niksmom630

Well, hey A & L family! 🥳 thanks for letting us join the partay virtually! 😍

55 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Pretty sure I have a new favorite ship.  Absolutely stunning.  I really feel like they did a great job in designing Surfsideand the Waterpark  to keep the kids separated from the rest.

 

Complimentary food options in Aquadome and at the Pearl are great.

 

Off to tour staterooms. 

 

 

Got here just in time!  @Ourusualbeach

Icon has never been on my wish list….maybe you’ll change my mind!

On 12/22/2023 at 11:35 AM, Al Aboard said:

Quick question to the OP (if still watching):

You mentioned you stayed aboard in San Juan due to your dinner time and the late arrival.  Was the MDR full that night?  We had an overnight once in Aruba that we arrived mid-afternoon and when we showed up at the MDR it was pretty empty.  Was thinking if so this might be a good night for the Rooftop Grill.

Al

MDR was empty--we assumed people were eating in San Juan...I tried Rooftop Grill on a Med sailing on the Edge, and liked it

10 hours ago, depplep said:

I appreciate the comments about the Hilton as we are Diamond level with them and always choose Hilton where available. On a side note, I just paid $18.95 plus 18% gratuity and tax for a Rum Punch at Universal Thanksgiving weekend. The world has gone mad. Thanks for the review.

we used to really like this property. I’ve probably covered it in several reviews over the years. The outdoor bar/pool area, views of the port have been highlights. A few years ago they started a major construction project. For awhile their lobby was located in a conference room, and the main entrance wasn’t even open. 
 

the changes they’ve made have all been detrimental, in my view. The lobby got smaller, so it’s a madhouse on weekends. I’ve noticed the prices creeping up also, and spent some time at the pool this trip  because we were there most of the day…. Half the pool loungers were ripped or sagging. Thats basic maintenance and one would expect more from a hotel at this price point. 
 

I really just want someplace clean, comfortable, with a nice pool

and outdoor area that gives a “happy start” to vacation vibe. Water views are a plus… 😍 

Another busy morning in Port Everglades

really looking forward to sailing Ascent next November….and again in 2025

4 minutes ago, maggieq said:

@niksmom630  thank you for sharing your cruise with us.   We stayed at the Hilton marina many moons ago. I continue to check the reviews and most are not good.  We go to the Renaissance up the street and while not luxury, it serves the purpose and we can walk to restaurants, etc.   do you have another cruise booked before November?  Are you moving more so to celebrity now than rccl?

hi @maggieq we are on Ovation to Alaska in June next year, and then Ascent next November. 
 

I’ve booked the Renaissance for next November

before our Ascent cruise. We are definately liking the Celeb experience. Crazy that we will be flipping to Celeb ((or even other lines) when literally just passed 350 points on Royal…

Straw just broke the camels back. 😡 

attempted to just order something via room service. 
 

the menu only shows “beverages”….An hour ago I was able to see food…

called the front desk and said you have an issue with the room service link…. She says she will send me a “ link” that works…. But it still doesn’t. 

Call again  and she says room service is closed for the night. Really???? At 7 pm on a Saturday?????

then says I need to come down to the first floor and order something from their lobby cafe…

so I stomp down to the lobby guns blazing because I am angry…. To put this is in persective, I paid close to $500 for this room, and got charged a $30 “resort” fee that is credit that must be used at the hotel. WTH!!!! And you have no food available to use it on?????

After speaking with the rep at the front desk, he apologizes profusely but says his manager is busy dealing with another issue…. But I can chat with him in the morning…. And please avail yourselves to the offerings in the lobby cafe…

only to see the lobby cafe shuttered as I walk in…. Even he is confused…. You’re closed? We didn’t get the memo….🤦🏼‍♀️

he offers me some Uber eats / door dash suggestions…. Heads are gonna roll in the morning 🤬

The room is comfortable, and a great balcony view… but the pricing here (food, drinks, room cost etc) is crazy. $23 dollars for a rum punch with the primary liquor being Malibu?????

beers around 12 dollars. 🤑

3 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 Let me know how you like it. 
 

 As I said, the only issue we’ve had has been inability to get our rooms before 3:00 - 4:00 pm. 
 

