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Pookie

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  1. Like
    Pookie reacted to Queenbeecruises in Wish upon a STAR class cruise 11/30/19 - 12/7/19   
    Hi all.  It's Melissa here.  I am going to try and do something that I have always wanted to do...A Live Blog of our Symphony of the Seas cruise.  Let me first introduce myself.  If you watch Below Deck on Bravo then you will understand that I am the primary!  AHHHHHH.  I love being in charge...lol.  Joining me will be my wonderful husband, Axel (6) and Emily (3), my parents, my grandmother, and rounding out my motley crew is my brother.  You can probably tell by the name of my blog that we are a family that loves Disney.  But a close second would be Royal Caribbean.  We will be lavishly living it up in the Villa Suite on November 30, 2019.  I know what you are thinking...why start a blog so early?  I guess I am just too dang excited not to get my thoughts down.  My hope that you all enjoy yourself while reading this, and it may help future cruisers. 
     
  2. Like
    Pookie reacted to AshleyDillo in First Time Star Class!!!   
    We did Playmakers for lunch on the first day on Symphony.  It was a perfect start to the cruise.  No need to worry about reservations or anything. 
    We boarded early (as soon as the ship was cleared) and we were taken to our room.  The Genie had the room stocked with the pre-requested beverages when we arrived and I think there was a dish with some random hors d'oeuvres that were probably a suite thing.  I think if you get onboard early and go straight to your room it may be a little premature to expect food requests upon arrival.  I know when we returned from lunch on embarkation day there was food in the room and pretty much from there on for the entire rest of the cruise there was food waiting for us in the room when we returned in the afternoon.  Any time we came across something that we wanted, we just let the Genie know and she took care of it. 
    I know sometimes you will read about the Genies proactively pre-empting a request but you can't expect that.  You can't be disappointed that an unspoken request was not fulfilled.  Don't worry about feeling too demanding; if you want something just ask.  It can be very specific -- we requested the grilled shrimp from Hooked one day as we hadn't tried it when we ate there and then when we returned from our show we had 4 plates full of them waiting in our room.  I found a salami on a charcuterie board that I liked during a cabin crawl and we took a photo and sent it to the Genie and ended up with that in our room as a snack. 
    They do have access to SeaPass accounts and review any charges, so they sometimes can garner a preference based on that..even from your no charge drinks that you get out and about the ship.  But sometimes if you don't say anything you aren't giving them much to work with.  
    If they don't offer it, you can ask them to place a room service order for hot breakfast in the morning to be delivered to the room.  Ours set it up as a standing order and then every evening we could let her know if we wanted something different.  You could even order bloody marys or mimosas to be delivered with breakfast..or Starbucks!
    If you have any interest in the special classes onboard (cupcake decorating, sushi making, escape room) then let them know in your response to their introduction email so they can incorporate that into your schedule.  You may not hear anything from them but that first day they will have an itinerary with your scheduled show times, meal times, classes, excursions, etc. and will go over it with you and allow you to make changes.  You can ask them to send you the Coastal Kitchen menus if you want to use those to make a decision on which night you choose to eat there.  If you have private tours or are traveling with a group you can share your pre-scheduled events and they will work around all of those as well.
  3. Like
    Pookie reacted to CHRIS WONG in Hello! I Am A Crew Member!   
    Hi everyone,
     
    For 6 months, I was working in the shops onboard Independence Of The Seas. I actually got the opportunity to meet some of you guys, and I just wanted say thank you for saying hello!
     
    I actually made some YouTube vlogs of my experience during this contract, and wanted to share it with you guys. I'm trying to show what being a Royal Caribbean crew member is like, and I think a lot of you guys will find this very interesting!
     
    In this first vlog, I show you the sign-on process. Me, walking on to the ship as a new crew member - followed by a ship tour.
     
    https://youtu.be/TwY2wMDjpBk
     
    I'm have begun my next contract onboard Mariner Of The Seas for 7 months, starting my new role as a Casino Host.
     
    I hope to meet more of you soon, and ask me any questions you may have about being a crew member!
     
