DJsMrs

Sail away was timed perfectly with the Costa Rica sunset.




Lots of small boats out tonight.


The flight of the Pelicans.

We've sailed sky class twice and our number 1 favourite thing is quiet time in the late afternoon with a book and a snack in the suite lounge.  My husband and I would read, kids would either bring a device to watch a show, or would we would play a board/card game (travel version of Connect 4 and Battleship come with us on all trips).  It was heaven.   

We've sailed sky class twice and our number 1 favourite thing is quiet time in the late afternoon with a book and a snack in the suite lounge.  My husband and I would read, kids would either bring a device to watch a show, or would we would play a board/card game (travel version of Connect 4 and Battleship come with us on all trips).  It was heaven.   

Staples has magnetic hooks and clips
 
https://www.staples.ca/search?q=magnetic+hooks
 
https://www.staples.ca/products/392735-en-staples-1-34-square-magnetic-clips-nickel-3pack
 
We use the clips as you can use it as a  hook too ?

Quick update.  
Customer service manager called back last night, same rep as promised, so that was a good thing.  However, he informed me he had no updates at the time, but wanted to call me as he had promised he would.  He stated that when an issue is sent to the Royal Up department, they have 2 business days to respond, so that we would have a definitive answer tomorrow, which is today.  He did say that he was didnt expect any result/change to room to result from speaking to Royal Up department, but he had to give them the opportunity to respond, prior to them stepping in and offering any credit/incentive for the issue.
 
Just to note, he did tell me that Royal Up is ran/operated by a third party, and not direct through Royal Caribbean.
 
So back to waiting.....

What They Ned To Build Now Is A Train From PC To MCO.

Our Genie preferred to use Facebook messenger or email.  Since we had free VOOM it was never an issue for us to shoot off an email outlining a breakfast order for the next morning or shoot her a quick Facebook message letting her know we were on the way to the theater, etc.  You can establish the best way to communicate with your Genie that works for your party and the Genie.

I used the app.  It has all the menus there. But I did send Sunil a message with what we wanted and he had it delivered.  I had the same luck as you, I tried calling and I never got thru, or it was more hassle than I wanted to deal with so I just asked Sunil and he took care of it for me.

Day 3 (At Sea Day 2), so today started with an actual plan of things to do, even at sea. First things first... breakfast at CK.... very good as Always, followed by a private bridge tour for the 3 of the Star Class Rooms (total of 9 people on the tour), was amazing to see the amount of technology that goes into guiding this ship.  That was exciting.  From there, proceeded to go back to the room really quickly to drop some things off, not before Sunil asked that we give him things to do.  So to oblige, I asked for lunch from Izumi and then seats at the aqua nation show (point of humor, I sent Sunil a message about the show, and he agreed to get us the seats, then when I let him know we were on the way down, he thought I was talking about later in the cruise.  Come to find out, none of the genies knew about the Aqua Nation show today,  but I sent him a picture of the cruise compass, and he said he had to run over to get seats because it didn’t show on their cruise compass). Either way, #SuperGenieSunil made it happen and we had seats right in the middle.... only bad part was the sun was blazing!!! (Definitely received an unwanted tan)
From aqua nation, we proceeded to do more exploring, went down ultimate abyss a couple times, picked up a shake from Johnny rockets, then came back to the room to watch a dodgeball game they were having on the sports court....
my favorite part of the the night and my cruise so far.... We went to Chops Grille for dinner..... and I must say it was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.... everything I had.... EXCEPTIONAL!!!! I must say, to anyone on any RCCL ship that has Chops.... for dinner you will not be disappointed.  The Black pepper bacon.... “Heavenly”..... Lamb, wonderful.....red velvet cake.... OH MY and all concluded with a cappuccino and the waiter we had made it even better!!!
So far that’s its for tonight.... still early with a lot of things that I can do..... off to find something to get myself into, lol!










IMG_0184.MOV

Did you have a Playmakers menu ?  Did you call in the order yourself or have Sunil call it on for you ?
I really hate asking my a Genie to call in a room service order for me.  It seems like it should be something I should do for myself but I have had AWFUL luck with getting anyone to answer the phone when I call to place an order.  I end up having to call the Genie anyway and it’s frustrating.

Ok.... so Day 2 was interesting..... pretty much a relaxing day.  Explored the ship here and there, I asked Sunil about the escape room and he reserved us a private session..... (We Made It Out!!). From there, we took it easy and enjoyed the ship, around 7pm we went to dinner at Wonderland. all I can say.... #NotAFan and I’ll leave it at that.... 
After Dinner we met up with Sunil and he had seats for us at 1977, another great show.  (Ps we have definitely been taking advantage of the Starbucks inclusion on board.) I’m really enjoying this Star Class Life!  

After the show, to try and make up for wonderland, I ordered Playmakers to the room..... and that pretty much summed up the night 
 
 

Can I rent a kid from Adventure Ocean for 30 minutes on day one?  

Haha! If you have screaming kids, que the tantrums and give it about 2-3 minutes and you will be ushered out of the drill and told to go stand by the exit. Works every single time. 

