Pookie

Raisins are disgusting. Waste of a perfectly good grape that could have been made into wine?

Raisins are disgusting. Waste of a perfectly good grape that could have been made into wine?

Raisins are disgusting. Waste of a perfectly good grape that could have been made into wine?

We got the “no” today on M&M’s also.  Now I’m going to ask for the Seafood Tower in the Escape Room - to be delivered by one of the CATS.  In costume.  I don’t know how to insert a smiley face or I would!  Just seems bizarre that people request special bottles of booze and specialty lunches in the room on day 1 and that’s good but you cant get a bag of M&M’s!!  I’ll keep you posted @Pookie. 

I hope it changes too.  The hubster is not impressed so far.  

Spending most of our day on our balcony!! Just a peaceful day. 

Have I mentioned that I really need to sail in the RLS???! lol

Yes they are!!!! And it’s a huge selection! 
 
We had a huge spread sent for lunch, we had Sabor chips and guac/ salsa, burgers, fries, onion rings and part of the seafood tower brought to the room. That was really nice. We  finished  the muster then we hit the champagne bar for some martinis now we are on the deck waiting for sail away!

Thank you all!
 
So we met Luciano! He is super nice and helpful. He took us straight to our room. Lexi had to be the first on and she couldn’t wait to hang out with him. 
Big difference we noticed between the RLS on Harmony and Allure.... the carpet downstairs. However the room is so nice and clean. 
 
 
I will post photos of my in laws owners Pan in just a bit. 
 
lexi is already in the hot tub playing and we are waiting on lunch. 

I hope it changes too.  The hubster is not impressed so far.  

Yes, same timing on the initial email for us.  We are pretty self sufficient and the two things out of the ordinary that I requested were pretzel m&ms (hubster)and Fresca (daughter).  The answer was there is a candy store on board and Royal only carries Coke products.  So it surprises me that other people are asking for unusual boozes, etc., and their requests are being granted.  Apparently there are a lot of variations between in Genies and ships.

Yes, same timing on the initial email for us.  We are pretty self sufficient and the two things out of the ordinary that I requested were pretzel m&ms (hubster)and Fresca (daughter).  The answer was there is a candy store on board and Royal only carries Coke products.  So it surprises me that other people are asking for unusual boozes, etc., and their requests are being granted.  Apparently there are a lot of variations between in Genies and ships.

Nothing wrong with hating raisins. They ruin bread pudding too. Do appreciate your respect for them though, how you capitalize their name. ?

Hopefully you don’t possess my irrational hatred of Raisins. Nothing ruins a piece of Apple pie faster than those. 

Some odds and ends:
 
Travel:  We will be flying from Palm Springs, California to Miami on American Airlines with a change of planes in Dallas.  We’ll leave out here at 630am and arrive in Miami at 630pm. Flying in on the day before the cruise.  Staying in a two bedroom suite somewhere in Miami.  Nurse Ratchet made all of the travel plans so I’ll just follow her there.  Ill let you know when I get there! No plans yet for the night in Miami that I know of.  I’m fairly certain it will include food and cocktails!  
 
Genie Requests:  He is working on ideas to celebrate the twins December birthday and the Doctor’s recent graduation.  I think this year we will enjoy the sail away for our deck so I think we will ask for some food and a drink or two for that.  If we follow our cruising habits we will have a few breakfasts and afternoon snacks, also on the balcony. We enjoy the front row seating at the shows, morning Starbucks, laundry and the escort off the ship. Not requesting a cabana at Labadee.  We’ll request time in the Escape Room. Hopefully the helipad sail away from Labadee. We’re pretty laid back.
 
Food:  We’re waiting for Allan’s suggested schedule but I’m certain we’ll do Chops, Giovanni’s, 150, Izumi, CK on filet night and then go back to whatever was best. Lunches are pretty much played by ear.  I think most breakfast’s will be either on the balcony or in CK.  We definitely hit Portside BBQ and El Loco Fresh. I have said on each of the last three cruises that I was going to try the Dog House and didn’t. I’m going to do it this time!  I’m sure there will be sushi and pizza in the mix somewhere!
 
Side Note.  I’m seeing that Mario Salcedo, or Super Mario is now onboard the Oasis.  It would be fun to chat with him I think.  But then again, I’m pretty impressed I know the manger of our local hardware store.
The meme is for @teddy to keep that song playing in your head!
More to come….

