Matt Posted April 17, 2020 Report Share Posted April 17, 2020 That's right friends, it's time to (pretend to) cruise again and you're all invited! I can't believe my (non-existent) cruise is finally here, and I am headed back on my favorite ship of all time, Harmony of the Seas! First, I'd like to point out that I did not start my live blog many months in advance, as @Lovetocruise2002 always does. Second, here are the details for this sailing. Because I didn't pay anything to go onboard, I'm going big time! We have the Royal Loft Suite booked for this sailing. After all, nothing is too good for my family (especially if it's all pretend). Having stayed once before on Deck 16 in the suite area, I am looking forward to the suite enclave onboard and enjoying more time in the Suite Lounge. Who knows, I might just go to Coastal Kitchen! Our cruise is a 7-night itinerary, with visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Cozumel, Costa Maya and then back to CocoCay again! It will be 4 ports of non-stop sun, surf, and eating. I managed to pull some strings with the government, and got some friends onboard with me for this sailing. I'm cruising with @Big Dawg Ron, @JLMoran, @AnnetteJackson, @Lovetocruise2002's husband & @Galveston Steve! Who knows, more may fly during the cruise...because why the heck not! My plan is to take the stretch limo over to Port Canaveral on Saturday, and be in the terminal (and subsequently onboard) as soon as I can! Skigoofy, PRebecca, CruzOnBye and 10 others 8 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coneyraven Posted April 17, 2020 Report Share Posted April 17, 2020 But first ...... Pre-Boarding Breakfast at Fishlips Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted April 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2020 1 minute ago, coneyraven said: But first ...... Pre-Boarding Breakfast at Fishlips No need, the limo is providing breakfast and drinks. I'll wine and dine on my way to the port! CruzOnBye, cruisellama, Ogilthorpe and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted April 17, 2020 Report Share Posted April 17, 2020 @Big Dawg Ron ? Really ? I thought about coming along but I don't have the energy to keep up with this wild man. Good luck !!! Besides, it looks like a guys-only deal. I never really wanted to go anyway... BTW, I am certain that @mpoole3 will have his feelings hurt by not being invited. Big Dawg Ron, ellcee, Neesa and 1 other 2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted April 17, 2020 Report Share Posted April 17, 2020 1 hour ago, Matt said: Having stayed once before on Deck 16 in the suite area, I am looking forward to the suite enclave onboard This just pretend thing is already getting you! You're staying in the solarium? Or the WJ? Haha #teamDeck17! Neesa, JLMoran, AshleyDillo and 4 others 1 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted April 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2020 6 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said: I thought about coming along but I don't have the energy to keep up with this wild man. Good luck !!! Fly in and join the fun! 6 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: This just pretend thing is already getting you! You're staying in the solarium? Or the WJ? Haha #teamDeck17! Can you tell I'm not a Suite person? Since your hubby is coming, I figured we'd be camping outside the Windjammer anyway in anticipation of Mongolian grill time ellcee, Ogilthorpe, JLMoran and 3 others 1 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melski94 Posted April 17, 2020 Report Share Posted April 17, 2020 I'm following along! Can't wait to read about the pretend Suite life! Is poor @Lovetocruise2002 staying at home with the girls while her husband gets to go? Maybe there were no more suites left on this sailing? Neesa and Ogilthorpe 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted April 17, 2020 Report Share Posted April 17, 2020 16 minutes ago, melski94 said: I'm following along! Can't wait to read about the pretend Suite life! Is poor @Lovetocruise2002 staying at home with the girls while her husband gets to go? Maybe there were no more suites left on this sailing? Story of my life, still working, but virtually...come on summer! melski94, Matt and Ogilthorpe 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted April 17, 2020 Report Share Posted April 17, 2020 I was gonna buy every drink, too... Lovetocruise2002, JLMoran, ellcee and 2 others 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted April 17, 2020 Report Share Posted April 17, 2020 Hm, no @twangster on this sailing? Does that mean I’m just there to take all the photographs, or is my job to steal your Kraken when you’re not watching the bottle? Neesa, twangster, Skigoofy and 1 other 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neesa Posted April 17, 2020 Report Share Posted April 17, 2020 + 1 