Jmccaffrey

Pics or it did not happen.

Already told my wife we HAVE to go support Chris by spending a lot of time in the casino 😄

Happy to share with you all that I will be joining Icon Of The Seas later this year, and I will be a part of the start-up team.
 
I look forward to seeing all of you who have booked a cruise for 2024!
 
I'm excited to make video on the newest, biggest, and best ship in the world!
 
 

Wonder if Carnival needs to hire a chief meteorologist now.

I wouldn't hold my breath hoping a new ship class will be able to squeeze under those low bridges.  Same issue with Tampa.  

We can only hope.  In addition to the Panama Canal, the larger "mega" ships can't access the Baltimore port in North America nor Montenegro in Europe (just 2 examples). 

There have been rumors of "Project Discovery".  Royal likes to call new ship class developments a "project".  However that's all that been known.  
Considering that Vision and Radiance class are all that can use the Panama Canal, it stands to reason that Royal would look to create a new class that could.  Mega ships are great but they are a PITA when deploying ships between the Atlantic and Pacific.  They need something that can.
Without any proof or facts, I've always thought that taking the Edge class platform, the basic hull design, not an Edge class ship and painting a Royal name on it, they could leverage a successful hull design and save that engineering cost, and by using LNG engines, build on that hull design to create a new class for Royal.  
  

Dear Matt,
My wife and I decided to celebrate our 50th anniversary as a Star Class passengers on Oasis of the Seas based upon what we learned from you and your Royal Caribbean blog on YouTube. We thank you and your blog for a wonderful cruise.
Based upon your advice:
We scoured recent Cruise Compasses for Oasis of the Seas. When our  Royal Genie, Derrick Martis (who made our cruise magical), contacted us prior to the cruise, we texted him a list of what we wanted to do. Upon boarding, Derrick presented us with a full schedule (date, time and location) of everything we asked for. Unfortunately the Aqua Show was cancelled because of a hydraulic leak. 
We checked in (including the health questionnaire) online and got to the ship at our scheduled boarding time so boarding was a snap. We went directly to our muster station. This entire process, curb to cabin, took less than 30 minutes. Also, we bought yellow highlighter, the plastic luggage tags and metal hooks. The luggage tags and highlighter were really helpful, however you should know that suite 1701 on Oasis of the Seas has wallpaper on drywall so the metal hooks don’t stick. It was pretty funny going from surface to surface trying to find non existent metal for the hooks and repeatedly watching them fall to the floor. 

Starting night 1 we went to the Trellis bar in Central Park to enjoy the beautiful view, the Blue Hawaiians (Trellis bar special) and a musician playing Spanish music on an acoustic guitar. Having the Ultimate Drink package allowed us to find quiet spots around the ship for a drink rather than the hubbub of most of the bars. Likewise, the Ultimate Dining package allowed us to eat all our meals in specialty restaurants. Believe it or not, we never made it into the Windjammer (first time in 8 cruises). There was no need. The Royal Genie made sure we had all our desired food, drinks and snacks in our cabin.
We saw Cats, the broadway musical, on board. The performers were excellent with wonderful voices and energy. The best show was the Ice show where the colors and pageantry were show stopping but the physicality of the performers stole the show. This one comic skater kept smashing into the fence to stop his momentum. Then he would jump into the stands and sit in a woman’s lap or kiss her hands; all unexpected and very funny. There was even a mind blowing demonstration of sand art that left the crowd in awe. 
Oasis of the Seas was our 8th Royal Caribbean cruise and our best. We were able to take advantage of everything on board the ship because we knew what to ask for. Thank you!!
Harmony in June (40 days to go). MarioSteve

I just received word that our Crystal Block is on the way!🤩
 
It's here!
 

Honestly I don't need the room done 2 times per day. This is one cut that may benefit the cabin attendant (with increase tips payout) and the Company (saving money on less cabin attendant) without harming us.... I am all for it.

On the Anthem now. Coming up the east coast after leaving Nassau the day before yesterday. Heavy cloud cover. Speeds have been all over the place this cruise. Maybe they’re still tweaking it. Usually download speeds have been between 3 and 8. Sometimes in the teens and twenties. No problem streaming HD movies on Prime, Netflix and YouTube in my room on deck 7 mid.
Then….this. I’m sitting just outside Sorrento’s at 7:51 Christmas morning.

I don't think there is much to talk about when it comes to Utopia.  Oasis Class is my favorite class of ship (I just booked 2 days ago a last minute cruise in February on Symphony), so I'm not throwing shade but she will be the 6th Oasis Class ship to set sail.  I'm not sure there is anymore groundbreaking Royal can do with Oasis Class.  
While there have been some minor variations when first launched between Oasis/Allure, and Harmony, then Harmony and Symphony, then Symphony and Wonder.  I think Utopia will in many ways resemble Wonder it may or may not have more suites depending on how crowed Wonders suite deck gets. My one and so far only cruise on Wonder last year the suite deck didn't feel crowed at all.  Royal may or they may not want to add a few more suites on Utopia.
Also in my opinion when the time comes where Chinese market has rebounded and can support an Oasis Class ship I think either Wonder or Utopia will ultimately end up homeporting in China for the duration of its lifespan in Royals fleet.

They installed her four LNG tanks this week.  

We've done this trip five times...four, as a 12 day and once as the 11 day...we do prefer the 12 day, though.
We like this ship and we also like this port because we don't have to fly to get there.

Just got off this past Sunday. Now I looking forward to this cruise!!!  

It must be sooooo satisfying to peel all those protective films off the glass panels

Sailing allure right now. Asked my attendant.  He said they have been told only 1 service per day starting in January. He was very concerned how he will be able to properly clean 25 rooms by 1pm on turnaround days.

Honestly I don't need the room done 2 times per day. This is one cut that may benefit the cabin attendant (with increase tips payout) and the Company (saving money on less cabin attendant) without harming us.... I am all for it.

Honestly I don't need the room done 2 times per day. This is one cut that may benefit the cabin attendant (with increase tips payout) and the Company (saving money on less cabin attendant) without harming us.... I am all for it.

Think . Less staff = less services. The room stewards now clean more rooms.  They are not going anywhere.  Once a day is fine with me.  Even when I stay at hotels for a week, I tell the maid to come every second day.   You will now begin to notice all the changes as a result of lockdown and losses incurred by Royal and other cruise lines.  You want extra luxury? Open up your wallet and go to Oceana or Regent cruise line. 
 
 

Last two cruises (Sept and Nov) we only got 2 towel animals each 7 day cruise.  Seems like this is now the standard.
 

I asked about the towel animals on our last sailing, the answer....it's a cost savings "green" thing. My stateroom attendant said the towel animals must be laundered every time, so every animal, (all the towels used to make it)  every cabin demands extra towel laundry thus costing in this area. I thought it had to do with time management, but it's under the saving energy etc. umbrella. Who knew? Not me! Just wow! 

This is just code for "there are no rooms available, so the only chance you have at an upgrade is if someone cancels after the RoyalUp window closes"