cravingthis

15 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

I have a great Nikon at home with several long lens. I almost brought it along but decided to go small with the iPhone. I do have my eyes on that Sony RX 100 VI that Twangster has it's a beautiful camera.

I have a Nikon too!  Yes, that Sony is a beauty, I've had my eye on it, but it's pricey!
Did you find it difficult to figure out the new settings on the 11 Pro Max?  
Greg, you have me seriously considering it now!
 

15 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

No, I'm flying Southwest, back to DC

Oh I see!  Just a fluke with same flight time ...lol

On 10/21/2019 at 2:49 PM, Sea Dog said:

Let’s do some house cleaning first.

First point of note. I will post a bunch of photos with my newly purchased iPhone11 Pro Max to give you a idea of what kind of pics it takes.

 

This review will start pre cruise with preps and two nights in Port Canaveral. I will then post at least once a day on our life on board, ports of call, food, whiskey and our take on the key. I hope you will have fun and enjoy the ride and see some great photos and videos from my new iPhone 11 ProMax. ALL ABOARD!!

Amazing review so far Greg!  I have seen several of your posts prior to your cruise and happy to follow along!  The housekeeping rules were a great add 😉
 

I have the iPhone X which was a huge purchase, and I was quite happy with it, but I love photography and not sure I want to lug my heavy DSLR with me.  I was holding out for the iPhone 12, but the 11 Pro Max looks amazing.  Your photos are very crisp and clear.  I'll be interested to see the night time shots, which is where the X tends to fall behind.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to share your review and pics!

3 hours ago, hrhdhd said:

Everyone will be lugging carry-on luggage. And getting through security will take you a good 30-45 minutes, so you don't have as long as you think.

 

You can shop, eat, read a book, use the free wifi, nap . . .

Thanks, this is our first time flying in/out of Orlando airport.  Appreciate the reminder about the security time line!

3 hours ago, Capt_BJ said:

I think you have some of your times a bit off

MCO now recommends you arrive to the airport THREE hours before departure (was TWO previously)

in general you can check bags and check in for flight FOUR hours before departure

these times are usually LONGER for international flights . . . . the 2 hour you are thinking of may be a MINIMUM for international flight!!   That's been my experience the last few years ... TWO hours b4 for international flight.

AND if you don't have TSA PRE ..... you'd better pay attention to the wait times for security (there's an app that let's you see current wait estimates)

*******************

SO

8:15 pickup gets you to MCO at 9:15 (approx)

inside the 4 hour check in window for a 12:30 flight .. check your bags and now you are free to get a bite, visit the gift shops (each of the major parks of Orlando has a gift shop in the main airport lobby .... Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, Kennedy Space Center)

if you still are worried of a place to hang ..... ask nice and I'll tell you of the secret lounge .... quiet, couches ...... 

It's been a long time since we flew and things have certainly changed!  If we can check our bags in 4 hours prior then we'll be able to move around more freely!  Thanks for the additional info!  I read about the lounges at the airport, and noticed there are charges, unless we have one of those premium credit cards 😥

54 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

I'm in the same boat as you, 12:30 flight and don't want to take the 8:15 shuttle with nothing to do for 3 hours.  So I decided to go with cortrans.  It's $20 instead of 14, but they have more departure times from the port.  That way I can sit down for a last breakfast in the buffet and take my time getting off the ship

Hi there!  I noticed that too!  I wish this shuttle company had more departure times too.  I hate to think how early we'll have to get up just to get off the ship in time for our 8:15 am pick up.  I may re-think this so we can have one last breakfast before post-cruise depression sets in.  Are you flying Air Canada by chance?  

22 minutes ago, slidergirl said:

I assume you're looking at the 8:15 and not the 10:35  - the 10:35 would be too late, as the littlest hiccup either on the road or at the airport would make you miss your flight.  

 

Your 2 suitcases - are you carrying them on along with your 2 "carryons"?   You could always check them.  As I've only gone out of the terminal that houses Delta, I can't tell you much about food/shopping anywhere.  I always headed straight for the Delta Sky Club.  There was a Mouseland shop and a NASA shop - nothing else much caught my eye.  The restaurants I walked by were all very crowded so I'm not sure how well you'd be able to maneuver around with a bunch of bags, 

Yes, the 8:15 am pick up, thanks for your concern!

We will check the 2 suitcases in, and have our 2 carry ons with us.  I don't think the airlines allow earlier check ins though?  I don't know which airline we'll be on .. .perhaps I can call a few to ask.  The last time I tried to call Air Canada, I was on hold forever.  I know we're supposed to check in 2 hours prior, but we'll be at MCO around 9 am (for a possible 12:30 pm flight).

