Trip Report Mickey-less Lesson #1: Size doesn't matter, it's the motion of the ocean!

Yes, it's a non-Disney trip report. In a sea of Disney trip reports this is a non-Disney report. How is that pertinent on a Disney-centric fan forum, you ask? Well, this is how a solely Disney Cruise Line experienced cruising family took their first wobbly steps into non-Disney-fied cruising. Ever been curious? So were we! How the competition measures up is definitely pertinent! However, if the mods think this thread is better served in the cruise section or the other places section, I certainly understand. So sit back, relax, and slosh along with us in whatever "port" this thing sails off to.


Thread title:

Mickey-less Lesson #1: Size doesn't matter, it's the motion of the ocean! ((in my best double-rainbow dude voice)) What does it meeeaaan????? The ship we sailed is currently THE largest cruise ship on the seas: Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas. This ship is huge! How big? Let me show you. Not my picture, all credit goes to fet123 on Photobucket. Lined up here in Nassau are: Majest of the Seas, Disney Dream, Carnival Dream, the NCL Sky, and Allure's sliiiightly smaller sister ship the Oasis of the Seas. Good size comparison:

Allure of the Seas is 16 decks high, 1,187 ft long, and can carry a maximum passenger load of 6,296 serviced by roughly 2,300 crew members. In comparison, Disney's largest/newest ship in the fleet, the Fantasy is 14 decks high, 1,115.5 ft. long, and can carry a maximum passenger load of 4,000 serviced by a crew of 1,450. The Allure is a very big girl!

Among Disney's fleet my family prefers the smaller classic ships. Why? It's more laid-back, there's less people, and the overall experiences we've had were more personal and intimate if you will. We like that a lot! We knew going into this cruise that we were going to be on the biggest cruise ship afloat and that we probably would not be impressed by her size. We were right. We weren't. For us, bigger does not equate better. Size doesn't matter.

The motion of the ocean can definetly play a strong hand in your cruise experience! Leading up to our cruise I discovered (no thanks to Royal Caribbean which is my biggest aggravation with the entire experience of sailing with them) via Cruise Critic's forums that the Allure had been experiencing an issue with 1 of her 3 azipods. They had been sailing her without using the center screw for over a month before our sailing. She was safe and still functioned fine. They were just trying not to use the center pod as much as possible to avoid further/more extensive damage. So the ship sailed slower. Instead of her usual 22+ knots cruising we rarely exceeded about 16-17 knots cruising. AND, because the ship was sailing at reduced power, the captain did not utilize the stabilizers to keep the ship steady at sea. The stabilizers, like wings that extend from the sides of the ship to add stability and reduce rocking side-to-side, create drag which would slow the ship even more. So, the motion of the ocean on a ship not using her stabilizers was...well...a really FUN ride for us...not so much for those prone to sea sickness.

*****Just for information sake, the Allure continues to run on 2 of her 3 pods. A cruise in February was cancelled back in mid-November to allow a week-long drydock to repair the pod. I believe it is a bering issue. It's my understanding this type of problem has been a reoccuring thing with ships that utilize the different azipods for their propulsion. To date Disney has not utilized the azipod propulsion for their ships.*****


So that nobody feels the need to ask before I get to the end and give my summation of the overall experience sailing without Mickey, I don't feel like it was better or worse than any of the 7 Disney cruises I have been on. I'm not just being nice. It's a whole different experience. I wouldn't categorize it as better or worse, it's different.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Thank blessed Jesus! It's nap time! Hey, don't be forgettin' that I'm a sleep enjoy-er. I love me a good nap. With the ship rockin' I knew it'd be a good one, too. I wasn't disappointed. Got in a solida hour+. After our nap we refreshed and went back out for some wandering.

Apparently we took a closer look at the Mercedes on the Promenade.




It's truly a replica. If you looked really close you could see there's a nice void under the hood.




We stopped in to the fine jewelry store for me to gaze upon the beautiful Sophia Fiori rings. They also carry these rings onboard the Disney ships. The one I liked best was only a little ol' $24k. I could wear a car on my finger, right? LOL! Nope. I'm sticking it out with my little beginner rings for now. They may be small and not the mostest of fabulosity but they're mine and I love them. Plus, they didn't cost as much as a car. That's always nice.

