IRMO12HD

That's totally a napkin dispenser charging my phone while I BBQ it up.

Walking into Portside BBQ you get hit with the smoke smell immediately.  Like they pipe it in right by the sliding door.  It's quick casual style and the lunch menu is a little limited.

There was confusion with the ultimate dining package and the cashier stated they had to charge and they would back the charge out later.  They explained the $20/day charge.
I picked the turkey leg.  Note they take it out of the warmer and put it on the grill to finish it.  Then they mop it with sauce before serving.  I omitted the sauce as I try to avoid sugar.

Thanksgiving came early for me!!!!!
My mom did the brisket and it came with two sides.  The brisket is a lean cut and has a rub but isn't sauced.  Sauces are available at the table.

??? at Mustard Drill sauce.  Didn't see that one coming.

Meh to the mac n cheese.  She said it was cold even though it came out when we arrived and baked beans were awesome and are gone.  The banana pudding in a cup dessert was delicious too.  The brookie got a verbal "omg".

If you waited on getting the drink package..

That's $70 for person one and $35 for person two.  Must buy 2.

My mother interrupting my room tour..

TV inputs have a hidden USB that does charge.

And your other charging option.

Now it is off to "explore' which is code for she's hungry ?

Just kidding..floor porn.

And bathroom..that IS a new backsplash.

And somehow I rated fancy tube stuff!

But as a back-up plan I have

Standard balcony room set up. Couch by the balcony.

Couch looks and feels like it wasn't replaced.

However the carpet is actually very clean, new and plush feeling under my toesies.  (No photos of that, creepers).

Printed terms and conditions on Royal's website for the dining package is having a photoshoot by all parties involved.

And round one of the is Izumi Hibachi included in the dining package has begun.  ?? @ChrisK2793
First the reservation taker at CP150 says it isn't included.  She calls someome on the phone.  My mother is reading the terms off the website to her ??.  Now she's showing the reservationist.
And backup appears with another cruiser who said she's gonna have the same problem.

Jokes from Mario when he was told he forgot his cabana sign on Navigator, "Tell them to keep it there and put a rope up!"  That guy ?? forever shattering all of the Pinnacles' hopes and dreams to be the top cruiser when he shows up.

Yup..that's London Tea company goods.

And the cookies were raided before they were even uncovered.  I mean who knows when we will ever see food again?!?!?

@IRMO12HD What a great cause! Thanks for sharing and have a blast!
 

“Formal” = leather
 

High Seas Rally (30 November - 7 December 2019)
 
In case you ever wondered what a full ship charter is like – I’ll be chronicling this, our third High Seas Rally, and 2nd time on Brilliance of the Seas as a full ship charter.  A few quick notes.  This is a biker-oriented cruise, but with an awesome cause.  Many people don’t realize just how giving motorcyclists tend to be . . . whether it’s looking out for another rider on the road, swarming with support at funerals and memorials for military veterans and community heroes, or donating to a cause, bikers are super generous as a group.  This cruise’s whole purpose is to support dialysis patients.  In fact, each HSR cruise hosts at least 8-10 dialysis patients and their caregivers ON THE CRUISE!  Yes, these patients receive dialysis while on the Brilliance – and they and their caregiver pay $0.00 – yeah, nothing!  On the last cruise in 2017, in addition to hosting our dialysis guests, we raised over $700,000.00 for kidney dialysis.
With three days before we leave for Tampa, most of my prep work is done -- well, except for actually packing the suitcases! Because of the theme, and the nature of the cruise 'crewmembers,' our packing differs a bit from the standard cruise.  We'll have numerous fundraising opportunities while on board -- 50/50 raffles, Pirate Bingo, Treasured Chest, and numerous other raffles for prizes.   Our formal night will be in leathers (vests), and even our shore excursions will include many biker-friendly possibilities -- like Segways on Grand Cayman and scooters on Key West.  For me, one of the most awesome opportunities is getting to meet and talk with one of the 9-10 dialysis patients who are coming with us. 

Thanks, YOLO, and others who have extended condolences. It's appreciated, but not necessary - I've learned to live with it. Because "It" doesn't go away. That's the thing, we don't 
"get over it," we learn to live with it. I hope the family of Chloe Weigand will find a way to live with the pain, and go on to live full and even happy lives, as I have. I'm happy with my new husband and surviving daughter, and still miss my "baby." I'm sure there are many more grieving parents among us who still enjoy life, especially cruising!! And carry our pain along for the cruise, and think about it only at certain times.

Since you said you have not flown before, remember that the departure time on your boarding pass is the time the plane lifts off.  You MUST be ready to board at least 30 minutes prior to the publish departure time. My inexperienced daughter made the mistake of showing up at boarding time and the plane had already closed the boarding door. Once that happens they will NOT reopen it. Get to the gate early !
 

We always bring a basic first aid kit .... you never know when you need a band-aid or Neo-Sporin .....
Also, bring some Tums and Ibuprofin....

