OCSC Mike Posted March 11 Report Share Posted March 11 3 minutes ago, Cactus527 said: RC's ice cream shop on the Royal Promenade. I miss the cows! 2 minutes ago, Cactus527 said: Also, didn't someone say no more headliners on shorty cruises? I see this in the events calendar. Actually, they were missing from some Oasis class 7N cruises ( @GregD reported it in his blog). I've been checking each Wonder sailing leading up to next week and there have been headliners although they don't show up until close to the cruise. Still waiting for mine although the last several have been singers we wouldn't bother seeing anyway. Sweety, Cactus527 and WAAAYTOOO 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted March 11 Author Report Share Posted March 11 5 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said: Same here. Small edge to Freedom for me for having ELF for me. That place is HOPPING right now. Sweety and PPPJJ-GCVAB 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted March 11 Author Report Share Posted March 11 3 minutes ago, PPPJJ-GCVAB said: AGREE!!! Ahahaha, you guys and ELF. PPPJJ-GCVAB and Sweety 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted March 11 Author Report Share Posted March 11 2 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said: I miss the cows! It feels so generic without the cows! OCSC Mike and PPPJJ-GCVAB 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCSC Mike Posted March 11 Report Share Posted March 11 Just now, Cactus527 said: That place is HOPPING right now. I'm sure it is. It was pretty crowded on Allure in October but part of that is b/c they took Wipeout Cafe and quickly made it into an ELF when Allure switched home ports from FL to TX a year or two ago so the layout isn't great. Love the ELF on Wonder. It has an attached margarita bar and a much better layout. Cactus527 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPPJJ-GCVAB Posted March 11 Report Share Posted March 11 For the time only being 1pm…looks like the pool area is also beginning to HOP! But with those gorgeous blue skies…why not? She Sails Away, Cactus527, WAAAYTOOO and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted March 11 Report Share Posted March 11 I sailed Indy before Freedom as well and I have to say for the most part Freedom is my favorite ship. My B2B2B will be my third time on her. She is just big enough to not feel the crowds and she has ELF and Playmakers. That headliner looks creepy, just enough that I would go to see it . PPPJJ-GCVAB, dr martini, Sweety and 3 others 2 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCSC Mike Posted March 11 Report Share Posted March 11 9 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said: I sailed Indy before Freedom as well and I have to say for the most part Freedom is my favorite ship. My B2B2B will be my third time on her. She is just big enough to not feel the crowds and she has ELF and Playmakers. You know (or can guess) why I prefer Oasis class but Freedom with those 2 venues is pretty much close enough. We did 3 shorties on Indy in 2022 (one was a B2B) and were in CocoCay with Freedom all 3 times. I hadn't even tried ELF yet and I was already jealous of the Freedom cruisers we met. Ampurp85, Sweety, PPPJJ-GCVAB and 1 other 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweety Posted March 11 Report Share Posted March 11 16 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said: I sailed Indy before Freedom as well and I have to say for the most part Freedom is my favorite ship. My B2B2B will be my third time on her. She is just big enough to not feel the crowds and she has ELF and Playmakers. That headliner looks creepy, just enough that I would go to see it . I booked B2B2B because i saw you had one on Freedom. PPPJJ-GCVAB, Cactus527, Ampurp85 and 3 others 3 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted March 11 Report Share Posted March 11 1 minute ago, Sweety said: I booked B2B2B because i saw you had one on Freedom. I am excited, I love the ice show on Freedom. Freedom has a good casino, I always do well. Plus, since she was amped, the storage in the room is actually good. Cactus527, Sweety and OCSC Mike 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted March 11 Report Share Posted March 11 2 hours ago, Cactus527 said: This is my first time ever in Miami. Why has no one told me how beautiful it is here??? I am pretty sure I said in someone’s blog, or my own, recently that Miami is my favourite port to sail out from. It’s the prettiest backdrop. dr martini, PPPJJ-GCVAB, Cactus527 and 3 others 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted March 11 Author Report Share Posted March 11 2 hours ago, OCSC Mike said: I'm sure it is. It was pretty crowded on Allure in October but part of that is b/c they took Wipeout Cafe and quickly made it into an ELF when Allure switched home ports from FL to TX a year or two ago so the layout isn't great. Love the ELF on Wonder. It has an attached margarita bar and a much better layout. I'm pretty sure I saw a bar attached to ELF when I was up there... 