CGTLH Posted May 7, 2017 Report Posted May 7, 2017 OK, so it is Thursday and like me I have to even start packing. Well, my clothes at least. Camera gear and most of my electronics are packed on the other hand. Travel to the port plans are as followed. Taking RedCoach (upscale bus) from Tallahassee to Ft. Lauderdale Friday morning. This will be the third time using the service, second to Ft. Lauderdale. Cost was $168 round trip with a refundable fare, cheaper than flying (from Tallahassee) and would have been a bit less if choosing one of the other fare options. Friday night, I'll be staying at the Embassy Suites on 17th street. In the morning, thinking Uber or Lyft to the port to be there by 10:00-10:30am. That is it for now, if you want to get an idea of what to expect see my previous LIVEish posting from January 2017 on Oasis of the Seas: As a bonus, I can stay I've stepped foot on every Oasis class ship in service with in the last twelve months. Was on Allure when Harmony came into service. It isn't every day you can claim being on the Worlds largest and second largest cruise ship... Once I hit the road Friday, or maybe sometime Thursday, I'll replace the contents of this post. Matt 1 Quote
CGTLH Posted May 7, 2017 Author Report Posted May 7, 2017 First off, disclaimer and information slab of text. I'm not much in the way of a writer/reviewer. My options are just that, mine. I try to stick with factual information and avoid confrontational topics. So don't expect to hear such items of discussion such as the estimated percentage of number of people wearing shorts in the MDR on Formal night. I'll do my best to report back things like cost of the drink packages and if any discounts are being offered. More than happy to provide pictures upon request. Just don't be upset if I'm unable to get something I'm comfortable with. Being a single male with no kids, I'm not all that comfortable with photographing an area like Adventure Ocean. Another thing, I really enjoy it when content is partly driven by you guys. So please, give me your requests! Also, keep an eye on Twitter/Periscope for any material not posted here. I will try my best to do a few broadcasts. Twitter/Periscope: @CGTLH Going to also provide some sailing details I'm on the May 13th 2017 sailing (7n) Eastern: Ft. Lauderdale, Sea Day, Sea Day, St. Martin, San Juan, Labadee, Sea Day, Ft. Lauderdale I'll be in a L1 Crown Loft Suite on deck 17. Pre-purchased the Deluxe Drink Package cost was $396.48 with the gratuity/service charge added. ($48 a day plus 18% gratuity, Cruise Planner offer was 20% off. Once onboard I'll see if the Diamond Plus 30% is still offered and a better deal. If it is, I'll try canceling and rebuying onboard.) Pre-purchased BOGO ($33 per person) for night 1 & 2, plan is CP 150 and Wonderland. Yes, as Diamonds Plus I get BOGO, but this offer will end up being cheaper. Plus I'm sailing with two others that are Diamond. Original plan was First Night Done Right for $15 per person. Then use the D+ BOGO at Wonderland (Four dining: Two D and two D+). That is it for now, unless you want to know my tech toys. I'll have internet access all week onboard and should have limited service in St. Martin. Debating on taking my phone to Labadee. Not sure how the service/speed will be with Sprint. Once again, I am more than happy to scout any thing out on board. As long as it is with in reason and not a violation of Guest policy. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote
CGTLH Posted May 12, 2017 Author Report Posted May 12, 2017 I've updated the first post. Still haven't started packing, gotten to the point where I just wing it and do it in about an hour or so. Quote
CGTLH Posted May 12, 2017 Author Report Posted May 12, 2017 Right as planned, about 90% of the way packed. As I thought, only took around 90 minutes or so. Biggest helper I've found are the packing cubes. Help so much in keeping everything organized and speeds things up. I'm going to be open, on formal night I'm one of those with a long sleeve shirt and tie. Up until about 2-3 months ago I never even owned a suit. The sports coat I have no longer fits and I think after the fourth or fifth cruise I stopped bothering with it. Rest of the night I'll wear a collared shirt and long pants. *Disclaimer: I never wear shorts, not much of a sun worshiper/water person so I don't lounge out. I do have the option of shorts with a pair of zipoff pants, the kind you can remove the leg right around the knee. That is it for now. Might post some more stuff while on the road heading to Ft. Lauderdale. Bus leaves at 7:30am arrives at the airport around 4:10pm. Has about a 30 minute stop in Orlando. Quote
