LuCruise

Was curious as the Christmas menu looks very similar to the New Year's Eve menu. I took a photo too so just compared, and it is the same except for the dessert you mentioned (and ours said Happy New Year at the top and no xmas decorations). Instead of Buche De Noel, we just had an Italian Hazelnut Chocolate Cake. Even if not true to it's form, your dessert looked pretty good.

Yeah true. Same when we went on Oasis. I think there used to be a second headliner but it never came back post covid.

I've heard the Aqua shows often get rescheduled due to weather but didn't know that they auto book you for the replacement. Too bad you had to miss the comedy show.

This is for Wonder. Think you are mixing it up with Icon?

Our entertainment may open soon for our Wonder cruise so I took a peak at the current sailing (as it is same itinerary as ours). When I look at the shows, it seems like a lot less is offered than normal, and there will be about 2 nights where there isn't a show at all. I see an ice show, Effectors, Aqua show, Voices, and one headliner, Seems to be missing a second headliner and a second production show. (I know there is an adult comedy show but not counting that as that would be a late night thing for just DH and I and not with everyone) We just got off Odyssey and there was something every night. Is this normal for Wonder? Or just this particular cruise is lacking?

Some "interesting" perspectives. For us, we didn't book it because we "operate in a herd" (sorry, but really strange thought). The ship just looks pretty amazing and wanted to try it with our two kids while we can...as our older one is in university now and not sure how long both will be travelling with us. We booked right when it came out...downgraded back to all 4 of us in one stateroom (a Central Park Interior). We'll manage, but this was our compromise as balcony or 2 rooms were way too $$$. Even our single room is about 2.5K over what we typically pay but it's just the timing of our kids getting older and may not have many other opportunities. Otherwise, we wouldn't have booked it. Prices since then have skyrocketed so glad we booked when we did and can't wait. Definitely wouldn't have booked at the current rates for our cruise. (As a comparison....for the following year, we went the opposite and booked Rhapsody - more for our regular cost. It's not just the new ships where prices have gone way up, but all of them).

Not the first time I'm commenting, but am really enjoying your report and hearing your experiences, knowledge of how things work and advice. Can relate. It's funny as on Odyssey, we never ended up making it to bumper cars, which seems ironic to me as to me, the main activity at the Sea Plex is bumper cars. When we went on Anthem in 2022, you had to book them, so we did so as soon as we boarded. I think on Odyssey since it was First Come First Serve, it was "oh bumper cars is on now" but our kids (14 and 18 years) never felt like lining up for who knows how long. It was lots of fun on Anthem though and I'm now missing a bumper car picture in my trip photobook (which I put together after each cruise). For the shower, I'm with you and just always bring our own shampoo and conditioner per bathroom. We also bring liquid hand soap as find it easier than soap bars for the bathroom sink. Same...we always book traditional as we like having "our:" table and with same waiters. Good to hear that they accommodate allergies so well.

Not always...our kids are still not updated after 2.5 weeks. Crown and Anchor said it can take up to 30 days. Guessing this is not normal though as our updates are always within a week.

Same...take photos when you open the door and everyone has to stand back. My family knows the drill. Btw...not sure if you got an email just prior to your cruise, but we did for this one and it let you specify things like if you wanted the beds separated or together, to open the connecting door, etc. It worked for us and our kids beds were separated when we entered (and connecting door open - we did this request for each room)

Harry, Enjoying reading your boarding. Pretty smooth, and of course, great Windjammer experience. We too go right there, and I'll say that Odyssey's Windjammer is the first that we never had an issue with crowds. For iFly and North Star, we stepped on the ship, then right away I connected to Wifi (also don't purchase internet), moved off to a corner and grabbed free slots. For iFly it was no problem as it was just my son. But for North Star, even right away, we tried to grab the latest slots of 4pm or so on our Labadee day...couldn't get 4. Moved back a timeslot, and same thing. Then third or fourth attempt worked which gave us 2:30pm or so. So definitely these should be done ASAP, especially if you have a group to book. Glad you were able to get your timeslot no problem. P.S. - I also had the "booking" task on my spreadsheet..lol

We're the week before you.

Exactly this! We are on Wonder in March and can't wait. It's a shame there is no Broadway show but we did enjoy Effectors on Odyssey so looking forward to seeing part 2. I will say though, if Tap Factory is just a bunch of people tap dancing, I think i prefer a headliner.

Thanks. Yeah, I did try searching and looked at cruise deck plans and general search but couldn't find any when the extra beds are pulled out. Scenario c works for us just fine. Scenario b doesn't as our kids are too old to share.

Does anyone know if on Harmony of the Seas, if the promenade rooms for 4 have: a) 2 pullman beds b) sofa bed that is a single mattress that pulls out flat for 2 people, or c) sofa bed that is more trundle style where sofa part is one mattress and another mattress pulls out next to it (e.g. Symphony has this) For c, basically two separate mattresses Similarly if anyone knows the same for the Inside Virtual Interior rooms. Thanks.

Harry, it's funny reading your report as there as so many things to which I can relate. We also had the first check in time of 11:30am. I was thinking maybe it was later than normal for this cruise as they wanted time to take down the Christmas tree, but you obviously didn't have that for your cruise. Not sure why. Like you, we left our hotel at 10:30am and arrived shortly afterwards. Just walked in to the check in with no issue. And we were definitely not the first ones witht the same idea as there were already rows of seats of people. And yeah...they retook DH and my photo. Not sure what was wrong with them. They didn't retake our kids. They started moving the line for us as 11am and we were onboard by 11:15am. So much for arriving at 11:30am for our check in time.

From your original question...do you think the fact that it's his first cruise post 18 that they are rectifying things and thus, it's taking longer to update (both) their points?

Congrats to your son! Similar with our son but he'll remained Emerald while our DD turned Diamond. She wasn't happy though as it meant she had to share her free drinks. 😉 Thanks .. that's what we thought would happen. Both still have yet to be updated. We are hoping that they don't notice and they bump our son up to Diamond but not likely.

My younger one no...She is 14 years so her points SHOULD include this past cruise. My older one ...yes. It's his first cruise since turning 18. Not clear if his points should freeze or be reverted....but his still shows what it showed prior . Would that impact both of them?

Our last cruise ended Jan 6th. DH and my points now reflect that cruise but our kids still have the original points without this cruise. They were in a separate room from us, but not sure if that makes a difference why they haven't been updated yet. How long does it typically take?

Many complain in here. We were on Adventure Dec 2019 and great ship. It's Voyager class so no ziplines, Aqua shows or bumper cars but we had a wonderful cruise.

That's great. Thanks for the help. Nice you are using them again. Have a great trip.

Thanks. I guess the biggest challenge is knowing exactly when we would get off...esp if we want to head to the airport as soon as we do. And on the way there, if our flight is delayed then that's an issue too if a shuttle is waiting.

Thanks for the above. Will look into it. Do you schedule it beforehand? It might be handy too for when we arrive at MCO pre-cruise to get to our hotel near the port. Anyone know if taxis are readily available or if uber is an option at Port Canaveral?

Same thing on Odyssey in December. Was surprised to hear no lunch in MDR on sea days...just brunch that closed at noon.

Our kids enjoyed virgin pina coladas, virgin mudslide. If they like coffee drinks...iced coffee and Frappuccino.