WAAAYTOOO

The lunch at Chops was, without any doubt, the worst Chops meal I’ve ever had. Everything was cold. It was really bad. Hard to explain, too, as we were 2 of 6 people in the whole place Next stop, Grand Suite 1552 to unpack. That horrible meal took 1 1/4 hours !

I would certainly give it a try but don’t be disappointed if they turn those without EA around.

We were on Grandeur in October and I have to say, we had the same experience in the MDR for breakfast. They have a Diamond breakfast area (throwback to an earlier time) but that did not matter. We went once and that was enough. It was WJ for us for the rest of that cruise. Very disappointing

Sad but true...

Forgive me, but that orange blob where I assume the water slides are depicted, looks like a place where a Pomeranian with diarrhea left his gift.

Lunch at Chops at noon. More from there, later

Boarding was absolutely amazing. We left the hotel a bit before 10 AM. We had intended to get an Uber but there was a guy with a van waiting to pick up a fare. When we told him we were going to the Port he said, “$5 each” so we jumped right in. We were the only 2 and it was a quick ride over. We got out of the van, dropped our big luggage with the porters and noticed that the escalator going up to the check-in area was blocked off. Rats ! At that same moment, a guy came out of the elevator with a luggage cart. We sauntered right into that open elevator like we knew what we were doing and rode right up to the second floor. We were first in line to check in after which we were directed to a suites waiting area. Of course, I failed to take any pix (I am falling back into my “old ways”). After maybe 5 minutes we saw what were obviously B2B cruisers walking onto the ship. Moments later they called Pinnies and within 10 minutes total, they called suites. We were on the ship well before 10:30. As Happy Dan always says, “I’d rather be lucky than smart”. As soon as we got on the ship I realized I was in unfamiliar territory. Even though we’ve sailed on radiance class ships many times, it’s been a while. I seemed all turned around. We bumbled our way to Cafe Latitude (I think ) got coffee and sat down. We decided to find the Concierge Lounge to get our internet working, and so here we sit.

Thank you so much !

My pleasure. I have to say, this ship seems completely unfamiliar to me, it’s been so long since I sailed on a Radiance class ship. It’s actually a good thing to be a bit unfamiliar. It’s a whole new experience and I haven’t had a new experience on a cruise ship on a while !

Quite possibly, Sabrina. Here is the list of options that Joyce sent for lunch

Sorry, Twangbot. Would you please repeat that for those of us that only speak English... ???

Thanks, ellcee. I hope I can keep up.??

Thank you, Daniel !

Good morning ! <clap><sway> ?Oh, Happy Day? <clap><sway>. It’s cruise day !! Concierge Club recon I will say that breakfast was a site better than last night’s evening festivities. Nothing special but at least the usual suspects - eggs, bacon, bread, juice. All Continental. Nothing made-to-order. Beautiful morning, here in Tampa. I awoke to the sound of a ship’s horn...not sure which ship or where, exactly. My view does not include any cruise ships. ?? We plan on leaving here at 10:00 AM. Will call on Uber again. A bit of disappointing news from Joyce, our Oasis Genie. Beginning yesterday, Nov 24, Chops is no longer open on embarkation day (we had asked for lunch rezzies there on boarding day). She stated, in her email 3 different times that Chops was closed....not that Chops was not available. I thought, perhaps, that they were restricting Chops just to Key people, but I don’t think that is the case. It appears, as far as I can determine, that Chops will not open at all on embarkation day for lunch. We chose Giovannis as our second choice. We’re going to CK for dinner that night, anyway, so we will get our filet ! Of course, Giovannis has an awesome steak, too...but we will save our steak lust for CK. Next up - boarding Brilliance of the Seas !

Years ago we sailed in one of these rooms (TA to Harwich). Great rooms. Lots of space. Only negative is all the way forward. Really enjoyed this room though.

Actually, we both DID complete the pillow analysis.

Wow ! You both looked awesome on Formal Night. You look great anytime but especially sophisticated and glitterish that night !

So, we made it to Tampa. No-issue flight. Right on time. Good deal. The hotel (Tampa Marriott Water Street), has a shuttle from the airport but we decided just to get an Uber. They were charging $12 PP plus it probably would have taken them forEVER to come get us. The Uber was $19.07 and it took her 3 minutes to get to us. I think the hotel is probably lovely. It was dark when we got here so it could be a dump for all I know. We are on the Concierge floor (24) and I feel our room is very - meh. Happy Dan. That’s his nickname. I was extremely disappointed in the Concierge lounge. Hopefully breakfast will be better than our evening tidbits. The Uber driver told us that the cruise ships are less than a mile from the hotel (yippee !!) so we should have a short trip tomorrow morning. Calling it a night soon. Flying just wears my arse out !

Right back atcha. Following along with you, too !

I agree with you about endless picture. I am going to try and find a happy medium. I repeat....I find dickin’ around with the pix to be a drag. Maybe I’m doing it wrong...

I will do my best. Really can’t wait for Oasis. Brilliance tomorrow.

We must be the only people on the planet that did NOT care for My Pillow. Dan likes a flat pillow and My Pillow is waaaytooo fluffy for him. I love a fluffy pillow and My Pillow is too fluffy for me. Both of ours were demoted to the guest bedroom.

I don’t think there’s really a “policy” except the items should be unopened when you bring them onboard. I don’t know how fully they enforce that “rule”.

??

Thank you. The time isn’t the issue. It’s my patience that is short. I have spent 20 minutes on these 2 pix from the AA Club. What a nuisance ! ???