Seeking a SYMPHONY in an OASIS INDEPENDENCE-ly 1/12/2025-1/30/2025

[Cactus527]

You are a Coke Zero drinker too???? We shall now be besties. Spouse drinks Diet Coke and I find it revolting, but Coke Zero? *swoons*

[OCSC Mike]

5 minutes ago, Cactus527 said:

You are a Coke Zero drinker too???? We shall now be besties. Spouse drinks Diet Coke and I find it revolting, but Coke Zero? *swoons*

No Zero Sugar Twist Up fans? Anyone?

I doubt anyone even knows that it is, lol. HINT: It's cheap (although it does taste close enough to Diet Sprite or whatever Pepsi calls their lemon lime soda now).

[Cactus527]

Just now, OCSC Mike said:

No Zero Sugar Twist Up fans? Anyone?

I doubt anyone even knows that it is, lol. HINT: It's cheap (although it does taste close enough to Diet Sprite or whatever Pepsi calls their lemon lime soda now).

LMAO I had to look that up and then I laughed. It's definitely more affordable! Typically though, instead of Coke Zero, I will go with whatever generic brand there is from the grocery store. It's currently called Cola Oh! and and it's not nearly as good as Coke Zero.

[OCSC Mike]

Just now, Cactus527 said:

Typically though, instead of Coke Zero, I will go with whatever generic brand there is from the grocery store. It's currently called Cola Oh! and and it's not nearly as good as Coke Zero.

That's a big part of why I drink generic Sprite. I gave up on generic cola; for some reason grocery stores seem to be able to replicate lemon lime but not Coke/Pepsi. I like the name though, lol.

[ScottD]

9 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

That's a big part of why I drink generic Sprite. I gave up on generic cola; for some reason grocery stores seem to be able to replicate lemon lime but not Coke/Pepsi. I like the name though, lol.

 

13 minutes ago, Cactus527 said:

LMAO I had to look that up and then I laughed. It's definitely more affordable! Typically though, instead of Coke Zero, I will go with whatever generic brand there is from the grocery store. It's currently called Cola Oh! and and it's not nearly as good as Coke Zero.

I'm a no sugar drink guy, too. I LOVE the Starry Zero.  And you are right, Mike- store brand cola is gross, but I can usually deal with store\off brand Lemon lime sodas.    I will admit, on the ships I drink mostly Sparkling water or Sugar free red bull (I don't do coffee, so a few of these spread throughout the day keep me going) but when I have a mocktail or two, I always regret it since one or two frozen mocktails is probably more sugar than I normally drink in a year.  

[OCSC Mike]

2 minutes ago, ScottD said:

two frozen mocktails is probably more sugar than I normally drink in a year

Yeah, I have no desire to think about the sugar/calorie intake when I cruise, lol. There's a big reason for the pre and post-cruise dieting.

[LTR]

On 1/14/2025 at 5:36 AM, SweetPea said:

 a little less Daft Punk.

This should never be a thing anywhere in life.  

[Ampurp85]

Day 4 Labadee.

The weather is great but I loath Labadee so on the ship I shall stay.

I got my park Cafe breakfast and went to play on the casino for fun. I should have quit while I was ahead but I found the most fun game and before I knew it, 3hrs had past and I was down another $100. Keeping track $680 for 2400pts is still great but if I wasn't talking and playing that number would have been $480. I stayed in the non-smoking casino today and while the machines are minimal, it was relaxing.

I am planning on ELF today. My brother got off to run and see the island. Lots of people stayed aboard.

 

[OCSC Mike]

Eating pastries while your travel partner is getting some exercise in sounds very familiar, lol. So is your plan, minus the casino, for that matter. Park Cafe, ELF, staying onboard in port... check, check, check.

I will continue trying to get us on a last minute-ish cruise if I can. June seems like a lifetime away. Last school year's October and March cruises in between summers ruined me.

[Ampurp85]

I was hungry so I texted my brother was he still on the island because it was time for lunch. He was just heading aboard and so off to ELF I go, hi ho, hi ho.

I stopped in the WJ and they had ribs. I found some with little to no sauce and they were delicious . I really stopped in because I wanted a dessert. No chocolate chip cookies or rangers......just oatmeal and those lemon sugar free kind. Glad I brought my own chocolate kisses because desserts have been a letdown.

I got a table and enjoyed. They had three meats and the nacho cheese sauce has changed. It's much milder. The guacamole was very good. Of course no hand washing, folks couldn't be bothered apparently .

We got a letter about germs.

Sadly an unattended child was running on the pool deck and did a faceplant as we walked back to the room. I was so glad her teeth didn't fall out.

