XPCDOOJK will Not be doing a LIVE on the Harmony beginning Saturday!

[xpcdoojk]

So yesterday, was the DW’s Birthday, so I gave her a bracelet that she showed me she liked at Nordstrom, so I ordered it and got it at a 10% discount.  The box suffered a bit in my backpack on the flights and general travel to keep it hidden.  So, she got that first thing when I returned from the nearly empty diamond lounge with coffee and the raisin bread that used to be called Austrian Stritzel back in the day.  Then while I was on the FlowRider, she, Sally and Shelby went jewelry shopping.  Sue was not feeling great.  So, Krystal became their personal shopper, and since they are not as decisive as we are.  She was frustrated when she returned for lunch and prep for our afternoon excursion. She mentioned a new brand FOPE she saw somewhere.  So, I knew I was in a bit of trouble.  

 

After lunch our meeting place was right outside of Diamonds International (which I don’t think we had ever made a purchase at).  So, we had about 20 minutes to kill, so we went inside.  They carried the same designer’s stuff, and of course, she was looking at the section where her recent present was.  They had a single one in the Sapphire stones, and they must have been a price sheet behind in the store because they had it retailed for a couple of hundred less than MSRP and they offered an additional 10% off (of course).  We asked how late they would be open and were told 7PM Aruba time (we are on ship time which is EST not AST).  I knew we would get back before they closed.  

 

So, we boarded our shuttle for a bumpy ride to their Animal rescue zoo.  Around Aruba Tours which we booked thru Viator.  Spent 20 minutes feeding the animals except the Monkeys and the Birds.  Then hopped on our side by side UTVs.  Was a very good excursion if you don’t mind dust and dirt.  The UTVs were mostly Kymco brand general purpose duty with a carry bin on back not fast ones like a Polaris Razor or other brands of fast ones.  Top speed on the flat was just over 30.  They made sure we knew the L (low) was for losers and we needed to stay tight together, especially on the return on the main roads.  The roads got progressively worse until they were just big volcanic rocks and sand.  Which on the last steepest climb (at this time we were last in line except for the mechanic on a 4 wheeler, when the cart in front of me came to a complete stop at the worst place.  I came to a complete stop on this steep rocky hill before they finally pulled away.  As I applied throttle the rears immediately just spun.  So, I was like o crap.  So, I let the UTV slip back a foot or so, and gently applied throttle, fortunately it gained traction and I was able to climb the rock that had me completely stuck.  that was close.  Once we were are the main roads after doing a jump from a small 6 foot cliff into a cave filled with sea water and climbed out of the sharp coral rock, and walked on a beach, among other stops the driving returned to easier driving.  We managed to reach speeds over 35 MPH on some downhill sections, it was during one of these moments that Sally hit some sand while the UTV in front of her braked, he rears locked and the back in tried to come around and I thought she was going to go off the road into the ever present cactus,  She managed to right it and didn’t have a crash.  That was the closest thing to an accident that occurred.  On the upside, she really enjoyed the tour, so it must have looked worse from our view than it actually was, she said it was like being on an icy road.  

 

After, we stopped at DI and I bought the bracelet.  We must have looked a complete mess salt water sand covered homeless people.  They seemed to be willing to take my Amex card though.  

 

We were supposed to go back off the ship to the restaurant Wilhelmina, but we were too tired.  We went to Chops instead, dang that is expensive when you are used to having it as part of a package or the UDP.  On the upside it was very good.  After good nights we went off to bed.  Fell asleep quickly. 

 

jc

 

 

[xpcdoojk]

Back to important stuff, the FlowRider was awesome yesterday morning.  Session went from 8:30 until 11, and I had the rhythm.  I am a rhythm surfer, and because of the initial 3 person line, I was able to really get into the flow.  I am the most boring FlowRider because all I really want to do is just carve at the top of the wave, and I was able to almost flawlessly do short quick carves and long sweeping smooth carves.  Best couple of hours I have had on a wave for a while.  