@Pookie, I’ll be sure and keep you posted on details.  We received his 1st email at about 33 days out. Since then we have traded several emails and he has been very prompt with reply’s. That’s a good sign,

On our last cruise, we had an owners suite and took our son and his girlfriend.  I had an almost fatal accident in not realizing that they are not neat and tidy with their belongings as my hubster and me.  They were situated in the “living room” which was between us and the balcony. One of the things I love to do is rise super early to see the sunrise/enjoy the balcony while it is quiet.  Just a me and the sea sort of thing.  The first morning I popped out of bed and went to the go out on the balcony and in the complete darkness, tripped over a pair of shoes, pirouetted and took out a side chair with a whole bunch of clothing that actually ended up cushioning my fall, got back up, snagged my foot in more clothing and went down again.  I think a somersault was involved, but was too shocked and laughing too hard to be fully sure.  Needless to say, I didn’t try to do that again for the rest of the trip.
While they are not cruising with us this time, I bought battery tea lights to help traverse nighttime wanderings anyway ?
 

Safe travels! Pace yourself!?

Excited to read your live blog, not just for the star class info, but also the insider trading info on Allan?.  He’s our wish grantor on Feb 9th...

Excited to read your live blog, not just for the star class info, but also the insider trading info on Allan?.  He’s our wish grantor on Feb 9th...

Excited to read your live blog, not just for the star class info, but also the insider trading info on Allan?.  He’s our wish grantor on Feb 9th...

Well, actually we’ll fly on down, but you get the idea.
Warnings/Disclaimers:  This blog is the sole opinions and thoughts of just the old guy who is writing it.  It doesn't reflect the thoughts, opinions, clarity, good sense or tact possessed by those sailing with me.  And to be clear, I don’t have the sense of humor, literary skills, or good judgement of most of you who post these live blogs.  But I'm going to do it anyway.  I guess I can be labeled as a “lurker” on this site.  I read it daily but have made only a few comments.  So today I take the plunge and become one of you by just jumping in the deep end with a live blog! 
Two weeks from today I will be in the air traveling from Palm Springs, California to Miami to begin our next Star Class adventure.  In 2017 we sailed on the Oasis in a crown loft suite and thought we had found the ultimate way to cruise.  But no, there was more to discover!  In 2018 we booked another crown loft, this time on the Allure.  A month or so later while checking for a price reduction I stumbled across something called the.Royal loft Suite!  After watching a quick YouTube video of that suite I quickly booked it.  YOLO as someone on this blog always says.  We sailed in July with Dave Mac as our Genie and there was no turning back.  In May of 2019 we cruised in the RLS on the Harmony with the amazing, wonderful Ariceli who I think has spoiled us for life!  As I said, there’s no turning back now so two weeks from tomorrow we will be in the RLS on the “new” Oasis and will have Allan as our Genie.  
If this blog goes as planned you will see and hear much about each of us and what we will be doing during the week. So let me introduce our merry band of sailors:
Stacy, my bride and partner.  I many times refer to her as Pollyanna, which is defined as “an excessively cheerful or optimistic person.”  Defines her to a T.  She sees the good in everything and everyone.  Poor thing. My Pollyanna uses those traits everyday as she toils as an RN, or BSN to be accurate, in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Desert Hospital in Palm Springs.  She is our cruise planner, specializing in the culinary aspects of the Star Class experience.  As she takes her break from those 12 hour shifts at the hospital she will be seen around the ship with a permanent smile on her face and a blended Love Connection drink in her hand.  I expect she will pop in on this blog and provide you with some of her excessive cheerfulness!
Shari who I refer to as Polyanna2.  Yeah, no kidding.  Another one.  Stacy’s identical twin sister.  The Oasis is a big ship but I’m not sure there’s room enough for this goodness!  She and her family have cruised with us the last three trips but this time she will leave them behind at jobs and school while she gets a well deserved week of relaxation. Shari is the 24/7 caregiver for her mother-in-law who suffers from dementia. That’s a task where that Pollyanna thing coms in pretty handy.  I expect the twins to be side by side everyday and although they act and talk alike you can tell them apart by their hands.  Shari’s will be holding a Bud Light!
Daughter Taylor, almost 21. Young T, as I call her, is a preschool teacher with with a gaggle of I think 3 year olds.  Can you imagine?  A classroom full of germ carrying, tantrum throwing, runny nosed 3 year olds and Taylor is too young to drink!  T is the calm, chill one in the group.  She gets that from me.  You will find her sleeping late, spending lazy days in the sun and with one of two things in her hand.  Her Starbucks or a virgin Pina Colada.  I told our Genie that I think T holds the Harmony record for most virgin Pina Coladas consumed in one week!  We might also find her in the casino which she discovered last year. 
Daughter Kaitlyn, 30 something.  The party girl of the bunch. She is also a nurse like her mom. But she is in the other Intensive Care Unit – the one for adults.  Same hospital as her mom.  On December 19th Katie received her Doctorate of Nurse Practioner degree which we will be celebrating on the cruise.  So now she has more letters behind her name:  Dr. Taylor, RN, BSN, DNP, EIEIO. I asked the Genie for time in the engine room for this one because she can talk and drink like a seasoned sailor!  You’ll recognize her by her flaming red hair the the gin and tonic in her hand.  Or a Margarita. Or a vodka and soda.  Or…well you get the idea. 
Rounding our our group is yours truly, Jim. The quiet one of the group.  I will usually be found on that massive balcony at our suite, on the quiet suite sun deck or in the suite lounge.  With a Jack Daniels and sprite in one hand and a camera in the other. My plan is to try and share as much here in words and photos as I can.  I have enjoyed and learned so much from reading others blogs here so I hope to return that favor.  I’m sure much of the blog will deal with Star Class aspects as I try to justify why we spend a bazillion dollars every year to do this!  I will be doing Genie recon for those sailing after us and will certainly try to answer questions anyone has once we board.  We plan on eating everywhere except the Chef’s Table this year. We’ll even work in the MDR for a breakfast or lunch and a couple of trips to the Jammer.  I think we will do all of the shows. Even Cats.  Yep, I’m gonna do it.  I’ll spend the afternoon in the suite lounge slamming the Jack and sprites and then go experience the feline extravaganza!  We have no plans for Cozumel or Falmouth. Just maybe a little shopping and back on the ship.  We are looking forward to Labadee which we all love.  A relaxing day on the suite beach.  
In the lead up to our sail day I plan to share more about our travel plans, our night in Miami, our previous experiences with RC and how we survive the Miami airport as we disembark on Super Bowl Sunday.  I might have to involve Jack in breakfast plans that morning!  I know its somewhat early to post but I’m hoping we can all share and get to know each other by our sail date. It’s not too early by Matt or Sabrina’s standards but it is early!
So come along for the ride with this crazy bunch as we embark on our 3rd Star Class adventure. It’s a long way from my first sailing on the Song of Norway.

