An Allure-ing Solo Trip...Allure OTS - September 9-13, 2024

[Cactus527]

I debated whether or not I should do another live blog after my Freedom one in March for quite awhile. Reality has made it harder to get on here regularly lately, but I figured I could at least start this and see if I can post on and off throughout the cruise. 10 DAYS TO GO!

WHAT: Allure of the Seas 4-day Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay cruise
WHEN: Monday, September 9th thru Friday, September 13th, 2024
DEPARTURE: Port of Miami, Terminal A
RETURN: I sure hope they drop me off in Miami, otherwise I'm screwed
PORTS OF CALL:
     1. Miami
     2. Nassau, Bahamas
     3. Perfect Day at CocoCay
     4. At Sea
     5. Miami
 

WHO IS GOING: Just me. The Spouse has work, and both Bookworm and DQ are in school. Bookworm would loathe missing school for anything, but DQ is definitely upset I'm not taking her. She'll live.

TRAVEL: This is where it gets confusing. I'm from Arizona, but I'm at a conference for 4 days prior to this cruise in Cincinnati, Ohio. So, I will be traveling the day before the cruise from Cincinnati to Miami via Chicago O'Hare. I subscribe to Going for all my travel savings, and they had an AMAZING deal on a first class ticket this past spring for the date and route I needed. I essentially paid economy fare for the ticket. First class on American Airlines also gets me two free bags, seat choice (I chose one all by its lonesome, woot woot!), dinner on the flight, and (apparently) priority boarding. Very excited to try first class as I'm typically a Southwest Airlines kind of traveler.

HOTEL: I'm currently booked at the Tru by Hilton Miami West Brickell on Sunday night. Still debating whether I'll keep the reservation or not, primarily because of the conference I'm at before that. It will all depend on packing this weekend so that I can see my laundry needs. If I need laundry, I'll book an AirBnb in the Wynwood neighborhood. If not, I'll keep this one. The conferences I go to are always in Hilton properties, so I had a ton of points earned that I didn't realize I had. This booking cost 23,000 points + $35. See my issue with keeping the reservation versus getting an AirBnb? I mean, $35! Unheard of these days. It'll be late when I get in, so really just need to sleep, eat in the morning, and then Lyft to Port Miami (and yes, I DID book a place with breakfast the morning I get on a cruise ship, @OCSC Mike, CUZ I'M A HUNGRY BEAST). While I do have Hyatt points I could have used, I decided to save all of those for the big Alaska cruise the family and I are taking in summer 2025. 

TRANSPORTATION: I'll take a Lyft from the airport Sunday night to the hotel, then another in the morning to the port. I have a 10:30am check-in time, so I'll aim to be there around 10:30ish. For post-cruise, I've got a RC shuttle reserved to get to FLL for my flight home. Well, "home," I say, but it's actually to Phoenix and then I'll take the shuttle bus home. There were no flights after 12pm for my home airport from either MIA or FLL - go figure.

ROOM ON SHIP: When Bookworm, DQ, and I were on Allure last summer out of Galveston, we had a Central Park View Interior on Deck 9. While I liked the window seat and being able to see Central Park, I really felt far removed from the fact that we were on a cruise ship - it felt more like being in a small city. I wanted to make sure it *felt* like a cruise ship on the ocean. I booked this one back in June 2023 for a forward-facing oceanview cabin. After experiencing the CPVI, I definitely wanted ocean views, and so my deposit on this particular room felt justified. As a solo cruiser, with the refundable deposit and gratuities included, it came out to $802 (no repricings were ever done on the original price because nothing ever dropped). Feels like a steal these days with the prices the way they are. I debated for a LOOOONG time moving to an oceanview balcony, but my TA suggested I just try the FFO as I was interested and it was one of his favorite types of cabins. So, here we are. I'm looking forward (HAHAHA) to being able to see the helipad all the time and the extra space (even though it's slanted). 

