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

[Lovetocruise2002 9,793]

1 hour ago, WannaCruise said:

Live your report.  And always good to have other cruises to look forward to.  Have you been on Anthem before?  That's our next March break.  Neat too you'll catch her post dry dock.

P.S. -i find creating a nice photo book helps with post cruise depression

Yes. This will be our second time on Anthem. I don’t know how much I will blog this time since it will be a GC and we have the same room and I already blogged it last year. We will see.

[WannaCruise 840]

25 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Yes. This will be our second time on Anthem. I don’t know how much I will blog this time since it will be a GC and we have the same room and I already blogged it last year. We will see.

Oh, I see it now in your signature.  Will definitely read through it. 🙂

Your kids enjoyed?  Seems like it'll be different kind of ship from other Royal ships.

[Lovetocruise2002 9,793]

31 minutes ago, WannaCruise said:

Oh, I see it now in your signature.  Will definitely read through it. 🙂

Your kids enjoyed?  Seems like it'll be different kind of ship from other Royal ships.

It is. I have a love/hate relationship with Anthem. We are sailing it again because it is: a chance to sail with friends, going to Bermuda, in the summer. I don’t really care for the ship itself.

I wrote about it in length in my blog 😊

[WannaCruise 840]

48 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

It is. I have a love/hate relationship with Anthem. We are sailing it again because it is: a chance to sail with friends, going to Bermuda, in the summer. I don’t really care for the ship itself.

I wrote about it in length in my blog 😊

Will take a read. Sounds like a great opportunity even if not your favorite ship.  I'm excited to try it out.  We're going in March which means a couple cooler days but I'm sure we'll still enjoy.  Will just be different.

[Lovetocruise2002 9,793]

1 minute ago, WannaCruise said:

 Will just be different.

^^^That just about sums it all up.

[Matt 9,903]

Finally caught up on this live blog, and you did such an amazing job with this!

(This GIF is like looking in the mirror)

I really enjoyed it, and loved how much of the cruise experience you shared. The fact you made those gifts for your Genie is such a great idea!

Can't wait for the Anthem GC!!!

[tiny260 1,604]

On 3/22/2019 at 8:24 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I have a love/hate relationship with Anthem. We are sailing it again because it is: a chance to sail with friends, going to Bermuda, in the summer. I don’t really care for the ship itself.

Wow, I don't know if I want to be excited or depressed spending 9 days with you, lol.

I will have basically 5 months from my star class and you will have 3, hopefully you and the DW can console each other. Knowing her, with kids around she will be in full Grandmother mode...

[Lovetocruise2002 9,793]

5 hours ago, Matt said:

Finally caught up on this live blog, and you did such an amazing job with this!

(This GIF is like looking in the mirror)

Wow!  You sure put on a great disguise whenever you go live on social media! 🤣

5 hours ago, tiny260 said:

Wow, I don't know if I want to be excited or depressed spending 9 days with you, lol.

Well, many have told me that I am a bad influence to be around so be forewarned.  By the time your DW and I are through 9 days, I cannot promise what kind of dent that will put in your bank account. 😁

[tiny260 1,604]

1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Wow!  You sure put on a great disguise whenever you go live on social media! 🤣

Well, many have told me that I am a bad influence to be around so be forewarned.  By the time your DW and I are through 9 days, I cannot promise what kind of dent that will put in your bank account. 😁

OK, she said it's on, she is a shopaholic, she can shop with the best.

From 39 years of experience I can testify that is a true statement.

[rjac 2,488]

3 hours ago, tiny260 said:

she is a shopaholic, she can shop with the best.

From 39 years of experience I can testify that is a true statement

Going on 47 years of experience here and my wife now has her third degree black belt in shopping....she lost her credit card a few weeks ago and I didn't report it....whoever found her card and was using it was spending less than she was. So when we go shopping, I always hold her hand...that way she can't spend any money. My wife can't resist a sale, especially if it's marked down....last week she came home with an escalator!! (Thank you Rodney Dangerfield) 

[AlohaLivin 197]

I have just never scrolled enough to get this far so I completely missed this entire live blog (and the run up to it!). But I read all of your entries here tonight and it was great fun! I was so glad that you and your family has this experience and you will get joy on and on remembering it. Next time I will try to make the party before it’s over!!

Lynn

[Floski 1,074]

On 3/29/2019 at 9:54 PM, rjac said:

Going on 47 years of experience here and my wife now has her third degree black belt in shopping....she lost her credit card a few weeks ago and I didn't report it....whoever found her card and was using it was spending less than she was. So when we go shopping, I always hold her hand...that way she can't spend any money. My wife can't resist a sale, especially if it's marked down....last week she came home with an escalator!! (Thank you Rodney Dangerfield) 

Any sign with the word "CLEARANCE" is the bane of my existence...

[Minicruiser 16]

Hi all! I just wanted to jump back on and say thanks to all of those that answered my Star class questions and a special thanks again for this awesome live blog @Lovetocruise2002! Our Symphony Cruise was amazing. Our genie, Alina, was phenomenal and made everything extra special for the kids. I have no idea how you manage to live blog your cruise because I barely had time to take pictures we were having so much fun! Lol.  We’ve already booked again for June on Radiance (alas, no genie) to celebrate my oldest son’s high school graduation. Thanks again for all of the advice! We were nervous but it was all amazing just as you said it would be!

[AshleyDillo 3,566]

1 minute ago, Minicruiser said:

Hi all! I just wanted to jump back on and say thanks to all of those that answered my Star class questions and a special thanks again for this awesome live blog @Lovetocruise2002! Our Symphony Cruise was amazing. Our genie, Alina, was phenomenal and made everything extra special for the kids. I have no idea how you manage to live blog your cruise because I barely had time to take pictures we were having so much fun! Lol.  We’ve already booked again for June on Radiance (alas, no genie) to celebrate my oldest son’s high school graduation. Thanks again for all of the advice! We were nervous but it was all amazing just as you said it would be!

