SilkySal

Definitely! He's still a hunk! WooWoo!

I've known some start-ups inviting potential clients to a free lunch or dinner in order to hear about what they are selling. Similar to those trying to sell vacation condos/resorts, giving possible clients a free weekend to listen to a 45-minute sales talk.

I am currently using a scooter and, while on a cruise a couple of years ago, saw a man driving his scooter, who had some great mirrors on the handles, so he could see behind him! I asked where he got them, as I had been only able to find bike mirrors, which are too short and don't work for those on scooters. Lo and behold, the gentleman makes them out of his garage as a hobby! He always brings extra pairs while cruising and I bought a pair on the spot ($50)! Make it so much easier to back up my scooter, enabling me to see what's behind me! Anyway, I always carry a few of his business cards in my scooter for those who ask about them. I don't solicit. He calls his hobby business "See Behind Mirrors" and he lives here in Florida. Also, regarding the leaving business cards on tables, when the spa and jewelry people walk around placing their flyers on our table, they usually get thrown in the trash. I tell them no thanks but they still leave the flyers. Hate that! But, maybe some people don't.

It's been awhile for us too but I seem to remember dropping luggage off sometime between 9-10am. Maybe someone else can confirm! Update: DH says we had to wait in line a long time for drop off and didn't get them dropped off until after 10:00am. Sorry. Guess I was wrong (don't tell him I said that).

According to RCI's web site and My Cruise planner, the Royal Railway is not excluded from the UDP. I took a picture in case they deny the reservation. We board Utopia in February and are unable to make Railway reservations at this time. Hopefully, after the New Year, it will become available.

I agree with the no diapers in the pool rule. Yes, solid stool can be (but not always) contained in the diaper but the bacteria present is not, so hence the rule. As for kids without diapers, accidents do happen to them, as well as some adults too. Yes, more shade would be nice. I also think kids should wear swim shoes anyway to help avoid slipping on wet pavement. By the way, on one of our previous cruises, we noticed a couple with a toddler, who brought a small blow-up pool to the sun deck. They blew up the pool, filled it with water from the outdoor pool shower, and sat it down right next to their pool loungers, so their child could sit in it and play with her toys. I would have never thought of that! Very smart!

What is the rule?

Interesting query; unfortunately, I do not know the answer. However, you might consider going to the roll calls of a current cruise on Odyssey and ask your question to those people currently on board and posting on CC for an answer to your question. Good luck!

Thanks so much to all of you! I ruled out the winter coat and will take a light hooded wind breaker/rain jacket over a long sleeve shirt and long jeans the first few days on board. Once farther south, I can break out the shorts, short sleeves, swimsuit and sandals. DH is hesitant to take long pants, other than dinner slacks but he tolerates 50-60 degree weather ok in shorts; I don't. He will take a light wind breaker/rain jacket as well. I took out some heavier stuff too, such as my travel hair dryer, a fairly heavy book, costume jewelry, too much makeup (which I usually don't wear anyway), and "maybe" my full bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash (I prefer mine vs the ship stuff). Delta luggage weight limit is 50#, so will pack less than I normally do. Packing list now complete! Thanks again! Sal

Hope it stays away this weekend. Tom and I are supposed to fly out of Tampa early Friday morning to Salt Lake and on to Vancouver for our Radiance cruise, and we don't want to miss the ship! However, we've cruised enough to know that it is what it is, so rolling the dice! Cheers and happy cruising! If a storm hits Tampa upon our return to Tampa in October, we won't care cause we'll be on a ship!

Hubby and I will board the Celebrity Beyond in April, 2025. We booked the ship's excursion for a helicopter tour of Antigua, which has been on my bucket list to fly in a helicopter, so very much looking forward to this one! Has anyone done this tour, who can provide us with first hand experience? I researched the type of helicopter they will use for this tour and read that it will hold up to 7 passengers plus the pilot, so sounds like a big one! https://corporatehelicopters.com/helicopter-services/helicopter-sales/eurocopter/ec130-t2/ We've been in a small seaplane over Alaska, so I'm fairly certain that this one will be just as enjoyable!! Thanks for any insight!!

I usually even eat the orchids! LOL!

You can probably go into your app on your phone and add the on-board events to your calendar for a reminder but you won't need an actual reservation; you can go or not. I like to put most of them on my calendar for a reminder of what's going on around the ship! Happy cruising! Go into your cruise planner and and click on the dots on the far right at the bottom. You'll see "explore more", so click on that. Scroll up to see "things to do". You can add entertainment events and activities to your calendar for reminders! Easy!

Hubby and I will be boarding the Radiance next week from Vancouver to La, and on through the Panama Canal to Tampa. He refuses to take long sleeve shirts but will have a light weight jacket plus slacks for dinner. I'm thinking I should pack a few long sleeve blouses for a few days until we sail farther south. I intend to wear long jeans, long sleeve shirt, and light jacket on the plane. Still packing plenty of shorts, capris and short sleeve tops to wear when south of LA. Does this sound like a good plan? Hate to drag a winter coat along. Thanks all!

Hubby and I will be boarding the Radiance next week from Vancouver to La, and on through the Panama Canal to Tampa. He refuses to take long sleeve shirts but will have a light weight jacket plus slacks for dinner. I'm thinking I should pack a few long sleeve blouses for a few days until we sail farther south. I intend to wear long jeans, long sleeve shirt, and light jacket on the plane. Still packing plenty of shorts, capris and short sleeve tops to wear when south of LA. Does this sound like a good plan? Hate to drag a winter coat along. Thanks all!

We board Radiance next week for 24 nights and bought the Refreshment package for both DH and myself. We are D+, so get 5 free drinks, which we will use for alcoholic drinks. If you don't use all of the vouchers each night, you can even take a bottle of beer, soda or juice back to your cabin for the next morning. The Refreshment package allows for ALL drinks without alcohol including specialty coffees and frozen mocktails by the pool, plus bottled water and fresh juices. In my opinion, this is the best package for those who do not drink a lot of alcohol. Enjoy! Cheers!

We board Radiance next week, Friday, 9/27, so hoping all is fixed and in good shape for our cruise from Vancouver to LA to Tampa!! Please post if you hear more issues (or maybe not so I don't stress out). Thanks!

Oh yeah, definitely going there for a lunch dessert!! Thanks!!

Yep, we have made having lunch in a specialty restaurant on embarkation day a priority. Well worth the price for the atmosphere and relaxation. Love it!

Thanks for all of the great info and pics!! We'll be on the Utopia next February for a 3-night followed by the 4-night cruise. We bought the UDP for the 4-night and I was wondering if Izumi in the Park would be included in that package. If not, I still intend to get one of those delicious desserts anyway! Maybe someone knows the answer. Thanks again and happy cruising!

Correct me if I am wrong but the Icon is not an Oasis class ship. Icon is a class of it's own (I think). Oasis class is also our favorite class!

Just popped in to say that I love all of the great advice from all of you! Thanks so much for helping out your fellow cruisers! Cheers friends!

Ditto to the comments above; Oasis class is our favorite as well. Happy cruising!

I am surprised that Diet Coke wasn't an option on the package. I guess your only option would be to go to Guest Services upon boarding and ask that the Coke be changed to Diet Coke, and they should be able to help you. Cheers!

Here is the Utopia general roll call; however, your cruise week has not been posted yet. You could always start one for your cruise though! https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/2650-utopia-of-the-seas-roll-calls/ In any case, hope you have a great cruise! We booked Utopia for February, 2025 and are looking forward to exploring the new ship! Cheers!