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“I Dream of Genie” – Star Class - Harmony of the Seas – 03/10/19-03/17/19


Lovetocruise2002

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22 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Night 5: Dinner 150 Central Park

Another great meal tonight at 150CP in terms of quality and service. However, if I wasn’t already convinced that CK rivals any specialty restaurant, tonight solidified it. We had 2 appetizers tonight (Short rib & Pork Belly) that they served upstairs at CK. It was exactly the same! Quality and taste, exactly.

Menu:

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The great thing about 150 is that some things are prepared tableside. The evening was off to a great start as I was reunited with a drink that I have missed greatly.

The Urban Garden Martini (aka Cucumber martini) 

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150 CP bread (Not on the menu but probably the best bread on board!)

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Hubby had a Ceasar Salad, also prepared table side.

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Scallops

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Braised Short Rib

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Pork Belly

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Halibut (because @tiny260 said to try it ?)

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Lobster Thermidor

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Fried Cheesecake ?

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150 is my favorite of the specialty restaurants.  The bread is amazing and that fried cheesecake!  We ended up ordering that to our room on the last night after having it at 150 earlier in the week.

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1 hour ago, ldf75 said:

150 is my favorite of the specialty restaurants.  The bread is amazing and that fried cheesecake!  We ended up ordering that to our room on the last night after having it at 150 earlier in the week.

Haha. I was planning to order that for our last night tomorrow!

1 minute ago, Johnbob7 said:

Ah ok, thanks. We had Sorin as CK manager last year and wondered if he was still there.

Enjoy rest of cruise!

bob

The current CK manager is also excellent. I did not get his name though. I will check tomorrow. And I did mess up his name in the earlier post. It is Anoop, not Anoob. ?

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Dinner Night 6: Back at Chops 

We had to have an earlier dinner tonight as we had two shows to catch. Same menu as night 3.

Started with the Lavender Tonic from the other night and the Mushroom soup. 

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Hubby had the Bacon.

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Next up, Seafood Tower but only lobster and crab.

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Branzino for Hubby.

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I went with Lobster tonight. 

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Sides: love those truffle fries, spinach, and tater tots

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And of course dessert: Red Velvet cake and Cheesecake 

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After dinner we rushed to the Fine Line since it has been cancelled so many times already this sailing. This is my favourite show to date. I was so excited to finally watch this with my girls! Last time they weren’t with us and I streamed it to them. The Fine Line did not disappoint. In the words of D10, she said it was Epic! ?

And I am so happy that this guy was not on vacation for this sailing!

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After the Fine Line, onwards to Columbus. The kids loved this one as well. This is also my favourite RC original production, although that might change with Flight this summer.

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Now...

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When we got back to our room tonight, more surprises awaited for us. We ordered churros from Sabor to snack on after the Quest but this is what we found instead.

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 We are touched by how thoughtful Araceli has been. Tonight tops it off.

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And I never told her that I was adding to my ship collection, so likely a coincidence, unless she is on these blogs lol. Now I don’t have to buy one tomorrow ?

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I have really enjoyed this blog and I have come here daily to look what your family is up to. I'm not sure I will ever travel at the Star Class level, unless I do it as a my retirement cruise, but that is still a ways off (7 years).  I am impressed with your Genie, and I am not even there daily to see all that they can do; however, I think you have provided valuable information to those that are contemplating doing this on a cruise and what to expect. On the downside for genies, maybe yours is one of the best, and the others better up their game to get close to yours abilities because this blog will be seen by anyone that googles Royal Caribbean Star Class or genies.

I am leaving on a Cruise the end of April on Independence of the Seas, out of Ft. Lauderdale,  and this blog made me think about my cruise every day, as if I wouldn't have anyways.

Glad to see you guys had fun on your cruise. I hope your children know how well they had. Again, now the downside they will expect this every time for a cruise. ?

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7 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

When we got back to our room tonight, more surprises awaited for us. We ordered churros from Sabor to snack on after the Quest but this is what we found instead.

E8C9372B-3D16-4185-A909-08AE4FB8F250.thumb.jpeg.bb29d816b7ae176f34e544bab3165d2a.jpeg

 We are touched by how thoughtful Araceli has been. Tonight tops it off.

31B4680F-E3C3-4CF1-BF84-DECEDAAE277E.thumb.jpeg.6296f711e4ce6b24e24d435ddb49c222.jpeg

89E00939-A8DC-418C-9008-3ADDE0022F4B.thumb.jpeg.3eb6c3e3f7e47def3c59589be1841d5d.jpeg

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And I never told her that I was adding to my ship collection, so likely a coincidence, unless she is on these blogs lol. Now I don’t have to buy one tomorrow ?

