Neesa Posted June 12, 2022 Report Share Posted June 12, 2022 Since my introduction to participating in a live blog with @Lovetocruise2002 on her Star Class take over I'm going to document our family sweet 16 celebration cruise. Note: Daughter celebrating, me still scratching my head looking at baby pics thinking where in the heck did the time go? I had her when I was 40, so shocked and happy! Please be kind and don't do the math! Best thing that ever happened to me, after meeting hubby of course, married 30 years in August....together 32 years. Harmony to celebrate our Anniversary 01 August! Mariner of the Seas June 13-18, 2022 Cabin: 1804, it's been a 2X canceled cabin due to pandemic really happy to sail from this perspective. Bringing my motion patches just in case. VP Ocean view Panoramic Suite. Royal Up Bid: Royal Suite still pending, while that would be nice I'm perfectly fine trying out the cabin I have. Antigens negative yesterday, so happy! Stepping off the Allure last Sunday we all felt good but were just a little nervous, all for naught! Concierge contact and host Dudley! Yay, we met him on the first sailing of the Adventure out of the Bahamas back in June 2021. Our only request was a private table for the three of us in the MDR. There are no birthday decorations at all on board as reflected by the cruise planner so I am just bringing some small sweet 16 items to decorate the cabin. The Labadee cabanas are really high so we are just going to skip breakfast and go over early for some chairs in our hidden nook. Embarkation lunch at Jaimies Italian. We have never dined there. We are doing MDR for a change for dinner. Asked for a table off to the side as it usually gets really loud in there. Itinerary: Leaving out of Port Canaveral Terminal 5, Sea Day, Labadee, Sea Day, Coco Cay, Port Canaveral. A quick sailing, I will want to stay on for sure! I asked Dudley if I could bring him anything and he needed some laundry detergent and such, I purchased and packed to discretly give to him, I was so happy he felt comfortable enough to ask. It made me feel good to get something he needed. We are driving over from Tampa FL to Port Canaveral today and staying in the Hampton at Port Canaveral. With the sailing embarkation on a Monday Interstate 4 is never fun, but on a Monday just no! Would rather arrive a day earlier I'm just more comfortable because you just never know! Please be patient and kind, this is my first time doing this blog thing alone, I will try to channel my inner Sabrina to make it as fun as possible. Mariner here we come! Cabana prices are high! Last pic was me last week in Labadee, that is what I plan to do this entire trip....I love the water! Yesiamthere6, MamaShark, PPPJJ-GCVAB and 10 others 9 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPPJJ-GCVAB Posted June 12, 2022 Report Share Posted June 12, 2022 I am following along! Love your story so far so I am excited to read what is to come! Happy sweet 16 to your daughter (no adding up here )! Neesa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted June 12, 2022 Report Share Posted June 12, 2022 Yay! We seem to be always on the same track! My daughter is celebrating her sweet 16th on Anthem next month. I know what you mean, I am struggling. I don't know how the time flew by so fast. Enjoy your sailing! Will be following along. Neesa, ellcee, PPPJJ-GCVAB and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted June 12, 2022 Report Share Posted June 12, 2022 YPPEEE !!!!! So happy to see you are sailing again so soon. Very envious. Happy birthday to your sweet 16. I hope she (and all of you) have a blast ! PPPJJ-GCVAB and Neesa 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neesa Posted June 12, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2022 Pretty uneventful drive over. Traffic slowed by the parks. Hotel clean, pool adequate and parking great. We checked out terminal 5 on our way here. Skigoofy, Lovetocruise2002, KristiZ and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted June 12, 2022 Report Share Posted June 12, 2022 Let me know how you like the hotel. I am starting to look for a place either in Orlando or Port Canaveral for my Wonder sailing next summer. There are no Intercontinentals nearby lol Neesa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neesa Posted June 12, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2022 @Lovetocruise2002 Well this is no intercontinental that's for sure. It's a clean Hampton with a pool, little gym and hot breakfast. About 2 miles from stepping on the ship. Definitely a place that gets the job done but no frills at all. There are a restaurant or 2 within walking distance. Good safe parking and decent area but again about as opposite as intercontinental as you can get as far as amenities, pretty much zero. But the staff here is sooo friendly! PPPJJ-GCVAB and Lovetocruise2002 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floski Posted June 13, 2022 Report Share Posted June 13, 2022 I hope y'all have a great time! Where are you parking? We usually stay across the street at the Radisson; the Hampton is a little cheaper, I believe, but their cruise parking is really high. We will be sailing Mariner next May, so I'm hoping for some juicy tidbits! Happy birthday to your daughter!!! Neesa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted June 13, 2022 Report Share Posted June 13, 2022 Happy birthday to your daughter. I stayed here this past Jan; I hope housekeeping is better for you than it was for me. You are right no frills, but staff is friendly. Neesa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