Window shopping as we passed by the Cupcake Cupboard. Yes, more store specific/themed merchandise was here. This is a cute little cupcake shop on the Promenade. They sell all kinds of cool cupcakes and hold cupcake decorating classes here. I meant to sign up for one but I was too late. Those slots go quick. It's really a small shop so they can't accommodate many. I'm guessing I was dazzled by all the cupcake goodness I found inside because I didn't take not one picture. I did get a red velvet cupcake wrapped to-go. The cupcakes are not free, they're also an upcharge snack item. I want to say $2.75 or so??? I know there's price breaks for half dozens and dozens, too.




I carried my happy little cupcake down to the On Air bar where Tracey ordered a Mudslide and I ordered a yummy wildberry peach Bellini.




Does it get any better than this?



The cupcake was moist and totally delish. My only complaint if I had to have one was that the cake part was a bit dense. This could be from the refridgeration, tho. My little cupcake o' love also found us our favoritest bartender for this cruise. His name escapes me just now. Chandler will remember it, though. I'll ask him tomorrow. I was having my cupcake when our bartender that had been serving us with such excellent service and skill mentioned that red velvet was his favorite, too. Sweet! I left Tracey for a few moments to run down to the Cupcake Cupboard to get another red velvet cupcake wrapped to-go. I brought it back and we left it with our tip after we had our final drinks.

I had a few of my lovely little Bellini's and a lemon drop martini with a little kiss of Sambuca sunken in the bottom. Yummy.

Boy was I feelin' riiiiiiiiight. Oh now, I never get all sloppy or slurry. Maybe giggly and talkative like I ate a parrot or lunch. I'm too old for the hurtin' those sloppy drunks put on ya. It takes way too long to recover from that nonsense. But, hey! We're on ship. We aren't driving. We aren't gettin' totally snockered. We're havin' a good dang time!

We walked a bit of our liquid sins off while doing a little more exploring. This is the doorway to the Solarium Bistro located within the adults area of the ship. BTW, the age of access for the adult area on the Allure is 16+. Nice! Both our boys were IN! I really liked the grouping of the lanterns on either side of this entryway. At night when they each glowed it was really pretty. They look amazing when standing out here but when walking past them they actually crowd the space a bit. I totally see myself reinterpreting this lantern grouping on a front porch. Cute idea, huh?




This is one of the 2 large cantilevered hot tubs. It was closed for maintenance, though. Pretty sure these were inside the adults-only area, too.




Then it was time to return to our stateroom to dress for tonight. It's FORMAL NIGHT!!!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I'm gonna leave off here for tonight. I uploaded the rest of our formal night pics and have everything set to go. It's after 4 a.m. which means even a night owl like me starts feelin' the need to snooze.

 

[FlaggNL]

You'll have a ball at WDW!

Yeah, we beat the parks at WDW to death. And I grew up in the Orlando area. I can't tell you how many times I've been there. More times than I can count. We needed a shift which is how we got hooked on the Disney cruises. They're amazing. I'm finding that I enjoy seeing other places and finding adventure in other people's backyards. I'm fairly new to cruising although I've sailed on 8 cruises since September of 2011. We're not terribly old (yet). I'll be 40 next year. And, no, not wealthy. We save save save and don't do a lot of extras so we can travel more. Especially with our boys practically grown now we feel like our opportunities to go and do with them are only growing more limited. So we're on the go with them while we have them. Just like people do a lot of reading and researching discounts and things here, I've managed to learn a lot about finding better pricing for all but 2 of the cruises I've been on. There's more of a shift in the cruising crowd. I've read where a lot of people talk about sailing on other cruise lines (not Royal or Disney) and catch comments on the percentage of older people onboard. I guess maybe there's cruise lines that are geared more towards that demographic. But, there's also cruise lines that are gearing more heavily towards middle-aged adults, families, young adults, etc. It's pretty cool, really. Something for everyone! Our first cruise we did was a 3-night on Disney just to try it out. I was also afraid of being trapped and hating it. Never happened. I was sorta close to that feeling when I was sick on our cruise last May but then I would've felt that way at home in my own bed. LOL!

The older demographic is the one thing that keeps me balking on the European river cruises. Those are really growing in popularity. I'd love to do one of those because every day you are in a different place and the tours in each city are all-included. It's a good way to get a taste of Europe, I think. I suppose we'll save those for when the kids are gone. Then we can join the "old folks" on the river. Hahaha!!!

And HEY! We're going to California this spring to see Disneyland! We aren't done with parks vacations entirely! Not yet! I read a bit of your report at DLP. Fascinating! I'm far more interested in exploring new-to-me places now. WDW will be new-to-you! Can't wait to see what you think!!!

