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

[George C]

22 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

We'll be at the same concert.  Flying into LGA.  It's been a few years since I've been to that airport and I'm interested in seeing the improvements that have been made.  Supposed to be much nicer now, but that bar was pretty low before.

I hated LGA for years , was shocked on how nice it currently is . 

[bobmacliberty]

8 hours ago, brillohead said:

The drive wheels change the direction by rolling at different rates (or in different directions) -- like how a tank or bulldozer with tracks instead of wheels would do.  And the non-drive wheels, instead of turning left and right like the front wheels of a normal wheelchair (or like on a shopping cart/buggy), the front wheels themselves are made of a bunch of side-spinning discs.  The front wheels always stay facing front-to-back, and the wheel material itself spins from side to side. 

It's hard to explain in words, but hopefully this picture helps:

 

 

You piqued my engineering curiosity, so I had to learn more about these wheels.  Here's an overview video of the Ci2 model, but I think they use the same front wheel design in all of their chairs.  Although they don't go into detail about how the wheels work, I can't think of a better way to describe it than your side spinning discs description, which pull/push the front of the chair left or right.  Very impressive from an engineering standpoint and I imagine very helpful to a user from a turning radius standpoint.  The tech geek in me also likes the ability to remotely control the chair, which I originally thought was more of a gimmick than a useful feature.  A different video however mentioned a few use cases where that might be very useful, like moving the chair out of the way when going to bed at night.

 

 

[bobmacliberty]

10 minutes ago, George C said:

I hated LGA for years , was shocked on how nice it currently is . 

 

And I've been told it's easier to use than JFK when going to Manhattan.

[h20skibum]

We have our granddaughter spending the weekend with us.  He mom and dad are out of town to attend a wedding, and her brother went to spend the weekend with one of his friends at their camp.  So we had to find some entertaining things to do. 
 

Part one of our day, yesterday, was to take her to Iron Mill’s Farmstead, for their corn maze and fall fun.  
 

https://ironsmillfarmstead.com/

 

These people have a gold mine with their facility, and it was packed yesterday, even though it is located in the heart of Amish country. 

 

Many of the activities are geared towards kids in the fall. 
 

 

And, of course, they have plenty of refreshments for kids and adults. 
 

 

I think we were both a little nervous when she scrambled up this rope net tower. 
 

 

But she did make it to the top and back down. 
 

 

And what is fall fun without going in a corn maze. This year’s maze is one with Bob Barker.  Both the Pittsburgh and Youngstown TV stations had some stories on this maze. 
 

 

They have some Price is Right themes going on, and they even plan to give away a new RAV4 at the end of October.  That gives you an idea how much money this generates. 
 

Our maze guide led us through and found our way out. 
 

 

This corn bin seems to be a hit with the kids.  
 

 

And granddaughter mastered the art of bubble making.  
 

 

 

 

 

It was definitely a fun outing, but the other part of or day was still interesting.  More to come………

 

[bobmacliberty]

2 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

We have our granddaughter spending the weekend with us.  He mom and dad are out of town to attend a wedding, and her brother went to spend the weekend with one of his friends at their camp.  So we had to find some entertaining things to do. 
 

Part one of our day, yesterday, was to take her to Iron Mill’s Farmstead, for their corn maze and fall fun.  
 

https://ironsmillfarmstead.com/

 

These people have a gold mine with their facility, and it was packed yesterday, even though it is located in the heart of Amish country. 

 

Many of the activities are geared towards kids in the fall. 
 

 

And, of course, they have plenty of refreshments for kids and adults. 
 

 

I think we were both a little nervous when she scrambled up this rope net tower. 
 

 

But she did make it to the top and back down. 
 

 

And what is fall fun without going in a corn maze. This year’s maze is one with Bob Barker.  Both the Pittsburgh and Youngstown TV stations had some stories on this maze. 
 

 

They have some Price is Right themes going on, and they even plan to give away a new RAV4 at the end of October.  That gives you an idea how much money this generates. 
 

Our maze guide led us through and found our way out. 
 

 

This corn bin seems to be a hit with the kids.  
 

 

And granddaughter mastered the art of bubble making.  
 

