Cruiser Formerly Known As Cheapo Dad's Trip Report on Odyssey of the Seas Sailing to A Minus B Plus C Plus H Islands

[harryfat1]

19 hours ago, NHProud said:

So either you have a fantastic memory or you went back and checked. And , yes it was me that asked you about RCI outlay for food.   I’m assuming with the newer and bigger ships with more passengers and more restaurants they have some formula in place to determine their profit margin on food.  I’m just curious how they go about determining what will sell and how much they can charge.  

Not a fantastic memory.  Just did a quick on my old posts I needed to provide the link anyway.

 

I uploaded a Youtube video on the food waste on RCI last week and someone mentioned they order what they anticipate to be popular for any given cruise.  I'm sure they have it down to the science of how much food each restaurant sells.

 

There is one unique thing about cruise ship specialty restaurants that is different than land-based restaurants.  Ship-based restaurants know EXACTLY who ate at each restaurant since you are billed by your cabin.  Based on that, they can build a database on what an average 50-year-old man and woman will order versus a 30-year-old couple based on what each age group orders at Chops or whatever restaurant. Whereas in a regular land-based restaurant, they can't track that level of detail.

 

They also can estimate on holiday sailings where there are over 1,000 kids on the ship, they will need to order more food catering to the younger crowd.

 

Another unique thing is that ship-based restaurants only charge one fixed price instead of per item on land-based restaurants.  Back at home if you order steak and salmon and chicken in one meal, you have to pay for all 3 items separately.  On the ship, it's just one set price. 

 

A final thought is that RCI can change prices weekly on any sailing for specialty dining as they run regular promotions online.  Your average land-based restaurant with a pre-printed menu and prices are not as flexible to make changes

 

 

[harryfat1]

14 hours ago, perfect match said:

We will be visiting Labadee on our Allure cruise at the end of April. Here’s some screenshots of today’s prices for the water park, the water park combined with the coaster, and the water slide. We purchased our ziplines back on Black Friday at about half of today’s sale prices.

Thanks for the pricing info.

 

The water park isn't as expensive as I thought.

 

However, if I was a parent paying for the park, I would feel like I got ripped off based on the picture of the waterslide versus reality.

 

Compare the size of the waterslide in your picture to what was at Labadee in December.  Notice the difference?

 

 

Must be the same shrinkage we experienced on the shuffleboard game.  RCI's new slogan - less is more (as in they charge you more and give you less)...

 

 

[harryfat1]

OK, even of an old man complaining.  Let's wrap up the beach part of the Labadee experience:

 

+++++++++++

 

I tried to take a short nap while the fam was out on the beach but it's not easy when you have these guys coming by:

 

 

 

[harryfat1]

if you prefer a shady spot and plan to be at the beach all day long, aim for at least the second row

 

 

This old Chinese dude is definitely not here for the beach by the way he’s dressed and with the camera, he was taking pictures of the various birds in the trees

 

 

[harryfat1]

These seats are the "nosebleed seats" as they are furthest away from the beach but closest to the food so it depends on your priority.

 

 

As it was almost 3 PM, it was time to slowly head back to the main port area.  So we packed up our stuff and waited for the tram to take us back.  You see the tram stop ahead

 

 

 

[harryfat1]

 

 

 

 

[harryfat1]

 

Wheelchair assistance at the tram stop

 

 

[harryfat1]

The Odyssey ship crew is packing up as well since all the food from lunch from the ship so  now they need to take it back up at the end of the day

 

 

Tons of chicken left

 

[harryfat1]

We know from previous visits there’s a little trail at Labadee – I wouldn’t call it a secret trail but it’s not well advertised either.  We always make a quick tour of the area for a few photos opts of the ship. Not sure if the timer to Labadee will find it on its own without someone pointing it out to them.

