MLAW

Did you pick one on the beach near the path to the pool? That's what I picked. I figured we get the view of the water, which my husband prefers, but we will be close to the pool, which I enjoy.

I have been to Paradise Beach three times and will be returning in February. I have a day bed reserved this time and will let you know my opinions.

I also need extra pillows as I too sleep in a pillow fort (loving that phrase). Just ask your room attendant when you see them boarding day. They will bring whatever number you request.

I am excited to follow your live report and will also checkout your Youtube channel. I will be sailing on the Wonder for the first time in February. We also booked the UDP so I will be interested in your dining reviews. Our cruise just prior to The Wonder should get us to Diamond so I am also excited to try some new drinks. Safe travels!

I have booked it for our Wonder of the Seas cruise end of February with the idea that I can keep the reservation or cancel once reviews come out. Honestly what pushed me to reserve it was the information that it will be a heated pool. It is my understanding that the other pool is not heated. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

Last summer when we boarded the Anthem in Southampton, boarding times were never checked.

I always enjoy your reviews so I am excited to follow along. You always wear the cutest dresses! I sailed on the Anthem last summer out of Southampton so this will be extra fun to follow. Safe travels!

My husband and I will be sailing on the Wonder next February. It will be our first time with the UDP and our first cruise as Diamond so I am really enjoying your dining and drink reviews. Have a great day!

Were you able to get the brunch reservation today when you booked all your other reservations once boarding or did you make that reservation ahead of time aside from your UDP?

We sailed Eastern med when my daughters were 9 and 11. One of the best cruises we have ever taken. The kids program was really the same but because our cruise was very port intensive, they spent less time there in the evenings. We cruised June into July so it was extremely hot but the girls were troopers. We did very little time at beaches but used the pool on the ship before dinner almost daily. Also made sure we got gelato in every port. Lots of kids from all over the world were onboard. I would do it over again in a heart beat. Memories we will all have forever.

Congrats! I was rooting for you.

I always enjoy your reviews! I also love seeing your dress choices. Have a great cruise!

Honestly, I think it also depends on the people that are there when you are. We went to Nachi Cocum because it was described as quiet with great service. Unfortunately, there was a large, loud extended family there the same day which impacted our experience. They demanded frequent service which impacted our ability to even order an occasional drink. They thought it was funny to provide minors in their group large amounts of alcohol. Overall, they just impacted the entire experience. Obviously not the fault of the establishment but it impacts your experience. On the other hand, the two times we have been to Paradise beach, the service has been fantastic, wonderful food, and no large obnoxious groups of people. But, again, you could end up with out of control adults or kids at either place. My preference now is Paradise Beach because I LOVE their pool and have not yet a bad experience.

I have cruised Royal Caribbean for over 25 years and agree that WJ desserts have always been bland. Our family saying from first cruise has been "different color, same tasteless dessert". And we liked desserts. On the Anthem this summer even the cookies were bad but on Independence over New Years they were actually good. Now sure how you mess up cookies if using the same recipe across the fleet.

We were on the Anthem for two weeks this summer. We found that breakfast in the dining room was a favorite way to start the day. Breakfast in the WJ and the Solarium tended to be lukewarm at best. I was surprised to see the empty chairs in the Solarium the first day at sea. We had quite a few days at sea and you had to get a chair no later than 7:30 AM or you were out of luck until mid afternoon. I have never seen chairs taken so early in the morning. They were definitely monitoring and marking chairs that were empty so people rarely left their chairs. I think because the weather many seas days was cool/cold that everyone wanted to be in the Solarium. I am enjoying your review as it is fun to see the ship I was just on. Have a great time!!

On the Anthem this summer, you could not make reservations until 8 AM each morning on the app for the slots that day. On boarding day, you could make reservations of openings that day only.

We were in Naples in early July and had read many times to just walked up and buy your ticket that day. That may work sometimes but it was a challenge the day we were there. Tickets were sold out until late morning, which would have given us almost no time there before having to head back. Worse, was we had a boat tour set up and were going to miss it. Lots of stress that could have been avoided if we had bought our tickets ahead of time. I won't go into all the details but we were able to get early tickets at the very last second and did make it to Capri in time for our boat tour. We bought our return tickets on-line while on the ferry heading to Capri. If you don't care about whether you actually make it to Capri, wait until you arrive. If, however, you have your heart set on going to Capri either buy your tickets ahead of time or take the ship tour. JMHO

We board the Anthem next week in Southampton for a 14 night Med cruise. I also have not had any luck finding menus beyond 7 nights. But as long as I am not cooking or cleaning it will all be good.

We are heading to Europe in a few weeks. We are spending two nights in London after our cruise before flying home so we are in the same situation. I am flying using a letter of recovery so I do not have to test to come home. We are taking several at home tests and my husband will test himself the last couple days of the cruise. He had COVID over Christmas but was asymptomatic. We want to catch a positive test while still on the ship if possible so the arrangements are managed by the cruise line. Of course he could test positive the day before we fly but that is about the best plan we can come up with. Stressful for sure but still worth the risk for us.

I am excited to follow along. I am curious if the wifi connection is sufficient enough for you to work from your cabin or do you often have to find a location outside your cabin to work. Asking for a friend. lol

Congratulations on tenure. Huge achievement! I am enjoying your live report. I am really loving your dresses!!!! Looking forward to following the rest of your trip.

Love your pics of Ephesus. One of many amazing places we visited on a cruise 15 years ago. Hoping to get back to Turkey someday. I am REALLY enjoying your report!!! Thank you!

I just checked in for my cruise, which sails from London. Check-in opened at midnight London time so a nice respectable 6 PM for me in the midwest. I am starting to think after two years of lift and shifts, that this cruise, which has been planned since late 2018, might actually happen! 😂😂