Neesa

FOUND ONE!!!

Thanks a lot, now I'm very thirsty!!!! Now I'm on the search for a duck drinking wine...

@LandstromCruise

Here you go, what a loss to Royal

Adventure of the Seas 

@SweetPea and @WAAAYTOOO the message I read between the lines is at this point like @asquared17 put so eloquently in another post their focus is truly on the new cruisers. I feel like being successful at their going hard taking guests from DCL and examining the cash flow, the company does not care to continue to respect the higher tier Crown and Anchor guest. They don't need us anymore, D+ fantastic...off to the Haven you go. Don't like our suites program, there are many behind you that didn't book on day of release so pay more for our suites with less amenities and they will spend more onboard as they are newbies and don't know what to expect! This is what I get from the Jason Liberty direction. We kept them afloat (pun intended) until and after C, now be gone top tier cruiser, you are really not our future.

A really warm and fun cruise director I follow who loved sailing has decided to not renew his contract after his last one, his joy was impacted and leaving Royal was his decision. Now it may be unrelated for sure, but the tides are changing and sometimes change isn't always for the better. Just my humble opinion TBH. 

Pretty sad response. This is what they sent me when I asked why the suites program wasn't streamlined. Not even the Royal Suite on the smaller ships which hit different.  I was specifically requesting an internet amenity. Truth be told I asked why it wasn't included especially now with the upgraded internet provider. At least for grand and above, but more importantly their most grandiose suite on the ship. Made little sense.

@OCSC Mike wow she is beautiful. I have seen some gorgeous sparkly ducks, but crystal? Wow, thanks so much for sharing!

@SebagoSue OMG thank you so much for taking the time to describe the Celebrity product....SOLD!  I really think moving forward this will be a better fit for our family as we don't go for the "thrills" that much anymore. Different strokes, right? I am especially excited they are going to start to sail from PC as well. I have been watching videos on the cabins and what not but the first hand account experience is what I lean into. The videos of any quality (no crazy moving camera making me nauseous) are usually done by the lovely TA community and they just want to sell cabins. I like to know everything I can before I commit. Thanks so much for your perspective I really truly appreciate it

Huge thanks to the wonderful @SweetPea! True to her word she allowed me to adopt her duckies. We had a very enjoyable afternoon going through the box, many wonderful surprises!!! Thank you so much @SweetPea. 

@Plumlee2028 your descriptions help a great deal. TBH it makes me feel perfectly comfortable booking the concierge class. We usually book our suites for tge teo bathrooms and im not willing or able for that matter to book those ultra expensive cabins. If i only have one bathroom the concierge cabin sounds like a perfect fit. 

Thank you so much for educating me! 

Hello amazing fellow cruisers! I am trying to educate myself regarding the Celebrity product coming from RCCL and DCL.

I'm trying to understand the vernacular when trying to choose a cabin that is right for us. 

Concierge cabins? Are they just regular cabins with a concierge access? 

Are Sky suites a true suite, is it like a Royal junior suite? 

Is the Celebrity and up suite like grand suite and above? 

Is the butler similar to a genie?

Is the Celebrity suites program streamlined across their fleet unlike Royals where different ships afford different suites amenities?

Thanks so much!

Oh no! I just hope you feel better soon. Sending you positive thoughts. I agree with you though albeit I'm not familiar with the Haven yet, I'm fine in Sky class as the cost of Star for what they provided for our family did not make fiscal sense. 

I've already informed Mr. Cabash/Vintage Magnet after our final 2 on the books with Royal, Celebrity is in serious contention for our first sailing back, if not Celebrity NCL or MSC. Sadly I have waaay to much time to decide.

Again, wishing you back to health very soon! 

I'm so happy you found the missing "items" Thanks so much for allowing me to live vicariously through you, so much fun! Was Silas happy to see you, or is he giving you attitude? LOL! When we sailed Oasis out of Miami we were instructed to put our luggage out by 1200 as well, our Genie was Derick.

This is the sailing @Lovetocruise2002 had no luggage, yikes!! What a great blog, lots of smiles and fun. 

7 minutes ago, asquared17 said:

any way we can confirm this? because i’ll totally bring for our stateroom attendant and co for next time!!!

This is what Dudley told me when we sailed with him last year. He said the ship sold it but they were crazy expensive. And yes they do a great deal of their own laundry.

When we sailed with Dudley Jean and we spoke via email before the sailing he responded with laundry detergent, softener and dryer sheets. We brought these aboard and he was so happy. We opted for all non scented because scent is so personal. We figured with small living spaces as well  no scent was best. 

Laundry, candy, cash! Those are our go to gifts but now I'm going to add the googly eyes as well. I am having so much fun on your adventure, what a riot! @Ampurp85 states and I agree love your birthday baby. Now @asquared17 stated and I agree go to next cruise right now and stay another week!

Last but not least it was Burger Express of Carteret not Carrols that had the BEST pork roll and cheese sandwiches.:)

13 minutes ago, SweetPea said:

My mom is originally from Perth Amboy. Then Sewaren and we still have family there. My folks went to Woodbridge High School. 

What a small world! My grandma lived in Sewaren, probably wouldn't recognize that area now. Woodbridge High I think they were the Carteret Ramblers rivals. Just wow, yay a shark!

