USCG Teacher

Rates are better, too, although every cruise is an interior GTY. 🤷🏻‍♂️

If there is a custody complication involved, be sure and obtain notarized permission

Allure last week and we had the disc and it was about 90 minutes for us. However, it was a bit more difficult to get the sequence changed but I believe I was in part just a language barrier thing and frankly since you can refuse a serving I should not have tried to change the order. lol
Food was great and we dined there because it was a specialty restaurant we hadn't tried before even though we had been on the Allure 4 times before this sailing.

I was on two weeks ago and had the same experience.  Filet and tenderloin were fairly early on, we absolutely had the red/green disc, and the servers had no issue at all if any of us wanted to skip a particular meat.  Our experience was somewhere between 90 mins. to 2 hours, but that was definitely more of an us issue than a them one.  It was only about 60% full and still a long ways to closing, so we didn't feel rude lingering and enjoying a few glasses of wine...

BEER'S KNEES
Beertinis and Cockt-ales
The English Pub
 

 
Has anyone had "Bee's Knees"?
I haven't. Maybe I should make one to compare it with this "Beer" version

I'd say it has the best Diamond Lounge location of any of the Oasis class

I was on two weeks ago and had the same experience.  Filet and tenderloin were fairly early on, we absolutely had the red/green disc, and the servers had no issue at all if any of us wanted to skip a particular meat.  Our experience was somewhere between 90 mins. to 2 hours, but that was definitely more of an us issue than a them one.  It was only about 60% full and still a long ways to closing, so we didn't feel rude lingering and enjoying a few glasses of wine...

No worries at all, you've got enough on your plate!  And it's a standing offer. 😉👍🏼

Day 34
As stated, I checked everyone in and told them to fill out the rest of their info. They still have not done it. In just a couple of days I will be able to print luggage tags. I normally create a physical packet with the luggage tags, their set sail pass, hotel confirmations, in this case the train ticket confirmations, and anything else having a physical copy as backup would help. The first time we did a group cruise it was over Halloween, which is my favorite holiday. We had a pre-cruise dinner get together to discuss everything. I created little gift bags because none of them had sailed before and I wanted them to have cruise essentials. I also had ordered us matching t-shirts: one for WDW and one for the cruise. Nobody wore them during the vacation (they all love them now and wear them often) or used any of the cruise essentials. The second cruise on Odyssey I got everyone a lanyard or card clip and luggage tags. Again, nobody used them. Well, my brother used his, but he is sane and normal, so I don't count him when it comes to the rest of the group's tomfoolery 🤣😂. We also had a pre-cruise dinner, where they all begged me to book star class the next time......I am sure everyone knows how that turned out 😂😬. Since I was the one spending money and not feeling appreciated and this planning was the worst, I decided not to do any of that this time. The new vintage also wanted to know if we would be dressing together and for the theme nights. I told her no. My mother and my bffs mother can't follow an assignment to save their life. Some had the audacity to say when are you taking us to dinner to discuss the cruise? I had a good laugh.
When the train was solidified as the mode of transportation. I made plans. I am a little type A, so I always include the itinerary, a packing list, a suggestion list and general outline of what I am doing. I also want to say a big thanks to @USCG Teacher for helping ease my anxiety and answering my fears/questions. Everyone I have talked to about trains mentions the food.  I have been doing the Costco thing and buying nuts, chips, pretzels, granola/protein bars, and candy for both me and the crew in bulk. My original plan was to bring a deconstructed charcuterie/crudité board. That is still part of the plan but getting a meal on the train is off. Most of it is just microwaved frozen items. So, the actual plan is to get a hot meal at the station before boarding. I mentioned this to the vintages, and they all told me they are bringing nothing. They claim I told them not to bother with snacks because the train has food, I had them all pull up the email chain and text thread. Reading is fundamental.
With a full day of train riding, a pre-cruise night at a hotel, and another 24+ hour train ride back. Our vacation is 10 days. Most of the vintages are at 4/6 bags allotted. I will be taking the largest number of bags I have ever taken on any vacation, which will be 3 1/2. My brother and I will share a 29in checked bag. Then I will have my carry-on, a weekender filled with train essentials, and my cooler bag. I recently purchased a new weekender bag
Amazon.com | Travel Duffle Bag, BAGSMART 31L Quilted Weekender Overnight Bag for Women with Laptop Compartment, Large Carry On Airport Bag with Wet Pocket & Shoe Bag for Business Trips, Sports (Purple) | Travel Duffels
I already have a bento box and Igloo hot/cold lunch bag, but I purchased a cooler backpack specifically for this trip.
Amazon.com : Backpack Cooler Backpack 26 Cans Insulated Leak Proof for Women Men Beach Camping Picnic Fishing Hiking Lunch Backpack Waterproof Cooler : Sports & Outdoors
There are some things we cannot live without: coffee, tea, supplements, protein, and other dry/powder things that require a particular type of container. We found these storage containers at TJ MAXX/Family dollar that Amazon sells at $15+ for under $5. 
Amazon.com: SELEWARE Portable Stackable Food Storage Containers for Snacks Formula Powder and Drinks Twist Lock System Airtight Leak-proof BPA and Phthalate Free 4 Piece Jars 31oz Blue : Baby
I have been fielding a lot of calls and texts from vintages who are scrambling to get prepared before vacation. I actually was just asked what ports we were going to and the worst of all, when do we leave. 😱
 

We stayed in this room before. Our genie suggested and I think he was right to see the aqua show once from the theatre and once from the room because the experiences are different. I would suggest you do one showing with your friends at the suite, and ask the genie to have food or an ice cream bar brought up for that, but anticipate you won’t really see the whole show especially with that large a group. There is not enough seating with enough placement for that many people, but if you were ok with some show and some socializing you’d have a good experience. Have a plan though to see the show properly from the theatre another time, so that you get the full show as well  
 
 
 

This is why I prefer my Overcast & Unsettled - 1.5 oz. Kraken and 5 oz. Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer, garnished with a lime wedge. 😉

If you are doing overnight in coach - make sure everyone has their own eye covering and ear plugs.  It does not get pitch dark in the cars because they have to leave lights on near the stairs.  Also, it is noisy with everyone walking thru the cars, opening and closing the doors.  Bring neck pillows and a throw for comfort. 

