drumexpert510

Had a “Perfect Day at Coco Cay” today (see what I did there?)! We docked around 9am and the Odyssey Of The Seas was already docked next to us. Nothing like the Symphony of the Seas to make the Odyssey look small! With that being said these are both two NOT small at all ships and boy I wish someone prepped me for having around 10,000 cruisers running around Coco Cay. Every beach chair was full by 10am. ALL excursions sold out. All cabanas and day he’d sold out. Water park over sold. It was a mad house!!! BUT, I found my oasis, I had fun and it was an amazing day. The water was FREEZING, but only at first then you go numb. I highly recommend getting your lunch at one of the 3 “Snack Shacks” on the island… the shack chicken sandwich was amazing and a refreshment from the standard “burger” you always find on the private islands. You can also get fries, mozzarella sticks and funnel cakes! Great option for a snack for the kids! After lunch, I headed to the pool…….. wow. It was crazy there. Think a South Beach Miami hotel pool with a swim up bar and DJ. The party was jamming and that was the place to be. The pool was packed and drinks were flowing. I hung out for a bit, got a couple drinks and then headed back to the ship. Hot tub for a bit, shower and then ready for tonight’s show and dinner. Iskate 2.0 and 150 Central Park. Coming up soon!

I did try that for one of the days. It was very good!

not at all, my dinner there two nights ago had 4 empty seats at it. That being said, I wouldn’t wait on it. Just make your reservations for shows and dinner first thing when you get onboard.

Had a relaxing day out by the pool, a quick nap and then I tried to go to Ice Skating… bad idea because over 300 people had the same idea. The line wrapped around inside of Studio B and then outside in the hall way all the way back to the elevators. No thank you. I did get inside to take a photo from everyone. This is the downside to such a large ship when they have an activity not reserved, it get bombarded but when it is reserved, it’s sold out instantly. oh well, maybe next time… 🤷🏻‍♂️

Does not look like they do today

On the way to lunch at Chops and had to take note of the beautiful day and atmosphere in Central Park. Also, the Park Cafe has some amazing quick service and grab and go lunch options.

It is very unique and I love the competitive edge it adds!

Weather today!!!!!!! LOVE IT! This is my happy place! If you have never taken a cruise and are on the fence about it… DO IT!!!

Last night was a great night, awesome weather and smooth sailing. Dinner was at Izumi, great chef, server and company. The food was very good and comparable to standard hibachi you can get on most ships or on land. They automatically give you 3 sauces and not on is yum yum sauce… BUT they do have it in the back and you have to ask for it. It had a little spice kick to it (not bad) but the chef said “it is different then normal yum yum sauce it is only one yum not two… “yum sauce”. The chef was entertaining and did all the “standard” tricks and some new ones I haven’t seen before. There is a $10 upcharge to do hibachi when you have the dining package, so please note that for your planning. After dinner, I went to the casino, won some money back (still down) and then after went to watch the late night adult comedy. The comedians were very entertaining and touched on a good amount of topical humor. Finally, after comedy finished I was on my way back to the room and saw the “night club” it was in Studio B where the ice skating show is… I wanted to see what it was all about and was slightly curious what they did with the ice. I peeked in said hell no and turned right around and out the door… (see photo). I did go to the main theater to see the new Elvis movie! I love it and was very well done. That ended around midnight and right to bed.

Goooood evening, Went on the Xmas snorkel excursion today and it was good. The snorkeling itself was average, mostly grass and fire coral. It was a nice swim though, they give you about an hour in the water. The highlight of the trip was I saw 3 separate turtles on the sea bed grazing so that was pretty cool. After the snorkel they take you on about a 45 min leisure trip back to the ship where they give you free rum punch. On this return trip you find out you were snorkeling at Little St. James Island and at a point for keeping this PG, it was the spotlight of a recent documentary (you can do your own research). Beyond that it was a fun little day trip and after returning I hopped in a taxi and headed to the “top of the mountain” to grab a banana daiquiri. I highly recommend making this trip for anyone who goes to St. Thomas. (With a little haggling it is possible to get the driver to do $20pp round trip.) The daiquiris and the views are equally amazing and I have attached photos of both. After a drink and taking in the sights, I headed back down the mountain to the ship where we had an all aboard time of 3:30pm. Once on board… now time to sleep off the drinks!

