SOLOasis redubbed YOLOasis Thanksgiving of the Seas Nov24, 2019 - Dec1, 2019

[AshleyDillo 3,720]

This morning I went adventuring to take some specific recon photos for someone.  Nothing exciting and blog worthy..just some hallway photos. 

As I was leaving my room I realized I only had my phone and forgotten (in the name of research, of course) my room key.  I did have my Digital Key enabled phone with me and again it just blinked green and didn't want to actually unlock the door.

So I did my photo recon which led to being asked to take more photos..I swear one good deed...I don't mind really and it gives me something to do when I am avoid the sun and interacting with people.

Of course since I don't sleep in my WOWband and didn't have my room key or working digital key I had to People of Walmart it down to Guest Services in my PJs.  

[AshleyDillo 3,720]

To the elevator bank I went and hopped on an elevator without paying attention. I needed to go down and got on an elevator going up.  There was a couple on the elevator and a blind guy with a walking stick.  He kept asking if 16 was pressed and the couple was acting like they didn't notice.  Maybe if you're super quiet around a blind guy they won't realize you are there and you don't have to interact with them?

So I told him 16 was pressed and he was thankful and then he got off and was asking which way to the Windjammer.  We were on the forward set of elevators

I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to be completely blind and trying to navigate one of these ships, or any ship for that matter. But this guy was out and walking around by himself and really wanted take to get him some Windjammer.  

[AshleyDillo 3,720]

I got off the elevator and decided that the least I could do was help guide him all the way to the act of this ship to Windjammer. I asked him if he minded me walking with him to the Windjammer and he took my arm and we trekked all the way across the pool deck. He told me he had paid extra to have a wheelchair and assistance but that someone complained about it? I didn't really quite understand the story and didn't really ask for clarification. 

He said he took a 16 day cruise and he's going to Africa in April.  Pretty amazing travels he has done.

We got to the Windjammer where I asked the greeter if he minded helping my new friend.  The greeter was amazing and he took his arm and started asking him what he was wanting to eat and helped him to the handwashing station.  I didn't think to catch his name tag but as soon as my room service is delivered I am popping back over to Windjammer to get his name so I can fill out a WOW comment card for him.

[AshleyDillo 3,720]

Guest Services was dead this morning so with no one there in line they were able to quickly reprint my SeaPass.  She said the other one would no longer work and that I would have to get my WOWband reprogrammed too.  Not sure why she couldn't just have given me an extra room only key since I told her I locked myself out and didn't lose the key, but okay.

I told her the Digital Key wasn't working and it wouldn't be an issue otherwise.  She asked me what was wrong with the app and I pulled up the Digital Key icon and it told me I needed to turn on bluetooth

Well, alrighty then.  I never recalled turning it off but didn't think to check that.  So it's once again working and I sheepishly slunk away from Guest Services.

[AshleyDillo 3,720]

Room service came right on time.

[Dan Curtis 174]

7 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

Room service came right on time.

That's way to healthy looking food for a cruise, ha.

[AshleyDillo 3,720]

Successfully got Tapan's name and thanked him for helping the man out earlier.  While I'm here..might as well scope some food and views.  Aft seating in WJ has great views.

And there's a little two-seater tucked back behind the service station.

[AshleyDillo 3,720]

1 minute ago, Dan Curtis said:

That's way to healthy looking food for a cruise, ha.

The food order is just a show to justify the pot of goodness.  I would show you my Windjammer plate but I tripped over a table and it accidentally all fell in my mouth before I could take a photo.

[WAAAYTOOO 11,599]

10 hours ago, AshleyDillo said:

Never saw people show up so early to shows in here when this was Dazzles...could this be the next thing to require reservations on Oasis?

Band playing is Phoenix from Las Vegas.  They play covers of rock favorites and were the band invited to play the President's Cruise a few weeks ago.

Supposedly Phoenix will play next week as well. They must be signed to a length contract as opposed to the normal hit-and-run schedule. 

[WAAAYTOOO 11,599]

1 hour ago, AshleyDillo said:

So 7am Ashley wonders WTF 1am Ashley was thinking eating sushi right before bed.

Thanks SO much for making me snort my morning cappuccino.  I have been giggling ever since. Happy Dan thinks I’m nuts. Nothing new, I guess...

[WAAAYTOOO 11,599]

50 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

I got off the elevator and decided that the least I could do was help guide him all the way to the act of this ship to Windjammer. I asked him if he minded me walking with him to the Windjammer and he took my arm and we trekked all the way across the pool deck. He told me he had paid extra to have a wheelchair and assistance but that someone complained about it? I didn't really quite understand the story and didn't really ask for clarification. 

He said he took a 16 day cruise and he's going to Africa in April.  Pretty amazing travels he has done.

We got to the Windjammer where I asked the greeter if he minded helping my new friend.  The greeter was amazing and he took his arm and started asking him what he was wanting to eat and helped him to the handwashing station.  I didn't think to catch his name tag but as soon as my room service is delivered I am popping back over to Windjammer to get his name so I can fill out a WOW comment card for him.

Now you’ve made me cry. I’m not reading any more of your blogs

[DanielB 310]

55 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

I got off the elevator and decided that the least I could do was help guide him all the way to the act of this ship to Windjammer. I asked him if he minded me walking with him to the Windjammer and he took my arm and we trekked all the way across the pool deck. He told me he had paid extra to have a wheelchair and assistance but that someone complained about it? I didn't really quite understand the story and didn't really ask for clarification. 

He said he took a 16 day cruise and he's going to Africa in April.  Pretty amazing travels he has done.

We got to the Windjammer where I asked the greeter if he minded helping my new friend.  The greeter was amazing and he took his arm and started asking him what he was wanting to eat and helped him to the handwashing station.  I didn't think to catch his name tag but as soon as my room service is delivered I am popping back over to Windjammer to get his name so I can fill out a WOW comment card for him.

