bajathree

On my upcoming Wonder sailing GTY cabins in all categories have consistently been running a 40% savings over an assigned cabin....HUGE price difference.

No pool in the solarium on Harmony was a deal breaker for me.

What I have noticed trending more recently is a huge price difference between GTY cabins verse an assigned cabin, Following my current April Wonder sailing....with many cabins still available in both Neighborhood balcony and Oceanview balcony.....they are asking double the pricing for assigned in both categories compared to booking an assigned. I don't ever remember pre-covid a disconnect between pricing like that. I remember pre-covid booking most GTY cabins saving maybe a couple hundred bucks maybe compared to an assigned....not what I am seeing now like where an assigned is saving thousands.

From what I saw in Dec at Labadee with the cabanas I would have to agree.....sky high prices remained prior to the sailing and half remained empty the day we were there. People were staring at the ones occupied laughing at how much those people paid while all the others remained empty.

Running into same thing for April Wonder

Odd thing is even Solarium Bistro which is a no charge is showing sold out.

Yup.....same for Wonder April....changed over to showing sold out for dining as of last night.

The infinite veranda is a love or hate. I have sailed on Celebrity in an infinite veranda and wasn't a fan. When you open the window on a Caribbean sailing it immediately made the cabin very hot. The idea of closing the bifold door and opening the window to create a "balcony" also did not work as once the window is open the AC turns off. Also the space was cluttered with furniture that had to be moved on Celebrity in order to open and close the bifold doors. It looks like Icon is using a curtain instead...don't know that makes anything better. I also found that with that large window if you were sailing in the direction that your window was in full sun it really heated the cabin even with the window closed if you didn't close the shades. If you were sailing in like say Alaska or a cold climate sailing I would say the infinite veranda would be a good concept....but in my opinion on a warm weather/Carribean it's terrible. The window was also overridden in bad weather from the bridge that you weren't able to open it at times. For me the whole idea was nothing more than selling you a glorified Oceanview cabin. I am very surprised to see the infinite veranda move over to Royal and new builds. I have avoided booking an infinite veranda sailings as it isn't a true balcony experience at all.

Yes

Columbia is one of my favorites....not sure if you know but there is also Columbia Cafe located right near the port in the Tampa Bay History Center...it's an abbreviated version of the Ybor original but just as good. If you like Italian check out their sister restaurant in Ybor called Cafe Santos Stefano...excellent! If you're looking for a little different experience but want to be right around the Ybor area with these great restaurants in walking distance....take a look at Hotel Haya.

I walked into the wrong cabin on an inaugural sailing....door wasn't closed all the way and I walked in.....to my surprise it was actually Richard Fain's cabin. He said hello and I said OMG I am so sorry, I must have the wrong cabin..what a nice guy he is...we both laughed....it happens.

If it were me I would be looking for a hotel in the Channelside district or Water St. district...many hotels to choose from in all categories and budgets....from budget to 5 star. Many more places within walking distance such as restaurants, attractions and bars....as well as depending on the exact location in the 2 areas above I suggested, you might even be able to either walk to the port or take a free trolley.

This is an older property in a pretty remote location....defiantly newer properties in better locations available. Only restaurant in walking distance is Bahama Breeze....or if you go over to the Westin.

Oasis class ships were the same...priced crazy high for the first season....wait a year and pricing will drop to less than half. They keep pricing crazy high on the newest ship....it makes things look more attractively priced for the rest of the fleet. Have to fill the "older" ships first, they know they can always book out the latest ship last minute if they need. They will also keep it priced crazy high and comp it out to Club Royal and such before lowering pricing. I have already received Utopia offers via Club Royale.

Not anything good....try to find a good cigar shop...there are many in FL.

I never had an issue parking at PORT EVERGLADES

Not sure about how many taxis......but Uber or Lyft shouldn't be easy to get in Tampa.

Yup....they made it at second attempt once they got back in line behind the other ships arriving....odyssey just dock at 7:45am...about 2hrs behind their scheduled time.

Just read that Odyssey missed its first attempt into Port Everglades this morning and will be trying again shortly.....so looks like things will be delayed there.

Thanks for the updates.....safe travels!

Marine Traffic is now currently showing Odyssey as heading to Puerto Plata with an ETA of 22:15.....maybe a medical emergency?

Have friends sailing Odyssey and curious what's going on...haven't heard any updates. I see they diverted to Labadee today but cruise mapper currently has them now sailing east away from FL? They are due in Port Everglades Sun but seeing their current heading wondering if they already made a decision to stay out at sea till this storm passes.

I would switch hotels as anything in that area is going to be very difficult to get to at that time.

Agree....you are fine.