 

 

 

 

It was definitely a fun outing, but the other part of or day was still interesting.  More to come………

 

 

I think I've asked before, but would you adopt me?

[George C]

5 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

And I've been told it's easier to use than JFK when going to Manhattan.

LGA  is definitely closer to manhattan in last 30 years it’s the only New York airport we have used . JFK used to have a flat taxi rate , not sure if it still does . Taxi to midtown was around 75 or a little more . 

[Biker19]

28 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

And I've been told it's easier to use than JFK when going to Manhattan.

The free Q70 bus drops you off at the E line subway station which sometimes gets you into Manhattan quicker than a taxi/Uber.

[Keksie]

12 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

A few other photos from the day here. I had to take care of this at my mom’s. I escaped without a scent. 
 

 

It was around 75F. Pool is 80 and it will remain open for a week. 

 

 

 

Dinner tonight.  I was only able to eat half the steak. 
 

 

 

 

 

Was the skunk alive?  Just an fyi they are a rabies vector species.

[Jimbo]

46 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

 

 

 

 

 

I think we were both a little nervous when she scrambled up this rope net tower. 
 

 

But she did make it to the top and back down. 
 

 

 

I sure hope the Farmstead has their insurance paid up or else you could literally own the farm.....

[Momof3gurlz]

As promised, below are a few pictures from the ship. But before I get to those I wanted to add a couple more from our Rome Hotel. I just can’t say enough good things about this place.  These are from the morning breakfast buffet, included in the room cost.

 

 

This beautiful piece was tucked into an alcove walking to the breakfast area. Andy guessed it was a furnace of some type, the exterior appears to be porcelain.  

 

Easiest embarkation ever. From exiting our shuttle service vehicle at 12:30 pm to walking onto the ship was less than 5 minutes.  Also, Celebrity allows you drop any carryon bags in your statement right away, they just ask that you not linger so any remaining cleaning etc can be done.  Well at 12:40 our room was already made up.  

 

 

 

The bathroom is pretty spacious. 

[Jimbo]

3 minutes ago, Momof3gurlz said:

As promised, below are a few pictures from the ship. But before I get to those I wanted to add a couple more from our Rome Hotel. I just can’t say enough good things about this place.  These are from the morning breakfast buffet, included in the room cost.

 

 

This beautiful piece was tucked into an alcove walking to the breakfast area. Andy guessed it was a furnace of some type, the exterior appears to be porcelain.  

 

Easiest embarkation ever. From exiting our shuttle service vehicle at 12:30 pm to walking onto the ship was less than 5 minutes.  Also, Celebrity allows you drop any carryon bags in your statement right away, they just ask that you not linger so any remaining cleaning etc can be done.  Well at 12:40 our room was already made up.  

 

 

 

The bathroom is pretty spacious. 

What category cabin was this? Is that couch like furniture turn into your bed, don't see the bed in any of your pictures, is it just the picture or are those cabins very narrow?

Edited October 1, 2023 by Jimbo

[Ocean Boy]

58 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

And I've been told it's easier to use than JFK when going to Manhattan.

I do not understand why there is not a subway line running from Manhattan directly to JFK.

[Momof3gurlz]

From around the ship

Grand Plaza (centrum)

 

Solarium pool

 

Outdoor seating at the back of Ocean View Cafe (buffet)

 

Rooftop Garden

 

First drink on the Magic Carpet. Meh - one and done for me.

 

Twice a day room service and chocolates on your pillow in the evening. 

 

Food in the OV Cafe has been great. Dinner in one of the dining rooms last night was enjoyable. The food quality was about on par with Royal, the big difference was atmosphere. Quiet and relaxing, no servers rushing and scurrying around trying to take care of more guests than they should have to.  
Today we just walked around Ajaccio a bit. Pretty little town but not much was open being a Sunday. We stumbled upon a big farmer’s market and enjoyed all the sights and sounds of that.  

 

 

 

Edited October 1, 2023 by Momof3gurlz

[Momof3gurlz]

18 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

What category cabin was this? Is that couch like furniture turn into your bed, don't see the bed in any of your pictures, is it just the picture or are those cabins very narrow?

No there’s a bed lol, forgot to include this picture. The cabin is quite spacious.  

