Mike n Ky

We usually stay at the Staybridge Suites in Webster. It's close to restaurants, shopping (isn't far to NASA) and easy access to IH45 which takes you directly to Galveston. It is about 30 minutes to the cruise port from there.

We have been looking forward to sailing Odyssey since we booked it in December 2021 for our January cruise in 23. Putting the music hall on our list! Thanks for the suggestion.

I have to say that my first thought was echoed by many, talking with your doctor. My second thought? Book another cruise for a year from now. I truly hope that you will in fact have a great outcome and be able to report back you are about to get onboard again next year.

Rebooked and canceled several orders this past Sunday. New charges got there immediately, refunds as of yesterday have yet to do so.

Rebooked on the Black Friday sale...Surf/Stream was the only available option for all three cruises in 2023.

Unless we decide to do a Radiance in March we will have to wait until our Allure cruise in September. We do look forward to seeing the new digs!

I found this thread interesting as I have never needed sunscreen. I also realize now that I am very reef friendly.

I always order the new and once it shows booked, cancel the old.

Just now read this thread...and your post...hopefully you have, or are about to have, your one year chip.

Booked Surf/Stream...said it was 15.99 for the first device, 13.99 for the second...8 day cruise...total was less than that. Total should have been 239.84 but was 223.92. Regardless, it was only a few dollars more than an original purchase for Surf level.

I was counting on that pressing deal on our Liberty cruise in September, three previous cruises did have it, but alas they didn't have it available.

My sister will be getting off the Allure the day you board. Hope you have smooth seas, warm weather and a great cruise!

1/14/23

I know we have to fly into Orlando, we leave on the Wonder end of April, but, should I stay in Orlando and shuttle to the port the morning of the cruise or should I shuttle over on Saturday afternoon and stay in a hotel near the port? We really have no interest in doing anything in Orlando.

Just got my RU for our January cruise yesterday. We are in a JS so all the options for suites above and the minimum bids are rather small.

By any chance is your spring cruise Wonder end of April?

Please, not the lamb shank...it's one night I look forward to in the MDR. Well, I do the first night too because they have the wild mushroom soup.

Does timing matter on RUs? Better to get in line first with an early bid? I plan on bidding for a GS from a JS in January.

I would be concerned that my luggage would get lost getting it there say at 10am for a 4 pm flight.

My brother keeps in contact with a chef who has served on Oasis class ships for years...in fact, will be checking to see if he has gone onto one of the ships we are on in 23...will try to remember to ask about that...just curious. That said, as the son of a butcher I can tell you that graded is not the be all, end all, my father wouldn't need the label. BTW, when I used the term ''managed'' I did so because the review has such an impact on those who work on the ships that they have that in mind with everything they do, hence, the managed. Some exceptional people I have encountered on ships get detailed reviews in an effort to see they are aided in their career path.

You can bid on more than one option. I once bid on a JS and a GS. Not sure what would have happened if the JS was accepted while the GS bid was still up. Didn't get either. Stopped bidding when I found out my points didn't double going from a balcony to a suite. January I am going to try to upgrade my JS to a GS or above. When I hit D+ I won't really care about points anymore and Celebrity will be added to our schedule.

We met a couple on a cruise that had only been on a few, this was their first time on Royal, and were celebrating their 40th anniversary. I checked with the desk in Chops and they agreed to use two nights of our DP to accommodate our guests and we invited them to join us for dinner. They even did an anniversary celebration for our guests. Not sure it would work on every ship but when on a cruise...ask...because they do try and want to see you back on board in the future.

Our norm is to do 3 night specialty, perhaps do playmakers as well and the MDR on the other nights. Our last cruise on Liberty we skipped the specialty dining, no playmakers, and did MDR and WJ. WJ, for the first time, not good, and regretted not going specialty. MDR was very good the nights we dined there. Next is an 8 day on Odyssey with a suite so we can do CK and will also be doing Hibachi with friends along with the MDR so not sure we will get the specialty package.

Liberty in September the WJ was less than average on quality and variety. It was noted in my survey but I sincerely believe the surveys have little to no value when relating poor personal experience. I wonder if in fact those who work on the ships are 'managed' based on survey response

Diamond/plus vouchers will now be getting a receipt that has to be signed for on every drink. I see this as an inconvenience, but they cite the number of complaints about the tally for the day etc. so I can see the validity of their doing this. For me it's also an opportunity to not have to carry cash as I can now put a tip on the order.