franl24fan

Flew domestic last month didn't have any changes to precheck. Didn't take anything out of carry on or backpack.

I've always stayed at Sleep Inn Seatac. Excellent service, clean rooms, next to an IHOP or the shuttle will take you to local restaurants. Many tours pick up there, or the shuttle can drop you at train to downtown. I've had the shuttle pick me up at rental car place after return. You can sign up for transfer service to and from ship at price less than ship. Price is reasonable.

Agree that drive from port to airport is at least an hour. Oasis debark and thru customs can take as much as 45 minutes, less if you have Global Entry, even if you use a porter only line. So flight time depends on how much you are an optimist that assumes all will go perfectly☺ For the least stress I'd book a midafternoon, or fly out the next day. I fly out of Orlando often and hate to see the post cruise folks running thru the terminal, have to clear TSA, then a train to gates, and another long run to the gate.

Oasis has a dedicated GF section in Windjammer, and features Canyon Bakery GF breads throughout the ship's restaurants. DW never had any difficulty getting GF dishes in any of their restaurants.

interesting, I was on Oasis last November and there was no bread, but did have rolls. That's what I meant about lack of consistency in options. I would like to see a standard GF menu that all the ships had, added to by the chefs if they wanted to. For newbies they don't know what is available or how to find out.

Agree with above, I've been on 4 cruises since having to go GF. My biggest complaint is the lack of consistency across the fleet in what is available and variety. I found longer cruises (more than 7 days) are really a challenge. Sometimes you have to educate your head waiter. You can be your own advocate and still be polite. I tip my headwaiter and waiter extra, and give a tip to WJ staff that do extra for me. Also be sure to get their names and mention them in survey.

Become best friends with the WJ manager or head chef and the executive chef in mdr. When I told chef how I disliked GF penne and wanted spaghetti he told me to bring a box and he would fix it for me. Some items you have to ask for like the udis packaged cookie.

It will be tight, unless you skip dessert. You will have hard time finding decent seats coming in close to showtime. I really dislike when there is only one show, rather than one for each seating.

I use Kayak to narrow choices then go to airline site to book. I check SW directly, if their price and flights are close to other airlines I book with them due to no change fee, can get credit if price drops and no bag fee. It may be too early to see November flights, not sure about Thanksgiving time.

Good to know. We have not cruised the Oasis class ships. It does vary by ship and itinerary. (Although I do think the Udi's GF cookies taste a bit like sweet cardboard!)

My biggest complaint is the lack of consistency across the fleet. Every ship has different GF items, some make more options available. Oasis had gf pancakes, ordered the night before. Serenade had several gf cakes. Anthem has a nice separate gf section in WJ. I don't like gf penne pasta, which most ships use instead of spaghetti. A head chef told me if I brought the spaghetti he would fix it for me, which I will do next cruise, as well as a few other items they don't have. It is essential to find the WJ manager and the head chef in the MDR, introduce yourself and ask for their help. The head waiters in the dining room, who will take your preorder meal, do not all know what can be prepared gf, as opposed to being naturally gf. I found being on a 12 day cruise was too hard to find a variety of gf food, got really tired of grilled chicken and steak and ice cream at every meal. I like the udis cookies, have to ask for them at promenade cafe.

I've spoken with home office and they are looking at a fleetwide standard gf menu, then ships could add to it if they wanted to offer more items. That would be great. Until then I will just have to accept that my food choices will not be as good as before gf diet became a necessity.

Ships have very limited selection in the ship shop but be prepared to pay astronomical prices. $3 candy bar, $15 aspirin. I always pack my own snacks and power bars, especially my gluten free items. Sometimes there are bags of potato chips at the cafe, I bring some back to my cabin. I have to ask for them, but there are packages of gluten free cookies at the cafe. Ive been able to get snacks in port and bring onboard if they are a sealed package.

Harmony has a lot more storage in cabin. Shower is larger. I also liked the lighter more modern furniture.

Agree the video is worthless in putting out essential info. Seems to be dumbed down to reach passengers who can't listen to info that would save lives. I never liked standing out in the weather on deck, but 15 minutes of discomfort might save my life. These videos are also being used on many airlines now, but those do give info clearly.

I was on in Sept. Find Chef Joseph, he will walk you thru options. The WJ Manager is another great person. Only negative they told me was that there are no dedicated GF deep fryers on Anthem, so that was a bummer. At the Cafe Promenade ask for the Udis cookies, they are kept under the counter.

Having your picture taken with the Captain in the dress you described is beyond tacky. JMO

That used to be one place they held the line, but now they have given in. I can't imagine the discussion when they show their photo to family or friends - here we are on formal night, we were on vacation so no one can tell us what to wear, Captain was a little stuffy looking in that fancy outfit

Royal no longer enforces any dress suggestions. You will see jeans and shorts on both formal and non formal nights.

