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ellcee

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  1. Like
    ellcee reacted to Curt From Canada in Insane Discourse about the World Cruise   
    We are on the Ultimate World Cruise right now. Just heading back to Ushuaia (after visiting a Penguin Rookery). I will post something more substantial and detailed later, but the short course is:
    1).  No drama … the experienced cruisers already figured this out. Actually, the cruise so far has been extremely relaxing.  Although we have been a little bit too busy. 
     
    2). Thé entertainment overall has been better than “normal” cruises (some of it excellent … rare for a Radiance class ship). The food has been hit and miss (as usual) … however, we did have the best MDR dish in over 30 cruises a few nights ago. 
     
    3).  The staff is in over perform mode. They are doing a phenomenal job. 
     
    4).  1,600 on this segment is well below capacity. 700+ Diamond and above C&A members.  1,600 only should bring up some questions. 
     
    5).  Tons of dancing opportunities … only once did we have to elbow our way around the dance floor 😉
     
    I will start a start a separate thread when we get back on board.
     
    Curt from Canada
    Partial Ultimate World Cruiser 😂
  2. Like
    ellcee reacted to ScottD in Insane Discourse about the World Cruise   
    It's a small group of tik tokers drumming up drama and trying to put negative spins on everything. I'm following quite a few people on reddit and IG and they've had nothing but glowing reviews about the whole trip so far
  3. Like
    ellcee reacted to She Sails Away in Live: Back to Back Big Ones: Oasis and Ascent, Jan 14-21 & Jan 21-28   
    While I was headed to chill beach on Coco Cay, I got behind a large family of one mom and five or six adult kids. Mom was in a rage because part of the group had separated and she was absolutely convinced they would never find each other and it was going to be a terrible horrible day. She was snapping and pretty much shouting repeatedly at her kids who as I said, are adults. She was really spreading that bad mood around to everybody else and everybody seemed upset that she was so angry, her oldest son was trying to placate her, but she wasn't having any of that. She wanted to be angry.
     
    I thought, here it is 9 AM, they all have these huge beach bags for a big long day on the beach, and everybody was expecting to have fun, and now that's not going to happen because mom is angry and is NOT going to get over it.
     
    I mean I know I'm preaching to the choir here. But when you're on family vacation you can make bad memories for your kids just as easily as good ones. I've been that uptight person who tries to micromanage everybody and make sure the day goes like I picture it in my head. It never does.  Just don't be that person. Let it all go. Especially if you're dealing with adult kids. If they are a bunch of scattered cats let them be. Tag along and settle into a lounge chair and enjoy your family while you have them and let them figure out the solution to whatever the problem is. Let them text each other all day long trying to sort out who's where, and you just be the positive happy person in the cruise memories they look back on years and years from now. Don't spoil the day being a grump over nothing. 
     
    i've had such wonderful vacations with my sons and I would give anything to have those years back where they would go with me everywhere. Of course they're all adults now with jobs, their own lives, and nobody has the time to do anything. I did get to cruise with my son last spring in the Mediterranean and it was just priceless. I had a couple of days where I was tired and fatigued but you better be sure I never snapped at him, I didn't want that one memory to go home with him.
     
    Anyway, that kind of stuff always bothers me more than it should. it would've been so easy for her to keep her thoughts to herself until she cooled off and not set the tone for the whole day by being in a boiling rage. I know sometimes that's easier said than done but… You're on vacation at a beach. Maybe just take a breath.
  4. Love
    ellcee reacted to JohnK6404 in Mods Gone Wild!!!! Icon Inaugural Sailing - January 27 - February 3, 2024   
    Oooo, yes! Saw this today! My wife also wants to find Rover! We can't tell Bella and Jake or they'll want to know why they can't come with us to meet their cousin!
    You opened the door with the Golden puppy pic! LOL!  🤣
    Our Bella and Jake "recovering" on New Year's Day at our friend's house! Jake cuddling with our friend, Jenn (sleeping under the blanket)! 😀


    Bella (11.5 years old) on the left and Jake (6 years old) on the right.

