Spring Break! Kids, Kovid, Khaos

[topnole]

1 hour ago, SwissMiss USA said:

Well, I know the answer from a prior cruise. We have Moet free for first day. But last time we had a party after the chefs table and ordered up 4 bottles. I got a discount but it cost. We get beer, juice, pop and water daily. Totally agree that the lounge is awesome for bubbly and if I want a higher end wine, go down to Vintages. 
 

we are about to hit up chops. We want a tower. Let you all know if we succeed. 

Lucky for me, my wife enjoys beer too, so just beer in the cabin always works for us  and we’ll have other beverages when out and about.  
 

Look forward to hearing about diner.  I think we had a tower last time.   
 

Maybe after your trip you can post some yes or no (included) things from your star class experience.  In our prior Star class cruises things changed a bit each time.   

[sandebeach]

2 hours ago, SwissMiss USA said:

Well, I know the answer from a prior cruise. We have Moet free for first day. But last time we had a party after the chefs table and ordered up 4 bottles. I got a discount but it cost. We get beer, juice, pop and water daily. Totally agree that the lounge is awesome for bubbly and if I want a higher end wine, go down to Vintages. 
 

we are about to hit up chops. We want a tower. Let you all know if we succeed. 

I don’t think towers are available.  

[SwissMiss USA]

There are no towers. When we asked why, we were told that fleet wide they no longer have the silver stands. Ummmm…. That doesn’t make sense. I am going to go with cost. We asked a out lobster and I am not sure if I heard this correctly, but it sounded like there is no lobster this week due to supply issues. Maybe Wonder took all the lobster last week … lol 

 

Dinner was amazing! I had a filet and the spicy shrimp. Yum! 

Mom had the mushroom soup, shrimp. 
Dad had salmon and lobster bisque. Pj didn’t eat. Someone had filled up on the crazy amount of snacks that had been delivered to our room. Lol 

 

[topnole]

I sure hope they find some lobster for all of you.  That is more than a bit surprising.  Limited supply seems understandable, but none seems odd given recent reports on other ships and the excess shown in pictures on Wonder the week prior.  
 

Glad dinner was good all the same.  

[sandebeach]

Perhaps you can check with your Genie to see what restaurants have lobster this week?  By the way, who is your genie?

[irishgal432]

I would be bummed if they did not have lobster.  That was pretty much my go to meal.

[topnole]

1 hour ago, sandebeach said:

Perhaps you can check with your Genie to see what restaurants have lobster this week?  By the way, who is your genie?

She said it was Romina.  

[SwissMiss USA]

Just now, sandebeach said:

Perhaps you can check with your Genie to see what restaurants have lobster this week?  By the way, who is your genie?

I will stop by the restaurant and ask “what night is lobster night” and see if I get the same answer. Our genie is Romina. We have had 4 genies over the course of cruising and she is in the top 2. We only had 1 that I would literally write and request a change. 

[SwissMiss USA]

Sorry I had cruise critic loading issues yesterday.  
 

we went to 150 and they had lobster, so I think I just have just misheard. The food at 150 was only ok. It was kinda awkward…. The tenderloin was overdone on the outside but still pink on the inside, fish was dry. The lobster was amazing! Then my dad ordered coffee and received cappuccino; my mom ordered chocolate ice cream and got vanilla plus a side of almond butter ice cream. She asked “I guess there was no chocolate?” The waiter replied correct and thus why I brought what I did. I don’t know … I guess I thought he would mention to us why he brought vanilla versus us needing to ask. Better yet, he would tell us there was no more abs see what else we wanted. Still overall a great day and dinner. We had no evening plans. 
 

we had sushi at lunch and it was great. The wonton soup was hot and very yummy. The best part was time alone with my littles and the view from the window! 

[topnole]

You are not the first to recently give 150 a less than stellar review.  Sad because we really used to love it.  I’m not feeling it will change by May.  

[RFerrington]

I have the same feeling about 150 CP.  The tenderloin for 2 was really not good the last time we ordered it and I just have trouble finding anything on the menu that speaks to me.  After many attempts I have placed 150 at the bottom of my specialty restaurant preferences.  Conversely, I have never once been disappointed by Izumi even though I am not a huge sushi fan.  

