WannaCruise

Watch for the 10 Drink Card.  We had it on the cruise before you....popped up around day 3, which is earlier than I remember in the past.

Watch for the 10 Drink Card.  We had it on the cruise before you....popped up around day 3, which is earlier than I remember in the past.

Currently sitting at MCO waiting for our flight home after getting off Wonder. Think we left her in pretty good shape for you. Beautiful ship with so much to do. Have a wonderful cruise!  Looking forward to hearing about your adventures. 

Currently sitting at MCO waiting for our flight home after getting off Wonder. Think we left her in pretty good shape for you. Beautiful ship with so much to do. Have a wonderful cruise!  Looking forward to hearing about your adventures. 

Currently sitting at MCO waiting for our flight home after getting off Wonder. Think we left her in pretty good shape for you. Beautiful ship with so much to do. Have a wonderful cruise!  Looking forward to hearing about your adventures. 

Spending someone else's money:
So I am the unofficial cruise planner for all of my coworkers, and have helped a few with their cruises now. I convinced one of the Captains that I work with to book this cruise. Not only did I get him to book the cruise, I convinced him to book into a Grand Suite. He has cruised with RC a few times now, typically in an OV or Balcony Cabin. It didn't take a whole lot to convince him to book the suite. He likes the finer things in life. As if it hasn't been said before, booking early for the best price is key. He booked this cruise about 7 months ago, while I booked the day the itineraries were released. His GS is about $200 shy of the cost that I paid for my Star Class room. He is happy though to have the extra space. He has a young daughter who is also bringing a friend with her, so to have the extra space will be good for them. 
At our holiday party, I spent time chatting with his wife about all of the sky class benefits, as well as suite benefits in general. She is super excited. I don't see this as a one and done for them.
Now I just need to figure out how to get a commission for this🤣

So it's the day before we leave.....
The packing situation has improved slightly. I only have last minute toiletries items left. Hubby was up until midnight last night packing. I have no idea what his status is. D17 has made her list but has not packed a thing. 
Off to run some last minute errands shortly.
And of course, most importantly before a cruise, getting a mani/pedi with the girls once they get home from school.🙂
 

It's settled....WE ARE GOING TO LA BAMBA!
Thank you @LandstromCruise for bringing it up, and thank you @AGSLC5 for catching that and letting me know about the Plantation location!

"CRUISE BIG, OR GO HOME" – OA 3/10/2024-3/17/2024

There once was time, many blogs ago, where I said, “Dreams…that is how many things begin; that is how this adventure began.  But with every dream that comes true, there is always a journey.”
Anyone remember that blog? It was the one where many claimed I corrupted them (I’m looking at you @GregD lol); it was also truly a dream come true for us. Since that 2019 sailing, we have been blessed beyond measure, and we never take any sailing for granted.
But in the midst of all this, there was also a greater dream, a greater wish, that started way before 2019, or even 2016 (when Royal started their Royal Suite Class program) for that matter. This was a dream that began over 14 years ago, in December 2009, when Hubby and I sailed on Oasis of the Seas for her maiden voyage, and I realized that there was a cabin, way up on Deck 17 (this was my pre-suite snob days), corner starboard side, that I wanted to be in one day…#cruisegoals
The journey to get to this sailing, in this cabin was a long one. I know I have said it before, but we were not always suite snobs. We have done our share of interiors, ocean views, balconies, etc. Even when I turned into a suite snob, this particular cabin was always out of reach for us. Either financially, or the pandemic took it away, or it wasn’t available, or @Rags1 would not adopt me. What I am trying to say, is that it is not lost on me the road it took us to get here, and how grateful I am that we now have this opportunity, and how this likely will be the only opportunity for this cabin. We are committed to treasuring every moment of this.
I have tracked the price of this room over many years. For the times of the year that we can sail (March, July, August, December), March is always the best price for this room.
This sailing is also beyond bittersweet. It is more than being able to check off a cruise bucket list item for us and the journey it took us to get here. It’s our final March Break sailing with our oldest. We have been sailing with the girls over March Break for years and there will never be another March Break sailing with all 4 of us together. This is it. That is the main reason why we had to take the leap and do this now. I knew back in December 2009 when I first heard that such a room existed, that I wanted to do it, but not without both kids. With D17 graduating this June, and the uncertainty of her university and life schedule (she will not have a March break that is for certain), it really is now, or likely never.
Like a wise @Baked Alaska recently said, “Time is like a thief.” Life is too short; it’s about seizing the moments we have, it’s about not having regrets, and we never want to look back and say, “We wish we would have done it.”
With that in mind, Hubby and I decided that YOLO, it’s going to be now, to “Cruise Big”, really big, and then go home.

