MamaShark

Meanwhile, I wait for $13 for drink charges to be removed because the Deluxe Beverage Package was included in my SC fare.  
‘If only I had the right cup.

@Lovetocruise2002 Shane’s genie special was worth waiting for and I bet the girls enjoyed the private session w/the pub singer. That was a very generous thoughtful Gift from Genie Shane! Our genie arranged for the pianist/vocalist (also from the pub) to play the grand piano in our RLS. We requested most of the music. Genie and pianist joined us in hilarious laughter filled singalong. The awkward part was how much to tip the pianist?  Let’s just say hubs tipped him bigly. It was big fun - an unforgettable experience but I think I’d like a complimentary Genie Special better.  What a memorable week to celebrate the graduate with your beautiful family. I’ve had so many smiles and a couple lol’s…just following along.

“And people will tell you to drink from your faucet - "reverse osmosis" "the water is perfectly fine"

EWW This drives me nuts too! 

@SweetPea @Lovetocruise2002

Nope I def don’t want to drinky drinky OR washy washy in any of that🖐
No brown water in the Royal Loft, please.  Poor Lady O can’t get a break even after the ampSediment please stop! 

1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

r. Dinner itself was fine and so was the service, but I still don’t love this place. 

@Lovetocruise2002 the only thing I ever loved about 150 was the 6 (six)  fancy salts.  Even the breakaway bread never Wow’d me. It’s one of the first things I tell genie— I’m not to put 150 on our itinerary. Pass

@Lovetocruise2002 agreed! I thought I’d sleep on it, but that didn’t work either Whatever happen to book it, and forget it? There are entirely too many variables. We could do without all the policy changes.

On 8/8/2023 at 12:04 PM, WAAAYTOOO said:

while I hate medical emergencies for those involved - and I wish a speedy and thorough recovery for anyone who was injured or ill - I do LOVE a helo-vac off a ship.  So exciting and fun to watch.  I know they are dangerous and never under pleasant circumstances (except when Santa comes - and he arrives mostly by tenders these days).  I have so much respect and admiration for those who are in the medical evac field.  God bless 'em.

@WAAAYTOOO I’ve never admitted it.  I’ve witnessed 3 with a flood of emotions. I pray for the all involved but still feel guilty about the exhilaration and adrenalin I feel watching the finely tuned execution of heroic (often life saving acts)….  

1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Thank you! And yes, we loved sailing with Ricky Matthews again. He is hilarious. Definitely one of the better CDs that Royal has. I will let you know all my final thoughts tomorrow.

@Lovetocruise2002  YES please -safe UNREMARKABLE travels! I’m sure the girls will be so thrilled to have you home that they won’t take your social media privileges for posting a “cringey” hand heart picture. No more boudoir pics of you and Justin at least until the blog is complete. Jk

@Lovetocruise2002 i’m a little behind, but Happy Anniversary! Perfect timing for Royal Up, especially genie magic navigating this sort-of-a-different ship. There’s a lot about the Wonder that peaks my curiosity and as always your blog gives tons of insight. Now we know what happened to Ricky Matthews. He is HYPE+

Curious about the energy level on Wonder —in general.  Did you make any opinions or comparisons between the four Oasis Class ships and the Wonder? My guess is that this rendezvous on Wonder ATS won’t sway those of us with #teamdeck17 fever! With so many CK crew favorites transplanted on Wonder, maybe #teamdeck18 will also become a thing. Btw, about deck 18… hmmm?

11 hours ago, Pooch said:

I blame you guys trying to make me look good!

@Pooch you look GREAT!! Our pharmacy includes “what if and just in case” daily prescription meds. OTC supplements/concoctions , body wash, sunscreens, after sun, moisturizers—def fills an entire luggage .   DH size 13 dress shoes, athletic shoes and water shoes def take up enormous space in luggage #2. The older we get the more indecisive we are.  Pack  now; and pick later.  

Just watching the  drills for man overboard is unsettling and somber. I can’t fathom the sadness for crew (and guests near the scene) when the finality of the event sinks in. Prayers.

No doubt my 30ish adult children enjoy using WhatsApp, far more than I do.  WhatsApp works best on board for time sensitive information, changes, arrangements or list, sharing with genie.  Once on board, it’s a relief not having to exchange info on emails like we did in the past; but I’m also guilty of not checking my phone for messages or texts regularly several times day.  

   On 3/30/2023 at 8:29 AM,  melmar02 said: 

@calvink669 Let me know if you have any questions, and I'll try to get answers for you. I have been searching for a video of the suite side of the cruiseterminal since it opened back in November and finally found one a couple weeks ago.  
 

