DDaley

A quick question. Should I post some pictures? If so of what? I don't think I've seen anything so far that hasn't already been shown here on the forum and definitely on the internet.
I can try to add photos I just don't know what would be interesting.

IKR! Way to bury the lead! 🤣 i would love to take my neices and nephews in this suite. 😍 

Yesterday, the ship was in Puerto Vallarta - the kids and I stayed on the ship and mostly lazed around in bed. The kids needed some down time after two back to back excursions. But my wife did an excursion to San Sebastián del Oeste, and she reports as follows: 
I took the Royal Caribbean excursion, which is always easy and my husband doesn’t have to worry so much about me getting stranded on shore and missing the ship, lol. We met in the theater at 8am and our vans hit the road before 9 am. Quite quickly we were out of the City and driving up a winding two lane road into lush, green hills. 
It was lovely to be surrounded by greenery and out of the city and it became quite mountainous after an hour or so. At that point I started to see fields of blue agave. We stopped at a beautiful tequila distillery in the mountains- I forget the name, unfortunately, but it was a lovely spot at the edge of a huge ravine spanned by an impressive bridge, planted with flowers and with two friendly dogs. The best part was that it was in the 70s and breezy- so refreshing. Here there was a tequila tasting and of course I bought a bottle even though I don’t really drink tequila- it’s important to support the local economy! 
We continued our drive and the road got steeper and rougher. We stopped at a coffee plantation next, where there were lots of parrots everywhere. It was beautiful and shady and picturesque. 
Finally, we arrived at San Sebastián, which is a completely charming village with cobblestone streets set into the steep hillside. It is like a set from Encanto, from the historic colonial architecture to the mist enveloped mountains above it. We had a delicious lunch and wandered around. While there wasn’t really anything to *do* in San Sebastián besides wander on idyllic cobblestone streets, admire the scenery and architecture, and say hello to the many sweet dogs, it was wonderfully relaxing and peaceful. I’d love to come back someday and spend a few days there. Highly recommend this tour to escape the heat and bustle of Puerta Vallarta and see more of the countryside.

Holland America’s indoor pool is also overrun with kids since there’re only two pools and four hot tubs. The 2 hot tubs aft and 2 in the indoor pool area are usually 10 kids deep!! I usually waited to get in until they all got carted off to get ready for dinner. 
Combine just as many kids, no poolside music of any kind and mid-day offerings like quilting and scrapbooking classes and you can see why I vowed never to return to HAL. Unless of course I can get one of their constant free stateroom offers to work out! I am a 2 Star Mariner on HAL (equivalent of RC Platinum) and somehow get like 30 free stateroom offers a month! How? Why? Royal please send me some of these! 

For a minute there I thought I was crazy that I read it already in the past 🙂 

Yesterday in Mazetlan we did a private tour in a pulmonia car.  Our driver was Issac and he was an incredible person who is very proud of his city.  We had a great time seeing the sights of the city, lunch at a seaside restaurant and time at the beach.  For four of us it was $150, an incredible deal for an all day experience.  They have a basic template for the tour but it is your time as I was reminded by our guide.  So tell your guide what you want! 
 

Something I forgot to mention.  Sail into Cabo at noon was spectacular.  Definitely got on deck to experience this.  Our weather was perfect for the occasion.  The photo does not do it justice. 

In Cabo there are tons of snorkeling excursions that shouldn’t be too expensive but that port is also easy to navigate on your own. The tender will drop you off in the south west corner of the marina and from there you can walk about 20 minutes to a nice beach (Playa El Farito). There are tons of kitschy bars, restaurants and shops in this area surrounding the marina like Señor Frogs, El Squid Roe, Cabo Wabo, etc. Another cheap option would be to water taxi to Lover’s Beach under the cool rock formations you see in Cabo pics. 
In Puerto Vallarta you can also easily get yourselves to the beach by way of taxi or Uber. We called an Uber right outside the port area and took it to Playa de Los Muertos in the Zona Romantica area of town. I just really like this area (Panchos Takos are the best tacos I’ve ever had in my life) and the Malecon/beach here so we went that far (about a 20 min drive). There are plenty of closer beaches! As for excursions, I have been on a sunset catamaran booze cruise that was fun (~$70pp) and also an ATV adventure that goes up into the mountains (~$100pp). 
In Mazatlan the area the ship docks is a major shipping port and has a small, sectioned off area for bars and shops; anything else requires a taxi to get farther afield. There are the cliff jumpers a short drive away and a bunch of resorts that offer day use passes. When we were there we took a ship-sponsored excursion to a lagoon to ride/drive mini speed boats followed by included lunch and afternoon use of the El Cid resort. This was somewhat expensive but was super fun! The resort had a beach and nice pool area with covered grotto and water slides. 
Congrats on your engagement! My husband and I also took a cruise while on our honeymoon last summer. 😀

