Cruiser4Life

On Oasis a few weeks ago, we docked at coco cay with no issues during super  heavy winds. However, the captain said we pulled in on the side they don’t usually dock on and at a certain angle… a smaller ship was docking there that day as well… not sure which one…. And the Oasis captain positioned the ship to protect the other ship from the wind, otherwise that ship would have had to skip the port stop for safety reasons. Thought that was really cool… and everything was open on coco cat except for the hot air balloon ride. 😎

I am on this same cruise.. Long long ago, the suite concierge used to send out a seating map of the tables that were being set up along the Promenade and you could book the exact table you wanted the week prior. More recently, they have been reserving you in just a generic area and you wait and see where they place your namecard when you arrive that night. On some of the smaller ships, when we boarded, there were already tables set up with little signs that said "Buy me for NY eve". This being a larger ship, not sure what they will do but can circle back (if I remember 🙂 ) when we receive the concierge email. Can't wait!

My absolute favourite on our recent 8-night Anthem cruise was the salmon teriyaki from the Taste of Asia menu. The salmon was cooked perfectly and the sauce was very tasty. Unfortunately, that particular menu would not normally show up on a standard 7-night Caribbean cruise but appears instead to be an additional menu for longer cruises.

 

@Cruiser4Life, we just disembarked from Anthem this morning. Our 8 night cruise had the Asian menu on it! 😁
The salmon teriyaki was really good. 😋

Ok I am hesitant to post this but you are all so sweet, I feel safe.  My first jumpsuit.
Needs a little sweater or my Jean jacket but DD insists it’s ok.

Totally agree with your DD. Out of all of the new menus, the taste of Asia one is the one I find most appealing. Guess I need to book a longer cruise too. 😂

i want to say to them: DON’T BE SO BOUGIE 😂

Interesting re: the prescription meds.  My doc will always give us a scrip for Cipro and Zpak for our cruises in case we contract some kind of tummy bug.  So far, not needed but better off having it and not needing it than needing it and not having it.  Of course, I always take our hyroxychloroquine and Ivermectin but haven’t needed those either.  
 
Just a little humble brag:  since the cessation of the vaccine and testing requirements, Dan and I have been on 8 cruises and have not contracted so much as a sniffle - this, despite taking no vaccinations and never being tested for COVID.  We are very glad we waited it out.  It seems like every cruise we have been on, someone blogs afterwards that either they, or some member of their traveling party, contracted COVID (ship suspected but never a confirmation, of course).  Either we are the luckiest people cruising or we made the right decision to not get vaccinated.  I would suggest the latter given our abysmal onboard gambling record (although I am currently “up” on EX  🥳🥳).

hooray!! i'm so glad to hear you had a great time!! i love PDCC on the last day -- like you said, a great way to end it 🥰 happy to hear the ducks were alive and kicking (swimming?)!!
thanks for following along!! 💚

Following! We just got back from this itinerary on harmony and it was a great time. I thought PDCC on the last day would throw us for a loop but we actually enjoyed it, great way to end the week… as an aside, we had literally never found a duck before on all our cruises and they were plentiful on this ship. Have the best time!

Following! We just got back from this itinerary on harmony and it was a great time. I thought PDCC on the last day would throw us for a loop but we actually enjoyed it, great way to end the week… as an aside, we had literally never found a duck before on all our cruises and they were plentiful on this ship. Have the best time!

Following! We just got back from this itinerary on harmony and it was a great time. I thought PDCC on the last day would throw us for a loop but we actually enjoyed it, great way to end the week… as an aside, we had literally never found a duck before on all our cruises and they were plentiful on this ship. Have the best time!

Following! We just got back from this itinerary on harmony and it was a great time. I thought PDCC on the last day would throw us for a loop but we actually enjoyed it, great way to end the week… as an aside, we had literally never found a duck before on all our cruises and they were plentiful on this ship. Have the best time!

We were once the dreaded pier runners.. in key west… our family has the largest plot in the key west cemetery so we took a walk there after our excursion to freshen up the flowers there… accidentally exited the wrong gate when we were done and got completely turned around heading back. In case anyone was wondering, the whole “the ship won’t leave you if you are on a Royal excursion” does not pertain if a) your excursion ends hours before all aboard and b) everyone else that took said excursion has long been back onboard. Oopsies 🤣

After being SC a few times I felt the need to try and mimic the SC amenities when we were not SC.  For YEARS I purchased the DBP, the internet package and the UDP.  All I was missing were the Genie and the extra large suite.  I was sure that this was the way to go !  Then, we began to realize that the UDP was just too much food.  Not just that it was too much food, but that we were forcing ourselves to eat at specialty dining venues when we really weren't hungry AND going back to the same restaurants again and again.  It finally occurred to me that if I only had a 3 night package I would have the freedom to eat just a snack at lunch time or even better, just skip lunch altogether !  No more guilt about passing up a specialty restaurant at lunchtime when I had already paid for it.  Then, when the 5 vouchers for D+ started, I KNEW that we no longer needed the DBP since I rarely drink any alcohol to begin with.  I still purchase the 2 person internet package b/c Dan and I don't share well LOL.  But I no longer purchase the UDP or the DBP and I haven't missed either of them.
SC is a wonderful treat.  I am going to return to using it as a [rare] treat.  Hopefully that will bring back some of the WOW that has gotten somewhat tarnished - at least, for us.

