Oasis of the Seas Live - We’ve been Saved by the Bell 🐾🐾 March 12-19, 2023. ​​​​​​​

[John&LaLa]

We're home, but I'm beat. No posting for a while, just wanted to catch up.

 

Drive took 6+ hours. Turnpike was a mess

 

Did want to add that Rory (M8) followed along and wanted to say hi to everyone 

[Ocean Boy]

1 hour ago, PompeySailor said:

This is just to see if any of you crazies would be interested in joining like minded people for a NON Royal Sailing, same Mother Ship

 

Celebrity Beyond

Captain Kate 🐈 

March 11th 2024 (UPDATED)

Itinerary:  11 Night Panama + ABC

Mon 3/11 FLL

Tue 3/12 At Sea

Wed 3/13 At Sea

Thu 3/14 Cartagena, Colombia 🇨🇴 

Fri 3/15 Panama Canal 🇵🇦 

Fri 3/15 Colon Panama 🇵🇦 

Sat 3/16 At Sea

Sun 3/17 Aruba 🇦🇼 

Mon 3/18 Curaçao 🇨🇼 

Tue 3/19 Bonaire 🇧🇶 

Wed 3/20 At Sea

Thur 3/21 At Sea

Fri 3/22 FLL

 

There are already a few of the Bella group booked on this sailing, without even knowing each other before this week 😎

 

Just food for thought, and for those who are not afraid to dip their toes in stranger waters, all good 👍🏻 

Will give you something to do whilst waiting for BELLA part Deux

 

Happy Days!

 

 

Can't do cruises that long yet. 

[Momof3gurlz]

30 minutes ago, PompeySailor said:

I have to apologize Deb, my intentions were not to challenge the man 

Just a nudge to give you that birthday gift you really want 🛳 

No apology needed Graham! I should’ve added an emoji to show I was joking.

[Ocean Boy]

Segment on the evening news about Spring Break issues in Miami Beach this weekend. If any of you are in the area I hope it's safe.

[Ocean Boy]

9 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

We're home, but I'm beat. No posting for a while, just wanted to catch up.

 

Drive took 6+ hours. Turnpike was a mess

 

Did want to add that Rory (M8) followed along and wanted to say hi to everyone 

Send M8 my regards.🙂

[The sea calls my name]

4 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Can't do cruises that long yet. 

A huge perk ( one of many) of retirement. Our shortest cruise recently and through this year is 14 nights. I  will be crying in my Kraken Alexander on night 7next year on our 7 night cruises..

[akcruz]

2 hours ago, PompeySailor said:

This is just to see if any of you crazies would be interested in joining like minded people for a NON Royal Sailing, same Mother Ship

 

Celebrity Beyond

Captain Kate 🐈 

March 11th 2024 (UPDATED)

Itinerary:  11 Night Panama + ABC

Mon 3/11 FLL

Tue 3/12 At Sea

Wed 3/13 At Sea

Thu 3/14 Cartagena, Colombia 🇨🇴 

Fri 3/15 Panama Canal 🇵🇦 

Fri 3/15 Colon Panama 🇵🇦 

Sat 3/16 At Sea

Sun 3/17 Aruba 🇦🇼 

Mon 3/18 Curaçao 🇨🇼 

Tue 3/19 Bonaire 🇧🇶 

Wed 3/20 At Sea

Thur 3/21 At Sea

Fri 3/22 FLL

 

There are already a few of the Bella group booked on this sailing, without even knowing each other before this week 😎

 

Just food for thought, and for those who are not afraid to dip their toes in stranger waters, all good 👍🏻 

Will give you something to do whilst waiting for BELLA part Deux

 

Happy Days!

 

 

 

Would love it but our nephew is getting married on the 16th, that takes precedence for next year.

[CruiszBug]

1 hour ago, Sea Dog said:

 

I feel bad that I did not see you more often so we could chat. I loved the pictures of your daughter Phoebe. It looks like she had so much fun. I will be putting together a music video when I get home. Would you care if I used some of your pictures? Hope to see you again.

Greg

Same here, Greg! Missed having more opportunities to chat with you and Linda. There were so many interesting people to talk to it was hard to make the rounds, lol! We would be honored if you would use some of her pictures. I am fixing to post a few more. While I was packing apparently she made an appearance at the Silent Disco in Bolero's and the Dark Haired Bass Player from Bon Jovi tribute band commented on her dance moves in the Music Hall by saying "Hey, I remember you!"

