gmerick

Had the Poke bowl one evening -- Meh. I lived in Hawaii for many years, and have a liking for all kinds of sashimi. Much prefer very fresh fish -- hours, not days old, and never over chilled much less frozen. Logistics of a cruise ship makes this impossible. The Poke was much better than the MDR Lobster that I skipped out on, but it left me wanting. Unfortunately the rice was also cooked according to a basmati recipe rather than Japanese. The grains were light, fluffy, and great texture, but inappropriate for chopsticks. Recommend any of the hibachi or teppanyaki items over the sashimi or sushi.

Another view of that structure -- There are two geodesic layers in the Aquadome -- one for the outside wall, one for the stage.

More speculation: Where does this piece fit?

Amazing how those with the slide rules and pocket protectors can make the third order curves on the (extremely femenine) Aquadome match up with the bridge a quarter mile away. And this part of deck 14 plans sure does look like the bridge wings are accessible, but probably under shelter, not outdoors. I think I'd like that though, Oasis class is so windy out there.

Is the issue more of simply not wanting to pay for something that used to be free (carry-ons and checked bags)? I take a personal item (my laptop bag), my carry on (mostly because it has needed batteries that cannot be checked), and TWO 50 lb checked bags. I'm on vacation, I don't want to do without.

And for significantly less than twice that, we can go 274 days on the Symphony

Per Person!!!!!!!

On day 1 or 2 find a comfortable out of the way area with ocean views like game room, 3rd floor of Centrum, or maybe Solarium or Promenade. If the folks that enjoy just sitting and enjoying on a cruise want to call it the family gathering place, it will become a spot to return to throughout the day and find / wait for family. The ones who are bouncing around all over the place will have a place to tell adventures, and the sedentary ones can people-watch and hatch their plans for shore excursions. Yes, I'm a sedentary people-watcher. After day 3 I'm always in "my place" even when sailing solo.

I'm thinking otherwise -- on the deck plan, it's immediately forward of the fitness center, and on this rendering it looks like there's fitness center windows and a doorway into this area:

Wondering... What's this space called, and how do I get to it?

Max Breakaway Force: 152.8 lbs / 69.3 kg Max Shear Force: 35.3 lbs / 16.0 kg Full Saturation Thickness: 0.197 in / 5.0 mm Product Weight: 0.69 lbs / 0.31 kg Dimensions: 1.9 x 1.2 x 2.5 in / 48 x 31.2 x 64.25 mm Magnetic Pole Footprint: 48 mm x 31.2 mm

I carry two 100lb pull magnets with me on every cruise. They have a mechanical knob that is turned to activate the magnet (not electric). They stick to nothing when "off", and hold my dive gear to dry on the balcony when "on". They only weigh several ounces, so there's no issues with packing or TSA. BTW, fishing for stainless steel objects doesn't work -- most stainless is non-magnetic. My magnets don't stick to my dive knife. Likewise my titanium line cutter.

I've had several SCUBA excursions cancelled, but only rarely do privately booked ones get cancelled. Still I recommend the cruise line excursions. With SCUBA, lots of things can go wrong, and when they do, it takes hours to resolve. With the cruise line booking, you will eventually catch up with the rest of your luggage (and hopefully the ship). You won't be on the hook for expenses unless the emergency personally involves you. For that, carry good dive insurance.

I have bought several prints. Park West sells from their own catalog. They are the only source for their artists outside the secondary market. As such it is hard to assess investment value to the auction product. I've paid about $150 each for the 8 prints I've bought, and I bought them just because I liked them. They were shipped to my home in very nice tube containers. The prints are exactly as advertised. I've spent about $250 each to put a very nice matted frame on each print. I'm very happy with the art work, but it was definitely not an investment. I liked the shipboard gallery, I liked the low pressure sales, and the artwork is appealing to me. So far, $3000 in home decor, and I like it.

I do heartily approve of RCL's decision permitting, but not requiring masks. My latest cruise I did note with considerable approval that many of the crew were wearing the RCL logo masks over 3M N95 masks. I also don't go in for the virtue signaling masks. If I choose to (or am asked to) mask, I have a couple of the flat 3M Aura N95 masks in my cell phone pouch. For me there is no middle ground -- mask free or N95. After all, If I'm masked it's for my own safety. Likewise for the crew -- If their comfort level is masked, more power to them.

I score a room service tray on day 1, and keep it. It goes in my day bag with my book and Yeti. At the buffet. I pile the tray full of more than I'll eat, add coffee, beverage, two sets of cutlery. At the table I unload the tray and it goes back in my bag.

The Anthurium leaves are about 4-5 inches long. Plant is about 18-24 inches tall including the pot. Particularly like it because bromeliads and anthurium last for and entire 10 day cruise. The ginger gets a bit tired after a week, but the rest livens the place up.

Infinite might be nice though. In the normal "blue collar crowd" type balconies there's hardly enough room to pour coffee. At least in the IV's there would be more depth between the glass railing and the bed. The couple times I've had a balcony I had to consciously latch the balcony door to ensure the A/C remained on. Most times I left the balcony door open and the A/C off. Yes, I know the trick about fooling the system into thinking the door is closed. I give the CC folks about 2 days into the first Live Voyage to post how it's done with an Infinite cabin. I'm thinking the cabin door into the hall would be unmanageable with the entire wall open vice just a door.

I'm splurging on a tropical vacation anyway. So I like something nice. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/royalgifts/gifts/flowers/tropical-beauty

I book early -- sometimes 2 years out. I've been fortunate each time in that price drops from initial booking have exceeded 30% each time. I'm looking at Anthem 18 Jan 2024 now, price for 2W cabin is 3.9K. Booked my current 2W Anthem 24 Jan 2023 at 2.4K, and price drop left me at 1.5K. Book early, and check prices occasionally.

Nuclear reactor Cooling Towers - would be so high tech if they powered this thing with a Nu-Scale 77MW unit.

Super-Goop ingredients: Avobenzone, 3%, Homosalate 8%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 4% er

Main reef safe sunblock ingredient is Zinc Oxide -- It's white. Sometimes manufacturers add Titanium dioxide - it's even whiter. If the particles of either ingredient are reduced to extreme smallness (nano-particles), it sometimes decreases the whiteness, but some say nano particles aren't safe health-wise, nor nature-wise. As post#2 says - wear a dive skin or other UVA/B blocking clothing. As for the Hawaiian tropic stuff: They leave out two of the worst reef damaging chemicals, but watch out for the other active ingredients:

Anthem, Jan 22 - Checked bag was delivered to my room. Made 5 shore excursions over the following 11 days carrying the bag. Not even a question. 4 1/2" blade, 9 1/2" overall length. Either I don't fit the criminal image, or SCUBA divers can get away with anything.....

I wouldn't put so much stock in those "child locks". My last trip on Anthem I had a nice oversized balcony. The "child lock" did nothing. Whether it was pushed in or pulled out made no difference, I rotated the handle and it immediately snapped unlocked. If I left the handle anything over half opened, the door would slide back and forth with the motion of the ocean. I had two angled corners on my balcony, and a gap between the glass in the center. I could easily put my leg through at least one gap. Also the two footstools were very light, and easily pushed up against the railing. If a toddler has learned any gymnastic ability from coping with crib rails, the balcony rail would only be one more set of monkey bars. The balcony is no place for an unaccompanied toddler.