ORD1166

12 hours ago, mahdnc said:

We did see from the outside, Castle San Felipe de Barajas, but we did not have time to tour the fort itself.  Just as well, as there was some decent elevation gain to get to it.  Why do builders make it so difficult to get to a fort?  

 

 

 

It is a long hot 🥵 climb to the top. And the incline is very steep. Was really sucking wind at the top. We did this tour last fall and it was hot 🥵 and humid. Hope you drank lots of water 💧 

23 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Looks like perfect weather for Honolulu.  
 

Our flight out DFW in morning at 1100.  Looking forward to this cruise and meeting you two young men.

Vic

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

The date line can really mess with your head.    When we flew home from Sydney in December we arrived before we left.   

 

The first TP I did, I found I had to go back and study Geography.    In my mind I always thought Tahiti was far west of Hawaii, only to learn it was actually Due South and a little to the east and was on the same timezone.... so no time zone changes.

That is an interesting geography note about Tahiti and Hawaii. 

Vic

14 hours ago, peagreenid said:

Can someone tell me what time the Walk off's are allowed to disembark on the Icon of the Seas?

Can you post the sheet with disembarkation times?

We walk off at about 6:55 AM and was in a cab by 7:05

Vic

21 hours ago, cruisinghawg said:

Completion of Final Thoughts

The Good

The food was excellent all week with plenty of choices particularly in the shellfish area. Windjammer is laid out like Wonder with 2 distinct sides but each a copy of the other. The gluten free options are in the back of both sides.

The cabins were spacious with plenty of shelves, the mattress was comfortable  (this is subjective I know), loved the new shower arrangement with the seat but there are some draw backs I will talked about in a moment as to the cabin.

I am probably not the one to comment on chairs or seats as I do not set for long periods of time but I found most to be comfortable, so there ya go @Ocean Boy. However I did not set in all of them that were pictured during the week.

Wizard of Oz is THE BEST PRODUCTION of RC. What they have done is simply amazing with the flying features quick costume changes and set pieces. A must see!!

The Aqua show will be a smash when the entire production is a go, we only got to see about 30 minutes and it was awesome.

The 1400 Bar was the bar of choice, great bartenders and always fun. Check that out!!!

Ocean View from the Promenade and Central Park was a huge winner for many.

The Elevator system is very good once you get the hang of it, much more efficient.

 

The Bad

Back to the cabins and their plugs, or should I say lack of plugs. There are ONLY 2 110v plugs in the cabin 1 on the vanity and 1 on the side of the bed (ours was on the left as you are at the foot) however there are 6 USB plugs for chargers for different technologies. So again if you have a lightning charger for your phone, ipad, notebook, kindle, camera or computer use the plugs wisely.

The Overlook is a great place but it is a long walk. Also the sun is generally beating down in there somewhere most of the time and yes it is airconditioned, but beware of these things. You can move from side to side to avoid the sun. Oh and the seating is not comfortable per DW.

Personal complaint I have is the Schooner had only 2 bottles of Buffalo Trace so they were out by night 2. Well being a Bella Cruiser the Schooner Bar is......well if you know, you know!!! Had to move to 1400 Bar, which turned out to be a good move.

RC usually passes out much bling during their inaugurals but I was somewhat disappointed with what they gave us.

 

The Ugly

I did not complete my discussion of deck 6 in the previous post as this is where, in my opinion RC designers screwed up bigly. As one travels to the rear of deck 6 on the starboard side there will be a RC logo shop (one of 3) past that is playmakers that on our Sunday included NFL playoffs. As one might imagine it was jumping that Sunday and here is where a huge problem can occur. You see you must go through Playmakers down 2 flights of stairs to get to the Ice show. Going in not a problem but when the show was over and we were coming out the Det vs SF game was at a critical point. Now add some 500 passer through some of whom may have stopped to watch and wheww boy it got explosive in some places, to where there were threats of beer bombs going off. We got out ASAP. This is a horrible design flaw RC must fix or something is going to explode here. Maybe an entryway off deck 5 I do not know but DW and I both saw this on the first day of the cruise.

Also getting to the Hideaway is bit of a problem as one must pass through the kids area to get there. However, it it appears that this adult area is for younger adults that drink and socialize all day in the sun all day. Never saw a deck of cards anywhere!!

This is not a pretty sleek ship at all on the outside.  

 

Well that is all I have at this time, if you have other questions just ask. This has been a lot of fun as I have already mentioned so thanks for following along!!

 

Paul,

Very well stated in both posts.  

Vic

On 2/1/2024 at 5:18 AM, cruisinghawg said:

Surfside, another influence from Oasis class but different.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great video's Paul

Linda and I will also be on this cruise.  Looking forward to a great time and seeing all the new things Royal has put on the ship.