PLANNED ACTIVITIES:
Ship --- Since I've been on before, I don't have major plans to try everything or see all the shows. I want to see Ocean Aria (aqua show) and Blades (ice show) again, and definitely made a reservation for Blue Earth since I missed it last time. I also managed to get two reservations for the comedy shows, so I'll probably just pick one and go to that. I'm leaning toward the 8pm one that is "family friendly" since I love waking up early and late nights are hard because of it. But! I want to experience Crazy Quest because I've heard so much about it and never done it (because it's so late). That might be a dinner-nap-show day for me, HA. 
Nassau --- The last time I was in Nassau, I walked by the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas and was super sad that it wasn't open. Since it IS open the day we're in port this time, I think I'm going to go. I'm just dreading the 1-mile walk in all the humidity and late-morning heat to do so. Maybe a bit of shopping in some of the street shops but definitely NOT the straw market. It makes me claustrophobic. 
PDCC --- This will be my 3rd visit in a year. Love this place. The first time, I hung out at South Beach under an umbrella in the pouring rain. It was AMAZING. In March, I went to Hideaway Beach and loved my time there, especially the pizza place. I ended up back at South Beach after that because I was having Snack Shack withdrawals, so this time I'm just going to stick with the free places. I want to do Harbor Beach (so I can actually get in the water) and possibly the area on the island that faces right back toward where the ships are docked (kind of Chill Beach but kind of not? Hard to describe). Maybe I'll hit the vendor market again like I did in March, but no real plans. Oh, and if I get out early enough, maybe I'll try Oasis Lagoon AWAY from the DJ/bar area.
Sea Day --- The plan for now is sleep, free credits in the casino, lunch at Chop's, and maybe actually attempting the zipline instead of freaking out about it.

DINING: I have reservations for lunch at Giovanni's Table on Day 1/embarkation, dinner at Sabor on Day 2 (to avoid formal night), and lunch at Chop's on Day 4/Sea Day. The plan is to do breakfast at Johnny Rockets (something we fell in love with last summer) and the Solarium Bistro (since my room will be so close to it), lunch at various venues but mostly Park Cafe (love that place), and dinner in the MDR when it's not Day 2. I may have to squirrel away some donuts from Boardwalk Donuts at some point too. I thought about Izumi again, but after getting a horrible rash after having lunch there (shellfish allergy, did tell them, still suspect something wasn't quite right), I'm going to avoid it this time around. 

 

I think that's it for now. Looking forward to getting the conference over with so that I can board Allure again!!!! 

[asquared17]

WOW look at you sliding this in here all ~casual like. 

(excuse me now i have to go back and catch up.) 

[asquared17]

20 minutes ago, Cactus527 said:

RETURN: I sure hope they drop me off in Miami, otherwise I'm screwed

oh man…. the way i am here for a cactus blog!!!!! it always brightens my day

[Ampurp85]

I did this itinerary in Jan as part of my annual S2S2S. I was solo and it was a mess. I think I enjoyed Blue Planet but it was a full cruise with many newbies and tiny humans. I loved my embarkation day GT lunch, it was actually the first time I saw a specialty restaurant full on embarkation day.

Let me know if your room is left open in embarkation day. That sailing was the only time I experienced that. Some people said it is an Oasis doing shorty sailing thing but I didn't read anything about it for Utopia.

[OCSC Mike]

Love that you have all the meals planned out down to the included venue breakfast/lunches... and thanks for the mention, lol.

Enjoy Allure! Happy we were able to sneak in a 5N "bonus cruise" on her last October and re-visit some venues we didn't expect to see again anytime soon (or at all) like GT and Sabor along with the last Oasis class CL not in the basement.

[Lovetocruise2002]

39 minutes ago, Cactus527 said:

WHO IS GOING: Just me.

Nice! One of these days I will have to try a solo cruise. I have always been curious how that would go.

[OCSC Mike]

7 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Nice! One of these days I will have to try a solo cruise. I have always been curious how that would go.

Highly unlikely I ever will but I have definitely wondered the same thing.

[Lovetocruise2002]

10 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

Highly unlikely I ever will but I have definitely wondered the same thing.

Same. Highly unlikely for me too! Hubby and I have sailed every single cruise together, so it would really feel weird to leave him behind.

[Ampurp85]

2 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Nice! One of these days I will have to try a solo cruise. I have always been curious how that would go.

I don't think you need a solo cruise. As a person who has done a lot of solo cruising, you get the same affect by staying solo in a room. You and your husband can do a 2br-something and then live your best life. 

[asquared17]

24 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

I don't think you need a solo cruise. As a person who has done a lot of solo cruising, you get the same affect by staying solo in a room. You and your husband can do a 2br-something and then live your best life. 

i was gonna say - hasn’t @Lovetocruise2002 done a solo cruise when she’s become a flow rider widow???

[PPPJJ-GCVAB]

7 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Same. Highly unlikely for me too! Hubby and I have sailed every single cruise together, so it would really feel weird to leave him behind.

