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As Garth Brooks said, “Think I’ll Slip On Down To The O-Asis” - Jan 26th - Star Class


Rags1

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Well, actually we’ll fly on down, but you get the idea.

Warnings/Disclaimers:  This blog is the sole opinions and thoughts of just the old guy who is writing it.  It doesn't reflect the thoughts, opinions, clarity, good sense or tact possessed by those sailing with me.  And to be clear, I don’t have the sense of humor, literary skills, or good judgement of most of you who post these live blogs.  But I'm going to do it anyway.  I guess I can be labeled as a “lurker” on this site.  I read it daily but have made only a few comments.  So today I take the plunge and become one of you by just jumping in the deep end with a live blog! 

Two weeks from today I will be in the air traveling from Palm Springs, California to Miami to begin our next Star Class adventure.  In 2017 we sailed on the Oasis in a crown loft suite and thought we had found the ultimate way to cruise.  But no, there was more to discover!  In 2018 we booked another crown loft, this time on the Allure.  A month or so later while checking for a price reduction I stumbled across something called the.Royal loft Suite!  After watching a quick YouTube video of that suite I quickly booked it.  YOLO as someone on this blog always says.  We sailed in July with Dave Mac as our Genie and there was no turning back.  In May of 2019 we cruised in the RLS on the Harmony with the amazing, wonderful Ariceli who I think has spoiled us for life!  As I said, there’s no turning back now so two weeks from tomorrow we will be in the RLS on the “new” Oasis and will have Allan as our Genie.  

If this blog goes as planned you will see and hear much about each of us and what we will be doing during the week. So let me introduce our merry band of sailors:

Stacy, my bride and partner.  I many times refer to her as Pollyanna, which is defined as “an excessively cheerful or optimistic person.”  Defines her to a T.  She sees the good in everything and everyone.  Poor thing. My Pollyanna uses those traits everyday as she toils as an RN, or BSN to be accurate, in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Desert Hospital in Palm Springs.  She is our cruise planner, specializing in the culinary aspects of the Star Class experience.  As she takes her break from those 12 hour shifts at the hospital she will be seen around the ship with a permanent smile on her face and a blended Love Connection drink in her hand.  I expect she will pop in on this blog and provide you with some of her excessive cheerfulness!

Shari who I refer to as Polyanna2.  Yeah, no kidding.  Another one.  Stacy’s identical twin sister.  The Oasis is a big ship but I’m not sure there’s room enough for this goodness!  She and her family have cruised with us the last three trips but this time she will leave them behind at jobs and school while she gets a well deserved week of relaxation. Shari is the 24/7 caregiver for her mother-in-law who suffers from dementia. That’s a task where that Pollyanna thing coms in pretty handy.  I expect the twins to be side by side everyday and although they act and talk alike you can tell them apart by their hands.  Shari’s will be holding a Bud Light!

Daughter Taylor, almost 21. Young T, as I call her, is a preschool teacher with with a gaggle of I think 3 year olds.  Can you imagine?  A classroom full of germ carrying, tantrum throwing, runny nosed 3 year olds and Taylor is too young to drink!  T is the calm, chill one in the group.  She gets that from me.  You will find her sleeping late, spending lazy days in the sun and with one of two things in her hand.  Her Starbucks or a virgin Pina Colada.  I told our Genie that I think T holds the Harmony record for most virgin Pina Coladas consumed in one week!  We might also find her in the casino which she discovered last year. 

Daughter Kaitlyn, 30 something.  The party girl of the bunch. She is also a nurse like her mom. But she is in the other Intensive Care Unit – the one for adults.  Same hospital as her mom.  On December 19th Katie received her Doctorate of Nurse Practioner degree which we will be celebrating on the cruise.  So now she has more letters behind her name:  Dr. Taylor, RN, BSN, DNP, EIEIO. I asked the Genie for time in the engine room for this one because she can talk and drink like a seasoned sailor!  You’ll recognize her by her flaming red hair the the gin and tonic in her hand.  Or a Margarita. Or a vodka and soda.  Or…well you get the idea. 

Rounding our our group is yours truly, Jim. The quiet one of the group.  I will usually be found on that massive balcony at our suite, on the quiet suite sun deck or in the suite lounge.  With a Jack Daniels and sprite in one hand and a camera in the other. My plan is to try and share as much here in words and photos as I can.  I have enjoyed and learned so much from reading others blogs here so I hope to return that favor.  I’m sure much of the blog will deal with Star Class aspects as I try to justify why we spend a bazillion dollars every year to do this!  I will be doing Genie recon for those sailing after us and will certainly try to answer questions anyone has once we board.  We plan on eating everywhere except the Chef’s Table this year. We’ll even work in the MDR for a breakfast or lunch and a couple of trips to the Jammer.  I think we will do all of the shows. Even Cats.  Yep, I’m gonna do it.  I’ll spend the afternoon in the suite lounge slamming the Jack and sprites and then go experience the feline extravaganza!  We have no plans for Cozumel or Falmouth. Just maybe a little shopping and back on the ship.  We are looking forward to Labadee which we all love.  A relaxing day on the suite beach.  

