Wanderlust on Wonder of the Seas! (it's me again...Neesa)

[OCSC Mike]

34 minutes ago, Neesa said:

a nurse shark with her baby

Baby shark... do-do-do-do-do... Baby shark... do-do-do-do-do

[Neesa]

Do do, do do, do do do do, what was that movie, rhymes with straws......@asquared17 where are you?

 

[asquared17]

4 minutes ago, Neesa said:

@asquared17 where are you?

i’m crying the sharks will never let me live

[CharmMicah68]

4 hours ago, asquared17 said:

i’m SO GLAD your beach club experience is redeeming it all!!! i know it is pricy but there is a level of peace and quiet there that we were hard pressed to find elsewhere on the island. (not saying it isn’t there, just that we didn’t find it ) it’s one of my all time favorite stops/excursions

THAT

We do the Beach Club every time now.  Yes the price can be scary and is all over the board (unpredictable)....BUT I  find new and creative ways to justify going to it.  Which is mainly when my wife says..."We are going to the Beach Club....right?"

[Neesa]

Really how does luggage get lost like that? 6800 people that's how. I'm glad we only do carry on!

I figured out the huge Star suites, they are entered on 18 of course but not at the end of our hallway, they are around the front off the elevators. @CK great again tonight. Not crowded at all, they were stopping by tables asking people to make additional reservations. 

[asquared17]

24 minutes ago, Neesa said:

Really how does luggage get lost like that? 6800 people that's how. 

this happened on our last sailing, too. 

i rarely think that someone else’s bags are in another person’s cabin but that this type of messaging is done from more of a CYA stand point. so they can say they made every attempt. 

maybe i’m way off — or maybe i’m a cynic — but then i’m also the psycho aggressively tracking my bags with air tags and pacing the hallway til i find them (or traveling down to the brig to get my iced coffee.)

[OCSC Mike]

7 minutes ago, asquared17 said:

pacing the hallway til i find them

Love this. When we're in our standard interior, we always go find our bags. We're not worried, we just like getting unpacking out of the way ASAP.

We did it on Wonder this month even though Deck 17 is only so big and found them as they were being gathered in the opposite hallway. The crew member in charge basically forbade us from taking them, lol. She ordered us to go relax and they would be delivered.

[asquared17]

27 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

We're not worried, we just like getting unpacking out of the way ASAP.

hahaha oh i’m definitely worried but i am with you on the unpacking. i don’t feel like i can truly relax until i have my things set to rights in the cabin. 

i tell myself i am my own room steward and must unpack so i can get vacation started

[Neesa]

The concierges in the Suite Lounge are working hard to make sure we are happy. We were invited to the bridge tomorrow but kiddo and I are doing the all access, she will be writing a report for school on it. 

So it's a disconnect between the concierge/stateroom hosts and the rest of the crew it seems. Who knows, I just know these two are very kind and work hard, so I'm happy feeling day one was a one off. 

@Lovetocruise2002 lots of ships models, 69.99 and they appear a bit smaller, im thinking that is why there are so many. Voices at 2130 this is late for our little crew! 

 

[Neesa]

Found a duck on the boardwalk, hiding mine tomorrow after all access tour. Spoke to loyalty ambassador regarding my block, it should be delivered on Thursday. 

Here are the official numbers provided by Noorina our suites concierge.

2198 crew

6936 passengers

Pinnacles 14, D+ 105, D 266, Emerald 170, Platinum 502, Gold 1556

First time on Royal...drum roll please, 4323

WOW!

[OCSC Mike]

15 minutes ago, Neesa said:

Voices at 2130 this is late for our little crew! 

The show schedule sounds very similar to how ours was. 9:30 is late for us too (not just b/c of my young nieces either) but there was no good way around seeing a couple shows after 9 when I puzzled together our reservations.

Glad to hear (and not surprised) you’re having a positive experience with Kenny & Noorina.

[Lovetocruise2002]

52 minutes ago, asquared17 said:

i don’t feel like i can truly relax until i have my things set to rights in the cabin. 