 

Today we are in Curacao, I need to check the daily planner and see if the hours are the same as yesterday. Sue and Shelby have a ships tour, the rest of us are just going to wander around downtown, so I imagine I will get both morning and afternoon sessions on the FlowRider….😁

[xpcdoojk]

I was surprised while we were on shore there were 4 large cruise ships in port plus a masted ship in addition (Cloud something), and the ABC regular the Scientology ship.  Which when I first saw it in the 90s I thought it was pretty big.  I missed the Carnival Horizon and HAL Eurodam slip past us to their berths which due to the narrow channel they passed us by fairly closely.

 

jc

[xpcdoojk]

Ugly day.  May be drizzly all day. Some pics while waiting. 

[Ocean Boy]

We did one cruise, I think on Freedom, where it rained pretty much all week. That was a bit odd for the Caribbean. I hope it doesn't happen to you. We even missed Labadee because of waves breaking over the pier.

 

I see you are there with Explorer, the first RCI ship that we sailed on.

 

[mil76]

3 hours ago, xpcdoojk said:

Back to important stuff, the FlowRider was awesome yesterday morning.  Session went from 8:30 until 11, and I had the rhythm.  I am a rhythm surfer, and because of the initial 3 person line, I was able to really get into the flow.  I am the most boring FlowRider because all I really want to do is just carve at the top of the wave, and I was able to almost flawlessly do short quick carves and long sweeping smooth carves.  Best couple of hours I have had on a wave for a while.  

 

Today we are in Curacao, I need to check the daily planner and see if the hours are the same as yesterday. Sue and Shelby have a ships tour, the rest of us are just going to wander around downtown, so I imagine I will get both morning and afternoon sessions on the FlowRider….😁

Too funny.  I also prefer to carve at the top of the wave, and my wife calls me a boring Flowrider as well.  Meanwhile my 20 YO son gets on the wave with no shirt to show off his 6 pack and does Show Pony 360s, and everyone goes nuts.  I don't bother with the Show Pony because with this middle-aged Dad body, getting into that position would probably entail a visit to the medical center afterwards.  He's joining us on Navigator next week, but they don't usually do BOTB so I think I will be spared another defeat at his hands (not that I really mind).

[xpcdoojk]

We just got back on the ship.  The FlowRider is open 3 to 6 then a special 8-9.  Skipping group dinner.  Heading to the wave shortly.  5 of us until right before the last 30 minutes of the 2 hour session, then 1 came 2 more came just in time to be last in line.  So, I will be off there shortly as it is 3:45.  I never fell this morning, just to punctuate how boring I am.  It stopped raining about an hour in, getting warm now, but still not sunny.  

 

JC

[A&L_Ont]

Sounds like some great days have been had. Enjoy the riding tonight. 

[xpcdoojk]

Chilling in the room after the hour night surf.  

 

OB, I ate on my own in the WJ, and I had a hard time finding anything appealing to eat.  I ended up with some roast chicken, some beef stroganoff without anything but the beef, and a hot dog.  The hot dog was the star of the meal.  I ate a salad and it was fine, tried two desserts, they were great.  Went out of my way to the ice cream cone area on deck 15 and had an one.  It was the true best.

 

So, tonight new staff, who I haven’t seen on the FlowRider all cruise.  One immediately saw me setting up my little Nikon on my 3 inch flexible tripod. He said that is not allowed.  I said, it has been there every single day for the entire cruise for a large portion of the time the wave has been open.  He backed off after that.  Lord give me strength.  

 

Evening session ended my streak of 4 hours in the line with zero falls, 3 runs 2 with falls. The other sports staff was Pamela and on the last ride before the end of the session when I fell, and I came walking down to start on the side again, she said why didn’t I drop in on the top since I was so good.  I said, I am good at what I do and that is carve at the top of the wave, I am not good at much else.  🤣  I prefer not falling so I don’t practice it much.  

 

Wife and friends are at dinner and then going to Whitney Houston tribute show in the main theatre.  I am just going to sit in bed and watch TV.  Did a little work. Then posting here.  

 

Today in Curacao, the gang minus me went shopping.  I met them at 11:45 on the Queen Emma Bridge.  We wandered around the shops, Shelby bought a Curacao Flag.  We then went to the Freeport Jewelers and nurse Sally found a John Hardy bracelet.  The other Freeport Jeweler had FOPE which my wife seemed to like, but I hadn’t seen.  