On a much nastier note a guy wore a rash guard and a jockstrap to Labadee........how he didn't get in trouble I have no idea.

I needed to charge my phone and will stay in the room reading until then. We have 1977 tonight.......we are deciding between the WJ, Playmakers or room service because neither of us want to do the MDR tonight.

[SweetPea]

18 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

we are deciding between the WJ, Playmakers or room service

Do i get a vote?

Playmakers!

 

[GregD]

On 1/14/2025 at 12:09 PM, asquared17 said:

oooooh a cinnamon roll!!

aqua80 will cleanse your soul. don’t worry. 

the power of aqua80, @GregD and johnny COMPELS it so. 

Just watched it again on YouTube to get my fix!

[Cactus527]

I'm going to put my vote in for Playmakers as well!

[OCSC Mike]

2 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

I stopped in the WJ and they had ribs. I found some with little to no sauce and they were delicious

So that's 3 different ships people have enjoyed WJ ribs on now... who knew? Glad you found & enjoyed them! This is why I always talk about popping in there just to check... never know what you might find.

Sticking with that theme, I'd vote Playmakers for dinner as well... but you could always check the WJ first and then decide. I've never even tried room service, just not appealing to me even though people seem to like it.

Tangent...

I feel like my earlier comment about looking for a last minute cruise b/c I'm dying in dry dock sounded random. I meant to say your posts (especially the food) were making it even harder (as much as I love your blogs) and causing me to want to get on a ship even more. So while I'm rambling again, there may or may not be a decent price for an April Wonder cruise in tomorrow's GGG sale and my wife is seemingly OK taking that entire week off. It's not a crazy good deal like the Voyager I found but it's also not Voyager.

Sorry for posting all this in your blog but surely the live blog regulars are used to it by now. Anyway, I'll shut up & await your dinner decision.

[WAAAYTOOO]

56 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

So that's 3 different ships people have enjoyed WJ ribs on now... who knew? Glad you found & enjoyed them! This is why I always talk about popping in there just to check... never know what you might find.

Sticking with that theme, I'd vote Playmakers for dinner as well... but you could always check the WJ first and then decide. I've never even tried room service, just not appealing to me even though people seem to like it.

Tangent...

I feel like my earlier comment about looking for a last minute cruise b/c I'm dying in dry dock sounded random. I meant to say your posts (especially the food) were making it even harder (as much as I love your blogs) and causing me to want to get on a ship even more. So while I'm rambling again, there may or may not be a decent price for an April Wonder cruise in tomorrow's GG sale and my wife is seemingly OK taking that entire week off. It's not a crazy good deal like the Voyager I found but it's also not Voyager.

Sorry for posting all this in your blog but surely the live blog regulars are used to it by now. Anyway, I'll shut up & await your dinner decision.

Yippee !  Hope it works out !

[Ampurp85]

I hope it works out @OCSC Mike. Dry dock and living vicariously through live blogs causes fomo hard.

[OCSC Mike]

7 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

Dry dock and living vicariously through live blogs causes fomo hard.

#understatement

Thanks; we'll see. Ironically, someone gave my wife a pretty good looking cinnamon roll at school today... which like many things she won't eat, became a gift for me. It's not Park Cafe but it's something.

[Ampurp85]

We have taken our seats at Studio B and coming from the CL with a peach daiquiri was not a good idea. I'm freezing.

[Ampurp85]

We went to the WJ. Playmakers was crowded. While I gamble, my brother hangs out at the bar. He gets a lot of clingers and all have been complaining about the MDR. A combination of the service and the menu. The WJ is surprisingly crowded for it to be after 8pm.

1977 is also tomfoolery. If you don't know, it's about a jewel thief and their pursuer. I hope that's a word. Making a cameo is Alexi (that weird circle thing that rolls) and Katerina (plastic slinky and hula hoop). It is by no means the worst show but it also doesn't rank high......it's a meh. The only reason I would see it again is for the Shiva section, which was really well done.

Little side rant. Whenever a crew member says something is reserved, brand new people always say but I have a reservation. Then the crew has to say it's for star, suites, D+, etc. Then they stand there processing it in their minds like it is rocket science. Another part is if you come in, you always have the best vantage point.......so why do people always walk down like empty seats will appear?? Also they tend to do this right as the show is starting or has started. It is not that dark.

I have finally begun seeing all the yeshiva week folks and their chereens is bad.