We absolutely will have a ball in WDW. I've been there once but that is 24 years ago. For my wife and our daugtherit will be the first time In the near future I will start a pre-trip report for the upcomming trip. We will not stay in a resort but rent a villa, we also wanna go to Universal Studios so it's easier that way.

Wow 8 cruises so far... great I guess you are right about the shift of the cruising crowd, but so far mainly outside Europe I guess.. or maybe it's just my opinion and reality already is further than me Maybe we will have a Disney cruise in the far future.

BTW great that you grew up in the Orlando area. For us it's easy to drive to Paris for DLP (just 4 hr drive). That's why we have anual passes and make the trip a couple of times a year We were in DLP for about 15 times now since 2003. And we're not terribly old yet, I'm 42 and my wife was born a year before me!

Cool that you are going to California.. that's on our wish list, but first Florida for I hope a couple of times..

Can't wait for WDW now

 

[plaz10]

Maybe we could have another UNOFFICIAL WDWMagic cruise for all us vulgar people?! We could invite @plaz10 , too!

You calling me vulgar??!!!

Thanks, love! you know me well!

 

[blackthidot]

Compared to what people are dropping to stay in moderates or deluxes.. not really.

Sub $2500 for the fare for a couple on a 7 day cruise in the fall time on the Fantasy. That's $360 night which includes hotel+food. Still other costs involved, but it's not earth shattering. And the experience is so much different. Considering you did so much lounging on your last trip.. I bet you'd like the cruise life

I don't pay the regular rates at Disney. So it is way more expensive to cruise.

 

[LindsayLoves]

Such a fan of your trip reports. You are fantastically detailed, with wonderful photos. It makes me feel like I am traveling along with you and your family. I am a cruise lover and can't wait for the rest of your take on this ship. I am more of a fan of ship around 1,4000- 2,000 pax, not sure I could really get into the mega ships but I am loving your take on it.

 

[Ariel484]

Love your report so far, Kelly! Super interesting to see a non-Disney ship. All of the pictures and detail are great, as usual! And that wildberry peach Bellini/red velvet combo of yours sounds just about perfect.

 

[Sans Souci]

Awesome sauce! A Kelly Cruise TR!

*cough* Size doesn't matter? *cough*

Wow, I can't get over how big this ship is. My father lives in Nashville and I've spent a lot of time there in my youth. I was totally obsessed with the Opryland Hotel back then. It's such a weird and wonderful space. This ship kind of reminds of a Gaylord property.

But just from looking at your photos, I think I prefer the overall Art Deco cohesion of the Dream. Although, I think some of the spaces in the photos are beautiful.

 

[flynnibus]

I don't pay the regular rates at Disney. So it is way more expensive to cruise.

well if you get insider rates.. can you not do the same for cruising? Honestly.. I'm not trying to be pushy, just making sure people aren't scared of prenotions. If Kelly isn't enough of a case study to open people's curiosity... I can tell you my wife was bit basically the same as Kelly. I can't even convince her to go back to DLR vs cruising..

 

[sweetpee_1993]

We absolutely will have a ball in WDW. I've been there once but that is 24 years ago. For my wife and our daugtherit will be the first time In the near future I will start a pre-trip report for the upcomming trip. We will not stay in a resort but rent a villa, we also wanna go to Universal Studios so it's easier that way.

Wow 8 cruises so far... great I guess you are right about the shift of the cruising crowd, but so far mainly outside Europe I guess.. or maybe it's just my opinion and reality already is further than me Maybe we will have a Disney cruise in the far future.

BTW great that you grew up in the Orlando area. For us it's easy to drive to Paris for DLP (just 4 hr drive). That's why we have anual passes and make the trip a couple of times a year We were in DLP for about 15 times now since 2003. And we're not terribly old yet, I'm 42 and my wife was born a year before me!

Cool that you are going to California.. that's on our wish list, but first Florida for I hope a couple of times..

Can't wait for WDW now

Oh wow! Now see, I've never been to Uni. It's on my list of to-do's. I imagine we will tie it in pre-cruise sometime. Discovery Cove, as well. Tracey's sister took her family to Discovery Cove years ago and they still gush about it.

If you ever get the chance to try a Disney cruise they're truly well worth it especially if you have a Disney love in your heart. It's a whole different way to experience the best of Disney.