2 hours ago, PPPJJ-GCVAB said: For the time only being 1pm…looks like the pool area is also beginning to HOP! But with those gorgeous blue skies…why not? It was super fun people watching! 1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said: I sailed Indy before Freedom as well and I have to say for the most part Freedom is my favorite ship. My B2B2B will be my third time on her. She is just big enough to not feel the crowds and she has ELF and Playmakers. That headliner looks creepy, just enough that I would go to see it . I'M SO GLAD SOMEONE ELSE SAID THAT BECAUSE I FEEL THE SAME WAY. 1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said: You know (or can guess) why I prefer Oasis class but Freedom with those 2 venues is pretty much close enough. We did 3 shorties on Indy in 2022 (one was a B2B) and were in CocoCay with Freedom all 3 times. I hadn't even tried ELF yet and I was already jealous of the Freedom cruisers we met. That's it, I'm going up to ELF and eating there just to take pictures for you to drool over. 1 hour ago, Sweety said: I booked B2B2B because i saw you had one on Freedom. Omg @Ampurp85 had done it to @Sweety's credit card! 57 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said: I am excited, I love the ice show on Freedom. Freedom has a good casino, I always do well. Plus, since she was amped, the storage in the room is actually good. Funny you say this - I just finished unpacking and was shocked that there was so much room. It's so nice! 57 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: I am pretty sure I said in someone’s blog, or my own, recently that Miami is my favourite port to sail out from. It’s the prettiest backdrop. I believe you. I thought Galveston was beautiful, but this beats it into the dust. dr martini, Ampurp85, Sweety and 2 others 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted March 11 Author Report Share Posted March 11 They opened up the rooms at 1:00 p.m. and I went straight there so that way I could start unpacking. I'm an organization freak, I love doing the unpacking part. Met my state room attendant, got things sorted with him, and now have two of my three suitcases. Once the other one shows up, I will continue to unpack. The view from this room is amazing, though I know it's just Miami's allure. Pleasantly surprised at the size of this room! This room is also set forward of the forward elevators on this deck, which I think leads directly to the bridge through the crew door. It is incredibly quiet. When I look off my balcony, to the left I can see the bridge, to the right I can see the overhanging hot tub. Also saw a pirate ship cruising the harbor. Wtf? PPPJJ-GCVAB, Ampurp85, Lovetocruise2002 and 4 others 5 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted March 11 Author Report Share Posted March 11 Balcony view MaryS, Lovetocruise2002, She Sails Away and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted March 11 Author Report Share Posted March 11 #bezosclub Lovetocruise2002, MaryS, PPPJJ-GCVAB and 3 others 1 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted March 11 Report Share Posted March 11 PIRATES ???? OMG ! PPPJJ-GCVAB, Cactus527 and MaryS 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted March 11 Author Report Share Posted March 11 It's sail away time WAAAYTOOO, Lovetocruise2002, MaryS and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweety Posted March 11 Report Share Posted March 11 15 minutes ago, Cactus527 said: It's sail away time Loving the View! MaryS, WAAAYTOOO, Cactus527 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted March 11 Author Report Share Posted March 11 52 minutes ago, Sweety said: Loving the View! It got better, because we got to go down and do the turnaround before heading out. Sweety, Lovetocruise2002, MaryS and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted March 11 Author Report Share Posted March 11 Ships seen today: Freedom of the Seas (obviously, ha!), Independence of the Seas, Carnival Conquest, and MSC Magnifica. Lovetocruise2002, MaryS, PPPJJ-GCVAB