We're booking a one way shuttle from Port Canaveral to MCO with Cruise Control, and the rate is very reasonable and budget-friendly.  $14/pp

They only have two pick up times:  8:15 am or 10:35 am.  Our proposed flight will leave MCO at 12:30 pm (haven't booked yet).  I believe check-in is two hours prior.

How difficult will it be to navigate 2 suitcases and 2 carryons while shopping around or grabbing a bite to eat?  I bought luggage straps, so hopefully that will help.

54 minutes ago, shofer said:

I was definitely confused.  Sorry about that.

Oh no worries at all 🙂

11 hours ago, shofer said:

It was actually worse!  I gave the edited version.  

 

Hi @shofer, I'm a bit confused.  I quoted @sdrocks.  Are you perhaps travelling with him/her as well?  

@sdrocks - so glad it all worked out for you!  What a stressful situation!

3 hours ago, kernow said:

We write in the type of Danish we'd prefer (apple, cinnamon etc) Usually this works, occasionally it doesn't!

LOL, like a box of chocolates, you don't know what you'll get!

On 10/13/2019 at 3:39 AM, grapau27 said:

Thanks,we had a fantastic cruise.

This was the English muffin like we had.It was toasted.

There was blueberry muffins but we didn't want any.

 

Thanks for the picture, much appreciated!

9 hours ago, MonikaJ42 said:

We are off the ship now and at the airport waiting for our flight home 😩. I will be writing a review tomorrow but just wanted to add a few more tidbits.  Chops Grill dinner, even if you have the UDP, a 2nd entree will cost you $10.  You can order as many appetizers and desserts but not multiple entrees.  This is the only restaurant on the ship that we came across the additional charge.  We didn’t order more than 1 entree so it was not an issue for us.  Also everyday in the promenade there is some kind of sale of watches, jewelry, shirts, hats, etc etc so bring some extra cash or prepare to use that credit card!   Happy cruising everyone!! 

Thanks for the extra info.
1/  So you can order multiple entrees for no extra charge at every specialty restaurant except Chops?

2/  I remember they had a sale on t-shirts and merchandise on the last day of our cruise.  Has this changed and now they have it every day?

12 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Cinnamon rolls, cranberry bread.

Thank you!

11 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Danish pastry,lemon pastry, almond pastry, cinnamon pastry etc.

The muffins were a plain English type.

Each day there was a selection of 3 pastries if you put 1 in the box but if you put 2 in the box you will get more.

The selection changed daily.

Just got off Explorer yesterday otherwise I would have taken a photo for you.

The hot breakfast was $7.95 on Explorer.

Graham

Thanks so much!  I think the muffins you're referring to are English muffins?  I was just wondering about the muffins, like blueberry or carrot ...

I hope you enjoyed your cruise on Explorer!

Just now, Host Clarea said:

It does seem that some ships are now cutting off those who are 30 minutes (or more) late to traditional dining  This way they can use those table for My Time.

Thanks for explaining, we prefer to eat early so 5 pm is perfect!

On a recent cruise compass, it lists the early seating from 5-5:30 pm.  Is the half hour just a time slot to allow everyone to get to the MDR, and then the doors close at 5:30 pm?  I remember long line ups for the elevators, and perhaps this is just added time?
 

TIA (thanks in advance)

On 9/23/2019 at 4:19 PM, grapau27 said:

There is no limit on how much you can order.

We get room service breakfast every day to eat on our balcony and room service ring us about 5 minutes before our breakfasts arrive.

We only had breakfast on our balcony once.  I'd like to order more often for our upcoming cruise.  What kind of pastries do they have nowadays?  I saw the menu (thank you), but it doesn't list the type of muffins, danishes, etc. available?

20 hours ago, Ready 2 Cruise said:

Thank you for sharing! We are on HOTS this Sunday.

Is the ship decorated for Halloween 🎃? And are there any Halloween 👻 activities, costume parade, trick or treat, etc?

thanks!

How exciting!  We're on next year.  I'll be looking for your feedback!  Safe travels!

19 hours ago, MonikaJ42 said:

Thank you! We are having a wonderful time.  Love the ship and everything has been just amazing! Sad we are heading back to Port Canaveral 😩

So glad you enjoyed Harmony.  Post cruise is tough 😥

12 hours ago, cruisegirl1 said:

 We are on Harmony now. It is second formal night.  I would say about 25%  of the men are in a sport jacket or better.  Everyone else is anywhere from shorts and T-shirts to slacks and a collared shirt. 

