Lexster

So...I am not sure if this has been discussed, but I am absolutely floored by the discourse I'm seeing about the World Cruise. I know a lot of people aren't into cruising so much that they look things up or watch videos about it, but man....I've seen people complain about classism because Pinnacle members get exclusive parties and things. I've seen someone complain about excursions being cancelled because they really wanted to see penguins. Like...yeah, that happens. And it's Antarctica. If it's too dangerous to tender, they can't go. I think the main problem is...there are a ton of young influencers on this cruise (I really didn't expect that, honestly) and they are constantly going on TikTok about it. It makes it seem like the World Cruise is out of control bad or something. I mean, I saw like a week of headlines when the ship flooded due to stormy weather, but they were all worded like "World Cruise Floods" without any caveat in the headline that there was a logical reason for it. They all seemed to imply there was an issue which caused the flooding by omitting that. I've actually not seen much coverage of positive experiences on the ship. I know, this is pretty common for most media to be anti-cruise, but still...

We just got off Icon, boarded in Miami on Sat, Feb 17th.
 
We had an 11:30am boarding and we allowed some extra time for traffic so got picked up at 10:25am at a hotel near the airport. We were in the ship at 10:52. Process was Soooo smooth and next to no traffic 

Exactly. Everyone has the opportunity to get an early time and I really wish Royal would enforce times at all ports and be consistent.  If more people had to queue outside and wait for their time, maybe people would start showing up at the assigned time and the whole process could be smooth for everyone all the time.
Of course, I’m a rule follower and will arrive during my window, but  I’ve also been able to get early times by being online when they open the check in window.
 
Happy Cruising!

The mindset that causes the back-ups to begin with 🙂

The mindset that causes the back-ups to begin with 🙂

It wasn't until we got through the porters and I went to park in the garage that I realized I could have just turned left to go up there instead of doing the U around to the porter area. I was sooo mad, but will probably do that next time.

Shhhh. This is still a dirty little secret. 

On Feb 10 for Icon, we had an early check in time and were in a suite. We were there around 9:30 - 10 and it was crazy. 6 lanes of cars backed up trying to pickup people and drop off people/luggage. We took an immediate left and up the ramp (just before the backup) into the parking garage and parked. Waited just a bit to finish our morning coffee and rolled our luggage down to the drop off (to the right when you get off elevators). Second in line to check in and second to board the ship. Worked well for us. There was a bit of a delay to start check in, but once open went very quickly.. YMMV.
J&S

Remember Icon is not sailing a full capacity yet.

WTF. It's 54.99 on sale for mine! It's normally 80 freaking dollars. Utter rip-off.

So...I am not sure if this has been discussed, but I am absolutely floored by the discourse I'm seeing about the World Cruise. I know a lot of people aren't into cruising so much that they look things up or watch videos about it, but man....I've seen people complain about classism because Pinnacle members get exclusive parties and things. I've seen someone complain about excursions being cancelled because they really wanted to see penguins. Like...yeah, that happens. And it's Antarctica. If it's too dangerous to tender, they can't go. I think the main problem is...there are a ton of young influencers on this cruise (I really didn't expect that, honestly) and they are constantly going on TikTok about it. It makes it seem like the World Cruise is out of control bad or something. I mean, I saw like a week of headlines when the ship flooded due to stormy weather, but they were all worded like "World Cruise Floods" without any caveat in the headline that there was a logical reason for it. They all seemed to imply there was an issue which caused the flooding by omitting that. I've actually not seen much coverage of positive experiences on the ship. I know, this is pretty common for most media to be anti-cruise, but still...