+1

[Lovetocruise2002]

36 minutes ago, Neesa said:

@Lovetocruise2002 lots of ships models, 69.99 and they appear a bit smaller, im thinking that is why there are so many.

I don’t care that it is smaller. I need one of those. Don’t want to buy it off eBay like what I had to do for Freedom last summer. Those better be there in a month. Thank you so much for checking for me! 

[Ampurp85]

It seems like more and more of the sailings are newbies. On Freedom in April, me and one other pax was the only people in the DL. My Wonder sailing is in Jan, I suspect because CP is selling a kosher dining package, it will be like my Oasis sailing this year. Tons of children and newbies.

Also, @Neesa  Is this summer homework or extra credit for next year???

[Neesa]

@Ampurp85 Community/Activity/Service or CAS. Kiddo participates in the International Bachelorette Diploma program. She needs to not only volunteer in addition to vigorous studies she needs to participate in new learning opportunities over the summer. I thought this was perfect. So it's actually summer submission that needs to be completed as part of the graduation requirements. If she earns this diploma she will be eligible for Florida's Bright Futures Scholarship which will really be an amazing achievement.

Next year senior year, so many emotions....thanks for asking

[Neesa]

Oh, I forgot to mention. Stateroom host fixed the TV upstairs, it finally gets up back in the ceiling! Yay!!

Really nice nightlight in the restroom, I appreciate this. 

I am having fun playing with the lights and TV from my phone, I'm a child sometimes.

The elevators are inadequate for this many people, so much so they are sardine cans which is a bit disturbing. People continue to sqish in, once the doors would not close and no one in the front would get off. Then the perfumes, colognes and hairsprays make the situation uncomfortable. After Voices we chilled in the Diamond Lounge closet on 4 until the crowds dissipated. It helped a bit. Sea day tomorrow and wow a lot of next level intoxication. This is a group bent on a party. 

House band in music hall not to our liking.

I actually enjoyed Voices. My daughter and I are big accapelo fans. I enjoyed it more then I realized, some of the songs touched my heart. It was cheaply done with a back track I believe but I was moved for those few minutes. That's it for now, all access tour tomorrow. 

[AshleyDillo]

17 hours ago, Neesa said:

The bed I believe splits.

It does. My mom and I shared the upstairs and made my brother sleep on the couch.

15 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

I hate reading this & find it so odd b/c it was nothing like that on our cruise just 3 weeks ago.

Wasn't like that for us either on our several Wonder sailings.

 

[OCSC Mike]

@Neesa

So many similarities, even little things. We also liked the night lights & I liked using my phone for the main lights and balcony curtain. The GS’s have sooo many lights that after a week I still didn’t know which wall switches were which.

Our TV over the bed worked but sounded like a broken garage door when raising & lowering it, lol.

My family didn’t like the house band either (I may have mentioned that before).

A question… I never made it to the DL but go there daily when in our usual non-suite cabin. Did you happen to notice if the coffee machine is the same as the one in the SL? If you didn’t & happen to go there again, I’d love to know. Really liked the new model in the SL. Thanks!

[Sweety]

9 hours ago, Neesa said:

@Ampurp85 Community/Activity/Service or CAS. Kiddo participates in the International Bachelorette Diploma program. She needs to not only volunteer in addition to vigorous studies she needs to participate in new learning opportunities over the summer. I thought this was perfect. So it's actually summer submission that needs to be completed as part of the graduation requirements. If she earns this diploma she will be eligible for Florida's Bright Futures Scholarship which will really be an amazing achievement.

Next year senior year, so many emotions....thanks for asking

I just got my IB endorsement. This will be a first for me. I am a SPED teacher that will be with gen ed students for the first time. I Love my school. Giving teachers an opportunity to step outside their comfort zone.

[OCSC Mike]

40 minutes ago, Sweety said:

I just got my IB endorsement. This will be a first for me. I am a SPED teacher that will be with gen ed students for the first time. I Love my school. Giving teachers an opportunity to step outside their comfort zone.