Edited March 19, 2023 by CruiszBug

[RFerrington]

2 hours ago, PompeySailor said:

This is just to see if any of you crazies would be interested in joining like minded people for a NON Royal Sailing, same Mother Ship

 

Celebrity Beyond

Captain Kate 🐈 

March 11th 2024 (UPDATED)

Itinerary:  11 Night Panama + ABC

Mon 3/11 FLL

Tue 3/12 At Sea

Wed 3/13 At Sea

Thu 3/14 Cartagena, Colombia 🇨🇴 

Fri 3/15 Panama Canal 🇵🇦 

Fri 3/15 Colon Panama 🇵🇦 

Sat 3/16 At Sea

Sun 3/17 Aruba 🇦🇼 

Mon 3/18 Curaçao 🇨🇼 

Tue 3/19 Bonaire 🇧🇶 

Wed 3/20 At Sea

Thur 3/21 At Sea

Fri 3/22 FLL

 

There are already a few of the Bella group booked on this sailing, without even knowing each other before this week 😎

 

Just food for thought, and for those who are not afraid to dip their toes in stranger waters, all good 👍🏻 

Will give you something to do whilst waiting for BELLA part Deux

 

Happy Days!

 

 

We will be there ! ….but we will be on Rhapsody.  March 9-23.  We’re going through the canal both ways (round trip).  We’ll have to see if the itins overlap at all.  Maybe we can meet up somewhere.

[niksmom630]

1 hour ago, PompeySailor said:

I never inquired when last on X,

Never even thought of it TBH.

 

Might be worth asking on casino thread 🥸

 I’m told that’s a hard no. Different casino programs. Only inquired because our next few sailings are  on Celebrity. But since Wi-Fi tips and drinks already included, I can forego the casino status symbol  

[brillohead]

5 hours ago, SV1432 said:

Not to derail an otherwise fun and awesome thread, but question on the debarkation. In the ride share line, does it matter if you pre booked Uber/Lyft? It’s been a while since we’ve used Port of Miami (back when the car rental companies still had free shuttles to the airport). I’m trying to visualize how this works? We carry our own luggage and should be one of the early ones off, but wondering if pre-booking doesn’t matter if it’s just an on demand line for everyone.

 

With 4 of us and some luggage, we’ll need an XL or Taxi van so we went with a pre booked XL on Lyft. Thanks for helping me visualize the craziness of debarkation day there. 

Uber/Lyft doesn't have a "line" like the taxi side does -- everyone has a separate "contract" with their individual driver versus a common feeder line like with a taxi.  

The problem in Miami is one of traffic and lack of traffic planning/control.  From the time a vehicle gets "to the port area" to the time that vehicle gets to Terminal A can literally be 30+ minutes even though the distance is only 1.5 miles.  The street has only 1-2 lanes of traffic (depending on how many are blocked off for construction and/or limited to taxis/buses only), and you've got 6000+ people trying to get off the ship at the same time 6000+ people are trying to get on the ship, so it's basically gridlock.  

I have a feeling that's why so many Uber/Lyft requests get cancelled after they have been accepted -- the drivers figure they can just bail and go pick up three different paying customers in the time they'd waste waiting in line just to get to the terminal to pick up the request they just accepted.

Getting off the ship earlier (before the traffic builds up so badly) and having a pre-arranged pickup should be much better than getting off around 9am and requesting a ride at that time.

[Newcruiser2012]

On 3/18/2023 at 10:20 AM, Ocean Boy said:

They were actually doing that on Odyssey... for real.

I was on Odyssey Jan 28 sailing and can confirm. The staff was attaching sticky notes to chairs with the time written on them and removing belongings after 30 mins.

[PompeySailor]

17 minutes ago, RFerrington said:

We will be there ! ….but we will be on Rhapsody.  March 9-23.  We’re going through the canal both ways (round trip).  We’ll have to see if the itins overlap at all.  Maybe we can meet up somewhere.