In the lead up to our sail day I plan to share more about our travel plans, our night in Miami, our previous experiences with RC and how we survive the Miami airport as we disembark on Super Bowl Sunday.  I might have to involve Jack in breakfast plans that morning!  I know its somewhat early to post but I’m hoping we can all share and get to know each other by our sail date. It’s not too early by Matt or Sabrina’s standards but it is early!

So come along for the ride with this crazy bunch as we embark on our 3rd Star Class adventure. It’s a long way from my first sailing on the Song of Norway.

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3 hours ago, Rags1 said:

Welcome @emsff02!  I wasn't a member of this. Community when I was counting down to my first SC trip.  At that time I was only reading reviews on another site.  But reading them helped keep me excited though the countdown!

Thank you. I have been a member here for a little bit and now am proud to be an insider as well. I have made some great friends that I am excited to be cruising with soon. I too read all the star class blogs to help me through this dry dock! At least I have a cruise coming up in 36 days on Liberty of the Seas so I have that going for me! What do you think? Is it too early to start a live blog? (Asking for a friend) @Lovetocruise2002

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So excited to follow along! I'm stalking SC prices on Oasis in May out of NJ. Royal is slooooowly coming to their senses with their prices. I'm sure Royal is underestimating my tenacity at price tracking, but without having to fly and our May vacation schedule wide open, I'm living on the edge... Can't wait to hear about your experience! 

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35 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

YIPPEE !!!  Love me some Star Class sagas.

I doubt this will be nearly as entertaining as your blogs but welcome!

26 minutes ago, Jaymac Radio said:

Yay!! I Love Star Class Blogs. I Hope You Have Fun On Oasis!

Thanks for coming along!

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7 minutes ago, teddy said:

So....I've never been a country music fan, but I was in my 20s when this song was getting lots of play time in the bars.

Now it's playing in my head....over and over and over and over and over

Wait till my wife gets home and I unconsciously sing it.  ? 

Now that’s funny!!

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On 1/11/2020 at 1:39 PM, Rags1 said:

@Lovetocruise2002, We go in disguise!  I always have to do the Windjammer at least once.  People shoving, cutting in front of you, taking the last of a food item right out of your hand.  Dirty dishes everywhere. Reminds me of home..

Every now and then you need to remind yourself of how good life can be. Watching a six hear old kid sneeze on the lettuce then put his hands in and grab some is that reality check ?

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3 hours ago, Sweety said:

Following. I will be on Oasis June 2020. Are you going to try the barbecue?

Barbecue?  That’s food, right??  I should have put more info in the introduction to this thing!  The short answer to your question is yes, we will be trying the barbecue. The expanded answer is that there are two distinct types of people in our family:  One that lives to eat and the other that eats to live!  ALL food on the ship will be sampled by some!  Although I’m not considered a “foodie” in this crew, I did tell the Genie I can easily be bought with the mushroom soup and apple pie.  Cheap date. 

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Some odds and ends:

 

Travel:  We will be flying from Palm Springs, California to Miami on American Airlines with a change of planes in Dallas.  We’ll leave out here at 630am and arrive in Miami at 630pm. Flying in on the day before the cruise.  Staying in a two bedroom suite somewhere in Miami.  Nurse Ratchet made all of the travel plans so I’ll just follow her there.  Ill let you know when I get there! No plans yet for the night in Miami that I know of.  I’m fairly certain it will include food and cocktails!  

 

Genie Requests:  He is working on ideas to celebrate the twins December birthday and the Doctor’s recent graduation.  I think this year we will enjoy the sail away for our deck so I think we will ask for some food and a drink or two for that.  If we follow our cruising habits we will have a few breakfasts and afternoon snacks, also on the balcony. We enjoy the front row seating at the shows, morning Starbucks, laundry and the escort off the ship. Not requesting a cabana at Labadee.  We’ll request time in the Escape Room. Hopefully the helipad sail away from Labadee. We’re pretty laid back.