Still sailing on Oasis until August 4th 😁  
Today was our absolutely Perfect Day at Coco Cay!  Sunshine all day.  Only downer was the jellyfish in the water!  My granddaughter got stung this morning.  Took her to the Lifeguard who sprayed her arm with vinegar.  Worked great and did not deter her from enjoying the rest of the day.  

In Cabo there are tons of snorkeling excursions that shouldn’t be too expensive but that port is also easy to navigate on your own. The tender will drop you off in the south west corner of the marina and from there you can walk about 20 minutes to a nice beach (Playa El Farito). There are tons of kitschy bars, restaurants and shops in this area surrounding the marina like Señor Frogs, El Squid Roe, Cabo Wabo, etc. Another cheap option would be to water taxi to Lover’s Beach under the cool rock formations you see in Cabo pics. 
In Puerto Vallarta you can also easily get yourselves to the beach by way of taxi or Uber. We called an Uber right outside the port area and took it to Playa de Los Muertos in the Zona Romantica area of town. I just really like this area (Panchos Takos are the best tacos I’ve ever had in my life) and the Malecon/beach here so we went that far (about a 20 min drive). There are plenty of closer beaches! As for excursions, I have been on a sunset catamaran booze cruise that was fun (~$70pp) and also an ATV adventure that goes up into the mountains (~$100pp). 
In Mazatlan the area the ship docks is a major shipping port and has a small, sectioned off area for bars and shops; anything else requires a taxi to get farther afield. There are the cliff jumpers a short drive away and a bunch of resorts that offer day use passes. When we were there we took a ship-sponsored excursion to a lagoon to ride/drive mini speed boats followed by included lunch and afternoon use of the El Cid resort. This was somewhat expensive but was super fun! The resort had a beach and nice pool area with covered grotto and water slides. 
Congrats on your engagement! My husband and I also took a cruise while on our honeymoon last summer. 😀

In Cabo there are tons of snorkeling excursions that shouldn’t be too expensive but that port is also easy to navigate on your own. The tender will drop you off in the south west corner of the marina and from there you can walk about 20 minutes to a nice beach (Playa El Farito). There are tons of kitschy bars, restaurants and shops in this area surrounding the marina like Señor Frogs, El Squid Roe, Cabo Wabo, etc. Another cheap option would be to water taxi to Lover’s Beach under the cool rock formations you see in Cabo pics. 
In Puerto Vallarta you can also easily get yourselves to the beach by way of taxi or Uber. We called an Uber right outside the port area and took it to Playa de Los Muertos in the Zona Romantica area of town. I just really like this area (Panchos Takos are the best tacos I’ve ever had in my life) and the Malecon/beach here so we went that far (about a 20 min drive). There are plenty of closer beaches! As for excursions, I have been on a sunset catamaran booze cruise that was fun (~$70pp) and also an ATV adventure that goes up into the mountains (~$100pp). 
In Mazatlan the area the ship docks is a major shipping port and has a small, sectioned off area for bars and shops; anything else requires a taxi to get farther afield. There are the cliff jumpers a short drive away and a bunch of resorts that offer day use passes. When we were there we took a ship-sponsored excursion to a lagoon to ride/drive mini speed boats followed by included lunch and afternoon use of the El Cid resort. This was somewhat expensive but was super fun! The resort had a beach and nice pool area with covered grotto and water slides. 
Congrats on your engagement! My husband and I also took a cruise while on our honeymoon last summer. 😀

I just did this last week on my cruise.  I was on a 4-day cruise, and I got two free days with my Diamond +.  I waited until the second day and stopped by the WiFi desk and asked them to put 24 hours on my sons account because I already had internet.  Then on the evening of the third day I stopped by and had them put my 24 hours on my son's account.  With 4 family members that are D+ you would be able to do this every day and have internet all week.  Just give your kids the job of stopping by and adding it.
Note:  Last week on the Navigator of the Seas my son was able to do this online College Class without any issues.  I was able to remote into my work servers and do programming on the servers.  I also was able to do several Microsoft Team Meetings.  My son also was able to stream movies when he went to sleep.

