firebuck

The triple sec and lime juice aren't really keto friendly (although not the worst) I'd go for a straightup vodka and diet cranberry.  I'm a rum guy, so my goto is rum and diet - just make sure its not the sugar added kind of rum like malibu.  Basically if you stick to vodka, gin or your higher proof whiskeys and rums, you'll be ok. Just make sure the mixers are sugar free as well ;)

So are they loosening the quarantine rules, or are we all just going to keep our sore throats and coughs to ourselves? 😬

I can't imagine they'll want to continue blocking off rooms in the red zone for no beneficial reason.

My guess is it's moving to being treated like any other sickness. If you're sick enough to have to go to the ship's doctor then you'll probably have to quarantine. As someone who has had both Noro and the flu on two different cruises, we didn't even report, we just stayed in our rooms both times, we felt like garbage so it was the only thing to do. 🙂

Have you been before?  Is it walking distance?  I don’t think we are getting off the boat in Nassau but if we are, it might be fun to hit a couple breweries!  Jane

It is walking distance! Right on the front main road as you walk towards Senor Frogs.

Totally exciting!  The wife and I are on her for the cruise leaving Sept. 11th, so let me know if you have any questions!  This will be our first cruise back since the pandemic, so we're totally looking forward to it!  
For excursions, we have the shuttle to Disney (just a quick jaunt to Disney springs for some shopping/food), and we've also booked the beach club, so I'm excited to see how that is - the last time we were at Coco Cay, it was all still under construction.  Nothing crazy in Nassau - I might head to Pirate Republic Brewing... we shall see.
I'm sure I'll enjoy reading your blog since I'll be in the post cruise blues phase at that time 😛
 

I'm finally starting to feel the excitement of a booked cruise after 3 canceled solo trips! The first two were canceled by Royal in 2020 and then this past January I chickened out and canceled my upcoming March cruise. I just wasn't ready. Was talking to a work friend one day and saying I had all of these FCC's I needed to use but the thought of cruising solo after basically being alone for two years did not interest me at all. She said she was interested and we booked. This isn't necessarily my dream itinerary but when we booked in March flying didn't sound so good and neither wanted the extra expense of hotels and flights. Luckily it's Oasis so there is plenty to see and do.
 
The Ship - Oasis, first time on this ship for me!!! Out of NJ, about an hour and change from my Long Island home. I love the idea of getting in my car after the cruise, even better it's a Sunday, traffic wise. 
The Where - Orlando, Nassau and CocoCay. 
The Who - 2 ladies above 40, that's all y'all need to know. 
Staterooms - We have 2 balcony staterooms on the 12th floor. I don't think I've been that high in a while. Solo rooms tend to be lower but no solo room for me this time. I love this friend but not enough to share a room and thank goodness she's on the same page.
Drink Package for both of us - I have dreams of making this package work for me and 100% forget that even in college and part of the pandemic learning to make fun cocktails I have a low tolerance. Wish me luck. Ordered water for the room because I had extra OBC. I drink a lot of water anyway.
3 Night Dining Package - I had a ton of OBC so I got this for both of us. I'm a little picky. I don't hate the MDR but can't do it every night, I've done Unlimited Dining but that's also too much food wise. 
Excursions - Orlando, not getting off the ship. I don't see a purpose and we have a perfectly good ship to run around or relax on.
Nassau - forgot the exact name but the VIP Cabana for 2. Unlimited drinks and plenty of food. Gonna have to run to guest services Day 1 because it won't let me add my friend's name and when I bought it said "for 2" - now the price is double. Worst case scenario I'll buy it for her without telling her. This is something I wanted to do so it's not her fault if I messed it up.
CocoCay- we did the beach club. From what I hear we'll be able to find loungers with little issue. She's looking forward to the food. I just want to be served and be lazy. Maybe I'll paddle board if I can find it, maybe I won't leave the lounger, we'll all find out that day.
Randoms - I booked 2 days for casitas. I hear mixed reviews but yet again, I had extra OBC and if it means not having to be mad at seat savers well then it's worth it to me. Booked a massage for myself because, duh, vacation.
 
It's helped to read all your blogs and how you've all fared - whether covid wasn't a big deal to you or not. Thanks for sharing (and if you made it this far, thanks for reading!)
 

You've got some killer willpower to stay keto on a cruise!!  Definite props to you.  Breakfast at the Windjammer is definitely your friend (mmmm baaaacon).  Although if its possible, try to get real eggs.  The powdered stuff (scrambled eggs) are slightly higher in carbs, but not too horrible if you're in a pinch. For lunch there should be plenty of protein available... bunless burgers, taco meat.  There should be plenty of salads and cheese as well at the Windjammer.  For dinner you can always get a steak (or two or three!) any night in the MDR.  Pair that with a caesar salad and some broccoli if they have it.  They don't have heavy cream on board, unfortunately, so if you're a coffee drinker I'd recommend butter in your coffee as well as a shot or two of the half and half - that's a good way to get some fats and keep your hunger at bay.
Good luck, and keto on!

