GregD

19 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I still want to see the Broadway version of Hamilton though, but no one wants to go with me lol

Come visit us in NY!! We would gladly go. Hamilton is Lydia's favorite show! We got her tickets last year for Christmas. 

4 hours ago, Jax said:

Paradise

#8730. 

 

The Boss's favorite view.......

1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I have not packed a single thing yet. I feel a bit behind schedule from my normal "cruise prep" schedule. I think this is because I worked right up until the 23rd this year, and then with Christmas over the weekend, we've been doing a ton of family stuff.

We are off to the Fisher Theatre (in Detroit) shortly to see Les Miz, and then I think the "cruise prep/packing" will start in earnest tomorrow.

Don't forget to remind the hubs to pack extra clothes. I'm sure he's forgotten you aren't star class this time around and there isn't any laundry

10 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I don’t recall in which thread it was posted, but @GregD   which Genies might be on Ossis in Feb.  Sorry it took so long to get back on this, but according to Allan, the Genies in Feb will most likely be Ana, Leticia and Derrick.  Hope this helps.

Awesome, thank you!!!

20 minutes ago, Jax said:

More show schedule changes. I have sailed enough over the holidays to expect them. Just happy to have Berty take care of them all with little impact to us.  

I think this is one of the best things about sailing in Star Class. Just knowing that I don’t have to worry about dealing with last minute changes and that they are just taken care of makes my vacation much more of a vacation.

Have a great time!!! I can't wait to follow along!

40 minutes ago, Jax said:

Suite 8730

 

In 421 days I'll be sailing in that same room........sigh

Have a great cruise!!

2 hours ago, togo said:

I was quoted 216 pounds for two people with two large bags.

You should be okay. "saloon cars" are typically 4 door sedans, so if you can fit your two bags in the trunk of a car you are good to go. Their next size up car is only about 18usd more which will get you a station wagon. When you book, you converse through email and can discuss the best size for your situation.

8 hours ago, togo said:

Disregard, I was able to get a quote.  Are those cars a little small for two people and four bags?

thx

They will size the car appropriately. For the 4 of us and our three suitcases, they had a minivan. How big are your bags, and what vehicle did they run the quote you with?

7 hours ago, JennaRCB said:

I would stay in London and take the train directly to Southampton on embarkation morning! It runs frequently and is extremely convenient.

As long as there isn’t one of the frequent rail strikes.

1 hour ago, Smithville Cruises said:

Awesome ..... thank you for your responses. We are doing the back to back in May with the first one going to Norway and the second one doing the Paris route. 

Norway is amazing!! Have a great time!!!

@Smithville Cruises we sailed out of Southampton in July with @Lovetocruise2002 on Anthem. You can read our joint blog for some perspectives. They were in London a few days early, and used blackberry cars (car service) to get to the port. We arrived the day before, as you are, and we immediately went to Southampton. We also used blackberry cars as our transport. 

IMHO, I suggest that if you are flying in the day before, just book a car service and head to Southampton. Yes, it does make that travel day a bit longer, but it will eliminate an uncertainty the day of the cruise. Traffic can be bad getting down there which can cause some departure day anxiety. @Lovetocruise2002 originally had a 3 hour drive! Also by continuing to extend your day, it can help fight the jet lag, especially if you are like me, and can't sleep on a plane. 

We stayed at a hotel that was a 3 minute drive to the port (Novotel Southampton). You can see the ship from the hotel. There is also an Ibis hotel in the same parking lot. Both are basic hotels, and are common chains in Europe, but are perfect for an overnight stay. FYI, unless you stay in Luxury accommodations, most hotels in Europe will have much smaller rooms than we are used to here in the States, so just keep that in the back of your head. I have pictures in the blog of our room. From this hotel, it's an easy walk to get out and explore the city. This is what we did to keep us up to fight the jet lag. They allowed us to store our bags as well since we arrived well before checkin. 

Southampton is a neat city, and worth the exploration. London is so big, and you will be tired, that its hard to see enough in the one day you will be there.

Like @Lovetocruise2002 said, we used Blackberry Cars. They were very easy to work with. FWIW, traffic can be a mess at all hours so paying a premium for your transfer for a visit Windsor to avoid traffic may not work in your favor. For our return trip from the cruise port to our hotel we actually didn't hit any traffic. Windsor is very easy to get to from London itself as well.

2 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Of course !!  Let me know what you need.

Just looking to see who would be on board in February. If I can think of anything else I'll let you know. I'm assuming there will be a blog to follow along with?

15 hours ago, Jax said:

@GregD I am a bit envious about your upcoming cruise on Oasis as we are going to miss Playmakers and Portside BBQ. The boys keep boo hoo’ing about this. Lol  Plan B - they found a few good brisket places in the FLL we will check out. 

We pretty much missed those too on the last trip courtesy of the star class food coma. This time around, we are going to visit them earlier in the cruise

15 hours ago, Jax said:

I ordered the genie stuff from Red Bubble Canada. They had lots of genie apparel options.  My plan is to surprise Berty with a card every day….kind of like the 7 days of Christmas. 
 

This sounds like an awesome idea!

@mom2mybugs your trip sounds fantastic. One of these years I would love a simple, do nothing trip. We sorta have that planned, but we will see how it goes. I love to say that I would like to relax and plop my rear in a chair for a whole day.....but who am I kidding, I'm the adventure type and will probably end up finding something extra to do.

On 12/4/2022 at 3:27 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Jane, sounds like it's going to be a great trip! But now all your talk about the weather is making me nervous lol. We are sailing the SY the same day you are sailing HM (on the 31st) and Hubby and my daughter's schedule does not allow us to leave until the day before on the 30th....fingers crossed for smooth travels for both of us!

Sending good vibes for you and your luggage

GAAAH, Ive missed so much this week!!! Ive been away at new job training.....I love when I see a @Jax Christmas Blog, because that means it's getting closer to mine..71 @WAAAYTOOO long days. Speaking of which, are you willing to do some Oasis February genie recon for me?

I can't wait to see all you have planned and do for this trip. I remember last year being a fun one to read! Those cards and socks are great. Did you have them printed yourself?

On 11/22/2022 at 12:12 AM, Stephanie X said:

Have our first cruise this coming spring on Anthem. We are in 7200 & 7202. Now I’m so scared that our view will stink. I specifically asked for a clear view when I booked. Anyone have input on those specific rooms? 

I was able to find a picture from the balcony of 7200 and your view shouldn't be too bad. Looking at pictures from other cabins on deck 7, you may have to top of the lifeboat supports in the lower 1/2 of your view, if you were sitting in a lounge chair. If you are standing at your balcony railing, your view will be just fine.

https://youtu.be/g23Yk6ROhGY

here is a video link of a similar cabin

Don't get too hung up on your stateroom view. You will be surprised how little time is spent there. Just enjoy the cruise!! 

I believe you can do that. Day passes are required for non-Atlantis guests to access Aquaventure, Dolphin Cay, the marine habitat, and beaches. 

11 hours ago, asquared17 said:

....why would you remind us of this great tragedy i'm triggered!!

On 11/18/2022 at 11:24 PM, Ampurp85 said:

She nasty, she likes raisins in her apple pie

Wait......first there were people that ATE the tomato, and now you tell us that you have a family member that likes raisins in their apple pie!!! What is this world coming to!!

Thank you for the entertaining read. I certainly does sound like you need a nice solo vacation, to decompress from your vacation!

Getting caught up again.....that is all....

Do you feel like all you have been doing is herding cats with your group?

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

PDCC. 

 

So jealous!!!!!