Babsy47 Posted April 3, 2019 Report Share Posted April 3, 2019 I have so enjoyed reading other live blogs in the weeks leading up to our trip in April, that I committed to reporting our trip that starts April 14. My husband, son (13), and I have booked what is called a "Grand Panoramic Suite" (category "OP") on Deck 17. We cannot wait to see it in person! A bit about us . . . we love to travel, but my husband and I have different ideas about what constitutes a "vacation." He loves hiking, climbing, diving (SCUBA), and camping. He also loves exploring ruins (anything really, really old). I, on the other hand, enjoy cruises. So, we compromise. I camp and hike with him, and he cruises with me. But, I do try to select active cruises with many ports where we can do things he enjoys. Thus, on our upcoming cruise, we are visiting ports where we can dive and explore ruins. A perfect compromise in my humble opinion! We have cruised with Star Class previously. We took an Eastern Caribbean cruise on Harmony in a Star Loft suit with son and nephew (12, 10), and a Western Caribbean cruise with five people (adult son, DIL, son, and husband) in an A2 on the Allure. Our prior genies were Aracelli and Charlie Stoll (they were both awesome)!! I have completed our initial questionnaire that we received several weeks ago. I'm not much into the "who would you want to dine with" genre of questions and tend to leave those blank. I do, however, answer the questions about our habits, food likes and dislikes, etc. We received a specific email from the genie for this trip about three weeks prior to the cruise date. For this trip, I decided to provide as much information as I could about the three of us and what kinds of things we like (and what we do not). I have no idea if it will be helpful, but I figured that if someone is trying to get to know a family, as much information as possible is best. We will see! I am going to do my best to attach photos. If anyone has anything in particular they are interested in seeing, let me know. We plan to eat at least once in each of the specialty restaurants, see each of the shows, and get off the ship each day. I always plan activities not through the ship (I use and love Tripadvisor). I have planned the following: Nassau -- Aquaventure (my son loves the place) Cozumel -- Morning dive and then the beach (I haven't yet selected a beach club, and suggestions would be welcome!) Roatan -- Diving (and, if we can fit it in, a visit with a sloth) Costa Maya -- Morning visit to ruins and diving in the afternoon (ambitions, I know) Well, that is it for now. I'm happy to answer any questions on our past experiences or comparing Disney ships to RC. While our kids were under 10, we preferred Disney because of the kid-friendly shows, activities, and clubs. As pre-teens, and teens, they far prefer the RC ships. Skigoofy, The Cruise Junkie, SpeedNoodles and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted April 3, 2019 Report Share Posted April 3, 2019 You had Charlie and Araceli!!! How is anyone going to compare to those two?? We just got off HM last month with Araceli. #spoiled Who is your Genie this time? The Cruise Junkie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted April 4, 2019 Report Share Posted April 4, 2019 We had Charlie last year. He is wonderful. Tell him Dan and a Raye say “hello”. I know that John and Jaye also had Charlie as their Genie a number of weeks ago. We will be sailing in a GPS on Oasis in December ( I hope !). Please post lots of pix so that we can see what we have to look forward to ! It seems as if the balcony on these suites is a bit narrow but I guess we’ll survive ! I also ignore those silly questions on the initial SC questionnaire. Wow you only have 10 days to go ! Lucky you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babsy47 Posted April 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2019 On this trip, our Genie is Alan Rodrigues. He has been super responsive so far! Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweety Posted April 4, 2019 Report Share Posted April 4, 2019 I am dreaming about Star Class. I will be following. WAAAYTOOO and SpeedNoodles 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted April 4, 2019 Report Share Posted April 4, 2019 6 hours ago, Babsy47 said: On this trip, our Genie is Alan Rodrigues. He has been super responsive so far! I’ve heard some really great things about him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betatke1480 Posted April 4, 2019 Report Share Posted April 4, 2019 In Cozumel, I'm a big fan of Nachi Cocom. Matt also recently reviewed El Cozumeleno and was impressed with it. If you are a coffee drinker, I recommend a detour to COZ coffee downtown. My wife swears by it. Right around the corner from COZ is Sucre Sale, which has wonderful French pastries, and Chocolateria Isla Bella, which has amazing handmade chocolates. They grow their own beans on the island, and create a "bean to bar" chocolate in house. Now pardon me while I go daydream and drool about all of those places... Lovetocruise2002, The Cruise Junkie and JLMoran 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiny260 Posted April 4, 2019 Report Share Posted April 4, 2019 1 minute ago, betatke1480 said: In Cozumel, I'm a big fan of Nachi Cocom. If it was just you and your husband I would recommend Nachi, but anytime kids are going I say Mr. Sanchos. Either place can't be beat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flowerfield Posted April 6, 2019 Report Share Posted April 6, 2019 We will definitely be following as we will board the Allure right after you. We hope you have a great week and will enjoy all your star class benefits. Our genie will be Anna Liao, anyone heard of her? Safe travels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babsy47 Posted April 7, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2019 Thanks to everyone for all of the great Cozumel beach club recommendations! Hopefully, we will be able to make it to the beach after diving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babsy47 Posted April 7, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2019 One week to go!! Interestingly, today we spent the day skiing and it was freezing. It seems impossible to believe that in a week, we will be warm! I have work in Miami on Friday, so I am flying out on Thursday. My family is coming on Friday. We have a pre-cruise day in Miami on Saturday and plan to just hang out at the beach. If anyone has any great ideas for things to do (or places to eat) in Miami Beach, I'm all ears! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetPea Posted April 13, 2019 Report Share Posted April 13, 2019 Does this mean you get on the ship tmw? I'm living vicariously through you for now. Star Class for us 2 weeks from today. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted April 13, 2019 Report Share Posted April 13, 2019 5 minutes ago, SweetPea said: Does this mean you get on the ship tmw? I'm living vicariously through you for now. Star Class for us 2 weeks from today. Hi @SweetPea!! Good to see you here on the message boards! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetPea Posted April 13, 2019 Report Share Posted April 13, 2019 Just now, Lovetocruise2002 said: Hi @SweetPea!! Good to see you here on the message boards! Hi there! I loved your blog on Harmony. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.