tdcackler

Anyone who's cleaned up after my kids after lunch in the Windjammer deserves every penny of that tip, and then some (it takes quite a while to get into those hazmat suits).
Kids make a much bigger mess than adults do; frankly, the mandatory gratuity for them should be more than those for adults.

2 uber/lift is the price of one cab...which wouldn't fit at all either.....could do a shared shuttle...but I would just order 2 of the Uber/Lyft....for  the price its worth it.

As we plan our 2020 cruise, we asked our 9 year old if he wanted to go to new places on our cruise or have cool things on the ship. We explained that not every ship has water slides or laser tag. He said, totally seriously, "What about buffets? Do they all have buffets?" We assured that any ship we take him on will have a buffet.
#priorities

After some drinks in the Diamond Lounge, I literally stumbled my way back to the stateroom to meet my family for dinner. I was worried that I accidentally had too many Cosmos but it was actually the ship that was rocking like crazy! The motion is really bad tonight. Worse so far during whole sailing. I took some Gravol before dinner, so did D12, but unfortunately while that took away the nausea, the combination of Cosmos and Gravol made for a very sleepy meal at Giovanni’s.
Giovanni’s menu:

Soup of the day: Lentil soup

Gamberetti Alla Ligure

Pork Belly

Carbonara

Filet Mignon

Desert here is served off a tray. You pick whatever you want.

This is what we missed from the MDR.

Giovanni’s was good. Way better than eating in the MDR. I was fighting to stay awake so that was the only negative to the meal. 
A few things to note here. I know from these boards that there are many Giovanni’s fans out there. We came to a unanimous desision that we prefer Jamie’s over Giovanni’s. There was nothing at Giovanni’s that really stood out. Second thing is that for @Matt and all others who have not tried Coastal Kitchen given the opportunity, you need to try it! The filet that I had tonight was ok, but the filet at CK on night one still trumps it by a long shot! No comparison, in flavour and in quality. We have yet to try Chops. Will be doing that on Harmony but so far it is still #teamCK for us.
We are now settled in the Royal Theater waiting for Once Upon A Time. The ship is swaying so much it makes me appreciate what these actors/actresses do even more.
 

Lol!  @JLMoran you owe me a drink! ?
Just the Caribbean ESPN channels and Sports 24 (no clue what that is. I’m Canadian, we just watch hockey ?).

Great photos!   Now I definitely don't need to blog!   Thanks and happy new year!

Fish & Ships:
According to @mpoole3, this replaces a juice bar. On my own for these photos too ?



I don’t plan on eating here. I cannot bring myself to pay an extra $9-10 for this type of food. And if it’s anything like MDR Fish&Chips, it’s not going to be great.

My "formal" is a pressed pair of khakis. A light blue, lightweight button down shirt. I bought some goofy nautical theme ties at a thrift shop and had them dry cleaned. I bought a pair of boat shoes 15 years ago that have never touched dry land,  just boat decks.  I am usually one of the better dressed except for those getting photos taken. My wife says I look like Thurston Howell III. 

 

Indy Promenade:
?me ??






Promenade and Playmakers scope:
https://www.pscp.tv/w/bvuSgTF4TlFhYVJPT2V3UWJ8MXpxSlZPVnpqeVl4Qn9zXHLnyyLd95Nx-UxAsmcgZuEBSSMRQyr7l4riK_ot

Let the festivities begin!  Happy New Year from Indy RCBlog family! ❤️

Random observations so far:
Boarding Day quick guide also available on Indy.



On board VOOM and Drink package prices:


 

Thanks, Matt. That was my gut feeling - looks like it's time to email my MEI Agent. ?

As we plan our 2020 cruise, we asked our 9 year old if he wanted to go to new places on our cruise or have cool things on the ship. We explained that not every ship has water slides or laser tag. He said, totally seriously, "What about buffets? Do they all have buffets?" We assured that any ship we take him on will have a buffet.
#priorities

As we plan our 2020 cruise, we asked our 9 year old if he wanted to go to new places on our cruise or have cool things on the ship. We explained that not every ship has water slides or laser tag. He said, totally seriously, "What about buffets? Do they all have buffets?" We assured that any ship we take him on will have a buffet.
#priorities

So yesterday, having thought we'd be waiting a good bit longer for this to happen, we ended up with a new addition to our family. Everyone say hello to Cece!


