Royal Caribbean Cruisers -- How Are Things Where You Are? (was "Routine" ​ 😁 ​day in lockdown... how was yours?)

[Coralc]

6 minutes ago, Bailey & Sophie said:

 

Don't wanna.

Google/Amtrak says you don't need it: https://www.amtrak.com/crossing-the-us-canadian-border

[Bailey & Sophie]

5 minutes ago, Coralc said:

Google/Amtrak says you don't need it: https://www.amtrak.com/crossing-the-us-canadian-border

 

Thanks. 

[taznremmy]

2 hours ago, George C said:

Just watched first episode of Shelter on amazon prime it’s a Harlan Coben story with a very high rating from Rotten Tomatoes, would love to see Netflix or or prime do Harlan Coben Myron Boltar an Winn, Shelter is about Myron’s nephew.

My favorite author.

[Ozark_Kid]

@Ocean Boy was that you finding crazy prices for the Oasis 8 day Feb 8,2025.  If a midship balcony for a little over $2,600 sounds good you can get it if you don't go through RC.  That is after tax and a refundable deposit after a diamond discount. 

[sgmn]

16 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Mystic Seaport is hosting a firefighters day. They have fire boats doing demonstrations....

 

 

 

 

My grandson would love to of been there 

[sgmn]

13 hours ago, Ozark_Kid said:

The kids are over celebrating Sharon's birthday 🎂 They made her a homemade German Chocolate cake, her favorite.   And they brought her a bouquet 💐 of flowers from the best florist around 😃

Happy Birthday to Sharon. Those flowers are gourgous 

[sgmn]

11 hours ago, Tree_skier said:

Just thought I'd drop a quick little review of Navigator right here if nobody minds. This isn't going to be a complete or exhaustive review, just a quick synopsis of last week with a few pics and I don't want to start a whole thread for that.  Especially since most of this will be the tale of getting to the cruise ship and not as much the actual cruise.

 

Just got off a 4 day on Navigator and we had a great time.  This was a unique cruise.  It was Papa (me) and my three Grandkids. (14F, 17M, 20F).  DW was spending the week with DD so they could spend some time together without the kids getting in the way of their Mommy/Daughter time.  

 

The plan was to meet in Santa Clarita right next to Six Flags.  DD and the kids were coming from home, just a little north of Fresno and we were driving from Phoenix were I had been working.  As Hurricane Hilary approached I started to get nervous.  Sunday, in between two speaking events I was glued to the weather.com app.  It was looking dodgy.  I was supposed to head out Sunday night, stay overnight in Palm Springs and finish the drive to the meet up Monday morning. I really questioned my intelligence when I decided to brave the drive.  There were all kinds of warnings and watches and dire predictions. My thought was I'm originally from Vancouver.  I can drive in the rain better than any Californian.  

 

God smiled on us.  The drive in was a piece of cake.  All along I 10 all we had was a little wind and the odd sprinkle and I congratulated my wise decision to strike out as planned all the way up until I got to the exit we took to our pre cruise hotel in Palm Springs. The highway was closed and everyone was being diverted off.  Rain was now coming down in buckets and there was a hint of flooding along the sides of the road.  Thankfully our Hotel, a Best Western Plus, was just off the interstate at that exit we were being forced onto.  Surely it will all be open and fine in the morning.  It was a brand new hotel, very nice room and we were fortunate because there wasn't a room to be had anywhere in the city apparently. Some areas had already been cut off and the and Hotels you could get too were completely sold out.  We were fine though and so at 12:45 am I laid my head down on the pillow and went to sleep with visions the Windjammer, the Promenade and the Bamboo Club in my head.

 

I got up early, showered and dressed quickly and by 7am we were on the road.  It was a mess.  Streets were flooded traffic was blocked all over and nobody could get anywhere, certainly not the interstate anyways.  We followed some truck traffic along a road that parceled the highway that had been flooded it looked like but the water had subsided.  Unfortunately, we could see off in the distance the highway was still closed.  As we got to the turn where you would turn to get to the interstate I saw three semi trucks, coming from the opposite direction,  turn onto the I 10 on ramp.  I took a chance and instead of heading down the side road that all of us had been creeping along to who knows where, turned towards the overpass and the onramp.  When I got there there were still cones there but someone had moved  a couple of them and you a single truck or car could pass through.  I took a chance and pulled down it.  For 5 miles it was all glorious.  Then we ground to a halt...  We sat and waited... I cursed my stupid decision to follow those trucks... But a few minutes later we started to creep ever so slowly forward.  I had no idea what lied ahead but we were westbound heading the right direction at 3-4 miles per hour in-between frequent stops.