This totally warms my heart!  Thank you and enjoy your cruise.

[PRebecca 339]

7 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Now you’ve made me cry.

Same, leaking eyes at work.

What a good egg, Ashley.  

 

Really enjoying the blog in general as well thanks for taking us along!

[AshleyDillo 3,720]

Went down to guest services to reprogram my WOW band and to ask for a comment card of some sort. The Guest Services desk told me that they no longer do them and that you are supposed to put the comments in the survey that you get at the end of the cruise.

Well 9 times out of 10 I never receive the end of the crew survey so I want to make sure that TAPAN from India gets the recognition he deserves.  I shot off an email to [email protected]rccl.com and I will definitely comment in the survey and look for any way to commend that young man.

[WAAAYTOOO 11,599]

Went to breakfast at Chops this morning and while it was better than lunch yesterday, we still had some downright cold food. The potato wedges (not that great even when they’re hot) were stone gold. Almost refrigerator cold. The orange juice was, no doubt, from a concentrate.  We were never offered any sweet rolls even though they were sitting on a table 4 feet from us.  Maybe we were supposed to help ourselves. We did not leave hungry.  “It’ll make a turd”, one of Happy Dan’s favorite euphemisms.  

The service was also surprisingly sluggish which made no sense as we were 2 of 4 happy souls dining at the time.

I know I sound like a bitcher, which I’m actually not.. but I will admit that as I get older, my tolerance for poor service has taken a nose dive.  I will be in the “You kids get off my lawn !” Club very soon. Happy Dan is already a founding member.  
 

I overheard the only other customers in the place, discussing with our waiter, the fact that the breakfast serving staff in Chops are not dedicated Chops servers, but rather staff from Izumi, Giovannis and Chops that rotate to cover this special breakfast.  I guess that makes sense. It also may explain the spotty service but it still sucks  

 

[WAAAYTOOO 11,599]

Oops. I see this is still here. I tried to move it but I guess that didn’t work. Sorry, Ashley. Rookie mistake

[AshleyDillo 3,720]

4 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Oops. I see this is still here. I tried to move it but I guess that didn’t work. Sorry, Ashley. Rookie mistake

"You kids get off my blog!"

[AshleyDillo 3,720]

So I Labadee'd today.  Scrubbed all the fun off of me and am now fueling up to bring this blog up to date.

This post is brought to you by Johnny Rockets.  I was in no way compensated for this post.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

JR has always been reliable in that it's a good place to go during that inbetween meals time when all other options are closed from lunch and preparing for dinner.

Personally, Johnny Rockets is my preferred place for a burger over the Playmakers burger.   I felt this same way on Symphony when I ate burgers at both places.

JR is also a better value..for the same price as the Playmakers burger you get the burger, fries, onion rings, fountain soda, and dessert!  It may not make sense with a larger party as you're sharing all the fries and onion rings, but definitely does when you're solo.

How am I gonna fit all this in my mouth?!?!

They were allowing drink package folks to come in and order shakes without paying the per head cover charge.  But as always your mileage may vary.

[heffy2 265]

I hope you've had a great day!

[Boston Babe 844]

LOving this Blog!!! It's awesome Ashley!!!

 

[AshleyDillo 3,720]

My only excursion I booked was the Dragon's Tail Coaster which was $25 back in April on the cruise planner.  Never saw it that low again and by the time sailing was close the single rides were selling $34.99/person.  I love coasters and thrill rides and this was a cheaper price point than ziplining.  So I decided it was worth it (Spoiler alert: It was).

My excursion ticket was delivered to my stateroom the night before.  It didn't have any instructions with it; just the ticket in the envelope.

We were docked in Labadee by 6:45am (earliest time I saw this morning..could have been in before that even.)  Our port time was 7am to 3pm.  I figured earlier way better and would avoid the 10-2 hottesr part of the day.  We ended up moseying off the ship at 9:45 or so.

Well that answers the question of do Haitians celebrate Thanksgiving?

I bet they are thankful for all of our tourism dollars.

[AshleyDillo 3,720]

Labadee is picturesque..lush and green which is in stark comparison to CocoCay.  Labadee makes CocoCay feel very, very manufactured while Labadee seems natural and rustic.

There were shaded paths and large trees at the back of the beach where you could lounge in the shade.  The end of November brought us excellent weather.  It was warm and pleasant in the shade with a nice breeze and devoid of the typical humidity.

There's a tram that takes you from the end of the pier to the different beaches.  We rode the tram all the way out to Columbus Cove just to check it out.  I would be too lazy to that, but one with more motivation than I could.

The Dragon's Coaster is located at Adrenaline Beach.  I found the signage that led me to the sign up line where I signed a waiver on a tablet and handed over my ticket for a wristband.

[AshleyDillo 3,720]

The actual coaster was up a short path.  You are seated in a bobsled style car that operates with handbrakes.  Kids have to be older than 12 to ride solo and they can only be the passenger in a car.  It's pretty simple to operate, push forward on the brake levers to release the brake and accelerate and pull back to engage the brakes.

I had an absolute blast.  I ran through it once to get a feel for it and then ran through subsequent times to take photos.  Rules are you have to have everything tight enough not to fly off (hats ans sunglasses) and you can't take bags with you.  You leave them at the start platform.

The coaster takes you up a long hill that ends right next to where the zipline starts.

And then you're off!

It goes through twists and turns and gives you sneak peeks of a great view of the ship. I imagine that's the view the zipliners get.

[AshleyDillo 3,720]

[AshleyDillo 3,720]

And ended with some money shots.

Went back to the ship to scrub off the day.