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Just now, SpeedNoodles said:

She's on the move!

I’m watching!    

4 hours ago, Cactus527 said:

OMG I FEEL SPECIAL

(what am I getting????? )

Wish they would offer this surprise at Bayonne!  My understanding is it is only Miami?

Cruise planner on the website.  I couldn’t reserve on my app yesterday!

Hi backtracking to your new luggage.  Is that a 28”?  I have never had a hard sider and am thinking about purchasing one before my May cruise.  Thoughts?

Yes we did all our reservations yesterday for the 16th sail.  Makes it feel more real now!

8 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

. I hate that even with early bird in group A I still can be the 30th person to board.

I had early bird flying for my trip last month to San Antonio.  Boarding spots were B17 and B18!  That really stinks when you pay an extra $25pp and still end up in the  B Group!  We were still able to grab decent seats (Row 17) but makes me wonder if it is worth that extra $$!

15 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

So happy! As I told @asquared17 in her blog, I had really hoped that Oasis would be parked the other way facing Miami when it’s our turn to board. The picture isn’t great, but it looks like she is!! It’s going to be a great sail away! 

I’ll be watching on the webcam!  Sail always are the best from Miami .

I’ll have to do this in September on Utopia!  Our cruise is the 9th-13th…hubby’s birthday is the 11th!  I also plan on decorating our door with birthday/party magnets.  My Mr. “Don’t make a scene…be low key” is just going to love me!!    

On 3/8/2024 at 9:39 PM, ChessE4 said:

I understand shorts  for beach itineraries but in Europe I find Rick Steves sets a good example of casual clothes that are suitable for culture. Churches don't like shorts in many countries. Hence dockers or slacks are a plus for me.

Yes dressing per culture suitability is a must!  He will definitely pack accordingly for our TA over to Rome next year!  But for our leisurely Bahama/Caribbean cruises…his dress shorts and loafers are perfect paired with a button down shirt or polo shirt. 

I sure hope you perk up a little before we get to LaBamba!  You look like someone who had a bad experience checking into their hotel!  Geeeeeeeez!!!

Ahhh my reading pleasures just grew!  Yet another cruise to follow.  I’m getting close to possibly trying one of these myself .  But I have plenty of time to consider while enjoying the next few weeks of happy cruisers doing their thing!

1 hour ago, SpicyCherry said:

Thanks….I literally checked last night and it wasn’t open yet. What is missing from the App is anything Dining. I usually like to decide in advance which evening I want to dine at Specialty, CK or MDR. Having those menus is a huge help. Anybody know what’s going on there?

No clue.  But I have just the MDR to choose from (no CK for me…perhaps someday??)…and maybe one Specialty.  I did book Jamie’s for lunch one day…for me, my daughter, and my two grandsons!  Trying to decide if we want to check out one dinner but yes, I will need to know the MDR menus before I know which night.

23 minutes ago, GatorCruiser said:

Those club level pics of intercontinental look very nice. I mentioned this hotel to my wife as an option based on y’all’s recs but it appears we have stayed with Hampton inn brickell again. Oh well. 

I love the Hampton Brickell!  So many places to walk to!  It’s a very interesting area.  And this particular one has a breakfast that is just perfect!  Umm, not so at the one in San Antonio I stayed in a few weeks ago with my granddaughter! 

Entertainment reservations are open!

Heck…whatever it is (as long as not crazy $$) I think it will be worth it.  I might even purchase one for myself!    

Royal does not provide the decorations as complimentary.  You can purchase whatever decorations you’d like for your room…

Very happy to hear this!  I’m assuming there will be a charge if not in a suite…$5?  So worth it for the 6 kiddos that will be on the cruise with me in 68 days crazy .  
 

3 hours ago, FionaMG said:

We took the tram to Columbus Cove. We like that spot because the beach is not at all rocky and you get an amazing view of the ship

This is where I like to spend my Labadee day too!  Views are great…lots of available chairs and umbrellas…water is calm and if you are lucky you can grab one of the anchored floats in the water!  Close to bathroom, bar, and food.

BTW your pictures are great!

2 hours ago, baltodave said:

Yes.  At the time I made the bid, there were different balcony upgrade options:  for a regular balcony and for an obstructed one.  The non-obstructed minimum bids were higher than our budget (at the time).  I know we're rolling the dice so that we can look out over the lifeboats at the ocean.  Plus it will give me a place to enjoy my adult beverage while the wife is getting ready for dinner.   FWIW, when we booked the cruise, the obstructed and non-obstructed balconies were very expensive.

What cabin number are you now in?  You can look on cruisedeckplans.com to check if there are any YouTube videos for your room.

I believe many of the cruises also have Facebook pages specific to cruise dates.  If you have a Facebook account (I do not) it should be easy to find your specific cruise.  I also believe there are many more passengers on Facebook than there are on this blog!

49 minutes ago, Mark_A said:

I Do not put my cruise luggage tags on until after I get to the port or hotel the night before.  Less confusion that way,

 

^^Same^^.    If I fly to my cruise port the tags do not go on until I am leaving the hotel to go to the port.  When I drive to the port (Bayonne) I will put them on before I leave home.  

My husband does not pack slacks for our cruises.  He tells me he is on vacation…lol!  I do agree .  He always looks put together with dress shorts and collared polo shirts for our MDR dinners.  Neither of us dress us formally for the dressy nights onboard.  I almost always wear palazzo pants or dressy capris with nice tops for dinner…comfortable and neatly dressed!

2 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

We are docked in Labadee.  Not sure they are letting people off yet (I haven't heard an announcement).  No reason to believe it won’t just be another day in Labadee.  Beautiful weather today.  

Did passengers finally get off?  I wish there were webcams for CocoCay and Labadee even if just the docking areas!  Hope you have a beautiful day relaxing!  Does Dan scuba in Labadee or just CocoCay?  I’m looking forward to both of those ports in May!

10 hours ago, Babsy47 said:

We are in the same cabin with the same itinerary in April, so I am really looking forward to this one!  To help with child going to college . . . We took our first cruise in 2002 when oldest was 12.  Our April cruise is with oldest, DIL, and two awesome grandkids (1 and 3).  Our middle son and his wife are in the adjoining CLS.  Youngest, sadly, is still in college and cannot come, but he and I will go together on a mom/son cruise between last day of class and first day of summer internship.   Our family grew as the kids aged, and sharing the cruise experience with kids and grandkids is amazing!

 

 

Absolutely true about kids aging and grandchildren arriving!  Since my own children are in their 40’s (heaven only knows where that time went!)…it means the grandchildren are now aging!  My youngest grandson will be 11 in just 5 more weeks and the oldest granddaughter will be driving in a few more months and turns 17 this year!  I feel so blessed to have 3 beautiful adult children (with 3 wonderful spouses) and 5 growing grandchildren which I get to share my life with!  Not to mention my husband of almost 45 years!  We may not be rich in $$$ but being rich with a loving and close-knit family makes my life fully satisfied!

There are so many of you on this board with growing families…grown families…and just starting off families!  Stay present and enjoy each day…one moment at a time.  None of us know the future, however, we do know today!  Thank you for sharing so much of your lives with all of us!

6 minutes ago, MorganH said:

Today check in opens for our cruise!

Also, if anyone is spending time in Rome after the cruise, May 5th is the first Sunday of the month when the museums are free to enter. 

Awww I’m going to miss out on that free museum entires next year as we “land” in Rome on May 11, 2025.  
In October you mentioned you will be visiting Assisi and Rome before flying home?  I’m just wondering when is the best time to begin my planning for post-cruise Rome and Venice stays.  I also have a few family members meeting us in Rome once we disembark.