[SwissMiss USA]

Tuesday: we had lunch at coastal kitchen. The Mediterranean flatbread was very olive-ish, and that was my problem. Made as advertised. Overall very good food so far in Coastal Kitchen. We then got off the boat and went into Cozumel port area. We don’t spend a ton of time in the sun (my daughter is very light sensitive due to a genetic disorder) thus also why you will find us inside most days. 
 

we also got in the hot tub. Was nice! Pj joined my mom and I; we enjoyed some cold drinks while in the hot tub. 
 

we went to Giovanni for dinner. Plank was just ok, but the dinner was otherwise yummy. I didn’t get pictures as my daughter decided to push the envelope and went too far. I ended up in the room waiting her out. Mama won, but boy it took patience. The poor waiter tried to make us laugh and all we wanted to do was get the bill and leave. No drama, just internal strife. Ugh. 
 

oh I forgot! My phone picked up the new time zone cause I didn’t set the time to manual. I was an hour behind, which meant that I received a call saying I was late for my next cruise. 
 

i have to go to my massage. Write later. 

[SwissMiss USA]

The gentleman from Next Cruise met me in the suite lounge. That was good given I was running late but not necessary. Funny enough, he is from Croatia, and I happen to have a Serbian last name. That name, however, is from my ex, and I kept it for my daughter. I asked if they chose him due to my name. He actually said yes, they always try to accommodate. 
 

We are moving to Chattanooga at the end of the school year as I took a new job. The school district already has the 2022-2023 calendar and I decided to get some cruises booked. We can fly to Atlanta (25 min flight) and down to Florida same day if we are brave, drive, or stay at a friend’s house in Atlanta and take a direct flight. Options. 
 

I booked October, the week before Christmas Day and week before Easter in line with her breaks. Now, I know people don’t talk prices, but there were some interesting rates so I will post for any lurkers. It appears that the Oasis boats in fall are trending higher since wonder is back in the Mediterranean and freedom class is doing short cruises. We did not want a Quantum boat. 
 

- October cruise had a crown loft for 9500. Um no. It had a grand suite for 4500. Ok 

- Christmas had a star loft for 15. A crown loft for around 13.5 and …. Drum roll … a grand suite for 3800. Easy choice
-April cruise had only a crown loft for 7000

 

I booked the grand suite where possible. I recently changed jobs after 16 years (cannot remember if I said that and too lazy to scroll), and gave up my stock. My stock was the icing on the cake and often was slip half savings and half fun. I believe in living well AND within one’s means. Thus the reduction in stress and politics to join some prior colleagues at a smaller yet massively fast growing company is worth the sacrifices, especially when they are “nice to haves” like star class. I try to instill in my daughter financial responsibility, and when I can save 4K+ on a cruise for the same benefits… you go with the cheaper room. We still get the lounge, a great balcony. Will I miss the 2 story loft? Absolutely, but so long as we are on board we are happy. 
 

I have 2 months to make changes without fee; that is one benefit of booking on board. We get 350$ per cruise ONB. 

[SwissMiss USA]

@topnole here is the answer from earlier this week.  Straight from the genie 

 

“You do have priority for the RockWall Climbing & Zip Line Activities during the non-peak hours (Peak Hours are 1:00pm to 4:00pm on Sea Days). For the Flowrider, we do have a Special Star Class Session happening on the second Sea Day between 9:00am to 10:00am for all our Star Class Suites altogether if you are interested to participate.”

 

i asked if we want to purchase private can we and she said yes, same as any other customer. 

[topnole]

16 minutes ago, SwissMiss USA said:

@topnole here is the answer from earlier this week.  Straight from the genie 

 

“You do have priority for the RockWall Climbing & Zip Line Activities during the non-peak hours (Peak Hours are 1:00pm to 4:00pm on Sea Days). For the Flowrider, we do have a Special Star Class Session happening on the second Sea Day between 9:00am to 10:00am for all our Star Class Suites altogether if you are interested to participate.”

