CGTLH

Made it to the Ft. Lauderdale airport.

Darn, no chance of a last minute upgrade. Called and they said the manifest has been submitted. Who knows what can happen later today or over night. One can wish, right?

Made it to Orlando for a quick 20-30 minute stop. It is now 1:10 and getting ready to get back on the road.

Also, just want to make one request for any replies. PLEASE if your are replying to a post with a bunch of pictures (say more than two) don't include them. I primarily use a mobile device so it helps on the scrolling, also helps out others trying to follow along as well. Finally, keep in mind again I'm on a mobile device. So pardon any auto correct and errors in general. Other than that thank you for following along. Currently I'm on the road heading to Ft. Lauderdale. Should arrive there by 4:30pm EDT. Added: If you want to send me an email direct: [email protected] Keep in mind this is essentially a burner address. So after this cruise it will eventuality be shut down if spam takes it over. While a burner, it is a direct contact method to me. If you enter "my circle of trust" I'll use my real email.

Right as planned, about 90% of the way packed. As I thought, only took around 90 minutes or so. Biggest helper I've found are the packing cubes. Help so much in keeping everything organized and speeds things up. I'm going to be open, on formal night I'm one of those with a long sleeve shirt and tie. Up until about 2-3 months ago I never even owned a suit. The sports coat I have no longer fits and I think after the fourth or fifth cruise I stopped bothering with it. Rest of the night I'll wear a collared shirt and long pants. *Disclaimer: I never wear shorts, not much of a sun worshiper/water person so I don't lounge out. I do have the option of shorts with a pair of zipoff pants, the kind you can remove the leg right around the knee. That is it for now. Might post some more stuff while on the road heading to Ft. Lauderdale. Bus leaves at 7:30am arrives at the airport around 4:10pm. Has about a 30 minute stop in Orlando.

I've updated the first post. Still haven't started packing, gotten to the point where I just wing it and do it in about an hour or so.

I'm part of the group disappointed in the new suite booking policy. I'm not one that play suite roulette, but I've had bookings that I've canceled later one. On top if that I've done the book onboard thing when a just a week or two away from a new booking season opening. As it stands right now. If the policy was in place I'd have the potential of a $500-$600 loss on just two bookings. One is where I'm unsure of four people in a large suite vs two in a Grand and two in a balcony. Other is where all intentions were in place when booking, but a change of plans occurred. Other question is would cancelling a third+ person in a suite trigger a non-refundable clause. Some times I book with three just to hold the third person rate. That way if they do go it doesn't cause a reprice.

My go-to source when it comes to understanding the basics for table games is https://wizardofodds.com Key table games will be black jack, roulette, craps, and three card poker. Some ship will also have Let It Ride and Ultimate Texas Hold 'em (This is different from normal Texas Hold 'em. You are just playing against the dealer with restrictions on how you can bet.). Sure other ships have other games but these are the core ones. Only catch that I'm a major victim of is the entire house edge thing and trying to stick with the best odds (no side bets). Trust me, if you don't play the "sucker bets" on some of the tables games you'll feel intimidated. Personally, I live with it and don't play them. House edge, just means over time you should only lose x%. Example, if you sit down with $100 and the edge is 3%. In theory after cycling that $100 you should have $97. Thing is as you keep playing you keep cycling that original amount. If I'm trying to only play x amount as I will I'll separate those winnings. Once the buy in stack is gone I'll color up the winnings stack and leave, or that is the plan. Final comment: This is a form of entertainment, not a method to get rich quick. Know your own limits and bet what you are willing to lose.

I know a shot of the Añejo Patron is covered. Some scotch and cognac might not be. Maybe some of the bourbon as well. Just keep in mind this would be straight liquor or "liquor and mixer". Not a "fancy" cocktail that might use multiple liquors, mixers, and/or liqueurs.

First off, disclaimer and information slab of text. I'm not much in the way of a writer/reviewer. My options are just that, mine. I try to stick with factual information and avoid confrontational topics. So don't expect to hear such items of discussion such as the estimated percentage of number of people wearing shorts in the MDR on Formal night. I'll do my best to report back things like cost of the drink packages and if any discounts are being offered. More than happy to provide pictures upon request. Just don't be upset if I'm unable to get something I'm comfortable with. Being a single male with no kids, I'm not all that comfortable with photographing an area like Adventure Ocean. Another thing, I really enjoy it when content is partly driven by you guys. So please, give me your requests! Also, keep an eye on Twitter/Periscope for any material not posted here. I will try my best to do a few broadcasts. Twitter/Periscope: @CGTLH Going to also provide some sailing details I'm on the May 13th 2017 sailing (7n) Eastern: Ft. Lauderdale, Sea Day, Sea Day, St. Martin, San Juan, Labadee, Sea Day, Ft. Lauderdale I'll be in a L1 Crown Loft Suite on deck 17. Pre-purchased the Deluxe Drink Package cost was $396.48 with the gratuity/service charge added. ($48 a day plus 18% gratuity, Cruise Planner offer was 20% off. Once onboard I'll see if the Diamond Plus 30% is still offered and a better deal. If it is, I'll try canceling and rebuying onboard.) Pre-purchased BOGO ($33 per person) for night 1 & 2, plan is CP 150 and Wonderland. Yes, as Diamonds Plus I get BOGO, but this offer will end up being cheaper. Plus I'm sailing with two others that are Diamond. Original plan was First Night Done Right for $15 per person. Then use the D+ BOGO at Wonderland (Four dining: Two D and two D+). That is it for now, unless you want to know my tech toys. I'll have internet access all week onboard and should have limited service in St. Martin. Debating on taking my phone to Labadee. Not sure how the service/speed will be with Sprint. Once again, I am more than happy to scout any thing out on board. As long as it is with in reason and not a violation of Guest policy.