Well maybe both you and @OCSC Mike will have to wait until your late 60’s to find out!  That’s what I’m doing…oh but I don’t have to wait any more…I am in my late 60’s AND I am doing my first solo in just 3 more months!  After 45 years of being married to my awesome husband and having vacationed so many times together…or with our kids…and now grandkids…or with friends and/or other family…I am getting to finally know what it’s like to travel alone!  So looking forward to it.

@Cactus527…I’m following along again!

[Cactus527]

19 hours ago, asquared17 said:

oh man…. the way i am here for a cactus blog!!!!! it always brightens my day

Aww, thanks! But seriously...please drop me off in Miami. I don't know where I am otherwise. 

[Cactus527]

19 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

I did this itinerary in Jan as part of my annual S2S2S. I was solo and it was a mess. I think I enjoyed Blue Planet but it was a full cruise with many newbies and tiny humans. I loved my embarkation day GT lunch, it was actually the first time I saw a specialty restaurant full on embarkation day.

Let me know if your room is left open in embarkation day. That sailing was the only time I experienced that. Some people said it is an Oasis doing shorty sailing thing but I didn't read anything about it for Utopia.

Blue PLANET, thank you for the correction. GT was full on embarkation day? Ooo! Room open on embarkation day...I'll let you know. I can't say I've ever seen that yet on a ship/cruise, but I'll keep it in mind for you. 

I'm just seriously hoping your Alaska trip is amazing and your vintages don't get eaten by bears.

[Cactus527]

19 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

Love that you have all the meals planned out down to the included venue breakfast/lunches... and thanks for the mention, lol.

Enjoy Allure! Happy we were able to sneak in a 5N "bonus cruise" on her last October and re-visit some venues we didn't expect to see again anytime soon (or at all) like GT and Sabor along with the last Oasis class CL not in the basement.

The meal plan may change (definitely will, let's be honest), but that's the goal right now. I've never tried room service beyond breakfast - I may have to do that. 

What did you think of Sabor? I keep seeing mixed comments about it and am wondering how much I'll enjoy it, especially being located in the Southwest and being spoiled with authentic Mexican cuisine all the time.

[Cactus527]

19 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Nice! One of these days I will have to try a solo cruise. I have always been curious how that would go.

 

19 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

Highly unlikely I ever will but I have definitely wondered the same thing.

 

16 hours ago, PPPJJ-GCVAB said:

Well maybe both you and @OCSC Mike will have to wait until your late 60’s to find out!  That’s what I’m doing…oh but I don’t have to wait any more…I am in my late 60’s AND I am doing my first solo in just 3 more months!  After 45 years of being married to my awesome husband and having vacationed so many times together…or with our kids…and now grandkids…or with friends and/or other family…I am getting to finally know what it’s like to travel alone!  So looking forward to it.

@Cactus527…I’m following along again!

@Lovetocruise2002, @OCSC Mike, and @PPPJJ-GCVAB, I'm actually surprised that none of you have done a solo cruise yet! The Spouse travels a lot for work and so would prefer to be home when vacationing/has time off. The Spouse is also not big on traveling at all - getting the go ahead for our Alaska cruise next summer took YEARS of planning. I love solo cruising because I can do what I want, when I want, with who I want. My family gets bombarded with texts from me about stuff that's going on, so I don't feel lonely so much. Then I have all of you here too, which makes me feel like I'm cruising with friends.  You should definitely try it at least once! I'm excited that @PPPJJ-GCVAB is doing it soon.

[Cactus527]

9 days to go.

The FB group for this cruise has a LOT of newbie questions in it. They make me laugh so hard. One person is actually holding out until the last possible minute to buy a drink package because they believe the price will drop. Poor person, others tried to tell them it doesn't work that way, but who knows if they'll listen. It feels like a lot of new cruisers, and it makes sense since it's just a 4-night cruise. Lots of shenanigans are already planned via that group. They're doing a "slot pull," something I am completely unfamiliar with because I'm a use-my-free-play-in-a-slot-machine-and-then-leave sort of casino person. Sounds fun? I may tag along and find out.

Creating my conference packing list and my cruise packing list. Just like last time, I wish there was more overlap with the clothing I need. One of our main suitcases broke over the summer due to airline mishandling (not the lovely one I got for the March cruise), so I'm debating replacing it with the Labor Day weekend sales going on. We have a trip to London happening in October, which is my main impetus for even considering replacing it before Black Friday. Ugh. Adulting is hard.