 

M

Wow, I hope you enjoyed the cruise!  Can't wait to hear all about it!

12 hours ago, MonikaJ42 said:

We are now on day 6 and no issues at all with any specialty restaurant.  The UDP has been great.  Just mention that you have the package and the waiters pretty much offer you the kitchen!   We love it!

 

We have only ate at Chops for lunch on day 1 so far (dinner is booked for day 7).  Service was wonderful and in our experience quick.  

I actually don't have the UDP for our upcoming cruise though, I only have one specialty dining night 😥

Enjoy the rest of your week, and thanks again for posting live!

On 10/6/2019 at 11:32 PM, MonikaJ42 said:

We have the ultimate dining package and ate at Chops for lunch and 150 Central Park for dinner. Absolutely no issues ordering 2 entrees in both restaurants.  The waiters actually encouraged it as we wanted to try different dishes.  No extra charge.  Wonderful experience so far with the package.

 

Thank you for taking the time out of your cruise to share your info with us! 

1/ I thought with specialty dining, you can order multiple appetizers and desserts, but only one entree?

2/  How was the service at Chops?  Were you able to get in/out in 2 hours or less?  

On 10/7/2019 at 3:22 PM, MrsKC08 said:

Formal or not...hubby and I ALWAYS dress to the occasion. It's one of our favorite things to do on a cruise.

 

You both look great, the colors are very complimentary!

13 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Yep, that is always something to ask before booking with a travel agent.

Thanks again.  

3 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

 

You might find that someone at the same travel agency has weekend hours.

Thank you.  I called and another agent did call me back a few hours later.

She said the price adjustment would affect the perks I already have, so I can't get any price adjustments unless I forfeit the perks 😥

2 hours ago, LuCruise said:

I called 3 times in the past week and a half.  First time, they offered kids sale free so that saved us (our younger one is under 12).  Then last week they switched to this 30% off and it saved us more.  Then two days later, they added a 'flash sale' ontop of that that saved us a few dollars too.  I have no issue calling each time (we book with Royal directly).  However, if you are concerned that your TA might get annoyed and not respond, then sounds like you need a new TA.

 

Current deal says it ends tomorrow night.  Don't know, but I've noticed from Royal that they rarely have a new sale on Monday...but don't quote me on that.

Thanks for the info.  Glad you were able to get some discounts!

2 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

You must request price drops using your travel agent.  Speak to them about how to handle the weekends.

Royal has no limit on price drops.

Again, speak to your travel agent about how they feel.

 

Thanks.  Yes, I realize I have to go through my TA and not RC.  This is the first time I've requested a price adjustment.

Thank you!

1/  My cruise dropped $75 but my TA doesn't work on the weekends.  Do I just hope the price remains and call on Monday?

2/  How many times can I get an adjustment before final payment?

3/  Since TA's get commission, how do they feel about doing multiple adjustments?  She might not respond to my calls or emails after the first one ...lol

Any price drop would be great since I'm paying in US dollars!

2 hours ago, aring75 said:

This was the Chops apple pie from Vision this June. Husband said it tasted pretty much exactly like what he was served in the MDR, just a slightly "fancier" presentation (I guess Vision wasn't doing that little tartlet thing, because he definitely received a slice of pie in the MDR). And, yes, they both had raisins.

 

 

Thanks so much for the picture!  I appreciate it! 
It looks like a deep dish pie!  I think the tart is definitely cuter, but I'll take either ...lol

I'll have to try both and see.  

*Great photo btw 👌

10 hours ago, sjb317 said:

The apple tart is basically the same on each ship, just prepared better on some. It was pretty good on Harmony but like I said earlier, Majesty has had the best one so far!😀

 

Sherri🙂

That's good to know.  I guess consistency is difficult to achieve 😑

10 hours ago, sjb317 said:

Forgot to say that Celebrity’s food, IMO, is, no better than Royal’s.  Their breads and pastries are, for the most part, not worth the calories.  Cheesecake with caramel sauce is my favorite dessert.  They do have cinnamon ice cream once or twice during the cruise that is amazing.  But entrees, appetizers are hit or miss.😂

 

Sherri🙂 

I haven't been on Celebrity, but I always thought the food was more elevated.  Cheesecake with caramel sauce ... YUM!  The strawberry cheesecake at Park Cafe was light and fluffy, whereas the MDR's is more dense and preferable! 
Thanks for your feedback!