 I can also highly recommend the Boatyard restaurant for lunch / dinner.  If we get to the hotel early we leave our bags at the hotel and go for a long lunch there to kill time. 
 

we got into our room here at 3:50…. Same issue here historically …. Early check in is never possible. And I absolutely love the Boatyard. Couldn’t talk DH into taking the walk. I’ll just be dreaming about the Biimini Bread 😩

The absolute best plus of this hotel are the port views… if you are a Hilton Honors member, choose a high floor in the tower (8 or above is best) even numbers face the port, odd face the intercostal

here’s the photo dump….awesome views 

Debarkation was easy until you got to the taxi line. Uber was no better, 15-20 minutes… think it was just a busy day in port. We walked off around 9, and were on our way to the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina. 
 

again, our “go to” usually , not no more. Lots of changes, and not in a positive way….its been under “construction” for a few years it seems. 
 

the first thing we noticed is the poolside bar/restaurant is gone 

this is where is used to be. 😟 

A positive is the location can’t be beat for for yacht shopping… 

DH really outdid himself on my Xmas gift  this year 😔🥳

6 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

@niksmom630  Thanks for taking us along on your journey.  Enjoyed your comments and pictures. 

Have a safe and uneventful trip home.   You are back just in time for wind and snow. 

thanks, @DaKahuna, just booked the renaissance for our 2024 sailing in November on ascent! 

One more day in sunny FLL, heading over to the Hilton Marina Hotel shortly…. Our cabin steward, who was somewhat MIA the last few days, was knocking and randomly entering the cabin starting at 7 am… I love that you can access your cabins upon boarding, but that comes at a price. Tip…. Suggest putting the magnet on your door on Debarkation morning 

Morning views

8 hours ago, lola2013 said:

Thanks for the great review and wonderful photos.  I’m beyond excited to board tomorrow.  Safe travels back to HE!
Susan 😎

thanks, Susan! I’m certain you will enjoy your sailing! Not looking forward to returning to 30 degrees and grey skies, but looking forward to seeing my fur babes! 🐶🐶

🥺😢😭

Apparently they wait til

day 7  to bring out the big guns …. 🧁🍰🎂

Seas tonight were crazy hot….views from Tuscan…

Hit the gift shop for one last visit…,was thoroughly impressed that Celebrity hosts this in an interior venue, with no fear of riots. The frenzied scene that appears on Royal on the promenade is disturbing at best…

4 hours ago, depplep said:

I am loving the  martini sampler. I've never seen that before. 

Was delish…worth the $40 + grat upcharge…. It appeared on the planner as an “event” .?we showed up promptly at 4 pm, but it took awhile to get them to prepare after we ordered . We showed up silly tipsy to dinner since we had 30 minutes to pound these down. I recommend allowing some time to enjoy….

4 hours ago, schooner_Drinker said:

There we go 🍸 🥒 one of our favorites 

Grant and I have at least 3 of these each when we sail on Royal at their 150 CP restaurant 

 

Can you deviate from the menu or say have 2 of the same 

 

Enjoy - Looks great - Which one was your favorite 

 

Nancy 🍹

we did the choose “any” , customize your own…… also asked to add the French, which is my fave…. Absolute, chambourd, and pineapple. 
 

sampled the lemon drop with lavender, (lavender  added a funny taste to an otherwise good drink) cosmo, cucumber, a toffee apple, and a snowflake……the toffee apple and snow flake beat out all the deserts this  week…. 10/10 😉

6 hours ago, Beachlover1989 said:

This has been a fascinating live - thanks for doing! Enjoy the rest of the cruise!

thanks! So sad to see it end! The ship and its crew have provided an unforgettable experience 🥰

Going out with a ❗️ 🥳🤪

4 minutes ago, niksmom630 said:

@abbydancer I was also on infinity (may) and we had the short rib on ours … it was good, I’m going to see if I have a pic of that menu! 

ugh, no menu pic but got the short rib and the two desserts in my photos! A lot better than rice pudding 😂

1 minute ago, abbydancer said:

We did this version in the Infinity in March, and it was a different menu.  All I remember is our entree was short ribs, and they were the best part.  In fact, I just went through my pictures (drat no menu pictures) and the food looks nothing like what you had.

@abbydancer I was also on infinity (may) and we had the short rib on ours … it was good, I’m going to see if I have a pic of that menu!