cruisestuff

Please let this go and allow Chris to continue his thread...

Bye Mariner!
 

Alright I think thats enough hijacking of the thread, the topic was dropped so lets move on
@CHRIS WONG what are you most looking forward to checking out on Oasis after her Amplification?

Well they aren't wrong...now they need to start figuring out how to monetarily enrich your wallet if they keep expecting to go on all these great cultural learning experiences 😂

We were done for when they played the teacher card back on me and said they would be missing a culturally enriching experience.  No clue where they would get ideas like that from?! 😂

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM OASIS OF THE SEAS!
 
 

This is my first blog, so I'm completely open to suggestions, tips, requests, and questions.
The Sailing:
Feb. 29, 2020 - Symphony of the Seas - Western Caribbean & Perfect Day - 7 nights
Pre-Cruise Stay:
Fly to Miami 1 day before. Stay in Kimpton EPIC hotel, which is newly renovated. We plan to take an Uber/Lyft to the Terminal and arrive there at 10:00 AM.
https://www.epichotel.com/renovation/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand-Hotel Name_EXT&utm_term=kimpton epic miami&adpos={adpos}&creative=374937215719&device=c&matchtype=e&network=g&gclid=Cj0KCQiAiNnuBRD3ARIsAM8KmlszTemJmHwA0k6GpJvERc3ssH6xnCvyig28ZUmyS3lmrwpFrHMf4JoaAhgsEALw_wcB
Cruise Purchases:
Unlimited Dining Package - All-Access Ship Tour - VOOM (included in Sky-Class)
Itinerary:
Day 1 - Miami
Day 2 - Cruising
Day 3 - Roatan, Honduras - No excursions
Day 4 - Costa Maya, Mexico - Chacchoben Mayan Ruins
Day 5 - Cozumel, Mexico - A Journey Through Mexico's Past & Present (cancelled by RC)
Day 6 - Cruising
Day 7 - Cococay - Thrill Waterpark Cabana - Up, Up, And Away Helium Balloon
Day 8 - Miami
Cabin:
Crown Loft Suite (1720) Sky Class
 
Please let me know if I forgot anything, and feel free to ask questions. 😊
 

::::: edited for the sake of my reputation points here :::::

Maybe try over at CC?

We were fortunate to have been selected to sail on one of the inaugural sailings of Norwegian Encore, and we had a stop at Great Stirrup Cay. Since we were tendered about a mile away from Coco Cay, we were able to get a few neat shots. Some sites showed Grandeur and Anthem scheduled to be at Coco Cay on the 19th, but I can't place she ship at sunset...while I haven't yet sailed on a Quantum Class, I think it looks like there might be a Sky Pad aft (and I don't see the North Star).  Mariner or Indy, possibly?

What an awesome, big smile. I love someone who loves their job. Good luck and see you next week 

The Brand New Oasis Of The Seas!
 
Enjoy!
 
 

This is my first blog, so I'm completely open to suggestions, tips, requests, and questions.
The Sailing:
Feb. 29, 2020 - Symphony of the Seas - Western Caribbean & Perfect Day - 7 nights
Pre-Cruise Stay:
Fly to Miami 1 day before. Stay in Kimpton EPIC hotel, which is newly renovated. We plan to take an Uber/Lyft to the Terminal and arrive there at 10:00 AM.
https://www.epichotel.com/renovation/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand-Hotel Name_EXT&utm_term=kimpton epic miami&adpos={adpos}&creative=374937215719&device=c&matchtype=e&network=g&gclid=Cj0KCQiAiNnuBRD3ARIsAM8KmlszTemJmHwA0k6GpJvERc3ssH6xnCvyig28ZUmyS3lmrwpFrHMf4JoaAhgsEALw_wcB
Cruise Purchases:
Unlimited Dining Package - All-Access Ship Tour - VOOM (included in Sky-Class)
Itinerary:
Day 1 - Miami
Day 2 - Cruising
Day 3 - Roatan, Honduras - No excursions
Day 4 - Costa Maya, Mexico - Chacchoben Mayan Ruins
Day 5 - Cozumel, Mexico - A Journey Through Mexico's Past & Present (cancelled by RC)
Day 6 - Cruising
Day 7 - Cococay - Thrill Waterpark Cabana - Up, Up, And Away Helium Balloon
Day 8 - Miami
Cabin:
Crown Loft Suite (1720) Sky Class
 
