twangster

I got trapped in there too!!!

Anthem comes back to Bayonne on November 12, 2020.  Oasis leaves just before her return.
Ovation is not expected to return to Alaska in 2021.  In March of 2021 she heads to Singapore while Voyager follows a month later.  Radiance and Serenade will be making the trip North from Australia in 2021.   However their bookable cruises stop at Hawaii.  It's not clear what they'll do next.  Odyssey is the wild card at the moment.  
It wouldn't surprise me to see Odyssey hit the West coast for a bit and then service Alaska in 2021.  Royal has been hinting at a return to the West coast and Odyssey makes sense.  Cold weather ship for the cool Pacific ocean then into Alaska for the summer 2021 season.    What better way to attract attention and make a statement return to the West coast than it's newest ship?

Just received a text message: 

Hmmm...  how to respond?

Just received a text message: 

Hmmm...  how to respond?

Spa pricing is variable.  They advertise them "Starting From..." not for a fixed price.

As can be expected people book the cheaper times quickly, much like cruise fares, leaving more expensive times for guests who book later.  Peak or more desirable times are more expensive.  Everyone knows you can get spa deals on ports days for the same reason.

 
Is there more to this "scam" or was your friend just new to cruising and didn't understand the variable pricing the spa offers?

Just received a text message: 

Hmmm...  how to respond?

Who am I kidding?  After 30 10 minutes of internet withdrawal on Friday morning I'll likely be buying it... 

It could be a ship provided excursion will be required, not optional as it is today.
Time will tell.     

Ovation to NZ in 2020, Voyager to SP in 2021.  Already booked.  #toolittletime   

Yep.  Just waiting for it to get closer.  Tick-tock tick-tock...

Ovation to NZ in 2020, Voyager to SP in 2021.  Already booked.  #toolittletime   

Dinner last night was at Raw on 5, an a la carte restaurant. Just like Izumi on Royal using, the dining package provided a credit for $35 a person.
For once I actually have a picture of the venue.

As with Fine Cut it is located just of the Main Plaza, so once again noise can be a factor. Tonight it didn't seem as bad versus the previous night a Fine Cut.
Starting off the meal I was given a nice view of the sunsetting in Cozumel

First round...
Truffled Albacore Tuna ($9): Sriracha, white truffle oil, ponzu

Shrimp Tempura ($10): Avocado, cucumber, pickled burdock, shrimp tempura, spicy mayo, sweet soy

Next round...
Alaskan California ($10): Snow crab, avocado, cucumber, roasted sesame seeds

Spicy Tuna ($9): Sesame, soy

Assorted Sashimi ($8): Tuna, yellowtail, salmon, sea bass

Main dishes...
Seared Filet Mignon Medallions ($16): Asparagus, mushrooms, scallions, garlic butter

Spicy Shrimp Stir Fry ($10): Bok choy, peppers (omitted by request), sweet soy glaze

For dessert
Yuzu Sorbet ($4)

 
Overall it was different than the Izumi fare. Guess you can say it was missing the Chef Travis touch with all the eclectic rolls. 

I'm sitting here writing up this post with what I have to say is the most motion I've felt so far this cruise. The funny thing, we are tied up in Costa Maya.

Also have a neighbor for the day

 
I'll power on with showing off some of the photos taken the other day.
Rooftop Garden area


Also said "Hi" to our neighbor Brilliance

 
Also a day and night shot of the main pool/resort deck. Tonight also happened to the The White Party


 
Finally the design of the Main Theater isn't the classic proscenium style stage with an apron, rather it is a thrust stage. Performance tonight was comedian Billy Garan.

 

Anthem comes back to Bayonne on November 12, 2020.  Oasis leaves just before her return.
Ovation is not expected to return to Alaska in 2021.  In March of 2021 she heads to Singapore while Voyager follows a month later.  Radiance and Serenade will be making the trip North from Australia in 2021.   However their bookable cruises stop at Hawaii.  It's not clear what they'll do next.  Odyssey is the wild card at the moment.  
It wouldn't surprise me to see Odyssey hit the West coast for a bit and then service Alaska in 2021.  Royal has been hinting at a return to the West coast and Odyssey makes sense.  Cold weather ship for the cool Pacific ocean then into Alaska for the summer 2021 season.    What better way to attract attention and make a statement return to the West coast than it's newest ship?

