MamaShark

@BooscruizeI can hardly wait til tomorrow to see everything you did today!!  (Well maybe not everything) Dining @Versace’s  is the cat’s meow…Ya’ll made it.  Have TOO much fun!!

@WAAAYTOOOI agree with @Jax100% about the Disney VIP tour. 
Our family of 7 went pre cruise Xmas 2019 and our private VIP Tour Guide led us strategically behind the scenes to board rides —no lines, all access, all attractions.  Our tour guide drove us to each property to park hop. Every detail was coordinated. We covered 3 parks in 2 days experiencing Disney like never before. It is pricey (comparable if you’re cruising Suite/Star class on mega ships) but well worth it to preserve your time, energy, and to avoid the disappointment of tiring days at the park using apps and waiting in lines. We were exhausted but did everything we planned plus more! If you decide on a Disney vacay instead of cruising, VIP Tour is an amazing WAAAYTOOO go<3

• @GlassSlipper the vaxx for 5-12 is likely to be coordinated through the schools. Barring resistance I believe the timeline for this vaccine rollout will be better, if not swift. 

https://www.ft.com/content/71f07d95-aba5-48b5-b103-a8875644d068

@AspiringCruisePlannerFrom age 1-4 we tried different sleeping arrangements for the grandson. He’s now 6 yrs. The arrangement depends on the type of suite as well as the age.  Royal offered either a pack n play or a rollaway for him. But before age 2 he was too tall for a pack n play and too adventurous for a rollaway or the bunk.  

We used a toddler cot once, but each year after we brought a lightweight twin blow up mattress.  The twin blow up gives them comfort and space, yet it fits perfectly in the ATS master right in front of the (extra) sliding door to the deck. They(his parents) just didnt use that sliding door to go out. He loved it! 

When he slept overnight in our other ATS with Grand-dad and JiJi, we let him fall asleep on the lower converted bunks. Later in the night we’d bring him in to share our bed — just for peace of mind. The suites look incredibly dark when your littles are sleeping in a separate room. 

By age 4, he had the ultimate sleepover with Grand-dad and Jiji where the attendants put extra mattress pads and cushy duvets on the pullout in our Star Loft. Truly living his best life. There’s lots of options and creative ways to keep them close and safe.  I hope this helps.  In case you’re not already a member, I’m attaching  a link for Royal Moms at Sea.  My daughter enjoys it: https://www.facebook.com/groups/288815238297862/?re

@AspiringCruisePlannerWe’ve had two genies.

One for our adult children; 2 single sons, 1 daughter, SIL, and their now 6yr. old son. One for hubs and me. 
We thought it would be more practical if we were assigned to the same genie, but we were anxious to experience everything and pleasantly surprised how nice it was to have two. It worked out better for us all.
The genies were happy to collaborate anything we asked. They shared tasks like escorting us places, on or off the ship.  We almost always do dinners and evening entertainment together except for the rare occasions things like an extra teppanyaki night or late night entertainment that hubs and I don’t do.  Of course room snacks, beverages, daily activities were handled by each genie separately. Genies have different styles and skill sets. We picked up cues and different suggestions from both genies, and also benefitted from learning what their other SC families were doing. . 

@bryresangel I couldn’t commit to waking up on the Serenade for 274 days.  I’m sure I’d grow tired of the food, and living in a small cruise community.  I would totally miss the comforts, privacy of home and want my regular life back.  There might be a little more intrigue  if it was a newer exciting more contemporary cruise ship, but the thrill of seeing the world wouldn’t last long, getting back on an old cruise ship day after day.

@wannabecruiseexpert best detailed pics I’ve seen of of this CCBC Cabana. The clear aqua marine, shark, and stingray sightings are awesome…worth every penny.  A slice of heaven…but it’s tough when CC happens to be (early gangway up)  the last day.
Debarkation does kinda feel like we’re being handed off:-(.
Looking forward to your final thoughts.  Thanks for sharing! 

We have our family cruise almost every Xmas and sometimes NYE.  CK doesn’t have a special menu for holidays, but we always eat there for Xmas. We’ve had the good fortune of tailoring our own very special Star Class menu for the holiday; requested in advance, of course.
Hubs and the guys order @Lovetocruise2002 favorite filet(s) and lobster tails.  Daughter, baby, and I don’t  love the filet and usually order lamb chops.  They always order seafood tower(rip) or jumbo shrimp cocktail.  We also celebrate hubs December birthday at the holiday dinner—and they’ve made it very special indeed!    

@Rags1i caught up just in time for the party to start.  When AA has the same number of take offs and landings, I’m pretty sure the stars are in your favor!  1 more sleep.  Yayhhhh! 

Aww C’mon! The first Christmas that I reserved Symphony instead of Harmony??

We missed a Private Journeys tour and were refunded. Hope your little is feeling better! 

@AshleyDillothanks for the heads up!  I have Amex Reserve, so I called to ask if there was a reason I didn’t get the offer.
She said they “probably just begin adding the offer initially to gold, maybe some platinums but simply haven’t got around to offering it to reserve yet!  Bull Pucky!  
Someone purporting to be management followed up with an apology that I didn’t receive the offer, especially since I meet the criteria of a “Amex spending history with RCI ”.  They generated a marketing inquiry requesting that the offer be extended to me (10-14 days).  I’ll wait.  If anyone else is interested, but didn’t get the offer,  you might want to give Amex a jingle:-). We cruisers have habits to feed! 

