Lovetocruise2002

From personal experience, Playmakers on Oasis class has always been good for us. Freedom and Odyssey were a big thumbs down. Odyssey Playmakers was the one and only restaurant I have ever walked out on.

There was a guy we ran into on Allure on the wave who we suspected was doing this. He tried to hop into the SC session.

uh oh...don't let you know who hear you say that...I won't tag her

Thanks Raye! I will let her know! What is the cost for re-programming?

Yup lol

Actually, after our next March break cruise (March 2026) we don't have any more Star Class in the books. My thinking has always been that SC is worth it when we have the kids. When it's just Hubby and I (and there's a lot of those sailings coming after March 2026), we don't need it. That's not to say I won't give RU a try

My sister just purchased them on Utopia for $10 each. Does anyone know if these are reusable for when she goes on Wonder next year? Like can they bring them back and get them re-programmed? Or do you have to purchase new ones each sailing?

They are good, but so heavy. My favourite thing from Playmakers is still the wings.

We are quickly approaching this. Just looking forward to the next year and half or so, we don't have opportunities left for all 4 of us. A year a half later, when D16 graduates Grade 12, I have no clue what their schedules will be like or if anyone will still be left at home with Hubby and I. It's sad. That's the mindset! Time does not wait. Take every opportunity.

Happy Cruise Day!

You're cookin' it with the lingo Sadly yes, I fear my brain has rotted a bit over the last few years lol

Guess it depends who you are asking? lol

Phew! It’s been a long day. Our flight made good time today. Took off early and landed early. I did not realize how tired I was until I passed out even before take off. Slept most of the way home. However, despite making good time with the flight today, crossing the border was awful! We were on the bridge for almost an hour and a half and at the customs plaza for another half hour after that. So about two hours to cross the border today. Came home and had our traditional post cruise pizza with D18. It is good to be back together again. As much as we enjoyed our week, it always felt like something was missing. Now all unpacked and off to bed asap.

The suite is fantastic! We had the same room on Deck 10 on Wonder and these ones are so much more open and bright than the ones on the older Oasis class ships. And yes, please do come and say hi. I love meeting others from our RC Blog community!

Meh… no contest to La Bamba imo lol Good point!

There is no “may try”; it’s “must go”

All on board our plane! Time to go home and see D18!

That about sums it up.

Then there will be even less differences between the two ships. The majority of my family didn’t like it. It was similar to Voices. A collection of cover songs, fancy sets and costumes, and way more special effects with lasers and drones. Zero story line or theme. Yes, the only thing I liked about InTENse was the drum in the air part. Hopefully I am thinking of the correct show… Go with no expectations, it’s entertaining enough. And by the time you get there, Marc Walker will be hosting. We missed him again this week! He was on board but it was handover week so we got the outgoing CD.

And while this cruise was much busier than what we are used to, never was there a moment where it was lost on me that these bigger family moments are far and rare. We enjoyed our time together this week; great laughs and memories. Thank you all for joining us.

Some of you know from my previous blogs that Hubby really can’t help himself and loves to recreate photos. You might remember our Icon one from last year…. Well, here is the one we are going home with today.

If I have forgotten anything, please ask. Now just sitting at the gate waiting for our plane. Going to be another few hours. There was an earlier 11:30am flight to DTW but we did not want to risk it, coming from Cape Canaveral. So now we are stuck here until almost 2:30pm. The good news is that the inbound flight is on the way already so fingers crossed for uneventful travel.

Last but not least, our Genie Carlos was awesome! Actually, all 3 genies on UT are awesome. They are a solid genie team on this ship. Carlos is super personable. Even on the first day you feel like you have known him for a while. He was able to accommodate all we needed, and even things we did not need, he came through for us. We would love to run into him again, hopefully at the end of the year.

Our cabin was on Deck 9, which was a great location for my parents. Very central. Lots of storage even for 5 of us. There was definitely noise from the Aqua Theatre. Any time there was a show, rehearsal, movie, you can hear it. While the balcony definitely makes this room, and the interior of the room itself is nicer than the older Oasis class ships, I would still prefer to be on Deck 17/18.

Some final thoughts…… Utopia is so similar to Wonder. Much like how when I sailed SY for the first time, I felt like I was still on HM. No real deal breaker differences that would push me one way or another if pricing became a factor. Pesky Parrot is a fun venue but not worth booking the ship over. And it’s not like Rye&Bean level that I still think of long after I’ve returned home. The destination elevators were slightly disappointing. They are better than regular ones for sure, but not even close to being as good as Icon’s. Wonder definitely has better shows, if that is your thing. While the shows on UT are not terrible, I would not consider them great either compared to some of the other Royal options. Suite amenities and areas seem identical to Wonder. But these small things aside, we still had a fantastic time. The short sailings on a ship like this are too short. I did not mind it on AL over NYE but this one I definitely felt like I was not ready to leave yet. Perhaps it was because it was my first time on this ship, or perhaps because it was just busier in general with a larger group, I am not really sure. I am just looking forward to sailing UT again at the end of this year.