Jump to content

The Old Man and the Sea - Allured back to Star Class


Rags1

Recommended Posts

2 minutes ago, Rags1 said:

Its always cruise day for you😂. Looking forward to meeting you. What time are you boarding?

Set my arrival appoint to 4pm so fly in guests could score the early times.

Only downside to a late arrival appointment is possibly not getting into CK tonight.  #FiletNight 

Oh well, MDR has Prime Rib so either way tonight... I meat.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lunch has arrived!  One could get used to this. Lobster and filet on a floating cabana in the Caribbean. Two ships here and doesn’t seem crowded with the low passenger loads. I walked the island taking pictures. It’s such a beautiful place. Plenty of room on the cabana for 10 1/2 of us. Actually 11 1/2 - Jack Daniels showed up a bit ago. 

7EBC87AB-DEB5-466E-A45E-D33678BD390D.jpeg

C26F8272-4216-435A-9F8A-BEBE27689FDA.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ok, let’s see if I can catch up a bit.  Day 1:  The night at the Orlando Hampton Inn was ok. We were up early Sunday morning and had the included hot breakfast. It sure wasn’t Star Class but was ok. Had Go Port Canaveral scheduled for 930 and the bus arrived about 910. Had a 45 minute drive to the port. We walked with our bags the 100 feet to the Star Class banner. Since the terminal doesn’t open until 11 we prepared to just hang out but one of the “terminal Genies” appeared and began to check us in. She reviewed our set sail pass, Covid test results, vaccine card and passports. A porter came and loaded up our luggage. She then took us inside the doors to wait until staff was ready to finish the process. While waiting we could see Romina on the second floor waiting on us. A group of “suits” wandered through and she said one of them was a corporate big shot who shows up often now to watch the operation.  When the health screeners we’re ready we were escorted to them. Another check of all documents. No health questions or temperature check. Then on to the quick process through security and up the escalator to meet Romina. I’ll discuss her later, but I’ll just say now, wow. She’s good. We might have been the first family on the ship. 

 

Romina escorted us to Sabors for lunch. I think we were having lunch at 1120. We were the only ones in the place. Had a great leisurely lunch. Romina checked on us and went to bring on another family. As we finished lunch Romina returned and took the family up to the suite. Had snacks waiting on us and we all chilled out for a bit with drinks. Romina came back around 2 and we went over the schedule for the week. 

 

We had dinner in Coastal Kitchen at 6. I think the whole family had the filet which was excellent. We enjoyed the sail away from our dinner table. Post Covid they can seat a maximum of 8 people together. So both at lunch and dinner we had a table for 6 ½ and a table for four. 

 

We then went to the Headliner show, Tony Tillman. He’s been around the fleet longer than, well, the fleet! We so happy to be back in a ship and sitting in the theatre we would have watched anyone I think!    But he’s entertaining and energetic. I was pleased to see a bunch of interaction with the crowd. Made it more fun. At the end of the show the CD, Dennis I think, announced that the winner of tonight’s bingo third game will win a 2br ATS. I think that’s awesome!

 

After dinner we had a few drinks and snacks in the room and called it a night. 

 

Next up will be the Perfect day experience. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

42 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Is Romina coming into the suite with you ?  I had heard that originally, the Genies were not allowed to be in the suite at the same time as the guests.  Just wondering if that has changed.

The are certainly trying to limit staff time in the room. She did come inside to review our schedule but for the most part we meet her at the door

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Perfect Day.  Stacy and I had a quick breakfast at the WJ. We all met Romina in the hall outside the dSuite and she escorted us out to the waiting tram. After a quick ride to the Beach Club she turned us over to their staff and we were escorted directly to cabana#19. The cabanas are amazing for sure. I took almost the exact same photos that @wannabecruiseexpertposted so I won’t post them all again!  The bar was well stocked. The food seemed never ending. The two attendants were very responsive and fun. The crew napped, floated, swam, and ate. In between doing those things they would eat. I walked around as much of the island that you can get to. Went back to the ship around 230 for a 330:departure. 

1456FE41-DC00-4F56-BD19-CEF819E4A5C4.jpeg

6E429B8D-4429-432E-B5ED-DEDAEC47BC5B.jpeg

DD2A15EA-ABF4-40CC-BB79-412903D41B91.jpeg

95205BB1-AEFE-4B94-A9F3-7B1194751530.jpeg

1679A3A5-4425-4856-B6E0-B22E0A78C956.jpeg

998D9E1D-01CF-4ADC-AB16-42E90EF9B353.jpeg

7AC58727-9FAE-4F69-9A44-E5A58687565E.jpeg

791F65C5-D7BA-40D8-A689-4A6B907EAFF6.jpeg

CA3EFC31-80D1-4AA8-A30E-6A80CDCEF302.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Day 2 dinner was at Izumi. The only thing different about it was our entertainer/chef, Gerry. He was the best we’ve had, in land or sea. His laugh is infectious (probably a bad word to use)  it was really pretty much the same jokes and antics but he had a new way of doing it all!  Ask for him if your going anytime soon. I didn’t take one photo this time but you’ve all probably seen fried rice in the shape of a heart😂. There was no launching shrimp through the are and into your mouth. CDC must object to that. 
 