 

See my black line on the map on the left side of Labadee

 

 

 

 

 

[harryfat1]

 

 

 

 

[harryfat1]

I’m sure there are other trails of Labadee that we haven’t seen as we typically just plop down at Columbus Cove until the end of the day and then walk around for a few minutes at the main area before going back to the ship

 

I think I saw a total of 2 people during the 10-plus minutes on the trail so it’s not a well-known trail if it’s your first time here

 

This area would typically be my favorite photo spot if it weren’t for the nighttime Cuaraci ship photos because you have a view of the pier and the unobstructed view of the ship

 

 

 

Walking down

 

 

 

[harryfat1]

Obligatory photos of the Labadee sign and the Holiday photo frame area.  I assume they take down the decorations during the non-holiday seasons?  I wouldn’t know as the only time we ever visited Labadee is during the Holiday season so to us, it’s as if it’s here year round but I assume it wouldn’t be

 

 

[harryfat1]

In the previous visits, we went to the other side of Labadee to take pictures of the zip line area and whatever.  But since we had already seen it twice in the past, we didn’t feel as motivated to walk out there this time.

 

Here are a few pictures from previous visits to complete the report for those curious about what the other side looks like – I will assume not much has changed from the old days

 

 

 

 

 

 

[harryfat1]

OK.  A couple more pictures and then it's time to head back to the ship at 3:30

 

 

 

 

 

[harryfat1]

For the Mooring Line Fan Club
 

 

 

[rncruiser]

I’ve been to Labadee probably at least 10 times over many years. It has certainly changed a lot. Back in the day, mid-80’s, it was pretty much just a beach day with not much else going on, except for the vendors of course. I have never been one for water sports or zip lines so for me it is still just a beach day, though one I have always enjoyed. I am content spending a few hours floating on a mat. Of course they were originally only $5 each. 
On my next cruise I will be going to Coco Cay. It will only be my 3rd time there. Of course that has changed the most. But I will still just be floating. 

[h20skibum]

3 hours ago, harryfat1 said:

I’m sure there are other trails of Labadee that we haven’t seen as we typically just plop down at Columbus Cove until the end of the day and then walk around for a few minutes at the main area before going back to the ship

Harry, if you follow the trail in the opposite direction to the one you show. (In red on this), it takes you to the dragon’s breath rock formation. 

 

When the waves hit the mouth, it sounds like a dragon breathing. 
 

 

Edited March 4 by h20skibum

[harryfat1]

3 hours ago, rncruiser said:

I’ve been to Labadee probably at least 10 times over many years. It has certainly changed a lot. Back in the day, mid-80’s, it was pretty much just a beach day with not much else going on, except for the vendors of course. I have never been one for water sports or zip lines so for me it is still just a beach day, though one I have always enjoyed. I am content spending a few hours floating on a mat. Of course they were originally only $5 each. 
On my next cruise I will be going to Coco Cay. It will only be my 3rd time there. Of course that has changed the most. But I will still just be floating. 

I don't think RCI has done much to Labadee since my last visit in 2017.  At least nothing noticeable from our sailing compared to the past.  Other than replacing the chairs and eliminating the pork rib offering at the buffet.

 

I think they are putting all the new development money at CoCo Cay as I always read about new things happening there but Labadee is pretty much status quo.

[harryfat1]

29 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

Harry, if you follow the trail in the opposite direction to the one you show. (In red on this), it takes you to the dragon’s breath rock formation. 

 

When the waves hit the mouth, it sounds like a dragon breathing. 
 

 

Good picture of the rock formation.

 

The best one I have is only from the back view. 

 

 

In our previous visits, they blocked the gate entrance to the area where the staircase is.  I assume that hasn't changed?