Spa pricing is variable.  They advertise them "Starting From..." not for a fixed price.

As can be expected people book the cheaper times quickly, much like cruise fares, leaving more expensive times for guests who book later.  Peak or more desirable times are more expensive.  Everyone knows you can get spa deals on ports days for the same reason.

 
Is there more to this "scam" or was your friend just new to cruising and didn't understand the variable pricing the spa offers?

Me too!  A live blog from Spectrum would be great!

Several are closely ranked and I could move one or two up or down a spot if I thought hard about it.
Symphony Harmony Anthem Navigator Ovation (estimated, will know in a few weeks) Allure Oasis Indy Mariner Liberty Adventure Freedom Explorer Serenade Brilliance Empress Radiance Vision Grandeur Enchantment  

Anthem comes back to Bayonne on November 12, 2020.  Oasis leaves just before her return.
Ovation is not expected to return to Alaska in 2021.  In March of 2021 she heads to Singapore while Voyager follows a month later.  Radiance and Serenade will be making the trip North from Australia in 2021.   However their bookable cruises stop at Hawaii.  It's not clear what they'll do next.  Odyssey is the wild card at the moment.  
It wouldn't surprise me to see Odyssey hit the West coast for a bit and then service Alaska in 2021.  Royal has been hinting at a return to the West coast and Odyssey makes sense.  Cold weather ship for the cool Pacific ocean then into Alaska for the summer 2021 season.    What better way to attract attention and make a statement return to the West coast than it's newest ship?

Summary
I had heard great things about Mariner and they were all true.  Having now seen what "AMPED" means I'm looking forward to Navigator and beyond.
There is nothing that would prevent me from sailing Mariner again.  I might even do the same excursions - scuba dive in Cococay and the 737 jet simulator in Nassau.
Next time I'll likely do a B2B or maybe even a B2B2B.  Four nights is too short.  I imagine the 3 night weekend cruises are probably pretty lively.  If I lived locally, Mariner would be dangerous to my bank account.  
Given a choice of a small ship 3/4 Bahamas cruise or Mariner it would be Mariner every time.  
For short cruises like this I can see getting the drink package on Mariner.  
If you haven't sailed or booked Mariner yet the only question is... why not?
Thanks for following along and I hope you've enjoyed it.
Twangster out. 

11pm - 80's party in the Promenade

I'll refrain from adding a couple of photos from Playmakers that I can't recall taking or explain how I got them on my phone after this.  At some point after midnight I decided I needed to start packing.  These short cruises suck.   Packing under the influence sucks worse.

It's a net.
 
I'm not sure what the official criteria is.   I was talking with the bar staff and mentioned I was bribed to remove the photo of @CruiseLifeRick.  We laughed about it (and Rick in general) and before I knew it a few cocktails later I was having my picture taken.  

No cruise on a Voyager class ship would be complete without visiting the helipad.

King of the World!

 
So peaceful out here.

Thanks for the link , it is full with useful information and helps me prepare for our Spectrum of the Seas , same route at October. Hope just the internet package price  will drop from 19 per day so I can do some live blogging.

The danger in ranking ships is that the list could be inferred in inappropriate ways.
I don't avoid ships that are lower on my list.  I have multiple cruises on Vision booked despite it being #18. 
I tend to enjoy every ship I sail because I research and know what I'm booking.  
For some people their list will range from hate to great.  For me the range is compressed and covers very enjoyable to fabulous.
I actually like that Quantum class is different.  Plus it's designed for cooler weather.  If you only experienced Oasis class in March out of NJ you'd likely think Central Park is a waste of space and the Boardwalk is too cold to enjoy.  Who wants to wear a coat to an Aqua show?  (even if it is Lulu) ? 

Onboard now ,day 2-at sea day headed to Civitavecchia.  Internet not working very well. Will post pics if I'm able.
Cheers