Yesiamthere6

Well, I may have a $hitty room but I was a winner in the casino tonite so I’m happy !
😂😂

lol.  I love screwing with words that end in a vowel (particularly an “a”) sound.  I usually add an “er” to it.  E.g, Florider.  I have a sister (Rhonda) that my grandmother always called Rhonder.  I guess it just stuck with me !
We try not to change rooms w/a B2B but it was unavoidable this time. This cruise (5 night) was actually [a casino comp] booked first and then we added the first leg [also a casino comp] in front of it, later.  Our original room wasn’t available (drats !) so we had to book a different one.  I did put in a RU bid on this leg but it failed. 😢😢. This leg has been sold out for some time, probably b/c it’s a 5 night vs a 4 night.
Also, update on the SL/CL access drama.  Yesterday, Gavin (Suites Concierge) told me that b/c there are 46 Pinns on this sailing, CL/SL access would be limited to the top 20 Pinns.  Last night, Dan came back to the room with the news that they changed their minds (no explanation provided) that all Pinns would be welcome.  So it looks like we’re “on” again.
We had our b’fast in Chops and now we’re waiting in the CL/SL.  At 9:00 we have to move down to the MDR, deck 5, port side, for the B2B shenanigans to begin.  Our wonderful cabin attendant, Jonel, will move our things from our old room to our new room.  Woohoo !  So nice not to have lug that $hit around.

Day Four - It's Cruise Day!
After breakfast, we called a Lyft to the port. It took about 10 minutes and cost just under $13 not including tip.
We arrived within our pre-booked time slot but there were some ladies ahead of us who asked if they could come in anyway even though their time was later and they were told yes. Just an FYI for those who may not be able to secure an earlier arrival time. 🙂
Boarding had already started and although I didn't time it, it probably took us about 20 minutes to get through security, check-in, photo stop and on to the ship.
After dealing with the muster drill, we grabbed a seat in Central Park (and a lemonade and some cookies) until it was time for our 1 pm lunch at Jamies. Actually, if I had been thinking straight at the time, I would have remembered about the Park Cafe and not bothered booking Jamies as that is really a strategy to avoid the WJ on boarding day.
The couple sitting next to us kindly agreed to take a pic for us. We're both hopeless at selfies. I'm so pleased with the one they took, I'm going to print it a frame it. 🥰

Lunch at Jamies:

Garlic buns. Very good.

Meat plank. Also very good.

Penne carbonara. DH said it was meh.

Super salmon. I loved this when I had it on Anthem and it was just as good here.

For dessert we split a banana split. I mentioned in another post on the boards that this was a big let-down. When I had it last, on Anthem, it had come with three large scoops of very high quality ice cream, but today it was three small scoops of normal ice cream. No pic as it did not deserve the space on my camera. ☹️
By this time, the rooms were open. We had booked a neighbourhood balcony guarantee and been assigned 11195, which we could actually see from our table in Jamies. This was our first time in this type of cabin and it was perfectly fine for us. We did find we missed the over-the-bed storage we had had on Anthem and Odyssey. I think a family with 3 or 4 people would struggle to find room for everyone's stuff. One nice thing was that there loads of hangers, some wooden and a lot of what looked like new plastic ones.
On this cruise, we used our balcony a bit more than we have done on previous trips. Comparing CP balcony, BW balcony and OV balcony, I think my favourite is the OV but DH said he really liked seeing CP and listening to the music that they often had playing there in the evening. We knew to keep our curtains closed and we were never bothered by noise so we were happy with our room.
The bed is by the door in this room:


 
Keep the curtains closed! 😳

The view by day:


And by night:


Given all of the horror stories I had read about My Time Dining on these bigger ships, we had opted for late traditional on this cruise. We were very disappointed with our table (381) which was stuck away in a hidden corner about as far from the beautiful central area as you could possibly get while still actually being in the same room. If I had remembered, I would have checked out the location ahead of time but having had MTD on all of our post-Covid cruises up till now I completely forgot.
The only redeeming factor and which stopped us for asking to change was our servers Sydney and Gendraj. They were just what we old hands expect of our dining room staff: friendly, helpful and attentive to all of our needs.
The Welcome Aboard dinner is one of the (IMHO) better ones of the cut-back menus:

We had the crab cake to start and it did not disappoint. I know it's not a "proper" Maryland crab cake (notice they've stopped calling it "Maryland style" in the menu?) but we like them.

