Andy & Sheryl Unwin

Awesome, Schooner bar is beckoning

A quick hop on our favourite ship

For our upcoming trip on Freedom, I had been looking at booking the beach club. However, as many will know the prices are just way too up there, it was at $190 pp. So sadly it was not to be.
Until a week ago when I spotted the price had gone down to $75 pp...  Instant book and pay, locked in.  Just as well, it was back abov $150pp the following day.
Seems it pays to be vigilant
 
 

For our upcoming trip on Freedom, I had been looking at booking the beach club. However, as many will know the prices are just way too up there, it was at $190 pp. So sadly it was not to be.
Until a week ago when I spotted the price had gone down to $75 pp...  Instant book and pay, locked in.  Just as well, it was back abov $150pp the following day.
Seems it pays to be vigilant
 
 

Totally agreed. Pre-Covid I was on the road something like 40 weeks a year. I had status with American, Delta and Southwest, all of which are now long gone. There is no chance of them returning now.
I also lost status with both Hilton and Hyatt brands. However, I was fortunate enough to gain "Lifetime Titanium" status with Marriott. So that in itself ensures benefits if I stay at a Marriott brand hotel.

We enjoyed Allure so much that we have booked again. Sure she isn't Amped yet, but that adds to her uniqueness

We enjoyed Allure so much that we have booked again. Sure she isn't Amped yet, but that adds to her uniqueness

We enjoyed Allure so much that we have booked again. Sure she isn't Amped yet, but that adds to her uniqueness

We enjoyed Allure so much that we have booked again. Sure she isn't Amped yet, but that adds to her uniqueness

We enjoyed Allure so much that we have booked again. Sure she isn't Amped yet, but that adds to her uniqueness

We enjoyed Allure so much that we have booked again. Sure she isn't Amped yet, but that adds to her uniqueness

We enjoyed Allure so much that we have booked again. Sure she isn't Amped yet, but that adds to her uniqueness

I was caught up in this. The intention was to arrive at Dulles VA on Sunday evening, that didnt happen. Rather after exhausting all other options, I was stranded in Atlanta overnight, and returned to Fort Myers the following morning.

I was caught up in this. The intention was to arrive at Dulles VA on Sunday evening, that didnt happen. Rather after exhausting all other options, I was stranded in Atlanta overnight, and returned to Fort Myers the following morning.

Just a quick jaunt to Coco Cay and back

I was caught up in this. The intention was to arrive at Dulles VA on Sunday evening, that didnt happen. Rather after exhausting all other options, I was stranded in Atlanta overnight, and returned to Fort Myers the following morning.

Sheryl and I are really excited to be onboard for this one. Our first time on Odyssey

I am a tad cautious always.
 
Set sail pass is always on the phone, with a screen shot as immediate backup should I lose internet connection.
 
However, I have  paper copies of everything...  Just in Case...

I am a tad cautious always.
 
Set sail pass is always on the phone, with a screen shot as immediate backup should I lose internet connection.
 
However, I have  paper copies of everything...  Just in Case...

Couldn't resist taking advantage of the Casino Offer. Sheryl and I will be enjoying our first sailing on Grandeur in March.
19 - Miami
20 - Cruising
21 -  Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic 
22 - Labadee, Haiti
23 - Cruising
24 - Miami
 

As a former serving member of the Royal Navy, I genuinely rebelled against the whole idea for many years. As a professional sailor I had a jaundiced view of floating "Gin Palaces" one I freely admit was not correct. Finally though, I had to come up with something for one of Sheryls birthdays so I bit the bullet and booked a 5 nighter on Brilliance.
From the moment my feet touched the deck, I changed my mind. Once more I could feel a ship under me, her motion, her machinery, her vitality. I was hooked. While leaving harbour from Tampa, I loved every moment. From assessing wind speed and direction, currents, potential hazards and more, it all came back. Later, after passing under the Sunshine Skyway and making her way to sea, Brilliance brought back so many lost memories.
Cruise ships will never bring me quite the same feelings as one of the grey ladies of the sea, after all they have a different intent and purpose. But they are close enough that this old sailor loves them dearly. I can close my eyes and reminisce, which is as close as I will ever get again.
 

