“LIVE” from the Odyssey of the Seas, Third times a charm??

[niksmom630]

I was starting to wonder if this review would ever come to fruition.....3 bookings and two out of three cancelled.  😩 I was beginning to feel a bit like the people who  “missed”  Cococay, but heck, at least they got to board. 
 

Since  I am currently sitting on a balcony at the Gallery One Doubletree Hilton hotel in Fort Lauderdale , I’m feeling fairly confident this one is actually going to happen 🥳

 

After almost a decade on exclusively Oasis class ships, I’m ready for a change. As is my iPhone “camera”  roll. 😂 Since I tend to take a lot of photos when I cruise, a scroll thru the 10k captures on iCloud confirms my suspicions that I have over 100 photos of the boardwalk alone 🤦‍♀️ So it’s definitely time for a new subject...... enter, Odyssey of the Seas.....

 

 

 

 

[niksmom630]

If you’ve ever followed any of my reports before, it will be mostly photos, random observations and musings, screen shots, compasses, and anything else that strikes me as I wander around. This will be very short sailing, but we decided to keep this booking fora Few reasons. More on that later....

we had a last minute itinerary change thanks to the Bahamian Prime Minister.... TWO DAY IN COCOCAY! this certainly improves my odds 😉

 

 

 

Edited November 14, 2021 by niksmom630

[h20skibum]

Looking forward to your pictures and review.  We have only been off Odyssey  two weeks now, and it seems like forever.  

[joand452]

Happy you're sailing again, and looking forward to your photos!

[niksmom630]

No trip report would be complete if it did not include a photo of our fur golden babes.....

 

meet Kaley, bearer of big brown eyes that makes me regret every trip we take.....

 

 

And then theres Maya....she starts snubbing us days before the suitcases come out. Her sensory skills are top notch. This is her perfected resting BI$%H face.....
 

 

 

[Merion_Mom]

I just watched Abe Hughes do a FaceBookLive broadcast from the Odyssey, and I would love to be cruising with you!

[niksmom630]

We usually stay pre cruise at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina..... but had a “meh” experience in August there, so decided to try something different.  I’m going to be missing my port views in the morning , especially since I brought my real camera this time......but for one night it’s fine.....there are a few pluses..... pics coming up....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[niksmom630]

9 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

I just watched Abe Hughes do a FaceBookLive broadcast from the Odyssey, and I would love to be cruising with you!

I’ll do my best to make sure you feel like you are here 🤗

[Luckynana]

Looking forward to following your review and pictures.  Happy cruising!!🛳️

[niksmom630]

Normally the Hilton Honors app allows you to choose your rooms 24 hours before. Not so here but we are in this room on the 9th floor, and the views are nice. 
 

 

although it’s a tad bit like being in a fish bowl because there are buildings and balcony’s in every direction. Much prefer the Hilton marina views

 

Edited November 14, 2021 by niksmom630

[maggieq]

15 minutes ago, niksmom630 said:

Normally the Hilton Honors app allows you to choose your rooms 24 hours before. Not so here but we are in this room on the 9th floor, and the views are nice. 
 

 

although it’s a tad bit like being in a fish bowl because there are buildings and balcony’s in every direction. Much prefer the Hilton marina views

 

👏 another terrific live review !   May I ask which hotel you selected?    We usually stay at the Renaissance but they are so pricey for Jan 2022, I am looking to use points on the Hilton marina.  However, the TA reviews are not very good.  We stayed there years ago and thought it was ok but thought it was going through a renovation this year so was hopeful it would be a good option for Jan.   

[niksmom630]

The pluses here coming up.....it’s only 2 blocks to Publix for any pre-cruise necessities.

 

also, if you are looking for a wine selection not found in your grocery stores, but at grocery store prices, this is in the strip mall next to Publix and would shorten your walk by about 20 yards

 

 

The room is a King Inter coastal View Suite....

 

it’s definitely roomy, with a separate living and sleeping area .....

