Neesa

@anneglubis go to #CK the first day, you can express your desire for Coastal Kitchen dinner. If you're flexible CK dinner is a perk you can enjoy. You can get it for dinner! @sammy79 I am pretty sure you CAN use the voucher for Starbucks at the Cafe Promenade, just NOT the stand alone Starbucks. I think on the main page there is an article @Matt just put together confirming this. Different licensing I believe was the reason given, enjoy it! Woops, so slow, @twangster beat me to it, lol!!!

@WAAAYTOOO put it best! Sky is also our "suite" spot as well. In the past we boarded right after Star and Pinnacles but sometimes alongside Pinnacles. It seems to depend on the mood at the port! The wifi included, the #CK embarkation lunch, the concierges who really work hard to make sure you want for nothing and the express disembarkation opportunities. The all day availability of #CK, just perfect! Don't forget there are always roped off sections as well for the entertainment offerings, sometimes good locations, sometimes not but it's there for you if you would like. A very nice elevated experience without the Genie but honestly I enjoy being my own Genie so I'm actually more relaxed as well. In my perfect world you could opt in to Genie services for an extra cost and allow those gorgeous suites to be booked sans Genie, yes that would be nice!

I understand the lounge is connected to #CK and am trying to choose a dinner time. My crew really likes the appetizers before hand but we hit it early for a lite bite before sitting down for dinner. Does the happy hour service and small food offerings begin at 4:30 or 5:00? Thanks so much!

Want to have added fun and be an even bigger hero to your nieces? Bring some ducks along for them to hide, I can't tell you how much fun and joy this brings. Sometimes we hide them and sit nearby and watch the joy they give. Duck hunting is truly an experience! This little batch I picked up on Amazon.

Sounds like you have a terrific plan. We are staying on the ship in Costa Maya for the reasons you state, to enjoy the ship while most are off exploring. We also feel of course we trust the food and drinks quality more so on the ship then off. We are looking forward to the Coco Cay Beach Club as well, we really enjoy the private Islands experience. I believe the Adventure of the Seas will be joining us on the Island that day so at least she is a bit smaller then another Oasis class ship. It takes away from the experience when the Island is covered in bodies, so in that case we get off the ship super early to find a nice "home base" if we don't have the Beach Club access. Next year our final sailing for at least 4 years will be a Southern Carribbean. Then we pause until we get a handle on college & "kicking the birdie from the nest" At that point God willing we will start sailing again.... We didn't purchase a drinks package because the vouchers are usually enough, plus the suites lounge beverages (is it an 11-11 type situation for water & soda?) and honestly I'm pretty bored of the UDP restaurant offerings so Coastal Kitchen here we come. I of course am bringing & hiding ducks on this sailing but like you we will enjoy the suites neighborhood and the Solarium...I do love the fact that Coco Cay is on the second day of the sailing. I do wish we would be stopping at Labadee also but again like you we are there for the ship!

This will be super insightful comparing the two sailings with the same itinerary weeks apart. We need 2 bathrooms with a teenage daughter....her lotions and potions need their own space, ugh! Just much more comfortable. I booked this CLS on release day so I did feel the price was fair. Cabin has gone way up since then. 3 GS are cool, opening all those balconies up super cool. I laughed with your RUB comment, we were invited on a family sailing an overlaping week.. so maybe this date was supposed to happen. I'm sure I would be "hiding" in the Diamond lounge the entire sailing, lol! I'm thinking when I receive the concierge email if I can't secure some earlier show times I will respectfully ask if they can reserve us the earlier times. We are going to Nachi Cocum I'm Cozumel for the first time as everyone on this site raves about it! We have cococay club day passes we purchased last black Friday sale...the cabanas for the 3 of us are to pricey, I just can't do it. A party like yours makes so much more sense. There is nothing wrong with frugal...honestly most things frugal I enjoy that much more as I don't feel "cheated" You are going to have the best time!!