 

Since you are going on the Princess cruise, here's news on Princess hooking up with our favorite jewelry store:

 

https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/03/princess-partners-with-diamonds-international-for-sun-princess/

 

News on them trying to decrease food waste:

 

https://www.cruisehive.com/princess-cruises-installs-new-technology-against-food-waste/124987

 

 

[harryfat1]

It's always sad to be going back on the ship at the last port as we know the next time we touch land, the cruise vacation will be over

 

 

[harryfat1]

Rested back in the cabin for a bit.  Then headed to café 270 at 4 PM to get something to drink as the lunch area closed at 1:30 PM so we wanted something cold to drink

 

While there, I got the roast beef sandwich that many people raved about. It’s not bad.  A bit chewy for my liking but it’s ok.  Think my wife got one of their salad bowl

 

 

 

[harryfat1]

We sat at 270 enjoying the comfortable sofas and the food/drinks before heading up to the top deck to watch the sail away.  Other than day one’s sail away, the 2 previous sailaways always were late at night so this is actually the one and only daytime sailaway from a destination port.

 

Walked past the ever-popular El Loco Fresh – RCI’s casual Mexican food eatery.    We ate at El Loco Fresh on the Navigator but never made it on the Odyssey.  This is as close as we got

 

 

 

 

[harryfat1]

As my kids were not allowed inside the Solarium when they were younger (must be over 16 to be allowed inside), we never incorporated being inside the Solarium as part of our cruise routine. Especially in the Odyssey where we are a few steps away from 270, we prefer that area much more

 

Here’s our 5-minute walk by of the area as we went up to the front of the ship to check out the scenery

 

 

 

 

[perfect match]

9 hours ago, harryfat1 said:

Thanks for the pricing info.

 

The water park isn't as expensive as I thought.

 

However, if I was a parent paying for the park, I would feel like I got ripped off based on the picture of the waterslide versus reality.

 

Compare the size of the waterslide in your picture to what was at Labadee in December.  Notice the difference?

 

 

Must be the same shrinkage we experienced on the shuffleboard game.  RCI's new slogan - less is more (as in they charge you more and give you less)...

 

 

Glad I was able to help out with the pricing information. I thought that slide in my picture looked larger than life! 😂

 

We will be doing the zip lines while we are there. We are thrill seekers and think the ziplines are fun. 
I love the views of the ship from the nature trail Harry marked in black. 
 

We walked out to the dragon’s 🐉 breath rock formation once. It was not long after I had both knees replaced so I was not very steady on my feet on those stairs and uneven surfaces. I was too busy trying to remain upright so I didn’t notice much. I’ve done a lot of rehab work since then so maybe I’ll give it another try after our zipline rides. Either that, or I’ll stay in my comfort zone and go for a swim instead. 😃🐠

[loug1601]

On 2/26/2024 at 7:33 PM, harryfat1 said:

Thanks for reporting back on the words in the ceiling.  I would have never thought about looking up to see the words if I wasn’t bored standing in line waiting for them to open in the morning.

 

I apologize for intruding on your vacation by having you upload a picture while you are out on the Sea. 

 

You could have waited until you got back to reply but I appreciate your quick response. After you come back from the cruise (not now), tell me how was the sail away from NJ?  Do you see much of NYC skyline sailing away?

 

It would fun to go to NYC in December to see the holiday decorations and then sail out to see the NYC skyline but I don’t think our clothes in CA are ready for the NYC in December.  The stores here sell the “winter” clothes designed for CA winter, not NYC winter.  It’s not as bad as trying to buy a parka jacket in Hawaii but I don’t think our CA winter clothes will survive a NY winter storm.

Hello again Harry

We are home from our cruise, and want to answer your Bayonne NJ sail away question…

If you are truly lucky, the Captain will sail the Hudson to the Statue of Liberty, then turn around and sail out to the ocean. We sail out of Bayonne very frequently as we live only 1 hour from the port. We have been very lucky about 4 times, and less lucky about 25 times, so please don’t count on it. It depends on the captain, the weather, the port traffic, clearance, and I’m sure a host of other factors. But, if you ARE lucky, the view is spectacular!

Once you are onboard, you can still see the NY skyline and Statue of Liberty in the distance. Still nice 😊. 

 

Edited March 4 by loug1601