following, this is going to be FUN! Ogilthorpe and JLMoran 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CannukCruiser Posted April 17, 2020 Report Share Posted April 17, 2020 Brad Pitt I want you to have the cruise of your life on your favourite ship , enjoy the windjammer and double Cocco Cay visits . Does Harmony have an escape room ? loved the Nasa one on Oasis if I could get across the border I might be a stowaway ….. Going to enjoy this Ogilthorpe and JLMoran 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted April 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2020 14 hours ago, CannukCruiser said: Brad Pitt 14 hours ago, CannukCruiser said: Does Harmony have an escape room ? Yes it does. Escape the Rubicon! CannukCruiser 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted April 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2020 With it being the day before the cruise, I decided to start packing today. I heard that @CGTLH found a copy of a SetSail Pass on the ground in front of the terminal from 2 years ago, and managed to photoshop boarding pass and get himself a room on Harmony too. Welcome aboard pumpkin head! JLMoran, Neesa, ellcee and 4 others 1 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted April 18, 2020 Report Share Posted April 18, 2020 23 hours ago, Matt said: Since your hubby is coming, I figured we'd be camping outside the Windjammer anyway in anticipation of Mongolian grill time Hubby just wanted me to remind you that you were supposed to request the Genie to set up Mongolian grill in the room. Star Class rookie mistake... JLMoran, Neesa, WAAAYTOOO and 3 others 1 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGTLH Posted April 18, 2020 Report Share Posted April 18, 2020 4 hours ago, Matt said: I heard that @CGTLH found a copy of a SetSail Pass on the ground in front of the terminal from 2 years ago, and managed to photoshop boarding pass and get himself a room on Harmony too. Welcome aboard pumpkin head! Sorry I'm late, had some issues with my SetSail Pass... RickinSTL, Neesa, PRebecca and 6 others 3 3 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew72681 Posted April 18, 2020 Report Share Posted April 18, 2020 I learned from tiger king that the best way to look cool on the water is on a jet ski. So when you see me pull up just open then gangway JLMoran, WAAAYTOOO, SpeedNoodles and 6 others 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGTLH Posted April 18, 2020 Report Share Posted April 18, 2020 Alright @Matt where are you? I'm getting tired sitting around at Sabor... Well maybe not tired, just running out of margarita options. Ogilthorpe, J_Keeble, JLMoran and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted April 18, 2020 Report Share Posted April 18, 2020 22 minutes ago, CGTLH said: Alright @Matt where are you? I'm getting tired sitting around at Sabor... Well maybe not tired, just running out of margarita options. Ummm....."another" is an option, right? AmIRight??? ellcee, Ogilthorpe and PRebecca 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandstromCruise Posted April 19, 2020 Report Share Posted April 19, 2020 It’s Cruise Day! You should be up by now excited and ready for your cruise! PRebecca 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted April 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 Oh man, what a first day onboard! I guess I was SO busy that I just plain forgot to share an update! The limo service was fantastic to the port. The caviar wasn't up to my usual standards, but it's so hard to get the good Russian stuff these days... Got to the terminal right at 10am, and found the permanents of the tent @CGTLH set up the night before outside the entrance to terminal 1. Embarkation was super simple, and I was glad to see my Genie ready to escort me onboard. I had planned to meet everyone at Sabor, but I ran into @AnnetteJackson on the Promenade and we sat down for a really important work meeting to go over how we can best serve the fabulus RCBlog community. After the meeting wrapped up, I was going to grab lunch at the Windjammer, but that work meeting made going up the stairs tricky. Park Cafe serves up fabulous roast beef sandwiches, so I decided to take some time and grab one or two. Stateroom looks fabulous. Royal Loft Suite is the way to cruise, and I think we're going to have to do an in-suite party at some point. My favorite part of the suite on embarkation was the very comfortable couch. After muster drill, I decided to join the party up on the pool deck. The sailaway party at the pool is synonymous with embarkation day, and I found the whole crew waiting up there @Big Dawg Ron, @Galveston Steve @CGTLH @AnnetteJackson @JLMoran & Justin. We discovered there was no Mongolian Grill in the 'Jammer this evening, so I let @Big Dawg Ron talk me into Izumi Hibachi! You know, it's crazy, but I cannot recall exactly what occurred after