Our show was the Aqua theater at 10 p.m.  At about 10:05 the CD came out and announced it was canceled due to rough seas. Rescheduled for Thursday. Some of the crew did the casino and then dancing and some of us just went back and hung out in the suite. 
 

 

9D879ABB-6027-44A8-9835-0855C52B2E30.jpeg

F02AF407-DB01-454A-83E2-655608F44C7C.jpeg

7C2DE156-FE14-4880-BD27-B7AC57B17910.jpeg

9CA3F701-FC08-4227-9344-00D8918DF754.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It’s almost time for Chops and Mama Mia. As I came in to shower I noticed this was just like my shower at home. Except St Thomas isn’t visible through the window at home. And, there’s no windo in my shower at home. And this one is bigger. Ok, the only thing they have in common is water😂

C1215680-CC7C-47CC-B747-CD0B9BC85F73.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

48 minutes ago, twangster said:

You'll have to let me know if there is a break in your schedule to meet up.  Sea day?  Have your people can call my people.  🤣

I was just about to suggest we take this Star Class thing for a spin. What’s your schedule Friday?  Maybe a little brunch or lunch on our balcony?  I won’t take pictures, I promise. I know how you Bots are😂. But we’re just regular people. This balcony needs cruise royalty! Let Me know if you can work that in! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

35 minutes ago, Rags1 said:

I was just about to suggest we take this Star Class thing for a spin. What’s your schedule Friday?  Maybe a little brunch or lunch on our balcony?  I won’t take pictures, I promise. I know how you Bots are😂. But we’re just regular people. This balcony needs cruise royalty! Let Me know if you can work that in! 

If you have a “party”, at least take pictures of the food! 😊

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote

Day 3 was a sea day. Some went to Coastal Kitchen and some to the WJ for breakfast. Most spent time at the pool and some in the casino. The entire group had lunch at Giovannis. The cream of mushroom soup magically appeared for me thanks to my bride and Romina. We  had a very relaxing day at sea. Dinner was at 150. I’m not a fan of that one so I passed on that and the late comedy show. The kids caught the comedy show and said one was ok and the other pretty good. The youngsters were out until around 2 either dancing or gambling. I had a really tasty pizza from Sorrentos and called it a night. 
 

The service everywhere is excellent. The crew is friendly and eager to please. It’s apparent that they take the new protocols seriously. The mask requirements are followed by most I’ve observed. I think the majority of times I’ve seen that rule ignored has been in the halls of deck 17!  
 

Even though I’ve been advised to the contrary, room service folks do bring the orders in and put them on the table or balcony. Maybe they think this room is big enough so it’s ok. It’s easier to social distance in here than it is at the WJ!  
 

We have sent laundry out every single day and it’s back in the room the following day. That’s one of the most appreciated perks of SC!

We  have asked Romina to slow down on the food deliveries 😂. We can’t keep up. Except for Taylor who almost manages to keep up with the endless supply of Ranger cookies!  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A quick side note before the main events of Day 4. As we were sailing into the port at St Thomas Taylor received a FaceTime call from the guy that’s staying at our house and taking care of our 4 cats, three dogs and the old fainting goat. Our oldest dog, 14 years old, was pretty unresponsive. We actually called his name and said goodbye in FaceTime. I called another good friend and neighbor to go check him, but he was gone before she arrived. So I now refer to St Thomas as St Scooby!  

3B8A3FA3-BC15-46B1-8455-4295751DF033.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Day 4, st Thomas. The DT group went on a RC island tour excursion ending with a stop at Magens Bay and said they really enjoyed it. Mike stayed onboard by the pool. The others just did a little shopping at the port and returned to the ship to enjoy the peace and quiet…..and food. I was planning on taking Taylor to Magans Bay but losing her first dog didn’t put her in the mood for a beach day. Poor thing returned to the ship and slept most of the day. I decided to go alone.  Here’s how I described the adventure on my Facebook page:


The group got off the ship in St Scooby, did a little shopping at the port and returned to the ship. I decided I should go to one of the beautiful beaches to help take my mind off of Scooby. So I boarded this little rocket for a leisurely ride to the beach. No. Nothing leisurely about it. I haven’t been here in years. I forgot you cross over a friggin mountain to get to the bay. I spent 20 white knuckle, death defying, wild minutes listening to the brakes grind, smelling the leaking oil and listening to the screams of the old woman sitting behind me!  I’m not sure she was still on when we arrived. I thought it would take my mind off of Scoob. Instead I spent very long minutes thinking I might join him. The racing greats like Earnhardt and Petty got nothing on the son of a bitch piloting this rocket today!  It costs a little more than an enema but produces faster results!

 

0BDD598B-83E2-4ABF-B650-4B44A1B42322.jpeg

03A52BF0-B21C-4F9F-A360-5E67F2FDFC43.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So very sorry to hear about Scooby.  What a cutie.  Never easy and even harder when you cannot be there. I have never forgiven myself of leaving my golden in the [doggy] hospital overnight where she died alone and afraid (I just added that last part out of guilt).