 

We tried to have Lunch and drinks at the City which is one of the little bars on the water between the swinging bridge and the big bridge.  They didn’t have menus, and I could never log into their WiFi to look at the digital menu.  No wait staff came to help us for 20 minutes, so we got up and moved 20 feet to the Green Iquana.  I had a Blue something and a different Blue something drink.  For lunch I had a red snapper with coconut cream topping which was really really good.  Fresh, and just yummy.  

 

After lunch we went to the other Freeport Jewelers needless to say the lovely and gracious Krystal has two new bracelets.  Ouch….  

 

I, found out after the afternoon session that Krystal’s 96 year old mother had fallen in her senior apartment.  Seems she is ok, but she broke her phone.  

 

So, now I am going to research phones for old people who keep breaking their phones and can’t understand how to use them except by opening them up and talking.  

 

So, if anyone knows of a phone that works for people like that please share!!!!!

 

FlowRider 9 to 6.  I will probably do 9-11 and 4 to 6.  I expect a lot of people.

 

I don’t think I shared that it quit raining by 10 and got quite warm and humid.  

 

jc

[xpcdoojk]

Day at sea on the way to Labadee. 
 

so a new pet peeve sea pass cards are now laminated with the print they are constantly coming apart   Once they peel you are left with a lovely blank card.  Already have had to replace once. Not sure new card will make it til Sunday.

 

jc

[jmh2006]

The new Sea Pass cards are terrible!  I cannot see how they are saving Royal $$ when everyone has to replace them multiple times?

[h20skibum]

4 minutes ago, jmh2006 said:

The new Sea Pass cards are terrible!  I cannot see how they are saving Royal $$ when everyone has to replace them multiple times?

Maybe it is a supply chain thing.  One of my new credit cards is the same way.  
 

Or maybe it is just getting too much use. 🤣

[xpcdoojk]

Yesterday was mostly sunny with occassional clouds a couple looked like rain, but never happened.  I did the 9AM FlowRider until about 11:15.  I was not actually sore, but my muscles were not feeling the same.  The first hour it was the regular 6 or so, and as the morning went on more and more came and left.  After 11 the line reached about 13 and I grabbed my board and went to the cabin where I joined the others for MDR lunch.  After lunch, Shelby and I did the slides, so we started with the Ultimate Abyss, ie the Piranha on the deck beside the FlowRider since we were dry.  Then off to the water slides.  The UA was better than I remembered from doing it on the Symphony in 2018.  The water slides were good as well.  

 

After we went to the Arcade, where we were going to race the KO Drive game of which they had two machines.  We kept putting our sea pass to the reader, it would say paid, then no credits.  Shelby finally got the machine to accept his card and he got one race by himself because I could never get it to give me a credit.  Finally, he called the number by the phone to have someone come up.  A nice young employee came up saw the problem, rebooted the machine, which took several minutes.  Took our account numbers and said he would have us credited within 10 minutes and would add to our Arcade limit.  I guess, I hadn’t hit the magic number yet, and my sea pass card worked one time before I hit the Zone limit.  We sat there for about 30 minutes before we gave up and left as the zone limit never went away.  Small thing but they cost themselves some easy money.

 

I decided it was a good time to skip the FlowRider and try to get some life back into my legs.  Hopefully, I will surf better this morning.  

 

After that, I came back to the cabin, the ladies were sitting in the shallow soaking pool.  They returned and we dressed for dinner on formal night.  We went first to the Rising Tide bar (I think that is what they call it, the one that goes between deck 8 and deck 5).  Had a cocktail or a wine.  Dropped from deck 8 in about 10 minutes, then went to Aqua Theatre for Hidden Hideaway beach resort that was scheduled for 6:30PM.  Arrived more than 30 minutes in advance and the theatre was already partially full.  At the end there was a pile of people behind show.  Very good show, our viewing angle was not as good as the previous show, but still very entertaining.  