  5. Love
    ellcee reacted to SpeedNoodles in Mods Gone Wild!!!! Icon Inaugural Sailing - January 27 - February 3, 2024   
    Let's get this PARTY STARTED!!!
    That's right, for the FIRST TIME, your favorite (only?) Royal Caribbean Blog moderators (me, @AshleyDillo, and @Lovetocruise2002) are sailing on the same ship at the same time!  This is going to be epi..... errrr... dare I say "ICONIC"?
    I am so excited for this sailing.  There will be so many new things and so many old and new friends to spend time with.  Each one of us will contribute in our own way.  If there's something on the ship that YOU want us to document, ask a moderator!!!!!!!  
    More to come!
  6. Wow
    ellcee reacted to Pattycruise in Can you uses someone else's card with a drinks package(say partners), to get drinks for yourself?   
    yes, this DOES happen.  My SIL tried this YEARS AGO-to order a drink before dinner on my card.  They saw the picture in the system did not match her and  told her if she tried it again they would cancel my package.  Needless to say, she did not try that again!
  7. Like
    ellcee reacted to OCSC Mike in Can you uses someone else's card with a drinks package(say partners), to get drinks for yourself?   
    Oh, you'd only steal a little bit... that's OK then.
    The horse doesn't need to be all that high to be against theft.
  8. Like
  9. Like
    ellcee reacted to Geezer Of The Seas in Can you uses someone else's card with a drinks package(say partners), to get drinks for yourself?   
    I was sober at the time, but in case I was hallucinating in the Caribbean heat, someone can correct me. When ordering drinks for my wife and myself (we were on 'pay as you go' beverage plan) at the Solarium Bar on Wonder last year, I swear my security photo appeared on the terminal when the bartender swiped my sea pass card to enter the purchase. That would be a problem  if someone other than the cardholder is using it, no?  And money out the window if the plan was voided for misuse (if that's a thing)?
    First time I was seated and able to see the  terminal when purchasing anything onboard.
  10. Wow
    ellcee reacted to Lovetocruise2002 in 🌟💫⭐️A “Starry” Christmas - Harmony Dec 24-31, 2023⭐️💫🌟   
    Hmm...this might explain why our Genie for NYE is still non-committal on whether or not Chops is included for us on the 31st.
  11. Like
    ellcee reacted to Ampurp85 in Star inaugural prices. You better sit down   
    I literally told my brother. "I bet it's going to be around $5k for star of the seas."  If I had bet, I would be rich enough to afford, to be able to sail Star 😂🤣😱. 
  12. Like
    ellcee reacted to Sweety in xSAILEDx Freedom of the Seas - Feb 16, 2024 - Feb 19, 2024 (3 Night Bahamas & Perfect Day Cruise)   
    I am looking forward to this cruise. I will be booking at least three cruises on this trip. Woohoo. Clearing hubby's credit card now.
  13. Love
    ellcee reacted to Traveling Mike in A Cruise I'm Not Excited About   
    Summary:  Sleep does wonders
    I am sorry for taking until the third day to update my trip.  I have taken a 2 to 3 hour nap every day.  I have also got 8 to 10 hours sleep every night.  I have kept my alcohol to one drink a day and drank lots of water.  I have not been doing lots of the events (trivia, game shows...) that I normally do.  Now today I feel like a real person.  I figure I was on autopilot and was going through the steps.  Now do not get me wrong, I was not doing my job or coaching subpar, but my entire life revolved around work and water polo.  I have gone 4 days without working and I have not done that in a lot of months.
    Now I would like to give you some advice from someone that knows nothing.  Break your routine up with something different.  If you are working make sure you take a weekend day and get away and do something you normally would not do.  If you are retired make sure you break up your routine.  Go visit your family that you have not seen in a while.  Go someplace that you would never go by choice.  Take your spouse on a real date (drive in theater and make out).  The main idea is do something to break your routine up.
    now on to the ship experience
  14. Like
    ellcee reacted to Traveling Mike in A Cruise I'm Not Excited About   
    After taking a nap today and decompressing a little i am coming to realize you are correct.  To many hours and no decompression time.  I have done Thanksgiving on Norwegian and Royal, and their Thanksgiving is turkey and ham but no pumpkin pie.  They were prepared like a chief trying to be fancy and not trying to be as good as moms Thanksgiving meal.  I am hoping Celebrity does a better job.
  15. Like
    ellcee reacted to Traveling Mike in A Cruise I'm Not Excited About   
    Summary:  Edge Single Stateroom with Infinite Veranda
    I am not going to talk much about the ship tonight because I have not had time to explore and experience.  What I will talk about and show pictures is my cabin.  I have got to spend time in my cabin and get a good nap this afternoon.  I have an Edge Single Stateroom with Infinite Veranda.  For a solo cabin it is very big.  The only thing it does not have is a couch.  I do have a balcony in the room that opens the room up.  Celebrity is an upscale cruise line, and you can tell that by the cabin.  I have 2 USB plugs next to my bed.  At the desk is a box with 3 different power plugs and 2 USB plugs.  The bed is nice and sleep well.  I want to take the pillows home.  They are big enough and are schrunchable.  Later in the cruise I will be creating a Cabin Review Video and will share it with you.
    Note:  The nap helped, and I am starting to realize my funk is caused by being overworked.  I have done 6 months of 60-hour work weeks and the last 3 months with 25 to 30 hours of Water Polo coaching on top of that.  I think I am just tired and need this cruise to decompress.