The triple sec and lime juice aren't really keto friendly (although not the worst) I'd go for a straightup vodka and diet cranberry.  I'm a rum guy, so my goto is rum and diet - just make sure its not the sugar added kind of rum like malibu.  Basically if you stick to vodka, gin or your higher proof whiskeys and rums, you'll be ok. Just make sure the mixers are sugar free as well ;)

Wow, the ship really wants to make amends over this.
I got a call from the Windjammer Manager about 20 minutes ago. Got another apology and thank-you for reporting the issue at Guest Services so they had the formal record. Was told not only are they going to speaking to the supplier, but also their own QC team that picks up the shipments.
After this, I was asked to confirm our table in the MDR, and then offered complementary specialty dining in any venue of our choice. Initially asked if we wanted it tonight, but we already had all of our plans timed out around MDR schedule so I asked if it could be a different night. Was told no problem, and that he’d send his business card so I could call him after I had a chance to talk with Cathy and figure out which night and venue.
It arrived about 10 minutes later, attached to this:

Say what you want about Royal; when they are politely notified about a matter like this, with zero histrionics and no demands or even requests for compensation, they seriously go out of their way to let you know it’s being treated with all seriousness, and that you are part of that treatment.

Enjoy your cruise, Joe!  Have a Kummelweck for me!

Walking out of the Windjammer, I passed a station selling Bloody Marys. That reminded me that I wanted to try something @Matt did in one of his blogs:

It’s already warm enough outside that I can on my balcony in shorts and t-shirt, with a good breeze from the ship’s motion, and I’m perfectly comfortable.
Espresso’s already done. Cheers!

Hey Sabrina - please put me in for September 20th, 2020 on Oasis!
Thanks!

Quick update.
I've been busy and it will take some time to process my pictures and post them, but for now here is a tease from nearly 10,000' above sea level from a dormant volcano on Maui.

 

Nor for our roughly four hours at the Na Pali Coast.
Approaching Kauai and the first land we've seen in almost 6 days.












As noted above the Captain spun the ship in a 360° turn so that both sides we able to see the coast.



It's hard to capture in pictures or words so I'll just dump a bunch of photos in here and try through pictures.




















With that it was time to sail on and away toward Maui.

Top tier event after we left the Na Pali coast.
Platinum 477, Emerald 315, Diamond 700, Diamond Plus 415, 40 Pinnacle.
 

Hey Sabrina - please put me in for September 20th, 2020 on Oasis!
Thanks!

You've definitely got to do it at least once, and cruising is an easy and affordable way to see it!

Hey Sabrina - please put me in for September 20th, 2020 on Oasis!
Thanks!

Well Today Was One Of Those Lazy Sea Day!!

All I Did Was Ride The Flowrider.

And Eat?

Good Moring From Coco Cay. Or Should I Say Perfect Day At Coco Cay?

Well I Guess They Did Not Get Remove The Tenders. Just The Upper Decks

Thrill Water Park 

After A Few Hour On The Flowrider It Was Time To Head To The Beach.

Then It Was Time For Lunch  At The Snack Shack!! Here Is The Menu.

I Got The Shack Burger.

And The Mozzarella Sticks.

After That I Went In The Oasis Lagoon Pool.
After That I Went To Check Out The Pirate Ship!! It Was Pretty Neat!

After That It Was Time To Head Back On Board.

 

I have turned green with envy...looks like Alaska is on my bucket list?

Day 5 Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier
Waking up early, I quickly got dressed and headed for the Solarium wings to capture our approach into Endicott Arm.
And I'm glad I did - what an amazing sunrise!


Did I happen to mention yet that Alaska is beautiful??

Looking through my binoculars, I spotted the first bit of calved glacial ice floating


As we were pulling in, ever so slowly you could begin to see the fog rolling in

Soon after, you couldn't even see the glacial ice any longer due to the fog


 
At this point, the captain made the decision to not enter due to seeing lots of ice on the radar.  He said that it was too unsafe to proceed due to the low visibility, so we would turn around and look for whales instead.
Hearing the news, I along with most people were pretty bummed, but that's the nature of cruising!  You can't help the weather.  I decided to drown my sorrow in an Alaskan Amber (I love that this ship offered some local beer selections!)

One last look back at the fog and some floating glacial ice as we turned around:


The captain announced that some whales were spotted on both port and starboard sides, so I took a stroll around to hopefully catch some whale sightings
A look back across the pool deck

There were definitely whales around!

Caught the tail end of a splash again

Scenery from our balcony as I was getting ready for dinner

Tonight's dinner was in Wonderland.  Everyone was eager to try it, and I decided I would be brave and attempt to try everything - I'm glad I did!  It was really good!
Tomato water and crab cones:

Smoked eggs and some sort of prawns?

The garden - the "soil" was made of bread and squid ink

This appetizer was some sort of cold tuna tartare with a.... lemon ice sorbet?? It's the only one I didn't try.  I am NOT that adventurous ?

Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of the main courses, but they were really good, especially the terrior beef, and surprisingly the halibut!
 
Dessert was amazing.  I've heard good things about "The World" so I was really looking forward to it.  It did not disappoint!

After dinner, we went to a name that tune style competition in Two70 hosted by the cruise director, Joff.  It was pretty entertaining.  A few of us hit up the casino later and tried our luck (I'm never lucky). 
Tomorrow would be a sea day and Polly and Sheri realized that they had a sushi making class that overlapped with their All Access tour - they reeeeaaally wanted to the the sushi class, so they offered to let us go on the All Access Tour in their place - such nice friends!