Lovetocruise2002

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.

Is this because the ship is sailing Europe?

W Fort Lauderdale - W Suite, 1 Bedroom, Oceanfront, Corner Suite There is a second side facing balcony that faces the Hilton. Not a wrap around. Hubby says this place reminds him of student living in university. There is also a strong cleaning product smell throughout the hallways and room. It reminds me of Atwell Suites in Miami Brickell. That was a one and done for me too. We got this stay at very reasonable points. If I had paid direct, I would have regretted it.

Sorry…you’re right after I re-read. Operating on very little sleep and have been up since 1am

Well… then there’s this….under the bed not sure if this is worse or old underwear in a cupboard on Liberty lol

So thankful!

Terminal arrival info came in from Lissandra around 10:30 am, 24 hours prior. It looks identical to the normal SC embarkation at Terminal A, except the signage of course. No reference to SC, the banner says Royal Genie package. Please see below for Arrival information: Miami Cruise Terminal Address: Port Miami Terminal A. Cruise Boulevard, Miami FL 33132. Facing the main entrance of "Terminal A", there will be Royal Genie Package purple banner and “Pier Genies” who will be in charge of receiving your luggage and guide you through the security and check in process. Please only drop your luggage at this designated Royal Genie Package area so we can make sure it gets expedited to your Suite, DO NOT leave your luggage with the regular porters; there will be a Royal Genie Package purple banner sign and designated pier staff ready to assist outside the main entrance by Zone 6. To receive expedited delivery and identify your belongings, we will have Royal Genie Package tags available at the terminal. Once you have finished with the luggage drop off, you will access the terminal and will be required to go through a security checkpoint then the check in process. In Suite Lounge, the agents will assist you to complete check-in. I will be aware of your arrival, and I will pick you up from the terminal, please don’t board the ship yourself. I highly recommend that you download the Royal App, and if possible while at the terminal, complete the first part of the safety drill to expedite this process. Looking forward to welcoming you onboard !!! Lissandra, your Royal Genie.

See if you can figure it out lol

It was half Hawaiian and half meat lovers lol

I didn’t even know they charged that! But I would never stay at the W with my kids anyway. Their vibe is not exactly family oriented.

Quick and simple pizza lunch. Saving our appetite for La Bamba. Now walking it off.

Everything is going smoothly for us today! We got to the W on Fort Lauderdale Beach around 11am and they had a room ready for us. I was quite pleasantly surprised. We are settled and out to find lunch before I get hangry. Will post room pics later. @Jax I can tell you right now though, I miss the Hilton next door….