 

Food:  We’re waiting for Allan’s suggested schedule but I’m certain we’ll do Chops, Giovanni’s, 150, Izumi, CK on filet night and then go back to whatever was best. Lunches are pretty much played by ear.  I think most breakfast’s will be either on the balcony or in CK.  We definitely hit Portside BBQ and El Loco Fresh. I have said on each of the last three cruises that I was going to try the Dog House and didn’t. I’m going to do it this time!  I’m sure there will be sushi and pizza in the mix somewhere!

 

Side Note.  I’m seeing that Mario Salcedo, or Super Mario is now onboard the Oasis.  It would be fun to chat with him I think.  But then again, I’m pretty impressed I know the manger of our local hardware store.

The meme is for @teddy to keep that song playing in your head!

More to come….

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27 minutes ago, Andrew72681 said:

Hopefully you don’t possess my irrational hatred of Raisins. Nothing ruins a piece of Apple pie faster than those. 

Wow, maybe I AM a Star Class spoiled snob,  I share your hatred of the raisins - Araceli had them made without them??. Thank you I need a no raisin email to Allan!

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2 hours ago, Andrew72681 said:

Hopefully you don’t possess my irrational hatred of Raisins. Nothing ruins a piece of Apple pie faster than those. 

Nothing wrong with hating raisins. They ruin bread pudding too. Do appreciate your respect for them though, how you capitalize their name. ?

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On 1/12/2020 at 6:56 PM, Rags1 said:

@Pookie, I’ll be sure and keep you posted on details.  We received his 1st email at about 33 days out. Since then we have traded several emails and he has been very prompt with reply’s. That’s a good sign,

Yes, same timing on the initial email for us.  We are pretty self sufficient and the two things out of the ordinary that I requested were pretzel m&ms (hubster)and Fresca (daughter).  The answer was there is a candy store on board and Royal only carries Coke products.  So it surprises me that other people are asking for unusual boozes, etc., and their requests are being granted.  Apparently there are a lot of variations between in Genies and ships.

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5 hours ago, Pookie said:

 The answer was there is a candy store on board and Royal only carries Coke products.  So it surprises me that other people are asking for unusual boozes, etc., and their requests are being granted.  Apparently there are a lot of variations between in Genies and ships.

Did you try telling them Fresca is made by the Coca Cola company?

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13 minutes ago, Matt said:

I would never start a live blog as early as @Lovetocruise2002 does! She's out of control!

Many are way more out of control than me these days lol.

7 minutes ago, twangster said:

I'm calling BS.  I thought we already proved @Matt holds the premature blogging record...

Thank you my fellow bot friend. ?

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On 1/14/2020 at 8:45 AM, Pookie said:

Yes, same timing on the initial email for us.  We are pretty self sufficient and the two things out of the ordinary that I requested were pretzel m&ms (hubster)and Fresca (daughter).  The answer was there is a candy store on board and Royal only carries Coke products.  So it surprises me that other people are asking for unusual boozes, etc., and their requests are being granted.  Apparently there are a lot of variations between in Genies and ships.

@Pookie I said earlier that I’m pretty laid back, and I really am.  If i asked for a Seafood Tower to be delivered to the Escape room while we were there and was told no i could roll with that answer.  But if I asked for a bag of M&M’s and was told to go the candy store...Me thinks I might not accept that answer.  I know that things differ from Genie to Genie and from ship to ship, but that’s an unacceptable response for your simple request. I’m hoping that changes for you!

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14 hours ago, Rags1 said:

@Pookie I said earlier that I’m pretty laid back, and I really am.  If i asked for a Seafood Tower to be delivered to the Escape room while we were there and was told no i could roll with that answer.  But if I asked for a bag of M&M’s and was told to go the candy store...Me thinks I might not accept that answer.  I know that things differ from Genie to Genie and from ship to ship, but that’s an unacceptable response for your simple request. I’m hoping that changes for you!

I hope it changes too.  The hubster is not impressed so far.  

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On 1/15/2020 at 6:07 PM, Rags1 said:

@Pookie I said earlier that I’m pretty laid back, and I really am.  If i asked for a Seafood Tower to be delivered to the Escape room while we were there and was told no i could roll with that answer.  But if I asked for a bag of M&M’s and was told to go the candy store...Me thinks I might not accept that answer.  I know that things differ from Genie to Genie and from ship to ship, but that’s an unacceptable response for your simple request. I’m hoping that changes for you!

We got the “no” today on M&M’s also.  Now I’m going to ask for the Seafood Tower in the Escape Room - to be delivered by one of the CATS.  In costume.  I don’t know how to insert a smiley face or I would!  Just seems bizarre that people request special bottles of booze and specialty lunches in the room on day 1 and that’s good but you cant get a bag of M&M’s!!  I’ll keep you posted @Pookie

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