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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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Here is the current status:  The.  Food.  Coma. Has.  Arrived.  !! Lunch at Playmakers.  Snacks in the room.  Dinner at Izumi.  It’s not the luggage that will be overweight on the flight home...it’ll be us.  

Off to see the headliner show soon.  Tomorrow Taylor and I will head out on an excursion driving our own dune buggy to snorkel at a beach.  I think food will be involved.  The other ladies will stay on the ship and lay around the empty pool.  

P.S.  The loft projection TV system here was changed during the “amplification”.  I think the only soul that knows how to use it is still in Cadiz. ?  

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This is really hard for me to say but it’s day..S....I...X.  Always goes by way too fast!  This morning Taylor and we’re up and out at around 650 for our excursion. We ate a bite at the Jammer.  The others were having breakfast delivered to the suite at 8. We went down to Studio B. At this point both of us were going through Star Class withdrawals. We had to sit with people we didn’t even know!,??. After about 30 minutes we walked down the pier to the nice guides holding the various excursion signs. We only chose our tour yesterday and really picked it at random. Sounded like fun. Dune Buggy and snorkeling. Not at the same time though?. I had visions of being loaded onto a bus or van and being taken to a place where we would chug along in cool dune buggies down sandy roads lined with palm trees. Nope. We walked about three blocks from the pier to find our buggy parking lot. Each is a four seater. Taylor and I got two passengers, a Bf and Gf in their 20’s. They rode with us because they couldn’t drive a stick shift. Youth.  They were reassured after I told them I haven’t been involved in an auto accident since we left Miami. And off we went. About 15-18 little buggies filled with tourists. Driving through town. Around horses, trucks, busses, motorcycles.  Through traffic circles. I’m amazed this tour even exists. During our lunch stop folks were eating chicken tacos and slamming tequila. Before driving back!  It was awesome?. Our snorkel stop was at beautiful little beach area. Taylor had never snorkeled before. I had done it years ago before God made fish. But we pressed on. Donned the vests, masks and fins that I’m sure were sanitized in a bucket of tequila or something. We saw some beautiful fish and amazing coral. We spent about an hour there before we took the buggy brigade back on the road to our lunch stop. You basically drive around the entire island before you get back to the port. We made a memory and that’s what this is all about. 
Tonight dinner is in CK. Then we have the comedy show. I’m hearing rumors of laser tag, we shall see. 
I hear that our friend Djuro just might have been reading this blog. If that’s true Taylor and I missed you today!  I’ll see you tonight my friend. 

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I’m sitting in the suite lounge posting about the day in Cozumel. And suddenly I realize that something has been missing on this trip. I’ve now sat through 5 performances in the main theater. There is no popcorn!!!  I’m on a mission now to find out why. Maybe the Cats eat it...

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26 minutes ago, Rags1 said:

I’m sitting in the suite lounge posting about the day in Cozumel. And suddenly I realize that something has been missing on this trip. I’ve now sat through 5 performances in the main theater. There is no popcorn!!!  I’m on a mission now to find out why. Maybe the Cats eat it...

I didn't remember smelling it at all on Oasis!

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Just now, Rags1 said:

I didn’t see it but the family said the machine was alive and well this afternoon on the boardwalk. ?

Showed D11 your post just after you posted it.  Her response was, "They better fix it!  Popcorn on Royal is one of my favourite things."

I will pass along the good news!

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Did the comedy show last night with Taylor and Kaitlyn. As usual Allan had our seats ready and our drinks on the table.  The two comedians, I don’t remember either of their names?, were ok. Not great but funny. But the best thing was the lady who sat to my right.  Silver hair, impeccably dressed and radiated beauty.  She is older than me.  And that’s saying something because I’m like Georgie Burns kind of old.  And he’s dead I think.  She was maybe 80.  And she laughed with tears in her eyes the entire time. It was such a joy for me to watch her enjoy the evening.  I watched her more than the show.

Breakfast this morning was in the Solarium Bistro.  It was good.  Crowded and it’s the same food as the Windjammer but presented differently. Taylor, Katie and Shari did the laser tag.  Stacy and I went to the Promenade and picked up a shirt for me and one for the great guy back home that is taking care of our home and pets.  (I pay him too..I’m not that cheap). We all joined up again on the boardwalk to see Djuro and watch the LAST DAY fun!  Lunch at Portside. Take your appetite when you go there. After all of that I went off solo to do the bridge tour.  I’m going to go out on a limb here, but I think it’s very similar to the Harmony and the Allure?

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Greetings from the Miami Airport!  You all can insert your own “Where’s my Genie” jokes. But the pain is real!  I hear the ship was cleared about 30-40 minutes late this morning but we really didn’t pay attention since we were meeting Allan at 930. Our luggage was picked up this morning at 730 and was waiting for us as soon as we stepped out of the elevator. Took an Uber to the airport. My fears of Super Bowl Sunday traffic were unfounded. It was actually extremely light. We should be boarding in just a few minutes. One stop in Dallas and then home.  
 

