OCSC Mike

Thanks for sharing an article from almost 2 months ago.

I think that's the go to spot of those who enjoy the WJ. 👍

Us Florida residents visit CocoCay in the summer when it's 85 there to cool off! 🤣 That said, we were there in October when it was 81 and beautiful. I stay in the shade regardless but when it's especially hot there we constantly hop in the pool just to sit on the underwater bench and cool off before returning to our loungers. It helps a lot.

That list seems pretty reasonable to me. As a guy, I basically pack a t-shirt per day (with an extra or 2), a couple pairs of shorts, a pair of khakis for at night (I sometimes just wear shorts), and a polo/casual short sleeve button down shirt for each night (that's as dressy as I get). Then of course 1-2 swimsuits and a rash guard or 2 for beach/pool b/c I burn not tan and they're easier to throw on and don't get all wrinkled when laying around on loungers like cotton t-shirts.

Repositioning cruises often have good deals (and you have to fly back of course) but that's quite a price.

Since my wife is a teacher, we have almost exclusively sailed with lots of kids onboard (and we have none). It's never bothered us. We actually think it may be beneficial in certain instances. For example, we never go near the main pool or water slides, we hang out in the Solarium and the more families with young kids there are, the less adults there will be who are free to park there. I totally understand why many people would rather avoid kids (if they can), to each his own, just isn't an issue for us.

Oh hell no! I'm too frugal for that. I have read several instances of being given free coffee drinks at Cafe Promenade or wherever you can buy fancy coffee if the machine is completely broken. The DL machine wasn't working one morning on Indy last July so I tailgated the breakfast set-up crew member into the SL, politely told him about the problem, and apologized to the whopping 3 suite guests in the SL for "borrowing" their machine for 2 cappuccinos to-go. They didn't actually care of course. Right or wrong, this is my favorite Diamond perk next to the drink vouchers so I will not be denied my free cappuccinos, lol. As an aside, the DL machine worked the rest of that cruise but it had a low pressure warning that I was told to just ignore. We went back on Indy 3 months later and the same low pressure warning was still there. 🙈

No, not always. I enjoy the WJ and go there quite often when I cruise. Even on embarkation day, when everyone will tell you to stay away, if you are one of the first people in, it's not very crowded. I have a running joke about taking a scoop of untouched paella that most ships seem to have on embarkation day lunch but it's not really a joke as I've managed it on my last 4 cruises going back to last May (which happened to be Harmony). For breakfast, it's not that bad early in the morning (we're very early risers). As time goes on, especially on port days as people are trying to eat and get off the ship, it gets crowded. Lunch isn't too bad, like a restaurant on land, if you go right when it opens or wait until the peak passes, it will be less crowded. Dinner is quite peaceful there in my experience. As for comparing classes, yes, I do think the additional options on Oasis class ships help keep the WJ less crowded. Of all things, don't let fear of a crowded WJ keep you from trying Harmony!

We never go to South Beach but I would think pretty early. I know I've gotten a drink elsewhere at 9:30am or so. The bars open before the food venues.

Oh, warm wine, can't be waiting for the ice in that case. 👍 In addition to not fixing the coffee machine, my wife and I definitely do not go find our luggage in the "staging area" down the hall and take it ourselves, we wait for it to be delivered. We just like to unpack and be done with it ASAP. It's like the last chore to do before being completely free to enjoy the cruise. And it gives the crew member two less suitcases to deliver so, like fixing the machine, we're actually doing RC a favor, right? 😁

OK, so you don't scoop the ice yourself but you still have to actually take your bucket there and spend a dollar! Those singles are for voucher drinks, not ice. 🙈

Same experience here. We always do this, usually in an interior so not like we get extra special treatment, never had an issue.

Filling your own ice bucket is worse than fixing the coffee machine yourself (which we would never do of course.) 🤫 Joking aside, our cabin attendants have always been good about filling it twice daily. When we sail with the new “one cleaning per day” I’ll be trying out the online request form.

You can also now request things (like more ice) online by scanning a QR code in your cabin (or there may be a link in the app). From what I have read, most requests are fulfilled in 30-60 minutes, either by your cabin attendant or another attendant.

Not automatically. You will just be able to select the same time for everyone but each person has to have a time selected.

Yes.

You can only use your free day onboard (or use the value towards a longer package but unless it's a short cruise and you do something like wait until day 2 you won't save anything doing it this way).

🎵 California is the place to be... 🎵 At least for cheap 4-day cruises. I'd go anywhere on a cheap cruise but lack of Coco Cay makes it less appealing.

Had an interior on deck 10 under the WJ on Indy twice not too long ago... no noise and loved the location (which is why I moved to it the 2nd time).

Only you can decide if it's worth it to you and for how much. It's not worth anything to me but I don't care about my cabin. Be aware that you do not get double points when you Royal Up to a suite if that makes any difference to you.

Indy out of PC was $129-149 last October for several weeks. I would have gone more than once if my wife's schedule allowed. I've adjusted my expectations, it is what it is, just give us something resembling an actual deal.

Some of us weirdos don't actually use our own pool. Now if it came with a taco bar, chicken sandwiches, and funnel cake...

As someone who is content to just sail around the Caribbean enjoying the ship, CocoCay etc, I already mentioned doing 10 days on land before our Alaska cruise in 2018 was the highlight and made the trip, so completely agree for those who are more interested in adventure/new places (and have the budget for it of course).

May the Schwartz be with you!

Seriously. This is like a tv show being cancelled with a cliffhanger finale.