The sea calls my name

14 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Not weird at all, it’s a TX thing, many don’t (won’t) understand. 

But is Texans sure do.

On 4/22/2024 at 5:08 PM, laurieal said:

Thank you, I appreciate it. I’ll be happy to answer any questions or look things up for you if it can help plan for your trip. 
 

Sounds like some very fun pre-cruise plans! And once the Europe part is done you’ll have loads of sea days and some extra hours of sleep to rest and recuperate. 

My DH and I are also sailing on the westbound TA in Oct.  We love Portside BBQ and are hoping that during the drydock they don't remove it or change it to a different venue.  Can you see what you can find out about that.  

Thanks and enjoy  your cruise on this amazing ship.

Virginia Lea

2 hours ago, dahirsh said:

https://edocs.rccl.com/guestdocs/edocs/email/royal/UWC_SEG_Full.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2qz58YdJb6iWNCCU1Gw7oATIE_4nlKCuBpN21LxNA5JVBb_CdGH4zLsDU

This is awesome. I now have the entire cruise at my fingertips.  Thank you so much.

1 hour ago, The sea calls my name said:

m one of many who are "sailing virtually" with you. I do not remember the date or page number there the revised itinerary was posted.  Can you of you wonderful cruisers please either repost it for me or guide me to what page of this thread it is on?

Thanks and also a hug thank you to all who are taking precious time out of your amazing adventure to document it for us back at home. Continued prayers for safety as you continue on your journey.

Wow, sorry about all the typos and "auto-corrects. Technology IS NOT my friend.

m one of many who are "sailing virtually" with you. I do not remember the date or page number there the revised itinerary was posted.  Can you of you wonderful cruisers please either repost it for me or guide me to what page of this thread it is on?

Thanks and also a hug thank you to all who are taking precious time out of your amazing adventure to document it for us back at home. Continued prayers for safety as you continue on your journey.

37 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

The reason I don't just suggest Uber for the entire trip is we tend to be a little luggage heavy and I don't want to get caught with Toyota Corolla and have to carry bags on my lap to or from the airport.

 

If you are light packers I'd just use uber.

 

We did our first cruise out of Galveston in March and a young couple with a toddler were denied to get into the UBER they booked because ALL their bags would not fit into the trunk. The driver never got out and would not let them in holding a carryon. He drove off after telling them to call for a bigger car.  I felt so sorry for that couple. So if you use Uber make sure you consider the size based on your luggage.

4 hours ago, Krazcruiser said:

Looking to bring some suger free coffee creamer singles, is this allowed 

I take up to two boxes every cruise. I put it in my checked luggage. Never had a problem.

On 3/15/2024 at 2:18 PM, island lady said:

A couple of other things I forgot:  

 

Insulated coffee mugs with tops.  (I pour coffee into them from the paper cups at the machine...to bring back to "sleeping beauty").  😉 

 

Our own bar soap...not happy with the chips of soap they give you, and very easy to pack.  

 

A fold up collapsible laundry hamper.  

 

Small bottle of dish soap for washing the mugs and wine glasses, etc. 

 

Fold flat portable wash basin for hand washing light things, and extra plastic hangers.  

 

Packs of ones and fives picked up from the bank ahead of time for cash tips.

 

 

 

 

To avoid packing extra cups, we order room service the first night for breakfast the next morning. I keep the coffee cup, spoon and coffee carafe in the closet.. Each morning, my DH ( who usually wakes up before the sun( goes and drinks his coffee, then brings me back the full carafe right about the time I am ready for it.  It has worked beautifully for us.

.     

On our TA on Odyssey last April there were 8 different menus. We did a 50/50. Half in the dining room and 1/2 in specialty restaurants. That way we did not repeat any menu. 

We have done a TA the last two years and have one this fall and also Fall of 2025. On was only Spain ports and the one last April was Spain , France and Italy with a 3 day post-cruise stay in Rome. We have loved every port of call and Transatlantic cruises have become my favorite type of cruise. Both have been on larger ships which gives more options to help keep you busy if you want to be or chill if you don't. 

The Show "The Book" in Two70 is amazing.  Two tips, the venue is small and IMHO the seats are uncomfortable so we got there about 45 minutes before the show. to get a good seat Second, my advise is don't try to understand the plot. The first time we saw it I got very frustrated trying to understand it and missed the magic of it, our next cruise on her I just enjoyed the show.

I concur that Giovanni's wine bar is a wonderful venue and we also enjoyed eating at Giovanni's kitchen a couple of times.. The Teppanyaki restaurant is not only delicious but is in a great location with beautiful views of the ocean.

The Solarium is awesome. It is climate controlled and a great place to hang out.  I hope you enjoy it as much as  we did. .

2 minutes ago, jam19872016 said:

Current menu

 

Thank you so much for this. The prices have definitely gone up but still worth it for the amount of food you get.

On 2/16/2024 at 10:42 AM, roupa said:

With the SeaPass cards now available at your cabin, it is very possible to pick one up, not check for your name, walk in and unpack!

So be SURE you’re in the correct stateroom by finding your name on the SeaPass card before settling in! 😲😴

Sadly, my husband and I did that on a cruise last year. We had only unpacked our toiletries  when he looked down at the  sea pass cards and saw our error.  We did a quick repack and walked the two feet over to our cabin. Amazing how a 4 and a 6 look alike🤣and no we were not rookies but very season travelers, I will blame it on having glasses that were not strong enough.

I have a couple of questions regarding Portside BBQ.  My husband and I have enjoyed their food immensely and neither of us could ever eat all they served us.  Can you post the current prices and also can you ask if they are leaving this venue on the shi[ after their short drydock in October of 2024?.  We are booked for the Oct 24, 2024 Transatlantic cruise following the two week dry dock following its summer in the Mediterranean. I will be extremely disappointed if they remove this venue.