On our last cruise, we had an owners suite and took our son and his girlfriend.  I had an almost fatal accident in not realizing that they are not neat and tidy with their belongings as my hubster and me.  They were situated in the “living room” which was between us and the balcony. One of the things I love to do is rise super early to see the sunrise/enjoy the balcony while it is quiet.  Just a me and the sea sort of thing.  The first morning I popped out of bed and went to the go out on the balcony and in the complete darkness, tripped over a pair of shoes, pirouetted and took out a side chair with a whole bunch of clothing that actually ended up cushioning my fall, got back up, snagged my foot in more clothing and went down again.  I think a somersault was involved, but was too shocked and laughing too hard to be fully sure.  Needless to say, I didn’t try to do that again for the rest of the trip.
While they are not cruising with us this time, I bought battery tea lights to help traverse nighttime wanderings anyway ?
 

From past experience, in addition to the food coma, we have also experienced the booze coma.  One thing we find distasteful is watered down drinks because the ice melts when we’re not swilling them fast enough.  In an effort to slow the process down, I requested of our Genie that any drinks brought/ordered to our stateroom have no ice and to also keep us stocked in ice.  AND I purchased these:

On our last cruise, we had an owners suite and took our son and his girlfriend.  I had an almost fatal accident in not realizing that they are not neat and tidy with their belongings as my hubster and me.  They were situated in the “living room” which was between us and the balcony. One of the things I love to do is rise super early to see the sunrise/enjoy the balcony while it is quiet.  Just a me and the sea sort of thing.  The first morning I popped out of bed and went to the go out on the balcony and in the complete darkness, tripped over a pair of shoes, pirouetted and took out a side chair with a whole bunch of clothing that actually ended up cushioning my fall, got back up, snagged my foot in more clothing and went down again.  I think a somersault was involved, but was too shocked and laughing too hard to be fully sure.  Needless to say, I didn’t try to do that again for the rest of the trip.
While they are not cruising with us this time, I bought battery tea lights to help traverse nighttime wanderings anyway ?