm on a B2B in 9 days... June 2-9.

It doesn't really work for me for various reasons. Some I won't get into, but gambling in general kinda lost its appeal to me over time. I also don't stay up super late and I wouldn't want to take time away from spending time with my wife doing our usual routine to go gamble. For those who enjoy it and it fits their schedule and have the flexibility to take casino offer cruises like you, it's definitely appealing. Don't think I'm not jealous.

Well that's not what I wanted to hear. The blog I was reading for the MON-FRI sailing before yours said it was empty on Nassau day (and posted pics of a pretty empty pool deck). Oh well, we're well-versed in securing loungers. I played my fair share of BJ in my younger years. Used to drive to AC from outside Philly in my early 20's, when I had no money of course. Brings back memories. Haven't played in forever. Used to play small on cruises when my wife would take an afternoon nap for an hour, just for fun, but now I usually just go somewhere for a drink and a snack.

If you need me to help fill your blog with more random comments and questions, just let me know. Trying to let you do your thing. Glad the casino was kind to you last night. Sounds like you put in some serious hours. How empty is the ship while in Nassau today?

Yes, with a pretty big following on FB.

Too funny. He’s mentioned in my blog intro so I won’t repeat it. Nothing overly exciting.

@LandstromCruise Is live blogging from Utopia in the Live Blog forum right now. He posted some $15 drinks from Pesky Parrot as well. Also, that reddit poster updated it with: "UPDATE: I was told by the bartender they now cover up to $15." Assuming the concern here is about vouchers, it doesn't seem to be an issue unless the bartender gave him bad info.

It's not gonna be for a lot of people so please don't if it sounds awful to you but I haven't heard much about the Monkey Business. Other than that, try whatever sounds good to you. I remember @Lovetocruise2002 saying the Zombie was terrible. Some of them seem like more random fruity frozen drinks, which is fine, but I like trying unique stuff and drinks you can only get at a certain bar. I'm not a big beer drinker either and I'd rather use my vouchers on stuff I'd never drink at home, but @GatorCruiser is definitely right about the selection.

Cool, just making sure. That's obviously meant for everyone else reading b/c you must know how many times I've looked over that menu, lol. Lemme know if/when you try anything there. I've only gotten a handful of reviews from other blogs.

The internet is a very strange place.

BTW, I know you don't mind and are just hanging out waiting for cabins but feel free to ignore my questions/comments at any point once you really get going. I'm just keeping busy and obviously looking forward to Utopia. None of this is super important. Switching topics, you know your son has vouchers too, right? Plenty of virgin drinks and Johnny Rockets milkshakes for those underage. Mason Jar also has milkshakes while you're eating there, my wife has gotten them to go after a meal before.

I can't tell, maybe my description was poorly worded. The steps on Wonder are right next to those big white A/C towers and there are two landings on the way down that have the loungers and vents I was talking about. More to the far left and right. This won’t help locate them but this is what they look like once you’re right by them (you can see the vents behind the chairs).

Thanks. It's OK, we have plan B and plan C since we're used to it. Assuming it's identical to Wonder's, there are two rows of loungers (with cushions on Wonder) going down the steps on each side towards the front that sit right in front of big A/C vents. People (including us) tend to claim them early during the cruise). If it's still too warm or they're taken, we have a favorite shady pool deck spot just outside the Solarium entrance. We started sitting out there more often last cruise and that could easily become plan A as long as the Utopia music volume I keep hearing about isn't crazy... but I'm not too worried about that as it's really nowhere near the heart of the pool deck.

How's the temperature in there? One of my only complaints about Wonder... the Solarium gets very warm if docked while it's hot out.

I've had this conversation with a frequent cruiser on here a couple times (he likes the lot too) and it really is even more convenient than the garage if you're not dropping off luggage before you park (which we don't). As long as you don't mind being uncovered, it's a quick ground level walk to the porters on the that side of the garage and in you go. I'd feel bad for my wife (who won't eat the seafood) but we have GK dinner night one where she gets filet so she'll be fine. I'm realizing a lot of comments like this (parking, eating plans, etc.) are in my own blog intro that I've already written but oh well.

No matter how many reports I read and already knowing how smooth boarding at PC is, I'm still amazed that Utopia boards THAT early. I thought Wonder around 10:15 was early. We always leave early and now that we've decided to park in the lot and not the garage, I told my wife we might need to leave even earlier.

I'm inclined enough that I could follow your instructions but I remember checking at one point and I have in my head that she's 48 points ahead of me. Close enough and not important as neither of us have any plans to cruise solo but thanks.

You should both see the same number... the total from whomever has more points. I always see my wife's point total as she has more than me from cruising as a kid but if I were to call C&A, they could give me my actual point total (not that I care). If you already knew that, my apologies, I wasn't clear on who has more points.

In case I forget later and it's of interest you/son, besides the embarkation lobster/seafood lunch in WJ, there's also seafood for dinner on each last night (minus lobster). Maybe you already knew that. Just sharing what I've learned in preparation for my own Utopias. Now that I know the new CL is open and have seen multiple pics, not sure I'll have many requests. Interested in Pesky Parrot drink reviews if you try anything there but otherwise I'll just be sitting here refreshing and soaking up whatever you feel like sharing. I've been eagerly awaiting your B2B if you couldn't tell. I can look at stuff like GK and MJ food no matter how times I've eaten there... and of course this means I board in 10 days!

Too bad, so sad. PC boards so early and quickly, can't be waiting around!

No issues here.