The sea calls my name

On 3/14/2022 at 10:35 AM, twangster said:

The good news is that it is fixable.  If they limit movies so they end before 9pm when shows let out and people shift to Central Park to enjoy late evening it is possible to accommodate both the folks who want a pool deck movie and peaceful Central Park @ night.   

I agree,but then you have loud noise while many are trying to take advantage of dining outside at Chops and Giovonni's and being entertained by the violinist or guitarist.  It really is a dilemma. 

I am very interested in finding out if they make any changes to the late night showing of pool side movies with the intensely high volume this cruise.  There was so much negative feedback how it drastically (In a negative way) affected the ambience of Central Park late night as well as disturbed passengers in the Central Park Balcony Suites ability to rest.. 

9 hours ago, twangster said:

I love so much about how they have evolved and transformed Wonder beyond her sisters except for one major problem.  

 

They have transformed Central Park in a bad way.  At least when they run movies on the pool deck.    

 

Central Park used to be such a peaceful and relaxing space in the evenings but my worst fears have come to fruition.  When I saw the renderings of the outdoor TV screen on the pool deck at one end of Central Park this quickly became a concern for me and I am sad to report it is what I hoped it wouldn't be.

 

Listen for yourself.  This video is straight from the phone without any sound adjustments made.  It is exactly how it was recorded except for compressing it down to 720p so I could upload it more easily from the ship.  Video captured at 11:18pm.  

 

 

Even deeper in Central Park where you can't see the screen you sure can hear it.

 

I've spoken to someone with a Central Park balcony and it is impactful to these cabins.  She won't ever book one again.  

 

As far as I am concerned turn it off.  Paint over the screen.  Hang a banner on it.  Play silent TV like ChiveTV on it.  Rip it off and give it to Liberty.  Stop running movies on the pool deck.  It can't be worth appeasing the folks who want to float in a pool and watch a movie if it means destroying the ambiance of Central Park.

 

I book on deck 8 to be close to Central Park.  This is one change on Wonder I am not a fan of at all.

 

 

 

Like you, when I saw the renderings, this concerned me greatly. Central Park is the reason we book Oasis class ships over the other classes. It is my night time "go-to place".  I don't think the reviews are going to be very positive regarding this change.

I am asking an off-the -topic question for any of you experienced B2B cruisers.  When you have a B2B cruise booked and are staying in the same cabin are you allowed to take 4 bottles of wine on board at the time of the initial boarding?  

I assume, RCCL would take two away, will they then return them to your cabin the day of your second leg?

Now back to a WOS question. If you have purchased the UDP, is there an additional charge for The Mason Jar ( like the $10 for Izumi hibachi) or is it completely covered?  This southern girl is beyond excited about this venues menu.

Thanks for your input, 

31 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

What is the charge for Hooked?

For our upcoming TA in April on her pre-cruise price is $52.99.

4 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

I don't think sprinklers are automated to go when a fire alarm is activated.    There was no fire alarm sounded on the ship, no bravo or other calls.  I walked in from the Boardwalk where I was taking pictures and saw a mist in the distance with some white noise and I thought... is that water coming down?

It looked like the music balcony got hit with the water. I hope there wasn't any sound equipment that might have gotten wet and ruined in the water line.  Poor mustang got a good dousing.  If this was an "accident" I am just glad it happened when the Promenade was relatively empty and not during formal night or a large event.

If it is the April 20 Transatlantic sailing, you are looking at it has been closed for booking for a while.

I have a Bed mattress question. I understand that like food, mattress comfort is very subjective. That being said, I much prefer a medium firm mattress to a very firm one. This pass December on the Symphony, I actually had hip pain from the firmness of the mattress.  Your assessment would be beneficial in letting me know if on our TA sailing if I may need to request some type of mattress topper if it is overly firm.  Probably a strange question, but would appreciate your opinion.

As always, your reviews are a daily highlight, and your photos are unbeaten. Thank you for taking so much time away from your cruise to answer all of the many questions and to share your thoughts and photogenic views with us , 

12 minutes ago, BennyBrun said:

Can you tell me which picture you are referring to so I can answer your question … there are so many and I lost track 😂 

Sorry, the Solarium

1 hour ago, BennyBrun said:

It is beautiful and spacious!

That is my daytime spot. By the look of its design, it is completely closed in. Is that correct and if so, it must be climate controlled?   Are there table and chairs under cover where you could play cards ?

14 minutes ago, Jkaczanowski said:

I think you missed the point. The point I was trying to make is that even the most tech savvy prefer a paper copy at times. 