March 2024
1 - Hoppy2BHere (Allure)
1 - Monctonguy (Liberty)
10 - Lovetocruise2002 (Oasis)
10 - WannaCruise (Wonder)
10 - MLH (Harmony)
10 - fireclan (Anthem)
11 - MarcD (Independence)
11 - Cactus527 (Freedom)
15 - Snotarni (Allure)
15 - smokeybandit (Adventure)
15 - Mark_A (Odyssey)
17 - OCSC Mike (Wonder)
23 - jbrinkm (Symphony)
25 - Sweety (Radiance)

I auditioned for the "Love and Marriage" Gameshow in January.  I mentioned that my wife and I just recently celebrated our 40th anniversary in September. I was then asked if my wife was present and I responded, "No, she is at home. How do you think we managed to make it to 40 years of marriage?"

Just got off Icon of the Seas and my wife and I dined at the Empire Supper Club for my birthday on February 21st.

 
It was hands down one of the best meals of my life and can't recommend it enough.
The creativity with the dishes and the cocktails, the amount you got, made the food alone worthwhile but the music just made the event - they really nailed being totally present but still allowing for conversation to take place.
The service was just top notch - but without being fru-fru or anything as well.
My only minor not pick is the wagu wasn't exceptional and they served it on a plate so hot the side touching it got a bit more cooked. So if on the fence for which entree to get, get the Sea Bass for sure.
The Raviolo was probably my favorite of the courses 

 
Happy to answer any other questions but if you are contemplating it and think it is something you would like, do it. I know not cheap but a comparable meal, inclusive of the cocktails would cost 2-3x as much 




 

Sorry for another photo-less live blog….but b/c we have not sailed on Radiance in MANY years, I thought I would post a few thoughts.
1.  Driving…arriving PoT.  Our drive from Port St Lucie to the Port of Tampa is about 3 hours, give or take depending on traffic.  We have made this trek 4 times now and I swear, we have not gone the same way twice, yet !  …and the drive home is never the same as the way we got here !  …but this morning’s drive was fairly event-free.  We ran into a bit of traffic around Disney (go figure) and again on I-4 W heading into downtown Tampa.  Par for the course.  Handled w/o issue.  I really do love the PoT.  It’s easy to get here, easy to park and VERY pleasant to board.  I will say again, as I have many times, the terminal staff in Tampa are the best out any port we’ve ever encountered.  They are NICE and so helpful.  We arrived about 9:45, were taken immediately to the Suites/ Pinn hold pin and checked in, sitting down, by the most wonderful lady - the same gracious lady that checked us in last time we were here.  Our wait was minimal.  By 10:45 we were onboard. During our very short wait we (I) attended to our safety videos and got the much-appreciated “Complete” banner.
2.  Onboard.  When we first checked, there were no staff doing the muster station check-ins so we (I) went str8 to our room to snatch our room keys.  Right where they should be.  Perfect.  When we came back down, staff was doing the muster station check-ins so we finished that up.  Yippee.  Also present in the hallway was a lovely lady pimping specialty dining so I asked if she would be able to do our BOGO rezzies and she said, “yes”.  Wow.  I’m on a roll !  She let us do Giovanni’s tonite and Samba grill on night #4.  I hope I don’t regret the Samba thing. It’s been a really long time since we tried Samba so we’re taking a chance.
3.  Will they or won’t they ?  Next, the first real challenge of the cruise.  Will they or won’t they allow us into the Concierge Lounge ?  For reasons which truly elude me, Radiance (and I believe all of this class ship) has never converted their Concierge Lounge into a Suites Lounge.  Whatever.  It’s always big drama to see whether our Sea Passes will open the door !  Whew.  We’re batting 1000.  So far, we have not been denied entry into the SL on any ship since we made Pinn.
 
4.  First impressions.  I always forget how beautiful the Radiance class ships are, until I step foot back on one.  Radiance is so classy…so far I haven’t seen anything to change my mind. The Staff has been phenomenal so far.  
So, we are contently waiting in the CL (not to be confused with the CL) 🤭🤭 for noon, at which time we will enjoy our Chops boarding day lunch.  BTW, I confirmed, when I snuck into our stateroom, that our bed is next to the balcony !  Woohoo !  With all this good luck, I need to bet big at the casino tonite.  Or, maybe I’m using all my good luck up, early 😂😂😵

Part 2 - Drinks, Food, and Getting our Bearings
 
While set up on Thrill Island I did order my first drink of the trip from a passing bartender: got the Category 6 from th Basecamp Bar. This was really good, but definitely has that floater of Kraken at the top - strong first sip!

 
Kids wanted to go swimming so we went to the main pool in Chill Island which was quite nice and bounced between the pool and hot tubs. Picked up margaritas from Cantina Fresco which were quite tasty!
 
