Live “Wingin’ It” Quantum of the Seas Transpacific Honolulu to Vancouver April 28-May 8, 2023

[Familygoboston]

SEA DAY 8 Astrophysics and cruising ducks! 

 

I went to stretch and “fun dance” (which what they call zumba on board when the instructors don’t pay the same monthly fee that I do!!🤣)  After Fun Dance class, I sat in one of the cage chairs for a little while. I ran into R# and the other fellas in 270 Today they are back at astrophysics so I needed to get out of there and fast! 
 

the fellas awaiting their lecture

 

Before I left the cage chair, I left behind one of my cruising ducks … have you heard of this? I heard of just recently, my understanding was that people bring a cute little rubber duck on board with a tag that says you should visit a FB page and report you found a duck and the people who left it can see it was found. Fun right? 

My idea was that you just bring a duck you had around the house or maybe grab one at the dollar store. You hide the thing and then you connect with some one. Then that person hides the duck in their next cruise, or brings it home with a story for their grandchildren.   It all seems so fun and simple! Right? 
 

WRONG! After about 6 months of following this page I leaned cruising  ducks is a gateway to a hoarding habit 😳

People buy a whole gross of ducks on Amazon m, they bring a whole suitcase (or even 2!😳) of cruising ducks. They spend months crocheting hats for their ducks, they bedazzle them with gems, they paint them in the colors of their favorite colleges or knit them sweaters and post pictures of their couches covered in ducks ready to cruise! 
 

I was completely unprepared for ANY of  this! I had sourced two ducks at a fundraiser for the volunteer fire department, they collected recycled ducks and sold them for 5 bucks a piece to raise funds for fire hoses and such. This felt responsible. No extra plastic made to hide a duck, fire department gets a few bucks they need to keep us all safe. Win win! 
 

I found a duck myself for the first time on our first day onboard! 
 

I decided to also hide the one I found as well as the two I brought because since decluttering, selling our house and selling over 2/3 of what we own to travel the world, I have a “one in one out policy” and if I bring a duck home I have to get rid of something else!  🤣 

 

Re hid the duck near the flower rider can you see it!? 

 

it’s tucked in the door! 

 

 

here is the duck I hid in 270 before the astro physics lecture, but im not confident the physics people will be into the whole duck thing! 🤣

 

So because I amassed a tiny flotilla of ducks, my room steward decided to add to it with this towel duck …

 

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by Familygoboston

[rsharp83]

A little more Astrophysics. Because I KNOW that these are the pictures you all are dying to see. 

 

 

[Familygoboston]

2 hours ago, rsharp83 said:

A little more Astrophysics. Because I KNOW that these are the pictures you all are dying to see. 

 

 

I didn’t stay, I have a complicated relationship with physics. 🤣

[Kathscof]

27 minutes ago, rsharp83 said:

A little more Astrophysics. Because I KNOW that these are the pictures you all are dying to see. 

 

 

wow...and people are actually showing up to them? My brain....hahaha

[LATTELOVE]

1 hour ago, Familygoboston said:

SEA DAY 8 Astrophysics and cruising ducks! 

 

I went to stretch and “fun dance” (which what they call zumba on board when the instructors don’t pay the same monthly fee that I do!!🤣)  After Fun Dance class, I sat in one of the cage chairs for a little while. I ran into R# and the other fellas in 270 Today they are back at astrophysics so I needed to get out of there and fast! 
 

the fellas awaiting their lecture

 

Before I left the cage chair, I left behind one of my cruising ducks … have you heard of this? I heard of just recently, my understanding was that people bring a cute little rubber duck on board with a tag that says you should visit a FB page and report you found a duck and the people who left it can see it was found. Fun right? 

My idea was that you just bring a duck you had around the house or maybe grab one at the dollar store. You hide the thing and then you connect with some one. Then that person hides the duck in their next cruise, or brings it home with a story for their grandchildren.   It all seems so fun and simple! Right? 
 

