lovetheplaya Posted January 16 Report Posted January 16 Hello fellow cruisers! Long time reader, first time live blogger. I feel like I know a few of you since I've been stalking (ahem, reading) your live blogs since last March when we booked this cruise, but I kept debating whether or not I would be up to the challenge of live blogging. I used to belong to a message board similar to this but it was for Playa del Carmen, MX where I would basically do this same thing so maybe this won't be too bad. We are fairly new to cruising, having only been on the Disney Dream in February of 2023. That was a fantastic experience, but we had a family vote, watched a million youtube videos, and decided to try out Royal. WHO ARE WE? It's me (43), DH (47), DS1 (12), DS2 (9, turning 10 during the cruise) AND my bestie and her family. BFF (39), BFFDH (43), BFFDS (14), BFFDD (10) We booked last March and did a GTY Balcony cabin because we are balcony people on a budget (the budget goes out the window every time we take a trip though), even if it is loud and a neighborhood balcony. One of our favorite things is people watching so I'm assuming we will get our fair share from our balcony. Our room was assigned back in April and we are on deck 12 in a boardwalk balcony. My friend booked a couple of months after us, also GTY balcony, and they just got their cabin assignment last week. Deck 11, central park balcony. They have never cruised before and I am super nervous that they are going to hate it...her husband has wanted to back out a few times already, LOL. I told her maybe they should start out with a 3 or 4 nighter to see if they like it first, but she decided to go all in and I'm super excited to be traveling with them! We live in WI and fly out of MSP which is about 2.5 hours away from our house so we are driving up on 2/7 and staying overnight near the airport because our flight is on 2/8 at 9AM. We'll get to MCO and take an uber/lyft to the port area. We're currently booked at the TownePlace Suites Cape Canveral Cocoa Beach because they were one of the only hotels that had a good, refundable rate and I am super indecicive. My friend lives in the MSP area so they will meet us at the airport on Saturday morning. Other things: my husband and I bought the drink package (hey, we're from Wisconsin). We haven't booked any excursions as of yet, but I'm still researching if we want to do something in Cozumel or Roatan. I originally was all in on seeing the sloths but then I remembered who I am and decided that ain't for me. Otherwise, we are happy to get off and explore the port area a bit and get back on to a hopefully somewhat less full ship. I am really excited about PDCC and I hope it doesn't disappoint. I was really excited for Disney's Castway Cay, but it ended up not being fun for me. We couldn't find a chair and it was so crowded. I will plan to get off the ship earlier at PDCC... it's us and Symphony that day. My younger son LOVED the kids club on disney so I'm hoping that he likes AO. He is a busy busy kid so activities help keep him in check. Vacation starts 3 weeks from tomorrow! I besozed some things from of the previous live blog links (thanks for those suggestions) and this weekend I'll start getting our medicine bag together. Va4fam, PPPJJ-GCVAB, WAAAYTOOO and 8 others 10 1 Quote
asquared17 Posted January 16 Report Posted January 16 yessssss WE GOT A LIVE ONE!!!!!! let’s go!!!! Debstr66, MaryS, lovetheplaya and 7 others 10 Quote
Ampurp85 Posted January 16 Report Posted January 16 Welcome, imho once you start blogging it becomes addictive. Also there is nothing like people watching on a cruise. Don't be surprised to see half naked people on your balcony. I don't know how, but people forget other people can see them on central park and boardwalk balconies. Lovetocruise2002, Cactus527, lovetheplaya and 1 other 2 1 1 Quote
OCSC Mike Posted January 16 Report Posted January 16 To echo the above sentiments, happy to have a new blogger! Also happy to have someone blogging from Wonder. Haven't seen many Wonder blogs besides that super weird guy who sailed Wonder 3X in 5 months not that long ago and kept posting repetitive food and drink pics. If you have any Wonder-specific questions, I'm sure I can figure out who it was. asquared17, Cactus527, Sweety and 6 others 1 8 Quote
InmyElement Posted January 16 Report Posted January 16 Great intro and congrats on your trip! So exciting and something to look forward to especially during your WI winters..good call on the drink package! Don’t worry about seating at pdcc you’ll have no problem getting loungers just do your research on what areas interest you guys…chill island, south beach, etc..I’m not into the sloths thing also but my 22 loves it so I filmed from the outside. Bus ride was nice and short and tour guides were great. I don’t recommend the orange ferry from hell in Cozumel unless it’s a really calm day and you don’t get claustrophobic. We did the caves which were great but everything before and after was hell. Have fun getting ready and look forward to hearing about your trip. Sweety, OCSC Mike, WAAAYTOOO and 3 others 4 2 Quote