CGTLH Posted May 12, 2017 Author Report Posted May 12, 2017 Also, just want to make one request for any replies. PLEASE if your are replying to a post with a bunch of pictures (say more than two) don't include them. I primarily use a mobile device so it helps on the scrolling, also helps out others trying to follow along as well. Finally, keep in mind again I'm on a mobile device. So pardon any auto correct and errors in general. Other than that thank you for following along. Currently I'm on the road heading to Ft. Lauderdale. Should arrive there by 4:30pm EDT. Added: If you want to send me an email direct: [email protected] Keep in mind this is essentially a burner address. So after this cruise it will eventuality be shut down if spam takes it over. While a burner, it is a direct contact method to me. If you enter "my circle of trust" I'll use my real email. DocLC 1 Quote
KLA Posted May 12, 2017 Report Posted May 12, 2017 7 minutes ago, CGTLH said: Also, just want to make one request for any replies. PLEASE if your are replying to a post with a bunch of pictures (say more than two) don't include them. I primarily use a mobile device so it helps on the scrolling, also helps out others trying to follow along as well. Finally, keep in mind again I'm on a mobile device. So pardon any auto correct and errors in general. Other than that thank you for following along. Currently I'm on the road heading to Ft. Lauderdale. Should arrive there by 4:30pm EDT. Safe travels to the port! Looking forward to following along! Quote
WAAAYTOOO Posted May 12, 2017 Report Posted May 12, 2017 Have a great cruise !!! Envious !!!! Kamorkasor 1 Quote
Matt Posted May 12, 2017 Report Posted May 12, 2017 Have a great time. Cannot wait to follow along Quote
tiny260 Posted May 12, 2017 Report Posted May 12, 2017 I've been on Harmony, you will love her, she is a beautiful ship. I was on Allure-2012, Oasis-2013, Harmony-2016. Have a safe and wonderful cruise. Quote
CGTLH Posted May 12, 2017 Author Report Posted May 12, 2017 Made it to Orlando for a quick 20-30 minute stop. It is now 1:10 and getting ready to get back on the road. Quote
CGTLH Posted May 12, 2017 Author Report Posted May 12, 2017 Darn, no chance of a last minute upgrade. Called and they said the manifest has been submitted. Who knows what can happen later today or over night. One can wish, right? Quote
CGTLH Posted May 12, 2017 Author Report Posted May 12, 2017 Made it to the Ft. Lauderdale airport. Quote
CGTLH Posted May 13, 2017 Author Report Posted May 13, 2017 Hotel post... For those wondering about Embassy Suites and the Premium Suites. Here is a picture of the vending machine and the contents. At check in you get a code that is valid for 79 uses. Picture looking down from the 11th floor. Cocktail hour was from 5:30-7:30, spirits used was a bunch of no name brand stuff. DocLC 1 Quote
CGTLH Posted May 13, 2017 Author Report Posted May 13, 2017 Time for the 5:30am ship coming in photo! RestingBird, Wilson and JLMoran 3 Quote
CGTLH Posted May 13, 2017 Author Report Posted May 13, 2017 Hurry up and wait process, security lines haven't opened yet. Quote
CGTLH Posted May 13, 2017 Author Report Posted May 13, 2017 Checked and up stairs. RestingBird 1 Quote
CGTLH Posted May 13, 2017 Author Report Posted May 13, 2017 On board now, started boarding around 10:45am. Offering for the drink package. Did confim 30% off for Diamond Plus, bought online and was offered a 10% OBC of what I paid. Drink Package.pdf Quote
CGTLH Posted May 13, 2017 Author Report Posted May 13, 2017 Bar mix for blended drinks is called Sunsational Quote
CGTLH Posted May 13, 2017 Author Report Posted May 13, 2017 Home for the next seven days Wilson, JLMoran, DocLC and 1 other 4 Quote
DocLC Posted May 13, 2017 Report Posted May 13, 2017 1 hour ago, CGTLH said: Home for the next seven days So jealous. Love the cabin. Enjoy the cruise. Quote
CGTLH Posted May 13, 2017 Author Report Posted May 13, 2017 58 minutes ago, DocLC said: So jealous. Love the cabin. Enjoy the cruise. Thanks Now I'm going to learn I should wash wash our hands and how to put on a life jacket. DocLC and coneyraven 2 Quote
CGTLH Posted May 13, 2017 Author Report Posted May 13, 2017 For the record, my drink count is around four or five right now. Thank god for auto correct! Quote
DocLC Posted May 13, 2017 Report Posted May 13, 2017 58 minutes ago, CGTLH said: Thanks Now I'm going to learn I should wash wash our hands and how to put on a life jacket. Can you sing the song for us. ;) Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted May 13, 2017 Report Posted May 13, 2017 3 hours ago, CGTLH said: Home for the next seven days Love the cabin ? We cannot bring ourselves to make the plunge for a Loft suite......love to know what you think of it after this week. Quote