WRONG! After about 6 months of following this page I leaned cruising  ducks is a gateway to a hoarding habit 😳

People buy a whole gross of ducks on Amazon m, they bring a whole suitcase (or even 2!😳) of cruising ducks. They spend months crocheting hats for their ducks, they bedazzle them with gems, they paint them in the colors of their favorite colleges or knit them sweaters and post pictures of their couches covered in ducks ready to cruise! 
 

I was completely unprepared for ANY of  this! I had sourced two ducks at a fundraiser for the volunteer fire department, they collected recycled ducks and sold them for 5 bucks a piece to raise funds for fire hoses and such. This felt responsible. No extra plastic made to hide a duck, fire department gets a few bucks they need to keep us all safe. Win win! 
 

I found a duck myself for the first time on our first day onboard! 
 

I decided to also hide the one I found as well as the two I brought because since decluttering, selling our house and selling over 2/3 of what we own to travel the world, I have a “one in one out policy” and if I bring a duck home I have to get rid of something else!  🤣 

 

Re hid the duck near the flower rider can you see it!? 

 

it’s tucked in the door! 

 

 

here is the duck I hid in 270 before the astro physics lecture, but im not confident the physics people will be into the whole duck thing! 🤣

 

So because I amassed a tiny flotilla of ducks, my room steward decided to add to it with this towel duck …

 

 

Ahh,

I love hiding ducks, which I did on our last cruise

on Wonder Of The Seas back in February, 2023.

Very tiny ones.  I left notes along with them for people

to post if they found them.  But I never got a response.

Hope someone is enjoying them.

 

I love finding them too.  I have quite a collection too.

[Familygoboston]

3 hours ago, LATTELOVE said:

Ahh,

I love hiding ducks, which I did on our last cruise

on Wonder Of The Seas back in February, 2023.

Very tiny ones.  I left notes along with them for people

to post if they found them.  But I never got a response.

Hope someone is enjoying them.

 

I love finding them too.  I have quite a collection too.

I never knew this was a thing, and people do seem to enjoy it! It’s a lot of fun to see people make the connections! ❤️

[Familygoboston]

SEA DAY 8 

I have a huge secret to reveal. I’m a little afraid for my safety, like a whistle blower or double secret agent, I know something, I saw something and I secretly photographed it. I feel like I need to share it because if I get tossed in the brig for knowing this information. So far, they aren’t onto me, but really it’s only a matter of time. 
Here’s my secret…

I’ve learned the inner workings of the cruise ship toilet! Please save this information for future generations and let my family know if I disappear that I love them! 
 

You might not be able to see clearly, but I think it’s 4 hamsters on a wheel and a recording of a sonic boom played when you flush. 
 

Now you know! 

[Familygoboston]

SEA DAY 8 WINNING STREAK 

We’ve been on a winning streak lately. Last night was Crazy Quest - and of course my husband had his pants off more than on. At 6 foot 6 he’s always the tallest guy, and he’s always invited to disrobe at high speed in front of all his fellow passengers. EVERY.SINGLE.QUEST!  I’m doing him a solid and NOT posting the picture with his pants off. 

 

Then our group went to general trivia in the Schooner Bar and won’t that too! 
 

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by Familygoboston

[Familygoboston]

SEA DAY 8 winning ways continue…

70s music trivia 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by Familygoboston

[Familygoboston]

Day 8 Sea Day 

Don’t miss Sonic Odyssey! All the entertainment on this shop has been creative and interesting. But this show was really unique and fun- try not to miss is if you are sailing soon! 
 

One of my favorite songs- I first heard it on a cruise ship- when I took a Zumba theme cruise and it was a popular one we danced to many times- so I associate it with cruising! 🥰 

This instrument fills the theater and the artist who plays it and other instruments in the show is incredibly talented and interesting to watch! 

 

 

 

 

With so many sea days, we are enjoying being able to wander the different lounges and hear all the performers. Tonight, we got to enjoy the Harp and Horn performer, James. Another night we heard Jennifer in the Schooner bar do Broadway hits (she also did an “Elton Jen” night. 
 

james at harp and horn 

It’s 70s night and frankly, after 130 cruising nights in the last 25 years, I’m over the 70s night! But it’s a favorite and always fun for newbies, so we put in an appearance. 🤣

 

 

The Cruise Staff does their stuff! 