 

After that we went down a deck to the Royal Promenade, went to the bar where they do the salsa dancing near the theatre and ordered 5 glasses of wine.  Sat there for 5 minutes, chatting about the Aqua Theatre before heading into the main theatre for the Columbus production which was silly, and strange, with sometimes recognizable (by me) pop songs.  It was a good show, can’t say I will need to see it again.  Now it was dinner time.  

 

Arriving at the MTD at 9PM is a lot different than arriving at 7PM.  We went straight in.  Drinks ordered, food ordered and eating began within 5 minutes of arrival.  This is where a problem was discovered.  Krystal and Sue decided they needed a quick potty break before the mains were served.  So, off they went 5 minutes went by and Rodney our waiter saw 2 empty seats at our table of 5 and served the 3 remaining. Since it was getting cold, we ate.  I kept scanning the room for signs of their returns.  My beef tenderloin was good, and the lobster tail on the side was tasty too.  Cooked pretty close to perfection on the tail.  I was finished eating when they returned.  Seems the toilet on deck three was closed due to something clogging the system, they said the floor was a complete disaster (I haven’t yet asked for a real description as I shut them down when they started to describe it).  They then went up to deck 4 and the restroom near the casino, it was closed.  Then they went up to the restroom on deck 6 and there was a long line.

 

They finished eating mostly by themselves with us sitting sipping our wine.  I ordered a double Gran Marnier with my last two diamond plus vouchers.  We all ate our dessert (molten chocolate cake, meh), and rushed off to deck 5 for the disco party at 10:05 (it started at 10).  We were there for 25 minutes till it ended.  I hugged and fist bumped all of my sports staff people, including the one who didn’t like my little camera at the bottom of the wave.  Peer pressure got him.  😆

 

We went back to the cabin sat on the balcony looking at the stars.

 

Today is Labadee, we have the coaster and the zip line booked this afternoon, Shelby has a massage scheduled on the ship.  I will head to the FlowRider at 9AM for a couple of hours.  Then lunch on the ship or maybe on the shore, but most likely the Solarium.

 

jc

[xpcdoojk]

Friday was Labadee, and I think I mentioned it was about the fifth time we have been there and the first time I planned on getting off the ship.  It was a warm and sunny day with light winds.  So, ideal would be my description.  I had booked the Dragon’s Fire for me and the other for my wife on Black Friday sale.  They had very limited availability but both were half priced.  I, also, booked the Coaster.  I booked them for after lunch.  I mentioned them to Sally, and she waited to look at it until less than 7 days prior.  The pricing jumped back to either full price or maybe 10% off.  We did the Coaster first, and it was surprisingly fun.  I would absolutely recommend that to any one.  It was fun it was thrilling and a cool view of the island.  

 

After a bit of a wait, we got to do the zip lines.  The ladies did the practice zip line.  The one I did where you hang in a bag horizontally came with no practice.  So, when I was told I was doing the torpedo position instead of airplane I had no clue what I was about to experience.  We have done zip lines many times in many places, but nothing quite like the one I did.  I was very comfortable it would hold me in vertically, because my feet were pushing against the straps, and I was very comfortable that it would hold me in from falling in the direction of my belly because I had this huge strong apron on.  Unfortunately, I had not thought about how it was holding me in from falling out on my head.  I might not have worried if I could feel the straps over my shoulders, but as I left the tower doing Torpedo, I could feel my head falling forward, and I was not flying like Superman, but with my head  very low at about 60 degrees from horizontal.  This as I continued to feel light in the Apron made me make the torpedo more of a hug on my body.  I thought as I rushed at the ocean that I was going to die in a really stupid way, all the while knowing that surely RCI had considered my flight plan and had indeed put straps over my shoulder.  It was over before I could have a full on panic attack, and I am pretty sure that I was in no danger, but it sure didn’t feel that way.  

 

As I launched I yelled at Krystal and Sally on the other tower as I passed.  I could see them waving as I approached.  The scary part started once I got past them as the speed increased and the flying angle changed.  They both loved their zip line, and the coaster.  We all felt that these were much better activities than we originally thought.  After we got back on the ship.

