twangster

Cruise mode engaged.

I see in the PDF above they have instructions how to disable randomize MAC on iPhone and Android.

Day 1 cruise compass downloaded from the ship using this URL: https://minio.rccl.com/compass/cruisecompass.pdf RD day 1 cruisecompass.pdf

With 75 Pins on board we have the Colony Club for our nightly happy hour.

My S22U phone would not connect to the ship wifi until I turned off randomize MAC. Then it connected right away. Same with my Tab A tablet. Until I disabled randomize MAC it would not connect to ship wifi. My macos laptop joined right away. If you are having issues with wifi, turn off randomize MAC.

Starlink:

Brief stop at muster and I was done. I stopped into Chops to make dining reservations, no issues with any times. Texas beverage restrictions.

Up the stairs... Suites and Pinnacle to the right. Through security to the waiting area for suites and Pinnacle. There I was checked in and asked the four health questions. Refreshments available: The waiting area: A famiar face pulled me aside to hand me an invitation. It's Vernon! Our L.A. Expecting 75 Pinnacle, 377 D+, 280 D. The ship was already boarding so after a brief chat it was around the corner to the ship.

No traffic and no crowds!

On board! Pics coming after I make dining reservations.

While I'm waiting... My Southwest flight here cost 8,900 points which is a pretty good rate. I'm flying Delta from LA to home after the cruise. I splurged For first class on the the flight home at 57,700 miles. For a last minute cruise booking it's proven to be pretty easy to keep the costs down. There are flight deals out there despite the otherwise crazy rates.

Uber is still in surge pricing so I did the wait and save with Lyft. $9.99 vs $38 with Uber. 70F with no humidity so a nice wait outside my hotel.

Hotel wifi is out here. Suspect something similar. It was pretty loud last night but I'm used it in Florida. I'm grateful the storms have moved out of the area. It would be miserable this morning if it was torrential rain like last night.

Departing guests on the way home are likely causing a surge. Give it a few minutes.

Here is the view that $83 buys you. I think it's a local recycle drop off. Somewhere on the other side of the transformers on the utility pole is the ship. Storms have moved out. Looks like a great day.

The health questions are not a big deal. Theyll ask me them at check in. It will add 30 seconds to check in. Here is what the health button provides:

CDC required verbiage about how dangerous the virus is and what to do if feel sick, etc.

I'm hoping for at least one good night to try some star pics. I wasn't very good at first and learn a little with each attempt. Some attempts leave a lot to be desired even to this day. 🤣

Muster videos complete. Is it time yet?

I must be getting old. Since yesterday I've been getting notifications to answer the health questions but the check in button has been replaced by a boarding button. All that does is bring up my Set Sail. I can't find a way to reach the health questions.

Uber and Lyft rates this morning:

Like the Florida leftovers in 2009 once Oasis class had arrived in Florida? When Voyager class was introduced it was said they would never leave the Caribbean. Freedom class is simply Voyager class with another section added in the middle. Not much innovation there, but that's okay as Oasis class was being introduced in that era. That was some innovation! But all for Florida at the time. With Allure's arrival there was even more capacity in Florida so some of those ships that would never leave the Caribbean did just that. It seems the problem for the the rest of the world is that Florida is solidly the single largest cruise market by a long shot. RCI is not going to ignore that fact. As always with Royal it isn't that they don't make money in other regions, it's all about where they can make the most money and it always has been that way.

Looks like our ship has come in. Radiance is almost at the pier! marinetraffic.com:

I had been eyeing a line of thunderstorms above Houston hoping they wouldn't impact my flight. They didn't. Overnight those thunderstorms rolled over the area making for a noisy night. Fortunately they are nearly through and should be by the time I head to the terminal. They did wake me up a few times though.

Made it to Galveston. Staying at the Candlewood Suites. Found it online for $83 so I wasn't expecting much but it's fine. Comes with a kitchen, recently renovated, ice cold A/C, free wifi. With a late arrival it's perfect for my needs. Plus there is a Target next door for any forgotten items.