Austin

This is Wonders first stop in PR for 2024 and they were not sure of repair timing. She was switching between the two common eastern/western itineraries previously(similar to Icons current itineraries). Also Royal tried to convince PR port authority to allow WOS to dock on the other side of the pier but the port authority waited awhile to respond and eventually declined per the captain’s video detailing the reasoning. I’ll take an itinerary change rather than having a cruise cut short or cancelled like some of the other recent events across the cruise universe lately.

Just to clarify for anyone on a PR itinerary on an Oasis class ship, Captain said the dolphin Oasis ships use is unstable from the MSC ship striking it in PR. They tried to work with the port authority to dock on the east side of the pier instead of the usual west side, but the port authority rejected this option and told them that we cannot dock until the dolphin is repaired (unknown downtime). No mofongo for me this cruise, but will have to do conch fritters and coconut shrimp.

After you Status match to MGM, then status match from MGM to Marriott rewards… Sorta feels like a loophole, but I’ll take it. I also status matched to Celebrity and Virgin this year.

DR is one of the few places in the Caribbean that I’ve never been so I think that is where some of the disappointment is. We were actually going to be there two days due to the Haiti issue. Puerto Rico is probably one of my favorite stops because all of the culture and there are a ton of things you can do (I’ve stayed and cruised here). Some parts of the Caribbean (especially Eastern) when cruising seem the same. For me, St Thomas is less interesting since you still feel like you are in the US. Some of the less cruised itineraries tend to command a higher booking price (this original itinerary was Nassau, PR, DR, Haiti). So now it’s back to the usual itinerary (St Marten/Thomas) without Coco Cay. Also, most people probably purchase excursions on sale, whereas now all of them are last minute full price. Either way, we are still cruising and this is our first suite experience so an extra sea day means more time to enjoy ship amenities.

Currently on WOS and itinerary has been changed from Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic to St. Marten and St Thomas due to pier damage per captain. Labadee was cancelled earlier in the month.

Nothing that you will probably notice or see. More of a routine tune up.

You can swim with pigs for free at any of the beaches if you look around closely.

The port of call location is in downtown San Juan whereas the terminals for home ported ships are a little farther away. No Oasis ship has embarked from there, only day stops as a port of call. PR is one of my favorite stops in the Caribbean.

My cruise on Wonder replaced Labadee with a second day in the DR.

She was the biggest in the world only a little over 15 years ago… Freedom Class offers a ton to do for a week.

Majesty looks like a bargain.

I’ve never found specialty restaurants to allow you to leave hungry.

Those ages are no different than what you would see on an average college campus. I doubt Royal would change it and I doubt they have a very good turnout for these events.

A lot of my favorite eastern and southern ports are only reachable on non oasis sized ships. I like to try a Variety of ships and itineraries though. Sometimes it’s fun to be on a smaller ship where the waiters know you, but the big ships are also awesome. Just depends on what you are looking for out of the vacation.

The under the bed thing makes sense since the stewards always seem to makeup my room so discreetly… I thought they were ninjas, but I guess they were camping out under the bed waiting for me to leave.

I would argue Explorer has been amplified without the title in 2023 prior to her European season. In addition to the slides and mini golf update, there was a lot of guest facing work done on the interior so she feels amped. It may not have a Playmakers, but it has Izumi sushi. It’s pretty similar to Voyager which has been amped officially, but didn’t have a lot of significant changes. I’m sure we will see her continue to alternate the exotic Med itineraries and alternating the short/long Caribbean to entice people to go on her. Liberty and Allure could definitely use it. Excited to see the details on Allure’s amplification in 2025.

Better off to keep it and book the new one so you have a B2B and 7 nights on an oasis class.

Just wait until the guys in the Broward County jail get a hold of him… He’ll be some inmate’s pet.

Maybe a little competition then. Navigator and Quantum are both great ships.

Daytona or St Augustine would provide plenty of options for things to do. Jacksonville has a lot as well, but St Augustine is very unique.

Congratulations! It’ll be our 4th anniversary and our first time in a suite.

Per a previous captain’s talk, Royal cancelled as much as 15-20% of visits due to weather pre pier. Now they cancel <5%. I wouldn’t be worried.

The Abyss is a marketing piece, so they will definitely have it. Hopefully bionic bar is canned, otherwise we will lose the champagne bar to it. I’m sure the Brazilian steakhouse is history too, but I wish they would keep it since only Allure and Radiance have it. It’s nice to have some variety between Oasis ships.

I have not stayed on that floor but the noise bleed on the newer ships is much improved compared to the older ships. I remember staying under the Centrum on Monarch of the seas with a live band overhead and the room walls that had some give if you pushed on them…

What else would you add to another tier? A pat on the back from an officer? RC already has better perks than most other cruise lines.