Yay, the suite neighborhood! We are in a CLS and will be doing #CK nightly. Curious and excited to hear about your experiences. We are staying the night before at the Residence Inn driving over from Tampa. You are going to have the best time.

@OCSC Mike OMG, thanks so much you made me chuckle! I'll talk to you for sure!! 8 people? You are brave. I think since you explained your experience maybe the earlier shows will open at the 30 day mark. I look forward to hearing about your experiences on the ship. I'm nervous about so many people. Funny, I was going to book the one you are on but we were sailing with another family (teens were tight) and they begged us to change the date so they could make it, thus 06/25 not my choice!!! Fast forward our schedules and finances are challenging (college around the corner) we almost canceled; kids had a falling out and now the other family did cancel. Thanks for the 411! Did you RUB? Were your offerings ridiculously high like ours? I hope for you an amazing sailing!

Happy check in day! I was fortunate enough to secure the 1030 slot. The shows are available to book but it's strange they display the times of the shows but will only allow you to book mostly the late shows. 2230 and later! Example, day 3 ice show 2030hrs & 2230hrs but only 2230 is available to book, do they hold back the early shows? Inquiring minds want to know. Hummmm, I Wonder if I should do a live blog????

Wow, that was a fun one! I get it, I do, I do!!! @asquared17 you will have a beautiful day today, looks like Adventure is joining you today at PDCC ! They are pulling in now. You are right on their tail. I prefer when there are NOT 2 Oasis class on the Island. (I'm glad it's a bit smaller class of ship joining you today, for sure.) I feel like at that point (when there are 2 Oasis class) there's just to many people, just because the Island reports holding 10,000 doesn't mean it's wonderful for the guests, I don't enjoy that. Have a perfect day!! Oh no, I'm now singing that song in my head

Is the water taxi the only way to Holland House? McDonalds Pancakes drenched in maple syrup, wow. I haven't thought of them for years and years. If it was Micky D for breakfast I always opted for the pancakes! Funny!! Great pictures, the beach looks so inviting. I get missing the ocean views and balcony. I sailed one of the front suites on the Mariner, I enjoyed it and the views were awesome, but I must admit I missed being able to relax on my balcony. I think it was 1804, one and done with that cabin.

@SweetPea I'm a flip flop/sandal girl. Even when I visit up North my piggies are pedicured and on display for the world. I'm a firm believer when my feet are comfortable I feel all the better. Simply put at my age I dress for comfort, respectful but not for anyone else but me! I love that you wore them on your wedding, you go girl!!

This happened to us on the Harmony years ago. We purchased a bottle opener in the shop down a few decks and now it comes on all our trips in our emergency kit. Comes in super handy while travelling

Oh hell no! They hurt me just looking at them....both pairs! I'm always crazy impressed by women who can pull these off. Thanks for sharing, yikes. Don't come for me I always had to wear boots at work, here is my footwear when cruising, sneakers as well!

Thanks so much for letting me know about the band, if it's DSB band you must go see them (well if you like Journey that is) Seriously, I would book a sailing if I knew ahead of time they were performing. I'm sure there are many moving parts but I wish there was a way the tribute bands schedules were posted and available to us, I would find a way to sail with my favorites. @VACruiser I'm a woman of 50 ++ years and I have no idea what kitten heels are, go figure! lol!!

So glad you are okay! Silver fox!! I love it. What a night, seriously love your skirt. Oh boy, they are reviewing the tapes? I would be mortified more by those tapes, lol! Yay, the skirt stayed in place...thank goodness for small favors. Actually that's a universe did you a solid in that situation.

Oh no! I hate that this happened to you. I'm sure you are in good hands and they will do their best for you. I'm so sorry this happened, prayers up for a speedy back to vacation. Take good care, anxiously waiting for update. Hello J this is the fam, can you let us know please??