If booking cruise through UK site either use Top cash back to get £££ paid back into your bank account or tell TA the amount you can get back in cash so they lower their price by the amount you would receive 
 
 
True scotsman.....its all about the £££ and tighter than 2 coats of paint lol 

1. Arrive to the port early. You are paying for your day 1 and the sooner you get on the ship, the sooner you can start your vacation.
2. Bring a USB port outlet for more charging space. Do not confuse this with a surge protector, since it most likely will be confiscated.
3. Be friendly to the crew and chat with them. Room stewards, for instance, enjoy when we have conversations with them because their jobs are very repetitive and have to clean up after us. It can really make someone's day.
 

For our next stop we get off the bus and walk to the Central Park of Antigua.  


The ladies you see walking around with merchandise are not aggressive but they are plentiful and each is eager to offer you something.  You'll need to repeat 'no' several times but they are just trying to make a living and are not aggressive so be patient and understanding.  Negotiating your price is expected.  All items are handmade in Guatemala and there are many beautiful items to choose from. 


Numerous colonial churches exist within Antigua.  A series of earthquakes in the 16th through 18th century did extensive damage and eventually led to moving the capital away from the region.  At the time people believed the earthquakes were caused by volcanic eruptions and the proximity to the volcano Fuego was determined to be undesirable.  Only later with modern science was it noted that this area of Guatemala sits where three of the earth's tectonic plates come together making it rife with earthquakes.







The outside of these businesses only tell a little bit.  The real beauty is in the courtyards within.

I even spotted some foreign food:



Several hundred years ago this was the seat of the Central American government.  

Today's excursion... Panoramic Antigua.  
The cruise port area of Puerto Queztal is nice but on the small side and an isolated area within an industrial port area offloading coal, fuel and containers.  It's not an area where you can walk anywhere really, an excursion is recommended.   
Antigua is an old city in the mountains at an elevation of 5,029' (1,532 m) above sea level.  The bus ride is ~ 90 minutes.  The third capital City of Guatemala, it was founded in 1543.  
One of the benefits of a long bus ride is getting to see the country or at least this coastal volcanic region of Guatemala.  Our guide on our motorcoach talks about the four volcanoes clearly visible as we drive away from the coast.
One of these volcanoes is Fuego and still active.  We see evidence of this as we are driving with several puffs of dark smoke erupting from time to time.  Our guide tells us these are actual eruptions just on a smaller scale compared to the sort of eruption that causes damage. 

The volcano Aqua was the reason why the city of Antigua was created as the third capital.  In 1541 Aqua had a near perfect crater on top.  During the rainy season this crater filled with water until an earthquake cracked the crater sending torrents of water flooding downhill and wiping out the capital city at that time.  Hence this volcano got it's name Aqua or water in English.

As we climb into the mountains we pass through several small towns and villages.

Our guide tells us the story of the chicken buses.  In the U.S. when school buses reach 10 years old or 150,000 miles many jurisdictions require they be retired and new school buses acquired.  Guatemalans are just one destination where the old school buses go.  They are purchased privately and souped up.  They install motors from 18 wheel semi trucks, beef up the braking system, convert automatic transmissions to standard, add leafs to the suspension and turn them into private buses offering public transportation.  They make other modifications like installing the hood of a semi-truck or putting chrome on them.
Our guide tells us no self-respecting chicken bus owner would be caught without a 1,000 watt stereo system and a 32" flat panel TV on their bus.  So these aren't school buses anymore.

Our drive continues to an area called ground zero from the June 2018 eruption of Fuego.  This eruption involved a pyroclastic flow of ash, boulders and debris heated to 600°C.  In this former river bed it deposited over 50' of volcanic debris.

Numerous bridges were damaged or destroyed and they are still rebuilding them today.

This community was one of the hardest hit.  With little or no warning the pyroclastic flow traveling at an estimated 150 mph destroyed the area and claimed hundreds of lives.  The superheated temperature and gases caused the greatest loss of life.


Another bridge that had to be rebuilt.


Looking up the valley of this former riverbed you can see just how deep the volcanic debris is.

Day 7 - Puerto Queztal, Guatemala
As we approached land you could clearly make out several volcanoes through the morning mist.

The one on the left would occasionally left off a small puff of dark smoke.  It must be active.

Black sand beaches were a hint at this regions volcanic past.

Entering the port area also used by cargo ships.



And with that we were clear to debark in Guatemala.  

I will have you know that I am 131 days out and I have no intention of starting my blog yet! ?

:: sidelong glance at @Matt and @Lovetocruise2002 ::

I can’t wait for this review and all of the other Star Class reviews.  We are taking our first Star Class Cruise in April and have just never been more excited.  I have an 11 year old also.  Thank you for taking the time to bring us along.  I think starting this blog 45 days ahead really represented a great amount of strength from you-is 150 days too soon?!?  ?

We have cruised the caribbean numerous times in December - SJ, St. Maarten, Labadee, St. Thomas - and it has been amazing beach weather every time... save for a couple cold'ish days in Orlando after disembarkation, but they were perfect Disney Days!

That’s the truth right there!  Just need a Timmy’s and a Caesar for the trifecta!  ?? ? 

That’s the truth right there!  Just need a Timmy’s and a Caesar for the trifecta!  ?? ? 

I hearby hand in my crown (if there ever was one)...This is an early start to a live blog!
Have fun with your double digit dance!