    Please SUBSCRIBE to my channel as well. One day, I hope to vlog for Royal Caribbean full time!
    www.youtube.com/ChristopherWongVLOGS
     
    Chris
  4. Like
    Pookie reacted to ThyriC in What do YOU wish you knew before you cruised?   
    I wish I had known about the green apples and ginger seasickness remedy.  I remember on my first cruise WAY back when, I stared out my porthole at the waves.  Not at the horizon, at the waves.  For HOURS.  I got SOOO motion sick.  I was given a shot from the ship's doctor that knocked me out for 5 hours, but I was SO much better afterwards.  Now I was a teen at the time so I have no clue how much it cost my parents for the shot, but it was worth it, for me.
    And I learned my lesson the next cruise.  I ate green apples and took a little crystalized ginger at the first sign of queasiness, and no sea sickness.  I could stare at the waves without any issue.  
    After that I started taking bonine or would get the patch from my doctor.  The patch does make me a bit drowsy, but it works for me.  Bonine for me is a bit hit or miss.  Essentially I need something that knocks me out and then I'm good or the green apples and ginger.  I wish they made a green apple and ginger smoothie for seasickness onboard, because there's something magical about that combination for me
  5. Like
    Pookie reacted to SPS in What do YOU wish you knew before you cruised?   
    My comments made it into the video. I feel like such a celebrity!
    (No autographs or paparazzi, please!)
  6. Love
    Pookie reacted to Loyal to Royal in What do YOU wish you knew before you cruised?   
    I wish I had known that you can load money to your slot machine from your seapass card at no fee - then cash in the voucher for whatever you loaded to your card instead of using an ATM and paying a fee. We wanted just another $50 to spend ashore and didn't know that trick so ended up paying an ATM fee. My family member that was cruising with me showed me that trick after we left port and the casino reopened. Was kicking myself for that one even though it wasn't a huge deal. 
  7. Like
    Pookie got a reaction from Srp431 in What do YOU wish you knew before you cruised?   
    That I did not need to pack so many clothes.  
  8. Like
    Pookie reacted to mathbees in Oasis of the Seas - Star Class - Royal Genie   
    We did an aquatheater last summer.  Yes, we felt a little awkward, at times, with some of the bourgeois perks.  One example: we went to the Izumi Hibachi (like a Benihana).  When they served water, everyone else at the table got tap water, but they made a big deal about giving us bottled water.
    Also, the daily (hourly?) gifts the genie gave us was way over the top: chocolate covered strawberries, milk shakes, etc.  Once the genie found out which drinks we liked, what snacks, etc. we were constantly finding them in our room.
    If we do a star class again, we will definitely curtail some of the benefits. We're simple people who like to be spoiled just a little...
  9. Like
    Pookie reacted to WAAAYTOOO in Oasis of the Seas - Star Class - Royal Genie   
    I guess maybe I will be next “up”.  We are in the Grand Panoramic Suite on Oasis Dec 1.  We have already received our [useless] questionnaire but have not yet heard from our Genie.
    I am a terrible live blogger b/c I don’t take pictures and I only have an iPad so I try and minimize the narratives (to everyone’s relief, I’m sure).  Since it seems that we will be the first to experience the newly amped Oasis is SC, I will make more of an effort than I have in the past.
    So excited for you, Pookie (I love both your names !). The first SC is so amazing.  Just wait until you do your first B2B SC. Then you will really understand decadence !
    ???
  10. Like
    Pookie reacted to GregD in Oasis of the Seas - Star Class - Royal Genie   
    Try not to wreck the place. I’ll be in that same cabin in February ’21!
  11. Like
    Pookie reacted to Lovetocruise2002 in Oasis of the Seas - Star Class - Royal Genie   
    I would only pre-book two things:  Cabana on Coco Cay and Shore Excursions.  All else, let the Genie do it.  The sushi making and cupcake classes are included.  Same with the Escape room and the behind the scenes tour and the bridge tour.  Wait for your Genie.  The money is better in your account than Royal's.  Does not make sense to book it first.
    And @Pookie, I think we have the same cabin! 
  12. Like
    Pookie reacted to AshleyDillo in Oasis of the Seas - Star Class - Royal Genie   
    Haha yep.  Same with the activities that you booked.  The Genie will take care of refunding you for all of that if you don't go ahead and cancel before the Cruise Planner closes.  You make sure to tell the Genie that you are interested in the classes and they will definitely offer you the behind the scenes ship tour as well.
  13. Like
    Pookie reacted to betatke1480 in Oasis of the Seas - Star Class - Royal Genie   
    I wouldn’t book anything. The genie will handle it all for you. We are on Oasis in Star Class next February also. The genie will handle all of your entertainment and dining. It’s tough to let go of the planning for some people, myself included, but’s that’s part of what we pay for!
  14. Like
    Pookie got a reaction from ellcee in Oasis of the Seas - Star Class - Royal Genie   
    In early 2018, while on Adventure of the Seas partaking in a few adult beverages, the hubster (who I affectionately call Yummy) and I booked our upcoming cruise in February with Next Cruise. Typically, we book suites of one sort or another.  This time, in our "happy & relaxed" state, we chose an Aqua Theater Suite on Oasis of Seas, (choking somewhat on the cost!) as a surprise for our daughter for her graduation from high school. (This will be her first cruise).  At that time, perks were mentioned, but as the cruise was two years out, we did not remember what was said.  (We claim to this day it was not the fault of our refreshments.)
    We are almost down to the ninety day mark and we've been reading/watching videos for every scrap of information we can find about Star Class/Royal Genies.  The Live Blogs are a particular favorite. We have combed social media for pics of the drydock process.  Our excitement knows no bounds and we are like little kids who have had too much candy!  I have a tote started with items to go, computer lists... we have vowed to not OVERPACK.  We have vowed to be ORGANIZED for our Genie so he/she will not have to struggle with what we hope to achieve.  I hope to Live Blog and will probably start out doing so. After the first day...who knows... 
    I sent this GIF to my daughter this morning with the fact that there will be less than 60 Star Class passengers on board:
     
