tonyfsu21

I don’t think the “issues” with California have anything to do with the weather at all (although the Pacific Ocean is not user friendly). IMHO Florida has the best weather in the world w/o “issues”. The hurricane season is hyped up by the media and is rarely a problem especially concerning cruise vacations.

Here’s a Birds Eye view:

Odyssey has a great swimming pool set up! We enjoyed many days on the pool deck in the water loungers with a drink in hand! Enjoy

Haha! I agree, my casino luck has a direct effect on my extra tips.

One important thing to note if you are a seasoned Caribbean cruiser. The water is frigid and you won’t be frolicking in the beautiful crystal clear ocean with a pina colada in hand. This takes some getting used to. Personally, we have done it (and considered another West coast voyage) but I think it’s a one and done type ordeal for us. The Caribbean is much more enjoyable especially if you are big on beach days.

Yeah, I agree. When it happens in an elevator its a level up on the awkwardness scale. I just don’t understand it.

The most disrespectful invention ever is the speaker phone and the people who feel like the entire world needs to know their business. There is absolutely nothing more obnoxious than someone yapping on a speaker phone in public. Nails on a chalkboard for me.

I do the same thing. Mostly pictures but I always have to document the win on camera!

Probably not going to work out well. If everyone had this same idea the ship would be crowded with every iteration of e bike from the folding type to the fat tire versions. I am sure RC put the clamp down on this one.

It’s life. Some people apparently need to be connected at all times. That’s not to say that this person enjoyed it, but if you are on vacation and talking business during breakfast then I have to imagine it needed to be done. My wife is on call 24/7/365 and her clients don’t care if she’s on a vacation or eating breakfast in the suite dining venue on Allure. I can see the annoyed look on her face but she still gets business done and then we head to the pool!

The OP code of “conduit” does not take into consideration that this is the United States of America and we are as free of a country as you can possibly be. I believe the OP is mistaking a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation for a penal colony.

100% on point! I could not agree more with this statement.

I would like to shut the phone off but I’m wrapped up in technology. Between texting the kids and wife on the ship, checking the Ring cams at home and responding to some quick emails the internet package is a must have.

The OP mentioned all things equal so this shouldn’t be considered.

Icon for the win. JS is a glorified balcony without any great suite perks making it noticeably better. The Icon is going to be the ship to be on in 2024.

This is very true. Once you face the reality that things are going in one firm direction and that technology is only going to get more advanced then you can begin to accept & adapt.

Unfortunately cruising as we knew it is over. Just like everything in 2023, you either accept technology and leverage it or you live under a rock for the rest of your life. I find some aspects of the new cruising to be way better than the old version. If you want to disconnect then put the electronics in the safe and enjoy your vacation. It’s going to be very difficult though to do anything “extra” w/o either pre booking activities/dinners exc without your phone. If you think a land based vacation is any better, you are very wrong. Most of this change that you dislike is based on corporate greed so regardless of whether you are on a ship or land based vacation the result will be the same. My advice is to just be a sheep and go with the herd and enjoy your “new” cruising experiences!

Allure is old news in regards to Oasis Class. I would have a hard time judging the ship class based on Allure alone because it’s severely in need of a refresh.

The only thing worse than wet money is no money at all. A backpack solves all problems. There’s not many thief’s looking to get booted off a cruise ship for stealing a 10.00 stack of singles used for tipping.

Remember that the aliens gave us AirTag technology. It is basically impossible to lose something in 2023 unless you want it to get lost.

Backpack.

I looked it up and the beach club is called Del Mar Latino. I have heard some good things about it but never tried. The only downside for us is adults only.

I graduated from FSU and I can barely spell so I’m elated you actually think I can communicate.

I still vote parking at the terminal considering OP looking for: 1. Safe 2. reasonable (depends on what “reasonable” means) 3. Convenient 4. Near the terminal There are other options but they are arguably not as safe or convenient as parking inside a secure port facility 100 yards from the entrance to the terminal.