SheSellsSeashells

I made it onboard! I had a 10:30 check-in time, but since we were asked to come an hour later to accommodate a traffic issue I arrived at the port at 11:25—even though it felt like I was stuck behind the slowest people at every point AND there was an issue at my muster station where my setsail pass wasn’t working*, I was having a beer at Playmakers by 11:55. Why was check-in pre-pandemic so terrible?! I had a lovely lunch at Giovanni’s Table, and rooms were ready before I was done. An oceanview balcony cabin to myself feels like a suite! *Every time they scanned my paperwork, the device would sound an alarm and say that my pass was invalid, please check my ID…it was odd. They checked me off on paper, so we’ll see if that was enough or if I’ll need to go back.

I made myself an app for my cruise in Coda: it has my packing list, a countdown, trackers for Small Wonders and my drinks, etc. I am very ready to get my day started. My train ride was pleasant — Acela First Class apparently includes a surprisingly good meal and open bar — but because I had no plans for Newark beyond waking up here on embarkation day, I’ve been counting the minutes until it’s reasonable for me to request a Lyft to the port since I exited The Other Penn Station. The Royal app now has the activities schedule for the cruise loaded and is allowing me to add things to my calendar, so I’m killing time looking at what will be on offer. Based on what I see in the app and what I’ve heard about the last few Oasis sailings, I’m preparing myself for a trip with neither Aqua 80 nor Cats, but I will survive. (Aqua 80 is a real loss; Cats is just bad in a way I find bonkers and amusing.)

We just got notification that the same thing is happening for the May 8 sailing.

I just got my negative test result —so I am officially going on vacation! This will be my first solo cruise and first non-DCL ship, and I was hoping it might be worth a live blog even though my oceanview balcony cabin will be sub-cosmic class. About me: 37, Boston, Director of Operations for an environmental nonprofit; unrepentant overpacker, recovering overplanner, extreme introvert. My bag has been packed for almost two weeks. About my trip: Many firsts—First Royal cruise, first cruise since the shutdown, first solo cruise. I’ve never stepped onto a ship without my 9yo and currently-becoming-ex-husband before! He and I are still on good terms, and had initially planned an April ’22 post-separation sailing for the three of us in a 2-bedroom suite on Freedom—we had an overwater cabana booked and everything!—but he canceled right before final payment because he was spooked about getting on a ship in These Dark Times. He ended up taking our kid on a land-based trip to FL without me, and I decided on what would have been our embarkation day to YOLO Book It and have a solo adventure. (Having only sailed DCL before, even with the single supplement, DBP, UDP, and Voom I’m beside myself over how little I’m paying for this. ) This will also be the first time I’ve not had to fly to get to the port—I decided to try out First Class on the Amtrak Acela between Boston and Newark Penn Station. I’m leaving Boston tomorrow (Saturday) morning, and I’ll spend the night at the DoubleTree by Hilton that’s next to the train station. The question of the moment: how am I supposed to get any work done today?!

That’s incredibly disappointing—I will () be on the 5/8 sailing and Aqua80 was one of the reasons why I chose that ship…I can let you know if I hear anything and/or what we end up getting.

Are they checking boarding times?

I am counting down the seconds until my 1st solo cruise/1st non-Disney cruise/1st cruise since 2019 on Oasis on May 8th! I originally booked a day pass to the Coco Beach Club, but I canceled it after I watched many reviews that made it clear I paid far too much ($199+tip) for what I'd be getting for a few hours on top of what I'd already paid for the unlimited dining and deluxe beverage packages. Basically, my idea of a Perfect Day involves a nice lounger, relatively few people, and my beverage package. (I don't need to get into the ocean; I just want to look at and listen to it.) Is it possible that my best bet is to actually stay onboard and hang out in the Solarium or on the pool deck all day? Can anyone tell me what it's like to stay onboard while docked at Coco Cay? I see in previous cruise compasses that there aren't that many food venues open during peak onshore hours, which makes sense; what about bar service? I don't see hours for either the Lime & Coconut or the Solarium Bar on the cruise compasses I've seen—are they closed until 3 like the other bars and lounges?