Bead Pirate

This happens frequently (all of the time?), I have given up on the process just because of the difficulty of setting it up and then trying to make it work in the Casino. As others have said it is easier to take cash (just remember to split the cash up between folks in $10K increments)

Just heard from a butler friend on MSC, lost the family home this morning in St Vincent. Sad, be sure and check on your friends on board...

Texted with an entertainer friend on board Wonder last evening, no word about the issue internally and they are mystified by the news. It appears to be an App problem at this point.

The ICON (don't even get me started on this after 2 weeks on her). There are MANY opportunities to spend extra $ for drinks that exceed drink package limits (example 2 "adult" milk shakes for $40ish) and they are marketed heavily in the various venues. If I ever sailed her again (it would be against my will) I would buy the Deluxe Package even though I have the daily drinks...

There are two small fridges there. You can help yourself to a can or two when the bartender is not present. They only stock them twice a day so please be considerate of your fellow suite guests. When the bartender and server are present, they will get you what you want. People do carry a drink out with them if you like walking with a drink...

Consider a week's cruise once over there and then the repositioning cruise to bring her back. I HATE the flight over (even in 1st class with a Pod), not sure how others even tolerate it... As others have said above, you will love the experience!

Celebrity v. Royal: The overwhelming benefit (for PINs) is a full beverage package on Celebrity. We cruise on Wonder about 8 weeks a year in Grand Suites. If you are Diamond or higher you will get drink vouchers on your card that you can use at any venue. There are a lot of bars/venues to enjoy on the Wonder and to confine yourself to just the suite lounge 24/7 for beverages would be a shame. No status (free drinks) = buy drink package Kids like the on-demand soda machines (mix your own) = buy them a beverage package

Leatherman has been confiscated every time when in checked luggage, they never touch it or ask when I put it in the carry on. I am in a wheelchair, and it really comes in handy tightening up loose screws/bolts.

Just off ICON, if you want to hear a song from the dueling pianos you better have at least a $20 with the request (a couple of requests had a $50 on them). The performers will tell the audience straight up the requests with the "Jackson" attached will get first attention... Short sets and a lot of talking limit the actual number of songs you will get to hear so there is competition to hear a song.

Wife and I ae both Masters... Both Hard Rock and Royal are doing and excellent job of communicating,

We are friends with several performers that are frequently on the Mariner as we sailed her a lot when she was in PC. The bands were told that they needed to expand their repertoire to include some country songs in the mix. No problem for most but the band from Russia (forget the name, but they were good at 80's and 90's music) decided it was not something they did well, and they were moved to other ships... So Royal does take the TX angle seriously (it was fun to watch the bands work on mixing in some Country music in the sets at Boleros. Every time I heard "friends in low places" and "I love this bar" it got better and better)

We are here today (Wonder)... I estimate that 4,000+ have gotten off the ship so far... We are staying on as we were just here last week with MSC. Had a great visit, no concerns at all. The men and women with the uniforms, guns and dogs are there to make sure you are safe (and to make sure you do not take anything onto the ship that you should not).

This is not all of that uncommon folks... I was sitting at Trellis bar on Wonder right about sunset just people watching. Saw a family going through the bushes duck hunting. A small mouse came running out of the bushes and scared the bejesus out of the little girl as it raced over to the other side of the walkway. I was laughing so hard my martini came out of my nose 🙂

Sigh.... IN YC now on Seaside (been here two weeks on Sunday). The only thing lacking is a good Bourbon selection. They have Elijah Craig, Woodford and Jack. There is a single bottle (per cruise) of Japanese Whiskey in the Cocktail Bar (it goes quick). My suggestion, bring your bottle on board (a pretty good chance you will not get caught being in YC). I brought my Wild Turkey 101 and filled a flask each night. No one said a thing about me dispensing it for my nightcap in Top Sail for the last drink of the night I offered the bottle to the bar to just incorporate into the stock, but it caused some concern (I explained that I had no problem sharing with others). This little inconvenience will not overcome the wonderful experience that is the YC. It is after all a 1st world problem...

Promise that you will write a review after the cruise that says, "it was terrible". No sense in telling the truth and having more folks after our precious YC turf 🙂

Two channels in the sports bar. Last two nights, one for hockey and one for NBA. Seating is VERY limited as the place is now packed with slot machines.

The point's carry over for the length of your cruise...

On Seashore now... Sunday was Glow, Monday was Rock, Tuesday was Gala/Silent Party, Wednesday is Sunshine Party (60,70,80), Thursday is Tropical, Friday is White Party, Saturday is Farewell.....

I am on the seashore doing the same thing now... The concierge in YC pointed out to me that my card covered the entire 14 days (see printed dates on card) and I would not be counted as a B2B. He encouraged me to go up to the pool deck and relax while everyone did the Turnaround....

If there is a priest traveling on your ship, they will offer Mass (usually at 7 AM) in one of the meeting rooms.

On one right now... I have only seen about 7 children on the cruise (mind you we do not have common interests so our paths do not cross often anyway). As you would expect Blu often has a line early in the evening. The elevators are a bit of a pian in the back of the edge ships (they are small). Tough to get a seat at Martini bar and Eden for shows. Lots of big groups taking seats early, etc. Food has been overall very good. Specialty dining is available (this seems to be a rather cost-conscious bunch on here this sailing).

Buk has been out in the officer line up (on deck 4 at dinner time) a couple of times this cruise (nesting in a nice little woven basket). Just walk up and say "Hello"

A chance for you to reserve all kinds of extra cost treatments at the Spa 🙂

4th announcement right now… Ship is operational, we are now at port waiting to be cleared. The technical issue was electrical and has been repaired.