Cactus527

She says to someone who just posted it on a public internet forum. 🤣

Ssshhh. Don't tell anyone. 🤫

One quick update to this saga.  Our last cruise, Wonder (5-5) was our Pinnacle cruise and since we did not upgrade this complimentary booking we were not supposed to get any C&A points for it.  To my amazement and glee, I saw this morning that we WERE awarded 7 points for this cruise !  YIPPEE !!!!  
No idea why...but I have a working hypothesis that it may be b/c we originally booked this cruise as a full fare cruise (with the intention of making it our Pinn comp) and then transited it to a complimentary cruise once we got our Pinn cert. Maybe there was some kind of coding in the original booking that never got changed ?  Who knows...just glad we got the points !

I just ordered more red and purple underwear for James and I. We need to get to prime.

Sorry about the delay. I was really trying to deal with my mother.....more about that later.
The new rooms are nice but they smell like heavy chemicals. The hallway is very tight, so you can't get around if the steward has the cart there. The rooms have USB hubs.
Since this is such a short cruise I am earning my brother half his new prime status and a cruise. So we had ELF around 4 and then I unpacked and went to the casino until dinner. I love MTD,  we got sat earlier than our scheduled 8:30 and was done by 9:20 so I went back to the casino.
It is a totally different crowd and they are stupid and loose. I will go into detail later.
 

I just want to rant a bit. I am usually really prepared. I asked the casino host first night if a particular sailing was on the sold out list. She said no. I called casino royale today and it "technically " isn't because all that is available is JS at 4500pt threshold or for a $4k upgrade fee. I purposely played to the point threshold for that sailing. I would have played for the extra 200pts to have more options. Now my mother, who wanted me to earn her a cert but hasn't thanked me, refuses to sail alone so I wasted my money.

Stray observations, thoughts, wrap up......
So for the inconvenience they offered my brother 75% off a spa service/package.  It was to be sent to his email after the first cruise.
They are using a smell good in the cabins, it made the rooms feel fresher and less confined. We got individually sized amenities in the bathroom along with the all-in-one despenser in the shower.
Speaking of the shower.....mine never got warm, let alone hot. I had a new plastic shower head that had great pressure. But all my showers bordered on cold. Because it was so humid on the ship, it wasn't a big deal. So I forgot to mention it but will in the survey.
By day 2 the casino bartenders knew both me and my brother's drink order. One saw us when we boarded again and hugged us, saying why didn't we tell him we were B2B. He said see him at 5pm and he will let us have prime drinks before they open.
We had the same table for this cruise and our servers also gave us hugs, they had hugged us last night, to thank us for tipping and enjoying the magic.
No Chef's amenity on the 4n, so I don't think it will happen on the 3n.
Lots more people booked specialty for this cruise. With no sea days, I was shocked by this.
Lastly. People are filty. The bathrooms have been bad but for some reason people chose disembarkation day to do their worst. I'm not going to mention how disgusting it was.
But also mother shenanigans.
Despite me telling her we usually get off at 10am. She went to the bathroom st 9:59. Which would be okay but she has to apparently unsnap full-on corsets😅🤣😂😂🤣,  because it takes her forever. 5min is the shortest. We had to wait for her, thankfully it was mostly vintages doing B2B. So we made it to th checkpoint the same time as those who left earlier.
Despite doing all of this last cruise. She was brand new. Couldn't connect to internet, present the right sea pass. Asked what ship were getting on, etc. The crew were laughing at her. Especially the ones we had frequent a lot.
She also still says yes to everything, despite it being a no. My brother is at his threshold.

The consecutive cruisers lunch was disappointing. It is held on deck 5 with the Key lunch but on opposite sides of the dining room.
I guess they change the menu every so often or after each sailing. But the offerings were meh. I would haved booked specialty if I would have know it wasn't going to be the short rib.
The section is small and they tried to sit us at shared tables. Some people are okay with that but my mother's shenanigans thrive on an audience,  so we try to avoid that. There was a lady with the most piercing voice who got a sucker while we were going through customs and wouldn't stop talking about her pinnacle journey. She talked about trying Virgin and being disappointed. Then she took liberty and was sold on Royal........she never took a breath. She was three tables away and we could hear her all throughout lunch. I never heard anyone else and eventually tuned her out. But it really bothered my mother and she got her blood pressure up over this.
After lunch we went to get laptops from the room, so my brother could work. His room was done but mine hadn't been started. We just got what we needed and went to the library. People kept coming in and being loud. Eventually it settled down and we are working. My mother is listening to her audio book and reacting. The family across from us is watching her like a hawk 😅🤣🤣😂.
 