I'm certainly not referencing this to anyone....this is just my personal opinion, as a long-time Star Class customer.
I think that a lot of the WOW HAS come off.  The program itself hasn't changed that much but frankly, as they say, "familiarity breeds contempt" and I think I am just jaded from doing SC so many times.  Yes, the price is definitely having a tamping effect but I just can't get that excited about SC anymore.  Maybe Dan is just wearin' me down... LOL.  We paid less than $5K for our first SC trip (Harmony, 2014).  That was a bargain.  It's just sooo incredibly expensive now, and with the services and options dwindling, I don't see the value, sadly.
We have a SC booking for Icon in Dec. 2024 and honestly, I'm willing to pay the exorbitant price tag ONLY b/c it will be an entirely new and unique experience, but I don't see myself booking any other SC cruises at the moment.  I'm always super excited for those who are doing SC - particularly those that are doing it for the first time.  It's fun.  It's different....and it does make you feel special.  I really enjoyed being Sky Class this past week on OA.  I enjoyed having somewhere civil to eat (particularly breakfast) and the room (GS) was very comfortable.  We have seen all of the shows so no need for reserved seats anywhere.  I think Sky Class may be my new comfort zone, too !

Thank you for taking us along. I have so much gratefulness for everyone who blogs. DD13 very happy to arrive on Harmony CLS today and while having lunch at Jamie’s, she found her first duck ever so…..Here’s a little peek. I really hope to sail with people from this blog soon! 😘😘

Thank you for taking us along. I have so much gratefulness for everyone who blogs. DD13 very happy to arrive on Harmony CLS today and while having lunch at Jamie’s, she found her first duck ever so…..Here’s a little peek. I really hope to sail with people from this blog soon! 😘😘

Thank you for taking us along. I have so much gratefulness for everyone who blogs. DD13 very happy to arrive on Harmony CLS today and while having lunch at Jamie’s, she found her first duck ever so…..Here’s a little peek. I really hope to sail with people from this blog soon! 😘😘

Thank you for taking us along. I have so much gratefulness for everyone who blogs. DD13 very happy to arrive on Harmony CLS today and while having lunch at Jamie’s, she found her first duck ever so…..Here’s a little peek. I really hope to sail with people from this blog soon! 😘😘

We did on the first night. After falling in love with it on SY, Hubby, the kids, and I all agreed that it was not as good on HM. 
That indeed is the great, and wonderful Marla. 🧞‍♀️
Don’t let the crowds deter you from trying oasis class if you have the opportunity. There are moments where the ship does feel crowded, like the promenade parties for example. However, there are endless places to go to be alone as well. That is the beauty of an Oasis class ship. They are designed to disperse crowds. 

After skating, kids headed off for another Nintendo Night. Hubby, Sis, BIL are watching Black Adam (one of the in room movie options. 
 
My parents went to the Headliner show (a vocalist this sailing). 
 
And me, I am totally nodding off while blogging this and waiting for pics to upload. Headed to bed. Not sure if it’s cause I have been up way earlier than usual when cruising, or because I left Jamie’s with 4 drinks in (those Bellinis are so good!) but I am super tired. Good night all!  😴

Kids ducked out of dinner early and found the Stowaway Piano Player, except he wasn’t “stowed away” tonight. 
📸 D14: She said she took the pic for me cause she knew I would want it for the blog ❤️
 

We are. It is just the right mix of craziness and relaxation time. 
 
It’s what @GregD explained. It’s a broiled Maine lobster. 
HM is actually giving away paper copies of the compass each night so I have been saving them and will post when I get home. Upload speeds on this sailing have been terrible. That is also why I have tried to collage as many pics as I can. 
Truth? Other than the perks of star class, I would still choose Deck 17 any day. I do miss it. 

Getting on Harmony this Saturday and just got a RoyalUp offer to every stateroom above ours (CLS)… including the Villa…. Hmmm.. Loving @Lovetocruise2002 photos of it… maybe it  means this cruise isn’t oversold… tempting…. 🤣