Unless you want very specific wine, don't fly with your 2 bottles. 1) don't want to get charged potential overweight luggage fees and 2) don't want to run the risk of the bottles breaking. Wait until you're in Florida (and then remember to bring them as carry-on to the port and not in the luggage you will leave with the porters).
If you're sailing in +/-30 days, that's right around the Christmas holidays, so give yourself extra time not only to get through security but also traffic in/around the airport. Be a little extra patient with/ nice to airport & airline staff - they deal with irate/ irrational travelers every day, but especially around the holidays, those kinds of travelers really multiply in number.
You might want to also look up the airport map and see what's at your terminal in terms of shopping / food / facilities.
Try to bring snacks from home - airport food is always overpriced, often not the healthiest and sometimes isn't all that great. Check to see if your airline offers a complimentary meal during the flight and plan accordingly.
+1 to arriving at least one day before cruise departure
I always bring at least 2 days worth of clothes in my carry-on (plus all other essentials) just in case my checked luggage gets lost. Pay any luggage fees online as sometimes it's more expensive to pay them at the airport.
General TSA screening reminders: no liquids larger than 3oz, take off your shoes/ belts, check all pockets for electronics/metal (jewelry is OK), separate bin for tablets/laptops

So, back from the casino. Very early night for us but we are both beat. Slept very little on that horrid bed at the Marriott.  I lost a whopping $25 but Dan won $230 so we’re up, overall. Yippee !
Tomorrow is Key West. It’s been a number of years since we have been to KW. No plans. We will just ramble. Night night

I got the spicy tuna roll with soy wrapper. Delicious.  Dan got some kind of tuna thing and the DX platter. They were so good. Much better than lunch was !

 

Interesting phenomenon.  My cell phone seems to be working with Voom fine but my iPad sucks. The iPad will not connect to the blog site or update my emails.  Dan is using his iPad (exact same device) without issue.  So for now, I have disconnected my iPad and navigating solely with my cell phone. This makes blogging even more difficult for me b/c I hate typing on this tiny little keyboard.  WTF ?

For those who might care ( I certainly don’t) :
Master of the ship is Ole-Johan Gronhaug
Hotel Director - Sanjay Kumar
Chief Engineer - Tommy Johansen 
Cruise Director - Rob McNally

At the muster drill. Dan took our cards and had them scanned while I saved us 2 seats looking out over the Centrum. 
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

I promised Sabrina that I would do this, so here goes.
First:  I am the worst live blogger EVER since I hate to take pix.  I DO realize that long, text review/live blogs are less effective b/c nobody wants to sit and read line after line of text.  I hate it myself !  So I am going to TRY and be brief-er than usual and TRY and incorporate photos, which are 2 things I am not very good at (brevity and photography).
Who:  Dan and I (Raye)
What:  S2S cruises on Brilliance and Oasis.
Where:  Tampa then Miami
When:  24 - 30 Nov (Brilliance out of Tampa) then 1 - 8 December (Oasis out of Miami)
Why:  Because we can...and this will be our first S2S
At home, writing this but leaving for the airport (DCA) at 2PM.  Uber, cost $81.56.  We have to have an XL due to luggage. Honestly, it's not that far to the airport.  We live about 20 miles south of DC so it's not more than 15-17 miles to the airport.  Kinda high, IMO but still cheaper than parking the car in Long Term Parking for 15 days. 
We will pass some time at the American Airlines Admiral's Club prior to boarding and then fly First Class to Tampa. Flight is at 5:00, arriving TPA at ~7:30PM.  Will Uber from airport to the hotel (Tampa Marriott Water Street); used rewards points for the hotel.  We could have used airline miles for the air but we're saving those reward points for a yet-to-be scheduled Alaska trip !!

One piece of luggage still missing as it is awaiting inevitable forgotten, last-minute items.
So looking forward to Brilliance.  #1, we have never sailed on Brilliance before and #2, it has been many years since we sailed on a Radiance class ship.
PS.  I am already having fits with just 1 pic.  I don't know how the rest of you do it !!  
More, later from the Admiral's Club !!

And the last one ....... 
 

@2BeezeYes. You can still get a price reduction. I have done this first hand.
Here are some examples:
A) We booked a star Loft on Harmony and there are only 2 per ship. We grabbed the last one. This was back in January 2018. I have since priced it down 3 times for a total of almost $3K less than what I originally paid.
B) Anthem GC we booked a JS. There are many in this category but JS sold out a long time ago. I have also priced this one down about $500 since it disappeared.
C) most recently, we booked the Villa suite on Harmony. There is only one. I recently just got another $200 off of it. Not much but still something.
How does this happen? I track prices on all the categories in the class that I book. For example, for the Star loft, I was tracking all the prices for JS and above. If there was a drop in one of those categories, I would call and assume there was a drop in mine even though mine was gone. There was every time. 
So the answer to your question is yes, you can re-price even if the category is gone.  It is not hopeless.  As long as it is all prior to final payment. But you have to make the effort to track it.