Please let me know if I forgot anything, and feel free to ask questions. 😊
 

This is my first blog, so I'm completely open to suggestions, tips, requests, and questions.
The Sailing:
Feb. 29, 2020 - Symphony of the Seas - Western Caribbean & Perfect Day - 7 nights
Pre-Cruise Stay:
Fly to Miami 1 day before. Stay in Kimpton EPIC hotel, which is newly renovated. We plan to take an Uber/Lyft to the Terminal and arrive there at 10:00 AM.
https://www.epichotel.com/renovation/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand-Hotel Name_EXT&utm_term=kimpton epic miami&adpos={adpos}&creative=374937215719&device=c&matchtype=e&network=g&gclid=Cj0KCQiAiNnuBRD3ARIsAM8KmlszTemJmHwA0k6GpJvERc3ssH6xnCvyig28ZUmyS3lmrwpFrHMf4JoaAhgsEALw_wcB
Cruise Purchases:
Unlimited Dining Package - All-Access Ship Tour - VOOM (included in Sky-Class)
Itinerary:
Day 1 - Miami
Day 2 - Cruising
Day 3 - Roatan, Honduras - No excursions
Day 4 - Costa Maya, Mexico - Chacchoben Mayan Ruins
Day 5 - Cozumel, Mexico - A Journey Through Mexico's Past & Present (cancelled by RC)
Day 6 - Cruising
Day 7 - Cococay - Thrill Waterpark Cabana - Up, Up, And Away Helium Balloon
Day 8 - Miami
Cabin:
Crown Loft Suite (1720) Sky Class
 
Please let me know if I forgot anything, and feel free to ask questions. 😊
 

This is my first blog, so I'm completely open to suggestions, tips, requests, and questions.
The Sailing:
Feb. 29, 2020 - Symphony of the Seas - Western Caribbean & Perfect Day - 7 nights
Pre-Cruise Stay:
Fly to Miami 1 day before. Stay in Kimpton EPIC hotel, which is newly renovated. We plan to take an Uber/Lyft to the Terminal and arrive there at 10:00 AM.
https://www.epichotel.com/renovation/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand-Hotel Name_EXT&utm_term=kimpton epic miami&adpos={adpos}&creative=374937215719&device=c&matchtype=e&network=g&gclid=Cj0KCQiAiNnuBRD3ARIsAM8KmlszTemJmHwA0k6GpJvERc3ssH6xnCvyig28ZUmyS3lmrwpFrHMf4JoaAhgsEALw_wcB
Cruise Purchases:
Unlimited Dining Package - All-Access Ship Tour - VOOM (included in Sky-Class)
Itinerary:
Day 1 - Miami
Day 2 - Cruising
Day 3 - Roatan, Honduras - No excursions
Day 4 - Costa Maya, Mexico - Chacchoben Mayan Ruins
Day 5 - Cozumel, Mexico - A Journey Through Mexico's Past & Present (cancelled by RC)
Day 6 - Cruising
Day 7 - Cococay - Thrill Waterpark Cabana - Up, Up, And Away Helium Balloon
Day 8 - Miami
Cabin:
Crown Loft Suite (1720) Sky Class
 