Next came the prime rib. Since they usually overcook this, we asked for medium rare. It came out still kicking and mooing on our plates and we had to send it back for medium. However, either way, it definitely wasn't as good as we remembered.


For dessert we had the Boston cream pie and the cheesecake. I wasn't quick enough with the camera here but suffice to say both were very nice.

After that and ONLY because I mentioned it to them, Sydney, Gendraj and the up until then completely MIA headwaiter, whose name I never did get because he was so rarely seen, brought me my birthday slice of cake with candle. This is a rather disappointing development on Royal's part. In the past, when we had a birthday or anniversary on board, we would always receive this treatment without prompting. I know it was specified on the booking because our lovely MEI agent @michelle put it on and I saw it on the invoice. But our servers didn't know, the HW never came to ask if anyone had a special occasion (someone at the next table also had a birthday during the week) and if I hadn't made a point of mentioning it it would have gone uncelebrated.
In comparison, our DD is currently working as a Guest Services agent on MSC and a member of her team is always tasked with ensuring that everyone celebrating a birthday on board gets a birthday card delivered to their room. It's only a very small gesture but it makes you feel special and I feel Royal have perhaps lost their way a bit in this regard, which is a pity.
That said, when we went to the casino after dinner and I tapped my card to get my free $6 play, the slot machine acknowledged the occasion by flashing up "Happy Birthday!" That did make me laugh. 😂 I still didn't win anything with my free play though.
And then it was time for our ritual bedtime tea and cookies from the Promenade Cafe before turning in for the night.
 
 
 

I hate it here…..

These past couple of days got away from me, we were quite busy.
i will have updates for you all soon. 
 
@OCSC Mike we will get back to your food porn, 
@asquared17 I’ll have a little more info on Aqua80 2, 
more shenanigans including pier runners!
a special treat for The Boss….
Alas, as you can see we are back in Galveston. I’ve tried asking nicely, I’ve laid out the water works, I groveled, I even tried full on Karen…..to be able to stay on the ship…..but with all the RC cutbacks happening, they said GTFO.
One final breakfast at CK shortly and then we will be escorted off.
We are staying a full day here in Galveston/Houston with so we will have more fun today 

Back to the chicken conversation. Imagine the horror when I sliced into our Sam’s Club dinner to see this!  It’s a blood clot.  It changed my relationship with whole chickens…..forever!

Back to the chicken conversation. Imagine the horror when I sliced into our Sam’s Club dinner to see this!  It’s a blood clot.  It changed my relationship with whole chickens…..forever!

Back to the chicken conversation. Imagine the horror when I sliced into our Sam’s Club dinner to see this!  It’s a blood clot.  It changed my relationship with whole chickens…..forever!

Back to the chicken conversation. Imagine the horror when I sliced into our Sam’s Club dinner to see this!  It’s a blood clot.  It changed my relationship with whole chickens…..forever!

Back to the chicken conversation. Imagine the horror when I sliced into our Sam’s Club dinner to see this!  It’s a blood clot.  It changed my relationship with whole chickens…..forever!

Docked next to us was the Mein Schiff 6, and all I can say is those Germans are a different breed. Yes I know Europeans have a different view on bodies and modesty butttttt….🤣 (no pun intended)
Let me introduce exhibit A 

Then this lady made an appearance…..at least they looked clean….

the worst offender was a vintage male on a lower deck wearing just a robe…..he crossed his legs flashing the twig and giggle berries one to many times for it to be an accident.
As we sailed away the number of people coming out on their balcony in just their underwear was comical. 