and 1 other 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted March 11 Author Report Share Posted March 11 More food porn. Also, I'm including the receipt from Johnny Rockets because I constantly see people asking how much the shakes cost by themselves. PPPJJ-GCVAB, Lovetocruise2002, Sweety and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted March 12 Author Report Share Posted March 12 I fell asleep and totally missed sunset. However, can't beat waking up to this view. Sweety, WAAAYTOOO, PPPJJ-GCVAB and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted March 12 Report Share Posted March 12 12 minutes ago, Cactus527 said: fell asleep and totally missed sunset. However, can't beat waking up to this view. Looks like Hubby and D17 are not the only ones who fall asleep on embarkation day! Lol but you have an excuse, you barely got any sleep last night. Sweety, Cactus527 and WAAAYTOOO 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted March 12 Author Report Share Posted March 12 4 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: Looks like Hubby and D17 are not the only ones who fall asleep on embarkation day! Lol but you have an excuse, you barely got any sleep last night. 3-7am is rough. I'm also trying to adjust from west coast time! Sweety 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted March 12 Author Report Share Posted March 12 My view in the MDR. I'm at a two-person table by myself, but every. table. around. me. is filled with college students. THEY LOOK SO YOUNG OMG WHEN DID I GET OLD. She Sails Away, WAAAYTOOO, MaryS and 2 others 2 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted March 12 Report Share Posted March 12 We still look young.......usually there is always someone older to make it that way But wow the cost of the shake is much cheaper than when I was on Freedom last April. I used a voucher, and it was something like $5.65 or $6 something. Also thanks for the Carnival Conquest photo, my mom has been begging me to book carnival and I bit the bullet. That ship sails out of Miami, carnival isn't sailing out of FLL, and I chose the conquest. It doesn't look too bad, I also prefer to start with midlevel ships and not the new and biggest of the bunch. Sweety, Cactus527, PPPJJ-GCVAB and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted March 12 Author Report Share Posted March 12 58 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said: We still look young.......usually there is always someone older to make it that way But wow the cost of the shake is much cheaper than when I was on Freedom last April. I used a voucher, and it was something like $5.65 or $6 something. Also thanks for the Carnival Conquest photo, my mom has been begging me to book carnival and I bit the bullet. That ship sails out of Miami, carnival isn't sailing out of FLL, and I chose the conquest. It doesn't look too bad, I also prefer to start with midlevel ships and not the new and biggest of the bunch. I have often thought about doing Carnival, but Spouse badmouths it so much (without ever having been on board) that I don't want to try at this point. I'll be curious to find out what you think of it when you do it. Still think you're insane for traveling with your mother. Sweety, PPPJJ-GCVAB, WAAAYTOOO and 1 other 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
She Sails Away Posted March 12 Report Share Posted March 12 Freedom holds a special place for me. It was the first cruise after the epic re-opening of cruising, after the Covid shutdown. It was thrilling to be on board and I thought Freedom was the most beautiful thing ever. I brought my husband, he was six months post-hospitalization from original Covid and he was weak and tired. (Still dealing with some longterm Covid fallout even now). We spent hours lying in those colorful cabanas on deck and watching the ocean. So relaxing! loving your blog and photos. Solo cruising is awesome! And Miami is very fun to sail from. Sweety, MaryS, PPPJJ-GCVAB and 1 other 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted March 12 Author Report Share Posted March 12 MDR Welcome Aboard menu/night. I was a bit apprehensive about doing the MDR as a solo cruiser, but it went brilliantly. I was in and out in 45 minutes. I went with the tomato soup (scalding but delicious), southern fried chicken (omg good and thoroughly cooked!), and key lime pie (good). It seems very appropriate that "food porn" seems to actually be exhibited here with what appears to be a censored bar across the key lime pie (chocolate). And, of