Y'all right there around the same age as us. My boys ask sometimes if I feel old. No, I don't feel any different inside than I did when I was their ages. I've always been me in here. However, whenever I catch my reflection in the mirror it's not uncommon for me to have a startled moment when it's like "Who is that old chick looking at me?" LOL!

Be on the lookout for a full DL report from me around the end of May or beginning of June. I can't not write these things now!

You calling me vulgar??!!!

Thanks, love! you know me well!

It's a club. You're an honarary member. We need to get to work on our secret handshake...

I don't pay the regular rates at Disney. So it is way more expensive to cruise.

John, I promise you that life has a way of providing what's in your heart. When Tracey & I got our start we had our clothes and a beat-down old Ford pickup. We lived in Tracey's parent's converted carport. When our boys were little guys we never dreamed we'd be able to take them anywhere. We did good just to put diapers on both of them. Life has a way of evolving. We started out on the cheapity-cheap at Pop Century with the boys in January 2004. Now we've stayed in all the different resort categories including 6 of the deluxes. Never would've dreamed it possible. Not in a million years. Keep plugging along and if cruising looks like something you want to try it'll come in time. I just want to be there for the fun!

I think it's worth mentioning that I came to this realization that a set amount of dollars buys me different amounts of time in different places. Like for what we're going to spend to go to Disneyland this spring for 6 nights we could go to WDW for prob'ly more like 10 nights. Or we could go on a week long cruise + a few nights at WDW and a visit to TL. BUT, we're choosing what we want to do and see. We're NOT choosing a length of time. If we went solely on length of time we might never leave Texas. Believe me, $$ can go a long dang way if we stayed closer to home and visited places here (Sea World, Schlitterbahn, landmarks, sporting events, ranches, etc. etc. etc.). We've never been to Disneyland so we want to see it. That makes it the right choice for us. It may be worthwhile someday to trade in that WDW budget for a cruise budget. It may not. It's in what you want to do and where you want to go. And if you never went on a cruise, honestly, that's not wrong either. It's okay!

Such a fan of your trip reports. You are fantastically detailed, with wonderful photos. It makes me feel like I am traveling along with you and your family. I am a cruise lover and can't wait for the rest of your take on this ship. I am more of a fan of ship around 1,4000- 2,000 pax, not sure I could really get into the mega ships but I am loving your take on it.

Thank you, LinsayLoves! You melt my heart with all that gushin' on my writin'! I do love to write so you totally just made my day!

In all honesty, we're fans of ships more the size of the Disney Magic. There's just something so comfortable about them! I think we all knew going in that this mega-ship wasn't going to be our preferrence but we wanted to take it in and appreciate it. We discussed it in length many times beforehand, actually. One big perk to the size of this big mama of a ship: looooots of walking. When overindulging the way we did it helps to have some solid walkin' to do.

Love your report so far, Kelly! Super interesting to see a non-Disney ship. All of the pictures and detail are great, as usual! And that wildberry peach Bellini/red velvet combo of yours sounds just about perfect.

Thanks, Shannon! Oh man! That Bellini & red velvet combo was pretty spot-on. Oh but my favorite cupcake is yet to come....

Awesome sauce! A Kelly Cruise TR!

*cough* Size doesn't matter? *cough*

Wow, I can't get over how big this ship is. My father lives in Nashville and I've spent a lot of time there in my youth. I was totally obsessed with the Opryland Hotel back then. It's such a weird and wonderful space. This ship kind of reminds of a Gaylord property.

But just from looking at your photos, I think I prefer the overall Art Deco cohesion of the Dream. Although, I think some of the spaces in the photos are beautiful.

I'll just say that there is such a thing as too big. I'll meet your *cough*cough* on that one because I ain't just talkin' ships, girl. I see a topic of discussion in September.... LOL!

I think your mention of the Gaylord property is a good comparison. The Allure is a beautiful ship, it's just an entirely different style than what Disney does. She's elegant and very posh. The Disney ships are designed in more of an understated whimsical classic oceanliner way. Disney does a magnificent job with their theming while weaving in story, characters, and a strong nod to days gone by. To compare the decor between the 2 ships is hard. Tracey & I discussed this in length a few times. What they were doing with their design is totally different. For what each of them did, they each did it very well. Both are very rich and inspiring just in totally different ways. It was hard before the Allure cruise to look at pictures and imagine all this ship not feeling overly ornate to the point it felt cheap. Once we were there we got the real picture. Keeping our minds open WAS a real effort for all of us. It truly was. I think the boys prob'ly were sick to death of hearing my incessant lecturing on this topic!

well if you get insider rates.. can you not do the same for cruising? Honestly.. I'm not trying to be pushy, just making sure people aren't scared of prenotions. If Kelly isn't enough of a case study to open people's curiosity... I can tell you my wife was bit basically the same as Kelly. I can't even convince her to go back to DLR vs cruising..

