LIVE #queensonthehighseas Rhapsody of the Seas 12/29: A New Years Cruise Extravaganza

[Namelocg]

Looking forward to your review. A bunch of us are doing the west bound TA on Rhapsody in November 2019

[KmomChicago]

On ‎12‎/‎29‎/‎2018 at 8:35 PM, cruisinfromtampa said:

 

 

We went back to the room to relax before dinner and decided to decorate our door. Nobody is really going to see it because we’re almost down a hallway, but we’re happy. When writing on the sign, I quickly realized I was going to run out of room, and had to adjust my letter size. Several martinis didn’t help. 

 

 

After dinner, we wanted to relax before the welcome back show. We all know how that goes...DH is sawing logs on the bed, and I’m posting on CC in my underwear. 

 

That about wraps up Day 1. I’m going to sit here and take my hair out...I’m letting it grow long for my end of year concert with my students, and to let them shave off if we have a successful fundraiser, and I got it braided. My regular stylist wasn’t available, so she sent me to her friend...who didn’t do a great job. I can usually get 3 days out of it. It has been 20 hours and I can’t take the Bobby pins poking me anymore. I’ve pulled four out, and can feel more in there. 

 

I’m  posting the compass below. Also, don’t forget you can follow our shenanigans on Instagram @queensonthehighseas

 

Until tomorrow. 

 

 

 

Great so far, Mr. J!  I love how you just dove right in to the fun in spite of spending the first night docked in port.  And your tipsy attempt at eyeballing the space available on your door sign! :)  And, of course, trying to stay up late for the festivities and falling asleep early instead.  Looking forward to the rest, now that you are out of the fog. Literally, anyway.  The martini factor may contribute to maintaining a different type of fog.

 

Okay, sorry since you are on vacation, but since you're a band director, I have to go here!  Bless you for dealing with the kids.  I cannot imagine dealing with them all day, every day.  And I for one deeply appreciate and am very grateful for what you do. What higher calling can there be than serving others, particularly children, and particularly at what is a very challenging point in their lives?

 

My 7th grader has benefited greatly from her school band instruction and it has developed what was a passing interest into something approaching a real passion.  Please know your work has a profound value, even if perhaps you don't get all the thanks you deserve!  Okay, back to the party. . . waiting to continue this voyage with you.

 

[LuCruise]

Loving your review so far.  And wow...you really are in need of a vacation after the few days (weeks?) leading up to your cruise.  Would love to hear your thoughts on the aft balcony (the walk, vibrations, but most important how you love the view) as we just booked an aft for first time (but balcony is not nearly as nice as yours).  We're also hitting a couple of those stops on our upcoming cruise so would love to hear about your day.  Looking forward to hearing more.

PS - Have added you to instagram. Thanks for the link.

Edited December 31, 2018 by LuCruise

[cruisinfromtampa]

Day 2: At Sea...But Really Still in Tampa Until Lunchtime 

 

I had connection issues last night...I kept getting a server error. But we’re back to working this morning, so here goes yesterday. 

 

We ordered room service for breakfast, mostly because I wanted orange juice to go with my champagne, cause #mimosasareamust  We can’t figure out why we’ve never done it before. Fill out a form, hang it on the door, someone calls in the morning, and voila...”free” food appears at your door! It was brilliant. Breakfast in our balcony in robes. Never. Going. Back. 

 

After breakfast, we walke around the ship for a bit. As we were still in port, I got a text message from one of my band parents. She and her husband were on their boat off the port side. I raced out to the deck, to wave at them. We caught each other. 

 

After our walk, we met our group for lunch in the MDR. Tutti Salad for the win! They also had a pasta bar that was tasty. I’ve posted a picture of the lunch menu below.  It was during lunch that we heard the familiar ding of the forthcoming announcement. The Captain had a definite sparkle in his voice as he gave us the good news! We were cleared to depart!!!  The celebration that took place on board...there were cheers, applause, tears, babies were thrown in the air. It was a sight to behold. Well...maybe that’s an exaggeration, but we were all very happy. 

 

We departed Tampa, following Brilliance out. Wouldn’t you know that once the first parent posted her picture of me on Facebook, two more who were boating on the bay wanted their moment too. I guess it’s nice having people want to photograph you. 

 

After lunch, we spent an exhilarating 90 minutes at the excursion desk figuring out what to do in Roatan and Belize. No exaggeration...it took us 90 minutes. 