 

 

 

I don’t know that this kitchen will get any use, but it is pretty well equipped....if I hadn’t purchased wine I don’t think I would have ever opened this refrigerator .....imagine my surprise when I saw this perfectly positioned set of coffee creamers 😂

 

 

the OCD tendencies in me spotted this right off the bat

 

 

 

“One of these things is not like the other...” 🎼

[niksmom630]

7 minutes ago, maggieq said:

👏 another terrific live review !   May I ask which hotel you selected?    We usually stay at the Renaissance but they are so pricey for Jan 2022, I am looking to use points on the Hilton marina.  However, the TA reviews are not very good.  We stayed there years ago and thought it was ok but thought it was going through a renovation this year so was hopeful it would be a good option for Jan.   

Thanks! We are at the Gallery One Doubletree. The Hilton Marina was a hot mess when we were here in August. I thought the renovations might be done but it was over $300 a night when I checked for November... 😬

[niksmom630]

We have an 11:30 check in time , but as luck would have it, I’m also 2 -2 this year on Royal Ups....🤗 I think suites can still board up to an hour earlier than the official check in time?...      if this has changed, please do let me know......since I also received this firmly worded email today. 😳

 

 

our last cruise was out of Miami. Check in time was 12:30, but we showed up at 11:30 since we had a suite....There was a separate line outside for suite and pinnacle check in..... maybe Port Everglades is different.....

 

 

[FlatFooted Freda]

Looking forward to your review. Already entertaining. 

We stayed at the Homewood Suites Cruise Port a few weeks ago. I recall I had read there was a transport to the cruise port. Turns out they wanted $15 per person for that shuttle. We passed. Took an Uber for about $15 total. It was also not within walking distance of anything we were interested in - only a Wendy's and a Dunkin as I recall. We ended up taking an Uber to Dania Point for dinner and drinks. There was a Hilton Garden Inn next to this fairly upscale outdoor shopping plaza. May stay there next time. 

We lucked into a Royal Up for a Jr Suite as well. We arrived maybe 15 minutes early, and whisked into the suite line which was very short and quick. 

[niksmom630]

20 minutes ago, FlatFooted Freda said:

Looking forward to your review. Already entertaining. 

We stayed at the Homewood Suites Cruise Port a few weeks ago. I recall I had read there was a transport to the cruise port. Turns out they wanted $15 per person for that shuttle. We passed. Took an Uber for about $15 total. It was also not within walking distance of anything we were interested in - only a Wendy's and a Dunkin as I recall. We ended up taking an Uber to Dania Point for dinner and drinks. There was a Hilton Garden Inn next to this fairly upscale outdoor shopping plaza. May stay there next time. 

We lucked into a Royal Up for a Jr Suite as well. We arrived maybe 15 minutes early, and whisked into the suite line which was very short and quick. 

Thanks for that info…. I reserved an Uber for tomorrow to take us to the pier. There are 5 of us .We made the mistake of taking a taxi from FLL to the hotel. My right leg is still cramping from pressing it into the floorboards. My only comparable cab ride experience to this was New York City. I’m sure that sums it up 😬

 

 

Edited November 15, 2021 by niksmom630

[niksmom630]

 

[Husky1987]

Beautiful pups!  Our Stevie says hi to Maya and Kaley 

 

 

[niksmom630]

@Husky1987oooooooomygosh.....it’s a baby! ❤️😍with a baby !  

[perfect match]

Looking forward to cruising along with you! 😎🛳

[Bronx12]

Following.....great review so far, keep it coming. 

[jimbri]

Have a great cruise

[Bronx12]

Quick question, and if you don't find me too forward in asking, how much was the upgrade bid? We are on Odyssey in March and considering all options for upgrading. Thanks in advance, and if you do not want to answer, I fully understand.

[niksmom630]

9 minutes ago, Bronx12 said:

Quick question, and if you don't find me too forward in asking, how much was the upgrade bid? We are on Odyssey in March and considering all options for upgrading. Thanks in advance, and if you do not want to answer, I fully understand.

Hi Bronx, We bid $200 pp. which was $100 over minimum , if I recall. 
 

 

It did show on the “strength-o-meter” that the bid was strong, and there were quite a few jr suites available, so I was feeling pretty good about it. 
 

by comparison, we bid on  grand suite on symphony in august, and bid just $25 pp over minimum, and won also. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 
 

we got notified a full week before on this sailing, 

[niksmom630]

Some photos from last night…..

 

 

 

Eek! She’s here! 💕💕 Shamelessly stole this capture from a group social media page