Lovetocruise2002

So far…no gratuities included, laundry is pressing only, and the potential charge for movies. Otherwise, everything pretty similar so far. We have had all our requests for food and drinks delivered to the room no problem. No limit at Playmakers today.

Giovanni’s was good as usual. I went out of my usual and got the filet tonight. It was ok but not as good as CK. Hubby got his usual Alfredo pasta. Because we just had pizza yesterday, we skipped it tonight. I really wanted it because I like Giovanni’s crust but it was a good call since I walked out of there stuffed. The verdict came in over dinner. We texted Lissandra and told her we are skipping the ice show. While scanning for movies back in the room, Hubby noticed there is a charge. This is different from normal SC. Going to ask Lissandra tomorrow if movies are included or if this is another difference. We also got Royal Caribbean slippers tonight. Pretty sure this is Genie thing and not a suite thing as a JS is not a full suite.

We have done the 10:30pm Aqua shows too in the past, but never on day 1. Day 1 I am never a fan of late shows. Truth? Not as weird as the safe on the counter. They did…but…there are 2 large closets and one small one in this room so plenty of storage. Omg! Between Evian water and vintage bedtime, you get me so much! That is my prime kindle time too! You know it’s been a long day for me too cause I read it the same at first!

Spent most of the afternoon relaxing on the balcony. Hubby spent a chunk of time after lunch on the Flowrider. Now headed off to dinner. We are crawling along to PDCC. Trying to decide if we actually want to watch the ice show later. Show times on this sailing are 7:30/9:30. First one is too early for us, right in the middle of dinner time, and 9:30pm feels late. We are getting so old lol

Often on our spring break sailings when there are a lot of families, hubby doesn’t get many runs either.

I am truly envious…I cannot wait to start my retirement cruises. It’s not something that is easy to explain, it’s very hard for teachers to turn it off. But this is a great way to start!

Oh he knows that. But if you go back to my post about the “girl math logic” this adds to the value of the package for us.

Raise a glass to Freedom! ️

Same! It’s also taking up valuable counter space lol

Strange…we usually always get one. But at the mention of Starbucks, I just realized I haven’t made it there yet today. Time to go….

Happy to be on board!

Hubby was pleasantly surprised. It doesn’t always happen.

Lunch This was one of our better Playmakers experiences. Service was speedy. The only thing was that we had to find some to get us bill at the end of the meal. So close to a 10/10 lol

Room Tour As many of you might know already, we booked a suite GTY and were assigned an accessible JS. It is quite a bit larger than the regular JS. Hubby went to go take a peek at a regular one down the hall before rooms opened and he is happy. This accessible JS also has bunks which can accommodate a larger group. Bathroom At the moment I don’t know what to think of this. I will comment later on it once we start using it. Balcony One chair is zip tied. I remember reading in previous post about this happening but I don’t remember why they are doing this. Genie things

Let me know if there’s something in particular you would like me to find out. It seems to be hit and miss from what I learned from the pier crew. For example, last sailing they had 5 bookings with the package. Other weeks like this one, just one. Some weeks, none. Weekend sailings tend to be more popular so far with the genie package vs. the 4 nighters. I too am interested to know if this program continues.

It’s a catch 22…Miami has Intercontinental, which you know I love. FLL has La Bamba. I never know what to choose either. Next sailing out of Miami we are staying in Miami. D16’s choice.

Cheers to @OCSC Mike

Check in process: We got to the port just a few minutes after 10am. Very quite. The check in process was identical to regular SC, except the signage. When we checked our bags at the podium, I noticed that we were the only ones on the list. Pier side staff walking us in confirmed that we were this sailing. Hubby has now put two and two together and he has realized he will have the flowrider to himself for the Royal Genie Package session. Now he is much happier about this add on lol. First coconut ranger cookie of the sailing:

I can do the Red Velvet Cake. No salmon for me. I only like it cooked a certain way and I cannot handle omelets.

It’s cruise day! Headed to the port shortly!

Yes! Especially this 17th street location. The one we went to in Plantation the salsa was hit and miss. We slept solid overnight! Like @tonyfsu21 said, several locations in South Florida but from my Google searches, the 17th street location seems to be the most “south”. Still a bit far from Miami. Which is why we pick FLL sometimes even when sailing out of Miami.

Off to bed stat! Tomorrow is cruise day and we have been awake way too long!

La Bamba!

Regarding the hotel having cheap looking furniture and not being the best overall, don’t get me wrong, we don’t love it here (compared to Hilton next door) but it’s not horrible either. Let me try to explain further. I have wanted to try out this block of hotels forever (W, Hilton Beach House, and the Conrad). I was not wiling to try Conrad or the W with the kids, so this was the perfect opportunity to do it. Is it one and done here? Definitely. Neither Hubby or I care to return. But it’s perfect using points (and we did not have to use much points either, another good deal) because had I booked direct, this room was going at almost $500/night for tonight, that would have made me upset.

That is exactly why Hubby said it reminds him of student living. It doesn’t just look cheap, it’s feels that way too. Not that comfortable. Icon was better than this.