tonyfsu21

That would make sense re: restricting full casino access until the inaugural.

Anything is possible but staking a vacation on an airline schedule these days is a gamble I wouldn’t take. If everything went right and you ideally boarded a plane from FLL before noon then you just might make it.

It would have been best to pay deposit before booking a plane flight because I personally don’t have much faith in IT at Royal Caribbean. A courtesy hold is not binding in any way so I think you may not have much luck with resolution. Good luck

Is there a travel agent/blogger sailing(s) scheduled for tomorrow or next week before the revenue sailing next weekend? I would really like a glimpse of the casino and a walkthrough video!

We walk it to DT and it’s totally safe. I would add that if you are able body and enjoy walking then this will work well for you.

I seem to remember the icon has the “biggest pool on a cruise ship”? Even if this is true, they could not possibly build a big enough pool to satisfy the many thousands of passengers who will be eager to swim on a sea day. It’s a problem that can’t be solved.

If I’m not mistaken, the 4 day would include Nassau. In any case, nobody is sailing Utopia for the ports of call. We opted for a B2B this Summer and I have heard it’s a popular option for these new short duration Oasis class sailings.

I would like to add that anything the casino department or customer service says is more than likely just speculation as well. Both departments have a habit of steering you in the wrong direction and can’t be trusted. Could you imagine the uprising if the “new software” did not incorporate your hard earned player status? That can’t happen.

I tip 2.00 per drink in cash but the nightly stops at guest services would interfere with my vacation so I come prepared with $100 in singles.

I have seen the same thing listed on the bottom of the receipt indicating the gratuity was added.

Spice mill beach break was a good option. The beach is beautiful and the beers are iced cold & cheap. The only issue we had (family of 4) is the lack of organization at the pier and then again once we arrived at the beach. Nobody seemed to have a clue and it was complete chaos. The good news is once the dust settled it was a very relaxing day at the beach. The van ride to the beach showcased the island with a stop at a mountaintop view point for photos. Very cool.

I just checked and I stand corrected. The Serafina in Fort Lauderdale is a different company. Looks like La Bamba is a safe bet for the next time you make it to FLL!

Barkers Pet Resort on 17th Street in Fort Lauderdale would be really easy for you in/out of Port Everglades.

There’s one in East Fort Lauderdale (926 NE 20th Ave).

I would not advise EVER spending 5 figures at a mid to low tier jewelry shop on a cruise ship. How did you actually get to this point? I’m not judging the amount as I have spent significantly more at the Rolex authorized dealer (AH Riise) in St Thomas and also Cartier Boutique in St Maartin (no longer open) because of the massive duty free savings. If you had an AMEX linked to sail and sign account then I would have immediately contacted AMEX and disputed the entire amount (insert any reason: fake, not as advertised, broken) just to get the ball rolling. Ultimately you made a very costly mistake by jumping into something w/o performing a level of due diligence for a $50k purchase. If you are Jeff Bezos or Mrs Jeff Bezos then please disregard anything I said in the text above…

Some ports like St Thomas have Rolex boutiques which are totally legit so there really is a benefit considering a duty free purchase.

In 2024 you can play every one of these games on an iPhone which is even more cost effective!

This is true. I only “fast spin” which basically amounts to dumping a heap into a machine and pressing the button as fast as a slot tournament. It absolutely does not matter as the reels don’t have time to physically give the illusion of a spin. IMHO it’s more exciting this way as I have zero patience. Attached are some highlights from Symphony last week (+$13k):

The best recommendation IMHO is to figure out what you want from gambling and the casino. The slots are very user friendly and require little to no effort to play. If you are looking for status to get discounts, “free drinks” exc then a hefty bankroll is a must.

I have no skin in the drink package game between diamond + drinks and “free” casino drinks (I pay for the rest). I would add that cash tipping the bartender will normally get you what you want and most likely with no scrutiny at all.

Yes, I think I counted 6 between smoking and non smoking casinos on Symphony (it’s possible I had too many beers and missed some).

+1 re: rising tide. It’s pretty interesting to look at and I guess you could call it a legacy design element of the Oasis class but still a one & done.

I’m actually most excited to see which Mod or @Matt opts to go down one of the multiple interior deck slides we discovered on the deck plans first!

Labadee/ Nellie’s Beach. It’s best to get there as early as possible to get your pick of the chairs and the location you prefer.

I think this is the general consensus regarding the bionic bar. IMHO it’s a one and done experience and a total waste of valuable space.