Or maybe she’s following along to the blog and saw the earlier not about adding the much bigger ship model to your collection. 

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Wow , so much activity and you still have time to add so much information in the blog , thank you , 

One question regarding gratuity , I understand that in general gratuity included in the price of a SC , but with all that deliveries that are being done to you cabin are you expected/is it a tradition to give some extra tip to the the delivery people ?  what about special restaurants ? 

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18 minutes ago, Traveler said:

Wow , so much activity and you still have time to add so much information in the blog , thank you , 

One question regarding gratuity , I understand that in general gratuity included in the price of a SC , but with all that deliveries that are being done to you cabin are you expected/is it a tradition to give some extra tip to the the delivery people ?  what about special restaurants ? 

What about the genie?

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2 hours ago, Tim B. said:

I have really enjoyed this blog and I have come here daily to look what your family is up to. I'm not sure I will ever travel at the Star Class level, unless I do it as a my retirement cruise, but that is still a ways off (7 years).  I am impressed with your Genie, and I am not even there daily to see all that they can do; however, I think you have provided valuable information to those that are contemplating doing this on a cruise and what to expect. On the downside for genies, maybe yours is one of the best, and the others better up their game to get close to yours abilities because this blog will be seen by anyone that googles Royal Caribbean Star Class or genies.

I am leaving on a Cruise the end of April on Independence of the Seas, out of Ft. Lauderdale,  and this blog made me think about my cruise every day, as if I wouldn't have anyways.

Glad to see you guys had fun on your cruise. I hope your children know how well they had. Again, now the downside they will expect this every time for a cruise. ?

Never say never. If you read the start of the this blog, the last time we sailed HM, it was not even a possibility for us. And deals in SC can be found. You do have to look though.

We have had several heated discussions with our girls this cruise actually about how blessed they are and not to take this opportunity for granted. The good thing is we have sailed a variety of cabins with them so they have an idea now of both ends of the spectrum. 

1 hour ago, Ndfan89 said:

Fabulous blog, Sabrina!  Looks like You made wonderful memories with family that will,be cherished forever!  

Thank you ? We were saying the same thing this morning. That we have our memories....

27 minutes ago, Andrew72681 said:

Or maybe she’s following along to the blog and saw the earlier not about adding the much bigger ship model to your collection. 

Doubt it lol. You should see her move. She is all over the place. I don’t even know if she sleeps ?

17 minutes ago, Traveler said:

Wow , so much activity and you still have time to add so much information in the blog , thank you , 

One question regarding gratuity , I understand that in general gratuity included in the price of a SC , but with all that deliveries that are being done to you cabin are you expected/is it a tradition to give some extra tip to the the delivery people ?  what about special restaurants ? 

Yes, we knew before coming on that we would be tipping extra for all the room service, specialty restaurants, our loft attendants and of course, Araceli.

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21 minutes ago, Traveler said:

One question regarding gratuity , I understand that in general gratuity included in the price of a SC , but with all that deliveries that are being done to you cabin are you expected/is it a tradition to give some extra tip to the the delivery people ?  what about special restaurants ? 

We typically tipped delivery folks we interacted with, same as room service deliveries.  Couldn't really tip for deliveries just left in the room. 

We also tipped extra for the room steward and the genie in cash at the end of the cruise.  I believe that is expected but not required.  We left a tip at the specialty restaurants as well. 

I think there is no daily service charge for Star Class, so that's something to consider when you try to put a value on what's included and also to keep in mind when it comes to tipping for drinks, restaurants, etc. 

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1 minute ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Yes, we knew before coming on that we would be tipping extra for all the room service, specialty restaurants, our loft attendants and of course, Araceli.

For Araceli I guess its being done in the end of the cruise , for the room service , are they coming every time (even when they deliver cookies) with a bill you can add tip to or you just need to come prepare with many small bills ?

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Day 7: At sea (Last day ?)

Last breakfast on the balcony as I write this...

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Busy last day today...After breakfast we are headed to the Galley Tour. We have done this several times but the girls want to go. Then Hubby and D10 are skating. After lunch, we have the bridge tour. 

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Just now, Traveler said:

For Araceli I guess its being done in the end of the cruise , for the room service , are they coming every time (even when they deliver cookies) with a bill you can add tip to or you just need to come prepare with many small bills ?

We have tipped each time because it is always different people coming in.

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On 3/14/2019 at 11:47 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said:

150 CP bread (Not on the menu but probably the best bread on board!)

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OMG... as if I didn't have enough reasons to book OA in 2020... I need that bread.  LOL this may be the tipping point.