Thanks for jumping in with me, Flynn. Although, I will say, at first I was like "Oh no, I'm prob'ly not a good example here", considering how many cruises I went on in 2013: 4 Disney voyages + 1 Royal Caribbean. I have actually totalled up how much we spent traveling last year and it's an amount that makes me feel a little . My brother, @obrienIII, is all the time ribbing me that we're "rich now". Oh but we are NOT! Solid middle class, yes. Rich? Oh heck no! The amount of travel last year is certainly not our norm. Tracey's been on a project all of last year that had him working some insane hours to foot the costs for all of it. I also sold off about half my doll collection (which I did more because I felt the need to declutter more than anything). I know it's hard to imagine a dolls having any significant value but they do.

That said, there ARE good deals out there! I hear so often how crazy expensive Disney cruises are. Well sure they are during the summer, holidays, and spring break. Everywhere is crazy expensive to travel at those times. We, fortunately, aren't tied to those expensive times of year. This affords us more opportunity to score good deals and travel more. I wasn't thrilled with what we paid for the Fantasy last May but that's a busier time. We didn't pay a whole lot more than that to sail in a SUITE on the Magic for 8 nights last January. In September we sailed the same ship, same itinerary as May in a higher stateroom category for a whole lot less. Tracey watches rates more than me right now. He's wanting me to take Brian and go on a few shorter cruises to shore-up my platinum Castaway Club status. He finds rates on 3- & 4-night sailings for 2 around $1k or less quite often. It can be done!

 

[blackthidot]

You don't have to sell ME on it...

 

[blackthidot]

well if you get insider rates.. can you not do the same for cruising? Honestly.. I'm not trying to be pushy, just making sure people aren't scared of prenotions. If Kelly isn't enough of a case study to open people's curiosity... I can tell you my wife was bit basically the same as Kelly. I can't even convince her to go back to DLR vs cruising..

The way I do it has to be Parks only.

 

[flynnibus]

I think it's worth mentioning that I came to this realization that a set amount of dollars buys me different amounts of time in different places

Good advice.. people often have the idea they have to get the same days for things to be comparable. It's just good retrospective for people to look at and consider.

Thanks for jumping in with me, Flynn. Although, I will say, at first I was like "Oh no, I'm prob'ly not a good example here", considering how many cruises I went on in 2013: 4 Disney voyages + 1 Royal Caribbean. I have actually totalled up how much we spent traveling last year and it's an amount that makes me feel a little

Everyone has their vices and what they feel like spending money on... It's like the people who drive a 70k luxury car, but can't afford a house. Their priorities are just not the same as other people... not everyone makes the best financial choices, but if it doesn't break them and puts them in a happy reliable place for them and their family... more power to them. My vice is my pinball machines... you'd be shocked at what they can cost.. and I bought a brand new one last year, and am already on the hook for one this year. Those game easily cost more than our trips! And these are just hunks of material that sit in my basement. I feel guilty when I sit back and think 'damn my house needs 100k of work' and I say I can't afford it when I blow money on toys... but the toys I enjoy more

On cruise dates... it's pretty wild how much they swing. I had to look at different dates, and while moving within my fall season didn't change things... touching a holiday or moving into the summer basically DOUBLED the price. Now I certainly would have a hard time spending 12k on a ROOM for a single trip. But like I just said.. people spend money differently

 

[flynnibus]

The way I do it has to be Parks only.

Gotcha.

 

[meganw1985]

I love it! Been wanting to go on the Oasis since it opened.

My hubby and I went on the (tiny) Majesty for our honeymoon. It was very small compared to what I had expected out of a cruise ship (and next to the big ones in port) and it was older. But we fell in LOVE! Not sure if it was because we were on our honeymoon, or because it was our first cruise, or if it was because we had liquor in our systems the majority of the waking hours (thanks to Coco Cay and Key West for that!) but it was phenomenal. We had a junior suite with a balcony on deck 10. And one thing I noticed was when the seas got a little rough, as long as I was on the balcony I was fine. Inside was a @#$&!.

