Rags1

Ok, let’s see if I can catch up a bit. Day 1: The night at the Orlando Hampton Inn was ok. We were up early Sunday morning and had the included hot breakfast. It sure wasn’t Star Class but was ok. Had Go Port Canaveral scheduled for 930 and the bus arrived about 910. Had a 45 minute drive to the port. We walked with our bags the 100 feet to the Star Class banner. Since the terminal doesn’t open until 11 we prepared to just hang out but one of the “terminal Genies” appeared and began to check us in. She reviewed our set sail pass, Covid test results, vaccine card and passports. A porter came and loaded up our luggage. She then took us inside the doors to wait until staff was ready to finish the process. While waiting we could see Romina on the second floor waiting on us. A group of “suits” wandered through and she said one of them was a corporate big shot who shows up often now to watch the operation. When the health screeners we’re ready we were escorted to them. Another check of all documents. No health questions or temperature check. Then on to the quick process through security and up the escalator to meet Romina. I’ll discuss her later, but I’ll just say now, wow. She’s good. We might have been the first family on the ship. Romina escorted us to Sabors for lunch. I think we were having lunch at 1120. We were the only ones in the place. Had a great leisurely lunch. Romina checked on us and went to bring on another family. As we finished lunch Romina returned and took the family up to the suite. Had snacks waiting on us and we all chilled out for a bit with drinks. Romina came back around 2 and we went over the schedule for the week. We had dinner in Coastal Kitchen at 6. I think the whole family had the filet which was excellent. We enjoyed the sail away from our dinner table. Post Covid they can seat a maximum of 8 people together. So both at lunch and dinner we had a table for 6 ½ and a table for four. We then went to the Headliner show, Tony Tillman. He’s been around the fleet longer than, well, the fleet! We so happy to be back in a ship and sitting in the theatre we would have watched anyone I think! But he’s entertaining and energetic. I was pleased to see a bunch of interaction with the crowd. Made it more fun. At the end of the show the CD, Dennis I think, announced that the winner of tonight’s bingo third game will win a 2br ATS. I think that’s awesome! After dinner we had a few drinks and snacks in the room and called it a night. Next up will be the Perfect day experience.

This is the ONLY thing my family didn’t eat. So far.

Lunch has arrived! One could get used to this. Lobster and filet on a floating cabana in the Caribbean. Two ships here and doesn’t seem crowded with the low passenger loads. I walked the island taking pictures. It’s such a beautiful place. Plenty of room on the cabana for 10 1/2 of us. Actually 11 1/2 - Jack Daniels showed up a bit ago.

Good morning from….take a guess. I’m planning on grabbing one of the loungers and try to catch up. I know it’s a slogan but it really is a perfect day. My Bloody Mary is in transit to the cabana.

@Lovetocruise2002its about to happen!

1128 and we’re at lunch. As soon as I scarf down some guacamole I’ll go over boarding process. But it was smooth!

Next up. Go Port! About to leave the hotel. 45 minute drive.

Its always cruise day for you. Looking forward to meeting you. What time are you boarding?

Finally, tomorrow we cruise. Up at 0300 this morning to begin our travel day. Good old American Airlines performed flawlessly. Palm Springs to Dallas to Orlando. Equal number of take offs and landings. Luggage arrived with us. Picked up by the shuttle van from the Hampton Inn and Suites and took a less than 10 minute ride to the hotel. It’s fine for a night. It has a bar. Walked across the street to Bonefish Grill for dinner. The food was ok. In early tonight after such a long day. The plan is the have the included hot breakfast at the hotel in the morning. Go Port Canaveral is scheduled to pick us, and others, up at 930 for an approx 11am arrival at the port. More in the morning.

In 5 1/2 hours we’ll rise and shine and head to the airport. This party is about to finally get started! We spoke on the phone with the Amazing Romina yesterday morning and again this morning. Can’t wait to meet her. Everyone did the Binax proctored at home tests. Taylor was first at around 530 this morning and the rest of us followed throughout the day. 10 negative tests later, the group is good to go. The four of us who took the tests at our house all had the same experience. Log on and we were taking the test within two minutes. Fifteen minutes later we had results. In my opinion, it’s a convenient, easy way to do it. I’ll begin to post daily now. If you have questions I’ll do my best to find answers. I’m looking forward to taking you all with us as we begin what I know will be an amazing week! I can already taste the mushroom soup!