Edited October 1, 2023 by Momof3gurlz

[Jimbo]

4 minutes ago, Momof3gurlz said:

No there’s a bed lol, forgot to include this picture 

That's much better, I assume the bathroom is behind the closet that is along side the bed right? What category cabin?

[h20skibum]

3 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

That's much better, I assume the bathroom is behind the closet that is along side the bed right? What category cabin?

Looks like an infinite veranda 

[Sunshine3601]

1 hour ago, h20skibum said:

We have our granddaughter spending the weekend with us.  He mom and dad are out of town to attend a wedding, and her brother went to spend the weekend with one of his friends at their camp.  So we had to find some entertaining things to do. 
 

Part one of our day, yesterday, was to take her to Iron Mill’s Farmstead, for their corn maze and fall fun.  
 

https://ironsmillfarmstead.com/

 

These people have a gold mine with their facility, and it was packed yesterday, even though it is located in the heart of Amish country. 

 

Many of the activities are geared towards kids in the fall. 
 

 

And, of course, they have plenty of refreshments for kids and adults. 
 

 

I think we were both a little nervous when she scrambled up this rope net tower. 
 

 

But she did make it to the top and back down. 
 

 

And what is fall fun without going in a corn maze. This year’s maze is one with Bob Barker.  Both the Pittsburgh and Youngstown TV stations had some stories on this maze. 
 

 

They have some Price is Right themes going on, and they even plan to give away a new RAV4 at the end of October.  That gives you an idea how much money this generates. 
 

Our maze guide led us through and found our way out. 
 

 

This corn bin seems to be a hit with the kids.  
 

 

And granddaughter mastered the art of bubble making.  
 

 

 

 

 

It was definitely a fun outing, but the other part of or day was still interesting.  More to come………

 

WOW, this farm looks amazing.  Lots of fun activities.   Looks like you had great weather too.

 

@LuckynanaWe saw the sun for about 2 hrs yesterday.  Today is beautiful.   How about you?   

 

 I now know why it rained last week.  Today is Chowderfest at LBI.   Seems to always rain before the festival making the field a muddy mess where they have to lay down hay, etc for everyone to walk around.  

[Ocean Boy]

2 hours ago, h20skibum said:

I like that idea of the community piano, but heat and humidity has to take a toll on it.  
 

When our grandkids show up at our house, they gravitate to our piano and start playing, almost as soon as they get here. Our daughter is the same way.  

I find it very hard to resist any piano that I encounter.

[Husky1987]

Current state of the house…two demo workers were there all day yesterday finishing up (almost) the interior.  About two-thirds of the house down to the wall studs, and the entire ceiling as well.  So much insulation…they warned me before I went inside to take pics.  
 

Just (still!!) waiting on the permits from the county before they can replace the entire roof and about one-third of the trusses.  
 

It’s coming along!

 

 

 

ETA:  Bottom pic is of the living room area.  The one thing that always bugged me about the house was no lighting in the living room for some reason (there was only a can light over the fireplace).  Probably going to have the contractor add 6 or 8 can lights in the ceiling while they have it open..

Edited October 1, 2023 by Husky1987

[Momof3gurlz]

30 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

That's much better, I assume the bathroom is behind the closet that is along side the bed right? What category cabin?

It’s an E2 Infinite Veranda. Yes, bathroom is in back of the closet. 

[h20skibum]

Now, for part two of our day with our granddaughter.  
 

When she knew she would be coming to spend the weekend, she said. “I want to make a wedding cake!”   I don’t know if it was because she knew her mom and dad were going away to a wedding, but like good grandparents perfecting the art of spoiling, we said “Sure, you can do that.”

By the way, the wedding my daughter was at was over the top.  Several TV personalities there, and they even had indoor pyrotechnics similar to these. 
 

Now, back to our cake project.  Susan bought some cake pans to make a three tier cake. 
 

 

Here is a pro tip.  Place the bowl in the sink when kids are running the mixer.  It keeps the flying batter contained. 
 

 

How much batter should go in the pans?  I thought this looked good, but the one in the little pan was a little too much. 
 

 

Of course, you have to make them level to stack them, so cut the tops off.  She chose confetti cake. 
 