dinner... ellcee, SteveinSC, Lovetocruise2002 and 8 others 2 5 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galveston Steve Posted April 20, 2020 Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 Sorry I’m late @Matt. Rough weather in Texas but I’m on board now! WAAAYTOOO, Ogilthorpe, Matt and 1 other 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellcee Posted April 20, 2020 Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 I needed this laugh. love it. Keep it going. I need some sort of mishap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted April 20, 2020 Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 Oh there will be mishaps; you can bet on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted April 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 On 4/18/2020 at 11:38 AM, Lovetocruise2002 said: Hubby just wanted me to remind you that you were supposed to request the Genie to set up Mongolian grill in the room. Star Class rookie mistake... While I'm sure it tastes lovely, you need the surprise and adulation that comes with discovering Mongolian Grill as you turn the corner and see that magical sign posted. Lovetocruise2002 and coneyraven 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted April 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 Day Two: "I can't believe I ate the whole thing" I used to think I needed a sea day on day two for the perfect cruise, but then I went to Perfect Day at CocoCay. I wanted to maximize every minute of our day here, so I set the alarm early so I could be the first one off the ship. Naturally, @CGTLH was already downstairs at the gangway, having photoshopped his face on the Captain's ID card so the crew wouldn't mind him being there. Once Harmony was cleared, I walked off the gangway. I saw @JLMoran and wanted to know if he wanted to walk down the pier, but he was taking at least 700 wide-angle photos at the time and I did not want to disturb him. Rather than invest in a Coco Beach Club pass, I decided to hit all the favorites. And by all the favorites, I mean, walk from one Snack Shack location to another. My first stop was the Great Temple of Ronald Hiller Oasis Lagoon pool! Absolutely stunning day, with perfect weather. Ogilthorpe, Neesa, coneyraven and 5 others 4 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted April 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 Of course, no visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay is complete without a stop (or four) at the Snack Shack for the world famous Crispy Chicken Sandwich! Luckily, the walk to Snack Shack is quite close from Oasis Lagoon (there are two other locations on the island too). Snack Shack has an assortment of items on the menu, but like the old Knight from Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade, choose wisely, for while the true Grail sandwich will bring you life, the false Grail sandwich will take it from you. Pro tip: while they prepare the sandwich, you can munch on mozzarella sticks that are readily available. Having secured my precious sandwich(es), I savored every bite of these amazing combinations. SteveinSC, JLMoran, WAAAYTOOO and 3 others 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coneyraven Posted April 20, 2020 Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 8 minutes ago, Matt said: Of course, no visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay is complete without a stop (or four) at the Snack Shack for the world famous Crispy Chicken Sandwich! Luckily, the walk to Snack Shack is quite close from Oasis Lagoon (there are two other locations on the island too). Snack Shack has an assortment of items on the menu, but like the old Knight from Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade, choose wisely, for while the true Grail sandwich will bring you life, the false Grail sandwich will take it from you. Pro tip: while they prepare the sandwich, you can munch on mozzarella sticks that are readily available. Having secured my precious sandwich(es), I savored every bite of these amazing combinations. A little Old Bay would take that sandwich to the next level ellcee, Lovetocruise2002, JLMoran and 3 others 2 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGTLH Posted April 20, 2020 Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 Ahh yes, Coco Cay JLMoran, coneyraven, ellcee and 3 others 3 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted April 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 We had perfect weather throughout the day. Nice breeze, and more sun than clouds. I even managed to get my steps in, with my frequent walks to the Snack Shack. Back onboard Harmony, I took a shower and a nap. I was wiped out from the day, so no specialty dining tonight. I thought I might even not be that hungry until I awoke to this message from @Lovetocruise2002’s Hubby... That is the international symbol of