Engineroom Snipe

I do BBQ in New Jersey in February but you need to put a bit of insulation around the barrel and beef-up the combustibles (wood and charcoal). 😋

I wonder how much business RCI will be cannibalizing from their other ships to fill the Icon? Will they be able to back-fill the smaller ships as customers forgo two or three cruises a year on smaller ships to pay for one cruise per year on the Icon? At the prices you quote, it is going to take a large amount of cash to feed this vessel and keep it full: otherwise, they have overestimated their revenue stream which will significantly decrease as the novelty of the first voyages of repeat cruisers wears off.

As long as the "Ugly Duckling of the Seas" can lay some golden eggs for RCI's coffers, beauty is in the eye of the shareholder. 😉

"Don't go breaking my heart....." (Elton John and Kiki Dee) which was sung right after Rocket Man and Hotel California referred to in post #42 @Sizzlechest. 🤣

I could always count on the salad bar to be a great back-up option. "Those were the days my friend, I thought they would never end...." (Mary Hopkin) Oh the inhumanity of it all, not the salad bar! 😭

I appreciate your response. That is exactly what I have noticed too! 🥹

Enjoy your balcony and a private moment with the sea! Thanks for sharing your voyage with us. 😉

😢

Last April, on The Enchantment of the Seas, the kummelweck sandwich that I ate was OK. Not great, not terrible. It used to be that these sandwiches were superb and everyone raved about them. I hope things improve.

I think that everyone who has sailed this itinerary once does not leave the ship after the first sailing. Especially after getting to the dock later than expected or getting stuck in traffic trying to get to the parks in general. Should just make it another sea day except that it saves RCI fuel and makes some extra cash on excursions. I love Bayonne and Baltimore because I do not have to fly. That said, I am not booking more than once a year until they can change the itineraries. Flying is so unpredictable and expensive. I am starting to think of other vacations.

Like yourself, I love cruising: I used to really enjoy the salad bar. Could you describe or take a picture of the spread? There used to be like twenty plus items to make a meal from the salad bar. The last two cruises were disappointing. I am hoping that they change things to "go back to the future." Hoping for the best......

You are just working on your next winter's hibernation pelt. I have been Doomsday Prepping WAY before you have. Those 7-10 lbs can buy you 20 days in the wilderness. You do not need to pack or can your food, it is always with you! I bring my "survival belt" everywhere I go. ☺️

So true of any manufacturer item. Vodka goes from 40% to 35% alcohol as they add "flavoring." Get the original and add some real lime or lemon juice. It cost less and taste better! 😉

Yes, my triglycerides, glucose, and so many other blood tests just went WAY UP in appreciation! 🤪 😋

Thank you for your time!

They charge extra when I pack my accordion for a Polka Party. "Roll Out the Barrels, (Beer Polka songs)" 😆

Following your thread and finding it wonderful in its clear and concise dialogue as well as great pictures.

OMG, this reminds me of standing in a line at the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles in 1982 for over two hours to be told that I was in the wrong line! There was absolutely no guidance and everyone seemed to be pointing to another line. VERY frustrating. 😫

Quick after cruise critique will be more than sufficient for me. Food is always subjective and like to hear everyone's opinion whether it agrees with mine or not.

Looking for your review in a couple of weeks.

The WJ salad bar was also my go to on previous cruises when all else failed but now it has been severely down-sized with much fewer dressings, toppings, and individual vegetable options. 🥹

"This is the way." 😉

Off of Jewel last April, hot water and tea available 24/7 aft of Solarium at all times. Enjoy your cruise! I wish I could be there with you as you enjoy it! 😁

A very knowledgeable poster has stated how cruise ships have sodium levels in their potable water systems that is comparable or less than most treated water municipalities. I do not doubt his expertise. There is a significant difference between distilled water and sea water filtered through reverse osmosis. The Navy was very particular that they only wanted distilled sea water to be fed to their steam systems to avoid corrosion and scaling of the systems. As I have stated in earlier posts in this thread, there are vacation factors involved for these symptoms as well as the potable water involved onboard ship. We all have to find our solutions so we can keep on cruising as "our body pipes and systems start getting scale build-up of many types!" 🤣