 

This is where we took our break and went to Iron Mills.  They had to cool before icing.  
 

After returning, she started to ice the cakes.  Our little 8 year old did this all herself, and I only had to help with two minor items.  Icing the base layer in progress. 
 

 

Of course, she wanted a strawberry filling, so I had to devise a way to cut the cake in half. So I dug out a couple old triangular engineering scales to use as a knife guide to cut the cake layers in half. 
 

 

Spreading the filling on the cut half. 
 

 

The other part of my job was to lift each layer and place on top of the one below.  
 

Susan had bought a few decorations and a topper for the cake, so our granddaughter went to work at finishing icing and decorating.  This was her finished cake.  
 

 

She had a lot of fun, and the cake tasted pretty good.  If anyone wants a piece, stop by.  There is some left. 

 

 

[Sea Dog]

6 hours ago, Momof3gurlz said:

Good morning from the Edge docked in Ajaccio, Corsica, FR.  The ship is beautiful.  I love the Infinite View Veranda, it makes the room feel so much bigger.  Andy’s not crazy about it.  
We’re impressed with Celebrity so far in almost every aspect.  The only negative is I cannot access these boards using ship WiFi.  All other websites are fine and I can get to any other area of CC, but if I click on ‘Boards’, it completely freezes.  I’m on now because we’re in port using our 5G.  I’ll visit the internet desk later because this happened last year on Voyager and they changed a setting in my phone which took care of it.  
Photos later today, we are off to explore Ajaccio.

 

@dani negreanu I’m so sorry your DH was in the hospital and hope he’s on the mend.  I was getting worried that we hadn’t heard from you but now understand why.  

When we looked at getting the infinite balcony, Linda wanted a traditional balcony so we booked a aft cabin that had a traditional. I would see an infinite balcony in person to see how I would like it.

 

As far as your problems with CC that happened to me once before. I ended up going to the help desk and they switched something in my settings that fixed it. I wish I could remember what it was so I could help you. They should be able to fix it for you fast.

[Sunshine3601]

2 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

Now, for part two of our day with our granddaughter.  
 

When she knew she would be coming to spend the weekend, she said. “I want to make a wedding cake!”   I don’t know if it was because she knew her mom and dad were going away to a wedding, but like good grandparents perfecting the art of spoiling, we said “Sure, you can do that.”

By the way, the wedding my daughter was at was over the top.  Several TV personalities there, and they even had indoor pyrotechnics similar to these. 
 

Now, back to our cake project.  Susan bought some cake pans to make a three tier cake. 
 

 

Here is a pro tip.  Place the bowl in the sink when kids are running the mixer.  It keeps the flying batter contained. 
 

 

How much batter should go in the pans?  I thought this looked good, but the one in the little pan was a little too much. 
 

 

Of course, you have to make them level to stack them, so cut the tops off.  She chose confetti cake. 
 

 

This is where we took our break and went to Iron Mills.  They had to cool before icing.  
 

After returning, she started to ice the cakes.  Our little 8 year old did this all herself, and I only had to help with two minor items.  Icing the base layer in progress. 
 

 

Of course, she wanted a strawberry filling, so I had to devise a way to cut the cake in half. So I dug out a couple old triangular engineering scales to use as a knife guide to cut the cake layers in half. 
 

 

Spreading the filling on the cut half. 
 

 

The other part of my job was to lift each layer and place on top of the one below.  
 

Susan had bought a few decorations and a topper for the cake, so our granddaughter went to work at finishing icing and decorating.  This was her finished cake.  
 

 

She had a lot of fun, and the cake tasted pretty good.  If anyone wants a piece, stop by.  There is some left. 

 

 

She did an awesome job🥰

[George C]

1 hour ago, Momof3gurlz said:

No there’s a bed lol, forgot to include this picture. The cabin is quite spacious.  

Our sky suite was very similar 

[helen haywood]

@Momof3gurlz Please post what the internet desk tells you to do to enhance your service.  I’ve had to just adapt recently to not looking at Cruise Critic while onboard Celebrity as I can’t see the pictures or post.

 

FYI there is a large drawer under the sink in the bathroom and a hair dryer inside.  And what I love about the Edge Class is those are real King size beds!!!