I won't go on a long rant for my wife but she's just about had it. No issue with the kids and she opened the elementary school she's at like 15 years ago and is still there. She finally got an out of the classroom job after many years teaching K last year only to have the position cut b/c of budget constraints. She was providing extra help to students and doing some admin stuff. Now it's back to K for her. She's never had a problem with teaching itself, just the bureaucracy of our county (and much of FL) that makes things more difficult on teachers (in addition to the low pay of course).

On that note, I'll go back to waiting to hear from Neesa.

[Sweety]

6 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

I won't go on a long rant for my wife but she's just about had it. No issue with the kids and she opened the elementary school she's at like 15 years ago and is still there. She finally got an out of the classroom job after many years teaching K last year only to have the position cut b/c of budget constraints. She was providing extra help to students and doing some admin stuff. Now it's back to K for her. She's never had a problem with teaching itself, just the bureaucracy of our county (and much of FL) that makes things more difficult on teachers (in addition to the low pay of course).

On that note, I'll go back to waiting to hear from Neesa.

That is why I stay in the classroom. Adults are crazy in Chicago Public Schools. I Love my students. Tell your wife to focus on the students. They need her.

[OCSC Mike]

6 minutes ago, Sweety said:

That is why I stay in the classroom. Adults are crazy in Chicago Public Schools. I Love my students. Tell your wife to focus on the students. They need her.

All I tell her at this point is "you're getting closer to retirement" lol. She has a master's in educational leadership or whatever one gets to be a principal or VP but she was never going that route. She loved her position last year b/c she was still helping students without having to deal with a lot of the extra stuff (lesson plans that have to constantly be re-done b/c FL keeps changing guidelines, requirements, laws, etc. as an example). If she was free to focus on the students and not spend hours working at home after school when she's technically off the clock, she wouldn't feel how she does.

At this point we're just hoping her position from last year is reinstated or a similar position becomes available.

[CharmMicah68]

@OCSC Mike @Sweety  Ditto and echo your thoughts.  My wife is a SPED Occupational Therapist early childhood development.  it is obsurd the conditions, numbers, and bureaucracy she has to deal with.  Not to mention....the expectations of parents.  ON A LIGHTER note, that daily chaos has conditioned her and allows her to STILL completely relax on a crowded cruise ship!

@Neesaupdate on activities....LET'S go slacker! 

[OCSC Mike]

2 minutes ago, CharmMicah68 said:

ON A LIGHTER note, that daily chaos has conditioned her and allows her to STILL completely relax on a crowded cruise ship!

Yep, I can relate, lol. We obviously sail with tons of kids and it rarely bothers us.

 

2 minutes ago, CharmMicah68 said:

@Neesaupdate on activities....LET'S go slacker! 

Seriously. We've been reduced to complaining about education b/c she's not giving us pretty pics to look at or food porn to drool over!

[Neesa]

Glorious morning, Wonder is redeeming, clearly day one WAS one off. Hiding ducks all morning, super fun. Lots of people slept in so I have some pictures. @OCSC Mike here is the coffee machine. Oh still trying to get 2 laser tag slots. I forgot to request them earlier. 

Diamond lounge 

Effy for @Lovetocruise2002

All access tour this morning!

 

 

[WAAAYTOOO]

Kudos to all of you (and your better halves) in education.  I honestly do not know how you do it.  These days, conditions and attitudes are so disruptive.  I am just so grateful that I got through the "school years" with my children before it became a zoo.  THANK YOU - all of you - who have to deal with this every single day !

[OCSC Mike]

3 minutes ago, Neesa said:

@OCSC Mike here is the coffee machine.

TWO machines?!?   Best solution to the machines breaking I've seen yet, lol. Thanks for the pic.