     

  16. Like
    ellcee got a reaction from SweetPea in Would you like to buy a bag ?   
    Happens here in NY all the time. Frustrating.
  17. Like
    ellcee reacted to HeWhoWaits in Would you like to buy a bag ?   
    And there's far more plastic in each of those baskets than in thousands of bags.
  18. Like
    ellcee reacted to Ampurp85 in Extras Extras read all about (Not) with them.   
    I was guilty of the sway of black Friday this year. It was very easy to justify purchases when things are  up to 50% off. I know how to stop myself, but the allure was there.
    I always get internet and a dining package, but I rarely buy excursions. However, this time I am doing Alaska, so I was glad to save 30-40% and brought more than I normally would. I hardly ever get off at PDCC now but my brother found some good deals and splurged. 
  19. Like
    ellcee reacted to CanHardlyWait in Extras Extras read all about (Not) with them.   
    OK. So this is basically a personal observation/rant.
    We fell into the extras trap over the past month. And then last week when the Black Friday sale started we convinced ourselves we needed even more.
    After making a list yesterday on paper and going over charges, we realized it was becoming like the expense of an entirely additional trip. 
    So we slashed our planner purchases to the bones. Soda package and bottled water. Internet for wifi calling still a possibility. But that's it. No $300 beach bed on sea day. No adult beach at PDCC. Frankly if you can't find a spot on PDCC with Crystal clear ocean, free chairs, included food, etc. Then you really aren't enjoying paradise. No specialty restaurants. All gone.
    I guess my point is take stock of your extras. Royal Caribbean claims to have a great product to sell. Then they turn right around and say wait, we have an even better product to sell you. Doesn't say much for what they think of there original product. 
    Yes, of course it's one week out of the year. We only live once. Etc etc. And everybody should do you, not me. But consider making a list and taking stock of your "extra" purchases. We found it Eye opening and feel a little more free. Frankly even a bit foolish of some things we convinced ourselves we needed. 
    To each his/hers own. I just thought I would share how taking a good look and having a word with yourself can clear the fog. My budget is over a thousand dollars lighter and I literally don't feel like I'm going to miss out on anything. 
    Again, and I cannot say this enough. You do you. Just thought I'd share my soul searching over corporate advertising and the way we get convinced of all the things we simply can't live without. Honestly, we can. LOL. 
  20. Haha
    ellcee reacted to Jolly Ogre in Incredible Entitled Chair Hog Stunt.   
    Thank you for reserving a chair for me to use in your absence. I had a wonderful time and did not have to search for a lounger as this was well displayed for me to use.
  21. Haha
    ellcee reacted to Rackham in Incredible Entitled Chair Hog Stunt.   
    Totally unnecessary. Like anyone using this sign is getting out for #1. 
  22. Haha
    ellcee reacted to Psycho and Barb in Incredible Entitled Chair Hog Stunt.   
    Psycho just made this one 😂😂😂

  23. Haha
    ellcee reacted to Fuzzywuzzy in Incredible Entitled Chair Hog Stunt.   
    Following........
  24. Haha
    ellcee reacted to tonyfsu21 in Incredible Entitled Chair Hog Stunt.   
    Bring it. 
  25. Haha
    ellcee reacted to TexanTwoStep in Incredible Entitled Chair Hog Stunt.   
    This sign would've been float tested if I had seen it :)
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