Ampurp85

3 hours ago, PrincipalTinker said:

When I first went in I received a message that “reservations were all full” and I know at 15 months out, that is not true but I did just go in and purchase. It is Independence, do they not allow reservations? I expect it is way early and they are not open to book? If I will be able to book later, I will be good. If not, I will cancel and rebook.

This appears to be a glitch. I booked it for a September 2025 Oasis cruise, and mine also says the reservations are full. I know it's a glitch and will check back periodically to make mine. 

2 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Ali, I had some of our fave cream of potato soup tonite (AD) in the WJ.  It’s the only thing I like on the US menu.  Hmmmmm…good !

I love the soup. It is thinner than traditional potato soups but to me it has the perfect balance of flavor and just enough girth to enjoy my seeded rolls with. 

2 hours ago, lovetheplaya said:

Hey guys! This is crazy but a couple weeks after we got back, my husband almost died. He had to be airlifted to another hospital in a different state. thank god this did not happen on the cruise or he would’ve been a goner! But I am back and have so many blogs to catch up on!

OMG, I hope he is doing better.  You are right that thank God it didn't happen on vacation or away from home. 

19 minutes ago, PrincipalTinker said:

I am more than a year out for my cruise but the unlimited dining is at a price that I like. It is too soon to book any dining. Will I be able to do boo it later if I buy the unlimited now or should I just wait and hope I can match this price when dining is available to reserve? Thanks for any advice! 

I would always suggest booking at a price you like. You should be able to go in and modify your booking and modify the times you want. Also, just an aside but if you can book the UDP, then it isn't too soon to book dining. 

The pot pie looks good, but the goat cheese tart looks weird, what was on there?

I currently don't have any Royal sailings that go to PDCC, so I wasn't able to see if the PDCC prices would have been decent for me. The sale is done, but luckily it wasn't just PDCC stuff but the dining packages as well. I was able to score the UDP for my 6n sailing for only $271.39 with gratuities. But now the prices are insane, its $299.99+ gratuities. 

9 hours ago, SeaSunnedTraveler said:

Jamie's has a really good burger as well, but not as good as PMs or Chops, in my opinion. 

I believe that Jamie's has gotten rid of their burger and only has the chicken burger now.

The hike seems like it provided a lot of animals/insects to see so I would call that a win but yikes at waiting an hour past the meeting time.

That potato soup is my favorite thing Royal serves in the MDR. I would get it all the time if it was offered.

The tiny ducks/animals worry me because a tiny small could choke.

I'm at 12. The plan is for Icon soon and then I will probably be a Celebrity defect. I have sailed Oasis, Harmony, freedom, Mariner, Indy, Allure and Navigator more than once.  I have done Grandeur, Quantum  Odyssey, Symphony, and Wonder.

If you have unlimited dining you should be able to book your dining on the cruise planner. They rolled the feature out last year. It's only available for unlimited dining packages and not the Chop's+1, or 3 night.

31 minutes ago, Jolly Ogre said:

Hmmm... 4/2/25 and still no reset?

Last year it took almost a week into April for the reset to occur. I can't recall a time since I have been prime when it actually happened between the 1st-3rd of April 

I love when I can find peaches in the WJ. I noticed that 9-10am was actually more crowded than I was expecting on Oasis. But I was able to go and enjoy breakfast in the Solarium Bistro to avoid all that. 

I love all the photos, and you do look like you could be related!!!

OMG such a faux pas, I thought Explorer was part of a different class. I have been on Mariner, which is voyager class. I think because Mariner was amped and looks so similar to Freedom class I was thrown off by the decor and such. 

Also, I think it looks like an angel but it could be a flying ant.

I love that the "duck" is a flamingo. Having never been on Explorer or that class, some of the decor intrigues me. How has the food been? Does it seem like a good mix of people? I always wondered if the longer cruises are mainly vintages .

While I have not sailed Icon. The general consensus is that if you don't see the option to book in the app or CP, it has to be booked once onboard. Icon may be a new/different class but most of Royal's rules still apply. 

You look amazing!

I have yet to get the filet at GT. Since I will be on Oasis for 15N in Sept, I plan to rectify that. 

I also found One Sky weird. But I agree the cast was really good. 

I hope you enjoy Hideaway, I can't justify the prices they are currently charging, so I know I probably won't ever get there. I can avoid the beach shenanigans by staying in the casino .

We had a table like that and loved it. It allows for some good people watching and the ability to see when they might start the dancing so we can peace out. 

As with all casino bookings you will just pay port taxes, fees and gratuity. 

As solo you never pay the taxes, port fees, and gratuity for 2 people, so that is the same for comps that offer a "free" sailing for two. 

I'm so glad you found your purse. I once dropped my card in the CL, I had just come from nextCruise. The anxiety I felt was insane.

Also if you make prime in the casino, as long as it is open, you can get all sorts of margaritas and good drinks. 

I think the email/text reminder is automatic. I got them all three times for my S3S in Jan and I when I show up, people with later times have been let in. 

It cruise day, turn up!!!

Weather has been weird in Chicago; 80s one day and then it rains, so back down to the 40s. At least you will be in warm weather consistently for the next 5/7 days or so. 

That food looks good and the portions are decent. I can see why you overate.

I'm glad the flight was uneventful. Hopefully it doesn't take long to get your bags.

I know you mostly drive so how do the children handle flights? Hopefully it doesn't cause them too much anxiety. I am looking forward to your cruise, I doubt I will get to do ports like these.