 

i asked if we want to purchase private can we and she said yes, same as any other customer. 

Tnx for that info!!

[topnole]

22 minutes ago, SwissMiss USA said:

The gentleman from Next Cruise met me in the suite lounge. That was good given I was running late but not necessary. Funny enough, he is from Croatia, and I happen to have a Serbian last name. That name, however, is from my ex, and I kept it for my daughter. I asked if they chose him due to my name. He actually said yes, they always try to accommodate. 
 

We are moving to Chattanooga at the end of the school year as I took a new job. The school district already has the 2022-2023 calendar and I decided to get some cruises booked. We can fly to Atlanta (25 min flight) and down to Florida same day if we are brave, drive, or stay at a friend’s house in Atlanta and take a direct flight. Options. 
 

I booked October, the week before Christmas Day and week before Easter in line with her breaks. Now, I know people don’t talk prices, but there were some interesting rates so I will post for any lurkers. It appears that the Oasis boats in fall are trending higher since wonder is back in the Mediterranean and freedom class is doing short cruises. We did not want a Quantum boat. 
 

- October cruise had a crown loft for 9500. Um no. It had a grand suite for 4500. Ok 

- Christmas had a star loft for 15. A crown loft for around 13.5 and …. Drum roll … a grand suite for 3800. Easy choice
-April cruise had only a crown loft for 7000

 

I booked the grand suite where possible. I recently changed jobs after 16 years (cannot remember if I said that and too lazy to scroll), and gave up my stock. My stock was the icing on the cake and often was slip half savings and half fun. I believe in living well AND within one’s means. Thus the reduction in stress and politics to join some prior colleagues at a smaller yet massively fast growing company is worth the sacrifices, especially when they are “nice to haves” like star class. I try to instill in my daughter financial responsibility, and when I can save 4K+ on a cruise for the same benefits… you go with the cheaper room. We still get the lounge, a great balcony. Will I miss the 2 story loft? Absolutely, but so long as we are on board we are happy. 
 

I have 2 months to make changes without fee; that is one benefit of booking on board. We get 350$ per cruise ONB. 

GS is a no brainer at those prices.  Save the $ for when the price difference is more moderate.  At least that is my strategy.  

[irishgal432]

27 minutes ago, SwissMiss USA said:

@topnole here is the answer from earlier this week.  Straight from the genie 

 

“You do have priority for the RockWall Climbing & Zip Line Activities during the non-peak hours (Peak Hours are 1:00pm to 4:00pm on Sea Days). For the Flowrider, we do have a Special Star Class Session happening on the second Sea Day between 9:00am to 10:00am for all our Star Class Suites altogether if you are interested to participate.”

 

i asked if we want to purchase private can we and she said yes, same as any other customer. 

We got off of the Oasis in jan and were told the same thing, however the flowrider team saw the band and made me stand off to the side and let me go every 3 people.

[DesireeC03]

Chattanooga is such a fun town - I have some dear friends there whom we visit often (we live in Atlanta).  Exciting for you!

Enjoying the pics and review.

[topnole]

8 minutes ago, DesireeC03 said:

Chattanooga is such a fun town - I have some dear friends there whom we visit often (we live in Atlanta).  Exciting for you!

Enjoying the pics and review.

Stayed a night there in the downtown area driving through last year.  Seemed

like a nice moderate size city.  Huge kids

museum, nice river front area, etc.  

Didn’t see all that much in one evening/night, but what we did see seemed nice.  

[topnole]

On 3/16/2022 at 1:57 PM, SwissMiss USA said:

@topnole here is the answer from earlier this week.  Straight from the genie 

 

“You do have priority for the RockWall Climbing & Zip Line Activities during the non-peak hours (Peak Hours are 1:00pm to 4:00pm on Sea Days). For the Flowrider, we do have a Special Star Class Session happening on the second Sea Day between 9:00am to 10:00am for all our Star Class Suites altogether if you are interested to participate.”

 

i asked if we want to purchase private can we and she said yes, same as any other customer. 

Any follow up thoughts on your cruise and experience?   Would love to hear your final thoughts on your star class experience.