I recall the food just being so/so. Not inedible, but nothing to write home about. What I really enjoyed was the fresh fruit. Delish I have been wanting to go on another cruise, but I'm not so sure about taking a toddler on a cruise??

Anyways, glad you are writing this, and I hope the mods don't take it off

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Let's get on with Formal Night, shall we?

The dress clothes conendrum continues. Just last January we invested in tuxedos for all the guys for a formal night on the Disney Magic. Yeah, well, we discovered how not-formal our souls truly are. Pair that with the fact that when Brian tried on his tux leading up to this cruise and it was waaaaaaaaay too short in the arm & leg lengths we originally declared ourselves skipping Formal Night. Then a discussion with Chandler got me thinking of Tracey's mother and how I know she would love everyone all dressed up for a night on the town together, pics, and all that jazz. I cannot tell you how I adore my mother-in-law. She's such a blessing on so many levels. I've never felt like my in-laws were in-laws. And I told Tracey many years ago if he ever left me that was fine, I was keeping his family. LOL!

THEN, OMG! So y'all know how I looooove Lilly Pulitzer clothes. The prices are a whole other issue. I've taken to seeking out my Lilly's either during their semi-annual sales, on designer clearing websites such as RueLaLa, or eBay. Well, on eBay I spotted this really killer cocktail dress that was part of the current collection for a fraction of what the list price was on Lilly's website. I was watching this auction in it's final moments and my mind started racing! The bid didn't go as high as I had thought it would and there was a minute left. OMG! If I pass this thing and this almost $300 dress goes for under $100 I'm going to be so ed off! Should I?! Should I not?! My heart was racing. I was trembling. I figured I'd throw my number out there and see what happened. So with under 10 seconds left I submitted my bid and wouldn't you know it? I WON!!! WINNAAAAAAH!!!!! ((Insert Queen's "We are the Champions" here.)) I scored my gorgeous Lilly Pulitzer cocktail dress for well under half then-current retail. If nothing else, I could easily sell the dress & get my money back out of it.

BUT, now I had this cocktail dress and nowhere to wear it. Except I did have somewhere to wear it: Formal Night! We bit the bullet and bought all 3 of the guys suits and that was that. Everyone's everything that we purchased wasn't too crazy expensive. I do still need to sell the 3 tuxedos, though. I don't see the guys ever wearing those again.

We were dressed with plenty of time to spare to go hit-up some of the nice professional photo ops. And don't you know I had to buy pics from this night. I bought 10 of them. These are my souvenirs, people. We homeschool so we don't get the benefit of school pics every year. We have our cruise portraits!

This is a staircase right by the Bow & Stern. The boys:





Tracey & me:




Tracey doesn't care so much for this picture but I think it's adorable. I *do* usually get what I want.




Then we moved over to another photo op lineup. We saw this lovely family walk up to the line for the spot we just finished. This couple really stood out in their whites. Maybe they just got married??? Didn't want to be too obvious so look behind my boys:





Wow. Just wow. The little boy stole the show, for sure.

The next spot we got was by the classic Mercedes. I liked it. My babies:





Then all of us. Don't let my heels deceive you. Brian is taller than me.




Me & my hunny:




I totally wanted to sprawl across this car at some point for a picture Tawny Kitaen style. I didn't. I wish I had, though!

So while we were doing our photos Kacey & his family got their picture taken with Captain Johnny.




Let me pause to tell you about Captain Johnny. We took to calling him "Mr. Hollywood" or "Hollywood Johnny". Onboard the ship there's a television channel dedicated to neat ship information. They run programming that documented the ship's construction, different behind-the-scenes workings, etc. Well, there seemed to be an awful lot of programming that features Mr. Hollywood. And he doesn't just discuss ship stuff. No, he showed off his Harley he keeps onboard and showed you how he rides his mini-motorcycle around ON THE BRIDGE. His big Harley he often takes off the ship for rides in the various ports of call. Oh and we saw his grand entrances and exits on his bikes. Oh yes. Then we'd see Mr. Hollywood frequently like during different events on the Promenade or in the theaters with a microphone, standing in the spotlight, adoring crowds cheering him on much like a rock star or something. It was very strange, indeed. We'd never experienced anything like this on a Disney ship with Disney's captains OR Disney's commodore. This guy, I think, truly holds himself in some high regard far beyond just the captain of the largest cruise ship afloat. So, Captain Hollywood!


