Va4fam

Just catching up but love those mini towel animals!

7 hours ago, Doug_Texas said:

There is a phenomenal itinerary this year as a 9-day sailing (Ultimate Fjords) as a part of the World Cruise in August.  However, the price has gone up 67% since we booked it last year.  

We considered it but the timing and price escalation didn't work.

This is normal.   Check back frequently and you will see some things will be added as cruise date gets closer. 

  We are on Oasis 12/22 and not seeing anything either.

5 hours ago, Jill said:

If you want Norway you better go in 2025 because they are putting big restrictions on cruise ships starting in 2026 

Oh no.  Really wanted to go next year but already have 3 great cruises booked so we were going to wait until 2026.   Wanted to book the fjords itinerary, is that not going to be possible in 2026?

Thank you @jbrinkm......I will let her know.   Every ship should have ELF

44 minutes ago, asquared17 said:

stray observations:

- there are A LOT of tiny tiny smalls aboard. like 2 and under. i’ve never seen so many young tiny smalls before. 

-

- while we mostly stick to our typical common areas, this particular sailing feels more packed than previous cruises. i know we are at least at double occupancy but we have to be over that, given the number of smalls running around. i’d be curious to know the final pax count honestly.

@asquared17you can ask your room attendant about pax count.   Baretenders also typically know.  Or loyalty ambassador, or the Crown lounge representative. Better yet, go knock on the Captain's door.   Btw...who is your cruise director this week?

I have enjoyed following along with your adventures, did you go to Jamaica (did I miss that)?

Also so engrossed in your adventures that I mistakenly told my daughter to go to ELF today when she got on her ship at Port Canaveral before realizing she's on Allure!  Doh!   Real party vibe on those 3 day cruises, she's there for a bridal party thingy.

11 minutes ago, MaryS said:

You know the PA drivers don't read the signs and the NY drivers think the left lane is only for them .  

Maybe that explains the mentality of people on the ship.  If they drive that way, they will walk that way too.

It's not that hard to show courtesy to others.

2 hours ago, asquared17 said:

the deer in headlights maneuvering was in FULL FORCE this morning. people approaching from all sides, ignoring lines (and common courtesy) and just being generally a mess

 

Glad you observed this too.........what happened to courtesy and being aware that other people are on the ship too?

We had a grown retirement age adult (I'm assuming) that put their bare feet on a bar stool in the music hall, and another one pulled up their shirt to rub their grown adult belly.   Ick.

Don't get me started on the people that are so oblivious when they walk, stop, change direction, etc. that perhaps, maybe even likely, that other people might be nearby that now have to use extreme collision avoidance measures to avoid running into them.   

Or maybe I will file this under it's "Me. Hi.  I'm the problem it seems!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 minutes ago, asquared17 said:

power of love just kicked on BLAST outside.

WE GO AGAIN!

Definitely Aqua 80s is the best show in the fleet.

@asquared17 wins the internet this week with the Cup Clip.   Didn't even know something like that existed but definitely obsessed with getting one for every member of the family!   Quick question...are they strong enough to hold cocktail drinks from the bar or big enough to hold the Freestyle cups ?

Hope you feel better....maybe the sun will help.

thanks @tonyfsu21.......I did a google search and the top 12 results were most definitely not a dedicated lot just the satellite or hotel/park lots.

10 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

The 90's gets no love! They have 70's and 80's events and somehow the 2000's is lumped in with current music.

Some of us previntages are children of the 90's! Glad you're enjoying it though. Anything but the Perfect Day song and I can deal.

80's gets the most love for a reason.  

At least they aren't playing the Wash your Hands song nonstop anymore

10 hours ago, PPPJJ-GCVAB said:

Intrigued while reading about everyone’s early morning adventures…I decided I will finally check this out myself.  I typically do not wake up before 6:30 (when cruising) but during my May cruise I will definitely grab a few early morning walkabouts.  
That’s the beauty of reading the live blog section!  I get so much information which builds my curiosity.  Thanks for the mentions!  

