ONECRUISER

On 4/15/2024 at 8:06 PM, RobInMN said:

Look at the cute mini ducks my SIL and her husband found!

Was on last Fall's Radiance PC and Ducks were overkill, one Passenger alone said she brought 200 to spread around. They are Kinda rare on this sailing...

9 hours ago, Jimbo said:

After the first set of locks are done, go for the 2nd or 3rd sets where the crowds thin out significantly  because of  the heat etc. Plus you can sleep in somewhat.

Pitch Dark by time we got threw last 3 Locks on 2 of my 4 Panama Canal Sailings, made for nice night time shots. Though as said was coolest cloudiest I've seen so heat wasnt much issue this on this sailing. Passengers lining up before 6am waiting 5hrs get threw first set and total 14 total hrs made for long day for some. 

49 minutes ago, Teeara said:

We had one guy who kept saying “The Windjammer is now open for breakfast!” trying to get those of us in the front to leave.  When we saw the fish we told him if he’s so hungry there’s his fish breakfast.  😉😁😂🐟

Every other time I've gone threw the Canal WJ was open early at 6am, but was interesting watching hundreds getting there Helipad spot early too have such a long wait. Different being after Lunch by time we got threw first set Locks. 

4 hours ago, Jimbo said:

Like a 13 hour transit................amazing !!

Agree. Did one in 7.5 hrs, this one was long beautiful day inc low Sun and Temps

2 hours ago, Teeara said:

We were supposed to go through at 8:00.  Our entrance has been pushed back to 9:45.

Weird leaving Colon then Cruising over 100 Kt Miles to the Canal

22 minutes ago, ONECRUISER said:

Last 2 Canal Cruises in 2023 and 2022 we went and parked. Looks like into the nite we are still moving miles away and not Parking. Still going to Northwest and already over 30km out, might putter along most the nite. But we went through canal at 6am previous, dont think supposed start as early tomorrow

...meant say we are still going away to the "Northeast" of Canal, over 40km out and still going at 10kts

5 hours ago, RobInMN said:

Luckily, the ship only needs to leave the dock and go anchor.  But we'll miss early MDR seating

Last 2 Canal Cruises in 2023 and 2022 we went and parked. Looks like into the nite we are still moving miles away and not Parking. Still going to Northwest and already over 30km out, might putter along most the nite. But we went through canal at 6am previous, dont think supposed start as early tomorrow

Just now, njkruzer said:

Gosh didn't think the weather was that bad going around the hurricanes!

Yeah even that wasnt too bad, done about a dozen Cruises out of Boston, can get real Choppy and Ship going 22kts in that doesnt help. Use to Cruise Labor Day week every yr, had 4 named storms/Hurricanes on one Cruise alone. Churned up the waters as we came behind them. This on Sovereign a REAL rough ride. Saw lot people in Wheel Chairs, on Crutches, wrists bandaged up next few days. We had The Monkees performing that yr. Saw Peter Tork in WindJammer with Sea Sick patches behind his ears and wrist bands. He looked really green

2 hours ago, irishgal432 said:

I met the Stockholms on an Alaska cruise.  They are very interesting people.  If  you get a chance strike up a conversation with them.

True, met them on another PC Cruise, yesterday they just walked up and started talking to me. Very friendly, approachable 

12 hours ago, Barley928 said:

They most likely will leave one radiance class in Tampa. It is a big market for Royal with sellouts constantly. 

 

Joyce 

Waiting for those last ones when/where going. But with Royal putting 4 Ships in Tampa this yr I'd expect you're correct at least one these added to others next yr, maybe both

13 hours ago, Teeara said:

 

Today is our first sea day.  We had a lot of motion on the ocean overnight and today.

 

 

We’ve been doing approximately 21 knots since we need to get to Cartagena on time.  Today we are going around the tip of Cuba.

 

 

After breakfast we went hunting for a quiet pace to read and found this lovely spot in the back of the Colony Club that looks out on the ship’s wake.

 

 

After lunch it was time for the enrichment lecture on the building of the Panama Canal.

 

 

The Stockhams will be doing many more lectures during this cruise.

 

 

Here is today’s Cruise Compass.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had our first specialty dining at Giovanni’s tonight.  We both ordered the calamari for our appetizers, then Pam had the Branzino and I had the Garlic Shrimp.  We finished it off with Tiramisus.

 

 

And here’s the MDR menu for Day 2.

 

Let me know if you want to see some food porn 😉😁😮. I haven’t been taking any pictures but I can.

 

And we’re ending our day in the Centrum listening to the house band after watching the evening show in the theater (Piano Man).

 

 

See you tomorrow for Day 3 and our second sea day.

99% the time I've always done Aft Corner(Vision/Radiance Class), but picked lower Deck 7 last Fall to get closer look while going threw the Canal... Sea Sick Bags out for 2 days, usually tell by that if expecting a rocky ride though really isnt bad at all, was worse last Fall's Radiance PC Cruise. That was 6 straight Sea Days steering around the Hurricane.

2 hours ago, island lady said:

 

Great pictures!  I forgot how totally different the centrum is from Serenade and Jewel.  I like your set up on Radiance better...IMHO.  😉 

 

Another thing really different is the location of Izumi on Radiance.  