We were sufficiently pleased with the photos we'd done and were confident we had a few keepers so we decided to hit up On Air for a drinky-pooh! I had me another lemon drop martini with the kiss of sunken sambuca at the end.




You can see that sambuca in the bottom in this shot:




While we were chillaxin' at the bar with our main man, Roland, (told you Chandler would remember his name!) Alex from Madagascar showed up just outside for a meet-n-greet. Oh heck yeah! I'm down with some characters! Alex isn't my favorite but I do like Madagascar. Alex, Brian, & me:




Alex with Brian:




Raaaawr!




Going into dinner I had my little light head-buzz in the zone. I was feelin' riiiiiight and maintaining perfectly. Dinner was at 8:30 p.m. in Adagio again. My notes say:

Service better (or maybe it was better to drink before dinner!) Food definitely better. Ordered meat medium rare in hopes of getting it cooked medium. Bingo! Skipped dessert in lieu of coffee & milk.

I have no food photos to share. We did purchase 2 of the pictures taken by the photogs wandering the restaurant during dinner.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Dinner was great. I think we may have had a drink with dinner, too. Tellin' you, we indulged on this cruise! All the teens except Chandler & Ellen had scurried off to do teenager things. We took our time leaving the restaurant and hit a few photo ops still open just outside the dining room. We were all in the silliest of moods and the photographers were happy to play along.

The after dinner crew:



The ultra-fiiiiiine men:



So fun! This is the good stuff!

I wanted a pic of Tameka & me together. I love her. I do. We got married around the same time. I have fond memories of hours spent with my mother-in-law and Tracey's sister making her wedding gown. We are close to the same age, had our kids around the same time. It's natural for us to have a bit of a bond going on. This last summer I even taught her to make a rag quilt! That was so fun for me and I had another girl to bond with! So here's me and Tameka hammin' it up:




Speaking of rag quilts, I brought my Disney one I made for myself with me on the ship.




We were supposed to see the dive show, Oceanaria, tonight but it was cancelled due to the high seas. Oh yeah. We were rockin'. Imagine me walking in heels, tipsy, and the ship pitching all over. Well, I was able to pass off a few stumbles to the ship rocking anyway.

Oh! Yeah, well, I should also mention that you can pre-reserve seats for the big shows on Royal Caribbean's ships. You don't have to but if you want the best seats it's a good idea to do it. Basically when the doors open for seating only people with reservations are allowed in. Then, about 10 minutes before showtime, the doors open to all guests. At first I found this super-annoying. It felt like I was having to micro-manage the pre-planning which as you know, I'm pretty much over. ((I'm looking at you, WDW. )) Thankfully, Kacey is an experienced Royal cruiser. Our reservations were all linked online so I told him when he booked the shows for his family grab us seats, too. We ended up with our entire group of 12 booked for everything together and I didn't have to think about it or figure it out at all.

Tracey & I hit the hay at 11:30. I slept like the dead especially with the ship rocking me like a baby. Oh the joys of cruise sleeps!

 

[Tiggerish]

Those are some smooth-looking dudes in their suits! And your Lilly is gorgeous, what a score!! (totally also loved the colorful one that the boys gifted you with) I totally love the shot of Brian & Chandler with the Mercedes--Brian's pose is all "yeah, I'm just hangin' with my car--oh, it just happens to be a classic Merc, but it's just one of my fleet, so what"

 

[sweetpee_1993]

You don't have to sell ME on it...

If Colleen has an appreciation for what Disney does, she would be knocked out of her socks on one of their ships. Seriously. Anything is worth trying and finding something to enjoy. Broadening the horizons, expanding the mind, and all that jazz.

Good advice.. people often have the idea they have to get the same days for things to be comparable. It's just good retrospective for people to look at and consider.

