harryfat1

Welcome back from your cruise. How was it? What ports did you visit? Thanks for reporting back. So the take-home lesson is don’t expect the ship to sail near the Statue of Liberty. The safer bet is to try to get on the Northstar right after lunch and see NYC from high above.

As my kids were not allowed inside the Solarium when they were younger (must be over 16 to be allowed inside), we never incorporated being inside the Solarium as part of our cruise routine. Especially in the Odyssey where we are a few steps away from 270, we prefer that area much more Here’s our 5-minute walk by of the area as we went up to the front of the ship to check out the scenery

We sat at 270 enjoying the comfortable sofas and the food/drinks before heading up to the top deck to watch the sail away. Other than day one’s sail away, the 2 previous sailaways always were late at night so this is actually the one and only daytime sailaway from a destination port. Walked past the ever-popular El Loco Fresh – RCI’s casual Mexican food eatery. We ate at El Loco Fresh on the Navigator but never made it on the Odyssey. This is as close as we got

Rested back in the cabin for a bit. Then headed to café 270 at 4 PM to get something to drink as the lunch area closed at 1:30 PM so we wanted something cold to drink While there, I got the roast beef sandwich that many people raved about. It’s not bad. A bit chewy for my liking but it’s ok. Think my wife got one of their salad bowl

It's always sad to be going back on the ship at the last port as we know the next time we touch land, the cruise vacation will be over

Good picture of the rock formation. The best one I have is only from the back view. In our previous visits, they blocked the gate entrance to the area where the staircase is. I assume that hasn't changed? Since you are going on the Princess cruise, here's news on Princess hooking up with our favorite jewelry store: https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/03/princess-partners-with-diamonds-international-for-sun-princess/ News on them trying to decrease food waste: https://www.cruisehive.com/princess-cruises-installs-new-technology-against-food-waste/124987

I don't think RCI has done much to Labadee since my last visit in 2017. At least nothing noticeable from our sailing compared to the past. Other than replacing the chairs and eliminating the pork rib offering at the buffet. I think they are putting all the new development money at CoCo Cay as I always read about new things happening there but Labadee is pretty much status quo.

For the Mooring Line Fan Club

OK. A couple more pictures and then it's time to head back to the ship at 3:30

In the previous visits, we went to the other side of Labadee to take pictures of the zip line area and whatever. But since we had already seen it twice in the past, we didn’t feel as motivated to walk out there this time. Here are a few pictures from previous visits to complete the report for those curious about what the other side looks like – I will assume not much has changed from the old days

Obligatory photos of the Labadee sign and the Holiday photo frame area. I assume they take down the decorations during the non-holiday seasons? I wouldn’t know as the only time we ever visited Labadee is during the Holiday season so to us, it’s as if it’s here year round but I assume it wouldn’t be

I’m sure there are other trails of Labadee that we haven’t seen as we typically just plop down at Columbus Cove until the end of the day and then walk around for a few minutes at the main area before going back to the ship I think I saw a total of 2 people during the 10-plus minutes on the trail so it’s not a well-known trail if it’s your first time here This area would typically be my favorite photo spot if it weren’t for the nighttime Cuaraci ship photos because you have a view of the pier and the unobstructed view of the ship Walking down

We know from previous visits there’s a little trail at Labadee – I wouldn’t call it a secret trail but it’s not well advertised either. We always make a quick tour of the area for a few photos opts of the ship. Not sure if the timer to Labadee will find it on its own without someone pointing it out to them. See my black line on the map on the left side of Labadee

The Odyssey ship crew is packing up as well since all the food from lunch from the ship so now they need to take it back up at the end of the day Tons of chicken left

20231229_145822.mp4 Wheelchair assistance at the tram stop

These seats are the "nosebleed seats" as they are furthest away from the beach but closest to the food so it depends on your priority. As it was almost 3 PM, it was time to slowly head back to the main port area. So we packed up our stuff and waited for the tram to take us back. You see the tram stop ahead

if you prefer a shady spot and plan to be at the beach all day long, aim for at least the second row This old Chinese dude is definitely not here for the beach by the way he’s dressed and with the camera, he was taking pictures of the various birds in the trees

OK, even of an old man complaining. Let's wrap up the beach part of the Labadee experience: +++++++++++ I tried to take a short nap while the fam was out on the beach but it's not easy when you have these guys coming by: 20231229_133240.mp4

Thanks for the pricing info. The water park isn't as expensive as I thought. However, if I was a parent paying for the park, I would feel like I got ripped off based on the picture of the waterslide versus reality. Compare the size of the waterslide in your picture to what was at Labadee in December. Notice the difference? Must be the same shrinkage we experienced on the shuffleboard game. RCI's new slogan - less is more (as in they charge you more and give you less)...

Not a fantastic memory. Just did a quick on my old posts I needed to provide the link anyway. I uploaded a Youtube video on the food waste on RCI last week and someone mentioned they order what they anticipate to be popular for any given cruise. I'm sure they have it down to the science of how much food each restaurant sells. There is one unique thing about cruise ship specialty restaurants that is different than land-based restaurants. Ship-based restaurants know EXACTLY who ate at each restaurant since you are billed by your cabin. Based on that, they can build a database on what an average 50-year-old man and woman will order versus a 30-year-old couple based on what each age group orders at Chops or whatever restaurant. Whereas in a regular land-based restaurant, they can't track that level of detail. They also can estimate on holiday sailings where there are over 1,000 kids on the ship, they will need to order more food catering to the younger crowd. Another unique thing is that ship-based restaurants only charge one fixed price instead of per item on land-based restaurants. Back at home if you order steak and salmon and chicken in one meal, you have to pay for all 3 items separately. On the ship, it's just one set price. A final thought is that RCI can change prices weekly on any sailing for specialty dining as they run regular promotions online. Your average land-based restaurant with a pre-printed menu and prices are not as flexible to make changes

Ok. Enough pictures. Time to go back to the lounger chairs. After we came back, both boys wanted to check out the area as well so my wife went back with them while I chilled out at the lounger. I might have dozed for a few minutes while they were gone. I think I woke up when the next roving musical band came by to do their act Here are their pictures

Does anyone know the cost of doing the slide?

There’s a water park on the other side of the walking pier. I don’t know what the cost is to use the water park – anyone who knows can leave a comment so others will know Looking back at our lounger area