CGTLH Posted May 14, 2017 Author Report Posted May 14, 2017 So far the table mins have been $10 in the casino. In craps for 6/8 it has been $12 on each. JLMoran and DocLC 2 Quote
CGTLH Posted May 14, 2017 Author Report Posted May 14, 2017 Folks I'm still here. Just haven't had the opportunity to post anything. Top Pinnacles on board were 985, 1070, and 1237 points. Did hear them mention the numbers for the different levels. Looked around Windjammer for lunch to see the layout. For those that are wondering, yes they have a full bar on the port side. They also had rolling tubs near the back with iced down drinks (beer, water, and sparkling water) plus a few wines. Outside of dedicated dessert stations I did not see any other gluten free stations or labeled as such. They did have stuff marked dairy free and vegetarian. Also in the back area they have a grill station cooking up stuff fresh (not made to order) and a pasta station. Other than that they will be hosting a birthday bash today celebrating Harmony's first year. Also haven't had the opportunity to capture the Compasses yet to post. Quote
CGTLH Posted May 14, 2017 Author Report Posted May 14, 2017 Happy Birthday Harmony! (Photo taken from someone in the sailing FB group) DocLC 1 Quote
Matt Posted May 15, 2017 Report Posted May 15, 2017 On 5/13/2017 at 11:25 AM, CGTLH said: Very busy day... Wow, that is a really ambitious plan! Quote
Matt Posted May 15, 2017 Report Posted May 15, 2017 On 5/14/2017 at 1:39 AM, CGTLH said: So far the table mins have been $10 in the casino. In craps for 6/8 it has been $12 on each. I love the low minimums on RC. When I go to land casinos, it's always tough to find them. Quote
CGTLH Posted May 15, 2017 Author Report Posted May 15, 2017 Here are some Wonderland food shots. Shrimp Eggs Crab Cones Caprese Tuna JLMoran and Matt 2 Quote
CGTLH Posted May 15, 2017 Author Report Posted May 15, 2017 Wonderland continued Pork Belly Chicken Branzino JLMoran 1 Quote
CGTLH Posted May 15, 2017 Author Report Posted May 15, 2017 On 5/13/2017 at 4:48 PM, Sabrinaklai said: Love the cabin ? We cannot bring ourselves to make the plunge for a Loft suite......love to know what you think of it after this week. Second time staying in a CLS, love it. I enjoy how open and bright the room is. Both times the cost to upgrade from a Grand Suite, after final payment, was not that much. Quote
Matt Posted May 15, 2017 Report Posted May 15, 2017 28 minutes ago, CGTLH said: Halibut or Branzino, don't recall Branzino. I've had it everytime I ate there LOL Quote
CGTLH Posted May 15, 2017 Author Report Posted May 15, 2017 I know I haven't been any sort of daily recap so far. Truth be told, haven't done really that much to fully write about. For Day 1, check-in process had to been the fastest I've done. Without having to fetch cards and explain them to me it cut the time in half. Everything other than the photos was done online. No issues with the BOGO Cruise Planner offer at CP 150 the first night. Only minor issue was we wound up with two reservations at different times. Day 2, top tier past guest party at 10:30. Some casino time around noon ($5 table mins from noon-1pm). Around 2:00 was a cabin crawl. After that, back to the casino. Enjoyed lounge drinks and snack before heading to Wonderland. After Wonderland went back to the room for a "quick nap", next thing I knew it was the next morning. Attached it the list of all the shows and parties. ShowList 1.pdf Matt 1 Quote
Matt Posted May 15, 2017 Report Posted May 15, 2017 3 hours ago, CGTLH said: I know I haven't been any sort of daily recap so far. Truth be told, haven't done really that much to fully write about. I often joke that relaxing days on a cruise ship make for very boring live blogs CGTLH 1 Quote
CGTLH Posted May 15, 2017 Author Report Posted May 15, 2017 Did lunch in the MDR. The lines were split two ways. One for the a la carte other buffet. In the center they had the salad station along, hot dishes, breads, cheese and meats, dessert table, and a stir fry station. DocLC 1 Quote
CGTLH Posted May 16, 2017 Author Report Posted May 16, 2017 Fine Line was amazing! Seems with each ship the Aqua show tops the previous one. Just wonder what Harmony will have to offer. Side note: Other than the themed bars (Scooner, pub, etc..), haven't seen any drink menus. Quote
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