Just pulled a shirt of the hanger that I had sent down for laundry and noticed this.
New Harmony tag on the left, old Oasis tag on the right😅

📸 credit Lydia…..current situation 

Another genie surprise when we got back from dinner: 

 
TV was singing Happy Birthday

Greetings from Anthem! We’re just getting settled onboard. Had lunch at Jamie’s. 

Burrata

Squid Fritti

Garlic Buns

Crispy Chicken Burger

Rocket Salad

Tiramisu

Amalfi Lemon Cheesecake 
Planning dinner tonight at CK for filet night. Comedy show this evening. 

Sorry for another photo-less live blog….but b/c we have not sailed on Radiance in MANY years, I thought I would post a few thoughts.
1.  Driving…arriving PoT.  Our drive from Port St Lucie to the Port of Tampa is about 3 hours, give or take depending on traffic.  We have made this trek 4 times now and I swear, we have not gone the same way twice, yet !  …and the drive home is never the same as the way we got here !  …but this morning’s drive was fairly event-free.  We ran into a bit of traffic around Disney (go figure) and again on I-4 W heading into downtown Tampa.  Par for the course.  Handled w/o issue.  I really do love the PoT.  It’s easy to get here, easy to park and VERY pleasant to board.  I will say again, as I have many times, the terminal staff in Tampa are the best out any port we’ve ever encountered.  They are NICE and so helpful.  We arrived about 9:45, were taken immediately to the Suites/ Pinn hold pin and checked in, sitting down, by the most wonderful lady - the same gracious lady that checked us in last time we were here.  Our wait was minimal.  By 10:45 we were onboard. During our very short wait we (I) attended to our safety videos and got the much-appreciated “Complete” banner.
2.  Onboard.  When we first checked, there were no staff doing the muster station check-ins so we (I) went str8 to our room to snatch our room keys.  Right where they should be.  Perfect.  When we came back down, staff was doing the muster station check-ins so we finished that up.  Yippee.  Also present in the hallway was a lovely lady pimping specialty dining so I asked if she would be able to do our BOGO rezzies and she said, “yes”.  Wow.  I’m on a roll !  She let us do Giovanni’s tonite and Samba grill on night #4.  I hope I don’t regret the Samba thing. It’s been a really long time since we tried Samba so we’re taking a chance.
3.  Will they or won’t they ?  Next, the first real challenge of the cruise.  Will they or won’t they allow us into the Concierge Lounge ?  For reasons which truly elude me, Radiance (and I believe all of this class ship) has never converted their Concierge Lounge into a Suites Lounge.  Whatever.  It’s always big drama to see whether our Sea Passes will open the door !  Whew.  We’re batting 1000.  So far, we have not been denied entry into the SL on any ship since we made Pinn.
 
4.  First impressions.  I always forget how beautiful the Radiance class ships are, until I step foot back on one.  Radiance is so classy…so far I haven’t seen anything to change my mind. The Staff has been phenomenal so far.  
So, we are contently waiting in the CL (not to be confused with the CL) 🤭🤭 for noon, at which time we will enjoy our Chops boarding day lunch.  BTW, I confirmed, when I snuck into our stateroom, that our bed is next to the balcony !  Woohoo !  With all this good luck, I need to bet big at the casino tonite.  Or, maybe I’m using all my good luck up, early 😂😂😵

It's been a while since I've done one of these and there doesn't seem to have been a recent one covering Symphony's current 8-night itineraries down to Aruba and Curaçao, so in the interests of a) being useful and b) reliving our recent cruise - just disembarked this past Sunday 😭, I thought, why not?
So, Day One - Travelling from Custard Tart Land (aka Portugal) to Miami, Florida.
 As per usual, our travel itinerary had us flying from Faro, our local airport in Southern Portugal, via Lisbon to Miami.
Take off. The watery area below is a renowned wetland zone called the Ria Formosa, which translates to "beautiful estuary", and which is famed for its wildlife, especially birds.