 

Eventually I could see the obstruction. This must be what closed the highway last night.  I'm so thankful I wasn't driving in that.  A flash flood and completely shut the freeway down but even now with the water subsided the freeway was barely passible.

 

 

Once we cleared this we ran into a couple of other spots but nothing this bad.  It slowed us but didn't stop us.  They must have got things shut down again at the onramp after we and those few trucks came through because there was only a few dozen vehicles behind us.

 

We made it to Santa Clarita.  I traded a wife for three grand kids and we struck off for San Pedro,  

 

I had received an email the day before letting me know not to come to the port until 12:30. We had had a 10:30 checkin time but all of that had been scrapped because of Hilary.  When we got there, at about 12:15 there was a very long line waiting to get into the security tent and beyond to the check in point but to their credit they moved it along very quickly.  We were on board by 12:55.   

 

 

 We must have been in the first 25% to board because, except for the Windjammer, the ship felt empty.  Vacation had begun and life was good.

 

It was MDR every evening for us.  Lunch was Windjammer Day 1, MDR Day 2, Catalina Island Day 3, El Loco Fresh Day for Day 4.

 

1. C+
2. B
3. C-
4. B

 

Entertainment was good and mediocre.  The Ice show was great as usual ( we went two different nights) and the welcome aboard show was good.  They had the orchestra do a few numbers then a comedian.  He was funny and family friendly.   The house band who we sat and listened to a couple of times were very average.  We didn't go to the showgirls or ball room dancing show.  Ive been and am not a fan so usually skip them on this ship. 

 

Other evenings entertainment consisted of Karaoke.  There was some real talent on board and some very funny talent but it was great each night.         

 

Catalina island we did the Semi-submerged tour.  I've done but not with the kids.  They loved it so I loved it.  Ensenada we didn't leave the ship.  I booked a Casita  and we roamed back and forth between minigolf, the arcade, the waterslides and the Flowrider.  

 

There was some Papa only time in the Casino on Day 2 and then the evening of day 4.  I lost about $200 for the cruise.  An acceptable amount that allows me to say I was worth it because I had fun. 🙂 

 

The youngest granddaughter did the Spinkletime  cup cake decorating.  She had a lot of fun and enjoyed it.  She said it was worth the $35 but then it was my $35 and not hers so that might have biased her review. LOL. 

 

Pro tip...  Don't get any of that icing from the cupcake on anything or else be prepared to bleach it.  That stuff is almost indelible will nearly not come off your skin with soap and water and is nearly toxic on clothing.

 

 

A few random pics to follow...

 

We'll start with a room tour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just over 100 days until we board Harmony for our first B2B

 

 

Looks like a great break after the trauma of getting to port.  And that cabin is great for family groups. I bet they get snapped up quickly 

[sgmn]

Finally after 8 days I got a clear test.  Looking forward to getting out and about now. 

At least its out of the way before littlest g/sons first birthday/christening and our holiday in a few weeks.

Coffee and wine still doesn’t taste quite right but hopefully my taste buds will be back to normal soon. 

[bobmacliberty]

9 hours ago, Bailey & Sophie said:

 

I need some help....

We're taking Amtrak from Seattle to Vancouver for our West Coast cruise. 

Do we need the ArriveCan form?

On the roll call, some say yes, some say no, some say they've filled it out but it wasn't looked at.

Do we need it if arriving by train? So confused...

 

We did this same trip last fall.  Very nice views (sit on the left side).  Pics start here with post #208.  Sooooo much better than driving.  We needed the ArriveCan form back then (you needed to show it at Border Control after you got off the train) but sounds like that's no longer the case. 

[Ocean Boy]

8 hours ago, Ozark_Kid said:

@Ocean Boy was that you finding crazy prices for the Oasis 8 day Feb 8,2025.  If a midship balcony for a little over $2,600 sounds good you can get it if you don't go through RC.  That is after tax and a refundable deposit after a diamond discount. 

Any GPS coordinates for where you are finding this?

[Ozark_Kid]

27 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Any GPS coordinates for where you are finding this?

Maybe Bella would turn his head right.

[Arzeena]

15 hours ago, TravelGirlinDallas said:

We sailed Adventure last Thanksgiving in 2022, back when it sailed out of Galveston. I honestly had pretty low expectations since the ship was smaller and older. It ended up being one of my favorite cruises. The ship was in great shape - much better than I had expected, the food was good, the shows were good, we went ice skating, we had a fantastic time. 🙂

 

 

Thanks! What lovely pictures of the family!