Cactus527 Posted January 16 Report Posted January 16 Yay, excited for your cruise! Especially since you get to do it with your BFF's family. How awesome is that?!? I have a colleague in Eau Claire and he's been complaining about the snow and cold too. I think of it because he has said repeatedly that MSP is the closest airport to him too. How do people live in such cold places?!??? #desertrat Excited to follow along! OCSC Mike and PPPJJ-GCVAB 2 Quote
LandstromCruise Posted January 16 Report Posted January 16 Welcome to the live blog. I might have to catch up after as I will be cruising this same week on Harmony. You’re making me look bad already getting started before me OCSC Mike, Cactus527, PPPJJ-GCVAB and 2 others 5 Quote
JohnK6404 Posted January 16 Report Posted January 16 Have a great time! We loved Wonder! The only ship to date that we've sailed twice! InmyElement and OCSC Mike 2 Quote
lovetheplaya Posted January 17 Author Report Posted January 17 5 hours ago, Ampurp85 said: Welcome, imho once you start blogging it becomes addictive. Also there is nothing like people watching on a cruise. Don't be surprised to see half naked people on your balcony. I don't know how, but people forget other people can see them on central park and boardwalk balconies. Hahahaha omg, my boys would never stop laughing if they saw something they shouldn’t! 5 hours ago, OCSC Mike said: To echo the above sentiments, happy to have a new blogger! Also happy to have someone blogging from Wonder. Haven't seen many Wonder blogs besides that super weird guy who sailed Wonder 3X in 5 months not that long ago and kept posting repetitive food and drink pics. If you have any Wonder-specific questions, I'm sure I can figure out who it was. Thank you! I wonder if I can figure out who loves to eat on cruises? Do we have a food lover in the houuuuse?? 5 hours ago, InmyElement said: Great intro and congrats on your trip! So exciting and something to look forward to especially during your WI winters..good call on the drink package! Don’t worry about seating at pdcc you’ll have no problem getting loungers just do your research on what areas interest you guys…chill island, south beach, etc..I’m not into the sloths thing also but my 22 loves it so I filmed from the outside. Bus ride was nice and short and tour guides were great. I don’t recommend the orange ferry from hell in Cozumel unless it’s a really calm day and you don’t get claustrophobic. We did the caves which were great but everything before and after was hell. Have fun getting ready and look forward to hearing about your trip. Thank you for the tips!! We will not be riding any ferries. The thought is making me nauseous! 5 hours ago, Sweety said: Happy cruising and great title. Thank you! 3 hours ago, Cactus527 said: Yay, excited for your cruise! Especially since you get to do it with your BFF's family. How awesome is that?!? I have a colleague in Eau Claire and he's been complaining about the snow and cold too. I think of it because he has said repeatedly that MSP is the closest airport to him too. How do people live in such cold places?!??? #desertrat Excited to follow along! It’s “nice” having 4 seasons, but it does get soooo cold sometimes. I think this weekend we are supposed to be -14. 3 hours ago, LandstromCruise said: Welcome to the live blog. I might have to catch up after as I will be cruising this same week on Harmony. You’re making me look bad already getting started before me Oh how fun!! Get started. 2 hours ago, JohnK6404 said: Have a great time! We loved Wonder! The only ship to date that we've sailed twice! that’s a great review of the ship then!!! We’re pretty excited. The 9 year old saw a video of another oasis class ship and he’s like “I heard someone called this like a mall on water” and I was cracking up.. just wait til he sees the promenade. Haha JohnK6404, Cactus527, Sweety and 2 others 5 Quote
lovetheplaya Posted January 22 Author Report Posted January 22 16 days until I shut my laptop and I'm on vacation time! In preparation, I have brought up one carryon suitcase from the depths of our basement that I have been throwing cabin related items in..chargers, wall hook magnets, medicine, liquid soap, battery operated lights, extra toothbrushes (because it never fails one or more family members forgets to bring theirs), etc. I also bought some cheapy Valentine's day magnets for our door. When we went on the Disney cruise I bought custom magnets, but I am now cheap. I like having magnets because it makes the door super easy to spot, which is dumb because I can read numbers but I still like having them. If they get stolen, I won't be too upset but I'm not sure why anyone would want them. As I continue to buy things, I'll throw them in the suitcase with the intention of organizing everything sometime before we leave to make sure I have everything I want. asquared17, Sweety, JohnK6404 and 5 others 7 1 Quote
