Jolly Ogre

That is why we usually do our Holiday sailing in the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas...Week 2-3 of December....less children on board.

Thanksgiving week is amazing on a ship. We have done it with the family for many years. One thing to keep in mind is the endless number of kids on a holiday sailing. I welcome the craziness as I have a couple of my own  but some people do not…

Time to print your cruise docs and luggage tags.
 
 

And then when you get on early by not following you assigned boarding time go to the pool deck and reserve a deck chair for the remainder of the cruise.

Almost forgot, as we've never cruised without kids, and honestly don't look forward to the days where that will be the case, I do feel that it would be very simple to isolate ourselves from the annoyance of even the rambunctious unattended children if we wanted to. We know the Oasis class ships well and there are plenty of places that just don't interest the kids of all ages. So many that are unfamiliar with cruising, cite crowds as a reason not to cruise. When the kids are at AO or otherwise occupied with grandparents or family, my wife and I find it odd that on a ship with so many people we often feel completely alone! 

Which ship really does not matter to us. When is it leaving and where is it leaving from is the biggest decision for us. We really dislike Miami. Not for the port building but for the city itself for staying just one night to ensure that there is no hiccups getting to the port. The other ports here in Florida are a breeze to get into.

Above my pay grade, lol. GL!

sheesh ... what is this myth of a hand pay you talk about?? 💰🤑

oy oy oy!!

And then when you get on early by not following you assigned boarding time go to the pool deck and reserve a deck chair for the remainder of the cruise.

Meh... my grandchildren don't even qualify to be in the "Kids sail Free" club. 

sheesh ... what is this myth of a hand pay you talk about?? 💰🤑

sheesh ... what is this myth of a hand pay you talk about?? 💰🤑

Only 6 so far but will be up to 8 by the end of the year, and I have been on some more than once.

Only 6 so far but will be up to 8 by the end of the year, and I have been on some more than once.

sheesh ... what is this myth of a hand pay you talk about?? 💰🤑

Only 6 so far but will be up to 8 by the end of the year, and I have been on some more than once.

So I get an early boarding time and I don't stay up or set an alarm. I just do my "check in" in the morning when I normally get up.
I show up at my boarding time and I always have to wait as the doors are not even open at the port @ 11:00. Then we are through the line and then have to sit in a waiting area until the ship doors open up.
I have never been on earlier than 11:00 even though we are one of the 1st folks there. That all said the longest we had to wait has been 10-20 min to get on. The lines for boarding and security always less than 5 min. 

I’m sorry to be a bubble burster but why bother having boarding times if people are not going to follow the rules and adhere to them?  I’m sure many of you are not happy with this reply but honestly…I am from the generation where we were all taught to follow the rules.  I am not sure when the notion was born that rules are made to be broken?  
If I want an early boarding time I will stay up to make sure I get one.  Otherwise I will take what I get and arrive at the time given to me.
Lol that’s probably why I’ve always liked SWA…you get a boarding number and that is when you get on.  
If I am the only one here who feels this way… 🤷🏼‍♀️.
 

How did you know my routine! 😉

And then when you get on early by not following you assigned boarding time go to the pool deck and reserve a deck chair for the remainder of the cruise.

Meh... my grandchildren don't even qualify to be in the "Kids sail Free" club. 

Meh... my grandchildren don't even qualify to be in the "Kids sail Free" club. 

Good sushi is great but mediocre sushi is horrible!! 🤢🤮