Thanks, and a huge congratulations on your dedication to your health and weight loss. 

9 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Both times when I left the Ice show the doors to deck 5 were open and they were exiting people out through those doors as well.

I imagine that maybe what the comments I heard were related to people not being able to enter into the area from outside during that time not vise versa 

13 hours ago, ryanbarckley said:

I haven't seen much written about it yet - how was the Dueling Piano bar?

 

Fun? Worth going to more than once? Tough to get in to?

 

Thank you all for all the posts - I get on in one week!

I went one afternoon to a "family friendly" show. It was not what I expected.  I thought that both pianist would be playing simultaneously but that was not the case at all. One played a song told jokes then the next song the other one played. They played what was requested.   Just from the comments made to "keep it family friendly" I toke it that at night the jokes etc could have gotten a little "off color". I did not ever go back so hopefully someone else will chime in regarding the night time shows.  They were both talented pianist, just not what I was hoping for.

On 2/8/2024 at 7:14 PM, BecciBoo said:

There are 2 doorways leading to the outdoor promenade or running track that we plan on using out of the ice rink.  I couldn't go down or back up those stairs anyway with my  wheelchair so we'll exclusively use those doors to get in and out.  Then back into the indoor promenade.  I also think they will eventually have to remove the sports bar, don't know where they'll move it but it probably has to go.

 

Hope the designers are seriously studying this problem whilst Star is being built!!!!!

I hope you will be able to exit via the outside promenade deck, but I heard several commit that on several occasions that the promenade exit was blocked off.  I personally didn't witness it so don't know if that is accurate but that is what some were saying.  

On 2/3/2024 at 1:23 PM, BecciBoo said:

Hey, did anybody have the 1400 Bars signature drink?  With big bubble on top?  Just wondered, looks interesting!

I did have the "Bubble Martini" It was really cool and very tasty. Kind of like a margarita but not the same.  I do recommend it .

2 hours ago, island lady said:

 

Laura is leaving in 4 days.  

I know  😰

2 hours ago, CSHS1979 said:

Apparently at coffee talk, Captain Stig said we are going nowhere near Red Sea.😮 Details around February 16

For those of us traveling with you via this thread, I do so hope that someone will continue on with daily post and pictures for us that will only ever see much of  the world though your eyes. Especially with this news blast to appear around the 17th. 

1 minute ago, island lady said:

 

We...here on the World Cruise, little Serenade ....are a tad smaller than that.  😉 

Definitely no problem getting your needed steps in ( or unneeded ones as well) 🤣. 

1 hour ago, taglovestocruise said:

I just watched a few YouTube video reviews of Icon. All three reviewers said Icon was the most Uncrowded ship they have ever been on. Easy to find a empty lounger by the pool at noon.. True or untrue.  

True, but with 7 pools, lots of options.  What we were told is that It had right at 5000 revenue passengers, the other 400-500 were corporate, special quest etc.  So not near at total capacity.

On 1/29/2024 at 4:26 PM, island lady said:

 

OMG...indeed that fur is sooo soft!   🥰

I am very late to the dance, ( Icon Inaugural got in my way) but how about Lima?

Thank you for answering my gangway question. I really appreciate it.  I actually was able to book my entertainment this morning for our cruise!!!!!. However, this prompts an additional question. Strangely when reserving the shows it does not include the length of each show. If you could supply that missing piece of information, then I can alter my dining reservations accordingly.

The Fine Line ( Aqua Show)

A Journey in Time ( Ice show)

Columbus, the Musical ( Theater show)

Grease

Thank you and keep having a great cruise. 

Following. for sure!!!!  My DH  and I sail on her March 3. This will be our first cruise  in 35 years of cruising out of Galveston as well. We have sailed on her before but that was out  of Florida.  We are doing the following itinerary:

Port/City Date Arriving Departing
GALVESTON - TEXAS 03 March 2024 4:00 PM
CRUISING 04 March 2024
CRUISING 05 March 2024
ROATAN - HONDURAS 06 March 2024 7:00 AM 4:00 PM
COZUMEL - MEXICO 07 March 2024 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
PUERTO COSTA MAYA - MEXICO 08 March 2024 7:00 AM 3:00 PM
CRUISING 09 March 2024
GALVESTON - TEXAS 10 March 2024 7:00 AM

Here are my first two questions

1. Can you, in detail, describe the gangway from the terminal to the ship? I have severe restricted lung disease and the least bit of an incline poses a major problem for me.  The Ft Lauderdale gangway is a prime example of that up, turn, up some more repeat.  If is is like Miami which is an even walk over, I am fine.  Knowing this in advance will help me decide if I need  to request W/C assistance or not. .

2.  If this is your same itinerary, could you post the single sheet entertainment summary that shows all shows/times for the entire week on one sheet.  Again this will help with scheduling my specialty dining

Lastly, thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope you have a wonderful cruise with you Mom and family.

Virginia Lea.
 

On 2/1/2024 at 11:55 AM, tmann4 said:

I know RCCl has gone away from printed cruise compasses.  However, does anyone have this week's daily cruise compass, or can you post once you return here or on the RCCl Cruise compass blog.  I sail in March 2025 and excited to see what they have to offer.  

Also, what has the drink package been costing for the Icon?

I have been looking to start shopping for my onboard activities and dining for a March 2025 cruise.  However, nothing is available to purchase yet.  How long is it before RCCL loads this information and can start booking onboard dining, SPA, drink, etc?    

My DH did a live review for the Inaugural Sailing this past week  and  at this very moment is posting all of them to his review.. I.t should be around page 40