Ah, the feather pillow. I always ask for one. We do the same for breakfast. On our last sailing we set up at the Solarium and Cabash & I took turns getting some food and returning. I don't know what is wrong with me, leaving towels and my odds and ends on my chair when I'm not there makes me feel a myriad of emotions and none are good. I love a good sea day! So my family knows if we set up one of us is staying there. It's super windy here as well North of Tampa good call on being on deck. Have they opened the ships library again? If so a quick Clorox wipe and a book bath should be in your future! So sorry about the loud neighbors, hopefully their excitement becomes contained by tomorrow....but you'll be at the gym anyway, I always wondered who went to the gym on a cruise besides my kiddo. Have an amazing day, be mindful of the warm sun rays. They lull you into sunburn!! That balcony is amazing....SCORE!! Now I see why you didn't RUB

Sounds amazing so far....even Cabash is interested. He was asking what are you reading so intently? I told him earlier and he has been asking "any updates yet?" So funny, but he ONLY cruises for me, huh!! Okay, I seriously LOVE those shorts! Can you take a photo of your balcony, please? Again, thanks for bringing us along. Maybe get @Poochcabin number and pass by on the last day, have the cabin steward hide the duck inside!! I just purchased my ducks for June; I have 57 days to go and sailing with you guys makes the time waiting so much more enjoyable. Have fun! Tru water, ewww agreed! Return it, yikes!!

So happy you are officially onboard! Have the best time. I'm looking forward to your trip reports and photos. Enjoy every moment, Neesa! ?? Any tribute bands onboard? If so who? Thanks a bunch

Well.....this just arrived! I know I have RUB issues, but it's a big no! I booked on day 1 so my pricing I felt for the CLS was fair/comfortable. After we decided to keep this sailing I thought I would throw my hat in the RUB ring. I won't bid on any cabin with just one bathroom and the others are just way out of my reach. Cabash would not be happy, oh well. First sailing ever I'm not bidding, I feel sulky.....it's a NO for me Dogg I'm sorry, I just can't get over those starting bids, yikes!!!!

Thanks for the tag @asquared17! Yes, the Ships Captain the night before scheduled disembarkation announced how he had to go super fast to "beat the fog" as they closed the port if the fog was thick. After dinner we realized it was very quiet, we were just floating, we were to late. Our cabin steward told us this happened frequently in Galveston as well. The ship did their very best to take care of us but you could often hear people's frustration and anger as they had missed their flights as the hours ticked away. We were in a suite and disembarked at around 1700hrs but we heard some could not get off the ship until 1900hrs. This was November 2022

Safe travels. I enjoyed your blog as always. I looked forward to your thoughts as well as pictures. As someone who just walks through the casino you had me wanting to go in and at least try my luck with my free play. Anxiously waiting on your next adventure!

Outside the box here, please don't hate on me I was wondering about the " like clockwork survey" after every sailing in a different way. They pretty much know their product and are happy with it, that's why we keep returning, right? Maybe they are "providing" an outlet as well with this tool for any complaints, negative experiences or personal perception misunderstandings. This way when you have left the ship and the experience is fresh in your mind....wow, here's an outlet, let me tell them how frustrated I am, etc. The survey comes hours after you step off the ship when you are still all emotions tied to the sailing. If you get it out right away, even in the form of other then 10 scoring it provides the "relief" of having unburdened yourself, leaving you less likely to continue expressing the product negativity with other outlets and as well. Allows you an avenue to feel "heard". "Well they care, so I will surely sail them again in the future" As I'm sailing only since 2016 it seems little positive changes for the customers anymore, just cost savings measures couched as "we are doing something wonderful for your experience" I understand this, any company is in business to provide a product for a profit, but does anyone see any positive or constructive change from any of the feedback, I'm not sure. Maybe ? I think it has become less to do with the content and more to do with the action. How do we keep those repeat customers sailing? The team members of the Ship are sort of a casualty of getting caught up in this cycle.

@Cile Land O Lakes here, but we usually say Tampa as no one knows where it is! Have you been watching the price jumps? OMG, after final payment lots of available cabins, some over 30,000 for 2 people!! Yikes! See you onboard