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So to begin to wrap this up I thought I would just summarize my thoughts on certain areas.  My plan is to break it down to:

Embarkation/Debarkation

The Suite

The Genie/Star Class

Food

Entertainment

Room Attendants/Crew

Ports

If there is anything else you would like my opinion on just ask.  I’ll not finish them all tonight.  I went back to work early this morning and now feel like I fell on the FlowRider and it tossed me to the helipad. But I’ll begin.

Embarkation/Debarkation:  Very smooth both ways.  Straight to the Star Class Banner on day one.  We were in the Suite waiting area in minutes.  You really do feel pretty special when they whisk you to your private elevator to take you to the lounge. The new terminal is beautiful.  The staff was professional and welcoming.  Plenty of snacks and drinks available. Allan took us and one other family on right after Super Mario boarded - probably cant beat that.  I found it amusing that one of your first sights upon stepping into the promenade is the Next Cruise sign?  The whole process was very quick. I don’t know the couple in the cool shirts but I asked if I could include them in the blog.

Debarkation:  A difference between last year on the Harmony with luggage.  Last year it was taken the night before.  This year they came to get it at 7:30 am.  Allan met us in the suite at around 930 with the magic elevator key and about 5 minutes later we were outside calling an Uber.  Just this perk alone is a major draw of Star Class.  

It was probably the easiest on and off of any of the last three.

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The Suite:  I can’t say enough good things about the the tiny, cramped, barely inhabitable space they call the Royal Loft Suite?  I have only cruised on Oasis Class in a Crown Loft and the Royal Loft.  I spent time in.a 2BR Auqua Suite last year with Shari and her family.  I have “toured” the Star Loft and Panoramic suites on the Harmony.  I guess it all depends on what kind of price you can find, how many in your party and just personal preference, but after 3 in a row in the RLS it would tough to do anything else.  I know how spoiled that sounds, but it’s true.  I have had several crew on different ships tell me “You’re in the biggest, most expensive, one of a kind suite on the ship - so just ask for what you want.”  

The suite is amazing.  So much space.  Dining tables for 8 both inside and on the balcony.  The outside jacuzzi.  The master shower in the loft is just really a cool life experience?  It has two shower heads and a rain dome.  Turn them all on at once and you get lost in there!  Showering while watching the ocean go by just cant be duplicated. I tried to remodel at home, but I could only see the goats..The loft bed is very comfortable. The downstairs bedroom and bath are a suite by themselves.  The living area is a great gathering area.  Last year on the Harmony there were 10 of us and we all hung out there at times.  The Oasis actually has real books on all those shelves.  Taylor was an avid reader this year.  There is a mini refrigerator both in the dining area and up in the loft.  Some call them coolers but I can tell you that the sodas, waters, juices and beers stocked in them were cold and ready to drink.

We had two issues with the suite this year.  The loft television which i already mentioned and the electric drapes. We had maintenance in the room half a dozen times sorting it all out.  

Will we sail in this room again?  Yes.  On August 30th.  If you have a chance to snag an Oasis Class RLS, do it.  You will have the cruise experience of your life.  But also beware...you’ll be hooked.  Trust me.

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Tomorrow I’ll write about everyone’s favorite, the food.  And although I’ll write more about the crew later, this picture i think sums up the attitude of the Oasis crew. (With the exception of the pool bartenders. ?)

When we returned to the ship in Falmouth this was the crew from the photo department.  It wasn’t crowded at the time so they were chatting among themselves. As we walked by I turned my camera toward them and within a second they reacted like this.  Not a word was spoken.  This was a fun, classic moment.

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I said in the last post I would write about food next but I looked at my list and saw that Genie/Star Class was next on my list.  

Star Class:  From the moment you check in at the purple banner until the moment you are abandoned curbside to find your own way home, this method of travel is simply the best.  As I compare the 3 Star experiences there are differences by ship and of course by Genie. The differences by ship are, in my opinion, minor. Some allow lunch in the suite on day 1 and others don’t.  Some take your luggage at night, others in the morning.  Some will let you rent the Rising Tide Bar, others won’t.  Some send a custom drink cart to the suites in the afternoon, on another ship you almost die of thirst.  But overall the perks are the same.  It all depends on what you ask for, who your genie is and what your expectations are.  I enjoy all the standard things provided:  The escort on and off the ship.  The front row seating at the shows.  The dining, drinks, laundry, internet, room service, and the suite stocked with drinks and snacks.  (Even M&M’s). We happen to be a family who really enjoys the suite itself.  I wrote most of this blog from 3 places on the ship.  In the suite lounge, on the loft desk but most out on the massive balcony.  There is just a really a great feeling being in that suite and knowing I can pick up the phone and most, if not all, of my requests will be provided for.  We asked for the backstage tour.  Think about this, there are 6000 guests on this ship.  And here are the five of us with the Production Manager, in a totally empty main theater, being shown the technology they use, the dressing rooms, costumes and the props used during the productions.  That’s amazing to me - that’s Star Class.  Sending laundry out everyday and returning home with a suitcase of clean clothing.  Dining in a restaurant and having the staff just bring you everything even if you don’t ask for it.  Having someone show up everyday just to make sure you are ok and have everything you need!  That’s all Star Class.  I love watching my hard working, fun loving, undemanding ladies be spoiled for the week.  That alone is worth the price of admission.  We didn’t get one thing that we asked for.  I had asked for a brief tour of the medical facility for the two nurses. That request was initially granted but then changed because there  was on the last day “a lot going on down there.”  Evidently they had a good number of ill patients.  The two nurses readily agreed they didn’t want to go under those circumstances.  I have to say we have been pampered and spoiled on all 3 Star. Class trips.  And I need to put that in perspective.  I think I mentioned earlier that I had the honor to serve in our White House for several years.  I have been blessed to ride around on AF-1, meet foreign leaders and once even dined with a King.  So my attitude has always been “ I’m easily pleased, but not easily impressed.”  But vacationing on Royal, in Star Class, has impressed me.  It’s something I hope to do do many more times.

