Smokey79

I can’t say that as I work at a range part time and have taken all kinds of computer bags and whatnot there depending on what my needs where prior to going there. In the past, yes that was gospel.

The security side. Well, you ever read something and think well that’s just dumb and how can that happen? That was me but now I have an answer to how and a tale. So it all started at the screeners and a flagged carry on. I am careful to totally empty out every single part of the bag when unpacking it and prior to repacking it. It’s from having a fruit bar left in a side pocket for a year a while back so it’s done religiously. So needless to say, I was more than confused as I knew exactly what was in the bag. I was even more confused when the security guy told me they were looking for a bullet. Umm what? Yup. He shows me the screenshot and yes I can see it. But neither of us understood the how as he kept digging in the bag until we realized it wasn’t in a pocket it was loose in the bottom of the bag under the pouches. After a thorough search, a small hole was found that was slightly large enough for it to fall through. My guess it that it’s been there for a couple years as I haven’t used that bag as a range bag in quite a while. So there’s the how. Now here’s the experience of it. It’s a lot of waiting. They had some seriously WTH security issues that made mine look minimal so I had that going for me but it also delayed our clearance. However, we couldn’t get cleared until they searched and cleared our checked bag. Since it was already on the ship, that meant an hour plus of searching. Ships security and port security were very nice and cordial with us as I was with them. They finally located it, brought it out of the terminal, searched it, and gave us final clearance about two hours from the initial stop. I will note I haven’t seen anyone else in purgatory as I named it while we were waiting onboard. I was going to blog this cruise as I had fun doing it last time but that whole event took the winds out of my sails pretty quickly.

So we just got back from the excursion. I was able to participate in about half of it. The stingray portion is in chest deep water so my wife and daughter got to do it but I stayed dry on the boat. I expected this and was fine with it as this trip was more for them. The turtle conservation center was perfect even though we missed hatchling season and it has been the highlight of the cruise.

I went into the cruises we took (especially the 3 day) expecting it to be loud and crazy. There wasn’t much crazy or maybe I psyched myself up to where anything less than Animal House at sea was a calm trip. It was loud but in almost all cases manageable. The volume of ambient music in Central Park was a bit higher than I would have like but I want that place to be a zen garden atmosphere personally. The boardwalk was the overall loudest area to me. However, I liked the aqua show soundtrack and I’m glad I did because it was so loud on the boardwalk you could hear in your soul. I felt bad for the Playmakers staff for having to deal with it night after night. On the positive side, we had our pick of seats and TVs there. Boleros and the karaoke bar were insanely loud to the point we passed on going. Plus, the more I drink the better I sound imo so my wife was keen on finding us somewhere else to be.

Royal loft suite

Utopia was amazing. I’d have stayed there the entire time if we didn’t have the RLS and a 12yo. lol

It makes me happy that RC cruise passengers are chill enough that security has time to duck hunt.

True. I meant Oasis class. Didn’t catch the typo.

After being so disappointed with the speciality dining on UoS that we were Star class eating in the WJ, I will say Hooked was eaten twice and was decent enough that we’re open to it on our next Oasis cruise. We’re on Independence next week and we’re doing the MDR and WJ with maybe tapas at Vintages.

Mods please move this. I didn’t realize I was in the wrong forum.

Has anyone done this before and in your opinion can it be reasonably done with a walking cast? I have it booked next week and yay last minute life events.

We had five in our party and never had an issue with not having enough room even with the number of rascals onboard. I will advise to get the elevator letter and get in front of that door. We had some issues with people standing too far back from the other side and blocked the door behind them unintentionally. Also, be ready for hitchhikers to get in with you and try to push a nonexistent button. Sometimes the door will open as soon as you push your floor so be alert as they don’t wait.

Looks like the test loads have been removed?

I’m wondering if it’s not the algorithm interpreting the page hits as interest thusly raising prices and not accounting for everyone looking at it since it’s one of the few choices available.

I’ll admit we were guilty of having a collection of Pesky Parrot glasses in the suite a couple times. I was often tasked with getting the ladies drinks from there so they could stay in the hot tub. I don’t know if it was because I was star class, didn’t demand things, had enough people to warrant the quantity, or I’m a handsome devil (lol) but they had no problem handing me four drinks at a time there. The looks I got on the elevator were priceless.

What is/was the fancy glassware that is being referred to? Here is the glassware we used last Friday as well as the bottles at the station. The rest were your basic stemware that’s everywhere else on board.

Did you have to deal with Shore Genies? If so, what was your experience? We did on our last sailing on UoS and looking back I think we lost the opportunity to have an existing relationship with the ship Genie when we came aboard. Before meeting the Genie was like meeting a pen pal for the first time but this time it was like meeting the concierge in a hotel lobby. Not to mention notes were lost between the two and they missed a birthday celebration entirely. No, I didn’t say anything to the Genie as she was good about doing things that she was aware of. This was clearly a lapse of communication from the shore genies. I’m hopeful that process will be fixed by the time our next Star Class sailing next year.

They couldn’t change the names on the reservation board so no one had the correct names on it. Just the poor people who had booked it but missed out. Looked more like a memorial.

49.99 plus 18% per guest

The spa was uber pushy on departure day. Like desperate starving used car salesman pushy.

We had a good time but I have to note something that occurred that personally surprised me. Starting about Tuesday last week, the quality of food we were getting from the specialty restaurants went downhill enough that I basically started eating at the WJ in the morning and just random snacking throughout the day because the meals were lackluster at best. Twice pizza from Giovanni’s was just basic and around the level of Sorrentos. I’ll note the pasta was good. Chops was saved by the Iconic menu options. 150 was the lone exception we had where everyone had a good dish. No one finished the MJ dinner and we ordered CK afterwards. Now I’m not saying it was all bad. Well no. MJ dinner sucked to put it bluntly. Worst food I’ve had on RC to date. The rest was just bland and not to the level that deserved an additional fee to receive.

Apologies for not posting lately. We managed to grab some seats on Royal Railway on the last night. I was hesitant initially because I’m not a dinner theater person and living in East TN I’ve got a lot of choices for that within a hour of the house. That being said… We were impressed with the entire experience. The acting was corny as expected but well done. Food service was top notch and honestly the best we had the entire trip. Food quality was the best on the boat even topping 150 CP. My daughter said she was surprised at how much she enjoyed it. I’m leaving it a bunch of pics as i don’t feel right posting other people on here so I’m leaving out the interior pictures. We had a ten hour drive home yesterday so I couldn’t resist ordering the Fart n Dart beans

I believe Star class is the only way to get it comp’d.

I’m new to this delayed return/new cruise departure thing. On a 3 day cruise, at what point do they say the time available is too short and just cancel it entirely?