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Rhapsody of the Seas - May 23, 2008 Beginning of the Alaskan Season

wrp96

By wrp96,
in Royal Caribbean International

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rubrrick

rubrrick

Posted
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Wrona........have a wonderful cruise. Too bad that you are not going next week, when my favorite GSM (Guest Services Manager) will be back onboard.

 

Your pictures are spectacular!! You should be onboard, with a couple of drinks by now........and getting ready to sail away in about 45 minutes.

 

Try not to spend too much time on the internet!!:D :D

 

Enjoy your cruise. We look forward to hearing all about it when you return.:)

 

Rick

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wrp96

wrp96

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Beautiful pics,Wrona...............have a super time!!! :D :D

 

BTW-I think its the Infinity(not Millenium)....I know someone that came back today to Seattle on Infinity....

 

 

No the ship I saw yesterday is Celebrity Millenium. Celebrity Infinity was there today - I just haven't uploaded the pictures yet.

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wrp96

wrp96

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Woke up this morning to rain, unfortunately but got to watch my ship sail in!!

 

We headed to the pier around 9:45 am - the Marriott had thankfully arranged van transport for us to the pier.

 

We were NOT the first people there, when we got there shortly before 10am, there were already a few people there ahead of us - and most of the people from the previous cruise were off the ship. We only had to wait a minute or two before we were allowed into the area to drop off bags. At Terminal 30 you stand in line to send your checked bags through a scanner and they are taken from you - no porters to tip.

 

You then head to a different entrance to check in. They were not going to allow people in until 10:30 but somebody let us in accidentally (didn't know they weren't supposed to). So we got to sit in chairs and wait. They started check in at 10:30 - but none of the scanners were working so it had to be done by hand. Then we got to go into another room to wait to board the ship. Port employees kept moving the barracade they had placed in front of the entrance so people kept thinking that they could head straight to the the ship - ignoring the fact that we were all sitting there waiting. There was no system to the chairs though so basically being near the door meant you got on first. They told us they wouldn't start boarding until 11:30.

 

When they went to let people in (at a little after 11am) they called for Diamond and penthouse suites to board first which was me (one note - Junior suites do NOT qualify for priority boarding at Seattle - they were sending those people to regular check in). I was the first person on the ship!!:D

 

Got on and while I waited for the spa to open quickly took pictures of the ship before she filled up with 2,200 people.

 

After the spa we ate at the Windjammer - except everyone headed there so no seats were available. So we actually ate out on the pool deck which was fine as long as you were wearing a sweater.

 

At 1pm we were let into the staterooms and it was WOW on the suite. We have all the suite amenities listed previously. We are to receive a bottle of champagne tomorrow night (we were given a list to choose from). The only thing missing is the binoculars that were listed for scenic itineraries (shouldn't this qualify?).

 

The ship looks great - actually better than when I first sailed her. They have converted the Windjammer to stations rather than the straight buffet as previously. AND they have eliminated the areas that weren't handicapped accesible in the Windjammer.

 

The yellow mustard drill was extremely fast once it started but sailaway was delayed as they were still stocking provisions. I was in the spa by then getting my first treatment anyways.

 

We have a fabulous waiter, assistant waiter, and headwaiter. They are already laughing and teasing with us. The headwaiter even fed me dessert!!:D We all have enjoyed everything we've eaten so far, except the chocolate cherry cake was a little dry. We all love the menus. They had a seared salmon on the menu tonight with green beans and lentils which was moist and fabulous - as good as the halibut I had at Anthony's last night.

 

Somebody asked me about smoking versus non-smoking areas. The smoking areas are the casino, part of the Schooner Bar, part of the Viking Crown Lounge, and the starboard side of the outdoor areas (if I've got my directions correct).

 

I did not see the welcome aboard show but others did and really enjoyed it.

 

Our cruise director is Kieth something or other. Our Captain is Bjorn Johansen.

 

And for everyone that wonders, the staff is still the friendliest upon the seas!!!

 

The only issue we've had so far is the OS next door to ours likes to have their base booming and has extremely loud voices. I had decided to wait until after dinner to complain but when I went back to the room just before dinner it had subsided - hopefully it stays that way as I don't want to be the complaining neighbor.

 

Oh and the keys keep not wanting to work. One person's will work in our little group, we get it fixed and someone else's stops working.

 

We have been advised to expect heavy seas, and high winds in the next day, and were told to take our motion sick meds if needed!!!

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PhoenixCruiser

PhoenixCruiser

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Wrona, except for your loud neighbors and expected rough seas I think you are off to a great start (thank goodness you didn't get hurt in the airport) :p

 

If the seas do get rough, please use the handrails and fore go the high-heels :D

 

Thanks for checking in!!

 

###

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EJNutz

EJNutz

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Wrona glad to hear you are already having a good time. I am liking the pictures and look forward to seeing more as you sail to Alaska. You will be the perfect host for us on our MOS cruise next year.

 

Say Hi to your Mom.

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MellowMel

MellowMel

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Wrona,

 

Your posts have me even more excited than I already was. We get on in 3 weeks!

 

Who's your head waiter? Our favorite head waiter is Anthony Fernandes from India. He emailed my DH this week to let us know he was back from Asia and in Alaska. Hopefully, he'll manage a way for us to be in his section again.

 

I'll be following your posts all week so keep them coming!

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rubrrick

rubrrick

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Wrona.......I hope that you brought a couple of Cd's to listen to, rather than hearing noisy neighbors. And if they get loud......turn up your player volume!!:D :D

 

Enjoy the cruise. The OS is just the right size. Oh, and I would be asking your cabin attendant for that pair of binoculars!!

 

Have a drink for me!!:)

 

Rick

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wolfcathorse

wolfcathorse

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I'm here with Wrona as well...and the others from CCFC (FranHarp, Janbubbles and Cheerdawg). I'm the chaparone for this voyage. I have the picture of Wrona being hand fed by the Head waiter, Yasa from Bali. The waiter is Pedro Lopez from the Philippines and ass't waiter is a beautiful girl Yan Hue (?) from China. Besides the slight rocking, the most noticeable motion is the ship vibration. The CD is Keith Williams, had him on Vision 2006, he started 5-23-08 on Rhapsody. Tonight is formal night and I'll try to keep the group, ah...out of the brig.

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mstelly

mstelly

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We sail in about 3 weeks could you post a short weather temp for each day.

What did you mean by scanning luggage when you dropped off? Do you have to wait for your luggage to be scanned, before they allow you to proceed? We have a group of 20 people.......

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megr1125

megr1125

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hey wrona...........have a great time! stay warm, stay safe and stay vertical (unless it is sleepy time!)

 

have a couple cocktails for me!

 

great pix....i have to look at the rest of them, but the ones posted here are super!

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B'smeme

B'smeme

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Wrona, Thanks so much for taking the time to post reviews so soon. I didn't think we would hear from you until you got off the ship. Love the pictures!! You're getting the rest of us all excited about our upcoming cruise. I leave June 27 and I'm looking forward to it even more with your reviews. Hope you have good weather and calmer seas. Have a great time :)

Joyce

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rubrrick

rubrrick

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Karen..........I'm keeping your Current Captains post alive while you are away!!

 

Wrona..........enjoy your cuise........you, more than anyone that posts on CC.........deserves this cruise!! You have worked so hard on your bar exam.........and now are finished!! Congrats.

 

I wish I could be with all of you. But I can live thru you........and hopefully more pictures of the beauty of Alaska.

 

I'll trade pics of the northern Fjoryds of Norway........We are headed out in just over a week for England.........and beyond.

 

Rick

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