She Sails Away Posted June 13, 2022 Report Share Posted June 13, 2022 How fun! The perfect way to celebrate a big birthday! Mariner is on my list of ships I’d like to sail someday. Looking forward to your adventures! Neesa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neesa Posted June 13, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2022 @Floski We are parking inside the parking deck at the terminal. After a sailing we like to get in our car and go. This hotel has big beautiful spaces but no protection from the elements like hale, which sometimes are golfball size during raining season. I'm not a fan of the shuttle situation either, this hotel connected to the Home2 both offer the shuttle service which I can imagine will be super packed, almost everyone here is cruising today, I think 3 ships going out. 2 Royal, 1 Carnival. @Ampurp85I guess they are on it. I "clean" the room with clorox wipes and look around good. The floors today anyway are in great shape! Check in 1030, looks like a beautiful day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neesa Posted June 13, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2022 @Floski I just went down to check for particulars. 25.00$ per night to leave car here in their lot. They have hired a third party shuttle that leaves at 1045 and 1115. If you want another time you must make your own arrangements. They do have sign ups so they know how many are going and what time they prefer. I hope this helps. WAAAYTOOO and Floski 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweety Posted June 13, 2022 Report Share Posted June 13, 2022 Happy Sweet 16 to your daughter. Have fun. Neesa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted June 13, 2022 Report Share Posted June 13, 2022 We celebrated our sons 16th on Oasis over Christmas. I know how you are feeling; yikes, where did the time go! And in Alberta they can get a graduated driving license at 16 so the fun has just begun. Lol Happy sailing and celebration! Neesa and WAAAYTOOO 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neesa Posted June 13, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2022 Checked in waiting in the terminal, we had secured a 1030 check in. Nothing special for suites this early as far as check in. Regular line but it was so short, there was signage but the personnel said they weren't using it yet because it was early. Lots of parking, great parking garage with plenty of spaces this early. Staff here seems tired, and avoids eye contact probably exhausted. If you engage them with a smile they are kind in response. No special waiting area for suites, keys, pins it seems. We asked and they said just sit anywhere, they will call us. No worries we are here, the ship is there, my car is secure, all good! RWDW1204, ellcee, Floski and 5 others 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted June 13, 2022 Report Share Posted June 13, 2022 Glad you made it there safely. Have a great cruise !!! Neesa, PPPJJ-GCVAB and ellcee 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neesa Posted June 13, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2022 Boarding was a bit chaotic but we agreed as a family to just pack our patience and count our many blessings. A decent amount of stressed families cutting in line pushing by but in about 20 minutes we were onboard. First stop muster spot. Then we explored a bit before our 1200 Jamie's lunch. As an aside we met eatsleepcruise bloggers Heidi and Don, the light from these two the most amazing and kind people. They, their friends and hubby all took pictures for each other. What a great couple. Jamie's, well we had to wait in line a very long line for the WindJammer before we would arrive. There was another couple and us, I was shocked and when we left it was just us! We don't do phones at the dinner table so I only have a pic of the dessert but every dish was better then expected. We ordered smaller portions of all of the appetizers just so good! Cabin 1804....drum roll please, yikes. We are so spoiled for sure. Couch was really stained, no ice in bucket, broken hangers and a missing garbage can. The bath and a half are so tiny after staying in the crown loft. The view is amazing. We see them and they see me, I have been floss dancing for everyone who looks up. Oh, Jamie's brought out a dessert with a candle, lit! I was shocked, All the servers sang and it was just so special. So long for now. Wifi slow having trouble with pics... RWDW1204, WAAAYTOOO, Sweety and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neesa Posted June 13, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2022 Slow but I'm trying.... She Sails Away, ellcee, RWDW1204 and 4 others 4 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neesa Posted June 13, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2022 Slow but I'm trying.... Floski, MaryS, WAAAYTOOO and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neesa Posted June 13, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2022 Cabin 1804 @Lovetocruise2002 it's super tight. I liked the 2 bedroom aft much better. The views are gorgeous, but for the four of you, no way. Maybe just the two of you, but it's so so tight. Oh and the room attendant worst attitude, worst one we have EVER encountered. Hopefully he is just having a bad day. He was miserable. When I asked for my tea kettle he said no, I asked for ice he said later. The bathroom with the missing garbage is not getting one, he said it broke. What? Just a hole in the bottom shelf, to the floor. RWDW1204, ellcee and Lovetocruise2002 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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Neesa Posted June 13, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2022 She Sails Away, PPPJJ-GCVAB, RWDW1204 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neesa Posted June 13, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2022 She Sails Away and Lovetocruise2002 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neesa Posted June 13, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2022 OMG, suites lounge packed. But joy of joys, Dudley is the concierge just love him! Dudley told us ship is at capacity, just under 1,000 kids. RWDW1204, PPPJJ-GCVAB and Lovetocruise2002 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neesa Posted June 13, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2022 Dinner was nice, we had a quiet table on deck 3 next to a window where we could watch the sea outside. Our servers were very personable and it was quick, food was fine. Question, I never saw this before when our rooms were ready all the cabin doors are left wide open with your cards outside of course. Just seemed a bit off putting. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neesa Posted June 13, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2022 Here is the " no trash can for you hole" Very comical Lovetocruise2002, MamaShark and Yesiamthere6 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted June 14, 2022 Report Share Posted June 14, 2022 19 minutes ago, Neesa said: Here is the " no trash can for you hole" Very comical Is there a stainless steel trash can with a flip lid in the bathroom? I think they are getting away from using the hole and the new trash can is supposed to be the one with the lid. MamaShark 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted June 14, 2022 Report Share Posted June 14, 2022 I have friends on Indy. They watched you sail out past them and I saw Mariner and Indy on PTZ. Neesa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neesa Posted June 14, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2022 That's the thing there isn't. No trash can at all! He said no when I asked for anything at all. I'm going to go to Dudley tomorrow and see if I can get some clear garbage bags. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neesa Posted June 14, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2022 I was the one doing the floss dance and waving from the front! We moved fast! MamaShark 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaShark Posted June 14, 2022 Report Share Posted June 14, 2022 @Neesa no matter how many times we cruise, Sail-Aways never disappoint! Every single time is exhilarating, filled with anticipation of a brand new journey. I’d be right there with you doing “the floss dance”! I’ve never been on mariner or even read a Mariner live blog so I’m excited to follow. Happy 16th to your daughter! Bon voyage! Neesa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
She Sails Away Posted June 14, 2022 Report Share Posted June 14, 2022 Wow! Like you, I’ve never encountered a surly room Steward before. Not the way to start things off very well, is it? But oh how special that they brought out that cake with a birthday candle! And you all have a terrific attitude. And it looks like nice weather! Hoping you have a great week and following along. Neesa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweety Posted June 14, 2022 Report Share Posted June 14, 2022 I love 1804 and 1854 for the views. It's just hubby and me. I keep threatening him that his room is the bunk beds. With that said, credit card comes out and another cruise is booked. Neesa, PPPJJ-GCVAB, ellcee and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neesa Posted June 14, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2022 @Sweety yes. Perfect for two. Gorgeous view but spoiled by the Oasis class for sure. I think this itinerary is perfect for this ship. So looking forward to Labadee tomorrow. Mark cruise director "Bing Bong" reported 1200 kids on the ship. The ice show under the big top was our favorite ice show yet. The ship is packed, every venue but the cabin views, ahhh.. 1030 we are attending the loyalty show. Waiting on room service now...pics on the way! Lovetocruise2002, KristiZ, Sweety and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neesa Posted June 14, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2022 So I've been trying, pics won't upload this morning when I can I will, for me when reading blogs my favorite part is the pics. We ordered from main dining room for breakfast, was amazed at the freshness and quality, we had power wraps and breakfast burritos. Tea, juice and fruit. It took a little longer then expected but it arrived hot, yes I said it...hot! Very nice leisurely staring out at that view. It's pretty quiet up here except for the occasional golf balls bouncing around but we have a reprieve it is windy, so it's rocky no goofball above noises as of yet! Last night was a slightly different story. Oh, not as rocky as I thought it would be. Still patch free but we will see, the Oasis in March still the most uncomfortable as far as motion for me. I thought I would miss the balcony, never in 18 sailings have not had a balcony...I don't. That's all for now... Lovetocruise2002, 1Texansgo and WAAAYTOOO 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neesa Posted June 14, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2022 Oh I forgot, while up here the people watching is so much fun. We have a Happy Birthday sweet 16 banner hung here and while I'm dancing around and waving at everyone who looks up some yell up happy birthday as they can see the banner. What fun. Some really warm and fuzzy feelings about humanity with this cabin experience. The windows take over my psyche and the dancing, waving and silly faces with the little ones, fun fun fun! RWDW1204, Lovetocruise2002 and WAAAYTOOO 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted June 14, 2022 Report Share Posted June 14, 2022 I stayed in 1810, which was right in front, and my internet was pretty bad. I could post but had to go on deck and do the pictures. The views are stunning, but I hate being at the front of the ship. Do you find the captains announcements to be loud? I would also agree that "Under....." is one of the best Ice shows, it is so funny and entertaining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted June 14, 2022 Report Share Posted June 14, 2022 I have a program on my phone that reduces image sizes so they upload better over Voom. The stuff straight from a phone camera is typically 3MB or more in file size so by reducing them to 1200 pixels on the long edge they end up typically under 500kB which uploads so much better over Voom. I've been using this approach for years. Neesa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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