tumbley

2 hours ago, twins_to_alaska said:

My last trip in May solo I bought a little tray from Amazon and brought food from WJ to my balcony.

Another idea: order (free) continental breakfast, keep the tray (leave a note for stateroom attendant not to take it away, or hide it lol)

49 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

At the freestyle machine you must use your ship supplied cup. 

Not a must to use ship cup for water from freestyle machine - water works without the chip.

BTW you can also do the "book later" in the app when on the ship - super quick.

45 minutes ago, topnole said:

 

So what is the alternative you suggest?   If someone gains access to my gmail for example they can also access my g drive.  So lots of cloud stuff is just as vulnerable, right?   And aren’t a lot of email systems encrypted?

Gaining access to your account is not the main thing I'm referring to - rather, email travels through networks in the clear text/unencrypted - thus my post card analogy.

I don't want to get too technical:

1) yes, nowadays connection between the user and the mail server (be it webmail in the browser, or email app) is usually encrypted

2) email is passed from the origin mail server to the destination through multiple servers on the way, and there is no encryption

3) at the destination, there again is encryption between the server and the user

This (oversimplified) step #2 is the reason that email is unsuitable for anything sensitive.

13 minutes ago, topnole said:

That is a good way too.  But everyone seemingly has email.  Not so much for cloud storage.  And even if they do, if they lose their  main device they may not know how to access the cloud storage when away.  With email you can easily just email it to your wife and the same back.  Done.  Now it is stored in the cloud.  Simple and done.  You each have a copy of each other’s that both can separately access in an emergency.  Not as easy with Dropbox.  

(I work in IT) due to the way email works, sending sensitive info unencrypted such as photos of identification is similar to the analogy of mailing your ID copy printed on a post-card.

Google lens got this match https://www.ebay.com/itm/172219478573

Sept 26th Oasis sailing from Bayonne - testing was after carry-on luggage scan.

On 10/9/2021 at 3:20 PM, homedepot124 said:

It is the last thing I put in the suitcase.  I just make it into a giant U shape and it fits perfectly.  The two legs of the U along the front and back of the suitcase and the center of the U on the end. 

Brought along 3 noodles on our last cruise - they were the first thing I put in the large  suitcase, in the same "U" manner.

6 hours ago, CruisinMaterial said:

Radio - Thank you for the pictures of the chess tables. I have been studying the ship since booking this a couple weeks back. It was super last minute and vowed I would never sail on a ship this size but the ship is the entertainment for me (cha ching to RCCL... lol)!!  I wonder what they did with the chess pieces? I have a spare set but not sure I would like to leave it out to see if others played along.

 

As for the library, I was rather hoping they had some form of reading materials in there. I usually leave my periodicals (aka magazines) I bring in them for others to read if they wish. I saw they had one but no books? That's weird! Maybe a COVID precaution? 😐

On 9/26 sailing, chess pieces were removed some time late in the evening, then set again in the morning.

3 hours ago, CruisinMaterial said:

Radio - Thank you for all your pictures and posts. I'm enjoying following along. If you're out for your morning stroll, could you tell me if the chess sets are still somewhere along the Central Park area? I saw some benches posted from your morning stroll. After watching the Queen's Gambit, I was thinking of maybe polishing off some of my old skills there. However, sailing solo might make that challenging! Could start a game and go by and see if anyone else moves the other side. That could be fun!

Was on Oasis last week - there were 2 chess tables in Central Park, we played a few times.

50 minutes ago, zebe912 said:

There is a form you can fill out for special/dietary needs.  I wonder if you did that (allergies is unfortunately in the extras box down at the very bottom)  and emailed them with your questions, whether they could/would give you better answers about their ingredients.  If they use mixes, I wonder if there's really any fruit in them anyway.  Depending on your sensitivity level, the extracts  & flavoring could still be a problem though.  I've heard they're good about allergies (I'm hoping so, since I'll be relying on them soon) so maybe with a little time put in on your end, you can get some answers.  It might be good to mention this to them on the form for dining too, so you don't accidentally end up with a citrus marinade or glaze on your food.  

https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/allaboutcruising/guestSpecialNeeds.do

I've done the form in the past (and for this cruise) for dining - and in the MDR they were very good about my allergy.

Tip: inform your waiter at the MDR right away that you have allergies, and if he/she does not get the head waiter - please ask for head waiter yourself.  Head waiter should be taking care of you.  You will also be given next day's menu, so they can check if your selection is safe, and if they can alter it for you.

I've barely had any cocktails - virgin or not - on previous sailings, so just avoided anything that could remotely have citrus, but this time want to make use of my refreshment package.

51 minutes ago, emen822 said:

Apparently they can make a non alcoholic BBC version.  I just found this:

 

Non alcoholic ingredients:

1 1/2 oz Creme of Coconut

1 oz Pineapple Juice

Half a banana

Blend with crushed ice

 

Says it's from Royal Caribbean Cocktail Recipe Book 🤷‍♀️ 

Awesome, thank you!

1 minute ago, emen822 said:

I'm not sure.  I apologize...I just was trying to think of a non-citrus drink.  🤦‍♀️

No need for apology!  I do value all suggestions - they help me think outside the box if the bartender happens to be stumped, too.  LOL

Also: found several mentions that RC now use Sunsational drink mixes - can anyone who sailed recently confirm this?  I could do my ingredient research in advance 🙂

2 minutes ago, emen822 said:

My favorite is the BBC:  (Banana Baileys Colada)  😋

Do they usually have non-alcoholic Baileys cream on-board?

2 hours ago, Grandma Dazzles said:

Most of the frozen drinks are made with mixes - not sure you could get an accurate answer - there might be some type of citrus or extract in the mix.  Wouldn’t have thought a mudslide would have citrus - how about strawberries such as in a daiquiri. 

I guess I will need to see the packaging of the mixes 😞

Mudslides are ok - as usually are Pina Coladas - it is just that there's only so many of those 2 I can enjoy before they get old, LOL.

Thanks for mentioning daiquiri - many do have lemon juice in them, but I'll check what is in the ones on the ship.

We are cruising very shortly, and I don't drink alcohol.  Got myself a refreshment package, and am looking forward to having some virgin cocktails/mocktails on board.

I know this topic has been done many times, but mine has a twist - a rather big limitation: I learned I am allergic to citrus fruits (lemon, lime, orange, etc).  Hope to discover more options beyond virgin pina colada and mudslide.

Hit me with all your suggestions please - just nothing with lemon/lime/orange!