tonyfsu21

I found Odyssey to be one of the better ships in the fleet! I guess opinions will always be across the board but it was a refreshing change from Oasis class. The sportsplex with Playmakers was a game changer and the music hall was best in the fleet (IMHO). We enjoyed the Southern Caribbean route on Odyssey and would do it again in a heartbeat. The 270 cafe was a great replacement for Park Cafe and the MDR was “decent”. 

I found Odyssey to be one of the better ships in the fleet! I guess opinions will always be across the board but it was a refreshing change from Oasis class. The sportsplex with Playmakers was a game changer and the music hall was best in the fleet (IMHO). We enjoyed the Southern Caribbean route on Odyssey and would do it again in a heartbeat. The 270 cafe was a great replacement for Park Cafe and the MDR was “decent”. 

Last week by 10:30 we had already toured Icon and had a sandwich in hand from the Pearl Cafe! I guess the FL ports just have the logistics under control. I can’t stress enough how boarding times are fluff. They don’t even bother putting the signs up any longer in Miami. 

Parking at terminal A was no problem. We are parked on the 2nd level next to elevator. Perhaps we got lucky?

Fast spins are your friend. It makes the mind numbing task of pressing a button much more exciting.

Yeah but it’s still a cruise ship and lacking authentic food across the board. I can’t think of a single venue that would check that box (maybe the Indian food???). The Mason jar has some really great food & drink and an excellent ambiance. 

Wonder all the way based on Mason Jar alone! I’ve been in both 3x each and I would say Wonder is the better choice (but you can’t go wrong!!!). 

Forget the food and authenticity...Mason Jar has one of the best drinks ever! Mississippi Moonlight! If they could make a ship that has Mason Jar and Rye & Bean, I would not need to sail any other ship lol

Yeah but it’s still a cruise ship and lacking authentic food across the board. I can’t think of a single venue that would check that box (maybe the Indian food???). The Mason jar has some really great food & drink and an excellent ambiance. 

Yeah but it’s still a cruise ship and lacking authentic food across the board. I can’t think of a single venue that would check that box (maybe the Indian food???). The Mason jar has some really great food & drink and an excellent ambiance. 

Yes, Fort Lauderdale is a world away from Miami (traffic wise) during the week. The trek from South to North during rush hour is a much better scenario then starting from Miami. 

This is my new “go to” spot for a quick breakfast! I normally go to park cafe but decided this morning to try something different. The steak & eggs sandwich and classic breakfast sandwich (sausage,egg,cheese,ham) are equally delicious! The service was very quick at 6:45am. There are 2 lines that eventually form, one to the left for speciality coffee (most likely drink packers speciality coffee option) and one to the right for food. The food line was short!

Here’s the lowdown. 
1. Assumes you and whomever you travel with is able body.
2. No major customs issue hold up ship in PC from arrival.
3. Get off the ship WAAAAAAAYYYYY before 8:30am. More like grab the luggage and be downstairs on the departure deck ready to walk off the ship before 7am. 
 
4. A game plan is in place for a vehicle to get to by 8am and be headed West on the Beeline before 9am.
5. No major traffic accidents on I-95 (if so, transfer to Turnpike).
6. Arrive at Port of Miami between 12-1pm and board the ship.
The rush hour traffic will not impact you because it will end before you reach South Florida in the 10-11am timeframe.
**** Note: disregard everything I just said if you plan to flip the trip and go from Miami to PC on a Thursday in the AM because it most likely will cost you a cruise. 
 

This can very easily be done with minimal risk (especially on a weekend). 

This would be more of a hassle logistically than just driving IMHO. 

It was a Thursday. I would have gone whatever way the GPS told me..likely the turnpike to avoid 95 traffic, but I can't recall exactly.

Here’s the lowdown. 
1. Assumes you and whomever you travel with is able body.
2. No major customs issue hold up ship in PC from arrival.
3. Get off the ship WAAAAAAAYYYYY before 8:30am. More like grab the luggage and be downstairs on the departure deck ready to walk off the ship before 7am. 
 
4. A game plan is in place for a vehicle to get to by 8am and be headed West on the Beeline before 9am.
5. No major traffic accidents on I-95 (if so, transfer to Turnpike).
6. Arrive at Port of Miami between 12-1pm and board the ship.
The rush hour traffic will not impact you because it will end before you reach South Florida in the 10-11am timeframe.
**** Note: disregard everything I just said if you plan to flip the trip and go from Miami to PC on a Thursday in the AM because it most likely will cost you a cruise. 
 

Day 7 on Icon and it’s been a royale butt kicking from the casino. I did receive a bottle of Mondavi “vintage 2020” and a nice 9000 point certificate. The casino is very nice with plenty of space and machine/table variety. I return to Icon for Thanksgiving and hope to turn my luck around. Icon has been AWESOME outside the casino!!!!!

Day 7 on Icon and it’s been a royale butt kicking from the casino. I did receive a bottle of Mondavi “vintage 2020” and a nice 9000 point certificate. The casino is very nice with plenty of space and machine/table variety. I return to Icon for Thanksgiving and hope to turn my luck around. Icon has been AWESOME outside the casino!!!!!

Thank you for the info! I thought that would be the case. From the reviews Pier 7 seems to be gaining popularity. Either way I hope you continue enjoy your cruise. 

Same thing happened to me. We realized it’s easy to walk in w/o reservations. I am currently on Icon and we have had dinner at Pier 7 twice with no reservations. Keep in mind this is a full to capacity cruise on spring break with tons of kids and there are no issues eating at Pier 7.

Here’s the lowdown. 
1. Assumes you and whomever you travel with is able body.
2. No major customs issue hold up ship in PC from arrival.
3. Get off the ship WAAAAAAAYYYYY before 8:30am. More like grab the luggage and be downstairs on the departure deck ready to walk off the ship before 7am. 
 
4. A game plan is in place for a vehicle to get to by 8am and be headed West on the Beeline before 9am.
5. No major traffic accidents on I-95 (if so, transfer to Turnpike).
6. Arrive at Port of Miami between 12-1pm and board the ship.
The rush hour traffic will not impact you because it will end before you reach South Florida in the 10-11am timeframe.
**** Note: disregard everything I just said if you plan to flip the trip and go from Miami to PC on a Thursday in the AM because it most likely will cost you a cruise. 
 

Here’s the lowdown. 
1. Assumes you and whomever you travel with is able body.
2. No major customs issue hold up ship in PC from arrival.
3. Get off the ship WAAAAAAAYYYYY before 8:30am. More like grab the luggage and be downstairs on the departure deck ready to walk off the ship before 7am. 
 
4. A game plan is in place for a vehicle to get to by 8am and be headed West on the Beeline before 9am.
5. No major traffic accidents on I-95 (if so, transfer to Turnpike).
6. Arrive at Port of Miami between 12-1pm and board the ship.
The rush hour traffic will not impact you because it will end before you reach South Florida in the 10-11am timeframe.
**** Note: disregard everything I just said if you plan to flip the trip and go from Miami to PC on a Thursday in the AM because it most likely will cost you a cruise. 
 

The food is great but the ship overall is even more impressive. The Icon makes the Oasis class seem boring (as crazy as that sounds). There’s so much to see and do! 

This would be more of a hassle logistically than just driving IMHO.