Dear Matt, 
        I enjoy learning about royal Caribbean from you in anticipation of our family reunion cruise. We planned for a sailing upon Icon of the Seas. Wanting to write my family about food options on the cruise, I asked CHAT GPT to write a rhyming poem with a theme of foods aboard the Icon of the Seas. I have cut and pasted it below. 100% credit goes to CHAT GPT. AI has no real talent for poetry yet, but with a little work, I'm certain it will get better.  I hope you and other blog readers enjoy it for a few laughs.
(ps: in case anyone else wants to try their hand at cruise poetry keep in mind that I asked CHAT GPT this question first: "Good Morning Chat GPT, would you be so nice and write me a poem? I wish the poem to be about food availability on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, the "Icon of the Seas." Please included verses about food for babies and toddlers and small children, for persons with food allergies, and for food snobs in general. Note which restaurants are included in the cruise fare price and which specialty restaurants charge extra for food and drinks. It can rhyme, but it does not always have to rhyme. Thank you.
 
In the realm of the sea, a culinary delight, A Royal Caribbean voyage, where flavors take flight. On the Icon of the Seas, where gastronomy gleams, Let me craft you a poem of food and dreams.
Embarking on a journey, with little ones in tow, Fear not, for their needs, we readily bestow. Babies and toddlers, their palates we'll please, With nourishing feasts, crafted with ease.
From purees and mashes, to bites for small hands, Nutrition and taste, a perfect blend commands. Restaurants aplenty, where families convene, A cornucopia of choices, fit for a food-loving queen.
For those with allergies, a mindful embrace, Ingredients disclosed, no room for a trace. Gluten-free, vegan, or lactose intolerant too, Specialty diets honored, for a worry-free view.
The main dining room, a culinary affair, Included in the fare, delightful flavors to share. An exquisite medley of dishes, from land and sea, A feast fit for royalty, awaiting you and me.
Savor the Windjammer, a buffet grand, A bounty of options, vast and unplanned. Feeding voracious appetites, with endless array, Indulge in diverse cuisine, throughout the day.
Chops Grille and Jamie's Italian, with a small fee, Specialty restaurants that charge, but oh, the glee! For food connoisseurs, seeking a refined taste, Gourmet experiences, that will never go to waste.
Giovanni's Table, with Italian flavors divine, Coastal Kitchen, where epicurean dreams align. Each dish a masterpiece, carefully prepared, A symphony of flavors, for the senses ensnared.
In Wonderland, the whimsical realm will unfold, Where culinary artistry takes a story untold. For the adventurous souls, a gastronomic quest, Intrigue and surprise, leaving you truly impressed.
From Johnny Rockets to Izumi, a fusion so fine, Food lovers rejoice, for every craving they'll dine. Whether casual or formal, the choice is yours to make, A culinary voyage, for your taste buds to partake.
So set sail, dear traveler, to the Icon of the Seas, Where food is an adventure, a true indulgence it sees. With options aplenty, for each palate to explore, A culinary odyssey, leaving you longing for more.
 
Always delighted to Cruise,
Emily Mastando

So, the big question: Do I write a live blog or do I not write one?
The problem, if I start, I have to finish it or it will look silly. But if I don’t even start nobody would notice it. ← That question is what has kept me busy the last couple of days.
I guess since you can read this I decided to write one (or at least start and then look silly if I abandon it).
Who is travelling? Me, my wife and our daughters (8 and 6 years old).

