Jkaczano

I spent an hour or so writing this on the balcony then mom and I went to the Thermal Spa. Spent some time hanging out on the hot rock benches where we met a lovely woman named Tricia from Boston. Grabbed another chocolate milkshake from Johnny Rockets. When we got back to the room, they were just starting rehearsals for Aqua Nation. I think it will be new since the restart since they are only doing Aqua 80 this week.

Day 2 I got up this morning at 9! Mike, my mom, and J were missing. Turns out they went to get coffee at Cafe Promenade and explore Central Park. Coffee was ok. We then all went to Coastal Kitchen for breakfast. Croissants and scrambled eggs were really good. French toast was ok. Cheese omelet was a little dense. I forgot to take pictures but still have a couple more days to do it. After breakfast, I settled the kids at the flow rider with the 2 grandmas while Mike, his dad and I went to a seminar on art history. I met @wozswoman there. Then went to check on the flow rider crew.

Then we went to dinner at Coastal Kitchen. It was filet night. The Caesar salad French onion soup was delicious and the filet was excellent. The guys also tried the duck breast, but said the filet was better. Dessert was hazelnut cake, cheesecake, and chocolate cake. After dinner we went to see the headliner act Charles Peachock. He was very good. Originally Allan had saved us seats in 3rd row but with some mobility issues, we ended up sitting toward the back. We then headed back to the room and unloaded bags before I tried to blog. I had trouble loading pictures, so I think the internet was slow

Kids went on the carousel and then spent the afternoon of the flow rider. They were usually the only ones on there. Occasionally 1 or 2 other people would come but pretty quiet.

We then went to Johnny Rockets for lunch. The milkshake was phenomenal. The food was ok. The chicken salad was so big, mom and I could have split one. Boys said chicken tenders were “chicken tenders”.

Let’s try this again. Hopefully I won’t lose internet this time. Our room is beautiful. Allan had cookies, a fruit tray, and some champagne waiting. The second bedroom was made up as a queen, but room steward Gusti had it changed to twins before bed

I really meant to be on more often, but it’s been so busy that I just settled down. Day 1 We had a boarding time of noon so we were aiming to be at the port for 11, but because we didn’t hit any traffic, ended up having about an extra 1/2 hour so we made a stop at Liberty State Park to see the Statue of Liberty. We then headed to the port. I dropped everyone off at Zone 6 where the bags were tagged and taken and we went into the regular boarding line. Shortly before boarding started, Allan and another genie came out and moved all star class to a separate line which went into the building first. We went through security and Allan met us to walk us onto the ship and up to our room.

Possibly. We did have a similar situation for this Sunday’s Oasis sailing. When we booked in early August, all cabanas were showing as sold out. They suddenly became available a couple weeks later. The other option is that Wonder will be at CoCo Cay at the same time as Freedom,

And the cruise is a GO The 4 of us just took our COVID tests right after midnight and they all came back negative. After having so many vacations cancelled in the last 18 months, I just kept waiting for something to go wrong. The boys and I were originally scheduled for testing tomorrow at CVS but I just couldn’t wait.. So when Mike did his test using EMed, the boys and I did ours too using our backup tests. My mom and Mike’s parents are still scheduled for testing tomorrow. That’s a big change since a month ago when I last posted. In early September, Mike mentioned that it would be nice to bring his parents on a cruise with us. He originally thought our May 22 Adventure, but I (jokingly) suggested why not this one as the prices were good and I had seen mentions of single pricing on Oasis. @Sharlawas able to get us a great price on 2 connecting ocean view balcony cabins down the hall from us right by the elevators, so they also be along on the cruise. Now that were are a group of 7, our plans on CoCo Cay went out the window. We had started with a beach bed on chill, changed to a water park cabana, then to a chill island cabana, and now we have a cabana booked at the Beach Club. I was hoping to do the overwater, but they haven’t budged from $1700. Today Allan also sent us final instructions for arrival on Sunday along with his WhatsApp contact information. We have the earliest check in time (noon) but we plan to grab Dunkin Donuts on the way and be to the port around 10:45/11 if we don’t hit any traffic. It’s a 2.5 hour drive from my mom’s house through NYC so a little unpredictable. It’s now 2:45AM and my second wind is gone. Tomorrow we will finally start packing.

We grabbed a thrill water park cabana bc of the 2 teens. It’s now going for more than what we paid. It’s not just the excursions, either. I was hesitant to book the 2br aquatheater bc it was more expensive than I thought it would be. But now the 1 br aquatheater (sky class) is going for $2k more than I paid for star class. Amazing.

It looks like it moves forward if you select 1 person. You may have to do 1 at a time.

Unlimited dining package for the 9/26 has come back a couple times and then disappeared again. It is currently gone

They are the same test. It doesn’t matter whether you buy from emed, Optum, or Optum through the RC link, what you receive is the same. Approval is based on the test type (this one is approved) and that it is proctored (both proctored by same company). expiration dates were both early to mid January. Roughly January 6th and 11th. I could be off a day or 2. They’re good for my trip a week from now. They aren’t good for my February cruise.

1. They are the same test. Both use the Navica App and emed 2. Emed shipped way faster - I had them the next day. Optum took several days and this was before carnival and Royal recommended them 3. Expiration dates were within days of each other. Test kits were ordered about a week apart (increased # in sailing party)

We’re at about $330 pp direct flights for a fare that includes a carry on and seat selection. Southwest extended their fares this morning to late April, so I would check them too

Found decent rates on JetBlue last night direct from Boston for 3/18. Prices were same to FLL as MIA

3/18 For 4 adults A2 is 16.2 and A1 is 16.7. Sharla has 9734 on hold for us so I can get my head around adding another cruise for next year

I’m really surprised that the crew member would think it was ok to tell anyone that they needed to move - star class or not. If that passenger wanted to sit with her party so badly, she should have gotten there when they did, or the whole party should move to where there is enough seats to accommodate them all. Looks like there was plenty of room in the back. I hope Sunil educates her.

I’m on the 9/26 and will post them from the ship

Thank you!

@jaullram do you know how many passengers are on your sailing?

On our 9/26 Oasis, I can get all the way to checkout. Not sure why it makes me select a time though, when it says it’s for an unlimited 7 day pass.

Good morning everyone! Has anyone had any experience with the thermal suite pass, especially on Oasis? My mom and I will be star class on the 9/26 sailing and with 3 sea days this sounds like fun. It’s being offered right now on my cruise planner for $119 pp, $199 per couple. Thanks!

I haven’t used them, but several people on the Florida departures board on cruise critic were critical of them.

That looks amazing. I’m impressed with your willpower on this cruise.