Thank you for all of your amazing pictures and great descriptions!

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27 minutes ago, Traveler said:

just need to come prepare with many small bills ?

The specialty dining when you eat at the restaurant will come with a zeroed out bill that you can add a tip that goes onto the onboard account.  When it's delivered it doesn't come with a bill. 

If you don't want to travel with the bulk of small bills, just bring big ones and break them in the casino or guest services.

  @CGTLH likes to hit up the bank for $2 bills before sailing..crew seem to enjoy the novelty of those and they are legal tender.

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4 minutes ago, firebuck said:

OMG... as if I didn't have enough reasons to book OA in 2020... I need that bread.  LOL this may be the tipping point.

If you ask nicely they may give you some bread to go without having to dine there...they did that on Symphony for one of our cruise pals.  The bread was the only highlight of CP150 for me honestly..but everyone else seems to love that place.

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Just now, AshleyDillo said:

If you ask nicely they may give you some bread to go without having to dine there...they did that on Symphony for one of our cruise pals.  The bread was the only highlight of CP150 for me honestly..but everyone else seems to love that place.

Oh, thanks! I'll have to try that - or request the kids menu ? . Duck liver?  No thank you!!

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1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Never say never. If you read the start of the this blog, the last time we sailed HM, it was not even a possibility for us. And deals in SC can be found. You do have to look though.

We have had several heated discussions with our girls this cruise actually about how blessed they are and not to take this opportunity for granted. The good thing is we have sailed a variety of cabins with them so they have an idea now of both ends of the spectrum. 

Thank you ? We were saying the same thing this morning. That we have our memories....

Doubt it lol. You should see her move. She is all over the place. I don’t even know if she sleeps ?

Yes, we knew before coming on that we would be tipping extra for all the room service, specialty restaurants, our loft attendants and of course, Araceli.

Yoi never know, once one an around the world trip, a hotel in Hong Kong had checked out my social media presence and a solid chocolate airplane with edible runway was waiting for me in my room. That’s the difference between good and great service. 

F5E1779C-7F19-452B-B426-D782CA4EBC9D.jpeg

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13 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Next up, Seafood Tower but only lobster and crab.

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I am REALLY impressed.  I cannot imagine that you ate all of that food PLUS the seafood tower !  WOW.  There is no way we could have eaten all of that.

The seafood tower is a right of passage for Star Class.  Everyone orders it just because they can !  W ordered it one time...and we had a friend with us.  Dan said NEVER AGAIN !

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2 hours ago, Andrew72681 said:

Yoi never know, once one an around the world trip, a hotel in Hong Kong had checked out my social media presence and a solid chocolate airplane with edible runway was waiting for me in my room. That’s the difference between good and great service. 

Reyno did the same thing on our first SC cruise with him.  I do not have a FB page so he found nothing on me BUT Dan has a blog dealing almost exclusively with his Military service and military associations.  Reyno found that, recognized that Dan was a "milit'ry man" <in my best South African accent>.  Reyno was also a military officer (in the SA Army) so they had that kind of soldier-bond-thing going on from the beginning.  At the end of that cruise, Reyno gave Dan a solid bronze, antique ship's compass, which I thought was an extremely personal and considerate gift.  The Genies really do their homework and try and make your experience very very special.

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22 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I am REALLY impressed.  I cannot imagine that you ate all of that food PLUS the seafood tower !  WOW.  There is no way we could have eaten all of that.

The seafood tower is a right of passage for Star Class.  Everyone orders it just because they can !  W ordered it one time...and we had a friend with us.  Dan said NEVER AGAIN !

Well to be fair, We ate the entire seafood tower but Hubby only ate half his branzino after that. And the lobster that I had only looked big. Really there was not too much there. 

But yes, I couldn’t pass up the tower on both nights because I have heard so much about it from the Star class folks ?

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1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Reyno did the same thing on our first SC cruise with him.  I do not have a FB page so he found nothing on me BUT Dan has a blog dealing almost exclusively with his Military service and military associations.  Reyno found that, recognized that Dan was a "milit'ry man" <in my best South African accent>.  Reyno was also a military officer (in the SA Army) so they had that kind of soldier-bond-thing going on from the beginning.  At the end of that cruise, Reyno gave Dan a solid bronze, antique ship's compass, which I thought was an extremely personal and considerate gift.  The Genies really do their homework and try and make your experience very very special.

Would be interesting to know if RCCL has a set budget for the genies to spend on each guest in a SC cabin. 

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