Va4fam

@ChessE4.......great comment and something I have thought about a great deal.

Going to use the word "Flexibility" a lot with the 10 other family members.

Check in, group photo or two, Christmas dinner, and hibachi are probably the only "must do" together activities.  If we can get together once a day, that should be enough.

Little kids will want to play in the pool, 22-25 year olds will want to do something else.  

It's a record until someone can beat it.

Congrats!  The rooms on Odyssey are nice!

Hello.  We have a Holiday cruise on Oasis planned this year.  Assuming it will be at full capacity and want to get as much planned as possible.

11 people (ages 4-80), 6 cabins

I am the "planner" and will do majority of the organizing flights, hotels, dining, etc.  Looking for helpful tips and suggestions for the following:

1>How do I link all of our reservations together so that we can check in at same time, dine together, see shows, and excursions?

2>Dining for 11.   Can we request a table in dining room that seats 11 people?   How do we do that?  How about speciality dining?   I think we would like to do the hibachi one night but tables only sea 8-10 if I remember correctly?  Is there a way to get us all at the same table?

3>Entertainment.    Might be difficult to get 11 people together for Aqua Show or main theater.  Don't want to be a "seat saver" an hour before show.   Suggestions?

4>Pools.   Same question.  I'm not going to save 11 lounge chairs together at 5 AM.   I think everyone will have to be responsible for their own pool plans.  What about Coco Cay  and Labaee.....what are best places to go (short walk) that aren't overcrowded that we can sit near each other?  How early do we need to get there?

Any other suggestions for planning with a larger group would be appreciated. 

Normally I plan for 2, 4, or 5 people.  

  Very tragic scenario with loss of multiple lives likely.

Local radio station said the ship reported a loss of propulsion.   Collision was approximately 1:30 AM. 

Even though we live in Virginia, we used that bridge frequently.  

We have had similar discussions about the repetitive ports.  Really want to try Utopia but not a fan of short Bahamas only options   Do you have more than a week?   Some of the southern/eastern trips tend to be 8-12 days with some built in seas days.   Really enjoy a sea day to start and end our trips now, very relaxing. 

We enjoyed the A and C islands (didn't stop in Bonnaire) on Odyssey of the Seas.   

Really enjoyed Odyssey, very modern--great ship, and Aruba is spectacular.

St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, and San Juan are a great itinerary if you can get it.   Baltimore and Bayonne offer those during winter months.  

43 minutes ago, Cactus527 said:

@smokeybandit, I totally hear you - it doesn't matter if I'm on vacation or doing my normal day, I wake up at the same time ALL. THE. TIME. Argh.

While I'm not a fan of Oasis-class ships in general, I do love the track on there. It's fabulous at 5am, and then fabulous again after 9pm. 

@Va4fam 18 laps for 1 mile?!?? Holy cow! I remember the student rec center at my college needed 12 laps for 1 mile, and I thought that was ridiculous. You win!

Love getting out on those tracks for walking/running. While I like being on the top deck for Voyager- and Freedom-class ships, I really don't like how small and narrow it is. However, at 5am, it's never an issue of avoiding other passengers, it's avoiding being sprayed by the hose from crew members! 

Crew members with the 300 foot hoses at 5:30 AM?  Yes.   It gets pretty wet.  I feel bad running through their freshly cleaned areas.

9 minutes ago, MaryS said:

I HATE this!!!!!!  They are totally oblivious to the people who are really trying to workout.  I always stay to the right and look behind me when trying to pass the slower walkers.  On Anthem (out of NJ) the 1st day and last day during the winter are the real workouts on the track.  The wind is crazy but fun.  I try to get out between 7-7:30 in the morning at least 4 days.  I have to admit that I don't know how to use a treadmill.  I always run or walked outdoors even in the winter.  Something about being outdoors just makes me feel better.

Totally agree.  I deal with this at my local gym too.  I warm up on 2 lane track for easy jog before hitting the treadmill.  Frequently navigate around 2 or 3 people walking side by side and totally unaware someone else might be using the track too.  Our track is so small that it takes 18 laps to make a mile.  You wouldn't believe how many people are "surprised" when I come around 40 seconds later and pass them again....and again.   They keep walking side by side.    It's turned out to be good training for the ship.

1 hour ago, RCIfan1912 said:

I just learned something, I thought right was walking, left was running. I didn't see any markings here on Anthem indicting which is which. The runners here seem to be on the left though which is why I stuck to the right walking. It's really, really rough as it gets a bit later as people are waking up with coffee in hand and just walking all over the track at a snails pace. Even I found that annoying and saw that was an issue on the first day. Maybe I'll try treadmills at some point but that seems a bit boring as going around the ship is just gorgeous. Thanks for the info. 

 

I do a lot of running on the ship (track or treadmill).  Anxiously awaiting pics and reports of the gym and track on Icon!!

Typically the left is for runners or fast walkers....always common courtesy to go back to the right lane after passing.   Early in the morning is best time for me with less people out and no sunscreen needed.  No shade for most ships.    Anytime after about 7:30 or 8AM turns into people and chair dodging.  No fun.

Oasis ships are better protected from sun and wind and have less people wandering around the track during day.

On Anthem, lanes are marked at starting area towards the back starboard side of the ship....before you get to the groovy van and rock climbing wall.  See pic below. 

We received the luggage tags, is there a way to get the toiletry bag on our next cruise?

Since we typically fly to get on a cruise ship, the only 3 or 4 day itineraries that make sense are the ones we can pair up with a 7 nighter  Cuts down costs of overall travel expenses.  One long trip seems to be cheaper for us than 2 short ones.   Plus time off work, boarding pets, parking, hotels,.....really adds up.

