theOSU1

Mariner had excellent connectivity in all parts of the ship this past week, not so good with connectivity on the top deck or main theater on Explorer, two weeks ago.

WJ on Mariner for dinner is basic dinner food...but you will most likely find something to your liking. SEEK OUT Chef Amol for any specific food requests and seek out Arif any dining service issues you may need addressed. (both currently onboard) Enjoy dinner at your own pace...

Goodtime Cruisin, That was Giri playing the guitar at the Windjammer entrance, such a great Asst Waiter in the My Time MDR. Thanks for your positive comments for a really hardworking crew member.

Please contact me at theosu1 at yahoo . com

Jo Jo's World is super entertaining (when related to cruises) and Don's Vacations is a go to daily vlog. Certainly is enlightening when you meet these vloggers onboard and you get their real vibe.

Can't wait for the 4/23/23 TA crossing to try out the 2 new water slides!

Myra was the lead bartender in Starquest bar for the Nov/22 TA and previous 6-nighter on Brilliance and was extremely good to the dedicated group that met almost every night. Myra is currently the lead in the R bar and Vintages bar. She will be your best option for any concoction. Sad to report the current lead bartender in Starquest bar is not very friendly and makes poor decisions concerning honoring Diamond vouchers after midnight. His current bar crew is quite unfriendly and not worth tipping.

Just off Jewel today...Lays chips were only available from 9 PM to 1 AM. NO chips from Park Cafe during the daytime hours. (The Park Cafe staff was really good)

To be clear, each night I would usually have upwards of 4 of my 5 D+ vouchers that would be unused, just prior to the stoke of mid-night. Since the bar staff would not honor any unused vouchers 1 minute after midnight (nightly), I would tell the bar staff shortly before midnight , to process all of the unused vouchers (kind of like "pre-paying" for a drink). I would then use the "pre-paid drinks" in the wee hours of the morning (tipping of course for each drink). The only problem with that plan, is the one bartender that processed the vouchers would often leave the bar area for a "break" or to wash glasses or whatever and trying to convince other bartenders I have a "prepaid drink" already, was a comedy by itself. This plan especially was compounded by others doing the same "prepaid plan" (because it was the only option), causing even more confusion with multiple bar staff members. The bottom line is that the staff involved did not know of the voucher policy change (or did not want to hear about it) and took NO effort to resolve the issue. Somehow, the staff (from top to bottom) thought myself (and others) were trying to cheat the system, which was not the case at all. Otherwise, the 14-night B to B cruise was awesome!

Just off Jewel of the Seas today. I can report that myself (and other D+ as well) did NOT get vouchers honored at the deck 13 disco (Vortex) for 14-nights, after midnight to 4:59 AM, on each night. The bar staff (and lead Vortex bartender) could not be convinced that a policy change was made on 12/15/22 to 4:49 AM. Multiple attempts with the Loyally Ambassador (who was totally useless), both the Asst and Food & Bev Mgr. to resolve the issue ended in NO results. Staff got to the point they would run in a different direction when seen out and about on the ship. I finally resorted to using all of my vouchers pre-paid before midnight and hoping (and preying) the bar staff would honor drinks after midnight. No amount of tipping per drink seemed to have any affect. I am really disappointed in the Jewel staff that were involved, but the bottom line is - they did not want to hear about the voucher policy change and took NO (zero) action to resolve it. Otherwise, it was an awesome 14-night (B to B) cruise!

I can confirm that the Captain of Explorer has recently met with the crew and outlined Amp improvements that will be undertaken in the mid-January - March drydock. The crew member on Explorer that I was in contact with recently, confirmed the 2 water slides would be installed, for sure. (AWESOME!)

I used my D+ vouchers everyday on Mariner, at JR's for a really good chocolate milkshake (vanilla, chocolate or strawberry available). Made from ice cream on the spot and very, very good. I would get one after 9 PM each night and take it to a show or bar I would go to. Available from noon to 5 PM or 9 PM to 11 PM each day (when they were open). I also could get 50% off ($2.50 off) for milkshakes with a D+ discount, just make sure you are specific which option you want to use. Tip - give your JR waiter a bag of M&Ms as a tip and they will come running to you when they see you!