course, my first Shirley Ginger on board. All around me were tables of college students. There is a group of 8 college guys at the table in front of me, and I was a bit worried how that was going to go. However, I could hear them being extremely polite and really excited about the menu. They did prove they were college students though when they cheered for the waiter who showed up with alcohol and toasted to him. She Sails Away, Yesiamthere6, Ampurp85 and 6 others 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted March 12 Author Report Share Posted March 12 2 minutes ago, She Sails Away said: Freedom holds a special place for me. It was the first cruise after the epic re-opening of cruising, after the Covid shutdown. It was thrilling to be on board and I thought Freedom was the most beautiful thing ever. I brought my husband, he was dix months post-hospitalization from original Covid and he was weak and tired. (Still dealing with some longterm Covid fallout even now). We spent hours lying in those colorful cabanas on deck and watching the ocean. So relaxing! loving your blog and photos. Solo cruising is awesome! And Miami is very fun to sail from. I LOVE this. That sounds like an amazing cruise! I was just checking out the cabanas up on the pool deck area today trying to figure out which one I want for Day 3 Nassau. I'm leaning towards the one that is furthest away from everything. Sweety, She Sails Away and PPPJJ-GCVAB 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted March 12 Author Report Share Posted March 12 NOW I made it censored. It's a cheeky pie. PPPJJ-GCVAB, Sweety, OCSC Mike and 4 others 2 3 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCSC Mike Posted March 12 Report Share Posted March 12 Since I can’t come up with a culinary explanation for putting a piece of chocolate on key lime pie, I’m going with yours from now on. PPPJJ-GCVAB, WAAAYTOOO and Cactus527 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted March 12 Author Report Share Posted March 12 Random thoughts for the day, Day 1 It appears that they open up the terminal at 10:00 a.m. This was terminal A. However, they didn't start boarding until after 10:30, but before the 11:00 first boarding time. With the amount of young people celebrating spring break on board, the bars seem to be overrun. I have never seen the bars looking so busy. It actually makes me rethink whether I want to go get something to drink or not at times. The Lyft driver I had noted that many drivers will cancel pickups at the cruise terminals because of how long it is taking them to get there versus how much they are going to make. Since I've not ever tried this, I thought it was interesting. He offered to come get me on Friday morning outside of normal Lyft, but not only did this sound highly suspicious and his driving terrified me, I wonder if his story about ride cancellations is true in the first place. Sail away from Miami is beautiful and so cool. We got to go all the way down the cruise ship lane, turn around, and then head out. I love that we got to do the same thing that Icon of the Seas did when it came to Miami in January. I'm sure this is old hat for many people, but it's brand new and fun for me. People in their 20s have a different idea of what dressed up is than I do. While there appears to be a fair amount of children on board for spring break, I don't feel like the ship is overrun with them. Finding weird hairs in your bathroom is unpleasant. Trying not to think too hard about what they are or where they're from. I'm supposed to go to Hideaway Beach tomorrow but I don't have any tickets or anything that you typically would get with a shore excursion. I got my ticket in the state room for my bus transfer to the airport on Friday, but that was it. I'm wondering how they will know I am supposed to be there? Johnny Rockets shakes feel smaller than they were on Allure. Maybe I'm just crazy. Yesiamthere6, Sweety, dr martini and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted March 12 Report Share Posted March 12 1 hour ago, Cactus527 said: I have often thought about doing Carnival, but Spouse badmouths it so much (without ever having been on board) that I don't want to try at this point. I'll be curious to find out what you think of it when you do it. Still think you're insane for traveling with your mother. I tried Carnival 20 years ago and hated it, vowed to never sail it again. But I keep hearing the food is so much better and the casino is very forgiving so a 4n at under a $1k for three people with $50obc seemed