    We would never act this way, but I do wonder if we will feel this way....BAHAHAHA
    I would like to thank @WAAAYTOOO, @SweetPea and @Lovetocruise2002 for all the great information they have provided! 
    I hope to provide an account of what our experiences are for future Star Class cruisers.
     
    Pookie  (Yummy's pet name for me.)
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    .
     
  15. Like
    Pookie got a reaction from ANGELA ROMAN in Oasis of the Seas - Star Class - Royal Genie   
    Regarding the information of all the sources I have found, there appears to be varying accounts of what and what is not included with Star Class.  For instance, I booked and prepaid for the sushi making class and also the behind the scenes tour.  I'm wondering if I made an error in doing so.  We also thought we would make our dinner reservations, but the cruise planner wants to charge us.  This resulted in me calling RCCL and being told to go ahead and book, they will refund once on board.  I had a feeling I would end up with a bunch of onboard credit if I booked the restaurants.  Definitely didn't want that...
    Common sense says RCCL should have code written in to link cabin type with the cruise planner,
     
    and would open up a whole other conversation about their horrible website...
  16. Haha
    Pookie got a reaction from SweetPea in Oasis of the Seas - Star Class - Royal Genie   
    In early 2018, while on Adventure of the Seas partaking in a few adult beverages, the hubster (who I affectionately call Yummy) and I booked our upcoming cruise in February with Next Cruise. Typically, we book suites of one sort or another.  This time, in our "happy & relaxed" state, we chose an Aqua Theater Suite on Oasis of Seas, (choking somewhat on the cost!) as a surprise for our daughter for her graduation from high school. (This will be her first cruise).  At that time, perks were mentioned, but as the cruise was two years out, we did not remember what was said.  (We claim to this day it was not the fault of our refreshments.)
    We are almost down to the ninety day mark and we've been reading/watching videos for every scrap of information we can find about Star Class/Royal Genies.  The Live Blogs are a particular favorite. We have combed social media for pics of the drydock process.  Our excitement knows no bounds and we are like little kids who have had too much candy!  I have a tote started with items to go, computer lists... we have vowed to not OVERPACK.  We have vowed to be ORGANIZED for our Genie so he/she will not have to struggle with what we hope to achieve.  I hope to Live Blog and will probably start out doing so. After the first day...who knows... 
    I sent this GIF to my daughter this morning with the fact that there will be less than 60 Star Class passengers on board:
     
    We would never act this way, but I do wonder if we will feel this way....BAHAHAHA
    I would like to thank @WAAAYTOOO, @SweetPea and @Lovetocruise2002 for all the great information they have provided! 
    I hope to provide an account of what our experiences are for future Star Class cruisers.
     
    Pookie  (Yummy's pet name for me.)
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    .
     