Mongolion grill! I got changed and rushed upstairs to get in on this full-plated goodness. If you have never experienced the Mongolion Grill, it is an Asian stir fry where you get to customize the veggies, noodles and meat served. Royal Caribbean has a secret sauce, which legend says was the captured tears of a unicorn that saved the life of a Chupacabra. At one point, the Windjammer staff almost called "Alpha, Alpha, Alpha" after seeing us sprawled out, but I calmly explained this is our "in between monogolion grill position". Once I managed to find the will to move again, it was down to the pub. No surprise, @Big Dawg Ron and @AnnetteJackson were waiting. A good time was had by all ellcee, Ogilthorpe, JLMoran and 6 others 3 1 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted April 20, 2020 Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 3 minutes ago, Matt said: Once I managed to find the will to move again, it was down to the pub. No surprise, @Big Dawg Ron and @AnnetteJackson were waiting. HELLLLOOOOO?? If there were pints of Guinness involved, I was right there with @Big Dawg Ron and @AnnetteJackson, pint in hand! Who do you think took such tempting pics? Ogilthorpe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted April 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 Just now, JLMoran said: HELLLLOOOOO?? If there were pints of Guinness involved, I was right there with @Big Dawg Ron and @AnnetteJackson, pint in hand! Who do you think took such tempting pics? Bro, does that photo look like a wide angle photo? Can't be you! JLMoran, WAAAYTOOO, Chadster and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rags1 Posted April 22, 2020 Report Share Posted April 22, 2020 I would have gone along, but you’re in my room! Chadster, Lovetocruise2002 and KristiZ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew72681 Posted April 22, 2020 Report Share Posted April 22, 2020 On 4/20/2020 at 5:23 PM, Matt said: I got changed and rushed upstairs to get in on this full-plated goodness. Now you sold yourself out for it being a work of fiction. If it’s just you and four other dudes there would be no need to change. There’d be no vitriol like an MDR discussion if you stayed in the clothes you wore to CocoCay. coneyraven, Matt, SpeedNoodles and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew72681 Posted April 23, 2020 Report Share Posted April 23, 2020 I can only assume now that after you guys drank all of the Kraken rum onboard it offended an actual Kraken and it took down the ship. Hopefully the dark rum gods sent someone to save you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted April 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2020 Editor's note: It is way more difficult to make up what I'm doing, than to report on what I actually did! Debsters41, JLMoran, PRebecca and 6 others 1 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted April 23, 2020 Report Share Posted April 23, 2020 23 minutes ago, Matt said: Editor's note: It is way more difficult to make up what I'm doing, than to report on what I actually did! Perhaps @Traveler could conduct a class. He is very good at it !!! JLMoran, Ogilthorpe and Lovetocruise2002 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted April 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2020 So where was I? Oh yes, our next stop...Cozumel! I decided to squeeze in as much as possible into my day at Cozumel. I know @Big Dawg Ron booked Nachi, and @AnnetteJackson was camped out at the Starbucks on the island, so I decided to hit the ground running. After the ship was cleared, I grabbed a cab to downtown San Miguel. I wanted to grab breakfast at my favorite coffee shop on the island: La Cozumelena This is just a block or two off the main street, and it offers a pretty wide selection of breakfast food and plenty of coffee. Properly caffeinated, I decided to walk down the street to my favorite roof top bar in Cozumel, Casa Cuzamil. It has a great view and the breeze is fantastic. While Casa Cuzamil has food on their menu, I opted to take a taxi and meet up with @CGTLH at Paradise Beach for lunch and the afternoon. Since they only charge a couple bucks for entry, it makes sense to go there for just a couple hours. When you drink with @CGTLH, especially in Mexico, it is suffice to say "a good time was had by all" Traveler, SpeedNoodles, Lovetocruise2002 and 6 others 6 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Dawg Ron Posted April 25, 2020 Report Share Posted April 25, 2020 Sorry but I've been hung over in my cabin the entire time! coneyraven, Neesa, JLMoran and 7 others 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted April 26, 2020 Report Share Posted April 26, 2020 I think Ron's trying to read the writing on his left lens... WAAAYTOOO and Ogilthorpe 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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