Edited May 6, 2023 by Familygoboston

[Familygoboston]

Day 8 Menus and Compass

 

 

[rsharp83]

The Main Stages 

 

As I’m writing this I haven’t seen FGBs post tonight. In fact, we haven’t talked since our last trivia victory this afternoon. The group went several different directions tonight. 

 

So I’m going to write a bit about the 2 production shows on Quantum: Starwater and Sonic Odyssey. 

 

I’ll start with Starwater, I know FGB has given you her thoughts on this show. 

 

The first 10 (yes I timed it) minutes of the show are incredibly annoying. They’ve taken a show segment that should be 3 minutes max and needlessly turned it into 10 minutes of cringe worthy content. I won’t give anything away but, they took one song that all of you know and clipped about 30 seconds of it out. Not even the best 30 seconds. And they’ve cut it up and they repeat it. Again and again and again. Interspersed with another song segment that you’ll probably know played at a very low volume. The dancers are doing minimal stuff throughout this part of the show. It’s awful. 

 

One music geek note. Listen closely and you’ll hear the opening of Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” dropped in which I thought was kind of cool. But it foreshadows the second song which uses the “In Your Eyes” music with different words. 

 

The show gets better after the opening, it really couldn’t get worse. It’s very performance dance driven and most of it is not especially upbeat until the end. It’s certainly worth seeing if for nothing else the incredible technology of the Two Seventy venue. Probably the most versatile area I’ve ever seen on a ship. Or anywhere else really. 

SONIC ODYSSEY 

I’ll lead with the conclusion, Sonic Odyssey is the best stage production show I’ve seen on Royal. Hands down. (This does not count the Aqua Theater shows — if we’re counting those then the Harmony’s Fine Line is number 1). 

 

This show is staged like Cirque du Soleil without the circus acts. The dancing, costumes and music arrangements reminded me of Cirque. Throw in some of the funky musical instruments from Blue Man Group. And then mix up an eclectic group of songs both contemporary and classical and turn them on their heads. 

 

The central instrument spreads across the entire theater. I saw this same instrument on an even larger scale played at the Coachella Music Festival several years ago. Visually and sonically there’s nothing else like it. 

 

If we hadn’t had dinner reservations at Wonderland I’d have turned right around and watched the 9 pm performance. Bravo on this one Royal. 

[Ocean Boy]

You would think that RCI would have Sonic Odyssey playing on... well... Odyssey. Instead they have "The Book". I have zero idea what the show us about. I agree the TWO70 is technology rich and a very versatile venue.

[Familygoboston]

6 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

You would think that RCI would have Sonic Odyssey playing on... well... Odyssey. Instead they have "The Book". I have zero idea what the show us about. I agree the TWO70 is technology rich and a very versatile venue.

I thought that too, hmmmm, don’t they have ship in this class by the same name? 🤣

I also found 270 to be a place I spend a lot of time. Surprisingly because I’m an outdoor girl! But we like the cafe for lunch, I’ve been doing fitness classes there and then relaxing with my kindle afterwards ! It’s a space with a great view of the stern and I’ve always been an an “ocean girl” of you’ll pardon me cribbing your screen name! 🤣

I love aft balconies, but they are onto us now and RC has turned all the aft facing cabins into suites, and I won’t pay for a suite in RC when we could sail another line for a better experience overall so unless we sail an older ship, we aren’t able to get this view, and for that reason I gravitate to 270! 

[rsharp83]

I spent 5 hours in the solarium today. I’m trying to relax.  Bono was along for the ride. 
 

 

 

[bobmacliberty]

4 hours ago, Familygoboston said:

I thought that too, hmmmm, don’t they have ship in this class by the same name? 🤣

I also found 270 to be a place I spend a lot of time. Surprisingly because I’m an outdoor girl! But we like the cafe for lunch, I’ve been doing fitness classes there and then relaxing with my kindle afterwards ! It’s a space with a great view of the stern and I’ve always been an an “ocean girl” of you’ll pardon me cribbing your screen name! 🤣

I love aft balconies, but they are onto us now and RC has turned all the aft facing cabins into suites, and I won’t pay for a suite in RC when we could sail another line for a better experience overall so unless we sail an older ship, we aren’t able to get this view, and for that reason I gravitate to 270! 