At least your FB post was a combination of sorrow and humor.  That's a very good combination and a good sign.  Enjoy the rest of your cruise !!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Day 4, continues…

once back in board had time for some drinks and snacks in the suite, which Romina had decorated to celebrate birthdays for Taylor and Mike. Then it was on to Chops for dinner. The DTs had room service with LDT. We did “family style “ with the sides and appetizers so everyone could try it all.  I had another great filet and, you guessed it, the mushroom soup. That was followed by apple pie ala Romina. Then came the birthday cake for Taylor and Mike!  The service was the best I’ve ever experienced, in any venue on a RC ship. More on that later. She deserves her own post. 

49E257AA-95B0-49AF-AC54-AC9A9027E217.jpeg

92DE6A3F-BECB-462F-B663-11121E4B6375.jpeg

20F4D7F7-7206-41D0-BACD-E6333D787A81.jpeg

3A6E8925-EFC8-4D91-A108-B195CE854630.jpeg

66AC6B2E-70B3-4071-8ED0-C64C370B357B.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After Chops we’re joined by Dt1 and 2 and the entire clan was off to see Mama Mia! We saw it 4 years ago and loved it. Romina escorted us down to our front (3rd) row seats. Someone was sitting in them so Romina had to direct them elsewhere😂. The show was fantastic. Such talent. We all thought it was much different in some content than the previous time but we’re still trying to figure it out!  But the bottom line was that it was an awesome performance!  
 

stopped in the casino for drinks and then up to the suite fore drinks and pizza.  When you have 1740 it’s a great place for the group to end the evening. Then off to bed so we can wake up to the Island of St Maarten, That Yoda Guy and the Rusty Rhapsody of the Seas. Poor girl. 

0ECB5847-5959-477B-89EA-FAC02922E034.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

23 hours ago, Rags1 said:

I was just about to suggest we take this Star Class thing for a spin. What’s your schedule Friday?  Maybe a little brunch or lunch on our balcony?  I won’t take pictures, I promise. I know how you Bots are😂. But we’re just regular people. This balcony needs cruise royalty! Let Me know if you can work that in! 

@twangster, shall we plan something tomorrow?  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, twangster said:

I have Cheers with an Officer and the pinnacle lunch tomorrow or else I'd love to.  Plans on Saturday?

Saturday will work. I forgot that tomorrow, since we turned Diamond on this cruise, we have to go to the theatre and watch a live feed of the Pinnacle lunch😂. Enjoy the day tomorrow. I have no plans Saturday so we can meet somewhere or enjoy a drink and a snack on the balcony. Let me know!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Day 5, St Maarten:  same routine in the morning. Coffee delivered at 730 and everyone goes there own way for breakfast. Stacy and I did the WJ.

Katie and Grammy volunteered to watch LDT while her mommy and daddy went ashore. Grammy’s excision is understandable but I think Katie must have been drinking when she volunteered. The only other plan was that Taylor wanted to go to That Yoda Guy Museum. She’s a huge Baby Yoda fan. Shari and Caleb just did some quick shopping at the port. Taylor and I took the water taxi into town. $7 each. We stopped into a camera store so I could buy a new, overpriced charger. I’m assuming mine is still charging my extra battery…..at home. I cant tell you much about Yoda. Or That Yoda Guy. Or his museum except it’s full of photos and artifacts from whatever movie the green thing was in. That Yoda Guy, whose name I’ve already forgotten, was very pleasant and gracious. He spent time telling Stories to us. The you g man watching our home this week is named Joey.  He’s a great young man who attended school with Taylor. He’s the poor guy that had to deal with our dog this week. Taylor told me when we got to the museum that “Joey would freak” if he were here because he loves this stuff. So I purchased a matted Yoda photo and That Yoda Guy personalized an autograph to Joey. Hopefully he’ll like that. After returning, most everyone spent the afternoon by the pool. I explored the ship with my camera. 
 

For dinner four went to Chefs Table. They said for the food. I think they’re just wInos. The rest of us ate at Coastal Kitchen. I had the New York steak and ,flavor wise, it was the best steak this week. 
 

After CK, Stacy Taylor and I went to see the ventriloquist, Kevin Johnson. I though he was hilarious and really entertaining. After that the whole crew, minus LDT, saw the Aqua show that had been canceled earlier in the week. Great show, amazing athletes!

Then it was back to the suite fore more pizza, guacamole and salsa and a drink or two. The young ones were at the club again until after 2. Youth. 

B23F6FEF-3CC2-4DF0-B730-B98DC9D5DF93.jpeg

3E4877EE-5560-473F-AC0B-5A9C50E9EFF9.jpeg

1EF5FBB5-878D-476C-AEF2-612FBE26088E.jpeg

399C3614-1244-47FC-8F3D-92EA755DE2A0.jpeg

7F3278BA-6C74-4091-ABB9-65A8A0257405.jpeg

2DF72E3F-BA0F-4DC2-B697-9E9A57722125.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...