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I have actually been climbing the stairs in my house repeatedly after reading @Neesa’s blog. I call it “training” for the elevator problem on Wonder 😆

Yes it is! All I hear is your voice saying that it’s long hike down that hallway lol

Huh, I never think to buy luggage tags and speaking of Prime sale......I got so much stuff for my October cruise at a fraction of the price I normally pay. 

In other news, my Amazon Prime day purchases from yesterday have arrived. Our old ones are starting to fall apart. 
 

Would you believe me if I told you I don’t even know how to play that? Or purchase for that? Lol. We seriously never win anything. I still cannot believe it. 

So, I will try to be as transparent as possible about this. We were booked in the Crown Loft. I have been watching Star on this ship for quite some time and the prices for Star on this ship are nuts compared to other Oasis class ships. For two people, I never saw the per person price drop below $21K (that's per person). There is no way I would pay that amount! This one ATS (the one that I just won) came back after final payment and the price just kept climbing on it. The last price I saw it going for was $30K per person. I don't know where Royal is going with the crazy prices on Wonder.
Anyway, I got the RU bid at 59 days out as I stated earlier. I wasn't too keen on leaving the Crown Loft (especially since it's just the two of us) but I cannot resist a RU so I thought I would bid just above minimum. I used the UDP and DBP to guide me. The UDP was $679.64 for two, and the DBP was $1255.24 for two of us. That's a total of $1934.88. Per person, that put us at $967.44. Since I am Asian, and we like "8s", I figured I would round it up to $980 for some luck lol. That's how I came up with my bid.
I won't pretend to understand RU ever, and I honestly never thought I would get this one. Especially not with a low bid (the needle barely moved on the scale). I am beyond excited and I think we got a pretty good deal considering that I am paying about $30K less than the lowest total price I ever saw this suite at (if booked direct). Is it a good deal for Star in general? No way. But on this ship, I'd say it's decent.
I am thanking my lucky stars as I no longer have to go on the hunt for water, and Hubby was actually pretty excited too when I told him. He said it saves him a trip to a liquor store in Orlando! And he is excited that he can now do laundry again to his heart's content. That will be helpful since we have some Orlando days before the cruise.

OMG!!! It happened!

I got my hubby and his brother a Star Wars Anniversary Jersey. That is how I was able to book another cruise. The force was with me on this deal.

That is the only reason why we are going. I was not joking when I said that I would avoid all things Disney if I could. I am more of an Orlando Premium Outlets sort of a girl. That is also being squeezed into the agenda lol

Looking forward to yet another take on Wonder!
Very kind of you to appease Hubby's Disney fandom. We live close enough to the MK to hear the fireworks every night but haven't been to a park since pre-covid, lol.
If you happen to have some free time, head to Disney Springs for Gideon's Cookies and perhaps a nice meal.
Oh yeah, and it's disgustingly hot here but you already know that I'm sure.

Anniversary Tales – Episode XXI: From Galaxy’s Edge to the Wondrous Seas – WN 7/23/23 – 7/30/23

“My love for you is a puzzle… for which I have no answers. I can't control it… and now I don't care. I truly, deeply love you.” — Padmé Amidala
For those of you who follow my blogs, you will know by now that we always celebrate our anniversary on a cruise whenever possible. This year is no exception. The choice of ship was easy this year, it’s one that we have wanted to sail for a while but just haven’t gotten around to it.
In planning for this trip, we were going to do our usual, fly in one day ahead, stay at the Hyatt Regency at MCO, head to PC the next day. What can I say? We are creatures of habit. However, since Wonder of the Seas sails out of Port Canaveral, and you all know that Hubby loves one thing as much as I love cruising, he suggested that we go a few days early to do this one thing first.
The conversation went something like this:
Hubby: Where does this ship sail from?
Me: Port Canaveral, so we fly to Orlando.
Hubby: Oh, you know I’ve been wanting to go to Galaxy’s Edge?
Me: Pretending not to hear him….
Hubby: We should go a few days early and go to Galaxy’s Edge.
Me: Still pretending not to hear him since all I can hear at this point is, “Disney? Major planning, I know nothing about Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes, last time we went was 2017, Home Genie all the sudden has a whole lot of extra work to do.”
Hubby: What do you think?
Me: Are you sure want to go to Disney without the kids?
Kids: Go ahead. We don’t care about Star Wars.
Me: (Thinking in my head…Thanks kids, not the answer I wanted lol)
Hubby: Great! That saves us some money if we don’t need to take children.
Me: Great…May the Force be with me…
Who’s Going?
Just Hubby and I on this one! Yay!
Flight
Delta from DTW-MCO. Booked through Air2Sea again. Even though we are going 3 days early, I still like the ability to re-price before final payment. I have re-priced this flight down $150pp since the original booking. Once again, we had no trouble picking seats on our Delta app once we booked with Air2Sea.
Pre-Cruise Stay
If I had my pick, I would have stayed at the Conrad Orlando (that is more my scene) but since they announced their opening was delayed until Fall 2023, we had to find a Plan B.
We came to a compromise with the hotel. That’s what a solid marriage is all about right? What I really did not want was to stay anywhere near Disney, especially since we have no kids with us this time. I am not a Disney fan at all, and I wanted to steer clear of all things Disney related. Hubby on the other hand, is after the Early Theme Park entry and the perks of early access for Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane bookings.
I will see if you can all guess where we end up…
Itinerary
20 JUL ORLANDO
21 JUL ORLANDO (HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS)
22 JUL ORLANDO
23 JUL ORLANDO – PORT CANAVERAL (CRUISE DAY)
24 JUL PERFECT DAY COCOCAY, BAHAMAS
25 JUL CRUISING
26 JUL CHARLOTTE AMALIE, ST. THOMAS
27 JUL PHILIPSBURG, ST. MAARTEN
28 JUL CRUISING
29 JUL CRUISING
30 JUL ORLANDO (PORT CANAVERAL), FL
Cabin
#teamDeck17 (now #teamDeck 18 on Wonder)! This is the way…
…unless we get RU lucky, then I might have to rename this blog to, “From Galaxy’s Edge to the Stars”, or, “From Galaxy’s Edge to the Dog House” since I never told Hubby about the RU lol
Pre-Cruise thoughts
-        I feel like I am the last person to sail Wonder of the Seas, but nevertheless, I am still really looking forward to exploring this different version of Oasis class.
-        This sailing has 3 sea days!!! Love it!
-        This is our first time sailing Royal out of PC. We have only ever sailed DCL out of PC.
-        Cannot wait to check out the new suites area on Wonder. That is probably what I am looking forward to the most, other than eating and relaxing.
-        We purchased a 3-night dining package this sailing. It’s our first time trying one of these things.
-        For another first, we are going to attempt to bring wine and Champagne onboard. This combined with our complimentary bottle from C&A, plus our D+ drink vouchers should make not having the drink package doable.
-        Once again, in the spirit of a live blog, please do not hesitate to ask any questions.  I will do my best to find out whatever I can for you.
-        When responding to a post with a series of pictures, please do not include the pictures in your reply.  It just makes for easier scrolling.
-        Lastly, I will try to post videos and stories on Instagram.  You can follow me @lovetocruise2002