This was awesome! Thank you so much for sharing.

1,2,3,4. That many days to go! I took my vaccine card back to the pharmacy the other day knowing full well it would be a horrible time with no acceptable results. (I’m always optimistic like that). As I stood in line the pharmacist waved at me. We’re not friends or anything, he just dispenses medications and I’m old and require meds, so we know what each other looks like. When he waved I held out my trusty, incomplete vaccine card. He waved me over, listened to the issue and promptly fixed it! I told him he should be a Genie! The tux issue has turned into a non-problem. Taylor isn’t 5 anymore. She’s 22 and looks like a model. She informed me that she has a pink dress but it’s more form fitting, and a bit tighter, than the one in the photo. Perfect, I have a black suit and a black bow tie. Adapt and overcome. There will be a new photo. Romina and I have continued to banter back and forth via email. Last night she requested my cell number so she could call this week. That’s new. I’m looking forward to talking with her. We are all now watching the airline cancellations happening in many places. Just something new to throw in the mix!. But I’m confident all will be well. I mean if Amazon can REALLY put Captain Kirk into space, American Airlines should be able to get my old butt to Orlando. Three days to flight

You know, I saw that link too but didn’t follow up. I just emailed Romina and she said they aren’t doing it since the restart. Thanks for sharing your experience. Maybe it’s ship or port specific. Who knows? I’ll get to the bottom of this!

9 days out and starting to gather “stuff” for the trip. Two updates for today: 1. I noticed yesterday that a new (at least new for me) section was on the Royal app for check in. So this morning I loaded all the vaccination data for Stacy, Taylor Kaitlyn and the old man. Including photos of the cards. That’s when I noticed that there was no Lot# on my card for the first dose! Uh oh. I will return to my pharmacy in the morning to have them fix that. They told me on the phone not to worry. We shall see! 2. Our kids are self-sufficient, confident and as grown up as it gets. They rarely ask for anything specific. But when they do ask, I try to make it happen. The birthday girl, Taylor, sent me a photo and asked that we recreate it this year. This photo was taken on the Disney Magic 17 or 18 years ago. Our amazing Romina has confirmed that Royal no longer rents tuxedos on their ships. So I’m shopping local for a tux. Taylor is shopping for a pink dress. One way or another we’ll recreate the moment. This is what it’s all about!

True story

One of our Genies actually had a couple request a photographer to follow them into the theater, taking pictures as they went to their front row seats so people would think they were important!. @Booscruize, you should be fine!

We sailed Oasis last year. Your photos bring back such great memories. Thanks for taking time to do this.

This is the tentative schedule that Romina has suggested for us. She kindly included The DT family so I had to edit.

Quick update. 12 days to go. i’m following a report of someone sailing this week and posting on another site. Mama Mia is scheduled for Friday and Saturday this week. Other shows and activities seem normal according to him. Seems the Cruise Director left kind of unexpectedly last Sunday and a new one is in place. We’ll just keep our fingers crossed and continue to countdown! Here’s the greatest thing so far: someone asked on a FB group if anyone was going to be on the Allure in the next few weeks. I responded that I would be aboard on the 17th. He then asked if I’d be willing to purchase some tuna pouches and Ben’s rice and take it to Romeo at the Champagne bar. Seems Romeo had taken great care of this couple and had also indicated that he missed his tuna and Ben’s rice!. So of course I will now be shopping for those items before we leave. I explained to the gentleman that as I get older the “firsts” in my life come less often. But this was a first! A total stranger asked me to buy some tuna, cart it about 3000 miles and then give it to another guy I don’t know and haven’t met. I’m all in! The tuna caper. It shall be blogged!

You’ll love 1720! Awesome room. Looking forward to following your trip.

I saw videos tonight of the Aqua show posted by the CD. Emails with the genie are good. Sounds like things are working just as they should. And @twangster, a few weeks? It’s only two weeks!

What an awesome trip! You’ll love the canal. I went through on the Disney Magic when they brought her to California the very first time. It was amazing. Can’t wait to follow your trip.

I’m looking forward to hearing all about your trip since we will follow you on the 17th. And I agree, the wait toward the end is brutal

I have requested seltzer (Truly) and it’s no problem