So...I am not sure if this has been discussed, but I am absolutely floored by the discourse I'm seeing about the World Cruise. I know a lot of people aren't into cruising so much that they look things up or watch videos about it, but man....I've seen people complain about classism because Pinnacle members get exclusive parties and things. I've seen someone complain about excursions being cancelled because they really wanted to see penguins. Like...yeah, that happens. And it's Antarctica. If it's too dangerous to tender, they can't go. I think the main problem is...there are a ton of young influencers on this cruise (I really didn't expect that, honestly) and they are constantly going on TikTok about it. It makes it seem like the World Cruise is out of control bad or something. I mean, I saw like a week of headlines when the ship flooded due to stormy weather, but they were all worded like "World Cruise Floods" without any caveat in the headline that there was a logical reason for it. They all seemed to imply there was an issue which caused the flooding by omitting that. I've actually not seen much coverage of positive experiences on the ship. I know, this is pretty common for most media to be anti-cruise, but still...

The complaints I've seen on line are minor gripes meant to create drama. I mean really, is it surprising that an excursion got canceled? Is it really a crisis to all of humanity?
I've had some hot tub discussions with new sailors on my current cruise though. They really don't understand how anyone would think a world cruise would or could work. They were shocked when I pointed out that world cruising may be new to Royal,  but it has been a thing since the 1970s. People who go on these things are very experienced cruisers and they know what they are getting into. I  seriously doubt any of the regular customers are surprised or unhappy. 

Unfortunately, they will do almost anything for clicks and views to their channels.  Click bait titles and fabricated drama are part of what brings their followers in.

It's a small group of tik tokers drumming up drama and trying to put negative spins on everything. I'm following quite a few people on reddit and IG and they've had nothing but glowing reviews about the whole trip so far

So...I am not sure if this has been discussed, but I am absolutely floored by the discourse I'm seeing about the World Cruise. I know a lot of people aren't into cruising so much that they look things up or watch videos about it, but man....I've seen people complain about classism because Pinnacle members get exclusive parties and things. I've seen someone complain about excursions being cancelled because they really wanted to see penguins. Like...yeah, that happens. And it's Antarctica. If it's too dangerous to tender, they can't go. I think the main problem is...there are a ton of young influencers on this cruise (I really didn't expect that, honestly) and they are constantly going on TikTok about it. It makes it seem like the World Cruise is out of control bad or something. I mean, I saw like a week of headlines when the ship flooded due to stormy weather, but they were all worded like "World Cruise Floods" without any caveat in the headline that there was a logical reason for it. They all seemed to imply there was an issue which caused the flooding by omitting that. I've actually not seen much coverage of positive experiences on the ship. I know, this is pretty common for most media to be anti-cruise, but still...

Just booked this cruise with my husband and a friend of ours. That friend's never been on a cruise, so figured we'd book the brand new Icon! We're also very excited since we've never done a cruise over a holiday before. Hopefully there's some fun Halloween stuff going on.

Just booked this cruise with my husband and a friend of ours. That friend's never been on a cruise, so figured we'd book the brand new Icon! We're also very excited since we've never done a cruise over a holiday before. Hopefully there's some fun Halloween stuff going on.

I usually eat at 5, so I'm okay with that.

Haha, I had NO idea what was a code for swingers!

PRE-CRUISE TRAVEL
Well, yesterday was the first leg of our 16 hour journey. It was relatively uneventful. We made a couple stops. We did get a really nice vehicle, so it's been fun driving that. We stayed at the Red Roof Inn in Perry Georgia and it was...yeah, it was bad. I've never stayed in a hotel quite so bad before. There were large puncture holes in the wall, the bed was a super bouncy spring mattress, and our traveling partners said they had bugs in their room. Would not recommend.
The drive today was also relatively uneventful, though once we hit Florida there was a ton of traffic pretty much all the way down the Turnpike. I'm guessing it's normal, but I have no idea how there is traffic on a road with barely any exits. Once we hit Miami and got off the highway, it took a half hour to go 10 miles. It was pretty ridiculous. We were considering going out to see a movie or something, but nah we're all just staying in. We did get food from the Flatbread House and it was pretty good! Radisson RED here in Miami is a nice hotel. I really like the asthetic. It has bare concrete ceilings and brick walls in the hallway. It's fun! Not too much else to go one about, but tomorrow we get on the ship! So exciting!