 

So glad to hear that you  have been having good experience with MTD.  We love it and have never had to wait very long.  It's nice to just be able to go when you're hungry instead of very early or very late (which are the other 2 options, IMO).
I'm glad you were able to get the fixed dining changed to MTD.
So, you are staying in the same cabin.  What about your brother and mother ?

I hope that line works better than what I saw on Wonder in March. We came out of early seating on deck 4 and had to fight through a sea of people backed up to the elevators. I normally just request a 2-top by a window but I asked for deck 5 for next month to avoid it.
Still don’t understand why fixed times vary from ship to ship, especially in the Caribbean (I could see Europe being later). Late seating on Wonder is 7:45pm now.
I know it’s typical of RC to not standardize things like this across the fleet… I just don’t understand the logic (if there is any).
OK, he’s fine, lol… and I bet he is. I was joking earlier. I certainly don’t wake up every single morning wanting a huge breakfast… then it passes of course.

Turnaround was very smooth. We met in the Star lounge around 9:15, it was about 40 of us......last sailing was 180. We sat until 10am and then we went through customs. The walk was the longest part of the process. Since they had the coast guard inspection, they asked people to arrive an hour later. However there was at least 20 people in the waiting area already.
We have our new sea pass cards and I was hoping to drop a few things off. But the inspection pushed the room ready times back and I could see the crew still working on the new rooms.
We are currently sitting in Schooner's, waiting for lunch. Yes my brother wasn't originally hungry this morning but he had 2 apps, 3 baskets of bread, 3 entrees and two desserts last night. He is currently starving. 
We changed traditional dining to MTD and will have the diamond concierge change the May 20th sailing to MTD as well. Currently we can't get anything earlier than 8:30 but we will stand in line to eat in there earlier.
 

Even your brother? Is he OK? I'm concerned.

Day 5 but also turnaround/ embarkation.
It is a good morning, I slept well and finally my full relaxation has kicked in. Sometimes it takes me a few days to fully relax, which is why I prefer a longer vacation 🤔 😅.
We were told to leave our room at 8:30 and head to the lounge. We all were actually full from last night, so no breakfast. Will have the consecutive cruisers lunch.
 

Sea day continues...
I went to guest services and it was a hoot.I was confused about B2B turnaround day as my last B2B I stayed in the same room. The process on the sheet makes it seem like we need to put luggage out by 9am. But we just leave everything in the room and head to the Star lounge at 9am.
Anyhow the hoot was this person who thought everything was included and contesting their $2700 bill. My brother thought it was hilarious when the guest services rep, said sir didn't you sign every receipt???? And the guy said I assumed it was cuz they want to be tipped.....😫😞.
I watched only 10min of once upon a time. The 7pm showing had a batch of screaming tiny humans that were distracting.  I will catch it on a later sailing. So I had a couple of tropical daiquiris at the casino bar and chatted with a vintage who won icon in November on a high point certificate. Then we headed to dinner.
I have been spoiled by MTD. It's always open and if I show up earlier, I still can be sat. But traditional opens exactly at 8:30. I have to say tonight's menu and dinner was the best of the bunch. My mother was so happy with all her food and didn't complain. The jumbo coconut shrimp was actually big. They were also hot and delicious 😋. I could cut my jerked pork chop with my fork. My brother said the jerk chicken was juicy and flavorful. The pineapple cake was dry, maybe because its sugar free. But we had to wait for dessert because the dancing was happening.......not a fan.
We tipped our waiters and they hugged us goodbye. I didn't tell them we were B2B because I'm going to the diamond concierge and asking for MTD on the next leg. I should also mention that the head waiter did magic for us each night. It was adorable.  They also loved that my brother had 2-3 baskets of bread and the same number of entrees each night.
I spent  no vouchers. But I got waters and cokes to tide me over on embarkation day.
 
