OCSC Mike Posted August 24 Report Posted August 24 1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: One last dinner at Mason Jar Ribs! 1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: Will wrap up final thoughts at the airport tomorrow. Safe travels home! Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote
SweetPea Posted August 24 Report Posted August 24 I need to catch up, but let's be honest. I'm on a drink package in the Haven with 11 of my friends. 12 if you include Batman. Hello from the Norwegian Escape, where due to Hurricane Erin, we sat in NYC for 3 days. Thank God they gave us OBC, because despite our favorite bartenders not swiping our cards every time, we still managed to rack up $47.13 in NYC taxes. Sorry Wonder food is not as good as Symphony (my fave, though that's not saying much for me, given my limited Royal exposure). Beautiful pics in St Thomas asks St Kitts! Today i managed to accidentally video call @Jax, so there's that too. Shut up. It happens. Lovetocruise2002, PPPJJ-GCVAB, Sweety and 7 others 9 1 Quote
Ampurp85 Posted August 24 Report Posted August 24 Safe uneventful travels home. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 24 Author Report Posted August 24 12 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said: Safe uneventful travels ^^^^this^^^^ Thank you all! Will catch up later. Need to go eat breakfast and catch our ride to MCO. We booked with Cortrans again. bellemiche, Ogilthorpe, Sweety and 7 others 9 1 Quote
Jamesszy94 Posted August 24 Report Posted August 24 I cannot believe it is over already! Just feels like yesterday you got on WN... I have so much catching up to do.. alas, I shall live vicariously through this blog as cruising has gotten too expensive from Australia. Lovetocruise2002, WAAAYTOOO and OCSC Mike 3 Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 24 Author Report Posted August 24 Final thoughts on our Wonder sailing…. Overall, we had a great time as a family this trip. The Royal Up win was just the icing on the cake. Wonder still remains a great ship. As far as dining goes, the kids loved the set up of the WJ. This was D19’s first time on a newer OA class ship and she commented that it flows a lot better. CK crew was fantastic. As I mentioned before, MJ was the best specialty as far as service goes. Izumi and Chops was unorganized even though the food was decent. Giovanni’s service was also just mid. This cabin was by far the loudest, creakiest, cabin that we have ever stayed in. Not sure if that is because of the waves we encountered this sailing, but there were constantly noises in this cabin, even in the middle of the night. The ATS itself is awesome for a family. But I did not really enjoy being in a cabin on Deck 8. Because of the extra Central Park traffic, it was more difficult to get an elevator. I can’t really think of much else. If I forgot anything, please ask. We are now stuck in dry dock for 4 months. Next up is back on Utopia for NYE with the 2 freeloaders. It’s been a wonderful summer of cruising! We were so blessed to have these opportunities. Thank you all for following along! lovetheplaya, asquared17, tonyfsu21 and 15 others 10 8 Quote
OCSC Mike Posted August 24 Report Posted August 24 9 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: We are now stuck in dry dock for 4 months. *Checks RC account* Still over 6 months for me and mine started just over a month ago. Thanks, as always, for sharing! Already looking forward to your next one since it's Utopia and I'll be much closer to the end of dry dock by then. We made several crew friends on Utopia so I can send you some names when the time comes. If they're onboard, they'll be in locations you visit like MJ and CL/SL. We had some good servers in GK too and got to know a Pesky Parrot bartender. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 24 Author Report Posted August 24 4 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said: We made several crew friends on Utopia so I can send you some names when the time comes. Definitely send the names my way as we get closer! Enjoy Kizuna in a few weeks! And happy early bday! OCSC Mike and PPPJJ-GCVAB 1 1 Quote
SweetPea Posted August 24 Report Posted August 24 Safe travels home! It's a very overcast day here on the Atlantic Ocean so I'm enjoying glare-less phone time. I don't recall noise in our Symphony ATS, but I too was not a fan of elevator wait times. People are so rude. You'd be waiting there forever and some idiot would leave CP and just cut the line for the elevator. I don't fancy being made famous for a Karen video so I just kept my mouth shut. Jax, MaryS, Lovetocruise2002 and 3 others 2 4 Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 24 Author Report Posted August 24 48 minutes ago, SweetPea said: People are so rude. You'd be waiting there forever and some idiot would leave CP and just cut the line for the elevator. I don't fancy being made famous for a Karen video so I just kept my mouth shut. Same! I saw so many people enter the elevator before people could get off. Young and old! People have forgotten all elevator etiquette these days. At least there were no bare feet at Izumi this time lol Ampurp85, InmyElement, bellemiche and 6 others 1 7 1 Quote
A and L_Ont Posted August 24 Report Posted August 24 Safe travels home to you and the family. Great family photos. Remember, now that you off the ship you are no longer a flow-widow. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote
bellemiche Posted August 24 Report Posted August 24 Beautiful pictures and amazing memories! Lovetocruise2002 and Ampurp85 1 1 Quote
Jamesszy94 Posted August 24 Report Posted August 24 9 hours ago, SweetPea said: Safe travels home! It's a very overcast day here on the Atlantic Ocean so I'm enjoying glare-less phone time. I don't recall noise in our Symphony ATS, but I too was not a fan of elevator wait times. People are so rude. You'd be waiting there forever and some idiot would leave CP and just cut the line for the elevator. I don't fancy being made famous for a Karen video so I just kept my mouth shut. It doesn't help when able-bodied people have gotten SO lazy to the point where they take the elevator for just ONE level. Like on my last sailing, the dining room would be on Deck 3, people took the elevator to Deck 4.... Just use the dam stairs... InmyElement 1 Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 25 Author Report Posted August 25 It was a totally on time, and uneventful flight back home. Just the way we like it! Landed in DTW a few minutes early too. The border crossing was a bit slow. Got home around 5pm. Unpacked, laundry is going, and will be for a few more days and we just finished our traditional post cruise pizza dinner. Ready for bed. It’s going to be a really busy week ahead. Thanks again all for joining us on our summer adventure. It was a great one! Ogilthorpe, Jamesszy94, Hoppy2BHere and 10 others 12 1 Quote
asquared17 Posted August 25 Report Posted August 25 1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: we just finished our traditional post cruise pizza dinner this!!!!! glad you are home safe and sound and so happy you had this family time Ampurp85 and Lovetocruise2002 2 Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 25 Author Report Posted August 25 Oh, I forgot one small thing. After we crossed the border back into Canada, D19 treated the family to $1 cones from McDonald’s as a “thank you” for everything. So is she still a freeloader? OCSC Mike, LandstromCruise, PPPJJ-GCVAB and 12 others 15 Quote
WAAAYTOOO Posted August 25 Report Posted August 25 So glad you are home safely…but that may have been the fastest week EVER. I’m sure it was even faster for you guys. Thanks for the ride-along. Can’t help but notice that you never mentioned the Genie the entire week. How was she ? I know it’s a repeat for you. PPPJJ-GCVAB, Lovetocruise2002 and Ampurp85 3 Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 25 Author Report Posted August 25 1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said: Can’t help but notice that you never mentioned the Genie the entire week. How was she ? I know it’s a repeat for you. You are ever observant Raye Lissandra is the only genie that we have had a second time. She is very new to the Genie role. And it didn’t help that we are not new to Star Class so we could tell. Freedom was her first stint and then they pulled her over to Wonder to replace a genie who had to leave. I think that in time she will get to where she needs to be. This sailing has made me realize what a disservice Royal is doing by sending all the newbie genies to the RGP on Freedom and Indy. Much like any job, it helps to have an experienced mentor and by sending them all to the RGP, it’s hard for them to get that mentorship. Then they throw them into real Star Class and it becomes a huge learning curve. Jamesszy94, Ogilthorpe, Jax and 3 others 2 2 2 Quote
WAAAYTOOO Posted August 25 Report Posted August 25 Exactly as I suspected. Luckily you guys knew what to do so it wasn’t a disaster. This is where your comments/feedback will be extremely helpful. Lovetocruise2002, Sweety, Jax and 1 other 4 Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 25 Author Report Posted August 25 3 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said: This is where your comments/feedback will be extremely helpful. I am actually really conflicted. I don't know how to leave that feedback without causing problems for her. Because I really do feel that she just needs time, and a good mentor. I have a few days to mull that over in my head. Hoppy2BHere, Ampurp85, WAAAYTOOO and 2 others 3 2 Quote
SweetPea Posted August 25 Report Posted August 25 3 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: I am actually really conflicted. I don't know how to leave that feedback without causing problems for her. Because I really do feel that she just needs time, and a good mentor. I have a few days to mull that over in my head. Just me, but i might give her a high score when you select the radial button and then temper feedback in the comments like 'she has great potential and with additional mentorship will shine in her new role.' Spitballing, because this is a tough one. Jax, InmyElement, asquared17 and 3 others 4 2 Quote
LandstromCruise Posted August 25 Report Posted August 25 18 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: Oh, I forgot one small thing. After we crossed the border back into Canada, D19 treated the family to $1 cones from McDonald’s as a “thank you” for everything. So is she still a freeloader? Big spender Lovetocruise2002, WAAAYTOOO and PPPJJ-GCVAB 2 1 Quote
GatorCruiser Posted August 25 Report Posted August 25 A week on a ship simply ain’t enough. I fantasize about doing a B2B on an icon class one day. Lovetocruise2002 and Ampurp85 1 1 Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 26 Author Report Posted August 26 2 hours ago, GatorCruiser said: A week on a ship simply ain’t enough. I fantasize about doing a B2B on an icon class one day. I fantasize about doing B2B, transatlantic, transpacific from west coast all the way to Australia/New Zealand. That is why I am not wiling to work anymore than 5 more years. It’s my work schedule that is inflexible and holds us back, not Hubby’s. Ampurp85, MaryS, OCSC Mike and 4 others 7 Quote
