Bead Pirate

Sitting in the martini bar right now (with about 600 others)… Bridge has made 3 announcements so far. There is indeed a technical issue (it has been identified and will be addressed as we overnight) yes, it is windy season (evidenced by the strong impact when the starboard tug got up to us) all of the impatient ones are being sent back this way as they head to the stairwells. The APP is in a constant update. will keep you advised if the facts as they are shared by the bridge.

I will be using an APP on the phone (only works in FL of course)...

On Beyond now and have eaten in Blue every night so far (today is day 5 of 12). We have ordered off both the Blu menu and the MDR menu repeatedly. Just walk in and they will seat you, as noted above folks are beasts of nature and tend to dine at the same time every night.

Going to let the wonderful butler staff pamper me while I lay on the pool deck and bet on some sports events.

App is working fine here on the Beyond 🙂

We are getting on the Seashore for a two-week B2B on the 14th. Can you let us know who the entertainers are in the Top Sail Lounge? Hoping one of them is Bernard 🙂 Thank You!

On this cruise as well... Had a rare sighting of a child yesterday (Day 3). First one I have seen this trip 🙂

On Beyond right now. Signed for drinks at the World Class (drinks were a couple of dollars over limit) and at Eden (drinks were a couple dollars over limit). No signing required at Martini Bar, Craft Social or pool deck.

Celebrity usually does not publish these until much closer to cruise date on the Holiday cruises. Many locations will be serving a special menu and are priced higher as a special event. You may notice that there has also been a corporate decision (on both Royal and Celebrity) to do away with the longer 12 night cruise concept that covered Christmas and New Years to break it into two separate cruises .

There are upcharges (at lunch) for menu specific items. We are getting on Monday, and I plan to eat lunch there on Tuesday, will post my receipt for you...

I did note that this past Sunday was a bit "different" when we boarded the Wonder. We sail on her a lot (i think we have 8 cruises in the next 3 months) so we get to know the shore staff and exchange jokes, etc. The x-ray screeners were taking all of the bottles of juice, water, etc. out and counting them. I have never noticed this before and when I asked what was going on she responded "we have been getting a little lax and some things are making it through that should not". We did get our 6 pack of clamato juice through as well as two cartons of protein shakes. The folks next to us at the other scanner were having to leave some soft drinks and water for pickup on return. (not sure why anyone needs that many packs of water). In talking with others there was a very long line at the "naughty room" to pick up checked suitcases. This may be because they increase emphasis during Spring Break (which has most assuredly started)...

On Wonder today at CoCo Cay with a reported 1,800 kids (got to love spring break). I would guess that 95% of them are currently in the water (Ocean, pools, water park) ... The other 5% just slept in late 🙂

On 2 weeks ago... The guy in the pub was the one who wears the cowboy hat and walks around with his guitar both in the pub and outside the door. He is OK but tends to drift off mid-song into another song. Dazzles Will be used by the following groups and entertainment (varies each and every night): Revolution (house band, really good) Jazz Quartet (at least 2 nights) Orchestra Band (at least 2 nights) Game shows (at least 2 nights) If there are too many PINS for the Suite Lounge, they will take over Dazzles until 8 PM for their PIN happy hours space. (it takes them a while to clear out so figure 8:30 PM before entertainment gets going)

Medical kit... various creams (rash, itch, allergy), various size bandages and antiseptic cream. A couple of ACE bandages, OTC cold, allergy meds. Covid tests, ear drops, super glue (great to mend gashes and stop bleeding), Eppi Pen, cold and heat packs. All fits in a lunchbox sized pack that we throw in a suitcase. When we travel with friends, they refer to the bag as the traveling hospital 🙂 until they need something from it...

There will likely be some rocking of the ship (funny what 1,500 kids can do to a ship).🙂 As noted above the weather is unpredictable but the Wonder is a very stable ship and having done more than 3 dozen sailings on her we have never felt any excessive movement, We switch over to the "old peoples" lines in December and January to enjoy the holidays with fewer of the walking petri dishes. Happy cruising whatever you decide.

A lot of large groups do the weekend cruise at least once a month. They all know each other, they know the bartenders, dealers, band members, etc. It can be a booze cruise to be sure and you may take a hot minute to figure out how to work around them all.

In addition to the above information... Scheduling can and will change nearly nightly (sometimes within an hour of the band performing). The app tends to lag behind. You are better off asking the band members what their schedule is each evening at the first performance. Music Hall can be the worst. hours of shows, operating times are affected by private rentals, number of PINS on board (often is turned into PIN lounge) and game shows that run long. The scheduled performers are then moved to Central Park, Attic, or deck 5. Lots of long faces when people come in expecting a Queen Tribute from Revolution and instead get to see the end of a game show...

Stayed in the house, called the manager and then the police to make a report.

You just turn it on, walk around the perimeter of the room and near any furniture... very simple.

RAVIAD Detector (had to look in the suitcase) 🙂

We were on the Symphony (right down the hall from this room in fact). He was not our room steward BTW. Amazon has a great hidden camera / microphone detector that runs on a couple AA Batteries for $50 bucks. We throw it in the suitcase whenever we travel land/sea/air does not matter. Takes 2 minutes to scan a room or can do a house in 5 minutes. Great peace of mind... ...and yes, we have found both microphones and hidden cameras (in rental housing).

We stayed on EST the entire cruise...

We had a couple of Pins wear shorts & T-shirts in CK for dinner on Formal night this week ... There was some discussion at the door, but the staff relented...

Izumi Hibachi is always the first seats to sell out. On the Symphony now and sat in the suite lounge on boarding day near the Concierge, no seats at any time for Hibachi by 2 PM. No seats for Wonderland by 2:45....

Caviar offering is long gone. It used to require 1 days' notice and was $295 for a 1 once jar of Ocetra with bellinis and all the fixing (as well as 4 shots of vodka)