Agree. For being Sister Ships lot of Differences between the 4, Shower Curtains or Doors, Centrum stairs or not. And many more... 

19 hours ago, RobInMN said:

On Radiance (Tampa)

Think I saw you doing these, didnt realize you had the protection. Nice! Watched bunch of Passengers and Crew staring at the Sun w/o any. Chatted with my Grand Daughter, she said they kept all kids inside all day. Irony is when I was also in 8th Grade(45yrs ago) the Science Teacher took us out in small Groups to learn about the Eclipse. We had Double Welding Glass and did the Paper with hole in it trick and another placed beneath. 

13 minutes ago, FionaMG said:

They're starting to load the Oz sailings now. There are two on Voyager and two on Anthem currently showing.

Yeah they keep popping in and out, saw 5 Voyagers 15min ago, and 2 Anthems, then less. Wish was like throwing a switch and all would show

3 hours ago, Teeara said:

We’re here!  Our Lyft driver picked us up at 9:45 (we had scheduled him for 10:00).  We were at the port by 10:00, checked in and in our waiting area by 10:08.  Fastest check in EVER for any of my RCI cruises.

Welcome aboard! Turn around for B2B went fast, think we were back on at 9:30. Was bunch Contractors on also, not sure what their Job was, I should have asked

3 hours ago, StanleyandGus said:

😂 I think we had the same cabin (we sailed the Panama Canal in November), and I found the bed comfortable! I suppose it just goes to show how difficult it is to satisfy everyone.

 

 I do think they should have replaced one of the bathroom sinks. Every time I was brushing my teeth, I noticed the crack.

Agree, Beds on Serenade are no where near Firm as Pre-CV, before last time they replaced all them. Now those were Firmest Cruise Beds ever felt. Back when everyone wanted the egg crate pads.  But everyone has personal preference

3 hours ago, bulldogmommy said:

Mattress report? 

Medium Firmness with some give, not too hard as pre-CV

1 minute ago, neverbeenhere said:

All Royal ships have a comedy club. It’s call the Windjammer. Sit back and enjoy!!!!

True! On my first short 4niter in 25yrs, WJ is more like a people of Walmart link

4 hours ago, Cigar King said:

Those ships that do not have a comedy club, generally have comedians as part of the entertainment offerings.

Agree, can say at least on my Cruises there is always a Comedian performing a couple times. This on Ships w/o Comedy Club. Royal for while was putting multiple Movie Theaters on new Ships, now Movies along with comedy shows are shown in Main Show Theater or Lounges. Most areas of Royal Ships are now multi use. 

51 minutes ago, Teeara said:

She just went through a 3 week drydock, so we’re hoping for some new ship smell, too.  Some work was done inside the ship as well as outside.

Radiance has the smell of new Carpet and wood stain around the Ship. Was on Brilliance and Serenade right after major Dry Docks where they waited and did paint, staining, ect for weeks after Dry Dock. They did great job on Radiance. lot of open deck areas repainted multiple halls and Lounges with new Carpet. Part I hate is had to pack up today and Change Cabins tomorrow. On thing forget to mention on Roll Call thread is the poolside giant TV monitor was removed, they haven't replaced it yet. They have scaffolding under the mount so maybe getting new one up tomorrow. Also not sure if this is Ship wide change but has been no News Channels on in cabin TV's last 2 Radiance Cruises

17 hours ago, njkruzer said:

Enjoy your trip. We sailed her through the canal in October.   Missed our Mexico stop because o. f 3 hurricanes!  Captain avoided them so it was smooth sailing. We love that class of ships.

Yeah was wondering if we were going have any stops, thought we might end up with a 16nite Cruise to nowhere. Going around the Hurricane looked at times we were half way to Hawaii

For yrs I have just brought clean Dress Shirts and have them pressed on day one. They do better job then I do, worth the cost compared to the huge garment bag I use to bring 

7 hours ago, Saab4444 said:

This is totally rubish, EU passengers also get 100 refund but not more.

Agree. Cant Imagine OP saying true, example is pay $500 down on Cruise that total cost is say $10K. It gets canceled and Royal owes you $15K. Dont think so...

3 hours ago, Tlbecker1 said:

I don’t have any horror stories with the laundry service.  I appreciate it and have used it many times.  I do have a horror story with Celebrity though.  All of our laundry was mixed with a few others and brought into our room, dumped on our bed and we had to sort through and take out our things.  It really was weird.  I almost missed a pair of my underwear, but my DH recognized it!

Well it is always washed with other passengers but that is a Wow! Have had at least dozen items come back faded a couple shades, 3-4 with pin holes. But not to be used for nice clothing so is what it is

6 hours ago, icsys said:

I have received Military discount on many past cruises, most recent being January of this year (2024)

However, calling today to price two cruises I was informed, by two different agents, that Royal has stopped Military discounts for all cruises.

Is this right?

3 Military Discounts on Cruises last yr. At least 20 my Cruises in last 10yrs found Military Discounts on Royal. Ships Sailing Full less likely get Discounts, on older smaller Ships more likely. Most time they are offered closer to Cruise though have got few over 1yr out