[asquared17]

@Neesa coming in clutch with the REAL content we needed!!!! 

let the record reflect - your nails are holding up GREAT

also can anyone confirm/deny which ship had a library in central park??? i want to say it was harmony at one point but maybe that was a fever dream?? it’s definitely not there anymore. i do remember it being so nice and peaceful and then it was replaced with retail — which makes sense

[Lovetocruise2002]

Gorgeous Effy store!

[Sweety]

19 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Gorgeous Effy store!

I brought at Effy this cruise. Love my earrings.

[Neesa]

Help!? What is the Kraken frozen drink everyone is so crazy about? I want to have one of something special...thank you!

Tour was really informative. Holy Hannah I needed to see that. I am humbled at my spoiled self. The staff works so hard below deck. 15 people, half had to return to cabins to get pants. No one reads directions on vacation 

I was impressed at the care they (the staff) took with us.

Galleys, provisions, freezers, storage, recycling, laundry, crew uniforms, corridor 95, engine computer room, bridge, theater behind the stage.  Just a perfect tour. 2cd officer was knowledgeable and super kind.

The internet is so good.....

[OCSC Mike]

1 minute ago, Neesa said:

Help!? What is the Kraken frozen drink everyone is so crazy about? I want to have one of something special...thank you!

I just order Kraken Coladas (pina colada with a Kraken floater).

I know Matt likes Lava flows (pina colada with some strawberry daquiri mixed in) possibly with a Kraken floater?

[Neesa]

Thought of @asquared17 when I saw the cases of almond milk, had to snap a photo for her. Just wow that bridge officer was very engaging. Bridge wings have windshield wipers.. 

 

[Neesa]

Trying to peek in the Captains cabin, lol! 

Theater guy was nice and the girl costume person was animated and fun. Some small information sheets. Very nice morning, so glad we did it.

We skipped breakfast, so much food. Had lunch at #CK I had the chicken soup again and everyone's favorite pasta dish. Cabash crab crusted flounder no sauce.  The Kraken drink will be our dessert. Kiddo says she feels fat, just gees.  um...whatever!

 

 

 

[Neesa]

@CharmMicah68 and @OCSC Mike here you go! I did my best! What is that Kraken drink??? Let's go! I can't be expected to keep this up without some sugar!!!

[OCSC Mike]

1 minute ago, Neesa said:

Kiddo says she feels fat

On day 3???

I'm 8-10 lbs. heavier on day 7... that's when I feel fat, lol.

Great pics from the tour!

[OCSC Mike]

I posted above but it likely got lost in your pics...

I just order Kraken Coladas (pina colada with a Kraken floater).

I know Matt likes Lava flows (pina colada with some strawberry daquiri mixed in) possibly with a Kraken floater?

Every rum drink is better with Kraken.

[Neesa]

And just to jump on the teacher gratitude train when I started in a city police department in 1990 I was one of the only females. Before I cut my teeth so to speak they put me in the school's to teach D.A.R.E. No, I couldn't take it. The administration treated the teachers in a way I could not stomach, it was stifling their love of the kids. Then there was the politics....please the teachers used to tell me " you're so brave" I would tell them NO YOU ARE I couldn't do that job.

Such an amazing and mostly thankless calling. Not here, not this family!! Thank you teachers for showing up for our kiddos every day! You are a blessing!!!

[asquared17]

@Neesa IS THAT THE BLACK TRUFFLE PASTA DISH 

i am going to expire

also THE ALMOND MILK!!!!! ITS SILK!!!!!! UNSWEETENED!!!!

i am overjoyed by this ITS THE RIGHT KIND so much happiness. 

also HOLY BANANAS that is a lot of info streaming in on the bridge/command center. my god. 

this has been a most informative liveblog indeed!!

[OCSC Mike]

10 minutes ago, Neesa said:

The administration treated the teachers in a way I could not stomach, it was stifling their love of the kids. Then there was the politics

Yeah, it's mostly stuff that comes from the district or state level that bothers my wife so much. A good principal can certainly help with some aspects (and a bad one can make things worse) but the rest is unfortunately unavoidable.