We then went to Windjammer for lunch - or, considering they still have the steak and l better and other seafood, it is definitely the Wind Jahmehr! Good way to start off the cruise foodwise

Rooms were ready at 1pm so we went there and also able to locate all our suitcases, which was great. Kinda were enjoying the infinite veranda part - my son definitely liked playing with the window (probably more than his siblings enjoyed him playing with it.)
 
We are a full day now in the room and the space is really nice - the you get two having there separate area is really nice and kinda keeps them and their stuff contained. The infinite veranda area is nice for relaxing in - the chairs are comfy. One negative so far is there isn't enough storage - struggled a bit to put away all the stuff for 5 people. Could use more drawer space especially. Having the split bathroom is really nice but it does result in each part feeling a bit tight. We will see how we feel at the end of the cruise but so far more positives than negatives but not perfect. 
 
Oh, and as a size comparison, this is my 5'5" wife on one of the bunk bed beds - she fits no issue and they are great for my 12 and 9 y ah old but would be tight for like a teen who is like 5'10" or more
 
We then heard they were selling Wow bands so we went to get two for the younger two and then went to check out Adventure Ocean and the Teen Club. They said my 12 year old could use either - but had to pick one, he couldn't be registered at both. He decided on Adventure Ocean as he met some kids his age there and there is a ton to do there and so much space - definitely a big step up from the club on our last cruise which was on Symphony of the Seas. 
 
I then got another drink and hung out with my sone in the Peal Cafe area - this is quickly becoming one of his favorites spots and he enjoyed watching the other ships leave port before ours left.

 
Unfortunately we missed sail away as we had 5pm dinner and it didn't happen until then - we could actually see us start to move out the windows int h Main Dining Room which was cool.
Dinner was good the first night - I got escargot and the prime rib. My son tried the escargot and went back for a 2nd so guess he liked them 

 
Coming up, evening entertainment, enjoying the Overlook, and a cloudy start to day 2

Part 1 - Travel Day a.k.a. planes, trains, automobiles, and one giant ship
 
We started our travels the morning of Friday, February 16th. Because basically all of the Northeast has schools off flights were crazy expensive into Miami or Ft Lauderdale - I was afraid we would have to drive from NY but we found a good rate on a flight from Westchester Airport (local to us) to West Palm Beach.
 
Photo of my son wearing merch for his favorite airport 

Flight was a bit bumpy to start but we arrived on time and picked up a rental car to start the journey south to Miami. About 2/3rds of the way we stopped to see my wife's cousin which was nice to spend time with them and my.kids played with her daughter for a bit. We then made it the rest of the way and spent the night at the Comfort Suites Miami Airport North. It was ... Fine. Got the job done and room for the 5 of us and included breakfast, but nothing special.
We then returned the rental car in the evening, taking the fake-o-rail back to the terminal (the "trains" part of this journey) and then shuttle back to hotel

 
They offered a free shuttle to the port but the times were either 9am or 12:30pm, which really didn't work for our 11:30am boa ding time, so we reserved an Uber. That worked out really well - and the driver referred to the Icon as a "monster".
 
We got to the port about 10:50 and got on within 5 minutes - fortunately we were selected for Express after we completed the safety videos in the app, but even without it it would have only been a few minutes more, all was very efficient

 
It felt a bit surreal to be on the ship 478 days after having booked it. But first impressions were that it was beautiful and the openness of the promise with the Pearl and the windows is really nice.

 
We went to our muster station and then put to Thrill Island to do some water slides. The area is amazing and the slides are legit (we did 3 of them, the mat slides were my favorite 

 
Coming up next, food, drinks, more drinks, room tour, and meeting Rover!
 
 

Hello all, thought I would do a trip report/live blog for our cruise on Icon of the Seas - which is in only 3 days (eek!)
 
This is the February 17-24, 2024 sailing and is doing the Western Caribbean itinerary:
Day 1 - Leave Miami
Day 2 - Sea Day
Day 3 - Sea Day
Day 4 - Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico
Day 5 - Cozumel, Mexico
Day 6 - Sea Day
Day 7 - Perfect Day at CocoCay
Day 8 - Return to Miami (sad face)
 
Who we are - we are a family of 5 from New York that are looking forward to escaping the cold and snow we currently have on the ground. It is me (Phil), my wife (Judi), daughter Olivia (14), son Peter (12), and daughter Emma (9). Here is a photo of us from our cruise the same time last year (on Symphony of the Seas) having completed a Pirate Scavenger Hunt we did on St. Thomas (which was tons of fun)

 
(we look basically the same, just a year older)
 
 
As the title implies, we are staying in one of the new classes of rooms, a Family Infinite Oceanview Balcony. I was excited to try out this room mostly due to the space for fitting all 5 of us - we shall see if we like the Infinite Balcony (a.k.a. window) or not.
 