Thanks for sharing. So much to love.  Soak it up!! 

@SummerRoseIt happened to me 2 weeks ago while lots of people were looking at low prices in September 2022. This poor reps system was so bogged down I was able to view dates before he could:-(. 
You might call back and be pleasantly surprised to find it’s back in inventory.  I know it’s a pain but hope it works out for you. 

@theroyalthornes a big welcome to your first Star Class experience.  Prepare for special treatment and an addiction for cruising Star Class again and again!  Looking forward to watching your “firsts” unfold. Go hungry; leave happy… lol! Bon Voyage! 

I’ve been cruising for a long time and I’ve never known of technical issues to be the cause of all performances and shows being cancelled on a sailing.  There needs to be a bit of transparency; but more importantly I hope everyone - performers, crew and guests on this sailing will be well. 

I’m an Oasis, Allure  Harmony, Symphony raised Diamond. I’ve been so excited to read an Odyssey blog! Your pictures of Odyssey on FB have inspired me to make the Quantum leap on this new ship! 

Unthinkable that there were only 3 beers. I hope your fridge and counter are woven flowing by now. Going to the bar to have a drink sb optional lol—although an empty Boleros must’ve been a novelty and a treat.  Btw, imho drink quality and selection are better in the Coastal Kitchen than some of the other watering holes.  I’m not a huge fan of playmakers either (maybe a genie order to the room).  There’s so many other venues for genie to insure you’ll have good food and a better experience!  Looking forward to you enjoying a Star Classy cruise

Congrats on your big Royal UP!  I’m excited for you blog, and other pics (especially food critiques) — live from  RLS on the ODYSSEY.  Great Space:-)). Happy SC Dance for you both!

@Ampurp85 I’m not sure what you want. I’m trying to politely remain on topic, but I said exactly what I meant in direct response to what @WAAAYTOOOinitially stated.  I don’t need you to jam her entire biography down my throat after the fact for clarification. (She’s a grown woman,  proved perfectly capable of speaking for herself)

I’m not trying to debate anyone over inconsequential blog content. Please stop tagging me in your ruminating feelings. 

@Ampurp85Imma need you to show me how you can draw all these conclusions from the 2 or 3 sentences posted by@WAAAYTOOOthat I responded to. JK  

While I’m not trying to misread a few sentences, the words “they will most likely get cancelled anyway” said exactly what I feel.  I’d love to be wrong on this one! 

23 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

@MamaSharkI don't think you read @WAAAYTOOOpost properly. As she is unvaxxed, RCG doesn't want to allow her to sail. She said she will end up cancelling her sailings since she can't be in the casino and enjoy the ship. These sailings in the post won't be cancelled, RCG has just moved final payment to ensure they can sell as many room as possible. Subsequent post speculate that check-in has changed because final payment has been pushed back. I think that is true, no point in putting up check-in times until people have paid and you have an idea of how many pax.

I got a call from read language that they’re “working with their medical teams, government health authorities, and testing providers to provide us with the best experience…”and was advised to look at the CDC color status for Royal Caribbean, I agree with@WAAAYTOOO they will most likely get cancelled anyway.  

@traveler your B2B looks/sounds glorious complete with guilty  pleasure of doing nothing, or simply calling it a day and getting some rest! Now if we can only slay the week #2 food coma… so we can continue to devour more tempting food and drinks!  Enjoy enjoy! 

After I got a call from Royal Guest Experience repeating scripted language from RC's update —that they’re “working with their medical teams, government health authorities, and testing providers to provide us with the best experience…” I agree with@WAAAYTOOO “they will most likely get cancelled anyway”.
 OP  suggested to take a look at the CDC Color Status for Royal Caribbean ships.  It’s beginning to feel a lot like Xmas… (and NYE 2020) on dry land all over again

Wow you can actually see the Pool Deck! The closest we get is usually the view from a heavenly perch in the Coastal  Kitchen.  Your pics look like a place one might be tempted to arrange a semi private morning lap (the moment the pool opens) or even have poolside brunch delivered with so few people on board.  I’ve never seen breathing room like this except windy coolish days when almost nobody wants in.  Any sightings of the Suite Deck tub? 

Your Mum is in for a real treat.  The accessible crown loft on is  “super spacious” and the elevator in the suite will spoil you both. We’ve had it frequently between SC suites and hubs gets spoiled all over again.  It’s awesome for bringing your luggage up/ down— as well as an everyday luxury of having an in home elevator!

The view like most lofts is breath taking but the suites on these mega ships are architecturally designed well, so there’s no tendency for fear of heights like one might imagine when you think second story loft:-).  I’ve earned a great number of points to reach our Diamond+ status on the HARMONY; it’s truly my favorite Royal Caribbean ship.  Welcome to the best deck of suites on the ship.  Deck 17 never disappoints.  I hope she sails.  We’re scheduled to be on Harmony 3 weeks over Xmas holiday!  Best of luck and Bon Voyage!