 

By by the time that was over, we went back to our rooms to relax before dinner. Dinner speed was much better than the first night, and the food was fantastic. Of all things, the wedge salad is now possibly my favorite app on board. When did I get old?!? Menu and food porn below. 

 

Sidebar...Our head waiter Maria...in all of the cruises we’ve been on, we have NEVER seen one work the way she does. She is canstantly bouncing from table to table refilling glassss, clearing dishes, and making sure we have everything we need. Our waiter and assistant waiter are doing a great job, but Maria is beyond anything we’ve experienced. I’ve never even considered tipping a head waiter. She’ll get just as much as the waiter. 

 

After dinner, entertainment by not so sober cruise passengers in the centrum, followed by a show. We’ve seen Michelle Murlin before, and her show has some great moments. I think when she stays in her wheelhouse, she’s quite successful. Her impersonations are also entertaining. 

 

After the show, back to the room for bed. We have an unplanned Sea day coming, as well as New Years Eve festivities. 

 

Until tomorrow!

 

*I’m having issues uploading photos. Not sure why. Will try again after this uploads. Yay technology. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Biker19]

3 minutes ago, cruisinfromtampa said:

 I’ve never even considered tipping a head waiter. She’ll get just as much as the waiter. 

Mentioning her in the after cruise survey by name might be just as useful as your tip.

[cruisinfromtampa]

Not the best quality, but what the fog looked like Sunday morning on the Sunshine Skyway. 

 

 

Band parents on their boat. 

 

 

 

Me on the deck. 

 

 

Sailaway from downtown Tampa. 

 

 

Dinner Menu

 

 

Beef Tenderloin

 

 

Grand Marnier Soufflé 

 

 

Our first towel animal of the cruise

 

[cruisinfromtampa]

7 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Mentioning her in the after cruise survey by name might be just as useful as your tip.

 

Already planned on it. 

[cruisinfromtampa]

1 hour ago, KmomChicago said:

 

Great so far, Mr. J!  I love how you just dove right in to the fun in spite of spending the first night docked in port.  And your tipsy attempt at eyeballing the space available on your door sign! 🙂 And, of course, trying to stay up late for the festivities and falling asleep early instead.  Looking forward to the rest, now that you are out of the fog. Literally, anyway.  The martini factor may contribute to maintaining a different type of fog.

 

Okay, sorry since you are on vacation, but since you're a band director, I have to go here!  Bless you for dealing with the kids.  I cannot imagine dealing with them all day, every day.  And I for one deeply appreciate and am very grateful for what you do. What higher calling can there be than serving others, particularly children, and particularly at what is a very challenging point in their lives?

 

My 7th grader has benefited greatly from her school band instruction and it has developed what was a passing interest into something approaching a real passion.  Please know your work has a profound value, even if perhaps you don't get all the thanks you deserve!  Okay, back to the party. . . waiting to continue this voyage with you.

 

Thanks so much! I’m glad she has found something she loves!

[cruisinfromtampa]

18 minutes ago, LuCruise said:

Loving your review so far.  And wow...you really are in need of a vacation after the few days (weeks?) leading up to your cruise.  Would love to hear your thoughts on the aft balcony (the walk, vibrations, but most important how you love the view) as we just booked an aft for first time (but balcony is not nearly as nice as yours).  We're also hitting a couple of those stops on our upcoming cruise so would love to hear about your day.  Looking forward to hearing more.

PS - Have added you to instagram. Thanks for the link.

 

It is a walk, but nothing crazy...and totally worth it for the view.  Gets my steps in for the day if nothing else. 

 

We’ve only ever noticed vibrations when docking or pulling away. And not bad enough that it would deter us. 

 

Our first Aft was 7660 on Rhapsody. That’s when we fell in love with them. The views are spectacular, and sitting out and watching the wake is one of our favorite parts of the cruise. When available, we book them without hesitation, and will continue to do so as often as we can. 

[island lady]

Oh sooo cool!  Not only do we board on Saturday when you return...but we are in your cabin!  Love that big aft wrap JS cabin with that huge balcony.  We have it again for next year too!  🙂 My sister joins us in the mirrored opposite one on the port side next year for her birthday cruise.    

 

Enjoying your review and thanks for taking us along!  

