WAYNO

An uneventful but wonderful trip thus far. Today is Feb 28th and we will be touring St. Maarten. I've been here a few times, but I forget... This will be a whole new experience all over again. I'll try posting photos. WiFi has been very intermittent and slow when it does work .

We made it.

Port Canaveral does everything well. It's our favorite.

Oh this storm is playing havoc. Portland is a mess and many flights are bypassing PDX, creating many more cancellations. We're to fly out at 5AM Friday. The cold is expected to continue, but the precipitation is expected to dry out for a day or two. Hope the highways start moving and the airport gets back to operating. I don't even know where to start if we can't get our flight. Cross our fingers!

Please allow me to share my latest experience... I'm not here to bellyache, but to share that every cruise is a different experience. Feb 3rd was our 2nd voyage on Navigator in a short period. Earlier in this thread I shared some experiences from the November cruise. Our airplane landed on time, we got to the port extremely early, 10-ish, and they again ushered us onto the ship early, 10:15-ish. The cruise was wonderful. Getting off this time was somewhat extended. Because we bought the shuttle from the ship, our disembarking time was 8AM. We were at the gangplank at 8AM, but we didn't make it thru customs til 8:30. We walked toward the bus area, to discover the three buses were already full, and they hoped some buses might return. There were close to two more busloads of people without their scheduled ride. They could not promise us when, or even if, transportation might be provided. Really? Our flight was 1:30 PM, so I wasn't worried beyond the inconvenience of standing and waiting for an extended period. Other folks had earlier flights and were understandably stressed. There was a lot of very frantic taxi and Uber calls being made. Uber was scarce, and other shuttles that I've used were already booked. We finally had a smaller shuttle arrive at 10:30. We boarded and got to the airport at 11:30. We were okay. Folks with earlier flights might not have been. My point to all this, we cannot predict transportation or traffic snafu's, so I allow myself extra time. In this case, I'm glad I didn't book the noon flight.

I also choose an itinerary first, and if it's Explorer or bigger, they are all magnificent. The only exception, is Odyssey or Quantum Class. Nothing wrong with the ships, as they are all marvelous, but since they have an abbreviated Promenade, I will purpose try to avoid those ships, as the promenade is my favorite part of the ship. I understand full well others have different favorites.

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None were available when we would have been awarded. They said they'd mail it to us. 3-months later it was in our mailbox.

Yep, thanks..... From the Northwest to the far Southeast is an ordeal and even a chore, separate, over and above the cruise. Leaving at 5 AM the day before, arriving that evening, and finding your way to a hotel, necessitates a complete decompression when we get aboard the ship the following day. Pretty much two days of stress followed by an instant vacuum of no responsibility at all. I can't wait.

Speaking of lobsters... Aboard Navigator two weeks ago, the lobsters were small, but absolutely scrumptious. Folks have been critical of the lobster for quite some time, but since I've never had a bad lobster aboard a ship, or mostly anywhere else, I think folks just have different opinions about lobster. Truly, the most bland lobster I've ever eaten, was ashore in Maine during a Royal cruise a few years ago. And that applied to two different restaurants. And speaking of the end-of-cruise survey... I did not really find a place where they asked, or I could answer, what my opinion was of the new menu. I was originally defensive of the changes, but now not so much. Again, on Navigator two weeks ago, we skipped the Main Dining Room on two nights, just because there was no comfort food on the menu. And dessert? Cheesecake is my Wife's favorite. It was offered on only one night. And on the nights that I thought the menu in the MDR was lacking, the Windjammer was also lacking.

Much nicer than I expected. And also larger than I expected... In a good way. I promised photos, but I've already given both bags away without taking photos. I'll see if I can get a photo from the giftee.

Short flight within same time zone, PDX to LAX for example I fly in early the morning of departure. It works well. Long flights, flying against time zones, PDX to Florida or Texas, I fly at least one day early and spend the night in a motel. One time we tried a red eye. Leaving Portland at Midnight, arriving in Florida early the morning of departure, on paper it worked well. In actuality, when they cancelled our flight and booked us the next day...We lost our cruise. I will never try that again.

This cruise went fast and is now in the books. It was a delightful cruise. We met up with fellow bloggers @EvergreenCruzers and had a wonderful visit. I am gonna add... We've done this cruise twice in the last 3 months. Leaving the port, don't book your flight time too close! Both of these cruises, the transfer from the ship to the airport, purchased from Royal, was totally dysfunctional. First time, we sat in a full bus for nearly an hour without explanation until the bus left the port. Last week, they ran out of buses long before everybody was loaded. It was nearly two hours until the final folks were loaded. Passengers with tight schedules had to call taxi's. And that's why I don't schedule too tight. It was uncomfortable standing and hoping for a bus, but we made our flight.

And one more edit... It's now day 6 on Navigator. I have skipped 2 meals in the MDR just because there was nothing on the menu interesting to me. At the same time, our tablemates thought the changes were wonderful, but they never ordered steak or prime rib even when they had the choice. Bottom line... It's not just about me. The changes, although unwelcome to some, are welcomed by far more.

We also have changed our dining time a couple of times over the years with no problem. Go to the kiosk and ask. If they can, they will... Only speaking of my own experience.

On Navigator now... Yep, the menu is slightly trimmed back, but the impact to me has so far been minimal.... Edited to add... Day 4, no comfort food on MDR menu. I understand it's a theme night, but I still expected a traditional/default beef entree. I don't do roasted tofu or enchiladas in a place where I'm expected to change into long pants. But for the folks that appreciate such a menu, I'm still happy for you Edited again... Not to worry, I'll just go to Windjammers. It was save money night there too. No carvery and no minute steaks. So I filled up on salad, hamburger patties and sweet and sour chicken. Glad I had a nice lunch in Mazatlan. I really thought the new menu would not be an issue. I've since changed my mind. Just possibly, this could be a reason to get more folks into specialty dining.

I am on Navigator as we speak. Two of these bags were delivered to our room and I've gotta say these bags are very substantial, very well made, and very attractive. When I get home in a week I'll post some actual photos.

I just received word that our Crystal Block is on the way! It's here!

The last day pre-cruise and it is always a very long day. We must leave our house at 3 AM Friday for the airport. I can try to get a couple hours sleep tonight, but that's not likely. Can't sleep on planes. I will end up with self inflicted jet lag. Oh the sacrifices we make for a week of heaven.

1-1/2 Days. Whoo Hoo! And I just finished packing. Mostly.