OCSC Mike

You're welcome. Just paying it forward. I learned much of what I know about RC and cruising from the forums.

There are two production shows... 1. Effectors II - Broadway-style acting/singing/special effects. 2. Voices - Pretty much just singing. Then there's a headliner that changes weekly - Usually a juggler, singer, or ventriloquist in recent months.

Ice show, aqua show, adult comedy, many versions of live music, some other type of show in the theater, karaoke, game shows, casino, etc... Honestly, 4N is too short to do everything on an Oasis class ship. The last thing I'd be worried about is not being entertained.

Utopia will have all that. The aqua show was announced as "Aqua 80 Too" (Aqua 80 is on Oasis... 80's music theme). The theater show is rumored to be Back to the Future... but that's just a rumor.

Yep, the coffee machine is my 2nd favorite perk after the vouchers. Unless you're very particular about your coffee and must have something more complex than a standard cappuccino, latte, americano, etc., I'd use the machine and save the vouchers. I have multiple cappuccinos from the machine every morning. No judgment intended if you prefer fancier coffee; we all like what we like. I drink cheap stuff from my Mr. Coffee at home so anything from the CL machine is a step up for me, lol.

How to look at current sailings in the app… Click on the little calendar at the top above “Day One” —> click “Change Ship/Dates” at the bottom —> click “Browse our ships” at the very bottom —> choose whatever ship you want, then the dates. I’ll try to remember to post the entertainment schedule but apologies in advance if I don’t. I don’t normally pay any attention to it and my blogs wind up mostly being about food, lol.

I was on Eastern in March but don’t have it, sorry. Western for my next 2. You can look at next week’s Eastern in the app.

You can see show times by looking at the current sailing in the app. But yes, other than a matinee of Effectors, you will pretty much have to see every show after dinner in the 9:30-10:00pm range. I sailed in March and will be on again a week from Sunday. EDIT: There’s also one 6:45pm ice show you could go to before dinner.

Agreed. If I haven't mentioned it in your live blog, I actually have very little interest in Icon except for the new included food venues and new drinks... I would love to try those. We'll try Icon class eventually... most likely Star since I pretty much stick to PC and the one hour drive. It just won't be for a little while.

I would want to try almost the entire list of drinks from Surfside (then get the heck out of there)!

I know virtually nothing about AARP gc's but I have a feeling you may be right b/c I don't see that e-mail listed anywhere or having anything to do with the cashstar e-gift card I have,

They still have short cruises but they are using newer and newer ships for them. In July, Utopia is being launched and doing short cruises as the newest ship in the fleet. Prices are higher and you need to book farther out. If you want an old ship, try Tampa (but the cruise will likely be longer than 3N).

My wife was given one of these... an e-gift card issued by Cashstar. We're just going to take it to Guest Services on our next cruise and use it like OBC. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/how-to-add-a-cruise-gift-card-to-my-onboard-expense-account Q How can I add a gift card to my onboard expense account? A On sailings where the onboard currency is USD (most sailings except China), gift cards can be used onboard as payment toward your onboard expense account. You must be on the ship to add a gift card as payment toward your onboard expense account. Please visit the Guest Services desk.

I know you were. I was agreeing that your example was a good one. Sorry if it was unclear.

Yes it does... but that's why I answered that "it varies." Ya never know when it comes to anything related to Royal IT.

The website doesn't show daily activities like trivia, music, karaoke, etc. You need the app for that.

I never noticed TBH but I trust your research. I learned something new... I won't be alone on CocoCay in July as originally scheduled. Allure is joining us after being switched from Labadee to CocoCay. What's unusual is that will be Allure's 2nd trip to CocoCay in the same 7N cruise. I'm not thrilled, of course, but I can't blame RC for wanting to fill CocoCay and it's not the end of the world. We get off the ship ASAP and have been there enough time that we'll get our usual spot and if the lines for food are a bit longer, oh well, 1st world problem.

There is no real standard these days. It varies. Even if you saw activities some could change/update on embarkation day. 14 days til my Wonder cruise & I also have nothing but shows.

See post #18.

Huh? Aside from this not being very helpful, it's also inaccurate.

From reading other live blogs, crowding the different pool areas. Definitely jealous of this. I have little interest in the ship itself but I know I’d enjoy that WJ, the new included food venues, and trying new drinks.

One more week… which of course means two more for me! Looking forward to your thoughts, even if I do have to read them during my cruise. Do you feel well-prepared after all your research?

This seems to be trending earlier & earlier. They opened 50 days out for my June Wonder cruise (in April) and 60 days out for my July Wonder a few days ago. Someone with a July Harmony cruise also mentioned that reservations recently opened for them so it’s not just Wonder.

Couldn’t agree more. We do the same thing & the WJ isn’t packed when it first opens even during spring break or summer. People are still boarding, wandering, figuring out where they’re going, taking care of other issues, etc. To be clear, this was more of tangent, not suggesting that’s the best option for the OP. I think specialty lunch is a good idea if they were willing to spend $ on The Key.

It was another adult show (18+) in the main theater on Wonder in March. I did go to the family shows in the past and often disliked them b/c I felt many of the comics were forced to do material that wasn't their usual style. I'm totally fine with family-friendly comedy, it doesn't have to be adult, but forcing a performer to alter what they're good at doesn't work well. The greyed out button could be anything... ya never know with Royal IT. I'd just check back every so often. July 14th is my Wonder sailing as well... I asked b/c I was hoping to see Louis Johnson again and he's actually subscribed to the FB group for that sailing (he posted on FB prior to our March cruise) so who knows? Can't really trust the app/website until just before a cruise anyway.