KJ777

You're clearly at least somewhat into photography as these pics with "just your iPhone" look great. Have you ever heard of or looked into into a company called "Moment"? They sell iPhone cases and attachable lenses to enhance the quality. I'm not into taking photos whatsoever but my wife bought some of their products to use in Alaska in 2018 with her iPhone X (again, we're not into photography enough to bring a real camera) and they worked pretty well.
Just throwing it out there in case it serves a purpose, even if it's not for Alaska but for more everyday stuff or future Caribbean cruises or whatever. So many tourists asked her about the lenses when they saw her taking pics with them and they were just using their phone as-is.

Thanks so much! Just my iPhone 14 Pro Max. 
My Nikon DSLR camera body is ancient and not worth taking on cruises at this point. 😐 The outdated sensor in my camera is unusable in low light without flash and it's only 10MP. I'll probably have to splurge on a new camera body if we go to Alaska down the road so I can take advantage of my lenses.

Repeating what everyone has said, these pictures are amazing!!  Not sure what you're using to take these but they're great!  
Looking forward to seeing all of this in person December 3!!

DAY 6:  * SEA DAY * - (FRI, 11/3)
I woke up early (a little after 6:00am) before Christine and started to explore the ship once again while most of the passengers were sleeping.
I worked my way to the Solarium… photo dump to follow! LOL! 😃



One of the two hot tubs in the main part of the Solarium…


I said this last time, but I still need to remember to grab a banana, place it in the gorilla’s palm, and take a pic one day! 😆

Lower level of Solarium… To us, Wonder’s solarium is a nice hybrid of the Quantum and Oasis class solariums. Enclosed (climate-controlled) and multi-tiered (pool and seating)!

Much nicer, although still relatively small, pool than on other Oasis class ships…


Lower level behind the glass is the Solarium Bistro and the upper level is Hooked Seafood…

Some panoramas taken in the center of the Solarium…




Quick shot of the best hot tub on the ship IMHO… the double hot tub that cantilevers over the starboard side of the ship. Nicer pics to come! It was closed when I was taking my pics. This one is just inside Solarium once again on the starboard (right) side of the ship.

Here are the pics I posted earlier of this hot tub from the pier! 😃

Next, I walked the entire pool deck… 
Looking forward… Remember, when walking the pool deck, the slides are in the forward of the ship and the video screen is aft…



Quick pano looking forward…

Now, looking aft…




Now, I headed further aft toward the Boardwalk neighborhood…






Will continue on…
 

On our recent cruise on Allure a man and lady seemed to always have breakfast at Coastal Kitchen and he spent LOTS of time on his cell phone, even while eating, while his wife or partner sat there with him.  I thought to myself, WOW, he must be someone important or have very important business to conduct while on their cruise.  Maybe he's doing deals with his broker?  Maybe he's running a business?  Whatever.  We found it odd that this had to be done while he ate breakfast, but I sure didn't let it affect my enjoyment of our cruise.  At least he wasn't loud, and we were not close enough to hear the conversations.  Not something I would have done or wanted multiple people doing though.

Agree with Shanethegriff here. I'm in this age bracket. I'm retired and living on limited means. I budget my limited funds to be able to travel!

@brdjnr, agree with you re: the Promenade View rooms.  What a bargain (as far as bargains go, these days).  We have a couple more booked including 14 night B2B on EX in April.  Very convenient and affordable.  We even downgraded one of our OV casino comps b/c I would rather have the Promenade View than a bilge OV.

Cruise with confidence ... Lift and Shift ... 125% FCCs ... those were the good old days.  The flexibility was nice but it sure was confusing.  I wonder what happens now if someone tests positive for Covid. 
On a recent cruise, I went down to medical with symptoms rather than do an expensive excursion.  Fortunately I tested negative for Covid.  I mentioned the excursion that I missed and they said the cost of the excursion would be refunded due to "medical reasons."   I didn't get charged for the doctor visit or the Covid test.  They said it was all "Covid related" even though I tested negative.

I'm guessing that the OP sits on his front porch and yells at the squirrels to get off his lawn.