Glad to hear that Alina was good to you and your kiddos and that you had a great time!

[Lovetocruise2002 9,793]

@Minicruiser glad to hear that you had a great time and that Alina was awesome!  From what I know, she is newer, and it is comforting to know that there are good ones replacing the wonderful genies that have been leaving lately. 

So Radiance huh?  I can't go there....😄

[Minicruiser 16]

3 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

@Minicruiser glad to hear that you had a great time and that Alina was awesome!  From what I know, she is newer, and it is comforting to know that there are good ones replacing the wonderful genies that have been leaving lately. 

So Radiance huh?  I can't go there....😄

Uh oh, don’t scare me like that. I know it’s a small ship, but is it really that bad? Ovation was going to be crazy expensive for 6 of us this summer and we found a 2 bedroom owners suite on Radiance. Going more for the itinerary than the ship on this one....

[Lovetocruise2002 9,793]

21 minutes ago, Minicruiser said:

Uh oh, don’t scare me like that.

It will still be great!  I am just a big ship girl 😉

[JLMoran 6,212]

2 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I am just a big ship girl 😉

🎶 She likes... big... SHIPS!!! And she cannot lie!! O-asis really catches her eye! 🎶

[Lovetocruise2002 9,793]

4 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

🎶 She likes... big... SHIPS!!! And she cannot lie!! O-asis really catches her eye! 🎶

OMG!  I am laughing so hard right now!

[SpeedNoodles 3,926]

37 minutes ago, Minicruiser said:

Uh oh, don’t scare me like that. I know it’s a small ship, but is it really that bad? Ovation was going to be crazy expensive for 6 of us this summer and we found a 2 bedroom owners suite on Radiance. Going more for the itinerary than the ship on this one....

Radiance class ships are gorgeous. The glass everywhere is incredible - it doesn't hide you away from the ocean.  I haven't been on Oasis/Quantum class ships yet, but I do like Radiance  class much more than Voyageur class ships (they just look like shopping malls to me).

[JLMoran 6,212]

25 minutes ago, SpeedNoodles said:

I haven't been on Oasis/Quantum class ships yet, but I do like Radiance  class much more than Voyageur class ships (they just look like shopping malls to me).

Quantum class' VIA / Royal Esplanade area looks even more like an indoor mall than the Royal Promenade on Voyager / Freedom class, with very little in the way of views outside until you get aft / over by Two70 Lounge. Unfortunately it's something of a required aspect of being a cold-weather ship -- not nearly as much glass in the public spaces, with the very notable exception of the Solarium. That space is fantastic for the outside view of the water as you're lounging in a hot tub or one of the many waterfall-style shallow pools, or enjoying a lounger at the very front of the space, or sitting at the bar enjoying a beverage. Two70 Lounge and CK also have lots of big windows for great views and water connection, and the MDR might have that as well (haven't been so can't say). But the other big public areas like Music Hall, Seaplex, Schooner Bar, Boleros, etc. have no windows or only a few smaller-size ones.

[Minicruiser 16]

46 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

It will still be great!  I am just a big ship girl 😉

We like the big ships too and planned our last trip around being on Symphony. But....I’m hoping Alaska is different....more about the destination and less about the ship. We have long port excursions every day except two, which is quite different from our symphony trip. Fingers crossed that my kids don’t get bored!!!

[SweetPea 463]

Like I said, I loved this blog. It's clear you adore Oasis class, so I'm curious to see how (if) we like Quantum Class, because I read your blog on Anthem too. I've been lurking for the past month. 😊 I'm getting ready to write my blog this upcoming week as we return to RCI after 10+ years on Anthem ourselves. But know that thanks to you, I'm researching Star Class on Oasis when she comes to NJ. Thank you again. ⭐😍

[WAAAYTOOO 10,302]

I wasn't sure I would like Anthem as I am also a O Class fan but I did enjoy our B2B on Anthem.  I actually think Dan prefers Anthem to the O class as he loved, loved, loved 270 and doesn't have a particular love for the Aquatheater.  I truly love them both.  Anthem is very different from the other ship classes but it's a beautiful ship.  Enjoy your cruise on her !

[Lovetocruise2002 9,793]

14 hours ago, SweetPea said:

Like I said, I loved this blog. It's clear you adore Oasis class, so I'm curious to see how (if) we like Quantum Class, because I read your blog on Anthem too. I've been lurking for the past month. 😊 I'm getting ready to write my blog this upcoming week as we return to RCI after 10+ years on Anthem ourselves. But know that thanks to you, I'm researching Star Class on Oasis when she comes to NJ. Thank you again. ⭐😍

Funny, this is a conversation Hubby and I had the other day about Star class on O vs. Q class.  I feel like it would be hard to decide which is better as they are different.  Q class has a lot more activities that the Genie can be of value in securing for you (Bumper cars, iFly, North Star, etc.) whereas O class has a lot more dining venues and shows that can be taken advantage of when sailing Star Class. 

For us, it is always going to be O class over Q, whether it be star class or not.  That is simply because we like the venues on that class of ship best.  Q class is not bad, but Central Park, the Aqua Theater and Boardwalk, and the location of the Suite Lounge/CK makes O class the clear winner for us.  We're sailing Anthem again in a few months.  It's sort of my way of giving her another chance.  This time in a different season (summer).

You will have a fantastic time on your cruise!  It's a cruise after all. Can't wait to read your blog!