OK, so it is Thursday and like me I have to even start packing. Well, my clothes at least. Camera gear and most of my electronics are packed on the other hand. Travel to the port plans are as followed. Taking RedCoach (upscale bus) from Tallahassee to Ft. Lauderdale Friday morning. This will be the third time using the service, second to Ft. Lauderdale. Cost was $168 round trip with a refundable fare, cheaper than flying (from Tallahassee) and would have been a bit less if choosing one of the other fare options. Friday night, I'll be staying at the Embassy Suites on 17th street. In the morning, thinking Uber or Lyft to the port to be there by 10:00-10:30am. That is it for now, if you want to get an idea of what to expect see my previous LIVEish posting from January 2017 on Oasis of the Seas: As a bonus, I can stay I've stepped foot on every Oasis class ship in service with in the last twelve months. Was on Allure when Harmony came into service. It isn't every day you can claim being on the Worlds largest and second largest cruise ship... Once I hit the road Friday, or maybe sometime Thursday, I'll replace the contents of this post.

Think the bottles of spring water used on board comes out to be in the $2 range for a 500ml bottle. The more expensive stuff is Evian and usually isn't covered, even if you can find the 500ml bottles.

No love here for Harmony in May, still at $26.

This beauty just showed up in my cruise planner. This was on Harmony, 7 days. Fine print

L1 (1754) For the price given I was crazy not to upgrade. I'll send you an email with the file. If you want your own Royal needs to be contacted to have the docs reissued. Normally it takes 24 hours.

Nice pick! Surprised it took so long to be grabbed. Wonder how that funky balcony layout is in reality. Off topic: Care for the luggage tag PDF with Diamond Plus...

Add me to Symphony on Nov 17, 2018. Also, wrong date listed for Harmony 13, 2017. Thanks

Nice! So, which GS did you end up getting?

From what I experienced on Oasis with Sip and Stream all you get is a slip of paper with a code. Same way with Voom for a GS+.

Very true, just humors me the "free" claim on Voom.

Just happen to spot this beauty in the Cruise Planner for my Harmony sailing. Love how it claims Voom is free, yay for Royal math. Math: DELUXE PACKAGE SPECIAL OFFER $336.00 USD *Service Charge $60.48 USD DELUXE PACKAGE AND VOOM ONE DEVICE $378.00 USD *Service Charge $55.68 USD

Yes you can book and yes it can be transferred. Just make sure if you happened to use a TA for the upcoming sailing you ask to sign a release. Otherwise it will automatically be transferred to that TA. Biggest advantage is the additional gratuity Next Cruise offers. Plus a reduced deposit. Once transferred the TA can offer their perks as well. Also, if you happen to want a suite. Keep in mind the new policy about change fees after 30 days. Next Cruise suite policy: THE DEPOSIT REQUIRED FOR YOUR NEXTCRUISE BOOKING IS NONREFUNDABLE IF YOU BOOK A GRAND SUITE STATEROOM OR HIGHER OR IF YOU CHOOSE THE INSTANT ONBOARD CREDIT OPTION. CHANGES FOR SUITE BOOKINGS: For Guests whose NextCruise Booking is for a Grand Suite stateroom or higher, changes made during the first thirty (30) days after the NextCruise Booking was made shall not be subject to a Change Fee but will remain nonrefundable. After the expiration of that thirty (30) day period, a Change Fee (currently $100 per person per change but subject to adjustment without notice) shall apply. Grand Suite Staterooms and above bookings require full deposit and are only eligible for Future Onboard Credit. For Guests who choose the Future Onboard Credit offer and later Downgrade their NEXTCRUISE BOOKING, the amount of that future onboard credit shall be reduced.

Still plenty of time. Don't really see the next drop wave until mid-week. Last check there were still plenty of GS available. I'm just happy I got my upgrade in at the amount it was. That in itself I'm still thinking was a fluke. Was quoted twice as much a hour earlier for the lower category.

Looking back at a sheet I have from Oasis. One of the Diamond coupons was for 20% off any spa or salon service. At the time, rumors had started stirring about 20% off any drink package for Diamond and 30% for Diamond Plus. I have a bar print out as Diamond Plus showing 30% off any package, just have to find it. Think Matt might of used it in a blog post as well. Never did get the chance to get a bar print out from a Diamond member.

Join the cult of the upgrade seekers! The biggest challenge is knowing when to pull the trigger.