Is the real problem everyone else…..or is it YOU? 🤔🤔

Definitely seems like ChatGPT or something like that (somebody stirring the pot). Sorry but I'm in my 50's and don't like rap either, but I don't think I've ever heard rap on any ship I've been on yet. The music by the pool is geared towards the younger crowd, but throughout the ship the vast majority seems to music that came out when I was in elementary school. They literally have a 70 disco night party and a 80's night. Same goes with talking on a cell phone, not sure I've ever seen anybody talk on their phone on a ship (you'd have one heck of a phonebill)

Annoying behavior can be found almost anywhere.  I learned many years ago, though, that my standards may not be other people's standards.  If I choose to be, I could be annoyed almost every day by someone  --  on the road, in the grocery store, in my neighborhood, wherever....    When I see annoying behavior I try my best to not let it adversely affect my day.  If necessary, I will tactfully say something though.  It's unfortunate, but I doubt that a Code of Conduct would change the kind of individual behavior you've described.  I hope that in the grand scope of things you found your recent cruise to be enjoyable.

If anyone is interested, there is a Code of Conduct and here is the link to it -
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/guest-terms/guest-health-safety-and-conduct-policy/english/
If something is truly a nuisance or presents a danger, you have every right to inform a crew member.
Me? Policing other people or caring what they do is literally the last thing I want to do on a cruise (unless of course, they are a danger to themselves or others. Then, yes, I will speak up).

Do like I do and reach for the item toward the back, not the one immediately in the front row.  I totally understand what your concern is.  We actually tend to avoid the buffet.  Another strategy -- be the early bird and get there before the masses.

No that was deliberate.  🤪
That's the gin and tonic typing.......🤩

So, as the sun sets and Port Canaveral  disappears, thought I'd share this. Mariner's crew had to have set a new land speed record for cabin turnaround today. We boarded around 1230, went to our assembly station, and barely wet our whistles at the Schooner Bar while fighting with Voom setup when the announcement was made cabins were ready for occupancy..... at 1pm!
Bravo Mariner!
Also......there was apparently  some IT infrastructure upgrades along with Starlink conversion.  First trip on Mariner of February '22, the internet was abysmal to the point a plug in WAP was placed in our cabin. This time our phones are displaying WiFi 6 icons and the service quality is smoking........
Why, we even received  our C&A platinum pins. I feel so impotent..... 🙂

The contract states you cannot reprice after final payment. It's no different than expecting to get a refund on something you purchased 6mths ago and is now 70% off.

We’re in the waiting lounge.  An absolutely horrific drive in this morning (Monday morning rush hour.  Ugh) but we’re here and ready to board.  See everyone onboard.

I will try to remember to let you know!!  We haven't been to Costa Maya or Roatan but have been to Cozumel twice.  Thanks for keeping us updated on your cruise!  loving the pictures!!

We always have a 10:30-11:00 check in. That's why I pretty much do check in at exactly midnight. We do specialty lunch on embarkation day at noon so we need an early boarding time. 

Oooh! If you have the time, please let us know how your cruise goes!
My wife and I will be doing that itinerary (plus PDCC) on Icon next May. We’ve never been to Costa Maya and Roatan. Have an amazing time!

Loving these updates, pictures and narrative!  We'll be on Wonder December 3rd.  We have Mason Jr reserved for dinner and Hooked reserved for lunch.  But we'll be going to Cozumel, Costa Maya and Roatan.  Enjoy the last bit of your cruise!!

We crossed the triple digit mark. 
 
it’s the little things that amuse us I guess  

In the past, I've always had the deluxe beverage package and get my morning mocha from Cafe Promenade or Cafe Latte-tudes.  They taste great and therefore I see no need to buy from Starbucks -- not that I have anything against them.  I never pay too much attention to the details, but I think they may even use Starbucks cups and coffee??

We don't carry gobs of change on board with us.  We do have some (maybe 10, $1 bills and other assorted change, each).  We bring larger bills and then make change as we go along at Guest Services.  This is pretty easy for us to do since we are in and out of the casino all the time and always have cash around....but I think it will work for anyone, TBH.  I agree with @Bob_KY that it is wise to have some change tucked away in a couple of places but we never have uber amounts of change at any one time.