bhageerah

9 minutes ago, 12thman said:

Hold on now...my wife said the certificate I got when we got married meant obey and unless I like being in the doggie house I obey. Happy wife happy home. At least that's what she says...lol!!!

On 11/27/2019 at 9:40 AM, ChessE4 said:

My wife claims her filet mignon at Chops was OK but nothing spectacular.  On another cruise, we were told by wait staff that the best steak was prepared by the Italian restaurant, which was Giovanni's at the time.

I can back you up on this one, I have had better steaks either in CK or in Giovanni's, I have had several steaks from there but they were nothing to write home about.  The several steaks that I have had at the aforementioned places blew my socks off from the first bite. 

7 hours ago, twangster said:

The "classic" service animal was the service dog for a blind person.  That's pretty cut and dry and historically those animals were highly trained and clearly working when in service. 

The gray comes in when a dog performs a service like detecting low blood sugar, an oncoming seizure or some other medical condition.  Such a dog might be transported in a cart.  Sometimes these dogs may appear to be a pet but they might serve a valid need.

The problem is the fakers who claim some medical condition and get a fake internet certificate so that their pet can be declared to be a service animal.  These are the ones that often end up biting people or peeing on things. 

This women claimed a medical condition that the dog could detect.  Maybe that's true.

However the dog was allowed to wander on it's own off leash. 

  

Hmmm. 

NOPE!!  Not a service animal, I do not have one but am somewhat familiar with what goes into the training of them as well as the expectations.  I am currently working just to get my golden doodle certified as a therapy dog.  The training that we are going through is long and hard but still NOTHING compared to the training that a certified service animal has to go through.  While I do love my dog and it would be MUCH easier come vacation time to throw a vest on him and let him come with us, it is morally wrong and an insult to the people and animals that have put in the time for the training.  Just like people that have never had the honor to serve our country trying to pawn off that they were Navy Seals, or in the military.  I service animals would not be leaving her side and would be right there with her rather than wandering off.  I can tell you that this is one subject that I find highly irritating, because it makes people second guess those that really do have an issue, and a real need for a service dog.  

We had a room on a hump a couple of years ago on Oasis, and another this year on Anthem, there are no negatives whatsoever in my book!  You get a little larger balcony, and you also get to have just a little better view than you would if you were not sticking out just a little more off the side of the ship.  I can tell you that if I have the option to book a balcony room on a hump for the same price as a regular balcony I will do it in a heartbeat before it disappears or the price for that room increases!!

We collected the SeaPass cards as well as magnets from every ship and port.  I try to find something unique from every port that we are in, something that you can not find just anywhere and grab that as well.  Once we move and I have the space I will find a reasonably sized display case and show them off, but at the moment most of what I purchase is still wrapped in paper and in a drawer or cabinet where I keep it all until then.

We were there last year over Christmas and we were actually asked for our passport prior to boarding the ship.  I am not sure what the problem was but we had all of our documents in my bag, we showed our sea pass cards and that was not good enough for them.  Like I stated earlier thankfully I had them in my back pack and was quick to pull them out and show them.  Once I produced our passports we were allowed to pass.  We have been to Nassau 4 times and this was the first time we had been asked to produce them. 

My sister drove down to Ft Lauderdale from NC for one of our family cruises, she had a carryon that was full of snacks that her and her husband ate while driving down, she did not want to leave them in the hot car for the whole week.  I can tell you that we do bring a few things onboard such as good chocolate, and some nuts, and trail mix.  We do not get crazy with it especially since there is so much available onboard.  We were in the gift shop a few years ago and saw a normal sized tube of Pringles that was going for $5.99 that is what made us realize how crazy things like that were onboard and we started bringing small snacks to avoid the sticker shock.  

15 minutes ago, Melodyjn said:

I get so upset when FB doesn't notify me when Matt goes live  and now I have to go on Netflix and search Documentaries

I agree with you about being lucky to live in south Florida, we have a cruise port smorgasbord!