Everyone has their vices and what they feel like spending money on... It's like the people who drive a 70k luxury car, but can't afford a house. Their priorities are just not the same as other people... not everyone makes the best financial choices, but if it doesn't break them and puts them in a happy reliable place for them and their family... more power to them. My vice is my pinball machines... you'd be shocked at what they can cost.. and I bought a brand new one last year, and am already on the hook for one this year. Those game easily cost more than our trips! And these are just hunks of material that sit in my basement. I feel guilty when I sit back and think 'damn my house needs 100k of work' and I say I can't afford it when I blow money on toys... but the toys I enjoy more

On cruise dates... it's pretty wild how much they swing. I had to look at different dates, and while moving within my fall season didn't change things... touching a holiday or moving into the summer basically DOUBLED the price. Now I certainly would have a hard time spending 12k on a ROOM for a single trip. But like I just said.. people spend money differently

I'll readily admit it was not an instant realization that I was choosing time over destination. It took time for the gravity of the concept to truly be realized. I *now* imagine it in terms of quality vs. quantity. I'm not referring to quality of the destination I choose, it's quality of MY experience where I go. I could spend more time in a place I've already been but it might not be as exciting for me as a shorter time in a place I've never been. When thinking in terms of buffet or plated meal, I'll choose plated meal. I don't need quantity to equate value.

I hear ya on the vices. We do all have our vices. Travel was a big on for me last year. This year I don't feel that desire as much. I've got other things occupying my brain these days. Yep, I totally know how you feel about the pinball machines. I once had a very valuable doll that cost me a couple thousand dollars. I got a phenomenal deal on her considering she was worth more than I paid. I always thought having one of the more valuable dolls would satisfy my itch to have one but it created a itch I never considered. For the length of time I had her I never could fully appreciate her. I couldn't love her the way I did some of my other less-valuable dolls. When I looked at her I saw the dollar signs. I saw the things I could do or the places I could go or the things I could provide my children. I just couldn't enjoy her. I didn't keep her long at all. Tracey was hopping mad when I sold her but I truly had zero issue doing it. I wasn't in a season of my life that I could appreciate that doll or be completely settled with her. Not the right time. I've never regretted letting her go, either.

I love it! Been wanting to go on the Oasis since it opened.

My hubby and I went on the (tiny) Majesty for our honeymoon. It was very small compared to what I had expected out of a cruise ship (and next to the big ones in port) and it was older. But we fell in LOVE! Not sure if it was because we were on our honeymoon, or because it was our first cruise, or if it was because we had liquor in our systems the majority of the waking hours (thanks to Coco Cay and Key West for that!) but it was phenomenal. We had a junior suite with a balcony on deck 10. And one thing I noticed was when the seas got a little rough, as long as I was on the balcony I was fine. Inside was a @#$&!.

I recall the food just being so/so. Not inedible, but nothing to write home about. What I really enjoyed was the fresh fruit. Delish I have been wanting to go on another cruise, but I'm not so sure about taking a toddler on a cruise??

Anyways, glad you are writing this, and I hope the mods don't take it off

Remember! You're talking to the girl who prefers a smaller ship. Bigger isn't automatically better! I'm sure the Majesty was heaven on the sea for y'all. I'm so interested in Coco Cay. Don't even get me started on Key West. I've got a dedicated holiday trip to Key West pretty high up on my bucket list. I adore Key West...and not just because there's a Lilly store there. LOL! Did y'all do an alcohol package? Oh man, when there was no financial accountability per drink we seemed to really let loose and imbibe on a much larger scale than we ever have before. It was so fun to just go in the moment, let loose, and relax. During the cruise and several times since I've asked Tracey if he thinks his family now sees us as these mega lushes. They don't drink the way we did. His response, "I don't give a sh** what they think. I relaxed and did what I wanted to." Well, alrighty-then. LOL!

Yeah, I hear that being outside is often a good way to handle sea sickness. I've been sea sick only once when I was 12 or 13.

The main dining room food we actually liked better on our Disney cruises. BUT, Kacey & Tameka and Mom & Dad have sailed on the Oasis back in 2011 and they all said that they were disappointed in the food on the Allure vs. their experience on the Oasis. I think maybe the food can vary from ship to ship.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Those are some smooth-looking dudes in their suits! And your Lilly is gorgeous, what a score!! (totally also loved the colorful one that the boys gifted you with) I totally love the shot of Brian & Chandler with the Mercedes--Brian's pose is all "yeah, I'm just hangin' with my car--oh, it just happens to be a classic Merc, but it's just one of my fleet, so what"

Brian is the king of facial expressions. It's yet to come in my report but you gotta see his new creepy-dude face he does. Gives me the willy's! Ugh!

Thanks for the compliments on my gentlemen and my Lilly. I think we clean up alright. I even got to wear the Tiffany necklace & bracelet I've had for yeeeears but never wear because I'm so unsure what to wear it with. This seemed like a nice occasion and the lock styling added a little sass for me.