Speaking of children, our table in the WJ overlooked the sports court and I watch a grown man (very tall teenager) dunk on a toddler,  it was so wrong but funny. I want to assume he was their brother; both some tiny smalls, one was clearly 3 and the other maybe 5. The 3yo girl had no idea about nothing involving basketball and was just happy to be about in her pretty dress. The boy wanted to play and he was getting played. Everyone watching was laughing.

[asquared17]

ah see i liked 1977 just because it was different and trippy  

i also really appreciated the diversity with 1977 in that they went to try and really represent a lot of different cultures and time periods; i thought that was well done and thoughtful. 

but then again i have a kind of niche perspective because of what i do for work, so i can understand how it might not be everyone’s cup of tea

[Cactus527]

THAT ICE CREAM LOOKS AMAZING curse you lactose intolerance...

[Ampurp85]

@asquared17 that ending ruined the whole thing for me and cast the show in a meh light . Spoiler......don't read this if you don't want it ruined, skip......spoiler alert.

The story is about a guy chasing a thief through time and space who is stealing the queens crowned jewels. Everything is really well done and amazing until he catches the thief and pulls off the mask......she is a beautiful lady. They immediately fall in love and marry at the queen's coronation.  Super lazy and cliché........you have ruined everything!!!!

[Ampurp85]

Day 5 Falmouth

I slept in to 8am today, the latest so far.

I went to park Cafe for breaky. The line was out the door. All the tables inside and outside were full. But since I don't have nothing but time and it's beats the WJ, I muscled through. I didn't eat much last night so I was starving. Last night the WJ food was hot and possibly delicious, but it wasn't what I wanted so I didn't eat much.

Tonight is taste of Caribbean and the only menu I really like. So I should enjoy and get full. I can't wait to be in CK next week and avoid all this MDR chaos.

We are planning to get off so we can have patties in Jamaica. My brother is currently at the gym.

Stray observations

The shenanigans have been minimal because I have not been in the casino in the evening. Since the first two port days were private islands, I've had the run of an empty casino in the morning. Which is to say there hasn't not been shenanigans .

I have only seen one door with upside down pineapples. However we have been approached by people asking us to join them.

There is s small group of deaf pax and it is cool to see their sign language interpretor work during the shows. She dances really good.

I haven't seen crew members cleaning this hard since 2023. For some reason when the once a day cleaning started, the ships I was on seemed to lack in cleanliness. But despite people bringing food in bathrooms or leaving dishes/food everywhere, there is always a crew member out cleaning.

The boardwalk, promenade and pool deck continues to be the most congested.

Lots of pinnacles on this cruise and the CL is restricted to D+and higher......despite the door that keeps getting stuck. Side rant, some vintages keep complaining about my brother and I in the lounge. They told the concierge we were sneaking in. The concierge introduced me to one of the complaining offenders yesterday after I used my card to access the lounge . She then tried to say I was either using someone else card or lowly diamond.  Her friend, the first complainer, was like I'm d+ with over 232 nights with this cruise. I was like cool. She waited and then said you must be a new plus and I was like nope. Then off course we must have inherited our status. I didn't want to be rude but I let her talk. I like having status but it's not the end-all be-all.

They hold the hush party for tweens/teens in the attic. Several adults got in line thinking it was a comedy show. The crew member manning the line informed them of the situation.

The elevators are great but people don't know how to use them.....always brand new. Like if you keep pressing the button while a full one is open, you won't get another.

I watched someone pantomime hand-washing. I will just leave that.

People watching continues to be the best entertainment.  I watched a man come into the empty non-smoking casino, not realizing I was there, fart into his hands and smell them. More than once and it was loud. I should note I play without sound if I can. So the lady who came to fix her clothes and dig in her butt, also didn't realize I was there.

Someone keeps getting sick on our deck and the smell is bad, they clean it in the mornings but it happens every night. They put those giant fan/leaf blowers to dry it out.

 

[OCSC Mike]

11 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

Tonight is taste of Caribbean and the only menu I really like. So I should enjoy and get full. I can't wait to be in CK next week and avoid all this MDR chaos.

That's funny, Caribbean is the one menu I don't think I've even tried. It's a "there's nothing but boring caesar salad and grilled chicken" night for my wife and whatever night it was on Wonder worked for us to either eat at Playmakers or just go to WJ, I forget. That's one of the menus on every Utopia shorty which is partly why we're planning WJ for multiple dinners if they truly have a cook to order station every night. Yay CK! You know I agree it's a huge step up from the MDR even though I've only had access twice.

18 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

I haven't seen crew members cleaning this hard since 2023.

Maybe a crackdown on winter illnesses? Who knows but that's great!

19 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

The boardwalk, promenade and pool deck continues to be the most congested.

