AshleyDillo Posted September 9, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2021 My apologies for not labeling the above food photo with what the items are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 9, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2021 Today's port stop was 7a-3p so now we are sailing off back to our sea day. I finally see the port! ellcee and SpeedNoodles 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 9, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2021 Useless facts: It takes me 39 steps to walk from the balcony divider of the neighboring room to the end of our balcony. Time for a nap. Tiffeven, WAAAYTOOO, Rags1 and 4 others 1 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 10, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2021 Tonight was dinner on the balcony. We didn't really leave the room during prime room cleaning hours and we knew we had the show after dinner, so we let the room steward pop in to clean the room whenever he wanted. He was in and out super fast but still managed to stack and straighten everything in sight like a ninja. And he left us a buddy. SpeedNoodles, ellcee and Tiffeven 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 10, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2021 Alan and my mother orchestrated a surprise cake for my brother who also has a birthday this month. Rags1, MamaShark, KLA and 5 others 3 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 10, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2021 Then we had dinner from Chops wheeled into the room...sooooo many plates. Eleanor the loft attendant my mom and brother know from prior sailings also popped in to wish my brother a happy birthday. We invited Alan to sit and eat with us and he did. We had even ordered him his own crab cakes. It was nice for him to sit for a bit and chat..again that personal touch that makes Star Class so special. Tiffeven, MamaShark, Rags1 and 8 others 4 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rags1 Posted September 10, 2021 Report Share Posted September 10, 2021 I love the interaction with Alan! Awesome he joined you for dinner! Traveler, WAAAYTOOO and AshleyDillo 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 10, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2021 My mother likes the 70s show. Somehow her entertainment always seems to include half-naked men. WAAAYTOOO, Skigoofy, Drewtastic86 and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted September 10, 2021 Report Share Posted September 10, 2021 On 9/8/2021 at 9:22 AM, AshleyDillo said: No real plans to do anything. I believe this island is on my itinerary again at least 4 times over the next 6 months, so I don't feel like I would be missing out if I let my laziness keep me from getting off the ship. If you are thrill seekers you should check out Maho Beach and the jet blast. We had family that did this … they honestly had no idea what they were in for. Had never watched any of the videos. They were well exfoliated and discovering sand in hard to reach places for days. https://youtu.be/GqVjD3nBSQg MamaShark, Tiffeven and WAAAYTOOO 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 10, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2021 Today is a sea day. Since we stayed on board for the past two port days it is starting to feel like the movie Groundhog Day. I am absolutely not complaining, though. The one variation we have is every morning we get a surprise with room service. Despite placing the same order every morning, we always wind up with something different. I am assuming this is due to different interpretations by different staff. "A" spicy bloody mary has come in a count of 1, 2 and 3 over different days. 2 poached eggs and an English muffin has come as 4 eggs with 3 English muffins or 2 eggs with one muffin. An omelet with cheddar cheese has come stuffed with mozzarella or American cheese while the bacon and cheese scramble is topped with cheddar. I have been pleased with their ability to get the bacon crispy, though. MamaShark, barbeyg, Jax and 1 other 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2021 No photos since yestetday was pretty much a fitting all the shows in day bookended by an Izumi Sushi lunch and Coastal Kitchen dinner. My mom loves the veal chop so we had to make sure we ate there that night. Alan arranged for us to have the same waiter and table right by the window in the corner. They also brought out some curry shrimp for me and my brother Which i felt was much better than the tuna I ordered. Skigoofy, SpeedNoodles, Lovetocruise2002 and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2021 Then we have today's situation. Life is hard. Skigoofy, CravingaCruise, MamaShark and 5 others 3 1 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2021 Alan met us in the room and walked us off the ship to the tram to the Beach Club Beach Cabana. This was a last minute fire sale and we got the cabana for $599. It gives access for 8 people and we found someone on a social media roll call group to split it with. Freedom is at CocoCay with us. It's Freedom's turn for the crew to use the island so Allure crew doesn't get to get off this stop. Alan said they alternate. SpeedNoodles, MamaShark and WAAAYTOOO 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2021 We picked cabana 25 based on maps and internet searches trying to find one that has not quite as an obscured view. Alan was able to get the one we specifically asked for. Lovetocruise2002, MaryS, Booscruize and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustMeJoe Posted September 11, 2021 Report Share Posted September 11, 2021 Quote On 9/10/2021 at 2:01 PM, AshleyDillo said: I have been pleased with their ability to get the bacon crispy, though. Speaking of bacon (most everyone loves bacon), does Chops still serve that Black Pepper Bacon thing? Hope so, can't wait........... Fantastic Liveblog you're doing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted September 11, 2021 Report Share Posted September 11, 2021 2 minutes ago, JustMeJoe said: Speaking of bacon (most everyone loves bacon), does Chops still serve that Black Pepper Bacon thing? Hope so, can't wait........... Fantastic Liveblog you're doing! Are you talking about the pork belly ? I tried it once and it was very unappealing. I think it needed to be crisper or something. I haven't tried it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustMeJoe Posted