 

Happy New Year to you both and enjoy your cruise...and the festivities tonight! 

Edited December 31, 2018 by island lady

[cruisinfromtampa]

MDR Sea Day Lunch Menu and Day 2 Cruise Compass

 

 

 

 

 

[Miss Studio]

Does anyone know how much Cruise Compasses and menus vary between sailings?  I am sailing this exact same itinerary in a couple of weeks.  I’d like to use the info posted here to help me plan ahead.

[Biker19]

9 minutes ago, Miss Studio said:

Does anyone know how much Cruise Compasses and menus vary between sailings? 

The menus much less likely than the Compass.

[Snit13]

Watched you sail away.  So glad you are enjoying your cruise.  Retired after 30 years teaching Social Studies and English in Miami and Orlando.  I know you will enjoy every hour of every day away from work, but you will be happy to get back to school to your students.

[Clarea]

2 hours ago, Miss Studio said:

Does anyone know how much Cruise Compasses and menus vary between sailings?  I am sailing this exact same itinerary in a couple of weeks.  I’d like to use the info posted here to help me plan ahead.

 

Compasses can change unpredictably.  A different Cruise Director, Activities Manager, Hotel Director, etc. can change many things.

[Nanarrow]

Is Elvis Pinto the cruise director? I saw on his page he had transferred, but I’m hoping he is still on for our sailing next week! He is so much fun!

if he is not there, can you let me know who is?

[island lady]

18 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Compasses can change unpredictably.  A different Cruise Director, Activities Manager, Hotel Director, etc. can change many things.

 

Missing a port makes a quick dash to the printer for change out also. 😉 

[cruisinfromtampa]

Sorry for my delay in posting. We’ve had a very busy few days....many plates of food and excessive napping were involved. I’m picking up where I left off, which is Day 3, New Year’s Eve. Remember, we were supposed to be in Costa Maya today, but the foggin fog had other plans, and we were blessed with an extra sea day. 

 

We had a very relaxed morning. Slept in, ate breakfast, took a nap, met the fam for lunch, took a nap, lost Broadway trivia, took a nap, then had dinner. Menus for lunch and the special holiday dinner menu are posted below. The tables in the MDR were decked out in party fare, hats/beads/tiaras/horns, for us to take. Food was great, and service continues to improve. 

 

After our meal, we went to the first production show of the cruise, Ballroom Fever. It’s a show we’ve seen before, and I’m sure will see again. Standard RC production. The singers did a much better job than others we’ve seen...having two music degrees, I tend to be a harsh critic. 

 

After the show, we began the countdown. We stationed ourselves on deck 8, overlooking the centrum. It was a great vantage point for the festivities. One gentleman became so enraptured by the night, that he proposed right there on the dance floor. When she shook her head and ran off, it kind of soured the night for the whole ship...not really. She said yes, and the crowd erupted. But could you imagine if she had said no...😱😱😱

 

As the clock ticked towards midnight, the room got more and more full. We started counting down from 30, and when it struck midnight, the planned balloon drop went, well, not as planned. I’m not sure what the actual issue was, but whatever mechanism releases the balloons didn't engage in a timely fashion, and it took several minutes for them to fall. 

 

The party continued after midnight. Once things started to die down, we made our way back to our room. I estimate I was derobed and curled up with my pillow no later than 12:15. I’m a party animal you know. 

 

Up tomorrow: Belize. 

 

 

[cruisinfromtampa]

Cheers from the Gulf!

 

 

MDR Lunch Menu:

 

[cruisinfromtampa]

Itinerary change letter. 

 

[cruisinfromtampa]

I’m having a terrible time staying connected...never mind get pictures to upload. I’ll try to continue later and see if it changes. 

[island lady]

Enjoying your review...sounds like you had a great time over NYE!  Keep our cabin warm for us, we will also be in 8596 in 4 days.  🙂 

[jimvern1966]

Following...... after clicking everything to figure out how!!!! It wouldn't work the first time I tapped it, it would only show who was following..... I tried everything including going into your profile... but I got it now!!! Sailing on her in April 🙂

[FMZ]

Such a risk, proposing in front of all those people!! Thank goodness she said yes! 

[danak13]

I will be boarding on the 5th.  Thanks for your review-I don't see a lot on Rhapsody so you have made me very excited to board her! Quick question-are they showing the football games anywhere on the ship??