Well I mean, there was no zoom when Jesus brought this up.  I'm no longer a practicing Catholic, but I know my mom is hardcore and her priests were fine with her joining in online during covid and when she is too sick to attend and even when she leaves town to visit family.  I think the attempt to participate is now a pretty accepted practice, as they know attendance in person is dwindling for various reasons, and most priests and parishes will be happy to know you made the attempt to attend no matter where or how it is done. 

Keep Mama Mia...Get rid of Cats on Oasis. Replace it with anything. I would rather see a elementary school talent show.

Is Mama Mia really ‘Slipping through our fingers’?
Could this be ‘Our last Summer’ to see this play?
Hopefully this decision isn’t just about the ‘Money Money Money’
 
 
 

Sounds like an SOS

I am loyal to no one. I prefer Royal for comfortability - I know what I'm in for. But I am NEVER loyal to a business and can't see it ever happening. It's a business that wants to make money, as it should, off of me. 

I am loyal to no one. I prefer Royal for comfortability - I know what I'm in for. But I am NEVER loyal to a business and can't see it ever happening. It's a business that wants to make money, as it should, off of me. 

I am loyal to no one. I prefer Royal for comfortability - I know what I'm in for. But I am NEVER loyal to a business and can't see it ever happening. It's a business that wants to make money, as it should, off of me. 

I am loyal to no one. I prefer Royal for comfortability - I know what I'm in for. But I am NEVER loyal to a business and can't see it ever happening. It's a business that wants to make money, as it should, off of me. 

Whaaaat ?  Us, too !
We’re sailing with a dear, OLD friend - one of the Jim twins, if you read any of my old blogs, you will know…
Would love to meet you.  We’ll have to make arrangements.

Definitely not loyal.  On multiple occasions Royal has provided an over the top experience and on multiple occasions Royal has stated loud and clear they feel no need for any loyalty in our business relationship.   From those multiple occasions where they threw me under the keel it was absolutely clear we have nothing more than a business relationship. 
I sail multiple lines and during the restart I made a point of spreading my money across five different cruise lines.  Two of those were Royal and Celebrity but the other three were not in the RCG family.
Royal is the line I like the best, right now, but I will continue to test the waters elsewhere to validate I still feel that way and Royal will continue to throw me under the keel when it suits them.  I do most of my cruising with Royal but I'll eagerly cruise with other companies when something catches my eye just as Royal will drop me like a wet paper bag full of groceries if they can make a dollar more with a cancellation.
I feel like we both have a very clear understanding of our business relationship and it is not exclusive in either direction.  I think we are both okay with that.  

Happy to hear pup is eating. Nothing can ruin a trip like worrying when you can't do very much. 

Happy to hear pup is eating. Nothing can ruin a trip like worrying when you can't do very much. 

Not sure if you can see me cringing from over here...

Short update:
Made call yesterday via wifi no problem.
Baby boy is showing "no signs of stress and is a sweetheart". We told them he is super picky eater. Left him with 4lbs of pre package deli chicken and cheese. Told them to mix in his food, but hasn't been working. We said start hand feeding him the deli separately from the dog food. He never says no to a slice of chicken or cheese. LOL. Hand feeding works best. He's 2 and a half but still a baby in many ways. Told them if they run out to buy more and we will pay upon return. 
Today is St Thomas. 
Was planning to make our own way via taxi to Megan's Bay (about $45 less than excursion). Still waking up. Late night last night. Comedy show and then love and marriage show. Had a blast but up till 1am. So this morning is a slow start. LOL.
Again, full review to come
Thanks all!