Raye

That sounds like a great idea

If we happen to be in any of the ports on same day, we will look you and Dan up

 

Glad we got to finally meet up 😎

[PompeySailor]

16 minutes ago, niksmom630 said:

 I’m told that’s a hard no. Different casino programs. Only inquired because our next few sailings are  on Celebrity. But since Wi-Fi tips and drinks already included, I can forego the casino status symbol  

Thanks Chris 

Don’t abuse those free drinks 🤣😂, but if you do 

I know a guy who has a list 😉

[niksmom630]

Dinner to night was…. 94th Aerosquadron…

 

highly recommend…. This is our “go to” pre cruise/post cruise restaurant in Miami. 
 

not inexpensive, but what is in Miami? 🤷🏼‍♀️


Great spot directly across from the airport. You can watch the planes come in. Depending on the runway traffic, it can be like a mini Maho Beach experience. 
 

shrimp cocktail was a solid 10

 

 

Beef tenderloin was the best I’ve had in a long time. And the key lime pie? Another solid 10

 

 

 

they have connected headsets hanging randomly in spots in the dining room if you want to listen in to air traffic control at the Miami airport. 
 

 

 

[Ocean Boy]

6 minutes ago, Newcruiser2012 said:

I was on Odyssey Jan 28 sailing and can confirm. The staff was attaching sticky notes to chairs with the time written on them and removing belongings after 30 mins.

I was on that sailing.🙂

[CruiszBug]

A few images from the week with Phoebe...

 

Silent Disco Fun!

 

Laser Tag Team Winners!

 

Stand-Up Comedy Show. The first comedian was hilarious!

[niksmom630]

Settling in at the Hilton Miami Airport Blue Lagoon with some white zin (thanks @Ourusualbeach) and waiting for the Indiana basketball game. Noon flight back to Chicago tomorrow. Missing my golden girls. Expect at least one more “reunion”  puppy post 💕🐶🐶
 

Hope the rest of the Bella cruisers had an “uneventful” travel day and you are settling in at home. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sea Dog]

8 minutes ago, CruiszBug said:

A few images from the week with Phoebe...

 

Silent Disco Fun!

 

Laser Tag Team Winners!

 

Stand-Up Comedy Show. The first comedian was hilarious!

 Beautiful!

 

[Lisa&Neb]

we are finally home. Flight was slightly delayed (45min) and arrived in Toronto just before 4. We were out of the parking garage by 4:40 and home in London (with a quick dinner stop) at 7pm.

Back to work tomorrow - ugh

[SteelCityCruiser10]

The Miami marathon stuff from royal was a total farce?

[cruisinghawg]

18 minutes ago, niksmom630 said:

Dinner to night was…. 94th Aerosquadron…

 

highly recommend…. This is our “go to” pre cruise/post cruise restaurant in Miami. 
 

not inexpensive, but what is in Miami? 🤷🏼‍♀️


Great spot directly across from the airport. You can watch the planes come in. Depending on the runway traffic, it can be like a mini Maho Beach experience. 
 

shrimp cocktail was a solid 10

 

 

Beef tenderloin was the best I’ve had in a long time. And the key lime pie? Another solid 10

 

 

 

they have connected headsets hanging randomly in spots in the dining room if you want to listen in to air traffic control at the Miami airport. 
 

 

 

Blue Lagoon is our go to Hotel in MIA also. Must try that restaurant which I know is just the other side of Dolphin Expressway. Thanks for the pics!! 

[Sunshine3601]

32 minutes ago, CruiszBug said:

A few images from the week with Phoebe...

 

Silent Disco Fun!

 

Laser Tag Team Winners!

 

Stand-Up Comedy Show. The first comedian was hilarious!

She has a beautiful smile.  😃

[c-leg5]

21 minutes ago, cruisinghawg said:

Dinner to night was…. 94th Aerosquadron…

 

highly recommend…. This is our “go to” pre cruise/post cruise restaurant in Miami. 
 

not inexpensive, but what is in Miami? 🤷🏼‍♀️

We have enjoyed that hotel and restaurant pre-cruise, although i don’t recall the taxi being nearly that expensive. I don’t think flat fare to the airport has gone up by that much.
 

Was it metered and a lot of traffic?

[John&LaLa]

2 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Segment on the evening news about Spring Break issues in Miami Beach this weekend. If any of you are in the area I hope it's safe.

 

It was rough last year. I was visiting my dad then