@melmar02 i’m reading along realizing that I have a lot of Allure memory refreshing to do.  We’ll be in Suite 1740 in May. Since it’ll be our first time @ the new Galveston terminal, I watched your video walking through the new lounge twice …and THEN I caught a cameo/glimpse in the background of Alan R, who will be our genie next month!  
The video triggered me to re-check where I keep my passports (like I haven’t touched them in at least 2 weeks) 

Thanks also for jarring my memory that it’s Giovanni’s on Allure!  I was ready to ask Genie have the old reliable “Jamie’s meat n cheese plank” delivered for lunch— at least one day.
Oops, flashback of SYM/DEC. 

I’ll definitely be brushing up and enjoying your blog! 

6 hours ago, ChessE4 said:

There are several other hotels on Seawall, some closer to the port.

6 hours ago, ChessE4 said:

No, this is the one at 5002 Seawall.  We purchased the package with Royal, but I believe we overpaid -- saw the invoice price for the room when we checked in, and the hotel received much less than we paid.  Therefore, I think the better deal is to contact them directly.  Seawall is the road next to the beach.  There is a hotel restaurant with live music at night, breakfast buffet costs about $15-18, but you can walk to other restaurants.  I'd say it's 1.5 to 2 miles from Port.

Holiday Inn Resort Galveston--On the Beach.

It isn't brand new, but it is maintained adequately.  There are several other hotels on Seawall, some closer to the port.

@ChessE4 ahhhh.  Thanks for the clarification and helpful info.  I’m struggling with the difference of hotel options in Galveston as opposed to Florida accommodations. Of course — apples to oranges compounded by my procrastination and booking this close to the stay. I was also trying not to use my Marriott points for such a short overnight  stay, but now that reasonable options are sold out I’m reconsidering the Tremont again.
Prices are ridiculous, but we’ll hopefully cut some our losses by paying less for private transportation  if we were closer to restaurants, cruise port etc. (we’re active seniors, but not up for hiking)  I’m super glad I saw your post and we didn’t get lured in a time share trap! 

On 3/15/2023 at 1:59 PM, ChessE4 said:

Yes, we stayed at holiday inn beach resort and took shuttle to port while car was left. Royal has a package but I think it's cheaper to book directly with hotel. Please see thread on all things galveston.

@ChessE4  do you recommend the holiday inn vacation beach resort? We won’t arrive from our flight (from Bush) until late night before sailing. We’ll be looking for a hot meal (Uber/Lyft and a clean sleep:-).   I read reviews saying property is isolated. Also read to expect high pressure vacation property sales pitch.
First time at the Galveston port. I don’t want to spend dinner hour or any other time on a vacation property sales pitch. Is this the same property on 11743 Termini-San Luis Pass Road? TIA
 

On 3/18/2023 at 10:27 AM, Lovetocruise2002 said:

- Because we wanted to do all dinners together, this SC sailing was probably the least flexible with dining times and switching. Our pre-cruise planing with Marla

@Lovetocruise2002 I’m pretty sure OP asking Genie for favors such as including Non SC gyests to dinner reservations and entertainment venues cannot possibly help the Genies arrange flexibility for paying Star Class guests. I’m pretty sure that if SC guests want changes on their reservations, genies are not likely going to go back and remove other non SC guests who may just be added on to a SC guest reservation. We didn’t experienced  the lack of flexibility in a reasonable time.   I’m also not sure that all Genies are equally flexible. 

11 hours ago, MLH said:

HM runs a “tighter ship” with their SC program. 

@Lovetocruise2002 Perhaps you remember Harmony was my favorite ship— Well while I and other SC guests felt a bit differently on the our last Harmony pre Covid cruise.  Ofcourse there has been  changeovers in concierge, genie, some CK personnel and we had become very fond of the regulars. I think I mentioned a genie discouraging me from ordering room service spontaneously (as opposed to going through the genie) and we also felt discouraged from grabbing our own Starbucks.  OP suggested the Genies were just being extra helpful, but intuitively I felt things were changing by design on Harmony gradually tightening the reigns. It is certainly not the Harmony we boasted about at the inception of Star Class. 

@Lovetocruise2002  A+ for keeping the blog live with parents and children in tow! I can barely keep up with our Genie group chat’s on WhatsApp, and family chats when we’re not together.  You’re doing an amazing job blogging during this multigenerational extravaganza!  I love following but wonder if you find it a little hectic?  Our annual family cruises are a dream come true, but keeping up with all the moving parts and staying with the program is …well…exhilarating I’m pretty sure you’ll have a very special appreciation for the next cruise alone with hubby (maybe in a quiet lowly crown loft) I always do

Absolutely gorgeous family!  We had to have room service remove our dishes immediately.  Port days while docked the pigeons were very comfortable on the balcony.

