tonyfsu21

Stay safe and dry @tonyfsu21! This is just insane to watch. I cannot imagine experiencing it first hand.

Chances = slim. A local posted this on social media. FLL is a lake.

Chances = slim. A local posted this on social media. FLL is a lake.

Chances = slim. A local posted this on social media. FLL is a lake.

There are no Crown loft suites on the Odyssey or any Quantum & Quantum plus ships.

That's good to know.  Crown Loft wasn't on offer for Royal Up (for me anyway).  I had Owner's Loft and Grand Loft.  So I just opted for the other two available for bid: Owner's Suite and Grand Suite.  I'm already in Junior Suite.  I figured I'd like guaranteed seating at the Coastal Kitchen and free internet.  Hubby is getting aggravated with the food on cruises.  I figure if I can't get him some decent food on this cruise, I might be in trouble lol

You shouldn’t have cancelled the crown loft suite as there is no “butler/genie” associated with that level. The loft suites are great!

I have lived in SoFL my entire life and one thing that has always been consistent is the advice to NOT trust the weather forecast. Whatever the app or meteorologist says is likely the opposite of the actual conditions. 

After all the excellent advice here and tons of reviews and YouTube videos, we have decided to just do a little shopping in Costa Maya and go to Paradise Beach in Cozumel.  Can’t wait to go just 68 more days.
Again, thank you all for providing your insights.

W00t!
I'm a little shocked by how far this is still out (34 days), but just got my bid win confirmation (and credit card billed) to go from a Grand Suite to a Grand Loft Suite on Quantum to AK in May.  Did one little step up from the minimum bid.  Solo (minor ouch) $2750, but still waaaaay under trying to buy at booking vs. bidding.  About $6330 less with the current ridiculous pricing.  Shoulder season AK cruises aren't too egregious usually.
I absolutely love the CLS/GLS cabins.  I would have still been very happy in a GS, but early icing on the cake!  And goodness, I forgot, this is a bump to Star, so the price is going to be softened a bit by getting my DBP and restaurant bookings refunded. 

Yes, they don’t ask to see any of it though. The “wellness check” is nothing more than a process formality and lasts about 30 seconds. 

Always Crown Loft! Not even a question regardless of location fleetwide.

Always Crown Loft! Not even a question regardless of location fleetwide.

Always Crown Loft! Not even a question regardless of location fleetwide.

The only advice I can add....pace yourself and don't let them fill you up with the lower quality meats, which are served early in the meal.  They save the best (picanha) cut for last.  I am not a huge red meat eater to begin with, but by the time I got to the picanha, I was totally stuffed....which I'm sure is their design.  I will say though....that I had only heard the term "melt in your mouth" but never experienced it....until I had that picanha.  It literally melted in my mouth.  I didn't eat much, but what I had was really good.
The presentation has changed remarkably since the beginning.  We sailed on Allure's second ever sailing...and back then, they covered the tables and chairs to make them elegant and there was live entertainment during the meal.  They had Carnivale dancers and live music.  That is all gone now.  Bare tables and chairs and more of a buffet atmosphere except for the tableside delivery of the various grilled meats.  It was much more fun back in "the day" but at least it's something different.  I still enjoyed it, many years later, but it wasn't the same...

Haha, yes the tequila whistle lady! I have done the same thing but in my tequila and Tecate haze I also seem to remember the servers and the music going into a slow motion dance to a Michael Jackson tune which was both interesting and horrifying at the same time. It was the BIG Tecates too!

Confirmed, same clueless people answering the phone and steering you the opposite direction you should be heading. 

The Cozumel beach clubs are all next door to each other and a 15 minute cab ride from the port. The beaches are perfection and I can personally speak for the service being top notch level at Paradise beach club as well as Nachi Cocum. You can’t go wrong with either. Cozumel also has “the most spectacular diving and snorkeling in the world” according to Jacques Cousteau (I’m pretty sure this guy knew a good spot when he saw one). 

Never left the port swimming area but maybe we should check this out!

Just make sure to make reservations WELL in advance as they sell out all the time. People were turned away at the meeting place outside the port area who thought they could go on a whim. The look on their face was like someone slapped their momma! 

Thank you to everyone who provided their inputs and feedback.  I always wanted to play a little bit (yes, I will have a set amount of money I am willing to pay) but did not want to blow thru the amount in 5 minutes.  I feel that on my next cruise I may be able to last longer than 5 minutes and have a good time.  I enjoy playing the slots. I am not interested in casino status or free cruises. 
The biggest takeaway from this discussion is the denomination vs the amount bet.  I was one of those people who had it backwards.  I also thought the branded machines would be better.  WOOH!  2 lessons learned. 

Cozumel beach day for sure. Check out one of the beach clubs (Paradise, Nachi Cocum or Mr Sanchos). 

This is really good information. Thank you. I never put this amount of thought and analysis into the machines I’m dumping money into. 

Haha, yes the tequila whistle lady! I have done the same thing but in my tequila and Tecate haze I also seem to remember the servers and the music going into a slow motion dance to a Michael Jackson tune which was both interesting and horrifying at the same time. It was the BIG Tecates too!

Haha, yes the tequila whistle lady! I have done the same thing but in my tequila and Tecate haze I also seem to remember the servers and the music going into a slow motion dance to a Michael Jackson tune which was both interesting and horrifying at the same time. It was the BIG Tecates too!