Ampurp85 Posted January 22 Report Posted January 22 I have hooked my cup clip to the nightstand and love it. OCSC Mike, Cactus527, asquared17 and 2 others 5 Quote
InmyElement Posted January 22 Report Posted January 22 1 hour ago, lovetheplaya said: 16 days until I shut my laptop and I'm on vacation time! In preparation, I have brought up one carryon suitcase from the depths of our basement that I have been throwing cabin related items in..chargers, wall hook magnets, medicine, liquid soap, battery operated lights, extra toothbrushes (because it never fails one or more family members forgets to bring theirs), etc. I also bought some cheapy Valentine's day magnets for our door. When we went on the Disney cruise I bought custom magnets, but I am now cheap. I like having magnets because it makes the door super easy to spot, which is dumb because I can read numbers but I still like having them. If they get stolen, I won't be too upset but I'm not sure why anyone would want them. As I continue to buy things, I'll throw them in the suitcase with the intention of organizing everything sometime before we leave to make sure I have everything I want. Oooo..good idea some cheesy magnets that nobody will want to steal...Trisha really likes having them on the door for the same reason. Now I have a quest for some of the worst magnets.. Its not like I know my neighbors..lol lovetheplaya, WAAAYTOOO, Ampurp85 and 2 others 2 3 Quote
lovetheplaya Posted January 23 Author Report Posted January 23 1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said: I have hooked my cup clip to the nightstand and love it. Pretty sure I got it from your link! Maybe… but you should try to become an affiliate Ampurp85 1 Quote
asquared17 Posted January 23 Report Posted January 23 I SPY A CUP CLIP!!!!!!!!!!! Ampurp85, Cactus527, lovetheplaya and 1 other 2 2 Quote
lovetheplaya Posted January 23 Author Report Posted January 23 1 hour ago, asquared17 said: I SPY A CUP CLIP!!!!!!!!!!! I bought two, one for me and one for whomever else in my family wants to fight over it.. just don’t get me involved. I keep forgetting, but we ended up paying $1,271.76 for the drink package. I may be an accountant and I may keep track of how long it takes us to break even. I love numbers but I also am lazy as hale so maybe is maybe. When I told my coworkers we were going on a cruise and how much the drink package was they were all: *gasp* and I just . It’s part of the experience for me. I love wine and I love coffee and I love Diet Coke. Sooooo sue me. MaryS, JohnK6404, WAAAYTOOO and 3 others 2 4 Quote
Cactus527 Posted January 23 Report Posted January 23 3 hours ago, Ampurp85 said: I have hooked my cup clip to the nightstand and love it. I HAVE MINE PACKED!!!! Love that thing. 2 hours ago, InmyElement said: Oooo..good idea some cheesy magnets that nobody will want to steal...Trisha really likes having them on the door for the same reason. Now I have a quest for some of the worst magnets.. Its not like I know my neighbors..lol My kiddos just got a whole slate of stickers of things with butts/in butt shapes for Christmas (thanks, Santa). Like a toaster in a butt shape, or a marshmallow, or even a laptop. Magnets like those would be awesome to stick on your door. MaryS, lovetheplaya, Ampurp85 and 2 others 5 Quote
Ampurp85 Posted January 23 Report Posted January 23 47 minutes ago, Cactus527 said: I HAVE MINE PACKED!!!! Love that thing. My kiddos just got a whole slate of stickers of things with butts/in butt shapes for Christmas (thanks, Santa). Like a toaster in a butt shape, or a marshmallow, or even a laptop. Magnets like those would be awesome to stick on your door. I seen them at 5 below. I was like who thought of butts like this InmyElement, Cactus527, Sweety and 1 other 1 3 Quote
lovetheplaya Posted January 25 Author Report Posted January 25 Ok, we are at 2 weeks to go until vacay! 16 days til cruise day! my friend texted me about getting a casita on a port day. I was originally anti casita. I’m like, they are in a bad location and it’s a port day so we can probably find chairs. She’s like “they are at $150.” So then I started going back and forth in my stupid brain because $150 isn’t “that” much. They don’t have the drink package so they will the get 4 waters and 2 drinks (I told my husband this and he was like honey, this math doesn’t add up) and somehow she and I decided it was a good idea so she booked it. Before she booked it, it said there was 8 left. I told her do not reserve it on day 2 (coco cay day) so she did day 4. Now day 4 is sold out and the price went up to $250. SEE WE GOT A DEAL. at the very least, the teenagers will have a home base to charge their phones and be super cool. I cant believe we are only 16 days away! Nervous excitement! Cactus527, MaryS, JohnK6404 and 3 others 6 Quote