6 DAYS LEFT!!
I am so happy! Yes, because the cruise is close, but also I FINALLY got my license in the mail. It's been an issue since March and they had to resend it once. I was so worried because since we're driving, we're renting a car and I wasn't sure if they would accept what the DMV had given me. I'd already experienced another business not accepting the "issuance" I got, but either way, I have it, so I'm good to go! I have a feeling this week is going to go by so slowly, but on the plus side, my vacation starts on Thursday since that's when we're driving so I only need to survive three days of work. We're all so ready for this vacation. Also, since I'm not getting internet, my live blog will likely be everything posted at once after we get home.

PRE-CRUISE TRAVEL
Well, yesterday was the first leg of our 16 hour journey. It was relatively uneventful. We made a couple stops. We did get a really nice vehicle, so it's been fun driving that. We stayed at the Red Roof Inn in Perry Georgia and it was...yeah, it was bad. I've never stayed in a hotel quite so bad before. There were large puncture holes in the wall, the bed was a super bouncy spring mattress, and our traveling partners said they had bugs in their room. Would not recommend.
The drive today was also relatively uneventful, though once we hit Florida there was a ton of traffic pretty much all the way down the Turnpike. I'm guessing it's normal, but I have no idea how there is traffic on a road with barely any exits. Once we hit Miami and got off the highway, it took a half hour to go 10 miles. It was pretty ridiculous. We were considering going out to see a movie or something, but nah we're all just staying in. We did get food from the Flatbread House and it was pretty good! Radisson RED here in Miami is a nice hotel. I really like the asthetic. It has bare concrete ceilings and brick walls in the hallway. It's fun! Not too much else to go one about, but tomorrow we get on the ship! So exciting!

PRE-CRUISE TRAVEL
Well, yesterday was the first leg of our 16 hour journey. It was relatively uneventful. We made a couple stops. We did get a really nice vehicle, so it's been fun driving that. We stayed at the Red Roof Inn in Perry Georgia and it was...yeah, it was bad. I've never stayed in a hotel quite so bad before. There were large puncture holes in the wall, the bed was a super bouncy spring mattress, and our traveling partners said they had bugs in their room. Would not recommend.
The drive today was also relatively uneventful, though once we hit Florida there was a ton of traffic pretty much all the way down the Turnpike. I'm guessing it's normal, but I have no idea how there is traffic on a road with barely any exits. Once we hit Miami and got off the highway, it took a half hour to go 10 miles. It was pretty ridiculous. We were considering going out to see a movie or something, but nah we're all just staying in. We did get food from the Flatbread House and it was pretty good! Radisson RED here in Miami is a nice hotel. I really like the asthetic. It has bare concrete ceilings and brick walls in the hallway. It's fun! Not too much else to go one about, but tomorrow we get on the ship! So exciting!

PRE-CRUISE TRAVEL
Well, yesterday was the first leg of our 16 hour journey. It was relatively uneventful. We made a couple stops. We did get a really nice vehicle, so it's been fun driving that. We stayed at the Red Roof Inn in Perry Georgia and it was...yeah, it was bad. I've never stayed in a hotel quite so bad before. There were large puncture holes in the wall, the bed was a super bouncy spring mattress, and our traveling partners said they had bugs in their room. Would not recommend.
The drive today was also relatively uneventful, though once we hit Florida there was a ton of traffic pretty much all the way down the Turnpike. I'm guessing it's normal, but I have no idea how there is traffic on a road with barely any exits. Once we hit Miami and got off the highway, it took a half hour to go 10 miles. It was pretty ridiculous. We were considering going out to see a movie or something, but nah we're all just staying in. We did get food from the Flatbread House and it was pretty good! Radisson RED here in Miami is a nice hotel. I really like the asthetic. It has bare concrete ceilings and brick walls in the hallway. It's fun! Not too much else to go one about, but tomorrow we get on the ship! So exciting!