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Everything posted by Brando95
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Happy Sailing to all April 2024 Cruisers!!!
Brando95 replied to Lovetocruise2002's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion
30 - Brando95 (Ovation) -
7 days freedom of the seas is the ship too small?
Brando95 replied to Ben Scholtz's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion
.... it's the motion of the ocean that counts -
Checked In! And Photo Question
Brando95 replied to CanHardlyWait's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion
I honestly don't remember any indication one way or the other but I've never had to retake at the port. I'm overdue for a haircut at the moment but as soon as I get one I plan on uploading a picture for my upcoming cruise. -
Checked In! And Photo Question
Brando95 replied to CanHardlyWait's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion
Just devil's advocate here, but maybe they want a more recent photo since that is what they'll be using to verify your identity once on board. There might be some logic built in where it doesn't want a picture of a picture or something. When you scan on and off the ship, at bars, etc, it's the pic you upload or get taken at the port that pops up. A passport photo could be 9+ years old depending on when your passport renewal date is. I always just take a selfie against a blank white wall in my bathroom and upload to the app. That's been accepted every time so far. -
The only exception to this that I can think of is the OBC that comes with redeeming the RC Credit Card points... those you can designate to be specific to the person redeeming them or to be shared although I've only ever redeemed for me so not sure how it works in practice.
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Only really did 2 excursions on mine ... at Bar Harbor we did the Acadia National Park tour with a stop for a full lobster lunch and in Portland Maine we went to the "Portland Headlight" lighthouse. My favorite thing to do on this cruise was to try and eat a lobster roll at each port. Had some great ones, but I think my favorite was in St. John at this little place that was directly across from the ship - Steamers maybe? Also, while not an excursion I went on my own while in Boston and took a tour of Fenway Park. If you're a baseball fan it was awesome! Well worth the price at 2x what they were charging for it.
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I had one on my Anthem Canada/NE cruise and will on my Hawaii -> Vancouver repositioning. It's nice to see what it's like outside without having to turn on the bridge channel on the TV. My only wish is that along with the superimposed balcony railing that they'd provide a digital temp in the corner or something. It's nice to have to make an inside cabin not feel so cave-like.
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Someone is blogging the world cruise on TikTok
Brando95 replied to Shari's topic in Royal Caribbean News and Rumors
There's a couple putting up semi-regular YouTube videos. Short digestable videos. Living Phase 2 -
OVATION of the Seas 2025 after Transpacific
Brando95 replied to Azipod's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion
Typically, it begins the Alaska season after the repositioning and then in the fall will make the reverse trip down under. Unless they redeploy. I'm on the Honolulu to Vancouver trip this year and the passengers getting on in Vancouver will be doing the first Alaskan cruise of the season. -
Ovation of the Seas-April 30, 2024
Brando95 replied to CruiserBev's topic in Ovation of the Seas Roll Calls
I'm just staying one night in Waikiki. Couldn't resist a quick stopover on the 9th Island (Las Vegas) on the way out -
favorite locations for views on Allure of the Seas
Brando95 replied to GoldenTimeHero's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion
Actually as you're going around towards the back of the aqua theater there are stairs there that will take you down to the jogging track level. There are often Adirondak chairs there to sit and take in those wake views. Pretty quiet spot for sitting and reading, except in the morning and late afternoon when people are likely to be getting their jog or walk in. Even then it's not that noisy, just a passing pedestrian. -
I can vouch for the salmon bake excursion in Juneau. Cooked over an open flame, the salmon was really good and you can eat as much as you want! The sides, desserts and atmosphere are all very cool as well. Really enjoyed it.
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Agree - I hit it on my Anthem cruise on embarkation day for the roast beef sandwich and to avoid the Windjammer. We also did breakfast there several times - especially on port days just to grab something quick on the way to getting off the ship. On my upcoming Ovation cruise, I'll be using it too. Most likely on embarkation day and occasionally for a quick bite for lunch. Two70 is such a great venue during the day. Love the views and relative quietness.
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Ovation of the Seas-April 30, 2024
Brando95 replied to CruiserBev's topic in Ovation of the Seas Roll Calls
I'll be onboard as well. Just got the email today. Under the circumstances, I'm ok with the change. -
It's not as simple as buying it pre-cruise and getting credited back the value of the one free day. Doesn't work that way. What you'll get is a free day on a second device for you or someone else in your party to use. As I sail solo most often that doesn't do much for me. Since I don't really need to be connected for work, I just like to have it to stay in touch back home in case of emergencies, especially on the longer cruises. On my upcoming cruise, since I'll be in US ports the first part of the trip, I'll just use my phone and data when in port and wait until we begin the crossing over to Vancouver to purchase the internet. Buying it on the first of the 5 consecutive sea days, will get me 5 days for the price of 4. While the onboard price per day will be more than it would be in the planner my overall cost won't be as much.
