The sea calls my name

On 12/18/2023 at 6:59 AM, Ocean Boy said:

Looks like a great day in Bonaire! Wind, rain, and power outages in Southern New England.

Sorry that y'all are getting now what we got this past weekend here in Florida. Hoping no serious damage to anything.

6 hours ago, Another_Critic said:

That could be an issue if renting a car in port.  I know in Copenhagen (at CPH), they asked for my passport when renting a car.

This is interesting. When we were in Cartagena, Columbia in Oct on ROS, we tried to buy coffee with a credit card, but couldn't because we didn't have our passports on us. To use a CC you had to have. That might prove interesting in the next 268 days. 

My husband and I did the April TA this year on her. We are both Senior citizens loving retirement and loved sailing on her. I love the Solariums on RCCL ships and especially this one since it is climate controlled which is great for a TA. We also had plenty to do or nothing to do if that was our choice for the day.  There were not many children because of the time of year and the length of the cruise. The ones that were on were never in venues that we used. 

 . 

5 hours ago, clochette said:

really looking forward to following you on your cruise, Alaska is on my list.

5 hours ago, clochette said:

really looking forward to following you on your cruise, Alaska is on my list.

Ditto, I hope that in the next couple of years that bucket list will be checked off.

Sue, I so look forward to your picture's and comments.  Safe travels and have a wonderful cruise.

1 hour ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Me as well

😪

20 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Unfortunately I think Portside was a one and done.  With the concept abandoned for Wonder, Utopia and Icon I dont see them adding it to Oasis.  Mason Jar seems to be the flavour of the day.

I just hope they don't change the one on Oasis to Mason Jar but am very concerned that is the plan.

On 7/27/2023 at 1:33 PM, Sun Lover said:

We just became Diamond members after our Anthem cruise this past April.  On past cruises we've always purchased the Deluxe Drink Package but with the 4 included drinks per day, I don't think we'll need it.  My questions is with the Deluxe package, we've ordered certain brands of liquor, such as Grey Goose and particular kinds of tequila.  We will be able to do that with the 4 drinks included with Diamond or are top shelf liquors not included?

One of the white wines that I really like is $2 over what the D voucher covers, so if I want it I just pay the additional $2.

I am really hoping they don't change out Port Side BBQ for Mason Jar.. I LOVE there BBQ and have been surprised they haven't put it on some of their other ships.  We are also on The 10/24/ TA and I already have my taste buds dancing for some of their brisket and ribs ( and I am a Texan by birth, so that says a lot.

12 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Roughly $30pp

So for example, if you are on Utopia 4 night going to both  Nassau and then CoCo Cay and are already booked, your rate will  increase $60 for that cruise? 

5 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

In time for the arrival of the Icon in Jan 2024

I wonder if it is going to be a "shore excursion" and as expensive as Coco Beach Club has gotten.

We were on Odyssey's April TA in an OV Balcony and found the bed to be comfortable. Not to hard but a nice firm mattress. 

On 6/22/2023 at 6:21 PM, NightOne said:

Logged in last night after someone on FB said bookings were live. Checked out the prices and showed myself to the door.

 

Maybe they are marketing to the Disney crowd because they aren't marketing to me. I guess I wait a couple of years on this one. I'm not paying North of 2K for a 3 night cruise to the Bahamas.

 

Well it was fun while it lasted.

Agree. I could take two 7 night cruises for what one 4 night would cost during the month of July 2024.  I can wait a long time before I jump on this ship with those rates.  I love the other sisters, so 7 nights it will be.

11 hours ago, twangster said:

It sounds like you would like A2S to avoid close connections but then you find fault with A2S for offering long connections.  

 

If the connections were legal they can be sold.  It's not the role of A2S to protect you from yourself.  

 

Flight delays happen.  I'm encountering one right now on my way to a cruise with air booked through A2S.  Flight last night didn't happen so I just boarded a plane this morning and now I'm flying the day of the cruise.  If this one delays as well I won't be cruising today.  I knew the risks associated with booking the last flight of the night, the day before the cruise.  

 

A2S cannot overcome everything the airline industry might throw at us.  I think you have the wrong expectations.  

I hope you make your cruise and that we get to see some of your amazing photos. 

2 hours ago, BecciBoo said:

Way cool!  Thx!

It is "way cool" but does it look ready to maneuver this huge ship this week-end through sea trials?  Of course my disclaimer is I am a retired nurse and do have a degree in engineering or navigation.

35 minutes ago, twangster said:

Think they will release Utopia before the next coffee chat?

I assumed that when Vicki said they were no longer going to give away Icon of the seas cruises but now Utopia.  Has it been revealed whether the new adult only area of Coco Cay is complimentary or not?

6 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

And that deck plans and itineraries were already leaked.

 

They didn't even confirm that itineraries would be released next week.

I was really disappointed that after letting it slip that it is 3/4 nights that he didn't go ahead and say when the bookings would open and when the inaugural sailing is scheduled, unless they don't have a firm date yet. I was intrigued about the new dining option he hinted to.

1 hour ago, Lionesss said:

Pool day in OHIO for baby Zoey. It’s tough being a baby. 
 

