Matt Posted February 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Committing this to memory, @FlowBro Ty The Cruise Junkie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Cruise day is here! cruiselife, Skigoofy, Deedeelynn and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coneyraven Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 I'm so going to be following this since we're 65 Days from our first Brilliance Cruise ...... Easter on a Cruise ship... That should be fun. I wonder if there will be an adult Easter Egg Hunt...... perhaps hide miniatures all around the ship. The Cruise Junkie and Deedeelynn 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiselife Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Happy cruise day! What a way for you and your wife to celebrate Valentines Day! Any special plans? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShakeDownCruise Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 It's game time. Let's get cruising! The Cruise Junkie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLA Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 9:41 AM.... so, bets on whether or not @Matt is already at the port? coneyraven, cruiselife, WAAAYTOOO and 1 other 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josepena12 Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Cruising vicariously through Matt on his Brilliance OTS Cruise. Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle_cardinalsfan51 Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 30 minutes ago, KLA said: 9:41 AM.... so, bets on whether or not @Matt is already at the port? Well he started the blog a month early....dollar says he brought a tent down last night and camped out. First in line! Matt, coneyraven, Baked Alaska and 3 others 1 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 We have arrived! Got to the port at about 10:15 and there was no traffic or fuss. Brilliance is at Terminal 3 today and it is a GLORIOUS day weather wise. Perfect sailaway weather! ellcee, coneyraven, The Cruise Junkie and 8 others 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Valentine’s Day decorations in the Centrum. At least they tried, right? Lovetocruise2002, cruiselife, The Cruise Junkie and 10 others 12 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Once we got onboard we booked our specialty dining. We have the ultimate dining package, and got reservations for everything we wanted at the time we wanted. There were a few specialty dining waiters waiting right as we boarded, so they took our reservations nice and easy. Our first stop was the Solarium Bar to enjoy some embarkation day drinks! Always book your drink packages before the cruise. We paid $49 versus the $70 ellcee, Guy Gadwa, twangster and 7 others 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 1 hour ago, KLA said: 9:41 AM.... so, bets on whether or not @Matt is already at the port? I wanted to leave about an hour before my wife was willing to even consider it. When we arrived and boarding had begun I gave her my “told you so” face Skigoofy, Mike P, WAAAYTOOO and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marti314 Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Severe fog looks to be rolling in...... Just disregard the perfectly blue skies at the end of the animation loop.... JLMoran, Skigoofy, The Cruise Junkie and 7 others 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGTLH Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Just now, Matt said: Always book your drink packages before the cruise. We paid $49 versus the $70 Should have quizzed them. Is the Diamond Plus discount still offered? If so, how the does the Diamond Plus discount play into the pricing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Just now, CGTLH said: Should have quizzed them. Is the Diamond Plus discount still offered? If so, how the does the Diamond Plus discount play into the pricing? The bartender isnt totally positive but thinks you would. In that case it might be a decent deal. He said the bogo deal is essentialy $25 off $70 for each person. Plus D+ discount would potentially be good deal. Already prebooked so cant test it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 1 minute ago, Matt said: I wanted to leave about an hour before my wife was willing to even consider it. When we arrived and boarding had begun I gave her my “told you so” face In my experience a man enjoying a "told you so" moment is short lived. Recommend generous drink package utilization in hopes it purges her memory. JLMoran, Matt, rjac and 8 others 2 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Just now, CGTLH said: If so, how the does the Diamond Plus discount play into the pricing? Something tells me that fine print at the bottom includes "not combinable with other discounts or promotions". Baked Alaska 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGTLH Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Just now, twangster said: Something tells me that fine print at the bottom includes "not combinable with other discounts or promotions". Nope, the standard package policy terms. Can't share, everyone of drinking age must buy, get x% off bottles of wine... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Just now, twangster said: Something tells me that fine print at the bottom includes "not combinable with other discounts or promotions". I really wish I could test out to see price. The bartender here thought about it and thinks he could do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Just now, Matt said: I really wish I could test out to see price. The bartender here thought about it and thinks he could do it. C&A tells me you can cancel a cruise planner DX once on board and buy it again on board. That was their advice when sailing with my Gold son so he wouldn't have to pay full on board price but I could get my D+ discount on board. Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGTLH Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Just now, Matt said: I really wish I could test out to see price. The bartender here thought about it and thinks he could do it. Demand to speak with the Beverage Manager or FBM right this instance! /sarcasm Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Just now, twangster said: C&A tells me you can cancel a cruise planner DX once on board and buy it again on board. That was their advice when sailing with my Gold son so he wouldn't have to pay full on board price but I could get my D+ discount on board. Interesting. Doubt I will pursue it just because of all the hurdles required at this point. But if you can stack the discount then it would be a money saver. Regardless, this is the first time I’ve ever seen this bogo offer onboard. Not sure I’d ever recommend rolling the dice on waiting. Not to mention ability to pre purchase and break up cruise cost, which I value. JennyB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGTLH Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Just now, twangster said: C&A tells me you can cancel a cruise planner DX once on board and buy it again on board. That was their advice when sailing with my Gold son so he wouldn't have to pay full on board price but I could get my D+ discount on board. Fun thing about all this variable pricing. In @Matt case the discount with D+ would have been $49. Same and what he paid online. If Royal would be upfront and state a standard fleet wide price it would be helpful. Then this new bogo day one offer really changes the math and adds a new set of variables. Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Just now, CGTLH said: Then this new bogo day one offer really changes the math and adds a new set of variables. And possibly only offered if DX sales are below a threshold on a particular sailing so unpredictable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Scientific proof the weather is absolutely perfect today in Tampa Lovetocruise2002, monctonguy, JLMoran and 10 others 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 I had heard with Ultimate Dining Package some people had been able to eat at a specialty restaurant for lunch. I figured it was worth the try to see if they would seat us. Sure enough, they looked us up and happily seated us for lunch. Keep in mind that if you are cruising soon, you can and should ask politely but be prepared for the answer to be no. The rules clearly state lunch with UDP is for sea days only This is the first Royal Caribbean cruise ever I have ever been on that I have not eaten embarkation day lunch in the Windjammer. JennyB, JLMoran, cruiselife and 11 others 4 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 10 minutes ago, twangster said: And possibly only offered if DX sales are below a threshold on a particular sailing so unpredictable. I think you’re right. Based on this, I’d be shocked if drink card didn’t show up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Thermal spa price is cheaper than I recall Baked Alaska 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 21 minutes ago, Matt said: Thermal spa price is cheaper than I recall Nice!! I love the Thermal Spa! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cruise Junkie Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Hey @Matt Can You Please Check And See Who Is The Resident DJ On This Sailing. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 37 minutes ago, Matt said: Thermal spa price is cheaper than I recall That is a heck of a lot cheaper than what I paid for the two of us on Anthem! Not quite half, but pretty darn close! Did you grab it for that price? betatke1480 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThyriC Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Looking forward to watching your sail away on the webcams and if you choose to share! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 3 minutes ago, JLMoran said: That is a heck of a lot cheaper than what I paid for the two of us on Anthem! Not quite half, but pretty darn close! Did you grab it for that price? Yeah, it’s $155 for my June Ovation sailing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 8 minutes ago, JLMoran said: That is a heck of a lot cheaper than what I paid for the two of us on Anthem! Not quite half, but pretty darn close! Did you grab it for that price? I offered for my wife but while she likes the concept, she’s always concerned with it being too busy. That and she booked a 90 minute treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 9 minutes ago, ThyriC said: Looking forward to watching your sail away on the webcams and if you choose to share! Yes! Will be live on Facebook probably around 4 or 4:30 eastern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Rooms were ready promptly at 1pm. We had heard one announcement that it would be ready at 1:30, but I think that was to keep the masses at bay. Everywhere else the 1pm time was advertised. We are in a standard balcony ocean room. We have stayed in this category before, so nothing Earth shatteringly different for us. Note the Valentines Day touch, along with chocolates! We also noticed the air conditioning control is a new model. The Cruise Junkie, JLMoran, ellcee and 6 others 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLA Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 11 minutes ago, Matt said: We also noticed the air conditioning control is a new model. You know you're a cruise nerd when... FlowBro Ty, lauraodonnell86, betatke1480 and 11 others 1 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Here’s what’s left of the Valentines Day cake in Windjammer I checked, but Rita’s is still very much gone. The Cruise Junkie, Guy Gadwa, Rose City Cruiser and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbnsoul Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Can't belive they haven't found SOME use for the vacated Rita's space mom2mybugs 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjac Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Just now, Matt said: Here’s what’s left of the Valentines Day cake in Windjammer Ok, I knew Matt is a "Windjammer Connoisseur", but I didn't realize he had THAT big of an appetite for cake! The Cruise Junkie, JLMoran, SpeedNoodles and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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