Early morning is such a great time on the ship, its quiet and peaceful.   On Non-Oasis class ships, I like to run on the track (above the pool deck) and enjoy seeing the ship workers go about their business and the amateur photographers outside trying to catch the sunrise.   Once the sun comes up, the sunbathers and their chair hog relatives start magically appeariing to stake out their spot for the day.

We were on Anthem a couple of weeks ago and they had plenty of opportunities to watch football at the pool, in the pub, and even in your room.  See comment above about the same commercials.   Several years ago we were on Anthem for the College Playoffs and they had pool and pub.

We were on Navigator last year during Super Bowl, and they had a watch party in Playmakers (for a fee), but also showed it at the pool.   

You will see lots of people wearing their football jerseys!

Follow up question about parking.....is there a dedicated cruise parking lot (what is it called) like in Miami or just a bunch of satellite lots?   

2 hours ago, tonyfsu21 said:

I wouldn't put too much thought into the shuttle if you opt to stay at the Embassy Suites on 17th street. The shuttle is a hassle and you are stuck waiting on someone else’s time schedule. The port is literally 3 minutes East of Embassy Suites and a $10 Uber ride. La Bamba is fantastic Mexican & Spanish food and a South Florida institution (we have been dining there since the early 90’s). As far as things to do for 20 something’s, let me know what they have in mind and I can make local recommendations. 

Good point about the shuttle.

The little kids obviously enjoy beach, playgrounds, and fun stuff kids like to do.

The older kids (21-24) like sports, music, pizza, and an adult beverage or 2. 

The chocolate chip cookies at the Snack Shack are the best!   Way better than the ones on the ship (when you can find them).

The "in pool" loungers at the Oasis Pool are close enough to the dj/music/party to enjoy but far enough that you aren't overwhelmed.   Also a great spot for servers to bring you drinks.

The floating bar is fun the first time but a little hard to climb aboard (slippery ladder) or depart with drink in hand.

The zip line at Labadee is expensive but amazing.   Do it early in the day before it gets hot.

No tribute bands for us on Odyssey last year or Anthem last week.   The house bands work hard and are talented but not quite the same "vibe" as the tribute bands.

Thanks everyone for your helpful responses.   Embassy Suites could be a good fit, we have 12 people (3 kids under age of 7), and typically includes breakfast.   Most of the group will be flying so the shuttles will be key    Publix or Walgreens will be perfect for last minute cruise essentials.   

Things to do in the area the night before the cruise?  Especially for 20 somethings or little kids.

@Lovetocruise2002......what is LaBamba and why will we like it?

We have flown to FLL frequently but usually sail from Miami.

We may be driving to Port Everglades for a cruise and looking for hotel with extended parking options, close enough to dining and groceries/pharmacy, and easy to get to port and airport (free shuttles perhaps?).

If no hotels offer a park/and/stay option, what is the parking like at the cruise terminal and what is daily cost?

What say you wise and all knowing forum members, hit me with your best ideas!

5 minutes ago, ScottD said:

Awesome, still considering it!! 

We have not sailed on Celebrity either, but 2025 will be our first experience with a trip on Beyond in February and Xcel in November.

The Xcel should be nice!

We booked the maiden voyage on Xcel.   Should be interesting and fun.

23 hours ago, Coach9 said:

Good news. 
it is now on the planner.  Just the last 2 days.  But better than nothing.  Still upset that they don’t have a tribute rock band on them anymore.  
Seems like Royal keeps raising prices, but keeps cutting some stuff.  

Also bummed about the absence of tribute bands.  

Since the pandemic, we have booked JS for all trips until prices skyrocketed this year.

JS get double points unless you Royal UP to them

JS on Odyssey with the split bathroom are the nicest bathrooms we have seen on a ship.   Odyssey is a phenomenal ship.

JS on Quantum and Oasis  ships have limited access to CK.

JS on Navigator we booked was one of the "new" JS at the front of the ship.  The room was tiny, very little closet space, regular bathroom, but the balcony was big enough to play half court basketball.   Didn't like the extra glass above the railing.   

Itinerary might be important too.   Lots of port stops, room time is minimized.

Personally I would prefer having 2 cabins and bathrooms whether that's inside or balcony cabin.

JS and Coastal Kitchen are nice but the price can sometimes be double the cost of a regular room.