 

The FlowRider in the morning session was really good, as the line varied between 3 and 5 people for the two hours(if you are not a FlowRider fan skip this paragraph).  At this point in the cruise my legs were suffering a bit, from just being tired, and a little sore.  Not falling much means you spend 2-3 minutes at a time working constantly.  These muscles don’t usually get used in this fashion so it is probably natural for the human body to start to complain after 7 days.  Since the line was short I worked on my drop in from the top, by adjusting where I placed the board.  When I first learned to do this, back in 2015 from the Pez, the Oasis, wave on that sailing was pretty much non-existent outside the white line, so he taught me to start inside the white line on the goofy side.  This wave pretty much reached with force all the way to the wall.  So, I was struggling to have enough downforce on the board to keep it lined up so when I got on it I had zero confidence.  So, I started watching others, and I moved the board to where it was at least a foot outside the wave.  Once I did that I was able to drop in successfully, but I still can’t turn enough or get enough weight on my back foot to avoid riding up on the board at the bottom, but I know how to survive that.  I at did at least improve a bit on that.  

 

After lunch, the crowd was predictably bad, and I surfed for an hour only and since we were on the starboard side, we invited our group to a sailaway party at 4:30PM in the shade, to watch the last people on the ship arrive before be on board time of 4:30PM.  Between 4 and 4:30, I searched for snacks.  I ended up going to the diamond lounge for cheese bread sticks.  It was my first trip to the lounge other than in the morning to get coffee.  I was surprised that there was less than 20 people in the lounge.  First time I laid eyes on the concierge.  The wait staff gave me the evil eye and I loaded up two of the ridiculously small places with cheese and breadsticks and two little cups of fruit and veggies.  Other than Sorrento's that was the only venue that had any snacks. 

 

I then stopped by the Trellis bar and got a G&T and a Cabernet for myself, the DW had a bottle left of Kim Crawford for the other ladies, and Shelby was told to get his own drinks!  😆  While we were sailing away on an almost calm sea, I watched someone forward of our cabin a deck up throw some pizza slices over the side.  At first I wasn’t sure what I was watching, but looking down, they were perfect triangles and the floated just like a little triangular boat.  🤣

 

They all left about an hour later and we got dressed for dinner. 

 

JC

[alexgtp]

Thanks for the thread, we sail her in 2 weeks.!

 

How crowded does it seem sailing at capacity.??

 

We sailed Oasis at about 4500 passengers and felt like the right amount of ppl for this class ship.

 

Curious on how 6200+ ppl will feel like for NYE.

[xpcdoojk]

1 hour ago, alexgtp said:

Thanks for the thread, we sail her in 2 weeks.!

 

How crowded does it seem sailing at capacity.??

 

We sailed Oasis at about 4500 passengers and felt like the right amount of ppl for this class ship.

 

Curious on how 6200+ ppl will feel like for NYE.

I believe the ship was mostly full 100%+ occupancy.  Obviously, I was intentionally, lucky with my FlowRider needs, as it was not a time when families have kids out of school.  So, I would imagine that from my perspective your NYE cruise will seem fuller.  😜  The areas, where this cruise seemed more challenging than sailing the exact same time frame in December 2021 for a similar 8 night sailing on the Allure.  It was clearly more crowded.  Elevators were always a challenge in the middle of the day and in the evenings.  Pool areas were very crowded.  Most of the shows it was possible to find seating at the last moment.  Exception, of course, was the comedy club.  The Allure cruise was super awesome for ease of access.  We do MTD and the early seatings 7 and earlier there is a significant line, as they don’t seem to seat people except in 15 minute intervals, so it always seems like they are behind.  For example you have a 7:15 time, and it is 6:59 they will chase you out of line.  8PM and later there was no line at all.  

 

Overall, everyone in our group of 5 had a great time.  Nobody wanted to come home.  I know that is a pretty low bar!😆

 

jc

 

PS, I will try too do a full review after I manage to recount the individual days.

Edited December 19, 2022 by xpcdoojk

[erby2283]

JC had a layover in Charlotte and didn't give me advance notice? 😜

[xpcdoojk]

Erby!  I will be in your fine airport again next week on the Wednesday and Sunday.  