I think I remember you having the "secret" cabin! (deck7)😉

I am also looking a the Wonder sailing around the same time....running numbers😁

 

I hope you are on Bella 2 so I can meet you and this lovely family personally.

 

[cruiselvr04]

10 hours ago, George C said:

We are the only ones we know that fly from Dallas to Houston to cruise out of Galveston we just don’t like driving.

6 hours is about my limit.  I get so restless.  We make frequent trips to NW Arkansas to see the grands and that’s about the same.  Beyond that I want to fly.  

[BonTexasNY]

10 hours ago, taznremmy said:

My favorite author.

Harlan Coben is one of my favorite authors as well.

 

Off to brunch with friends soon.  We'll finally end the consecutive 100+ degree days.  Today will be 96!

 

We love driving to Galveston, approx. 6 hours with a stop at Buc-ees.  Very relaxing and love the anticipation of finally getting there, closer and closer.

 

We've driven quite a few times to NJ to visit the kids, at times quite scenic.  We drove to Miami in March for Bella 01 and did not enjoy that trip.  Not scenic at all.  Furthest we will now drive will be to Galveston which will be in April for our first b2b.  

Edited August 27, 2023 by BonTexasNY

[Ourusualbeach]

2 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Any GPS coordinates for where you are finding this?

Pretty sure that would be a group rate.

[Ocean Boy]

5 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Pretty sure that would be a group rate.

Pretty sure I'll be checking in.

[Tree_skier]

12 hours ago, Bailey & Sophie said:

 

I need some help....

We're taking Amtrak from Seattle to Vancouver for our West Coast cruise. 

Do we need the ArriveCan form?

On the roll call, some say yes, some say no, some say they've filled it out but it wasn't looked at.

Do we need it if arriving by train? So confused...

All the info I have says you do not need it anymore.  I have crossed the border 3 times in the last two months without it being required.  

[Ourusualbeach]

1 minute ago, Tree_skier said:

All the info I have says you do not need it anymore.  I have crossed the border 3 times in the last two months without it being required.  

Best thing they ever did was kill the Arrive Can program

[Tree_skier]

11 hours ago, Jimbo said:

It's only 160 miles, from Seattle airport to the Cruise terminal@ Canada Place.

 

Why not just get a rental car and drive it. It's a beautiful  easy drive. Just one highway Interstate 5 straight North.

One way rentals are often very expensive for cars that cross and stay across the border.

[Jimbo]

10 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

One way rentals are often very expensive for cars that cross and stay across the border.

We didn't think it was to bad, 2 day rental from Vancouver to Portland, Oregon

 

Rates & Charges 2 Day(s) @171.00 $ 342.00 UNLIMITED KILOMETERS INCLUDED Frequent Traveler Recovery Fee $ 3.00 Premium Location Charge $ 5.00 Prov Vehicle Rental Tax $1.50/day $ 3.00 Vlf Rec .90/day $ 1.80 Provincial Sales Tax (7.0%) $ 23.43 Goods And Services Tax (5.0%) $ 16.89 Total Savings - $ 17.10 Estimated Total: $  378.02

Pick-up & Return

Pick-up Sun, Jun 04, 2017 10:00 AM Vancouver Cruise Ship 999 Canada Pl Vancouver BC V6C3E1 Canada Return Tue, Jun 06, 2017 08:00 AM Portland Intl Arpt (PDX) 9115 NE Airport Way Portland OR 97220 US

[George C]

1 hour ago, cruiselvr04 said:

6 hours is about my limit.  I get so restless.  We make frequent trips to NW Arkansas to see the grands and that’s about the same.  Beyond that I want to fly.  

We never argue but we are not good in the car I think my wife drives too slow and she thinks I drive to fast , after she retires in a couple of years we may consider driving to Galveston.

[Ocean Boy]

Seagull doing what seagulls do.

 

[A&L_Ont]

6 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Seagull doing what seagulls do.

 

As well as this…

 

[lenquixote66]

I had a freak accident this morning.I was sitting on one of my dining room chairs.One of the legs of the 54 year old chair broke and I fell off the chair.As I was falling I grabbed the table with my left hand but I was unable to hold on and I fell on the wooden floor.Of course I was home alone and my phone was charging .Somehow I was able to get up ,get the phone out of the charger and called Nurse Toby.I am very bruised but thankfully I do not believe anything is broken.

[dani negreanu]

DH is dearly missing the grandsons...

 

So he's "unraveling" old videos of them. This one is 2 years old, or how eat grandma's chocolate cake cut on small pieces 😁.