WAAAYTOOO

At the muster drill. Dan took our cards and had them scanned while I saved us 2 seats looking out over the Centrum. 
 

1 hour ago, Boston Babe said:

Following Raye!! Can't wait to hear all about your wonderful trip!  I actually booked Oasis, Feb 2022 (a long way to go!) Grand Panoramic Suite, not sure which one you're in (might have missed it!  Been a bit distracted lately!), but if you can send pics.  Have a FABULOUS two weeks!! 

Hey, Lorraine !  Thanks for the kind thoughts 

We are in the GPS !  I am so excited to see this suite. I am looking forward to the great room without all of the stairs.  The balcony looks very small but we are aware and ok with that. Hoping you and Jack are doing well

1 minute ago, tiny260 said:

DW and I went to Chops for lunch on a sea day, it took 2.5 hours and the food was not good, we had unlimited so it was free, the server was doing everything he could but the kitchen failed miserably. 

Have fun BTW.

Thanks !

So we got to the room about 1:30.  First time in a full suite on a rad class (that’s how long it’s been since we were on one !).  A bit narrow but the everything on a rad class is narrow.  One thing, the closets are big !  I think there’s more room in those big closets than there is in the Owners Suites closets on the bigger ships.

40 minutes ago, Pima1988 said:

LMAO, what would a cruise be for you without a slice of Red Velvet cake?

At least they still have RVC on a Brilliance !  On Liberty it is no mas.

39 minutes ago, Pima1988 said:

OMG.  That is insanely long for a cold meal.  I love Chops, could it be that maybe The Key serving the Chops menu in the MDR caused the issue?

 

 

This is the only explanation I can come up with.  Nothing else makes any sense.  My guess is the food is all being prepare in the MDR and brought up to Chops (bass ackwards, to be sure).

Oops. Almost forgot this for Sweety.  It was cold, too...but that was a-ok !

Sorry, I took a bite before remembering to take a pic !

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 

1 hour ago, Tiffeven said:

Thanks.  If you can do it, I highly recommend Star Class, but be warned, it's hard to go back.  We are going on Enchantment in January and while I'm looking forward to it, all I can think is I wish it was Star.

Sad but true...

15 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

They have the updated ship models for sale.

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.

1 hour ago, WannaCruise said:

Excited to see your review (text , pictures, whatever you decide to post is great).  I love the big ships (and DH prefers mid size ships), but there is something about Brilliance that has caught DH and my eye....so it's on our bucket list someday.  And any Oasis class is great....and the changes look amazing.  So how great, that you are both one after the other.  Have an amazing cruise (or two).

Thank you so much !

1 hour ago, RandyH said:

Following closely as we are on the 12/19 sailing of Brilliance. We are also staying at the same Mariott as you. Have a great cruise and thank you for doing this blog!

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 !

13 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I wonder if Chops being closed has to do with the fact that they now open Playmakers and Portside BBQ on embarkation day?

We are planning to do Playmakers on boarding day in March. 

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...

1 hour ago, ellcee said:

Yay!! Happy you're doing a blog. Enjoy!

Thanks, ellcee.  I hope I can keep up.

1 hour ago, DanielB said:

Enjoying your report.  Have fun!

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 !