  17. Haha
    Pookie got a reaction from Matt in Oasis of the Seas - Star Class - Royal Genie   
    In early 2018, while on Adventure of the Seas partaking in a few adult beverages, the hubster (who I affectionately call Yummy) and I booked our upcoming cruise in February with Next Cruise. Typically, we book suites of one sort or another.  This time, in our "happy & relaxed" state, we chose an Aqua Theater Suite on Oasis of Seas, (choking somewhat on the cost!) as a surprise for our daughter for her graduation from high school. (This will be her first cruise).  At that time, perks were mentioned, but as the cruise was two years out, we did not remember what was said.  (We claim to this day it was not the fault of our refreshments.)
    We are almost down to the ninety day mark and we've been reading/watching videos for every scrap of information we can find about Star Class/Royal Genies.  The Live Blogs are a particular favorite. We have combed social media for pics of the drydock process.  Our excitement knows no bounds and we are like little kids who have had too much candy!  I have a tote started with items to go, computer lists... we have vowed to not OVERPACK.  We have vowed to be ORGANIZED for our Genie so he/she will not have to struggle with what we hope to achieve.  I hope to Live Blog and will probably start out doing so. After the first day...who knows... 
    I sent this GIF to my daughter this morning with the fact that there will be less than 60 Star Class passengers on board:
     
    We would never act this way, but I do wonder if we will feel this way....BAHAHAHA
    I would like to thank @WAAAYTOOO, @SweetPea and @Lovetocruise2002 for all the great information they have provided! 
    I hope to provide an account of what our experiences are for future Star Class cruisers.
     
    Pookie  (Yummy's pet name for me.)
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    .
     
  18. Like
    Pookie reacted to mk-ultra in Allure 9/29 - 7 Night Eastern Caribbean   
    Getting off the ship and through customs was a breeze this morning.  I always do the self-hauling departure.  At 7:30AM, I and my luggages lugged ourselves down to deck 5.  It took about 20 minutes to complete the 3/4 lap of the jogging track to card-out and head down the gangway to CBP.  Port Everglades has the fancy biometric face scanners.  I was through Customs in all of 15 seconds.
    Grabbed a cab to the W.  About halfway through the ride, I noticed the driver hadn’t started the meter.  Hrm.  I don’t think they flat-rate anything here, do they?  Trip from W to the ship was $13.  Unmetered trip from the ship back to the W was $20.  Whatever.
    Weather here is great.  I know, I need to invest in more adjectives.  82F with little broken clouds aspiring to turn into cumulous.  Out by the pool, they give a nice shady break about every 5 minutes.  Maybe some rain starting at 5PM.
    Scored an excellent room upgrade.  Ocean facing 12th floor corner room with a wrap-around balcony.  Very much liking it.  Checked rates — the room I got is priced 2x higher than the room I booked.  W00t!  After baking at the pool for 4 hours, I’m watching other people bake while I enjoy the shade and the breeze up here.
    \


    ?

  19. Love
    Pookie reacted to stephenkurucz in Allure 9/29 - 7 Night Eastern Caribbean   
    Wow what a view!!
  20. Haha
    Pookie reacted to mk-ultra in Allure 9/29 - 7 Night Eastern Caribbean   
    Oh thank god.  This sounds stupid as hell, but I left my wide-brimmed hat in my hotel room.  It’s a ratty, beige, cotton and utterly boring boonie hat.  Worn to shit.  It’s also been on my head for every hike and vacation I’ve taken in the last 30+ years.  If that hat could speak, it could tell some fantastic tales.
    Called the W.  They sent someone up to my room, found it on the couch where I’d left it, and security will hold it for me (staying with them again next Sunday at the end of this cruise).
    Sorry, hat.  You’ve stuck with me.  This shouldn’t have happened.  Sorry you’re at the hotel instead of on the ship with me.

  21. Like
    Pookie reacted to mk-ultra in Allure 9/29 - 7 Night Eastern Caribbean   
    Twist my arm then.

  22. Like
    Pookie reacted to marti314 in Diamond Lounge versus Concierge   
    I dont think Diamond Plus gets into the Concierge Lounge, only suites.
  23. Like
    Pookie reacted to Srp431 in What do YOU wish you knew before you cruised?   
    Bringing too much clothes, have to reminder wife, that she can wear clothes twice and no one will even notice.
  24. Like
    Pookie reacted to WannaCruise in What do YOU wish you knew before you cruised?   
    MDR on a sea day has best salad bar (Tutti Fruiti).  
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