We sailed out of Cape Liberty on the Adventure of the Seas last August.  I found Cape Liberty to be convenient, clean and safe.  I liked Cape Liberty much better than our last cruise out of New York which was many years ago.
Bill

MUSTER! Seriously get this out of the way as SOON as  you get on board because with so much to do it can be easy to forget. You don't want to be in the group the captain tsks tsks at over the PA. Book your specialty dining. There will be booths for dining, beverage, shore excursions etc all along the promenade. Find the one for dining, and grab your reservations. The popular locations and times fill up fast, especially considering people can book ahead of time. In fact, if you don't have a dining package or TA voucher, book ahead of time via the cruise planner. Grab your drink cups. You don't NEED them right away, but I like to have first pick of colors. Check out where you will be sitting in the Main Dining Room if you have traditional dining (5 or 8 ish). Just go to your assigned dining room and give them  your room number. This is how you can ask for preferred seating like a window seat or seating for just your party. NOTE that if you have My Time Dining you will get whatever seat is available but you will always only be sat with your party. Get the lay of the land ship. I like to walk the popular decks of the ship and get an idea of where things are so you're not too turned around throughout the week. Grab a drink or snack, a comfy chair...and people watch!

This storm appears to be particularly tricky. It speeds up, it slows down, it goes one way and then goes another, and then slows down again. I'm sure people at the various cruise lines are keeping an eye on it and throwing out contingencies, but with this one, it may all be fairly last minute. Nobody on here is going to have any real insight at this point, that might be the only guarantee 🙂

I was on two weeks ago and had the same experience.  Filet and tenderloin were fairly early on, we absolutely had the red/green disc, and the servers had no issue at all if any of us wanted to skip a particular meat.  Our experience was somewhere between 90 mins. to 2 hours, but that was definitely more of an us issue than a them one.  It was only about 60% full and still a long ways to closing, so we didn't feel rude lingering and enjoying a few glasses of wine...

Of all the reasons to be soured off of cruising.............

Hey now... if you lived 1000 miles away you'd learn to appreciate them, lol. I'm not chopping my own raw steak like that friend of my wife's does.
(We don't actually make steak-umms very often but we have).

Yeah, pretty sure that's the plan. It's gonna spoil us, for sure- already trying to find a Bermuda cruise for next year since we haven't been there yet! 
There are quite a few places down there, my buddy from Philly works at a bar in Jacksonville and does pop up cheesesteaks sales and they always look great, and I guess there are a few places near the Phillies Spring training field that are supposed to be pretty good. When we sailed from Miami we saw a cheesesteak truck outside one of the terminals when we were riding in, but it was like 3 terminals down from where we got dropped off so I never walked over to try it (plus I was getting on a ship and a cheesesteak was the last thing on my mind). I DID try the one on coco cay, just because I had to, lol. 
 
Thank you so much!!  

Fair point but it's more bizarre than that. I got one from a food truck run by a guy from Philly who went to Temple... terrible. I found a pizza place that imported Amoroso rolls... but their meat was awful.
I don't expect them to be the best I've ever had but when they come out worse than throwing steak-umm meat in a pan and tossing it into a supermarket hoagie roll, something is just wrong, lol.
My wife became friends with a family from Philly that also moved down here after teaching their child. They make their own cheesesteaks on rolls baked by another friend... now THOSE were good. Unfortunately I can't just drive on over and order one.
I have a couple places nearby with acceptable cheesesteaks and a couple I haven't tried yet (one is new), so it's not a total lost cause I guess.

We are doing coach because the roomettes were sold out when we booked. I have a plan when it comes to food because I don't trust the dining options for such a long trip.

Huge congrats, man.  That is no small feat.  Glad you're able to celebrate, and happy to be following along!
 
To most central FL restaurants' credit, I've always seen them listed as "Philly-style Cheesesteaks," and not Philly Cheesesteaks.  I view this as an explicit admission that they won't be anything remotely close to the real deal, it's just the best they can do.  Fair play.  All that said:
Yup.  

I was on two weeks ago and had the same experience.  Filet and tenderloin were fairly early on, we absolutely had the red/green disc, and the servers had no issue at all if any of us wanted to skip a particular meat.  Our experience was somewhere between 90 mins. to 2 hours, but that was definitely more of an us issue than a them one.  It was only about 60% full and still a long ways to closing, so we didn't feel rude lingering and enjoying a few glasses of wine...

I was on two weeks ago and had the same experience.  Filet and tenderloin were fairly early on, we absolutely had the red/green disc, and the servers had no issue at all if any of us wanted to skip a particular meat.  Our experience was somewhere between 90 mins. to 2 hours, but that was definitely more of an us issue than a them one.  It was only about 60% full and still a long ways to closing, so we didn't feel rude lingering and enjoying a few glasses of wine...