Fontaid

I think the big trees won't be replaced until the Allure leaves Galveston for Florida. Those trees need to be lifted over the top of the ship using a big crane - probably with a 250 foot boom (maybe higher). To try to do something like that during a standard turnaround day is virtually impossible, not to mention very risky from a safety perspective. It takes too long per tree and the safety hazards of 6000 passengers getting off, another 6000 getting on, and all of the staff trying to get things done that day are very high. In addition the cost of the crane would be much less if you only have to rig and derig it once. I'm sure someone has it worked out by now. They just haven't let us know.

The trees have to be lifted by a crane over the top of the ship. From a safety perspective, there's not enough time to do that during a normal turnaround day with 6000 people disembarking and another 6000 people embarking. My guess is they will wait until the Allure moves to Florida and either bring new trees in as she leaves or when she arrives in Florida. My guess is that they would do it just before she leaves Galveston to give the landscaping crew time to set all the trees in place properly before she has 6000 more people on the ship.

Go to the Solarium Bistro - it's a mini WindJammer up front on Deck 15, but much quieter, particularly on Embarkation Day. Children can eat in the Solarium Bistro, but are not permitted in the Solarium.

This does appear to be your hotel. Damage was caused by either a transformer or a lightning strike. The Galveston County "The Daily News" says more details will be available on Monday. Here's a screenshot from "The Daily News" (with credits) showing damage.

Pick a port day - have a couple of people go order several whole pizzas from Sorrentos, someone else head to Park Cafe and pick up several different sandwiches and salads, have someone else get more food from Cafe Promenade and have everyone meet at one of pools where you can all get together at the same time. PARTY!!! Cost - $0 If you don't like this, maybe it will help you think of a better way to celebrate. And tell her CONGRATULATIONS from everyone at Cruise Critic. 😀

Try cruisedig.com/ports

@brillohead aka Saint Brillohead aka Guardian Angel Debbi... Under the category of "you can't make this stuff up"... It would not surprise me if those two women were at Guest Services this morning complaining very loudly with a screwdriver (not from Maintenance, Lowe's or Home Depot) in one hand and a cell phone in the other, which they want to turn in because it's not theirs. They were still wearing the same clothes from yesterday, stains and all, and smelled like they had been in the gutter on Bourbon Street in New Orleans for 24 hours at Mardi Gras. First, they want to know why the ship is still spinning around in one place. It hadn't done that since... yesterday. Yes, they are complaining that they went to Maya Chan and only had one or two drinks (they didn't mention the 15 drinks they had before they left the ship). They know they almost missed the ship; they had to wait for this unknown 3rd woman because Maya Chan said they had to share a taxi with her. They don't know how much this other woman had to drink, but it had to be way too much. This third woman took one of their cell phones and stuffed it in the taxi cushions as a prank so they would have to look for it and miss the ship. They wanted to talk to the Captain, in person. They wanted to promise the Captain it wouldn't happen a 3rd time. Then, the Captain, against his better judgement, decided to dock in Cozumel as scheduled - on the good chance they might not make it back to the ship in time today. "Ahhh" he was dreaming, "such a peaceful journey north through the Gulf it would be." Poof! And just that quick, "The Quest" became yesterday's news... lol. Note: Poetic license taken... Debbi - Start your Allure Novella now!!!

OMG Debbi... I'm laughing so hard, I'm crying... sorry! Sounds like Drunk1 or was it Drunk2 could have used a foley... and @seadog could provide the other foley... sound effects, that is. If I was on the ship, I would buy you a double shot of your favorite adult beverage.... too funny.

I'm not looking for any particular sound. I just thought you could add the appropriate sound effects into the video you're going to put together. Silent films are so 1920ish. 🤣

@Sea Dog Since you are the consummate videographer, are you also a Foley artist? Just trying to add to your workload... 😁

You may have described yourself, but you also described my mom. She was a freckly, curly redhead. Her skin was pasty; she never had a tan. Fifteen minutes in the sun and she was burned. Ouch!

