CruzOnBye

Looks like we are in for a windy week on the first few days of our cruise. We are officially in packing mode and overly exited to head down to Orlando. There’s also a Starlink launch apparently Saturday night and DH is super exited to see that. 
 
Also if anyone is interested, these were our Royal Up bid prices. I did have a number in my head I’d be willing to throw at a junior or even grand suite, but these unfortunately were a bit over what I felt was worth it. One day I’d love to experience a grand suite at least. The suite neighborhood looks fantastic on Wonder. 

Checked in online early this morning for our 12-8-24 Freedom sailing (~3:00 AM so not as soon as it opened for check-in) and the earliest was 11:30.  Not sure if earlier times had been available but I really doubt it.  Also, another bad experience with the app.  As always seems to happen lately, the app would not work AT ALL.  I ended up having to go online and do the full check-in with passports, etc.  How much do I hate the app......

Check-in update: 
Fell asleep at 10pm. Woke up at 11:15pm. Fell back asleep. Woke up at 12:01am and jumped up to do the check-in! I was like a kid waiting for Santa! Check-in didn't open until 12:10am...longest 9 minutes of my life ☠️ but we scored 10:30am port arrival! 🥳
Room: We originally booked this cruise when we were on Odyssey last December, for a really good deal. We booked it through Next Cruise and transferred to my TA at MEI Travel, as an Interior GTY. We generally have booked 99% of our cruises as Interior GTYs and never expect anything other than a blacked out Interior room, which we are always content with. Anyway, after check-in last night, the room was not assigned, however Deck 7 was, along with an assigned muster drill station. I remembered reading on here about the barcode trick...so I gave a shot. Based off the deck # and last 4 digits of the BC, it seems we got bumped up to a Boardwalk View Interior! I think that is super cool. I read online, it is one that fits 3+ people (lol I had to be sure) and this specific room had a lot of great comments and videos online (yes I never went back to asleep last night, I was too excited!!) 
Just thought I'd share because I haven't heard of these "bumps" happening much anymore with GTYs, but it seems it is still possible! Royal Up hasn't sent any emails yet but the ship seems pretty sold out. I wouldn't RU anyway after this "bonus".
I am keeping this nugget of info to myself and making it a surprise to the boys 🙂 

my friend, this has officially FAR and AWAY, surpassed my demon ship sailing (nautical term that @Neesa knows is also) and i am equal parts horrified — but also — relieved that you are alive and well. 💚💚💚
also i feel absolutely HORRIBLE for the crew. i can’t imagine what last week must have been like for them. my god. 

I was saving the tales of the 900 as a separate post but I will mention it all now. Also there was a group of swingers, but they will be mentioned in the recap.
Yes, there was a large group that kicked off in two ports actually. I was waiting to hear about whether the alpha, alpha, alpha was okay because some said the person died. I am still unsure because my brother also witnessed them fighting in Costa Maya and several were removed from the ship.
These are the things I know from experiencing........ 
There was a guy claiming to be someone important to Jadakiss hitting on women/underage girls, he took several back to his suite and parents complained so he was kicked off in Cozumel.
There was a group filming their OnlyFans on the decks, card room, and hallways when it was after 1am
The third day there was a girl giving you know what to men on deck 5 when it got dark and was removed from the ship, she was crying because she had no money and was put off in the rain in Roatan.
They would get drunk and smoke and argue everywhere, the time I went up to the WJ for pictures, they were smoking and screaming in there.
Several women were slapped in public and/or told they would be getting something in the room. 
They had roofies.......I will leave that there. I saw a woman fall out in the casino and didn't put two and two together until this aggressive "stud" kept trying to give me drinks. 
My brother went to Blaze for the night club experience and had to leave after having a nice time when one pulled out a knife they had kept from dinner. 
I wasn't privy to all the shenanigans; I heard more and don't know what was true or not.
 