Actually, I was agreeing with you. Sorry if it sounded otherwise.

3 hours ago, Jkaczanowski said:

my 15 year old boy is probably the most tech savvy, app loving kid with almost 70,000 followers on Tik Tok.  When I mentioned that they might be doing away with the cruise compasses, he wasn’t happy about it.  I asked him why not, and he said that when he is in the stateroom, it is faster to look at the compass to find the hours for things.

This may come as shock, but not everyone has a cell phone and some of us turn them off and put them in the safe. Disconnect time.  Give me paper and a pin all day long. 

24 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

Voices is Monday.  

 

More interesting to me is the Aqua "Showcase".  Sounds like inTENse isn't ready.  

Oh I hope you get to see inTENse. It would seem strange to have another cast on board to do a different show and I totally overlooked Voices. With just one showing for a possible 4200 passengers, there may be a lot of disappointed passengers. I missed Tap Factory when I was on Odyssey so wouldn't mind seeing that.  It will be interesting when we board 4/20 fir the TA what shows are ready and showing. Michael Wier did say Wednesday on Vicki's Coffee Talk that they are weekly adding layer upon layer to the shows and that no two shows initially will be identical with the addition each time with more costumes props etc.

21 minutes ago, twangster said:

I am very surprised it has Tap Factory listed and not the new show Voices. I wonder if that is a misprint.

57 minutes ago, njkruzer said:

The Solarium roof is usually closed if that helps.  WJ outside area should be available until at least 3 pm.  I think it's also accessible from deck 12 aft, but not sure, so would mean available later.  Also the area on your right just before you enter WJ.  I think the coffee there is available even when WJ is closed and I think I've seen people playing cards there.  Hope this helps.

It helps a lot.  Thank you so much.

On 2/12/2022 at 9:53 PM, StanleyandGus said:

Absolutely! The Jewel is my favourite ship!

 This is the last of the RCCL class ships for us to cruise on. Can you tell me  a shaded area outside where there are tables and chairs where my DH and I can enjoy playing cards?  The few pictures of the Solarium ( my usual go to spot) does not seem to have shaded area with table/chairs. The Windjammer outdoor area looks great, but I doubt we could "hangout" there after eating all afternoon.

Thanks for any suggestions.

2 minutes ago, ROYALBOY said:

We have already made CVS appointments and I called today and they confirmed the $139 charge. I also called Walgreens and their confirmed their rapid test if free. Unfortunately Walgreens only schedules 4 days out, but will definitely be using them instead of CVS.

We have had three done at CVS and are going Friday for our 2/20 Cruise. We have never paid a penny.

They were on our December sailing on the Symphony.  This will be very interesting to see if they remove the "reserved" sign on every other table/chair combo and if they allow you to start sitting at the bars. Our go to place on Oasis class ships in the evening is the Trellis Bar in Central Park that has very limited table seating. We have always pulled up a bar stool and enjoyed watching the waiters make drinks and learn many things about and from them. I really missed that on the sailings we have taken since July. I can let you know on Feb 26 when we return from our Jewel sailing.

According to the information from Vicki Freed's Coffee Talk on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2022 if the date where selected bars lounges, dining venues, shows, and the casino will not require mask for fully vaccinated passengers.

3 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Unfortunately for some I have also heard through a rep that read me an e mail that smoking in the casino would also start to be allowed

That is fact. It was reported today On Vicki Freed's Coffee talk. Mask are not required in the Casinos and smoking can resume after Feb 15.  I was hoping this was an avenue to end it once and for all. 

6 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Currently the only way to book it is the full journey. So we are on the whole enchilada 

Will Bella be a service support animal by then or maybe the ship mascot?

21 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Yea, it was crazy at dinner.  

 

They cancelled The Book

Now you know why you were booked for all of its performances.  A great show, just don't get bogged down trying to understand it.

1 hour ago, ReneeFLL said:

Mike had a blast doing this.

 

We are still waiting for ours. They were supposed to be available and shipped by December. Our cruises were in October. Hope John doesn’t have to wait on theirs.

Ditto for us. I will check once again on out Jewel cruise 2/20. If John and Laura get theirs that will be encouraging.

30 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I root for GA 364 days a year.

 

I just can't during the Missouri game.

 

MIZ....

That was the first thing my DH said when he saw the picture. He knew you were a Mizzo fan. It was a great year to be a Dawg fan for sure.

17 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

Pictures from Harmony 

 

You have on the right shirts. GO DAWGS.  I didn't realize you were a Dawg fan. What an incredible year we had.  Great pictures of both of you.