Of course, I would be so happy to take them off your hands! I looked and I don't have any sports ones, wow! Thank you for the kind offer! I lived in Carteret and Perth Amboy  NJ as a teenager, it's Pork Roll! 

In Carteret there was a fast food joint I thinks called Carol's. It was pork roll and cheese on huge seeded rolls, and big fat fries. Woe, my brain hurts now. It was a thing we ate them morning, noon and night! 

My Ducking Journey started on Royal, I had no idea it was a thing as we don't do Facebook & had no idea. I would see them and think "cute" Fast forward I was educated by another passenger & it was off to the races. We all look, if we find a duplicate (same family) we leave it or hide it somewhere else (depends if someone saw the find or not.)

I gingerly hide my ducks, even in the elevator in a corner, I bring about 20 a sailing. I started with my Anniversary sailing  & kiddo helps me hide them. I usually avoid the suite lounge unless the concierge approves. I gravitate to the area of the kids clubs, in addition to everywhere else mentioned. 

I found some mini ducks & thought they were great as I could purchase more for the same price of the big ones & they are easily packed away in my carry on. I brought them with me on DCL as well as I wasn't sure they ducked...wow was I wrong, they duck hard. My family was horrified at my mini ducks, kiddo said they looked cheap & wanted no part of them, really?? LOL!

I am back to the 2 inch ducks because my family did not like the mini's at all!

I'm going to submit this & then upload some photos from my phone. My first duck had stickers on their bottoms, I didn't really like that so I changed that moving forward. I love visiting them (crazy I know) & reading their tags over and over again. They allow me a flood of fun and joyful memories from each sailing. 

But I never toss them or just drop them, no way! I treat them with care until they are tucked away to be found, I'm smiling when typing this. Such a tiny thing makes me so happy! Standby for pics!

Concierges; On the Wonder in June we had Noorina & Kenny in the suites lounge while Norman was in the Diamond lounge. Each one of them was next level wonderful. I did write corporate to add to the after sailing survey because they went out of their way & honestly worked their respective area's like they took ownership. They understood the assignment & did so with skill & class. We had some hiccups that sailing and all 3 made me feel like they were invested in our challenges. I liked them & while I probably would not sail that ship again they (the aforementioned individuals) were happy memories for me. 

As an aside, please does anyone know where Dudley Jean is? Is he still with Royal? I felt a genuine connection to him, the most amazing human being. I'm hoping they made him a Genie for his next level skill set, but selfishly I would love to see him again in a suites lounge! Dudley Jean....where are you????

Earplugs and RUB! Plus what @asquared17 said!

I'm so sorry to hear this about your BFF. This does not sound like any kind of vacation for you. Please RUB for a crown loft, please? At minimum you can escape to the loft for some well deserved solace leaving any visitors downstairs. I'm sorry, this does not sound like a vacation, your job is probably less stressful. I wish I could come to help you, you are so kind to do this for everyone. Enjoy every second of the beautification experience and please please RUB. If anyone deserves it it is you! 

I know the ship is sold out right now but remember plans change so frequently ( remember my Serenade?)

I am over here sending you strength and strong hugs!!!

Poor baby kitty, imagine how she feels right now,

@SweetPea  Ugh, never mind that wasn't very nice of Neesa!

RE: PING PONG TABLE

@SweetPea & @asquared17 I agree with those locations, very cool. I also like to go near the kids clubs & hide them in the hallway & stairways nearest there. Also the climbing thing on the Boardwalk & I to hide mine in the cup holders in the Aqua theater (great minds!) The staff sometimes keep them & also re hide them I am told. I don't believe they throw them away, usually (except in CP I'm sure) they find joy in it as well. 

Really?? Well @ScottD if it was you on here, I took notice. We heard this ( here Im sure) and saw this when I paid attention...and as an avid Ducker...I agree! It's  madness and disgusting what goes in CP. It seems to be where lots of ducks are located, When I find one there I usually relocate it away from there, and we hide ours else where. I also have had conversations with the arborist, they hate it and for good reason.  Sometimes the destruction is real and that part is sad. There are so many other fantastic places to hide them I agree CP should be off limits. Just my 2 cents,..... as a true fan of ducking! 

@JVPIII thanks do much! There are days when I think " why did we choose this path?" The struggle is real and started way to soon. I was not prepared for it! 

It's a super impressive accomplishment, congrats!

So happy you are having a great day! But, I'm a Ducker!!

I love Ducking, it gives me serious JOY! TBH I already have my ducks ready to go for our 2024 Graduation sailing, I could not wait!! 

It's a family thing too, we all like to look but kiddo and I hide them together. Dancing & laughing like a kid (me) 

* evidence below.

Yes, busy is putting it lightly. Kiddo is in the IB program plus is working towards some scholarships. She wants to go to either a technical school or a private catholic college for a BS in nursing to start. Proud mama here she just passed her TEAS!! The costs are crushing but we expected it. We promised ourselves we didn't want her to have crippling debt. She works at Culver's restaurant to pay her car insurance & car payment. The senior year in High School includes 100 plus volunteer hours and CAS for 18 months straight, which entails Creativity, Service & Activity. To add to that an additional project and an extended essay on nuclear energy. Our calender is a disaster, we don't stop....but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Well, a sooner sailing would be cool, LOL! 

I'm living for these live blogs, allows me to escape and smile with you. I just smashed the follow for @Ampurp85 as well. Thanks to you both!