InmyElement Posted January 25 Report Posted January 25 On 1/22/2025 at 9:10 PM, lovetheplaya said: I bought two, one for me and one for whomever else in my family wants to fight over it.. just don’t get me involved. I keep forgetting, but we ended up paying $1,271.76 for the drink package. I may be an accountant and I may keep track of how long it takes us to break even. I love numbers but I also am lazy as hale so maybe is maybe. When I told my coworkers we were going on a cruise and how much the drink package was they were all: *gasp* and I just . It’s part of the experience for me. I love wine and I love coffee and I love Diet Coke. Sooooo sue me. YES...a Diet coke drinker.. Awesome decision on the drink package, never a regret! Just send your co-workers a picture of your mimosa at 9am..they'll get it.. 10 hours ago, lovetheplaya said: Ok, we are at 2 weeks to go until vacay! 16 days til cruise day! my friend texted me about getting a casita on a port day. I was originally anti casita. I’m like, they are in a bad location and it’s a port day so we can probably find chairs. She’s like “they are at $150.” So then I started going back and forth in my stupid brain because $150 isn’t “that” much. They don’t have the drink package so they will the get 4 waters and 2 drinks (I told my husband this and he was like honey, this math doesn’t add up) and somehow she and I decided it was a good idea so she booked it. Before she booked it, it said there was 8 left. I told her do not reserve it on day 2 (coco cay day) so she did day 4. Now day 4 is sold out and the price went up to $250. SEE WE GOT A DEAL. at the very least, the teenagers will have a home base to charge their phones and be super cool. I cant believe we are only 16 days away! Nervous excitement! Nice deal on the casita..never done it. I don't think I'd last that long around so many peolpe..the teens will love it...being on display and feeling cool in their own private area.. WAAAYTOOO, lovetheplaya and Hoppy2BHere 2 1 Quote
Va4fam Posted January 27 Report Posted January 27 @lovetheplaya...looking forward to following along. We will also be on the Wonder cruise on February 9th and happy to answer any questions you have. First time on Wonder but we have been to the ports several times (doing Hideaway Beach at PDCC, Daniel Johnson Sloth and Snorkel, Paradise Beach in Cozumel, and a Royal Dune Buggy excursion in Costa Maya. lovetheplaya and Cactus527 1 1 Quote
lovetheplaya Posted January 27 Author Report Posted January 27 On 1/25/2025 at 6:44 AM, InmyElement said: YES...a Diet coke drinker.. Awesome decision on the drink package, never a regret! Just send your co-workers a picture of your mimosa at 9am..they'll get it.. Nice deal on the casita..never done it. I don't think I'd last that long around so many peolpe..the teens will love it...being on display and feeling cool in their own private area.. Hahaha yeah, we figure the teens are gonna think they are the absolute coolest at all times 1 hour ago, Va4fam said: @lovetheplaya...looking forward to following along. We will also be on the Wonder cruise on February 9th and happy to answer any questions you have. First time on Wonder but we have been to the ports several times (doing Hideaway Beach at PDCC, Daniel Johnson Sloth and Snorkel, Paradise Beach in Cozumel, and a Royal Dune Buggy excursion in Costa Maya. How exciting! I’d love to do hideaway beach if we didn’t have the kiddos! We’ve been watching a lot of videos about places at Cozumel and paradise beach looks amazing. We probably won’t be doing anything this cruise, but I know we will be doing more in the future! sooo we have a question, is the room service so bad? I know you have to pay $7.95+tip but on Disney we loved being able to have late night snacks. YouTubing it and there aren’t many videos and the ones that are out there people are like.. it’s not good. I feel like a chicken tender at midnight is a chicken tender at midnight! Va4fam 1 Quote
Ampurp85 Posted January 27 Report Posted January 27 Room service is good to me. Imho the food is better quality than the buffet and dining room. But it's a limited selection lovetheplaya and Cactus527 2 Quote
Va4fam Posted January 27 Report Posted January 27 Room service has been hit or miss for us but mostly good. Breakfast is great if you get to it before everything gets cold. Late evening/night has been good so far. Cactus527 1 Quote
