colesc15

16 minutes ago, Marie51 said:

Is that a non refundable rate?

Yes

I ended up doing an express deal on priceline, with a coupon for $20 off, I got the Cambria for $172 all in which I'm good with. Last few trips we've stayed at the guitar hotel at hard rock but with that being a holiday weekend, I don't have any free room comps unfortunately. 

7 minutes ago, FOPMan said:

Do you have Pre or Clear or status to get through security? Do you have to check bags? Are you planning to pay for early bird?

No tsa pre or clear. Yes to bags and likely yes for early bird

16 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

If you look around the board, there are dozens of discussions on this topic. You will probably make it, assuming no delays, and you can carry your own bags off and grab a cab. 

 

Of course you could look at other airlines that might provide a better flight selection.

Has to be southwest due to flight credits we're trying to use up. 

We don't arrive to FLL until a little after 1am. Normally I'm all for nice hotels. Since we get there so late, I'm wanting something clean and not super expensive since it's such a short stay. Everything I'm seeing for my date (check in jan 13, out the 14th) is around $250 with taxes minus a few hotels, like a Ramada, that has poor reviews with bugs. 

Any recommendations for somewhere near the airport, clean, and not expensive for that one night? 

This January, sailing Odyssey. Other than a late night flight, the only option for Southwest is a 10:30 flight.. I'm thinking we should be okay to make it, right? Assuming no delays with the ship being cleared. Self disembark with the first group and we should be good? Those who have done it? I just really don't want to sit around until the evening flight. 

43 minutes ago, Parentcruiser said:

Have lost luggage a couple times (real pain in the %$#%) and thought putting the airtags in the luggage might be a good idea... as I understand they 'ping' thru any nearby iPhones (which there are many).

Have you done it and if so, how did it work, as we are on Oasis tomorrow?

We actually used Samsung smart tags for the first time last month on Odyssey and they worked well. It was nice knowing where the luggage was in the airport and was also nice knowing when the luggage arrived at the room vs periodically checking throughout the day. 

On Ovation now. 16 and up. I've seen a crew member a few days ago ask a young looking teen how old he was

The drink perk is by far the best I feel. We swing by on the way to any show or dinner and grab a drink and usually one to go. Then we can use our diamond drinks on the pool deck etc. Can easily end up with 10+ drinks a day without paying for a single one.

6 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

What were you playing?

Just slots. I don't generally play tables. 

Man the casino on Ovation has been rough. I managed to reup my prime status in about 3 hours in the casino but brutal slot sessions. 

Am I understanding correctly? I'm currently prime and earned it on a cruise in October of 2021. I'm understanding it as I'll be prime through March of 2023. Current play in the casino would then renew me as prime and make me prime for April 2023 through March 2024 once I hit 2500 tier points in this year, right?? 

1 minute ago, BecciBoo said:

Unfortunately some of the population can be highly contagious and show no symptoms at all.  But I agree, stay home if you do.

Agree. But, if pre covid, everyone tested as often as they do now for the every day cold, it'd be no different. The number of positives are massive but the amount of people getting truly sick other than cold symptoms is small. 

Imagine if 5 years ago, every person tested for a cold at the end of a cruise or even during.. The numbers would be insane. 

Most of the covid cases with this variant are sniffles and some congestion.. When are we going to finally get to the point of stopping testing for every sniffle and just using common sense and staying home if you feel crummy? 

22 minutes ago, 5waldos said:

Getting new gear for a vacation, cruise or otherwise, is a part of the experience for many people. Alaska or the tropics makes no difference. 

Agreed! I'm a gambler, so at least I'm getting something for my money when I buy random stuff as opposed to losing thousands in a casino in a night which I've done hundreds of times. 

Does each person (example, my wife and I) each need to download the app and submit or can I do it all in one for myself and my wife? 

17 minutes ago, jskinsd said:

I love it when you all talk about what to wear in Alaska.  I laugh at all the new gear you buy to wear on a cruise ship. It is like a fashion show.  Go out and buy that top dollar gear for probably a one time use.  Unless you live in San Diego (where the weather is always nice), look in your closet.  What really do you need?  Don't you already have rain gear at home?  Are hiking boot really necessary?  Are they comfortable?  Will you use them after the cruise?  Are they a need or a want?

So go to Macy's and knock yourself out buying that top dollar gear and don't for the matching hat, scarf and gloves or go to the thrift store and get what you may need for a one time use.  Poncho, rain jacket, umbrella, cane for walking, backpack, small luggage, etc.  You would be surprised what treasures you may find.✌️

Thanks for your wonderful insight.. You must be a blast to be around 🙄

Going on our first Alaska cruise next week on Ovation! We're so excited. My question for those who have sailed in mid July.. What type of clothes do you usually pack? We're both from Wisconsin, so once it hits 60, we're generally in shorts because I generally run "warm". I know it can fluctuate in Alaska, but, should I be packing more warm weather clothes? Inside the ship at night, in the ac, I'd most likely be in shorts. We both plan on bringing a rain jacket and Waterproof Hiking boots. 

35 minutes ago, CruiseMelissa said:

I want to make sure our playlist is up-to-date as we prep for our June 30 cruise... what songs have you heard at the sailaway dance party that the activities manager usually runs?

 

We have Cupid Shuffle, Wobble Baby, and Macarena... what are we missing?  🙂

Danza Kuduro is 100% cruise anthem 

According To Royals faq, serenade is getting revitalized in 2022.. Does anyone know if that's still happening or if it's delayed? 

My live that I did on Odyssey during peak omicron must have sucked too much for me to become "rare" 😂

13 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Member has done a live review

I get that but why the word "rare" lol 

I never even noticed the "rare" lol. Does it actually stand for something? Or what's the correlation between lives and rare

7 minutes ago, _tacocat_ said:

you're probably not missing anything.  we had one booked for our december voyage last year, then saw the reviews and cancelled.  cabanas seemed a little shabby and looked big enough to fit two people comfortably.  the "drink package" was a bit of a misnomer - at that point, you got 5 or 6 cans of wine, beer, or really sweet premixed cocktails.  i understand they may have switched it to straight bar credit, but they've increased the price since last year from $350 to $500. you do get waiter service for food & drinks at the cabanas, but you also have to battle with seagulls to keep your lunch...

 

our voyage was one of the highest capacity since they started (~1,600-1,700 depending who you asked), so we were nervous that we wouldn't get seats after we had cancelled our cabana.  we were one of the first few people off the ship and had our pick of locations.  seats didn't fill up until maybe noon-12:30, and there was plenty of free shade available.  if you're planning to get there later in the day, or maybe once voyages get closer to max capacity, cabanas might be worth it to have guaranteed seating. 

 

we used the money we saved by not getting a cabana to get massages another day!

Awesome thanks! We've loved the cabanas at Coco Cay but wasn't sure if it was worth it at Bimini since we'll have access to the Rockstar area. Sounds like not so much 

I'm assuming there's a cost for the cabanas at Bimini in the Rockstar only area? Any one know the cost?