Just off Oasis and no dress code was enforced at any time. One formal night was Thanksgiving and many people were at dinner in raggedy shorts, torn t shirts and flip flops, wearing ball caps at the table. I have had to accept that my standards are outdated. I choose to go to the Windjammer on formal nights rather than see what will be worn in the dining room. I was also sad to see these same folks have their picture taken with the Captain, feeling not the least uncomfortable to stand next to him, who is in a dress uniform. Just do away with any dress code.

Yes...yes...yes!!! So excited! I was just on that thread and clicked on the news link! :D

 

Also, Harmony replacing Oasis. Will finally get to check out that ship without that awful

drive to Ft. Lauderdale!

 

Now if we can just get that hoped for third ship here to do the longer runs...I will be a happy cruiser!! :hearteyes:

Also very excited to have Harmony in PC for some dates. Went on it in Feb 2017, loved the modern decor, larger cabin larger bathroom. Will be ready to book next week when info is posted. Also, Ovation coming to Seattle for Alaska.

you didn't miss anything, Capt Rick started on Oasis Oct 8.

 

How long will he be on Oasis?? I will be on Nov 19 and would love to see him. He's been my favorite captain since he was on Hawaii and Alaska routes. So glad to see him recognized with Symphony assignment.

Just stayed at the Embassy Suites. Excellent hotel, actual 2 room suite. Their restaurant was open to 10pm, prices reasonable, waitress accomodated my special diet needs. Their free breakfast was extensive. When I arrived I signed up for shuttle, $20 per person was added to room. Shuttle was efficient. I know they have park and cruise packages because folks on shuttle had done that.

If it comes up the middle of the state,like a lot of the models are showing, we (east coast) will be in big trouble. Worst side to be on.

I'm west of Daytona, where 3 of 4 of the 2004 storms lingered for days. My manufactured home survived those, last year I had impact resistant windows put in, but no shutters. I am up in SC and NC, until the 15th, so I guess time will tell what I will find if I can get back home. Glad I prepared before I left home, would be sad to lose personal items that are not replaceable.

Way back in 2004 three major hurricanes came across Florida within 3 weeks. Cruise ships moved up and down the coast, as the track kept changing, even doubling back on tracks. That was definitely worst case scenarios.

I'm leaving home Sunday morning driving to SC and NC. Today I started putting all my outdoor loose items into shed, which caused my neighbor to come over to ask if he had missed some hurricane notice☺ I am debating what items to pack into car, don't want to add too much. Planning is complicated since I am on gluten free diet.

I'm actually more concerned about gas shortages along interstate. Thankfully my car gets very good mileage.

Hoping that by my cruise date on Sept 23 storm will have passed Bermuda. I've never been on Anthem, so worst case if Bermuda is skipped being on ship will be fun.

Anthem to Bermuda on 9/23, fly Orlando to Newark on 22nd. Lessons from Harvey - know what your insurance covers or not, have claims number handy, make copies of receipts, bring extra meds (they don't take much room), make a refundable hotel reservation at hotel near port or airport. If your house is in hurricane possible zone, secure it as much as possible before leaving, less to worry about. Have your home/car insurance claim numbers. Consider where you park, upper floor of covered garage best.

I'm in situation of being away from home on a road trip until 5 days before flight to Newark. So I am planning for situation if storm did damage or is coming, I may not be able to get back to home or airport. So I'm taking my cruise docs, passport etc with me, worst case I'd fly out of another airport. Clothes will be okay for cruise, not worrying about formal.

I knew when I booked Bermuda, which only has cruises in hurricane season, there was a risk. Last year after a minor hurricane i was not able to get to airport due to wires down, debris etc, but the flight went out. I was able to collect on travel insurance, but I found that cancel for any reason still has to be proven to company that the loss was due to a reasonable decision. Also had to provide written proof there was a hurricane:)

Had cabin over Coach store. Loved it. Tree outside the window with twinkle lights at night. Quiet. Window seat. Just close dark out curtains at night.

I loved my Central Park view cabin, I was over the Coach store. Very quiet, tree was outside my window, on a ship, neat. Would book it again.

Since you are below public areas such ás casino and theater, there is some noise, only you know your tolerance level. I've stayed in cabins on deck 3 many times, always forward so as not to be below the dining room.

All of the 2018 and 2019 cruises I've priced have been ridiculously overpriced, many were at $400/day or more. Figures, I finally reach 340 points where the single surcharge drops to 150% and the prices are still insane. Add to the prices the new deposit policy and cruising is not very appealing. I may not have a tent, but there are many other travel options I will be booking.