Spent yesterday afternoon and evening being Animal Wrangler Extraordinaire - a lizard got in from the back patio, so I had to shoo it back outside while the girls screamed bloody murder. Then, there was a cricket in their bathroom I had to capture and release outside. More screaming. Anyone else have critter issues this time of year? I'm just thankful it's not been snakes or scorpions.

DQ is currently making donuts for breakfast. She says she's helping me get into Cruise Food Mindset.  I love it. I'M GETTING READY FOR YOU, BOARDWALK DONUTS!!!!

 

[OCSC Mike]

2 minutes ago, Cactus527 said:

What did you think of Sabor? I keep seeing mixed comments about it and am wondering how much I'll enjoy it, especially being located in the Southwest and being spoiled with authentic Mexican cuisine all the time.

This will sound odd but here goes... Most of the "authentic" Mexican stuff I have tried (besides the guac and churros) wasn't good at all. I enjoyed those items but I honestly go there for one app, the chicken bacon jalapeno one. Those things are amazing. My meal is basically chips & guac, 3-4 orders of that chicken bacon jalapeno app, an entree I don't like, and then churros for dessert. Good margaritas too but you can get those elsewhere.

I've only eaten there twice. I got a "burrito" the first time and it was this skinny little roll up looking thing unlike any burrito I've ever seen. I'd rather have Chipotle. The 2nd time I think I ordered fish which was unremarkable. When my extended family ate there a few years ago (a few of them don't even like Mexican food) we enjoyed it b/c we just kept reordering the chips n guac, that chicken app, and I think calamari as another app? I don't think anyone liked their entree but no one cared b/c we liked the guac and apps so much.

Just one man's subjective opinion of course. I totally understand why people don't like it.

[OCSC Mike]

5 minutes ago, Cactus527 said:

The FB group for this cruise has a LOT of newbie questions in it. They make me laugh so hard.

Those groups are a total train wreck... good for entertainment though.

[WAAAYTOOO]

Here in FL we always have critter issues.  I discovered a teeny, tiny gecko in my house a couple of days ago.  EEEKKK.  It couldn't have been more than 2" long....almost couldn't even see it.  Dan somehow managed to capture it and return it to the wild.  I guess it sneaked in from the lanai while Dan was outside doing whatever he does all day in the yard.  I'm not scared of geckos....I just don't want them in the house !

[WAAAYTOOO]

3 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

Most of the "authentic" Mexican stuff I have tried (besides the guac and churros) wasn't good at all.

Totally agree with you here !  It's the "other" stuff that makes Sabor tolerable.  The mains are rather lackluster and certainly not authentic Mexican.

[Cactus527]

3 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

This will sound odd but here goes... Most of the "authentic" Mexican stuff I have tried (besides the guac and churros) wasn't good at all. I enjoyed those items but I honestly go there for one app, the chicken bacon jalapeno one. Those things are amazing. My meal is basically chips & guac, 3-4 orders of that chicken bacon jalapeno app, an entree I don't like, and then churros for dessert. Good margaritas too but you can get those elsewhere.

I've only eaten there twice. I got a "burrito" the first time and it was this skinny little roll up looking thing unlike any burrito I've ever seen. I'd rather have Chipotle. The 2nd time I think I ordered fish which was unremarkable. When my extended family ate there a few years ago (a few of them don't even like Mexican food) we enjoyed it b/c we just kept reordering the chips n guac, that chicken app, and I think calamari as another app? I don't think anyone liked their entree but no one cared b/c we liked the guac and apps so much.

Just one man's subjective opinion of course. I totally understand why people don't like it.

I appreciate and value your opinion. Seeing as how I'm allergic to avocado and calamari, this will prove interesting...   Really thin burritos? I wonder if those were taquitos instead. I'm going to try the chicken bacon jalapeno thingamabob though, that sounds good!

[Cactus527]

3 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Here in FL we always have critter issues.  I discovered a teeny, tiny gecko in my house a couple of days ago.  EEEKKK.  It couldn't have been more than 2" long....almost couldn't even see it.  Dan somehow managed to capture it and return it to the wild.  I guess it sneaked in from the lanai while Dan was outside doing whatever he does all day in the yard.  I'm not scared of geckos....I just don't want them in the house !