okay........especially if all my plans work out on my Freedom sailing in the casino I noticed the to-go shakes are in a smaller cup at JR. But too much milkshake is also not good imho. I am madder that the cost to eat at Jr is almost $20 now. Also, the hair thing, ewwwww . But I tend to notice that the college-aged youths seem to be far more manner-able than the pre/teen youths. Thankfully I avoid sailing during spring break and the summer, I hate to hear them when they play their drinking games. Sweety, MaryS, PPPJJ-GCVAB and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPPJJ-GCVAB Posted March 12 Report Share Posted March 12 7 hours ago, Cactus527 said: The Lyft driver I had noted that many drivers will cancel pickups at the cruise terminals because of how long it is taking them to get there versus how much they are going to make. Since I've not ever tried this, I thought it was interesting. He offered to come get me on Friday morning outside of normal Lyft, but not only did this sound highly suspicious and his driving terrified me, I wonder if his story about ride cancellations is true in the first place. Yes it is true. Our Lyft guy in November bringing us from the hotel to Maimi Port told us the same thing. He was actually talking about Uber drivers though…and unbeknownst to him…a few other couples at our hotel (heading to the Port) waiting for Uber had experienced cancellations! Also, as far as all the college age Spring breakers…apparently they decided to “break up with Miami” (anyone seen the ads on TV?) and jump onboard to celebrate! Cactus527, MaryS and WAAAYTOOO 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted March 12 Author Report Share Posted March 12 6:55am and @Lovetocruise2002 had already beaten us to PDCC. jbrinkm, WAAAYTOOO, MaryS and 3 others 3 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted March 12 Author Report Share Posted March 12 7 hours ago, Ampurp85 said: I tried Carnival 20 years ago and hated it, vowed to never sail it again. But I keep hearing the food is so much better and the casino is very forgiving so a 4n at under a $1k for three people with $50obc seemed okay........especially if all my plans work out on my Freedom sailing in the casino I noticed the to-go shakes are in a smaller cup at JR. But too much milkshake is also not good imho. I am madder that the cost to eat at Jr is almost $20 now. Also, the hair thing, ewwwww . But I tend to notice that the college-aged youths seem to be far more manner-able than the pre/teen youths. Thankfully I avoid sailing during spring break and the summer, I hate to hear them when they play their drinking games. Drinking games... That takes me back... Carnival definitely has decent pricing! There's a ship that sells out of LA that I constantly am eyeing versus Navigator, but now that Quantum is coming, I may stick with RC. 20 minutes ago, PPPJJ-GCVAB said: Yes it is true. Our Lyft guy in November bringing us from the hotel to Maimi Port told us the same thing. He was actually talking about Uber drivers though…and unbeknownst to him…a few other couples at our hotel (heading to the Port) waiting for Uber had experienced cancellations! Also, as far as all the college age Spring breakers…apparently they decided to “break up with Miami” (anyone seen the ads on TV?) and jump onboard to celebrate! I've seen those! Craziness. Miami IS known for spring break. Also, good to know my driver wasn't a total flake. I stopped counting how many times he almost had an accident to give myself stress relief. PPPJJ-GCVAB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted March 12 Author Report Share Posted March 12 Looks like the Norwegian Sun is on the neighbor island today! Lovetocruise2002, She Sails Away and MaryS 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCSC Mike Posted March 12 Report Share Posted March 12 7 minutes ago, Cactus527 said: 6:55am and @Lovetocruise2002 had already beaten us to PDCC. Will be eagerly awaiting CocoCay food porn. Some of the new Hideaway items looked decent to me. I've read mixed reviews but that kinda goes for any venue. There are people who don't like Mason Jar brunch and it was my favorite meal on a ship ever. To each his own. Cactus527 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus527 Posted March 12 Author Report Share Posted March 12 I forgot to take a photo before I plowed through my room service oatmeal. Here's the rest on my balcony. MaryS, Lovetocruise2002 and Ampurp85 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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