The Genie.  I’ll just cut to the chase on this one.  If you are fortunate enough to to travel with Allan...it doesn’t get any better.  This guy is amazing in so many ways.  I personally have really, really enjoyed all 3 Genies we have sailed with. Dave Mac provided us with a great experience.  The next time Ariceli convinced me that nobody could come within the same zip code as her level of service.  But Allan did.  He is a personable, knowledgeable, creative, fun, funny, genuine, this is who I am kind of guy.  I know much more about him than I know of the others because we spent time together and shared our life.  We had Champagne, caviar, strawberry’s and other treats in our room the last night because of him.  We all laughed together and enjoyed each other’s company.  This guy was made for this job.  I can see both Ariceli and Dave doing other things.  But Allan is....he’s made for being the perfect Royal Genie.  If you sail with him you’ll be happy.  I still  want to adopt Ariceli and I would cruise with her again in a heartbeat.  But Allan really hit a home run.  

So tomorrow night, or as soon as I can, will be food.  A spoiler alert here @Lovetocruise2002, I had the filet in the CK, Chops x2, 150, Izumi and Giovanni’s.  I’m a meat eater.  I’m the newest member of team CK!  It was the best.

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23 minutes ago, Rags1 said:

So tomorrow night, or as soon as I can, will be food.  A spoiler alert here @Lovetocruise2002, I had the filet in the CK, Chops x2, 150, Izumi and Giovanni’s.  I’m a meat eater.  I’m the newest member of team CK!  It wa

Woohoo!!! I knew I liked you for a reason!! ?

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  • 2 weeks later...

I apologize for the delay in finishing this.  Hardly belongs on the “live blog” page now!  It’s been a very busy return to work.

 

Food:

 

The ladies are the food experts, but I didn’t hear many complaints. All, or some of us, ate at Coastal Kitchen, Chops, 150, Giovanni, Izumi, Playmakers, Portside, Loco Fresh, Solarium Bistro, Sorrentos and even the Windjammer.  I found all of the food to be good.  150 was not the favorite for any of us.  Ive already described some of the meals so I’ll just hit some random thoughts. I still think the best food item ever served on a Royal Ship, or any other ship, is the Mushroom Soup.  I fell in love with it 4 years ago and enjoyed it many times.  Kaitlyn doesn’t like mushrooms..  She tried it on the last night and was sorry she hadn’t discovered it earlier!  Our Chops meal on our balcony was good.  Temperature was fine.  The seafood tower was missing the tower but still awesome.  The filet in CK is the best on the ship I think.  Playmakers has awesome food and it’s a great place to hang out and watch everything on the boardwalk. Portside BBQ was very good but almost always empty.  I wonder how long that will last since it takes up so much space.  We all like Loco Fresh. It’s great fun to make your own creation with all of the ingredients. The ladies loved the Sushi in Izumi.  The Hibachi experience was really fun and the food very good – but it’s a lot of food! We all thought the food in the CK was better than the Harmony last year.  I think we somehow managed to eat most offerings on the ship.  But for the 4th cruise in a row I have missed the doghouse!  It’s on my list for August!!  The food delivered to the suite was always good, but the room service operation did manage to miss or forget some things.  An afternoon snack of shrimp cocktails came with no cocktail sauce. The Chops dinner we had on the balcony was missing several things.  No butter for the seafood tower, no topping fo the baked potato and other small things.  It was all corrected when we asked.  The overall food experience was more than good!

 

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I just had dinner and now I'm hungry! lol

28 more days and I will be at Playmakers finally!  I found your CK comment interesting that it was better than HM.  Now I am curious to see for myself.  CK on SY was not that great.  HM was good both times.  I still think Anthem has the best CK (in service and food quality).  

One question...Are those apple pies that showed up in two of your pics.  Where did those come from?  I have never seen that type of apple pie before...

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