September 11, 2021 Report Share Posted September 11, 2021 Quote 9 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said: Are you talking about the pork belly ? I tried it once and it was very unappealing. I think it needed to be crisper or something. I haven't tried it again. Yep, sounds like it. I agree, I like it crispier too. Will try it again and check. MamaShark 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2021 44 minutes ago, JustMeJoe said: Speaking of bacon (most everyone loves bacon), does Chops still serve that Black Pepper Bacon thing? Hope so, can't wait........... Fantastic Liveblog you're doing! They do! My mother ordered it without the sticky glaze on it and then complained it wasn't crispy Jax, SpeedNoodles, JustMeJoe and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbeyg Posted September 11, 2021 Report Share Posted September 11, 2021 45 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said: Are you talking about the pork belly ? I tried it once and it was very unappealing. I think it needed to be crisper or something. I haven't tried it again. I thought I was the only one! I love bacon…mostly crispy…but this just didn’t do it for me. JustMeJoe and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2021 After a day of sun and relaxing we packed up to head back to the ship. They have tram service right back to the gangway from the beach club. Since it had been a good 3 hours since our beach club meal of course we had our afternoon snack delivery of wings, fruit, chicken fingers and fries waiting on us. My mother decided 150 Central Park was too heavy of a meal so we canceled our reservation for there this evening through a message to Alan. We are winging it tonight for food. Jax, MamaShark, SpeedNoodles and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2021 Or we could just have a liquid dinner. Alan stopped by for a visit/check-in and magically Fireball shots appeared. Skigoofy, MamaShark, WAAAYTOOO and 10 others 3 4 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2021 Boy was it depressing to wake up this morning and not have bacon, eggs and a bloody mary waiting for me. I need to get out of the post cruise slump and write about the debarkation process and wrap things up. But for now for a sign of the times chuckle that you can pay $2.99 to launder a face mask. Skigoofy, WAAAYTOOO, MamaShark and 6 others 1 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 14, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 Alright, I suppose it's time to finish this up. We left off in the room with shots of Fireball. The evening didn't get much more exciting than that. We started the packing process which consisted of a lot of bickering with my mother that we didn't need to empty the minifridge into our suitcase just because "we paid for it". I was really ok with leaving a few drinks behind. We took all of the Coke Zero's of course. The procedures for luggage collection was that we were to have it ready 15 minutes before the time we wanted to get off the ship, so really we could have saved packing until the morning of debarkation, but we know how that goes. Most of my clothing was clean (thanks Star Class free laundry) so it was an easy pack up for me. Alan had asked us a couple days before when we were planning on leaving the ship. Since we didn't have too long of a drive we asked for 9:30 and he told us we could do 9:15. He had given us Star Class tags for our bags which were just the same purple tags that the porters had put on when we arrived. After that we decided to track down some crew that deserved an extra thank you which this time included our waitress from Giovannis (the tip charge we had added to our $0 check never posted to our onboard account), Carlos up in Coastal Kitchen since he was our server the three times we ate there (again no check to tip on) and we also stopped by for one last round of Starbucks and to give them a thank you as well. They always remembered our names and drink orders when we stopped by. ellcee, sammy79, Jax and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 14, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 We moseyed down to the Boardwalk and they were doing something sort of mini show the aquatheater. A lot of the cast from the ice show and Mamma Mia were out this evening enjoying a night off. We decided to pay a visit to Johnny Rockets since we hadn't hit them up yet during the week. No milkshakes since we still had Starbucks but we had the usual burgers, fries, onion rings schtick. It was nice to eat a hot french fry for the first time all trip. Room service fries don't hold their heat and even a hot day at Cococay Beach Club doesn't keep the fries piping hot all the way to the cabanas. My mom called it a night and went back to the room and I went to the casino which was pretty much the only place I ever saw anything close to a crowd on the ship. By midnight most people had cleared out and the only crowds that remained were at the casino bar. We walked back to the room and the hallway was already absent of the suitcases that had lined the way earlier in the evening. ellcee, Jax and Lovetocruise2002 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 14, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 The saddest day of the cruise came way too early. I had my last in-room espresso from the Lavazza machine and finished shoving the rest of my stuff into my suitcase and zipping it up. The first call I even heard in the room was that they were debarking luggage tag numbers 1 through 33. By 8:30 they had all the numbers called and kept making announcements that all numbers had been called and to GTFO the ship. We still hadn't heard from Alan but they didn't page our name, so no harm done. Alan rang the doorbell promptly at 9:15. He had a crew member with the luggage cart and they followed us the entire way off the ship, even going so far as to put the luggage cart into the elevator with us so we had eyes on it at all times. Alan was able to walk us up to Passport Control where we had to say our final goodbyes to him. He told us to keep in touch with him, add him on Facebook, etc., so now we don't have to feel creepy about all the cyberstalking we did before the cruise Our luggage cart was handed off to a porter. The machines stared deeply into our eyes and cleared us through. We didn't have to stop at Customs to talk to anyone. If there had been a line or a crowd to get off the ship, the Genies can bypass all of that but