WAAAYTOOO

Stewed iguana ? Really ? Sounds…bad. Glad it was ok.

Me, exactly.

Didn’t we just have National Margarita Day a couple of months ago ?

That makes 2 of us !

Sorry for another photo-less live blog….but b/c we have not sailed on Radiance in MANY years, I thought I would post a few thoughts. 1. Driving…arriving PoT. Our drive from Port St Lucie to the Port of Tampa is about 3 hours, give or take depending on traffic. We have made this trek 4 times now and I swear, we have not gone the same way twice, yet ! …and the drive home is never the same as the way we got here ! …but this morning’s drive was fairly event-free. We ran into a bit of traffic around Disney (go figure) and again on I-4 W heading into downtown Tampa. Par for the course. Handled w/o issue. I really do love the PoT. It’s easy to get here, easy to park and VERY pleasant to board. I will say again, as I have many times, the terminal staff in Tampa are the best out any port we’ve ever encountered. They are NICE and so helpful. We arrived about 9:45, were taken immediately to the Suites/ Pinn hold pin and checked in, sitting down, by the most wonderful lady - the same gracious lady that checked us in last time we were here. Our wait was minimal. By 10:45 we were onboard. During our very short wait we (I) attended to our safety videos and got the much-appreciated “Complete” banner. 2. Onboard. When we first checked, there were no staff doing the muster station check-ins so we (I) went str8 to our room to snatch our room keys. Right where they should be. Perfect. When we came back down, staff was doing the muster station check-ins so we finished that up. Yippee. Also present in the hallway was a lovely lady pimping specialty dining so I asked if she would be able to do our BOGO rezzies and she said, “yes”. Wow. I’m on a roll ! She let us do Giovanni’s tonite and Samba grill on night #4. I hope I don’t regret the Samba thing. It’s been a really long time since we tried Samba so we’re taking a chance. 3. Will they or won’t they ? Next, the first real challenge of the cruise. Will they or won’t they allow us into the Concierge Lounge ? For reasons which truly elude me, Radiance (and I believe all of this class ship) has never converted their Concierge Lounge into a Suites Lounge. Whatever. It’s always big drama to see whether our Sea Passes will open the door ! Whew. We’re batting 1000. So far, we have not been denied entry into the SL on any ship since we made Pinn. 4. First impressions. I always forget how beautiful the Radiance class ships are, until I step foot back on one. Radiance is so classy…so far I haven’t seen anything to change my mind. The Staff has been phenomenal so far. So, we are contently waiting in the CL (not to be confused with the CL) for noon, at which time we will enjoy our Chops boarding day lunch. BTW, I confirmed, when I snuck into our stateroom, that our bed is next to the balcony ! Woohoo ! With all this good luck, I need to bet big at the casino tonite. Or, maybe I’m using all my good luck up, early

This I did not know ! …but it makes sense.

Thank you !

Are those MORE bags of chips or were those quarried from the existing stash ?

@Smokey79, I apologize. I read your post too quickly and just realized I hadn't answered your question at all !!! I have never tried to order anything that was not on the applicable menu. I really have no idea but I think it would be presumptuous to ask for something at dinner (or lunch) that isn't on the menu.

Yes. You can order any food from any specialty restaurant as long as the restaurant is open.

Tried to upload the menu. Epic fail

Interesting to hear that the 10 drink package was available onboard. It has been rare, lately. You do realize that it is not always available ? In fact, it's fairly rare.

While there is certainly no reason to panic, I totally understand your anxiety. It would not hurt to reach out to them. I would say something like, "I may have received my initial Genie contact and not seen it. Would it be possible to have the Genie re-contact me ?" Unfortunately I do not have any email address for you. Hopefully someone else does. Enjoy your SC cruise !!

I have no personal experience with this but I have read a few places of others having the same issue. Sounds like an IT shortfall. Who's surprised ?

Hmmm...that sounds like waaay more work than it would be worth. $$ wise, maybe, but not worth all of the boarding/unboarding that would be required. I will check out the CheapAirportParking and see what kind of deal that would be. Thanks !

This is maybe the third post I have read recently describing slow or non-existent bar service on X. I guess this is a fleet-wide phenomenon ?

The reason that I expect the Abyss to be in the Allure amp is b/c I suspect that the slide was purchased a LONG time ago and that the parts/materials are in storage in Cadiz just waiting to be installed. Whatever updates/mods were planned for Allure have long since been procured (my guess) and so they will be implemented as originally designed. Unfortunately, this is probably also true of the bionic bar. UGH

Even though I am not a huge fan on the menu at 150 CP I would probably recommend that for a special night b/c it has the best atmosphere, IMO. When the restaurant first appeared on Oasis and Allure it was a fantastic venue but since they ended their relationship with Michael Schwartz, I don't care for the menu as much. If I were an adventurous eater (which, admittedly, I am not) then maybe the duck, veal, venison would appeal to me, but I am a pretty basic eater so I don't care for any of that. I also thought the tenderloin was tough. I guess that doesn't sound like much of a recommendation....

I agree with @tonyfsu21. I love the Dog House dogs. I'll admit I'm no connoisseur but I do like the regular hot dogs. I am not a fan of anyone's brat though. I'm not crazy about that split bun but I almost never eat a hot dog bun anyway.

No ! The good news is, you will be prime until 3-31-25. Since you made prime before 3-31-24, you will get an annual tier casino comp (free cruise) which will be available to you some time in mid-April. The points that you begin accumulating from 4-1-24 through 3-31-25 will determine your status for the 25/26 casino year. You are always working a year "ahead".

Congrats ! Sounds like you have all of the intel correct. You will be so spoiled by that big, beautiful balcony ! An aft JS was my very first step into suite snobbiness. It only gets worse from here ! It is a long walk to the aft but it's worth it. Enjoy.

Thanks, @RCIfan1912. I had found this link already....but looking for a recommendation since I have heard that some of these offsite locals are sketchy. I do appreciate the help !!

The machines take cash or you can use your seapass to “transfer” money to play. Whatever you transfer appears as a charge on your onboard account.

The upside down pineapple is supposedly the “advertisement” for swingers. I hate that the pineapple has been so undeservedly maligned.

Sorry, I'm sure this is covered somewhere.... We are going to be on Explorer for 23 days and I'd rather not pay $25/day if I can help it. I know there are some offsite parking places that are sketchy. Does anyone have any recommendations for offsite parking at PoM and provides transport to/from the terminal ?