I recently had a skin cancer removed from my arm, so I'm looking to cover up this year. Specifically I'm concerned about my neck, ears, and the back of my hands because I like to snorkel for long periods of time (but not 5 hours!). I'll be looking to buy a hooded rash guard with thumbholes. I've already got swim leggings to my ankles. A big thanks for the advice. Just a thought... if I get a white hooded rash guard and white leggings, I'm ready for White Night! Either that or doing my best "Casper, the Friendly Ghost" impersonation... for those who are old enough to remember Casper.

Thanks for the info. With what my wife brings, I'd need a lock box the size of a small trunk 🤣

@brillohead Since you said you don't get a day pass from one of the resorts and you're by yourself, where do you put your stuff, ie. towel, Seapass, $$$, etc., while you're snorkeling for 5 hours? Also, how do you protect yourself from sunburn for that long? My wife attracts the tropical fish too. But then she's feeding them saltwater fish food in the shallows. Always draws a crowd... 🤣 ... of fish, that is.

If I tried that, you would find me in Medical waiting for a welder and a pipefitter to cut the hoops off of me before the doctor could treat me for all my broken bones.... 🤣 I sure hope he's an orthopedist....

I am a retired engineer... most definitely not a creative writer, but thanks. I do love a great laugh... even better when it's to the point of making me cry. I normally like to find the humor in a situation and not make fun of someone, but in this case I might have to make an exception. Hopefully this week's show lives up to the hype... and even more than that when we cruise in May. Since we're not on a B2B or B3B, I'll definitely set an alarm so I do not sleep through The Quest. That could ruin my cruise! 🤣

@Ozark_KidHmmm... The Quest is held while at sea, so who would have jurisdiction for such a "crime"? I will say that @brillohead Deb has never said what she's been reading on her Kindle - perhaps last week's review of The Quest? Or perhaps she's writing a steamy novel about The Quest. That would make her musings posted here professional - particularly if she asked us to review them and give her feedback on her "draft." That would make a great legal defense. She also could write off her cruise expenses as "business expenses." She said she slept through last week's show, but do we really know that she did? Hey, if you're doing a B3B, it pays to be creative to reduce your overall costs and generate some publicity and intrigue about a previously unannounced upcoming novel. Who knows? She might even give us signed copies of her new novel. 🤣

Don't forget to set your alarm this week. I'm not familiar with The Quest, so I'm interested in hearing all the lurid tales from this week. Don't leave out any details... 🤣

@Ozark_Kid and @brillohead - The 2 for 1 review was great! Loved it. I enjoyed the great pictures and those of your feet 🤣. The review makes it a little easier waiting until May for our 50th anniversary cruise on the Allure. We are splurging for a GS. We considered a CLS, but at our age, stairs are not friendly. Have a safe and uneventful trip home, John. Sorry to tell you, but your free drinks have sailed.... Deb, hopefully you won't have to share your new cabin with the Pins for too long. Keep posting this week!

cruisedig.com is showing Freedom and Oasis on 7/25/23.

Thoroughly enjoyed your review. Thanks for posting it along with the pics. I know this took a significant amount of time. I hope your home survived the frigid weather as well.

I suggest you contact RC via https://www.royalcaribbean.com/resources/guest-special-needs That provides a form for you to fill out. The website says you will get a personal response within 48 hours. If not, then you are directed to email them at special_needs@rccl.com or call them at 866.592.7225. I don't think you'll have any problems with your pump since it is a medical necessity. I used the website for my CPAP machine (they probably have a few hundred of those on every Oasis class sailing). Good luck, but don't worry.

If an Italian restaurant can't easily set up a table for 10 or more, it's not a true Italian restaurant! 🤣

I am so sorry to learn of your wife's passing. Please accept my sincere condolences and know that you and Jan are in my prayers. I am glad that you and Jan were able to take your recent cruise together. Those memories will endure and help sustain you....

I think the only "negatives" are that with the one user/4 devices package, all four of you would use the same username and password. That's not a problem by itself. But if one of the group decides to log in a second device and 4 devices are already logged in, then one of the logged in devices will get bumped off. If you can manage this, then always buy one user, multiple devices. It is definitely cheaper.