This live blog is the gift that keeps on giving 🙌 ✨️ 😁

UPDATE: Now I'm reading it was not swingers, it was the group @Ampurp85 mentioned and they were apparently openly smoking weed, caused damage to the arcade, and all types of other stuff. This report says when a parent asked one of them to stop smoking in front of his children, he was severely beaten and required an ambulance. It also mentioned 200 being kicked off in Cozumel.
I think this officially was the cruise from hell on many levels and I look forward to hopefully sailing with lots of retirees and families who took their kids out of school for a couple days when I board Allure on Wednesday. 🤞

We checked in a week ago for our 11/24 cruise on Allure and got a 10:30, I just looked a few minutes ago and it has changed to 11:30

Hey! Didn't you threaten to ban me for just mentioning "the site across the street?" 🤣
Talk about hypocrisy! Is Matt looking for new mods? At least I only sail RC! 😁

Day 4: Coco Cay.
Breakfast at CK. Priority elevator to gangway at 9:45AM. Spent the day at Thrill waterpark with a cabana. 





Surprise cupcakes when we arrived back to the suite. 
 

Dinner at Izumi Hibachi with another Star family. 
 



 

Tonight’s dinner at Chops:







Alligator towel dude by our room attendants KoKo and Jo: 

Lunch at Sabors.
Rooms opened while we were halfway through. We keep hearing announcements for the safety briefing. There is a massive group and a wedding happening. The new vintage is having the time of her life. She got the red snapper and a blue long Island, she informed me she will have me book all her vacations now😅🤣😂🤣.
My mother and the blind gentleman have been arguing and we all are laughing.

Who else immediately went here:
 

I am trying to picture this...got nothing lol
You don't need to do Carnival. The carnival is already with you lmao!
 

Are we there yet😂

I am 5hrs in this train ride, wishing we flew. The vintages are now eating Jersey Mike subs and stinking up the train car. We have a 30min stop in St. Louis. So I am taking a walk break. I carry so many accouterments to clean the bathroom and I needed everything and more.

Thank you all, I love the way my hair looks too. 
I am drinking prosecco and pineapple juice with my mother who is once again telling me that the blind gent will be fine......😂 She decided not to travel with him to the train. He is getting picked up by a special driver thanks to his son, so hopefully, fingers crossed. 

Day 3
It is technically 3 days until we board Allure. But less than a day before we start travel. We leave on the train tomorrow. Bff's mom has been home since noon and then went to get her hair done for the vacation. She barely has a voice, but she said she don't need no stinking voice. 😂
I think I did talk a little crap to @asquared17 about her vitamin/supplement game. But she has converted me. Don't judge 🤣 I take most of my stuff in gummy form. But man are those individual pill bags a great way to keep track. 
I got new glasses as my eyesight has improved a bit and my prescription changed. But the new glasses are massive. I went to my local bookstore and the youth said I was giving "eclectic, white, soccer- mom vibes." Granted I was wearing leggings, an oversized-sweater that gave off "shawl," and my Tar-zhey branded knockoff Birks with socks because it is fall. But when did "white" become a "vibe" and an "adjective"?
But as my life is cuckoo bananas, all of my favorite, tried and true salons got shutdown for migrant solicitation. I have anxiety and a natural fear about going to salons I haven't been to before a vacation. So, I did my own gel manicure and regular pedicure. It came out pretty good for first time. 
I probably won't post the vintages because they barely do Facebook, but I probably will throw in a few selfies and photos of my brother and I.

I once brought a dress on a cruise that requires the belt for it to work.......no belt. LBD is now my best friend when it comes to formal nights. 
So I left for an errand to return to a flooded kitchen. A pipe busted and they will have to dig up my kitchen floor to fix it. So, this vacation is a saving grace as I would have been without a kitchen until Thurs of next week.  🤬😬😳😱

#1 thing I've learned from this site over the past few months... people have an awful lot of trouble with underwear and cruising. Who knew?

The week came with its chaos of course, but it all came to pass and we had beautiful weather for the best day ever.  DH is officially stuck with me now! 
 
We had a few relatives give us Royal gift cards thinking we could use them on our cruise. Oh well, guess that’s extra excuse to book Alaska? 😉

There’s artwork depicting skateboarding of some sort in aqua dome on icon. Upper right under the “E”

Ditto.
This week's bloggers ran out of steam by the end. It's like they prioritized enjoying their cruises over providing us entertainment and food porn. Some people!

vintage math 
goODBYE 😂😂😂😂😂

Omg I said this. Even the parking at $28*9 days was more than the shuttle. Keep in mind 2xLyft XLs are only $110 total with a tip. Vintage math is crazy as hell.