Cactus527

Safe travels!

BWAHAHAHA YES I SEE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel the weiner comment precipitated all of this. I might have to disparage Balcony #2 here...

Catching up here: I can't BELIEVE no one took @OCSC Mike to task for saying he'd never disparage someone's weiner. Good sir, if the weiner is boiled in water and looks similar to a sad clown, it needs to be disparaged. Also, whoever brought up the potato salad at The Dog House - ARGH NOW I'M CRAVING IT it's so freaking good. Nancy Guthrie saga - being in Tucson, I think we're ALL glued to it. It's not that far from where I live either, so it's doubly awful! $19-23 for a drink?!? I think we are exceptional as a family when we make it out of Costco's food court paying less than $15 for a family of four to eat. Just...does the drink come with a giant slice of pizza and a sundae? LOVE Grand Cayman, Spouse and I went there on our honeymoon cruise on Jewel OTS. I think we did the stingray city excursion and got freaked out by how happy looking they were (and how terrified we were). The water is SO BLUE. Have fun sunning, @asquared17!

It's like my neighbor's front yard at sunset. LOVE.

Bimini today? I visited Bimini on Jewel back in September, took one look at the port area, and told myself "Cactus, we're going to stay in our suite today." And I did. And then I laughed and laughed at people running during the various short torrential downpours. I hope it warms up for you soon. If it helps, it was 80F at my house today. The A/C just kicked on this evening and so I wrapped myself in a blanket. I'm in shorts and tee. I LOVE the bazaar area on that ship! It's so beautiful! Would love to do a Celebrity sailing sometime from the west coast, we shall see...

Chiming in about the time with the shuttle - the shuttle time says 8am. I think the last cruise I did, I showed up at 8am and it left at 8:15am. The other time I did it, I showed up at 8am and then shuttle left at 8:20am. Both times, we were at LAX by 9:15am. Hope this helps!

I can tell you, because I almost did the same the first time I went to PDCC. I had NO CLUE how far it was from the ship to South Beach, which was my goal. I put on my water shoes and thought "that's all I need!" I LEARNED omg. Now I either wear sandals or tennis shoes to get where I want to go, THEN take them off. So, in summary, people are clueless. Poor choices. Poor feet.

THAT FUNNEL CAKE IS AMAZING it was my favorite thing I had at PDCC when I was there last in September. I love that there are still tourist groups on PDCC. Like, are you going to get lost? Seriously?

Reality has been unreal, yo. Honestly, I should be doing stuff related to the huge event I'm doing on Sunday right now, but I'd rather be here with you guys. Your cruise starts the day of my event - you're going to have way more fun, LOL. My next cruise is April on Quantum. I'm going to try the solo balcony room! Beyond that...life. But at least there's cruising! EDIT: I just realized I am x-tremely late in making X jokes since you're on Xcel. All I'll add to the other x-cellent comments is that I hope you are never in need of x-lax to get some x-tra oomph on this cruise.

I chose a good day to come back to RCB - @Ampurp85 is on a cruise! I'm on Icon in October and now I'm worrried...at least it sounds like my teenagers will love it...

Have a GREAT time! We booked a graduation cruise for this time frame too, only ours is in Greece!

If it helps, the time that I went to Nassau and decided to check out the Queen's Staircase, I literally got off the ship at 7:30am, walked to the staircase (10 minutes? 12 minutes?), walked up and down it, took my photos, and headed back toward the ship. I was back in the port by 8:00am. It's close, and it's not going to take a long time. Just keep in mind that the staircase and the area around it are currently undergoing a restoration, so it may or may not be fully open to walk.

It worked out PERFECTLY! It's meant to be!!!!

It's interesting - when I got off Jewel, we were at Terminal 19 in PE. I had scheduled my Lyft days before for 8am and had no issues whatsoever with getting the ride (it came early) and getting out/waiting there. I didn't think RC used 19 much, but maybe it does? It was a good experience. Glad you were able to get yours without too much issue. Yay for being home and DOUBLE YAY for a direct flight! I wish that was possible for me more often - usually, I can get them to LA or Houston, but not elsewhere with a cruise port. Oh, sometimes Seattle. The blue thong man has scarred my brain. Thank you, LOL. Enjoy getting your kitty back too!

OMG I finally caught up. It feels good to be back in blog land! Reality isn't great at the moment, BUT! I was on Jewel last week for a 4 nighter. I was thinking of you, @Ampurp85, and wondering if you were cruising at the same time too but only got on the blogs here today. Your cruise shenanigans are on point. Also, I started lifting over the summer and it's rough...but I LOVE it. The photo of your brother lifting made me go but also gave me a goal to work toward. I actually enjoyed the fitness center on Jewel, much more so than I remember on Allure/Oasis class. IZUMI IS TO DIE FOR. If only they would stop pushing for those damn survey ratings...

I got really excited too...and then put it in my cart to see the price and wasn't so excited at that point. Darn it.

Jumping on board this thread: is there a special place for suite luggage drop off? Or would you just drop off your luggage in the same place with everyone else?

I always bring one just in case. Have never needed it (thank goodness), but it makes ME feel better that it's covered.

I'm not a true vintage but I had Covid at the end of May (just as we were getting on our Alaska cruise, UGH), and I *still* feel like I need to clear my throat from gunk. It's been two months! It just seems like illnesses are lingering more lately. Ugh. Loving the blog, took me awhile to catch up @Lovetocruise2002! Love seeing you enjoy your happy places (including the FlowRider LOL).

I love that the RC Blog podcast has little AI-generated graphics to go with them now. This week's made me choke on my drink and cry laughing. If I ever meet @Matt, I'll know exactly how to distinguish him from others based on the graphic.

I feel that 11:30 is very reasonable. If you take the shuttle that RC provides, it leaves at 8:30. a.m.. You'll get to the airport at 9:15ish. Definitely plenty of time for an 11:30 flight!

Me too! I'm doing Jewel. How about you?

@OCSC Mike I always assumed it stood for Orange County, Southern California. West Coast is the best coast! Hola. It's been ages since I've been over here. Trying to get better about reading again. I'm glad your cruise is going well thus far, and that you're feeling better. Definitely jealous of all the food and drinks!

Fabulous! Thank you for taking the time to do this and all the wonderful photos.