 

On a more serious note.  I haven’t posted in over a week, because on Monday the 19th, at work I had a little cough…. Got home went to bed and woke up sick as a dog.  Krystal, was sick when she got home from work.  We both tested Tuesday for Covid at home, both negative.  She went to CVS minute clinic because it is covered by her plan they tested her and she was Covid positive.  I continued to test at home and kept returning negative tests.  Thursday my doctor had me come in for a quad test (Covid, influenza A, B and RSV).  I got a positive on Influenza A and Covid that afternoon.  I tested at home again and got another negative.  Tests are simply a joke.  We treated and are treating just the symptoms, big one for me is a lingering cough.  At night taking a codeine cough syrup which works daytime, I am sucking on a tablet that I picked up on one of our trips to Germany called GeloRevoice.  They work better than any cough over the counter pill I have take here including the Perles my doctor proscribed.  

 

I didn’t do much except hang around until this past weekend.  K and I are both back at work today.  Feel pretty good.  Just wish the tickle in my throat would go away.  

 

I will try to finish this review.  This week!

 

On another point.  Sue and Shelby both tested positive for Covid after us, and Sally tested positive for influenza A.  

 

JC

[Big_G]

On 12/10/2022 at 6:50 AM, xpcdoojk said:

Back now to yesterday, Originally we were booked in a hotel closer to the Intercoastal on the 17th Street prior to the bridge, and the restaurant, The Boatyard, looked nice, especially the large outdoor deck next to the yachts lining the canal.  I had Shelby (he is retired), call and make a reservation for 5 out on the patio. So, they wouldn’t guarantee the patio, but did make a reservation.  When we arrived at our time of 6:30, the patio was closed for a private event.  So, they set us at a large table with view of the deck and the private event but no views of the yachts.  We ordered a bottle of Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, and a bottle of Belle Glos Clark and Telegraph Pinot Noir.  Dinner ordered, shockingly Sally who doesn’t like seafood ordered the shrimp scampi, as did I and Sue. Shelby ordered lobster ravioli, and Krystal ordered Grouper Piccata.  

jc

 

 

Just realized we were at the Boat Yard at the same time. We sailed Apex that week. We got there earlier when they were herding everyone off the deck for the private event. The food was great.

[xpcdoojk]

18 minutes ago, Big_G said:

 

Just realized we were at the Boat Yard at the same time. We sailed Apex that week. We got there earlier when they were herding everyone off the deck for the private event. The food was great.

Small world.  The food was outstanding, no matter what OB says about it!  So fresh.  Yum.  

[xpcdoojk]

For Sea Dog, I have some of my standard Nikon videos edited.  Here is one with Mike from Florida panhandle and Bronson from Manchester UK goofing on my video then me immediately following.  As I said super boring.

 

https://xpcdoojk.smugmug.com/Travel/Cruises/Harmony-of-the-Seas-2022-surfing-edited/n-8JFF6H/i-mSXPCtc/A

 

It won’t play, so click the link

Edited December 27, 2022 by xpcdoojk

[xpcdoojk]

Not a particularly good run, BTW.  Liked the intro.  😆

[JamesEM]

Thanks for the review and photos, hopefully you will be completely over the crud soon.

[A&L_Ont]

JC, sorry to hear that that your ended up feeling sick. Thanks for the wave reports and videos.  I’m looking forward to hitting it on Saturday.  LOL, I also saw my balcony in the background of the videos. You got me amped to go. 

[xpcdoojk]

2 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

JC, sorry to hear that that your ended up feeling sick. Thanks for the wave reports and videos.  I’m looking forward to hitting it on Saturday.  LOL, I also saw my balcony in the background of the videos. You got me amped to go. 

Andrew, the staff was reasonably good about the newbies on the wave.  However, we didn’t have very many on our cruise.  You are supposed to ride the boogie board wave, get a signature on your white band then you can go to the stand-up side.  They frequently announced these rules.  Of course, the newbies are not around during the announcements and even if they are they aren’t listening.  Generally, they allowed 2 plus minutes for experienced riders.  Some would time you but they weren’t super hardline on time.  My experience was by 11AM on sea days the line got long, and it got worse in the afternoon.  I felt like both waves were good.  

 

I think your cabin would be great for seeing when the line dwindles for a lunchtime oppurtunity.  Tell MX JC says hi!