I am in the process of booking a cruise on the new Odyssey of the Seas in Feb of 2021 with our great friends that took us on the Navigator, I am beyond excited for this one however the countdown will be brutal for me 

Is probably a good thing I am up here in Virginia......If I lived that close to the cruise ports I would be spending WAY too much of my free time and children's inheritance out at sea!!

I can tell you that I am the same way, I am highly ASHAMED to admit that I do not have any cruises booked but I can assure you that I am going to remedy that situation pretty soon.  I spend way too much time on the RCCL website, looking at Youtube videos of ship layouts and cruise news, and here.  I know I have an affliction but at least it is something that I really enjoy!  I know that I work hard (well over 300 hours per month) and really deserve to have a vacation that I completely enjoy.  I know that there are quite a few that are here that spend the time in between cruises doing the exact same things.  Cruise life is absolutely amazing and far more wonderful that I could have imagined!  My only regret so far is not starting FAR sooner! I did not go on my first cruise until I was 40.  Enjoy your cruise addiction and please enjoy the next two cruises!

I have not been on Symphony as of yet but we have been on Oasis and during spring break.  It was packed to capacity both times that we were on it, that being said there were times that you knew how packed the ship was, but for the most part it really was not bad!  Of course there will be times that things will get packed such as if you try to get off of the ship when it first arrives in port. (We usually try and wait a few if our excursion allows for it) When something lets out of the theatre and there is another venue that is waiting for it, elevators at prime times, there are a few other situations that it may get crowded but for the most part it really was not that bad.  Yes you will need to have some patience, but the lines that I have waited in on an Oasis class ship have not been much worse than I have waited in being on one of the smallest ships (Majesty) in the fleet.  

Great pictures!!  I just wish that I was sitting on that island at the moment rather than being here along the east coast in cold, rainy weather!!  Thanks for sharing!  

21 minutes ago, whenismynextcruise said:

Leaving on Anthem in the morning. Staying in a JS. Looking forward to trying CK for the first time. What is our best bet for a reservation there? How does it work? Can we go there first day and make a reservation or do we have to wait and try each day. I realize other full suite guests get priority over JS but if we make a reservation are we "wait listed"? Or is that reservation guaranteed? Any tips are appreciated. - Thanks!

While we are no Anthem experts we sailed during spring break this year.  We stayed in a JS and had no issues whatsoever getting reservations.  We ate in the MDR the first and third nights and in CK all the others.  We prefer to eat earlier than later and the place was WELL over halfway empty when we ate around 5:30-6. We also had no issues making reservations for the rest of the week once we realized how much nicer CK was over the MDR.  

Congratulations and I know that you will have an amazing time on your next cruise!! 

For that price it better come with a free 60 minute massage as well!!!

47 minutes ago, QB7002 said:

We're first time cruisers on the Allure in January.  I purchased the customized magnet decorations from Etsy.  The smaller ones are card stock from Amazon which I placed magnetic tape on the back.  I thought it would be a fun idea to decorate our cabin door but from what I hear these might not last long.   

Looks great!  For your sake I do hope that people manage to look but not touch!  Looks like quite a bit of love and thought went into making them!

31 minutes ago, twangster said:

I'm liking my Empress ocean view today...

 

Looks like Cozumel! And to be perfectly honest I do not care where it is, your view beats mine any day of the week!!  Its in the 40's here with high winds, and I have to make my own bed, clean my own room, and cook my own food!!

17 hours ago, AshleyDillo said:

These places don't have set menus.  They're like the Windjammer buffet where items rotate.

Absolutely correct, only thing I can add to what @AshleyDillo has already said, is that what is offered at Cafe Promenade changes as the day goes on as well as from day to day.  Just expect finger food all day long and some type of cookie, or parfait at Cafe Promenade.  Sorrentos pretty much stays the same although the types of pizza offered may change but expect the usual cheese, veggie, and pepperoni to be offered.  Park Cafe will be the same as Cafe Promenade, there may be a few things that will stay the same and offered all day but they will be changing things throughout the day.  