 

We found that 270 was a great place to get a drink.  Fantastic views and not overly crowded (when there's not an event in progress).  We had great bartenders also, which always helps.

[Familygoboston]

DAY 9 SEA DAY

I’ve mentioned that we love this class of ship, it’s our first on Quantum class, but we like the orientation to the ocean (similar to Jewel and that class which we liked) but there’s still a royal promenade and lots of “toys” on board to play with. We’ve done the I fly  flight simulator and Northstar, and plan to try bumper cars today at 5. There’s a flow rider too, but my flow rider days are over! (Some of you know why! 😳😜) 

 

We also like the cabin we are in…it’s much larger and has a lot more storage than similar cabins on other classes of ships. I’ll put up a video when we get back to land- the larger videos take a while to load on ships WIfi. 

 

For those curious, our friends have a virtual balcony and they let us take a couple of photos 

 

Our friends tell us the “video” feed changes with the real weather and time of day, but at night there’s always a slight glow, like a screen on even at night. Brighter if there’s moon on the sea. But you can close the curtains like a real balcony. 
It’s sort of neat if you can get one for about the same price as an interior, our friends paid a dollar more, so it was fun to try for that price! 

[Familygoboston]

SEA DAY 9 Some ship photos 

 

270 Bingo

The nest chair in 270 

Fun art in the elevators 

The bow from the solarium 

The stack 

Casino Royale

Ship model

Chic dining room 

Quantum - not sure where I got this photo! 🤣

Towel lady 

Pool decks 

 

Patisserie  

stairwel art. I liked this one! 

artwork in area near 270 

Royal Promenade 

royal theater 

pool inside 

 

Vintages 

 

Edited May 7, 2023 by Familygoboston

[Familygoboston]

SEA DAY 9 Ocean View Balcony  

 

 

[Ocean Boy]

3 hours ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

We found that 270 was a great place to get a drink.  Fantastic views and not overly crowded (when there's not an event in progress).  We had great bartenders also, which always helps.

I didn't like the bartender in TWO70 on Odessey. He wasn't friendly at all. I got one drink there and it was back to the Schooner Bar.... on the other end of the ship.

[easyqueasy]

Pools looks empty. Is the water cold? Thanks for the review.

[Familygoboston]

6 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

I didn't like the bartender in TWO70 on Odessey. He wasn't friendly at all. I got one drink there and it was back to the Schooner Bar.... on the other end of the ship.

The schooner bar has been the very crowded! It’s a favorite space on this ship  , it’s in a great location to really collect people and it’s been a popular venue for trivia.  

[Familygoboston]

2 hours ago, easyqueasy said:

Pools looks empty. Is the water cold? Thanks for the review.

They were pretty busy the first few sea days, but since sea day 4 it got really cool outside and the solarium was quite busy with no one in the outdoor pools. 

[snaefell]

6 hours ago, Familygoboston said:

SEA DAY 9 Some ship photos 

 

270 Bingo

The nest chair in 270 

Fun art in the elevators 

The bow from the solarium 

The stack 

Casino Royale

Ship model

Chic dining room 

Quantum - not sure where I got this photo! 🤣

Towel lady 

Pool decks 

 

Patisserie  

stairwel art. I liked this one! 

artwork in area near 270 

Royal Promenade 

royal theater 

pool inside 

 

Vintages 

 

Loved the quirky art work around the ship,especially the lifts,brings back great memories👍👍

[Familygoboston]

Day 9 Sea Day

Bumper cars! This was the only toy on the ship we wanted to do and hadn’t had a chance yet. 
We waited an hour when we arrived about 5 PM, but by 6 the line was k my 20 minutes long- so we rode twice, to amortize our wait time to just 40 minutes 🤣

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dog house is also in this area, as are all the other kids clubs and the X box area just above the space for skating and bumper cars and laser tag.