Usually my experience... also usually congested with tiny humans when we sail.

24 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

She then tried to say I was either using someone else card or lowly diamond.  Her friend, the first complainer, was like I'm d+ with over 232 nights with this cruise. I was like cool. She waited and then said you must be a new plus and I was like nope. Then off course we must have inherited our status. I didn't want to be rude but I let her talk. I like having status but it's not the end-all be-all.

Great example of why I often don't understand people. Certainly doesn't cause me to be less introverted. Who gives a flying $%#! how you got your points? I inherited/freeloaded a lot of mine. Anyone else who did the same, good for them! Not to mention that there are tons of people of all ages who got a huge covid bump if they sailed a lot during double points... and good for them too! I probably would have just let her talk before escaping asap but it would have been hard, lol. I'm there to enjoy my cruise, not deal with nonsense.

31 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

if you keep pressing the button while a full one is open, you won't get another

That's the worst and annoys my wife to no end. We've told people to stop before... in what I'll describe as in between polite and rude, lol.

I don't even want to comment on those last few things.

[Sweety]

My cruise last December, I had family members meet me if  Falmouth. It was great seeing my 100 years young great uncle. He has white dreads to his ankle and 20-20 vision. I will be seeing him again this Summer.

[WAAAYTOOO]

35 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

  I should note I play without sound if I can.

I have a sound aversion….i hate random noise and I always turn off the sound on ANYthing whenever I can. I always turn the sound as low as possible on slot machines.  On our last cruise, some guy told us that you have a 30% higher probability of hitting a jackpot if the sound is UP.  I have no idea if this is even remotely true…just thought I’d throw that out.  

[Ampurp85]

2 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I have a sound aversion….i hate random noise and I always turn off the sound on ANYthing whenever I can. I always turn the sound as low as possible on slot machines.  On our last cruise, some guy told us that you have a 30% higher probability of hitting a jackpot if the sound is UP.  I have no idea if this is even remotely true…just thought I’d throw that out.  

I was told this as well. I turn it to around 15% and it's still loud. I find when it's too loud I get a headache, so off it goes. I've done okay without it being loud but I haven't hit a jackpot before so maybe that guy is right .

[lovetheplaya]

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

 

Lots of pinnacles on this cruise and the CL is restricted to D+and higher......despite the door that keeps getting stuck. Side rant, some vintages keep complaining about my brother and I in the lounge. They told the concierge we were sneaking in. The concierge introduced me to one of the complaining offenders yesterday after I used my card to access the lounge . She then tried to say I was either using someone else card or lowly diamond.  Her friend, the first complainer, was like I'm d+ with over 232 nights with this cruise. I was like cool. She waited and then said you must be a new plus and I was like nope. Then off course we must have inherited our status. I didn't want to be rude but I let her talk. I like having status but it's not the end-all be-all.

WHAT IN THE WORLD?? I can't believe some people....wow. I like how you didn't want to be rude, but you seriously deserved to be rude in that moment. 

I'm just going to ignore the whole fart in hand story because WHAT? lol 

[asquared17]

maybe we need to get you guys some noise cancelling headphones???? @WAAAYTOOO @Ampurp85

[asquared17]

2 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

I watched a man come into the empty non-smoking casino, not realizing I was there, fart into his hands and smell them. More than once and it was loud.

i..........

2 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

the lady who came to fix her clothes and dig in her butt, also didn't realize I was there.

.....

2 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

I watched someone pantomime hand-washing.

oh cool cool cool cool cool. so you KNOW HOW to wash your hands.... you just..... are choosing.... NOT TO?????????

 

[Ampurp85]

The guy doing the pantomime refused to wash his hands. He was telling his wife he is tired of the dog and pony show.......which had my brother and I confused.

[Ampurp85]

We got off at Falmouth and it's nice and hot. Says 82 degrees or 28 Celsius. It was just the weather to take that final Chicago chill from me. The port wasn't congested and the vendors not pushy. I did 2 laps around but the offerings were the same as the ltime I was here so I got back on 30 minutes later.

I went to nextCruise. I have earned a 2000pt certificate and almost 700 for my brother so we will be able get the sailing we want. For information the double OBC is based off of booking a closed-in sailing. So anything before Feb 28th. Which works out to be about 6wks.

I then went to GS to inquire about the shuttle that @WAAAYTOOO mentioned for consecutive cruisers........and just like Santa Claus and M&Ms ......it exists!!!!

We are on a list with special tags to meet in a special area at 9:15. Our check in is at 11:30, which was the earliest time.