I remember on our honeymoon cruise back in the dark ages, we stayed at a hotel in Fort Lauderdale that had a gecko living on top of a shelf area in the room. I thought it was adorable. I don't mind lizards in the house - in fact, with the amount of bugs they eat, they're helpful! However, no one else seems to share my sentiment.  

[OCSC Mike]

8 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Here in FL we always have critter issues.  I discovered a teeny, tiny gecko in my house a couple of days ago.  EEEKKK.  It couldn't have been more than 2" long....almost couldn't even see it.  Dan somehow managed to capture it and return it to the wild.  I guess it sneaked in from the lanai while Dan was outside doing whatever he does all day in the yard.  I'm not scared of geckos....I just don't want them in the house !

We get them in our house all the time. Tupperware is my trap of choice but they can be very hard to catch, especially when they run under the couch or into a closet.

We have a two story living room and I was trying to catch one once... and that sucker ran straight up the wall to the 2nd floor, lol.

[Cactus527]

2 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

We get them in our house all the time. Tupperware is my trap of choice but they can be very hard to catch, especially when they run under the couch or into a closet.

We have a two story living room and I was trying to catch one once... and that sucker ran straight up the wall to the 2nd floor, lol.

"CATCH IT, CATCH IT!"
"I can't, it's Spiderman."

[WAAAYTOOO]

2 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

Tupperware is my trap of choice but they can be very hard to catch

I was actually quite impressed with Dan's wrangler skills (I think he got really luck, but I didn't tell him that).  He free-handed that rascal and it was definitely heading for the couch....but he cut it off at the pass and scooped it right up !

[asquared17]

35 minutes ago, Cactus527 said:

One of our main suitcases broke over the summer due to airline mishandling (not the lovely one I got for the March cruise), so I'm debating replacing it with the Labor Day weekend sales going on.

away luggage is having a  G R E A T sale right now and if i didn’t have to pay for final payment on our december cruise, you best believe i would have snatched up a new suitcase!!!!

[Lovetocruise2002]

18 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

You and your husband can do a 2br-something and then live your best life. 

We did that already on WN! lol We got that RU.

17 hours ago, asquared17 said:

i was gonna say - hasn’t @Lovetocruise2002 done a solo cruise when she’s become a flow rider widow???

Oh yeah, so that's what cruising solo feels like 

59 minutes ago, Cactus527 said:

One person is actually holding out until the last possible minute to buy a drink package because they believe the price will drop.

That person's bubble is going burst soon lol

[Cactus527]

3 hours ago, asquared17 said:

away luggage is having a  G R E A T sale right now and if i didn’t have to pay for final payment on our december cruise, you best believe i would have snatched up a new suitcase!!!!

I go back and forth about Away - on the one hand, it's highly rated and so many people love it. On the other, I have a Monos bag that is almost identical in size and specs, and it's AWESOME. Monos is having a Labor Day sale too, so I'll have to look/compare with Away. The Spouse thinks I'm crazy for wanting so much luggage but...it's LUGGAGE! I'm allowed to have an obsession, right?!?!?

EDIT: The Monos bag is still cheaper at the same size versus the Away, even with the sale. The only difference I truly see between the two bags is that the Away one has a handle on the bottom to help it slide in/out from under things.

[asquared17]

ah, you are team monos good to know haha

the one thing i will say away has going for it is that their return policy is phenomenal. i had one little rubber nub fall off on the base of my suitcase and they replaced the whole thing, no questions asked. 

my BFF has monos and loves them. 

i think both are really good options!

[Ampurp85]

So Sabor..........I would say if you had the dining package, take advantage. But as a solo pay-as-you-go sort of thing.......no. It is not authentic. The guac is good for them being not real Mexican but as a person allergic to avo, it's a moot point. The churros and BBQ tacos are good but everything else is meh. 

Also I have heard stories about FB. I don't have it, but my brother does. He said there was someone on the Alaska sailing waiting to board and book their excursions because it will be cheaper.........the logic being it will be all the ones nobody wants. 

[Cactus527]

8 days to go. I started off the day trying to sort out what I'll need for travel and ended up cleaning/rearranging our whole bedroom.  On the plus side, I think I found 5-6 cruise-related shirts that I can wear while on board that only make sense on a cruise ship and there's more room in the bedroom. On the negative, well, it was a lot of time spent doing something OTHER than what I meant. Squirrel? Ugh.

One GIANT bonus: I found Clippy! He was still in the suitcase from our Great Lakes trip this summer. Thank goodness that crisis was averted. 