I asked that and the server told me no, that it was $10 extra. Maybe he was wrong but I didn’t push past that. That was the first time I have had push back for a second entree this trip.

A great morning to you all, we are currently docking in beautiful St. Thomas. Today, I have a snorkeling excursion that I will update everyone later on how it was and how the rest of today went but that all come later. First, I need to let you all know how dinner went last night. It was in Chops the steakhouse on board. I had a reservation and was sat immediately so no issues there. Chops does have an outdoor seating in Central Park just like Jaime’s but on this ship it is almost like a patio with covering to help protect from the wind a bit. Sitting outside was nice and you can listen to the guitar music. The food it’s self was good, I am not going to say great but yes it was good. I had a black pepper bacon appetizer with a wedge salad. As always, the wedge was spot on and ice cold and the bacon had a great flavor BUT was super super fatty almost like pork belly and I am just not into super fatty cuts. For my main, this is where Chops doesn’t win… usually I have been getting two entrees to try around the menu. At Jaime’s, I was able to get a half sized Pasta and another entree. At 150 I was able to get the tenderloin and the lobster Thermidor… But at Chops, I was told only one entree or it would be an additional $10. This seems weird to me because I find the service, food and quality of 150 to be wayyy higher then Chops (I mean even the bread is better) and to go further with it, you get lobster included at 150 and at Chops it is around a $20 up-charge. It just seems like if they are going to implement that rules it should be at all of their restaurants, none of them or maybe 150… that’s just my observation. For desert I had the apple pie ala mode… I had a few bites and was on my way.

Ok so first off… sorry for not posting earlier today. Was out and off the ship first thing this morning and didn’t get back onboard until right before dinner… this means we have a lot of catching up to do so get ready!!!! To start the gym this morning (port day) was not crowded at all I think I was one of maybe 10 people in the entire gym. After a quick run, I grabbed my usual banana peanut butter smoothie and headed off of the ship. Today we were in Saint Maarten and I was joking one of the ships excursions “America’s Cup Sailing Regatta”… I was a little apprehensive at first but OMG! I loved it! We had a great group and crew so that definitely helps. You being with being assigned a “job” on the sail boat, mine was main grinder. You race against another boat crewed by other passengers to see who can finish first and all along the captain is calling out jobs and what to do… it was SUPER FUN! I highly recommend this tour. Please see picture below. After the morning sail, I hopped in a taxi and headed to one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE PLACES, Maho Beach. I stayed there for about 3 hours watching planes take off and land. I keep coming back to this place again and again. I get it is super crowed but for me there is just nothing like having a 757 lane 50 foot above my head. Do note that the current is strong here so please watch little ones if you go and in addition, I would never condone anyone standing behind the jet blast as that is very dangerous. That being said it is someone you have to experience just once and if you head to SXM then a stop at Maho Beach is almost a requirement. (See photos). Side note: as some of you may know from earlier posts on this thread, I am a Jacksonville Jaguars fan and I got an awesome surprise when we docked next to the yacht Kismet, owned by the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars. (Photos)

Tonight’s meal is brought to you by 150 Park Central. Fun Fact: it is name that because it is directly in the middle of the shop 150m to bow and 150m to aft. I very much enjoyed this meal not only because the food was amazing but was sat next to another solo cruiser and this man was a pinnacle plus member so was great to chat with him and get his prospective. For the meal tonight I tried the braised short rib, Cesear Salad, lobster Thermidor AND the tenderloin for two because the server suggested I try it (they gave me a smaller portion) and finally the fried cheese came for dessert. Everything was amazing but the true winner of the night was the BREAD… omg, if you have had it then you know what I mean and if you haven’t… you have to try it! Off to bed as we have an early morning tomorrow in St. Thomas. I will be going on the Sailing Regatta Tour!

Thank you. Please let me know if you have any questions.