 

I'm proud of myself. I didn't play in the casino today because it wouldn't count. I did however people watch and the casino continues to be a shenanigans-magnet. I watched, but not really,  people change into their evening attire. I have no idea why they couldn't leave but......
Then there was this group of swinger's who kept rubbing butts for luck......it seem to have been working with all the hooting and hollering 😳 🤣😂😂.
Last shenanigans was the couple with their hands in each other's pants. It's a possibility that I missed so much more because of my mother's distracting ways.
I plan to catch once upon a time and then do MDR dinner. My mother is excited for the grilled tiger shrmp. After hearing her express this 17times between yesterday and today. I had to remind her she has this entree going on 7x. She thought.......😂🤣😂😂😂😂🤣........tiger shrmp meant the shrimp was butterflied.......as if she had never had shrimp that way before. So having the shrimp look different was what had her super excited. I really hated to burst her bubble.

@asquared17 the lemon tart was so good, like an actual lemon meringue.
It feels like 95 outside. I like low 80s, so the heat is oppressive plus so many people aren't washing their or their children butts.
I didn't take a picture of the key lime pie since it went back.
My mother continues to entertain 🙄 I was so dead when she asked me "what's that?" To the same chicken sandwich we both had......maybe the guacamole threw her off🤣😂🤯.

I'll do my best... but not next cruise. I already told you June 6th doesn't work for me since I'll be on Wonder.
I'm extra motivated since you called them "f'ing vouchers" btw. 🤣

Help me, too.  Soon after we started cruising again, I was very diligent about making sure that I used all of my vouchers (usually at the end of the evening), even if it was for water or Cokes....but lately I have been slacking BIG time.  There are days when I don't use ANY of my vouchers.  So please be my voucher conscience and help me remember to redeem my f'ing vouchers !!!

I think it must be cooler related- our first time on Oasis, the thing got stuff COLD... like room temp bottles of water were actually fridge-temp cold overnight. The second time, barely got the bottles above room temp. We were spoiled the first time, I assumed they'd all get COLD...nope. 

you really do!! i am pretty picky about my tuna, but these are always tasty and the nice thing is how you don't have to commit to a FULL ON sandwich since they come in half sizes. then if you find one you enjoy...... you go for it 😎
i agree. i'm always underwhelmed this night.
this is heartbreaking..... if you can't rely on sorrentos for crisp pizza, WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO????
this is the kind of stuff that kills me softly. when our "fridge" in our JS didn't keep things even remotely cool on oasis, i was so sad. of course when we had the oceanview balcony in the back, the fridge was fine. i think the older ships really struggle with those little fridges.
meanwhile we had no issues on symphony or harmony, which just goes to show that the newer ships have a better ability to balance the electrical load or whatever. (me, speaking as if i am an expert 🤣)
i am really liking how the crown lounge has been a bit of a savior for you this sailing. i hope it continues to be so for the other two legs of this as well. 💚

Okay mom shenanigans.
The ongoing not listening.....
She replies "yes" To everything because she never listens.
A crew member asked her if she liked Oasis lagoon and she said yes, he asked her if her favorite was the swim up bar and she said yes......then was like oh I've never been. This happened three more times in the conversation.
In Nassau this happened with a conversation about conch and the straw market.
We were having a conversation about ELF and she said yes to it being crowded, despite her not ever being near/ eating there on this ship.
She proceeded to have a very loud uninformed conversation about her retirement account in the casino......but somehow got upset that people were staring at her.
She complains profusely about her food but when they ask she just smiles and we have to say something. Example: she read the description of the pan seared sole. Instead of asking for no sauce, she ordered the pan sheared sholes, sheared hard. I have no idea why she added the H to it but.......then said it was nasty because of the sauce. So we ordered her another sans sauce and she was happy.
She talks loud and with her hands but is always asking why people are staring at her. She had 2 strawberry daiquiris, a little alcohol in each, and was super loose. To the point she was dancing while seated and eating her food in the WJ.
She ask obvious and repeat questions over and over. Like we got our tacos from ELF together but when we sat down in the WJ, she pointed to my plate and said " what's that?" And " you got some nachos!!" I assume its part of her narration. Either way it's annoying.
She always want to take the stairs but not take the stairs. That means she suggests it and then huffs and puffs about doing it.
She refuses to do anything alone. I mean anything other than use the bathroom.
 