54 minutes ago, Va4fam said:

Definitely have the "paralysis by analysis" syndrome trying to make a decision.  Not overly concerned about the C & A points as this 7 day cruise will finally get us past Gold into Platinum (or is it Emerald?).   Next meaningful plateau seems to be Diamond once you reach 30 points. 

I can do Oasis of the Seas balcony cabin (less excited about Labadee/Falmouth/Cozumel itinerary) for 1/3 less than the JS on Empress.   We have not done Oasis class ship yet.

Really like the Empress itinerary (Key West, Belize city, Costa Maya, Cozumel) but the ocean view rooms look so small and have no additional furniture (couch/chair etc).  Should I just not worry about it and enjoy the cruise and hospitality of the ship or pony up for the JS?  

I know that others will chime in with their opinion and here is mine, if you are not happy with the sailing on Oasis then do not book it!  Even though it is cheaper, its my opinion that you also need to be happy about where you are going as well!  Me personally I would book the Empress and spring for the larger room.  I have been to Belize, Costa Maya, and Cozumel and had an absolute AMAZING TIME.  And to be honest with you having done both of the cruises that you speak of (with the exception that we also had Honduras in ours) I would rather do that cruise vs the other on Oasis.  Just please do yourself a favor (once again IMHO) and book something else on Oasis to see the beauty and fun that a Oasis class ship has to offer! 

I have not sailed on Rhapsody but I have sailed on several of her sister ships, and my suggestion would be to bring your adapters.  To be honest there has only been one ship that I have been on that actually had the USB option and I wish that it would become more popular across the fleet.  Although I do know that as more ships get AMPED it will become the new standard,  and I can not wait until that day happens! 

I have never been, but am looking forward to the possibility!  At first I was not a fan of what was happening at Coco Cay......then we went and had an absolute AMAZING time and can not wait to go back.  That being said, if they open up a second island, I can assure you that I will be there.  I can not wait to see what they are planning and what they will have!  

ABSOLUTELY!!!  As long as it does not damage anything you won't have any problem!  We don't put anything on our doors but we have seen quite a few decorations, or people that have put dry erase boards on their doors.  

Same here, there is some in the shower but I can tell you that as a male I won't even touch the stuff.  I will gladly just bring my own stuff, I am not extremely picky when it comes to body wash, but I just do not care for what is supplied, and since I am bald I DEFINITELY do not have to worry about conditioner.  I know that we were in a JS on Anthem and they stuff that they provided was pretty good.  The stuff that was in a normal balcony room I really wasn't happy with. 

2 minutes ago, Lovestotravel said:

Good to know!  Can you tell we haven't cruised before? !

It doesn't matter if you have not cruised before, all that matters is that you finally have seen the light and are joining us!  I know that you guys will have an absolute AMAZING time, and please do me a favor and enjoy some of that wonderful vitamin sea for me!!!

12 minutes ago, Dan Curtis said:

If it is not a seas day, I would get off the ship and find a church, as far as on the ship I have never saw a worship,service being held, but it seems like a good ideal.

Gotta agree with this one, never seen any sort of service of ANY type being held onboard, that even goes for a wedding!  

5 minutes ago, Lovestotravel said:

GREAT. So, we don't have to board the ship, the same time as our luggage?  

Once you drop it off with the porter then that starts the process of them checking/screening everything and it is officially in "their" hands and they handle everything from there.  As long as you are back at the terminal and onboard prior to your departure time, nobody will be the wiser about you leaving your luggage there.  You will drop your luggage curbside before you even enter the inside of the terminal.  So if you desired to drop it off and then proceed to catch a Uber, Lyft, or Taxi then there won't be anyone that will know.