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What was the magnet? Was it a duck? If so, I think I can see the reason for confusion.
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Solo Travel Experience, Don't Be Afraid To Go!
Brando95 replied to PhantomWolf's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion
Congrats! I've done Vegas many times solo and just finished my 3rd solo cruise and absolutely love them. One of the things I realized early on is that no one is staring at you and judging you. In fact, many people are envious of you for daring to sail solo. The only time I felt slightly awkward was eating in the main dining room. I prefer to just hit the Windjammer for dinner so I can be in and out and on to do what *I* want to do next. -
I've stayed at the Westin that's right on the harbor there. Not as convenient to the terminal as the Pan Pacific but very nice and if you get a room facing the harbor, great views. Also easy access to Stanley Park. For my next cruise I'm staying on Robson Street at the Blue Horizon which is a few blocks away from the water but it gets good reviews and is in a good location. Since my stay is post cruise I booked an excursion which will drop me off at the hotel after so I haven't looked into the cost of taxi/uber
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and while the liquor store prices are duty free - you don't buy the bottle and walk out with it like you do on land. They'll store it and give it to you before you disembark. As for the WiFi - you'll be able to chat through the app for free. It's not always as handy as iMessage though because in my experience using it last December I rarely if ever got notifications that I had a message waiting so you'll have to check the app for new messages. If you buy a one device package, it's not just that device for the duration of the cruise. You can sign off of it on your laptop and sign back in on your phone. Just can't use more than 1 device at a time with it.
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I'm sure that's a good link but I ain't clicking it
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Allure of the Seas the worst Oasis Class?
Brando95 replied to ApexoftheSeas's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion
I'd say it has the best Diamond Lounge location of any of the Oasis class -
It's my understanding that if you buy it pre-cruise that you won't get a refund in the amount of what it costs per day. Instead if you go and ask you'll get 1 day free on a second device. The only times I've gotten it, I've bought it on board midway through the cruise for the duration, that way the 1st day is free and pay for the remainder. If you have to have it for the entire sailing though to stay in touch or work I think it's definitely cheaper to get it in the Cruise Planner.
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allure returns in 2026 All Things Galveston
Brando95 replied to Galveston Steve's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion
Tip of the cap to the terminal crew in Galveston for my 9/4 sailing. Man, what an amazing embarkation experience. I glanced at my phone on the way up the escalator and it was 10:44. I was ordering my first drink at the pool bar on deck 11 of Voyager at 11 a.m. Disembark was just as smooth. They were already calling tags in the double digits by 8 a.m. and as I was handling my own luggage I was able to leave my room by the requested 8 a.m. and just walk straight off.- 965 replies
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- presidents cruise
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(and 16 more)
Tagged with:
- msc seascape
- presidents cruise
- jewel of the seas
- icon class
- galveston
- adventure of the seas
- norwegian
- radiance of the seas
- oasis class
- mariner of the seas
- new cruise terminal updates
- texas
- worlds first zero energy cruise terminal
- harmony of the seas
- voyager of the seas
- parking discounts
- allure of the seas
- uber update
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Friendly tip -- Get the passport
Brando95 replied to TexanTwoStep's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion
As mentioned above, if you get left at a foreign port or need to fly home from one due to an emergency it's a lot easier to get on a plane with a passport. Along with the new facial recognition technology at most of the terminals, it makes disembarking much faster. Just need to pause a second to get a picture taken and receive the green light than having to wait in a line to get your birth certificate checked. Not a huge time crunch but could be valuable if you needed to get to the airport to fly home. Yes it can be expensive but if you get them way ahead of time you could spread them out and not get the whole family done at once. Plus when you break them down on a per year cost basis they're really not that expensive considering you're covered for a decade. -
allure returns in 2026 All Things Galveston
Brando95 replied to Galveston Steve's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion
Good to hear they've worked out the kinks it sounds like. When I was last there in December we were one of the groups that got the email stating to show up an hour later than what our boarding times said. It was a little chaotic but we showed up and pretty much walked right on. Disembark was really smooth. I think with Allure being largest ship to go out of Galveston combined with logistics of a new terminal just sort of threw everyone for awhile. Heading out on Labor Day on Voyager so with it being a smaller ship, I'm hoping it'll be pretty seamless.- 965 replies
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- msc seascape
- presidents cruise
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(and 16 more)
Tagged with:
- msc seascape
- presidents cruise
- jewel of the seas
- icon class
- galveston
- adventure of the seas
- norwegian
- radiance of the seas
- oasis class
- mariner of the seas
- new cruise terminal updates
- texas
- worlds first zero energy cruise terminal
- harmony of the seas
- voyager of the seas
- parking discounts
- allure of the seas
- uber update