I decided to go enjoy a book in the Aqua theater and had my second ever Doghouse hotdog. The first time it was undercooked so i never went back. I also only eat all beef or turkey. They will cook it more for you and it was delicious . They have coleslaw and potatoe salad buy a plain dog was for me.

I am really enjoying myself, there are cute animal videos playing on the TV.

[Gilley]

22 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

So that's 3 different ships people have enjoyed WJ ribs on now... who knew?

Did anyone mention that there were ribs in the WJ on Utopia.

[Gilley]

I tried them and they were very good.

[OCSC Mike]

7 minutes ago, Gilley said:

Did anyone mention that there were ribs in the WJ on Utopia.

7 minutes ago, Gilley said:

I tried them and they were very good.

Nope, that's 4... I had them on Wonder multiple times between March-July and people have recently enjoyed them on Symphony, Oasis, and Utopia.

Really looking forward to the Utopia WJ... embarkation lunch seafood, stir fry station (big deal to my wife), ribs... and the usual stuff I enjoy there like Indian food.

Meanwhile I'm in the middle of deciding on a short notice bonus cruise on Wonder for April, lol. The recent blogs & food mentions are really getting to me.

[Cactus527]

3 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

Side rant, some vintages keep complaining about my brother and I in the lounge. They told the concierge we were sneaking in. The concierge introduced me to one of the complaining offenders yesterday after I used my card to access the lounge . She then tried to say I was either using someone else card or lowly diamond.  Her friend, the first complainer, was like I'm d+ with over 232 nights with this cruise. I was like cool. She waited and then said you must be a new plus and I was like nope. Then off course we must have inherited our status. I didn't want to be rude but I let her talk. I like having status but it's not the end-all be-all.

I hate to say it, but some people are racist and ageist. It makes me upset that you're having to deal with this. They should just go back to their cabin and ROT. 

3 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

People watching continues to be the best entertainment.  I watched a man come into the empty non-smoking casino, not realizing I was there, fart into his hands and smell them. More than once and it was loud. I should note I play without sound if I can. So the lady who came to fix her clothes and dig in her butt, also didn't realize I was there.

LMAO omg FARTING INTO HIS HANDS. I startled my dogs with how loud and hard I laughed. Just...is this the same person that pantomimed washing their hands?!?!?  

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

The guy doing the pantomime refused to wash his hands. He was telling his wife he is tired of the dog and pony show.......which had my brother and I confused.

Maybe this is part of the upside pineapple routine?

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

and just like Santa Claus and M&Ms ......it exists!!!!

Wait, wait, wait, wait...M&Ms...exist? I feel like there needs to be a discussion on exitentialism here, or how chocolate is a figment of my psyche or something...just...LOL.

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

They have coleslaw and potato salad

THE POTATO SALAD IS TEH BOMB. I remember having it on Allure, and then going back specifically to get more and add it to my fridge as an anytime snack. My kids thought I was insane. 

[ScottD]

My brother used to fart in his hand and chase me around to release it in my face. That guy sounds like he also chases people around with fart hands. 

Someone in the blogs is always bragging about that potato salad at the dog house, I thought it was just ok but potato salad isn't my favorite to begin with. But I will say you all have me craving some damn ribs and I'm regretting the sloppy joes I just started. 

I do love the theory that volume raises the odds on a slot machine, lol

[Lovetocruise2002]

5 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

Side rant, some vintages keep complaining about my brother and I in the lounge. They told the concierge we were sneaking in. The concierge introduced me to one of the complaining offenders yesterday after I used my card to access the lounge . She then tried to say I was either using someone else card or lowly diamond.  Her friend, the first complainer, was like I'm d+ with over 232 nights with this cruise. I was like cool. She waited and then said you must be a new plus and I was like nope. Then off course we must have inherited our status. I didn't want to be rude but I let her talk. I like having status but it's not the end-all be-all.

SERIOUSLY...WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE THESE DAYS?

[Ampurp85]

I see a lot of brave people on cruises. Like this lady wearing a one piece made of crochet, God wasn't on her side. These lady's in string bikinis by which a piece of them was loose.......not a piece that should be loose and if you wanted it go be......shave or trim?

[Ampurp85]

Captain Johnny is a mess. He makes the funniest announcements. Today he played golf and the weather was amazing, so we all should have golfed.

We are getting ready to sail away

I walked the ship and then went to the solarium and read. My brother walked the ship and went to the Aqua theater to watch a movie. Some folks decided to hold a family reunion in the solarium so I went to the Aqua theater. I'm currently sipping a peach daiquiri watching people fall out the ultimate abyss.