As usual, we were flying on the Portuguese flag carrier, TAP. Unusually, however, they had two flights going out on this day, so instead of flying up to Lisbon the night before and then out to Miami the next day, we saved on the hotel cost by "enduring" a five-hour layover in Lisbon. It actually wasn't too bad; Lisbon has some decent shops and restaurants to keep you occupied.
We had lunch at our favourite eatery, the Cockpit. If you ever have a layover in Lisbon over a mealtime I recommend it. They have a small seating area with table service or you can order at the counter and eat in the food court. Our preferred choice is the "Prego com presunto e ovo estrelado" in the "Snacks" section of the menu. (They do have a menu available in English). This is a beefsteak sandwich, topped with dry-cured ham and a fried egg, and served with what they call "country" fries. Very yummy and very filling. However, if you still have room for dessert, there's a great pastry shop right next door... 😈


After lunch, we found a good spot to rest up until it was time for our flight. You do have to hunt a bit for these seats. They're located near the electronic passport gates, but before your go through them. There is also a coffee shop and a toilet that are not nearly as crowded as the main departure lounge area.

Finally on board. We paid extra for emergency exit seats for some extra space and comfort (business class being well over our budget). Well worth it.


TAP includes food on transatlantic flights. The timing of this flight meant we had dinner and a late-night snack just before arrival into Miami. The dinner (chicken stroganoff) looks pretty disgusting but it was actually quite nice. TAP economy catering is generally edible unlike some other airlines.


The flight itself was uneventful and it landed just a little behind schedule, something of an achievement for TAP, who must have one of the worst punctuality records in the business.
Immigration was the quickest we've ever had at Miami, thanks to the timing of the flight; landing around 10 pm, there were no other international flights arriving to that terminal. the luggage seemed to take forever to come through but to be fair it was probably only about 15 minutes and we were soon in a Lyft on our way to our hotel.
I had previously linked my Hilton and Lyft accounts. This gets you Hilton points for each Lyft journey.
We were staying for two nights at the Hampton Inn in Brickell. I had booked a standard king room but we were upgraded to a king studio. I don't really know why, possibly because I had cashed in some points in part payment.
I'd checked in on the Hilton app ahead of time so I was able to choose our room and having stayed here before I knew which area would give us the best "view" if you can really call it that.



By this time, we'd been up and on the go for 22 hours so we literally dropped our bags and fell into bed for a good night's sleep before a full day out and about in Miami the following day.
 
 

Well in fairness all us parents know how satisfying potty training is 

Lots of people at the Taylor Swift Trivia too ... And heard hundreds of tweens singing the songs was definitely something!

 
Definitely fining some of the individual venues are undersized for the ship - Dueling Pianos and Swim and Tonic come to mind but other areas as well

Those are more!!! The collection is growing!

Oh my, I really really think they were originally the chips I hid, and forgot about them!  The plan was to split between the kids for their airport wait, but more chips appeared later that day, that I ended up using.   But that was way back to January 19th, certainly they can’t be the same ones!  

Ok, can’t be my stash…didn’t store anything but the lays potato chips.  You think someone found my stash then added to it!  Lol

Ok, can’t be my stash…didn’t store anything but the lays potato chips.  You think someone found my stash then added to it!  Lol

Ok, can’t be my stash…didn’t store anything but the lays potato chips.  You think someone found my stash then added to it!  Lol

Oh my, I really really think they were originally the chips I hid, and forgot about them!  The plan was to split between the kids for their airport wait, but more chips appeared later that day, that I ended up using.   But that was way back to January 19th, certainly they can’t be the same ones!  

Oh my, I really really think they were originally the chips I hid, and forgot about them!  The plan was to split between the kids for their airport wait, but more chips appeared later that day, that I ended up using.   But that was way back to January 19th, certainly they can’t be the same ones!