Please let me know if I forgot anything, and feel free to ask questions. 😊
 

This is my first blog, so I'm completely open to suggestions, tips, requests, and questions.
The Sailing:
Feb. 29, 2020 - Symphony of the Seas - Western Caribbean & Perfect Day - 7 nights
Pre-Cruise Stay:
Fly to Miami 1 day before. Stay in Kimpton EPIC hotel, which is newly renovated. We plan to take an Uber/Lyft to the Terminal and arrive there at 10:00 AM.
https://www.epichotel.com/renovation/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand-Hotel Name_EXT&utm_term=kimpton epic miami&adpos={adpos}&creative=374937215719&device=c&matchtype=e&network=g&gclid=Cj0KCQiAiNnuBRD3ARIsAM8KmlszTemJmHwA0k6GpJvERc3ssH6xnCvyig28ZUmyS3lmrwpFrHMf4JoaAhgsEALw_wcB
Cruise Purchases:
Unlimited Dining Package - All-Access Ship Tour - VOOM (included in Sky-Class)
Itinerary:
Day 1 - Miami
Day 2 - Cruising
Day 3 - Roatan, Honduras - No excursions
Day 4 - Costa Maya, Mexico - Chacchoben Mayan Ruins
Day 5 - Cozumel, Mexico - A Journey Through Mexico's Past & Present (cancelled by RC)
Day 6 - Cruising
Day 7 - Cococay - Thrill Waterpark Cabana - Up, Up, And Away Helium Balloon
Day 8 - Miami
Cabin:
Crown Loft Suite (1720) Sky Class
 
Please let me know if I forgot anything, and feel free to ask questions. 😊
 

Not something you see every cruise

Priorities...

You're gonna have to bear with me because I am about to go overboard with Queen Mary pictures.  I just love this old ship.
Arriving later than expected once settled in my cabin I made my way to the Observation Bar for a drink and a bite to eat.

Walking around the ship you feel a deep sense of history.







Not a bad place to catch the end of game six of the World Series with the city lights of Long Beach across the bay.

I can't start into the actual cruise until I mention the Queen Mary.  As a cruise geek this is the ultimate way to kick off any cruise.  

The Queen Mary is an ocean liner that began service in 1936.  She was built with one mission in mind - sailing the North Atlantic between Southampton and New York.  Before the days of airplanes flying between the continents there was only one way to make the journey - by sea.  She isn't a cruise ship exactly, she just had two destinations repeated week after week.  However you can see where many of the things we have come to enjoy on modern cruise ships have evolved from the days of ocean liners. 
The Queen Mary ended service in 1967 and was sailed for the last time to the harbor in Long Beach California.  The City of Long Beach bought the Queen Mary outbidding a Chinese scrapyard and so the QM lives on now as a museum and hotel.  I've stayed here before since Carnival sails from Long Beach right next door, within walking distance of the QM.  


On this occasion I booked a Deluxe King room for $129 per night plus local taxes.  This is pretty competitive with local hotels so given the opportunity to stay on this historic old ship I'll do it every time.
The QM isn't a small ship.  In dimensions she approaches Voyager class and she was too big for the Panama Canal the day she was built.  

This cabin was considered first class in the day but the decor is more modern compared to what a guest in 1936 would have experienced.  While not a suite it was a large step up above third class.  In 1936 a one way first class fare was $1,074.  



As a means to conserve limited fresh water supplies, guests could choose hot salt water, cold salt water, hot fresh water or cold fresh water.  Those aren't functional today, the modern shower control above and to the left controls the water now.


Several vents that double as thermostats.  Want it warmer?  Slide to left.  Want cool air?  Slide to the right.  These are not operational today, modern thermostats are used but it's cool to see how guests would have warmed their cabins in the cold North Atlantic.

Working portholes!  No balconies on ships in those days, these portholes were a luxury.


The flat panel TV's were added during a renovation to meet modern expectations for a hotel room.

Itinerary for this 16 night cruise:
Panama Canal, Eastbound.  Los Angeles to Ft. Lauderdale.
Day 1 - San Pedro (Los Angeles) 
Day 2 - At Sea
Day 3 - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Day 4 - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Day 5 - At Sea
Day 6 - At Sea
Day 7 - Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala
Day 8 - At Sea
Day 9 - Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Day 10 - At Sea
Day 11 - Panama Canal Full Transit
Day 12 - Colon, Panama
Day 13 - Cartagena, Columbia
Day 14 - At Sea
Day 15 - Georgetown, Grand Cayman
Day 16 - At Sea
Day 17 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

When I booked my cruise they said there would be no math.

Update: The strike is over. 

I am a teacher in Chicago. We are going into our second week of striking. The only thing that keeps me going is that I have several cruises booked. While picketing I tell myself your cruise on Explorer is approaching fast. Also, the week of November 4, I will be booking spring break 2022. The little things that keep me strong on the picket line.