That would be enough to get me on the earliest flight home I could find. Definitely worth making my own bed ( at least for a little while)

On 6/5/2023 at 7:57 PM, twangster said:

 

There was speculation it was one and done.  It's not on Icon for example.  So it's interesting they kept it for Utopia.  

I really hope they don't take Portside BBQ off of Oasis and replace it with The Mason Jar.  I might be in the minority, but having grown up in Louisiana and lived in Texas and Georgia it just didn't "cut the mustard" for me. I have had much better southern cooking at home. JMHO. 

On 5/16/2023 at 12:28 PM, John&LaLa said:

 

Might do a fall cruise from NJ some day

 

Also never done an Alaska cruise

That took me by surprise.😱

12 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

No.  It has wine pairing.  Best you will get is a reduced rate but definitely not included.

I am confused. Is Celebration Table and Empire Supper Club the same thing? 

23 hours ago, firefly333 said:

At a pretty low loyalty level pax get a free picture. So some may appreciate being notified it's for sale. I rarely get my free picture, but sometimes. 

I found out on our recent TA that some of these "special " pictures that are taken at special events ( like specialty restaurants) and placed in a nice folder are not part of the C & A complimentary picture amenity.  My DH and I had a really good picture of us taken in Teppanyaki on Odyssey and it was not avaiable as a D+ amenity.  This could be the case also with this. Just a thought. 

Could it have something to do with a delayed departure because of the Rocket Launch at 5:37? Just a thought.

32 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

By October Radiance is supposed to have the WiFi infrastructure replaced or so the Voom team onboard told me.  

 

My poor internet experience on Radiance I suspect was mostly due to the poorly configured WiFi onboard and less about the satellite provider.  It should be better for you if they have replaced onboard equipment by then.

 

If you carefully manage the 4 free D+ days and if your cellular company includes cellular in Mexico you might find you don't need to buy Voom. 

 

Your itinerary looks like this:

 

Sat 07Oct2023    San Diego, California    -    4:00 PM    Boarding
Sun 08Oct2023    Cruising    -    -    Cruising
Mon 09Oct2023    Cabo San Lucas, Mexico    11:00 AM    -    Tendered
Tue 10Oct2023    Cabo San Lucas, Mexico    -    2:00 PM    Tendered
Wed 11Oct2023    Cruising    -    -    Cruising
Thu 12Oct2023    Cruising    -    -    Cruising
Fri 13Oct2023    Cruising    -    -    Cruising
Sat 14Oct2023    Puntarenas, Costa Rica    11:59 AM    10:00 PM    Docked
Sun 15Oct2023    Cruising    -    -    Cruising
Mon 16Oct2023    Fuerte Amador, Panama    8:00 AM    6:00 PM    Docked
Tue 17Oct2023    Panama Canal, Panama    6:00 AM    6:00 PM    Cruising
Wed 18Oct2023    Cartagena, Colombia    10:30 AM    6:00 PM    Docked
Thu 19Oct2023    Cruising    -    -    Cruising
Fri 20Oct2023    Cruising    -    -    Cruising
Sat 21Oct2023    Cozumel, Mexico    8:00 AM    6:00 PM    Docked
Sun 22Oct2023    Cruising    -    -    Cruising
Mon 23Oct2023    Tampa, Florida    6:00 AM    -    Departure

 

Assuming your phone works in Cabo using cellular (if your cellular provider includes Mexico) you will be connected on days 3 and 4.

 

If you can wait until noon on day 5 to use the first free D+ 24 hour pass you will have internet for that afternoon and the morning of day 6 until noon.  

 

Then use the 2nd free D+ 24 hour pass at noon on day 7 which will keep you connected until the ship arrives in Puntarenas at noon on day 8.

 

Use your next D+ 24 hour plan on day 10 at noon or once back on the ship after he day in Fuerte Amador which will keep connected for half the day or more while going through the Panama Canal.

 

Use your last free D+ 24 hour pass on day 13 at noon so you'll be connected until noon on day 14.

 

Day 15 is Mexico so if your cellular provider includes Mexico you can use cellular.

 

All that's left is the final sea day until your are in Tampa.  

 

I would talk with your cellular provider to inquire about coverage in Mexico and also to see if they offer international day passes that could be used on days 8, 10 & 12.  Those day passes combined may be a lot less than buying Voom for 16 days.   

 

However if the cost of a full voyage Voom plan is acceptable to you I suspect it will work better for you then it did for me.  

 

Thanks for the info something to give careful consideration to. 

7 hours ago, twangster said:

Just to keep things in perspective, from MSC Seaside using O3b/SES.

 

 

From OceanCay, the MSC private island

 

 

To be fair not all the ship speeds test were this good over the entire length of the cruise.  However the same can be said for Starlink.

 

 

I have a question for you related to your recent PC cruise ( which I finished reading the fabulous review yesterday). My DH and I are doing this Oct west to east sailing from San Diego to Tampa. I only use the internet for surging , texting and Facebook calling my children.  after reading the issues you reported ( and having ZERO technical abilities) I am wondering if it is worth the cost for us to puchase it. We can you our 4 complimentary days. Thanks for your thoughts and for all those fabulous pictures. It has really spiked my excitment for this cruise. 

On 4/25/2023 at 12:00 PM, Another_Critic said:

 

3,617 drink vouchers per day = 54,255 total for the sailing.  😲