Several years ago I tried finding 4 day trips (Thurs-Mon) so I wouldn't miss too much work, but now that you have to fly in a day early, it just doesn't make sense.

I agree with earlier posters that many people look at total cost of the "shortie" and think it's a  better deal than a weeklong cruise.  

@GregD.........love the shenanigan meter!

Glad you had a good time with Bodden.......zip lines might be more fun than hydrobiking.  How long was your tour?   We are looking forward to meeting the sloths.  ("Meet the Sloths" might be a good t-shirt idea?)  Honestly my wife would be happy if the entire tour was spent holding a sloth.   Great pics.

My wife told the photographers last month that she knew all those poses......her hand on my chest, then her hand on hip and my hand in pocket, then me behind her with hands overlapping, then holding hands, and so on.

To our surprise, the photographer told us to come back the next night and they were trying new creative poses instead of the same old poses.   We did get a pretty good back to back with my arms crossed looking like a tough guy!   

Maybe you will get to do some creative ones!

How was the Aqua Show?  If Aqua 80 is a 5 out of 5, what would this one be?  (Full disclosure for those just joining in, we sail Harmony for first time in October with same itinerary that our fearless shenanigans leader @GregD is blogging about right now)

@GregD.......awkward family photos are the best way to get everyone in the picture.   They usually turn out to be some of our favorite pics.

Seems like the shenanigans are in full swing, if only we had a shenanigan meter at the bottom of each post!!

1 hour ago, GregD said:

The Facebook group for this sailing is getting interesting. People are actively recruiting for pineapple type activities! 
 

The most recent one included a photo of a bikini clad derrière 

Seems like the perfect time to try out those pineapple shirts!! 

14 hours ago, GregD said:

After dinner, we wandered a bit.. @TheBoss518 found the Luis Vuitton shop.....this will probably not end well for my bank account....

We were able to get her away empty handed.....for now.....

 

 

RUN as fast as you can in the other direction!  Congratulations on escaping this time.  My wife spotted the store on first night and left with a very expensive souvenir.

At least we have another bag to hold more stuff!

How was Grease?

Congrats making it to Cruise Day and welcome @TheBoss518.

How did you get from the hotel to cruise port.........how far was it?

I've heard Jamie's has a great cheeseburger but never saw it on the lunch menu last month, maybe I need to look more closely.

Was looking forward to the great pineapple shirt shenanigans, but it sounds like you have a new plan in the works.

Never sailed Star Class, but curious if they make you stop and take a family picture with the big ship background thingy?

Any Lone Star beer sightings on the ship?

10 hours ago, GregD said:

@Va4fam Here is the thread that you can read.

Thanks!  Just looked up our booking with Bodden....we are doing monkeys/sloth, snorkel, beach, and hydro bikes....not quite sure what that is but sounds fun.  Thankfully no beat up ATVs.

22 hours ago, GregD said:

Excursion Plans:

I think this is the first time we have nothing booked through RC and doing everything on our own. We try to split our time up with activities/adventures and lounging so we have a good mix here.

Roatan: We booked the private tour with Victor Bodden again. We will be going to their animal sanctuary, doing some zip lining. We were going to do the ATV adventure with them, but saw a post that turned us off to that. We will probably get some lunch somewhere on the island too. Our friends also booked with them as well, thought we won't be in the same vehicle, so hopefully I can get some pictures of monkeys misbehaving on him. 

 

Sounds like some fun excursions.   We are booked with Bodden for the first time and curious about the ATV post if you don't mind sharing.  I don't remember which tour we are on except we are meeting the sloths!

Looking forward to the shenanigans @GregD..........and thanks for your service as a firefighter.

Following along as we have this exact cruise booked for October in a poor people balcony cabin.....but mostly for the shenanigans.

1 hour ago, Kelseylovestocruise said:

After reading a live blog and ending up with a chair cup holder thing. I am wondering what is everyone’s favourite/most used Amazon (or similar) cruise purchases. 

What was the name of the Amazon cup/clip holder thingy?  So many options to choose from.

To the Original poster, we buy magnetic hooks, ducks, bag tags, and inexpensive water resistant backpacks for excursions.

Some shows require advanced reservations but still allow standbys.

Never had any luck making reservations for the Book or the Comedy Shows.

Typically show up 10 minutes early and have gained admission 75% of the time.  Ymmv.

3 hours ago, Psycho and Barb said:

Reminds us also...Use to love all the chickens running all over Coco Cay.

They are still there, and the peacock too.  My daughter was there yesterday and spotted both.   Probably not as many these days.

Wish they would mix it up every now and then and offer a 7 day itinerary for Allure and Utopia.    Booking a 3d/4d B2B to the same places is not quite the same.

Labadee reminds me of what Coco Cay used to be like in 2017.   A quiet, relaxing, fun day at the beach.   Basic food options.  Good drink service.   Beautiful views.

Of course the zip line over the ocean is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and a must do  before returnng to your quiet, relaxing, peaceful beach day.

8 minutes ago, asquared17 said:

 

i jinxed myself. 

we have a service dog aboard that i am 99.99% certain IS NOT a service dog; an insane lack of overhead space due to emergency equipment??? and under seat storage that you can’t fit anything under. 

also…… there’s this……

 

At least it's socks!   We used to fly SWA frequently and lucky enough to snag the exit row with only 2 seats   The downside to this row is there's no third seat by the window.   Which means the person with the window seat behind my row has the most legroom on the plane.   And also an opportunity to stretch their legs........into our row.  No problem until the leg stretcher is not wearing any shoes.......OR SOCKS!!!    Yep, stinky bare feet magically appeared in our row.   Is that justification for ringing the flight attendant?   (We didn't)