She's still getting used to being in a home with four hoo-mans and two kats, so she looks understandably nervous. But we're hoping in a few more days she'll be showing us more of her regular personality.
Still need time to figure out how this impacts the future cruise budget. ?? At least we have nearby family with dogs of their own who can watch her when we travel, so no need for kennel expenses. Sorry, Cece, but no cruising for you!

We’re in Brilliance now. Went to NextCruise today and got a price $300 more for 9 of us in 3 cabins. I guess that gets offset by the $100 OBC for the cabin.... I’ll work with Michelle instead....

I find chicken to be very therapeutic. Especially after a big night out, a couple of spicy wings really put me at ease ?

Room Tour: 
Surprise! It’s an Ultra Spacious Oceanview. Still roughing it but at least the kids get a bunk. There are only 2 with this configuration on Freedom class ships. The rest are more like the standard JS with the bunks in the walk in closet area. This setup allows for more separation between the living spaces. I found this room about two months ago. It just randomly popped up one day and it was $200 to upgrade from our original 1L. This is a Cat. 1K. It sleeps up to 6. I kept it it a surprise from the kids until 1pm today. They love it! I still desperately miss the decor of the newer ships. And the bathroom is small!  For those of you wondering, the suite snob in me is still struggling. 















 

As we plan our 2020 cruise, we asked our 9 year old if he wanted to go to new places on our cruise or have cool things on the ship. We explained that not every ship has water slides or laser tag. He said, totally seriously, "What about buffets? Do they all have buffets?" We assured that any ship we take him on will have a buffet.
#priorities

Good morning! Out of dry dock! 
This hotel provides a hot breakfast selection: the usual, sausages, pancakes, waffles, omelettes, etc. Nothing photo worthy. Snapped a few pics of the dining area. 


Would I stay here again? Yes. For the price, value, and proximity to Port Everglades it is decent for a one night pre-cruise stay. Just know that you won’t be getting the Renaissance or Conrad and it’s all good.
Just finished with breakfast. Going to pack up the room and headed over to the port. It’s cruise time!
 

Pre-cruise evening:
Lyft Plus from FLL to Holiday Inn on 17th Street, $20. One seatbelt in the back seat was not working. I was not too impressed with that. First time ever that I did not leave a 5/5 rating. 
La Bamba was excellent as usual. I did not take pics of the menu as it is the same as my Mariner blog. See the link in my signature below if you would like to see it. If you have not had a chance to try this place yet, you must. They have 6 locations in South Florida. Huge portions, excellent food and service, and of course, tasty margaritas!  We are creatures of habit so food pics are the same. Posting again to make you all jealous and hungry. ?
Chips & Salsa are always complimentary:

Hubby and D12 dream about the Cheese Dip...literally:

House Margarita tonight for me:

Chicken Tostadas:

Chicken Quesadilla:

Chicken Fajitas:


Kids Beef Tacos:

Kids Chocolate Sundae:

And my personal favourite...Fried Ice Cream (minus the whipped cream):

With full bellies, we made our way over to Publix for the usual pre-cruise stop. Purchased some water for tonight and tomorrow morning and some shampoo/conditioner and body wash for the kids.  Hubby asked why we needed those this time. The answer? No suite...no upgraded bath amenities tomorrow. ?
This hotel doesn’t have many frills but it does have a 24hr hot water and coffee station. That is a plus in my books. The front desk told me that inspection was happening today and their new section should be opened anytime now.  I think I will keep my reservation here for March. We booked a suite during the week of Black Friday (when we booked this room) and it looks like we’ll be able to get into it by then. 

I get it. I have one of those too. It’s all about the WJ. ?

As we plan our 2020 cruise, we asked our 9 year old if he wanted to go to new places on our cruise or have cool things on the ship. We explained that not every ship has water slides or laser tag. He said, totally seriously, "What about buffets? Do they all have buffets?" We assured that any ship we take him on will have a buffet.
#priorities

As we plan our 2020 cruise, we asked our 9 year old if he wanted to go to new places on our cruise or have cool things on the ship. We explained that not every ship has water slides or laser tag. He said, totally seriously, "What about buffets? Do they all have buffets?" We assured that any ship we take him on will have a buffet.
#priorities

As we plan our 2020 cruise, we asked our 9 year old if he wanted to go to new places on our cruise or have cool things on the ship. We explained that not every ship has water slides or laser tag. He said, totally seriously, "What about buffets? Do they all have buffets?" We assured that any ship we take him on will have a buffet.
#priorities