As a former serving member of the Royal Navy, I genuinely rebelled against the whole idea for many years. As a professional sailor I had a jaundiced view of floating "Gin Palaces" one I freely admit was not correct. Finally though, I had to come up with something for one of Sheryls birthdays so I bit the bullet and booked a 5 nighter on Brilliance.
From the moment my feet touched the deck, I changed my mind. Once more I could feel a ship under me, her motion, her machinery, her vitality. I was hooked. While leaving harbour from Tampa, I loved every moment. From assessing wind speed and direction, currents, potential hazards and more, it all came back. Later, after passing under the Sunshine Skyway and making her way to sea, Brilliance brought back so many lost memories.
Cruise ships will never bring me quite the same feelings as one of the grey ladies of the sea, after all they have a different intent and purpose. But they are close enough that this old sailor loves them dearly. I can close my eyes and reminisce, which is as close as I will ever get again.
 

As a former serving member of the Royal Navy, I genuinely rebelled against the whole idea for many years. As a professional sailor I had a jaundiced view of floating "Gin Palaces" one I freely admit was not correct. Finally though, I had to come up with something for one of Sheryls birthdays so I bit the bullet and booked a 5 nighter on Brilliance.
From the moment my feet touched the deck, I changed my mind. Once more I could feel a ship under me, her motion, her machinery, her vitality. I was hooked. While leaving harbour from Tampa, I loved every moment. From assessing wind speed and direction, currents, potential hazards and more, it all came back. Later, after passing under the Sunshine Skyway and making her way to sea, Brilliance brought back so many lost memories.
Cruise ships will never bring me quite the same feelings as one of the grey ladies of the sea, after all they have a different intent and purpose. But they are close enough that this old sailor loves them dearly. I can close my eyes and reminisce, which is as close as I will ever get again.
 

As a former serving member of the Royal Navy, I genuinely rebelled against the whole idea for many years. As a professional sailor I had a jaundiced view of floating "Gin Palaces" one I freely admit was not correct. Finally though, I had to come up with something for one of Sheryls birthdays so I bit the bullet and booked a 5 nighter on Brilliance.
From the moment my feet touched the deck, I changed my mind. Once more I could feel a ship under me, her motion, her machinery, her vitality. I was hooked. While leaving harbour from Tampa, I loved every moment. From assessing wind speed and direction, currents, potential hazards and more, it all came back. Later, after passing under the Sunshine Skyway and making her way to sea, Brilliance brought back so many lost memories.
Cruise ships will never bring me quite the same feelings as one of the grey ladies of the sea, after all they have a different intent and purpose. But they are close enough that this old sailor loves them dearly. I can close my eyes and reminisce, which is as close as I will ever get again.
 

As a former serving member of the Royal Navy, I genuinely rebelled against the whole idea for many years. As a professional sailor I had a jaundiced view of floating "Gin Palaces" one I freely admit was not correct. Finally though, I had to come up with something for one of Sheryls birthdays so I bit the bullet and booked a 5 nighter on Brilliance.
From the moment my feet touched the deck, I changed my mind. Once more I could feel a ship under me, her motion, her machinery, her vitality. I was hooked. While leaving harbour from Tampa, I loved every moment. From assessing wind speed and direction, currents, potential hazards and more, it all came back. Later, after passing under the Sunshine Skyway and making her way to sea, Brilliance brought back so many lost memories.
Cruise ships will never bring me quite the same feelings as one of the grey ladies of the sea, after all they have a different intent and purpose. But they are close enough that this old sailor loves them dearly. I can close my eyes and reminisce, which is as close as I will ever get again.