InmyElement Posted January 27 Report Posted January 27 18 hours ago, lovetheplaya said: Hahaha yeah, we figure the teens are gonna think they are the absolute coolest at all times How exciting! I’d love to do hideaway beach if we didn’t have the kiddos! We’ve been watching a lot of videos about places at Cozumel and paradise beach looks amazing. We probably won’t be doing anything this cruise, but I know we will be doing more in the future! sooo we have a question, is the room service so bad? I know you have to pay $7.95+tip but on Disney we loved being able to have late night snacks. YouTubing it and there aren’t many videos and the ones that are out there people are like.. it’s not good. I feel like a chicken tender at midnight is a chicken tender at midnight! Room service is really good they have a breakfast "free" menu which are the basics which Trisha really likes..somebody must have posted a pic. We've never had a bad meal..maybe missing an item or two for breakfast..We get it every morning except last day. Its nice they call when they are on the way...so you can get decent... Its Coffee, milk, juice, donuts, cereal, yogurt, fruit plate, grits, etc..If you want eggs or pancakes then it is like every other RS meal $7.95+. On the last cruise Trisha got the salmon to the room and she said it was great..she also really likes the quesadilla at midnight!. NO TUNA!!!is allowed in the room.... lovetheplaya 1 Quote
asquared17 Posted January 28 Report Posted January 28 3 hours ago, InmyElement said: NO TUNA!!!is allowed in the room.... AGREED. even with my love for tuna sandos, they must all be consumed on the balcony so as not to bring “food smells” into the cabin. i have thing about food smells where we sleep PPPJJ-GCVAB, lovetheplaya, Cactus527 and 3 others 3 2 1 Quote
Cactus527 Posted January 28 Report Posted January 28 Breakfast room service. The older ships have these to hang on your door knob, while Oasis class (and newer?) can be done digitally on your stateroom TV. lovetheplaya 1 Quote
Cactus527 Posted January 28 Report Posted January 28 38 minutes ago, asquared17 said: I have thing about food smells where we sleep OMG I was doing my Pilates workout this morning and the entire floor area down low smelled like buffalo sauce. PLEASE, BUFFALO CHICKEN CRUNCH ROLLS, KEEP YOUR SCENT TO YOURSELVES. OCSC Mike, WAAAYTOOO, lovetheplaya and 2 others 4 1 Quote
OCSC Mike Posted January 28 Report Posted January 28 10 hours ago, asquared17 said: they must all be consumed on the balcony But… but… if you don’t have a balcony… my last snack… Thankfully my wife puts up with me. asquared17, Ampurp85, lovetheplaya and 1 other 3 1 Quote
asquared17 Posted January 28 Report Posted January 28 2 hours ago, OCSC Mike said: But… but… if you don’t have a balcony… my last snack… Thankfully my wife puts up with me. eat quickly at venues elsewhere Cactus527 and OCSC Mike 1 1 Quote
lovetheplaya Posted January 28 Author Report Posted January 28 HAHAHAHA no fish items will be consumed in our cabin...or ONIONS. i can't help it, but onions smell like BO to me so those will have to be consumed on the balcony....sorry fam. PPPJJ-GCVAB and asquared17 2 Quote
asquared17 Posted January 28 Report Posted January 28 56 minutes ago, lovetheplaya said: HAHAHAHA no fish items will be consumed in our cabin...or ONIONS. i can't help it, but onions smell like BO to me so those will have to be consumed on the balcony....sorry fam. @Ampurp85 and i are team #noonions Ampurp85 and lovetheplaya 2 Quote
Cactus527 Posted January 28 Report Posted January 28 2 minutes ago, asquared17 said: @Ampurp85 and i are team #noonions +1!!!! asquared17, Ampurp85 and lovetheplaya 1 2 Quote
Ampurp85 Posted January 28 Report Posted January 28 Onions smell the worst in a cabin or hotel room Cactus527 and Va4fam 1 1 Quote
lovetheplaya Posted January 28 Author Report Posted January 28 I KNEW I FOUND MY PEOPLE asquared17, Ampurp85 and Cactus527 3 Quote
asquared17 Posted January 28 Report Posted January 28 3 hours ago, lovetheplaya said: I KNEW I FOUND MY PEOPLE pft girl please. all those caps? you fit right in with us Ampurp85, Cactus527, OCSC Mike and 1 other 4 Quote
Cactus527 Posted January 29 Report Posted January 29 Just now, asquared17 said: pft girl please. all those caps? you fit right in with us WHAT? THIS ISN'T APPROPRIATE??? PLEASE, MA'AM, TYPE QUIETER, PEOPLE CAN'T READ SO LOUD. lovetheplaya, Ampurp85, asquared17 and 2 others 5 Quote
asquared17 Posted January 29 Report Posted January 29 i‘m not yelling i’m just PASSIONATE Ampurp85, MaryS, Cactus527 and 1 other 4 Quote
Cactus527 Posted January 29 Report Posted January 29 30 minutes ago, asquared17 said: i‘m not yelling i’m just PASSIONATE This really needs to be on a shirt. asquared17, MaryS and Ampurp85 3 Quote
Va4fam Posted January 29 Report Posted January 29 Count me in on Team NO ONION with @Cactus527 @Ampurp85 and @asquared17 Sushi on balcony..........I'll allow it asquared17 and Ampurp85 2 Quote
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