Ampurp85 Posted August 26 Report Posted August 26 2 hours ago, GatorCruiser said: A week on a ship simply ain’t enough. I fantasize about doing a B2B on an icon class one day. I have a B2B on Icon in Jan and I am BEYOND excited, I love the Wizard of Oz and will get to see it multiple times. Zenra, J3N, Jax and 8 others 8 3 Quote
Zenra Posted August 26 Report Posted August 26 On 8/24/2025 at 9:13 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said: Oh, I forgot one small thing. After we crossed the border back into Canada, D19 treated the family to $1 cones from McDonald’s as a “thank you” for everything. So is she still a freeloader? Might be borderline now, but can't be upset about ice cream! Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote
PPPJJ-GCVAB Posted August 26 Report Posted August 26 Just caught up on your final days of cruising. Thanks for such fun reading this summer following along on your 3 cruises . Love your family photos! The girls have grown up before our eyes with each live blog posted! Lovetocruise2002, InmyElement, Ampurp85 and 2 others 4 1 Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 26 Author Report Posted August 26 2 hours ago, PPPJJ-GCVAB said: The girls have grown up before our eyes with each live blog posted! They really have. Some days I cannot believe how fast the time has gone by. PPPJJ-GCVAB and Ampurp85 2 Quote
InmyElement Posted August 30 Report Posted August 30 Just catching up after some time away..What an amazing 3-part blog..loved it as always! You’ve got the perfect balance and I always come away with something new. Glad you made it safely through Erin..4 months in dry dock doesn’t sound too bad...considering some others.. Loved the family pics too..thanks for sharing! We’re hopping on Allure with the freeloaders right after your NYE cruise . Florida in Jan ‘26 is clearly the place to be! Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 30 Author Report Posted August 30 3 hours ago, InmyElement said: Florida in Jan ‘26 is clearly the place to be! D19 was saying as we sailed out of PC that next cruise it would be nice to stay near Coco Beach. But then she changed her mind because she said December/Jan in Florida is never warm enough for her lol. I am not picky, I will take any month in Florida! InmyElement, Ogilthorpe and OCSC Mike 1 2 Quote
OCSC Mike Posted August 30 Report Posted August 30 Just now, Lovetocruise2002 said: December/Jan in Florida is never warm enough for her We feel lucky if we get more than a few weeks that are cold enough for us, lol. Meanwhile, the natives put on sweatshirts and jackets as soon as it dips below 70F. After living here for 25 years, it seems like we barely have winter anymore. dustfsu, Lovetocruise2002, TessFromFlorida and 1 other 3 1 Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 30 Author Report Posted August 30 14 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said: We feel lucky if we get more than a few weeks that are cold enough for us, lol. You could always come to Canada OCSC Mike 1 Quote
OCSC Mike Posted August 30 Report Posted August 30 Just now, Lovetocruise2002 said: You could always come to Canada I'm looking for Florida cold, not Canada cold, lol. My wife would go... she still insists that she misses snow. I miss cool fall days from PA but I don't need actual winter coat weather. InmyElement and Lovetocruise2002 2 Quote
dustfsu Posted September 1 Report Posted September 1 On 8/23/2025 at 4:21 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said: Well…hubby finally won once lol Guess he can retire now! Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote
dustfsu Posted September 1 Report Posted September 1 On 8/30/2025 at 10:13 AM, OCSC Mike said: We feel lucky if we get more than a few weeks that are cold enough for us, lol. Meanwhile, the natives put on sweatshirts and jackets as soon as it dips below 70F. After living here for 25 years, it seems like we barely have winter anymore. Lived here my whole life and it is definitely getting warmer in the winters and not lasting as long. Lovetocruise2002, OCSC Mike and WAAAYTOOO 2 1 Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted September 1 Author Report Posted September 1 1 hour ago, dustfsu said: Guess he can retire now! Not a chance! This has just fueled his love for it more. For the first time ever, the roles have switched over. He used to say that all the cruise groups I belong to are bad news. Lately, he is the one telling me which ships he is interested in thanks to that FlowRider group lol He is currently trying to round up friends to book Legend in 2027 smh Jamesszy94, asquared17, WAAAYTOOO and 3 others 4 2 Quote
LandstromCruise Posted September 2 Report Posted September 2 On 9/1/2025 at 8:24 AM, Lovetocruise2002 said: He is currently trying to round up friends to book Legend in 2027 smh When are you going? I’m up for it Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted September 3 Author Report Posted September 3 5 hours ago, LandstromCruise said: When are you going? I’m up for it We don’t know. Our sailing card is full for the moment. The soonest we can fit in Legend would be summer 2027. That is currently the plan when the next set of sailings get released. LandstromCruise 1 Quote
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