Vic

I found some magnet night lights on Amazon called Wyze Night Light. They are a three pack and motion sensor light.  You can charge they up them using a USB plug.  Nice soft light and stay on for about a minute.  Work great for both cabin and bathroom night lite.  They were less that $20. 

Vic

Jim_Iain,

Enjoyed your review.  And sounds like you both had a great time on this new adventure.  Linda & I are looking forward to meeting both of you next year on Solstice sailing from Honolulu.

Vic

Back in 2008 I was talking with are a TA about an upcoming cruise.  And she asked if I wanted to travel insurance for it.  For some unknown reason I said yes..  It was the the first time I ever took travel insurance.  The day before the cruise in Feb of 2009 Kiser were in Galveston the day before the cruise.  That night I had a heart attack and had to miss the cruise. I recovered and doing fine.  

Then later that year the DW and her sisters were going to take a cruise.  One sister was in an auto wreck.  They missed their cruise.

Travel insureance covered both cruise.

Have not cruise without it since

Vic

17 hours ago, cruiseguy1016 said:

 

I'm pretty sure you are talking about a renewal but you mentioned renewal and new so I want to make sure. Can you confirm that this is for a renewal?

Yes it was a renewal

2 hours ago, Rothko1 said:

Thanks.  Was this the regular renewal or the $60 extra expedited renewal?

 

I just sent in my passport renewal yesterday (expedited).

This was a regular renewal not expedited.

Vic

All,

Here is the time line for our passport renewal.

Mailed in renewal forms on 1 Apr

State Department got forms 4 Apr

State Department approved new passport  23 Jun

Got new passport 28 Jun

Total time was 89 days or 12.5 weeks.

Hope this info helps everyone on what the time line is right now.

Vic

12 hours ago, njkruzer said:

We arrive Vancouver Tuesday night.  Using points.  We were spoiled when we lived in NJ and could fly nonstop from Newark.  From Nashville we have to change plans. The other 2 couples we're traveling with for the first cruise,  arrive Wednesday.  From Tampa we head to Hilton Head with a rental car for a meeting and then a drive home. 

 

Btw b2b cruises are nice.

Are you flying thru DFW??  We meet up with Chuck and Carol in DFW for our flight to Vancover.

Vic

12 hours ago, Coochuck said:

We will be Boarding in Vancouver also...first B2B for us.  Got great Air Fares from Philly to Vancouver on American.  Should be fun.

Let's go Chuck!  I am ready to sail now

On 4/23/2023 at 1:05 PM, njkruzer said:

See you in October. 

Thought it was see you in September.  We will see you when board in Vanvcouver too start our cruise  to  Tampa.

Vic

Just sent off our renewal yesterday.  Hopefully it won't take too long to get our passports back.  Our next is not until Sept so we have lots of time .

Vic

5 minutes ago, oasisorbust said:

I will be sailing this spring for the first time as a Diamond. I understand that I will receive 4 drink vouchers per day. I also understand that there is a Diamond lounge which holds a happy hour each day. Do cocktails in this venue count towards the 4 drink vouchers? 

Yes they do

Hope you enjoy the trip.  We will getting on the ship on Friday and taking it back north to Seward.

Vic

2 hours ago, Keysdreamin01 said:

Good morning all, 

 

I am sailing on the Vision in December for 11 nights and looking to get travel insurance before my final payment. 

 

Looking for suggestions on who to purchase it with. 

 

Thanks in advance, 

 

I use Square Mouth dot com for travel insurance.  You put your info and the come up with a choice of companies and cost.  Also, at time I use the cruise line for trip insurrance.

Global Entry is a good option to have if you travel a lot.  It is great for flying back from International flights into the US.  I have also used twice when sailing back into the US on Trans Atlantic cruise Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. Also, have used when flying into Vancouver for a sailing out of there down the west coast to LA.  You also get TSA Pre-check for 5 years which is great for flying in the US.  This is something you have to say is it worth it for you and your family. Just like with having a passport or not when you cruise out of US ports.  It works great for the wife and I as we have traveled a lot over the last 10 years or so.

Vic

try square mouth dot com for travel insurance

1 hour ago, daka said:

Looking into insurance for trips..what have you found to be the least expensive companies?

Try looking at square mouth dot com.  for trip insurance 

I have been very lucky to avoid the "cruise crud" over 30+ cruises..  My wife is another story.  Seems to catch it nearly every cruise.  Symptoms sometimes last 6-8 weeks!  Came home one time with pneumonia and missed 12 more work days before doctor would release her.  

Read a hint on cruise critic a while back to ask cabin steward on the first day to have the air filter in the cabin changed. Seemed to help.  Just in case, we travel with lots of OTC cold meds, cough drops, etc.  Super expensive (sometimes unavailable) on the ship.

Healthy sailing to all!

Hey Wine-O,  I see you are posting so I guess you made it through Dorian.  Hope no major damage for you!  Stay safe!