 

Day 4 sea day
Good morning, its a lazy sea day. I did my morning walk. It's humid but breezy on the track. Not a lot of people out but the pools are already soup.
I was very productive. Got the ball rolling on my block being sent. Then got my onboard account squared away with my prime discounts. I then went to the Crown Lounge for my breakfast,  my brother is currently in the WJ fueling up for the gym. He says freedom's gym has the highest weights he has seen on any of the other ships he has been on. Apparently on here they pass the 110s 😱🤯.
The Lounge continues to be empty. But it is nice to access it via the deck, especially since I am located forward.
 

Day 3 Nassau continues....
I watched sailaway and then headed to the casino. I only needed 200pts to earn my mother her cert. I was able to get it done. I should point out both my brother and mother want casino status, yet neither has the fortitude to do it. So I play for them both. Which means that for each leg I will be earning a cert. The 3n is my brother's turn and I will work on mine on the last one. My luck turned around on dancing drums and I was able to get my mom's cert at $1.50 per point.
Since my brother is now in a promenade room, we watched the anchors away parade from there. They put up ropes along the promenade to keep the performers safe.......at least that's what I assumed.
I made a few calls, the wifi continues to be great. Then hung out until the casino opened.
We did not do dinner in the MDR. A taste of France is everyone's least favorite menu. None of us thought it was worth it to have to be there that late for what they had. So we went to the WJ.  My mother was happy. My brother and I were meh, the selection wasn't good.  I made a plate but only ate rice and bread. I wasn't full by any means so I went to Sorrento's and they disappointed me even more. Thank God for smartfood popcorn.
I did peek into the headliner show with Don Grey......I stayed 2minute and left. I guess I find that type of humor cringe 😬.  I went back to my room in the bowels and mostly packed up.
Stray observations
The cooler in my room and my brother's new room doesn't get cold. The one in the uninhabitable room gets cold, like almost freezer cold.
They don't care if you show up at 8:59, when the WJ closes at 9. During the restart they seem to be rushing people out. Now the crew are like "stay as long as you need, can I get you this...." Which is nice but also sucks for them having to work extra.
The casino is empty until the first seating end.
Nobody seems to use the CL, even during happy hour I have counted maybe 6 people max.
People are behaving in the casino but acting a fool in weird places. My brother said there was 2 fights in the gym. Some teenagers fighting in Playmakers and some drunk people fighting by ELF.
Tomorrow is the last day of this cruise and a sea day. I will update you on my mother, I am tired from being in that heat all day........which I must say has been oppressive.  Even the ship is really warm/humid in a lot of places.

I also agree about the storage in the Promenade rooms….especially around the vanity.  Nothing !  No drawers and only those tiny corner shelves. Other than that, we’ve usually had plenty of storage though.  We always get rooms right next to the rear elevators and we find those rooms very quiet.  I can imagine the ones in the middle of the Promenade would be much noisier.  
 
We have one coming up in a few months...on EX I think.  They are a bargain…only a few dollars more than the comp interiors but waaay better, IMO.

🤣 Hilarious. Kinda reminds me of how my wife's best friend from college who still lives in PA sends her profanity-laced gifts like a mug that says "I f'n miss you b-word!" All in good fun.
Are those burritos in the wrapper? I did re-try the quesadillas on Wonder and they were good. Didn't get to the burritos.
I'm sure you can tell I'm easy-going, used to sailing with tons of kids, and don't complain about much but OMG THIS!!! We see it a lot from kids of various ages and it's so annoying. You're on a giant ship... why the stairs?!?
Brilliant scam. I'm shocked that doesn't work. 🙄