We have a few fun things planned - including celebrating both my birthday and Olivia's - she is turning 15 and I am, well, more than 15. For her birthday we have booked Izumi Hibachi for lunch (first time doing that) and for my birthday Judi and I are doing the Empire Supper Club (very excited for that).
 
We also have booked lunches at Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Hooked - last cruise my kids had a combined 42 oyesters at Hooked so figure we will get our money's worth there, especially as we got these 40% off during Black Friday sale.
 
I have also been planning a bar crawl with members of a Facebook Group for this cruise and ~60 people have expressed interest, so we will see how that goes. I made up lanyards with required drinks based on suggestions from JJ Cruising. 

 
 
Our travel day down to Florida is in 2 days - due to this being a school holiday week in New York the flight prices to Miami and Fort Lauderdale were just crazy so we are actually flying from Westchester (our local airport) to West Palm Beach and then getting a rental car to drive down to Miami to stay over for one night.
 
I have watched tons of videos on the ship and have my spreadsheet ready! ... just hope we are. 🙂 

Thanks.  We're actually Canadian so only get one day off.  Nice you get the week off in the USA.
Thanks for the suggestion.  I looked at Voyager and Freedom class too (after Oasis class).  Even these...with four of us in a single interior room...are very pricey.  Indy is $2500 more than Rhapsody (and our ideal price range).  Adventure is about $1000 more than Rhapsody ... but both of these prices are four of us in a small interior with the two pullmans. That's a bit tight.  
I saw some great itinerary ones, and with decent prices on Jewel, but the embarkment port isn't easy for us as it's not a direct flight, so scratched that one off the list.
 

Ok...here's the situation....
We are regular cruisers and book when itineraries are released.  Our son is now in university so the only time we can go the four of us is Xmas or New Years.  I know...worst time pricewise for booking (which is our issue).
This upcoming Xmas 2024 we splurged and booked Icon.   Really wanted to go on Icon with both kids, and not sure how much longer our son will travel with us so booked it when it came out.  For that cruise, our room is now sold out but other rooms have gone WAY UP so glad we booked when we did.
Fast forward to recent release....cruises for Xmas/New Years 2025 pretty much start at what we paid for with Icon.  Wow!  That one was a splurge and not something we want to book at again.  So....we booked connecting rooms on Rhapsody at what was our previous price range.  It's a standard Caribbean cruise but one port is new to us, which looks nice.
Our kids will be 16 and 20 then so won't need the full amenities.  They mostly love just being able to eat in Windjammer and MDR for dinner, enjoy the shows, swimming, and enjoy the gym and cruise planner activities such as trivia, etc.
DH and our kids aren't worried.  I personally think our kids will get bored and keep looking at other options, but  nothing is in the price range we are ok to pay (I'll still check when short cruises are released this week...but then if we switch, we'd lose a couple days being a short cruise).  Even though I have second thoughts, we love Royal and it's still a cruise.  
So...for those that have been on Rhapsody (or Vision class), thoughts?  Tell me positive things that you enjoyed.

Thanks.  We're actually Canadian so only get one day off.  Nice you get the week off in the USA.
Thanks for the suggestion.  I looked at Voyager and Freedom class too (after Oasis class).  Even these...with four of us in a single interior room...are very pricey.  Indy is $2500 more than Rhapsody (and our ideal price range).  Adventure is about $1000 more than Rhapsody ... but both of these prices are four of us in a small interior with the two pullmans. That's a bit tight.  
I saw some great itinerary ones, and with decent prices on Jewel, but the embarkment port isn't easy for us as it's not a direct flight, so scratched that one off the list.
 

Sailed on her a few months ago. Small ship. I enjoy pickleball on the sports court, but the Rhapsody doesn’t have one. Did a lot of walking on the track to balance calories consumed versus calories spent. Boys might be bored. 

Thank you both.  Appreciate the feedback.  
And true, I'm sure they won't be the only ones in their age range.

I sailed on Rhapsody back in 98, enjoyed it a bunch!  It is a little older now but I’m sure everyone will enjoy themselves.

I really enjoyed Rhapsody last spring. I don’t think you have to worry about the kids getting bored. There are still activities, and there will be a number of other kids/young adults there with family as I’m sure you know, having sailed over Christmas before. They will meet people to hang out with if they want to. If they say they’re not worried, believe them! 😊

Have personally stayed at Hampton inn Brickell twice. Was fine, staying there again in August before icon sailing. Lots of infrastructure around. Good spot. Safe. 

This was our Go To hotel.  It's been a few years but from what I remember, we just had to walk a block and we were at the main street with lots of restaurants and then not far from the Metro Mover. It's just a bit too pricey for us for this trip.