since we left so late there was nothing. We were in our car and on the way probably 15 minutes after leaving our room. And thus ends the best Star Class experience for us to date! When I get back to an office with a real scanner I will get the Cruise Compasses all scanned in and sent to @Matt to add to the website. Lovetocruise2002, Skigoofy, Rags1 and 15 others 10 3 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammy79 Posted September 14, 2021 Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 JustMeJoe, ellcee and AshleyDillo 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted September 14, 2021 Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 2 hours ago, AshleyDillo said: We started the packing process which consisted of a lot of bickering with my mother that we didn't need to empty the minifridge into our suitcase just because "we paid for it". LOL! Phew! I thought we were the only ones! And by "we" I mean "hubby". Jax, ellcee, MamaShark and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 14, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 53 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: LOL! Phew! I thought we were the only ones! And by "we" I mean "hubby". At least you have the argument that you were flying. We had almost an entire suitcase full of treats for the crew so it was mostly empty and we had the room but still. She refused to take the case of bottled Evian water because the bottles were almost out of date Rags1, Lovetocruise2002, sammy79 and 6 others 1 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGTLH Posted September 14, 2021 Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 1 hour ago, AshleyDillo said: She refused to take the case of bottled Evian water because the bottles were almost out of date Now, now... had it been the requested Fiji water it would have been headed back home. Lovetocruise2002, AshleyDillo, sammy79 and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted September 15, 2021 Report Share Posted September 15, 2021 3 hours ago, AshleyDillo said: At least you have the argument that you were flying. We had almost an entire suitcase full of treats for the crew so it was mostly empty and we had the room but still. She refused to take the case of bottled Evian water because the bottles were almost out of date 1 hour ago, CGTLH said: Now, now... had it been the requested Fiji water it would have been headed back home. I knew I liked your Mom when I met her two years ago! Lol That whole story cracks me up because it is totally something Hubby and my parents would do. CGTLH, Jax and AshleyDillo 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
instaGator Posted September 15, 2021 Report Share Posted September 15, 2021 Absolutely fabulous trip! I felt like I was with you guys. Thanks! AshleyDillo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rags1 Posted September 15, 2021 Report Share Posted September 15, 2021 Thanks for all of the entertainment and information. I appreciate you guys taking the time to amuse the rest of us. I’d love to know mom’s point of view!. We’ll be there in 33 days and you have eased my mind about how the “return to cruising” plays out. Glad you had a wonderful trip! I’ll attempt to blog our voyage, but that’s always hard to do following such an informative and funny blog like yours! Thanks again. AshleyDillo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 15, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2021 12 minutes ago, Rags1 said: I’d love to know mom’s point of view! My mom was made for Star Class. My brother and I are way more laid back and indecisive and we really don't care. I mean we will obviously reap the benefits by joining her no questions asked. I can effectively get most of the benefits that are of use to me by getting the drink and dining packages and booking in a Grand Suite (Suite Lounge and CK access, larger room and double points) and still get out cheaper than Star Class. But if the difference is really close..why the heck not. I'm also scouring for a deal. With that being said, anyone interested in a January Harmony sailing with us? Rags1, WAAAYTOOO, MamaShark and 1 other 1 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted September 15, 2021 Report Share Posted September 15, 2021 @AshleyDilloI have never been on Harmony AshleyDillo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 15, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2021 12 hours ago, Ampurp85 said: @AshleyDilloI have never been on Harmony It's a great ship...WYD January 16-23? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted September 15, 2021 Report Share Posted September 15, 2021 @AshleyDilloAww drats! I am doing a S2S. Indy from Jan 10th to the 14th and Mariner the 15th to the 20th. I would have totally booked if it was either before the 10th or after the 20th as I am solo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 15, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2021 3 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said: @AshleyDilloAww drats! I am doing a S2S. Indy from Jan 10th to the 14th and Mariner the 15th to the 20th. I would have totally booked if it was either before the 10th or after the 20th as I am solo. The obvious answer is to cancel Mariner and hang out for the extra day and join us! ellcee, Ampurp85 and WAAAYTOOO 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rags1 Posted September 15, 2021 Report Share Posted September 15, 2021 51 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said: It's a great ship...WYD January 16-23? There are no Star cabins available! Could I do it without needing therapy later? WAAAYTOOO and AshleyDillo 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted September 15, 2021 Report Share Posted September 15, 2021 Well with all the hoopla going on I am thinking about a balcony or Jr. Suite on Wonder of the seas....so Harmony may have to wait AshleyDillo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted September 16, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2021 5 hours ago, Ampurp85 said: Well with all the hoopla going on I am thinking about a balcony or Jr. Suite on Wonder of the seas....so Harmony may have to wait Well let me know! We have lots of space and probably the best price you'll ever find to do a Star Class solo . You just have to deal with my family. Ampurp85 and CGTLH 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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