We arrived in Barcelona yesterday. Two days before our cruise but better safe than sorry. Our two flights were short and we would have plenty of other options to get here by Sunday. But we only ended up with a roughly 30 minute delay on arrival.
The trip started at home (a small village in Northern Germany). We drove to Billund (Denmark) on Thursday to spend a day in Legoland and then fly Friday morning from Billund to Barcelona (Spain) via Frankfurt (Germany). For anybody from the US – Europe is really small or the countries are. So we left our home country to go to another country to fly to Barcelona with a stop over in our home country. Have I managed to confuse you enough? If not, yes, Denmark is North of Germany and Barcelona is South. But we live so close to the border to Denmark that the closest bigger airport is actually Billund / Denmark for us. Oh and let’s not forget a day in Legoland is always fun.
OK, now to the actual cruise stuff or rather pre cruise stuff as we won’t start until tomorrow.
We asked our girls what they wanted to do today, so we ended up going to the zoo. Not a typical tourist thing I guess but the girls wanted to see animals so we did that. And it was fine. The zoo had nice animal enclosures and it seemed big enough for them and clean enough. I’m always sceptical if animals are kept in an animal friendly way, but the Barcelona zoo really looked nice (I’m not an expert on animal keeping (other then the 8 and 6 year old ones travelling with us).
We split up after that. My wife wanted to do lots of museums and touristy stuff – the girls and I didn’t, we wanted to relax.
On the way back to the hotel we stopped at a LEGO store. That raises the question how many more of them can we visit during the cruise. I’m a little annoyed about myself that I didn’t research that beforehand. But I still have time.
We finish of the day with some dinner later on and then after a nice relaxing breakfast we will be picked up at 10am to get to the cruise terminal tomorrow morning.
I guess since I started writing here on this forum, I will have to include something about the actual cruise too. So we are barding the Symphony of the seas tomorrow morning for a nice time on our first Royal Caribbean cruise through the western Mediterranean Sea. Our cabin will be 1733 – our girls have selected that cabin (at least that’s what I’m telling everyone) as yes, that is the Ultimate Family Suite.
Our Genie will be Stepan and from the communication so far he seems to be very friendly and we look forward to meeting him tomorrow. I have given his WhatsApp number not only to my wife but also to our 8 year old so he might get a little upset with me – if they have too many requests.
One final note:
While I said I will try to write a somewhat life blog I didn’t say that I would write daily. If I manage I will try to write at least something every day oh and if I find something interesting I might even include a picture or two. I’m just not 100% sure if it makes sense to include the same picture of a cheesecake or a water slide or … that you can find 1000 times on google or even on this website. I guess wait and see how many pictures I will include (yes, definitely some room pictures but again there are already so many on the internet).
 
That’s it for today. To everybody else who is on this cruise – see you tomorrow,
Christian

🥰🥰 If i find myself in premature widowhood, you're on! We'll do the RLS though so we can each have our own bedroom. 🤣 

I think that sums it up. I cannot really think of anything else. Please chime in or ask away if there is something I have not answered, or said I would answer but forgot lol 
Thank you all for following our journey, it makes it way more fun to have you all with us. 

Leaving you with one final view of that beautiful balcony ❤️

This morning we woke up to banging drums and bull horns announcing a worker strike starting around 7am.  The chant went “We don’t get a contract, you don’t get no peace”.  It was actually a catchy little tune that is now stuck in my head.  The protest lasted about an hour and then they packed up and left. Apparently they had gone home for the night when we arrived last night?
My impression of the Doubletree has not improved. 

If you look closely you can see some picket signs.

Cruise day has arrived and we are currently sitting in our room watching the Minions movie to kill time. My daughter asked, “Have we murdered an hour yet?” No, hon, we still have 45 minutes to murder …

It’s “Dress Your Best” night. 

We never really understood the fascination with aft cabins until last summer on Anthem. Totally in love with this one. Will probably keep an eye on more aft cabins in the future. The Voyager and Freedom class ones I am not sure how good those will be because of the obstruction….
I think that is partially why we like Mason Jar, we don’t really have anything like to locally to compare it to.
Thanks! It was a wrap skirt. It was also Caribbean night. 
 

This is also our opinion of Hooked and we are huge seafood lovers.  We love oysters on the half shell and the ones at Hooked are just - meh.  IMO Hooked is to seafood as Sabor is (was) to Latin cuisine.  They are just nebulous shadows of what they could be.  I'm sure this mediocrity falls into the "we can't please everyone so we will please a few" category.  Nice try but really....ummm...no.

You can view your photos on the app now. @Matt not sure how new this is.
 

We are the opposite. This photo pretty much sums it up. Taken 2 years ago when it was hard to cruise over the pandemic and we stayed in Canada. 

21 years today ❤️
(Our kids who are at home will cringe at this photo but I don’t care 😁)

In my cruise date Facebook group someone mentioned the North Star is currently broken and won’t be getting fixed any time soon. I tried simply Googling this but came up with no results, anyone been on Quantum recently and can confirm or deny? 

Heard in my Facebook group that it has been broken for the last 2 sailings at least.