[abuhanzala]

Sounds like an amazing trip! Your detailed plans have me excited for you—especially trying first class and that forward-facing oceanview cabin. Enjoy Allure and the solo adventure, and have a fantastic time at CocoCay!

[Cactus527]

On 9/2/2024 at 3:14 AM, abuhanzala said:

Sounds like an amazing trip! Your detailed plans have me excited for you—especially trying first class and that forward-facing oceanview cabin. Enjoy Allure and the solo adventure, and have a fantastic time at CocoCay!

Thanks so much! Definitely looking forward to getting away from reality for awhile.

[Cactus527]

6 days to go. Wait, what? I thought it was 7 and then realized: reality got me again. I'm telling you, everything that has kept me away from the blogs all summer is just trying to eat my time again. ARGH. 

Spent most of yesterday afternoon and evening packing. Parents, you know how this goes: you try to put things in a place where you can work with it (for me, on the bed) and then the kids come and sprawl out everywhere you want to put your stuff (for me, Bookworm and DQ decided to lay on the bed and move my suitcases aside). ARGH. So much of it is stuff I have to take to my conference - I will literally have an empty suitcase by the time I get to Miami to board Allure, but I still have to travel TO Cincinnati with it. Blasted stuff. 

Today was a whirlwind of ensuring everything is taken care of for Spouse, Bookworm, DQ, and the dogs. I think we're good. My in-laws will be taking Bookworm to school (she has an early class that meets before the bus ever gets here), DQ has someone to take her to all her activities, there's plenty of dog food and a list of what needs to be done with them, and I got a whole bunch of freezer food for the humans to have for dinner while I'm gone. Internally, I'm laughing at the fact that I'll be having cruise food while they won't. Externally, I sympathize with them that I won't be here to cook.  *insert evil laughter here*

Picked up a new shirt during the Labor Day sales. I'm rather pleased with myself for finding something G rated AND humorous.

Everything is pretty much packed and ready to go. Sylvester and his friends Orange and Monos are filled with everything need for conferencing and cruising. My in-laws will pick me up tomorrow morning to take me to the airport, and then off we go. Just a few more days until CRUISE DAY. Can't wait.

 

 

[PPPJJ-GCVAB]

That shirt is awesome! . Definitely a winner in my eyes .

Happy travel day in First Class!  
I’ll be reading your cruise adventure while I am on Utopia.  I have to say…I am already so excited about my Solo cruise on Freedom!  Crazy !  

[Dan Curtis]

You have to try the Cincinnati chili while at CVG airport, or some goetta, which is a local favorite, I work at the airport, you will have smooth travel experience. 

[Ampurp85]

Safe travels to the conference. I have to admit I hate(d) doing conferences. We used to do quite a few a year and it was always a drag. So I am glad it was sort of phased out after the pandemic.

I am 12 days to go and currently in a Zoom meeting and also packing up. While I do not have tiny humans, I do have a fur baby who insist on being involved in the process by sleeping in the luggage, rolling around the clothes, and making biscuits on the clothes. 

[Cactus527]

15 hours ago, PPPJJ-GCVAB said:

That shirt is awesome! . Definitely a winner in my eyes .

Happy travel day in First Class!  
I’ll be reading your cruise adventure while I am on Utopia.  I have to say…I am already so excited about my Solo cruise on Freedom!  Crazy !  

Utopia! Definitely a bit jealous. You're going to LOVE Freedom solo! That's what I did in March.

[Cactus527]

15 hours ago, Dan Curtis said:

You have to try the Cincinnati chili while at CVG airport, or some goetta, which is a local favorite, I work at the airport, you will have smooth travel experience. 

Hahahaha, I grew up a few hours north of Cincinnati and have never been a fan of Cincinnati chili. There's a Skyline Chili in the largest town near where I was, and it just never hit the spot. I'm going to have to look into goetta. Where would I find that? LOVE that you work at the airport! I hate walking from the B gates all the way to baggage claim (I inevitably always miss the tram), but it's a nice airport overall. 

[Cactus527]

12 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

While I do not have tiny humans, I do have a fur baby who insist on being involved in the process by sleeping in the luggage, rolling around the clothes, and making biscuits on the clothes. 

Aww, I miss kitties some days. Then I remember the litter box and...well, I'm glad my dogs go outside to do their business. Easier to clean up and my sensitive nose doesn't have to deal with it indoors. Your fur baby is going to miss you! Excited for your Alaska adventure.