On 3/11/2023 at 3:34 PM, Jax said:

On 3/11/2023 at 3:21 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Presenting the new C&A toiletry bag:

The @Lovetocruise2002 rating . Looks a bit cheap. 

I received this toiletry bag along with several other matching pieces (tote, back pack and some zippered pouches) over our Xmas sailing. Our toiletry bag had an assortment of shower/bath products in it. It arrived Xmas eve but I never knew who it came from. I chalked it up to a secret Santa gift. 

@Jax we got the same:  2 big blue Royal Boxes in the Villa and two boxes with complete full sets in the loft (Christmas eve on the Symphony). It was A LOT for 6 people.  We regifted some to delighted guests on board. The back pack and totes were nice but our guys or hubs weren’t going to use royal blue tote bags or back packs. It was thoughtful.  DD and I now have enough Royal Caribbean promo merchandise to wow our local athletic club. Toiletry, totes and back packs for days… anchors away @Lovetocruise2002 our toiletry bags are not quite like yours…otherwise your vacay looks fab

@Neesa I remember when floating cabanas were an insult at 2019 introductory prices around $1999 to $2499 price range.  

During the Christmas’22 holidays they literally “sold out” at $3999.

It’s beyond ridiculous. These prices were for oasis class ships - specifically the symphony and wonder. 

I wonder if the prices are still significantly lower if you’re sailing/visiting  on smaller ships…or does that even matter any mor?  

Yayyyyou! It’s VILLA time at last!!!  I know you’ll find “harmony” and tons of great times

We were on the Symphony Xmas and our 3 adult kids literally did Rock Paper Scissors to decide who got the two masters.Between the living area, dining space, hot tub, outdoor banquet table, wet bar we spent more family time in the Villa than we ever spent in any Star Class suite (ATS, Star loft, Panos etc).   Villa will not disappoint.

 All rooms are a good size so it’s a win-win situation, but the 2 masters conveniently located off the living area and leading directly onto the deck are outrageously convenient and very dreamy to wake up and greet the ocean. Your parents are in for a real treat
*From one deck 17 snob to another, the Villa (even thought  not on deck 17) Is our new favorite suite for any number over 2 guests. Please let me know your thoughts.  It’s not a loft lol but i’m kinda glad we have a couple more advanced bookings. 
 Warning: the 2 masters are fabulous but the master (and bathroom)with the door opening to balcony def got more pedestrian (family traffic) . Have too much fun; I’m looking forward to following along

I cannot say enough about Mohamed the SL concierge. We first met Mohamed on board Harmony. He was with Elaine at the time. Last Saturday, when we got on board, he recognized us right away. He was actually the one who reminded me which HM sailing it was that we first met him. When you think of a what a suite concierge should be like, Mohamed is all of that and more. He told me two nights ago that I should see Elaine on my next sailing. That makes me beyond excited. 

@Lovetocruise2002I forgot how kind of Mohammed was until I saw him again Christmas week.  He and JJ hijacked PRIORITY elevators for us a couple times when Genie Hossain wasn’t around (shhh, we were all over the place) .  We caroled down the hallway on 17 with Mohammed and JJ very late Dec 25th.  Really felt like old times with Mohammed Jeremias, and Elaine…when Harmony was our favorite ship. HOPING for a future sail date with you also.  Oh what fun!!!

On 1/5/2023 at 9:36 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said:

The chicken noodle soup is a must try! Kids are sad that tomorrow night is the last night for it. Next sailing we are back in star and they want to know how they will get that in specialty restaurants. 
 

@Lovetocruise2002 No worries. Our Genie had Chicken Noodle soup served everywhere we ate with our 7 old. He also had it for breakfast in our suite one morning while waiting to go to CK for real breakfast with his grandad and uncles. He’s an adventurous eater but he was on a real noodle bender somedays

@GregD So there really are trolls there!  Your early morning pics and late night adventures are giving new life to Norway.  Congrats to you and the Boss for bringing home the…aluminum in the couples contest. Funny🫣

@GregD @Lovetocruise2002

Thanks for sharing your beautiful excursions. So much more than snow capped mountains and trolls in my head, but also far more labor intensive than I could pack into 7 days!  Cheers to you all for endless energy!  

@Neesa no matter how many times we cruise, Sail-Aways never disappoint!  Every single time is exhilarating, filled with anticipation of a brand new journey.  I’d be right there with you doing “the floss dance”!  I’ve never been on mariner or even read a Mariner live blog so I’m excited to follow.  Happy 16th to your daughter! Bon voyage!