LIVE! First Time Royal Cruiser In Wonder-land Oct 1-8th Let’s Cruise!

[TravelBluebird]

At beautiful Maegen’s Bay!  
 

 

 

 

Edited October 4, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

 Not raining!

[crzndeb]

23 minutes ago, fla33023 said:

Do people have and/or travel with a donor card? I know my blood type but I've never had a donor card. I didn't even know it was a thing!

In Washington State, it is listed on my driver’s license that I am a donor. Now that usually means if I die, I will donate organs, so not sure how it pertains to somebody who’s still alive.

[fla33023]

37 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

I didn’t know either—feel like DH and I should  have one since we travel often and could help someone out

That was my thought.  I would hate to hear that announcement and not be able to help if I could. I'll certainly look into it.

[crzndeb]

26 minutes ago, fla33023 said:

That was my thought.  I would hate to hear that announcement and not be able to help if I could. I'll certainly look into it.

I don’t know why my mind went to organ donor and not the obvious, blood donor 🤦🏼‍♀️. Do people that donate blood regularly have a card that they can keep track of dates they last donated. In this electronics age, I would think it would be digital now. It’s been years since I donated blood, but there may have been a card way back then.

Edited October 4, 2023 by crzndeb

[mtu_huskies]

1 hour ago, fla33023 said:

Do people have and/or travel with a donor card? I know my blood type but I've never had a donor card. I didn't even know it was a thing!

Red Cross has their donor card that can be on your iPhone in your apple wallet.  Easy to scan when you donate or if needed like this event I guess!

Edited October 4, 2023 by mtu_huskies

[fla33023]

2 minutes ago, mtu_huskies said:

Red Cross has their donor card that can be on your iPhone in your apple wallet.  Easy to scan when you donate or if needed like this event I guess!

Makes sense! That's what @crzndeb was thinking too. People who donate regularly may have some type of documentation. I'm wondering if a primary doctor maybe has cards they could give out. 

[TravelBluebird]

4 hours ago, TYMAN said:

Jumping in real quick, sorry. Anyway, bathroom doors have a strange my magnet that closed door at the end very loud. Found a cure. Hand towel and the door still closes. 😁

 

@TYMAN Its true. With my insomnia last night I was worried I was waking up my neighbors every time I closed the bathroom door. BUT, I haven’t heard my neighbors doors banging so perhaps it is OK!

Edited October 4, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

I’m back, showered and ready for dinner!  Didn’t get back to the ship till after 6pm.

 

Does anyone know where I can get a great Chocolate Martini on the ship? It’s time for my first (and possibly only) mixed drink of the cruise! 😀
 

 

[TravelBluebird]

I have mixed feelings about today’s excursion (5 Star Magen Bay, Shopping) . Really, all it ended up being was transportation in an open jitney bus to 3 locations on the island and back to the ship.  The locations are Mountain Top, Magen’s Bay, and downtown Charlotte Amalie.

 

Jitneys seem a bit dangerous in the traffic and especially up the windy road to Mountain Top, but then I’m always uncomfortable without a seatbelt…many years ago I was in a taxi accident in London and got thrown into the windshield—yup, no seatbelt in the tai. 

 

That, and the minimal information the tour guide gave us was useless—very heavy accent, and even for times returning to bus at each location, we had to have him repeat several times. SO, for the $79.95 I was charged for this tour, I don’t think it is worth it at all.

 

I STILL had a lovely time!

 

Funny story. This morning I got to the excursion meet-up point (Royal Theater) and had they had beach towels available, bottles of water, etc. Found out no ponhos for rain or water would be provided on tour. I thought…hmm…I messed up, I should bring a beach towel and get a water. They said, sure you have a ton of time to get your beach bag. I go back to the room, and by the time I get back (maybe 10 minutes?) ALL the tours have left! (It wasn’t that many because of the cancellations).  

 

So, a crew member nicely brings me downstairs and shows me where my tour is. Cool.. Once on the line, they are offering refunds to EVERYONE who wanted one because the beach is closed today—no chairs, umbrellas, food, beverages. Ugh. No I’m REALLY sad I don’t have a towel and water. And we were told the beach was the first stop.

 

Well, turns out the beach was NOT the first stop! Mountain Top was, and God will provide (or, the Island, if you are an atheist).  I got a fine beach towel for $6.99 on sale in their ginormous gift shop, AND a water! 

Edited October 4, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

Here are some more photos of the day—leaving the ship, and then Mountain Top; more about the day after I’m all settled for dinner:  A Virgin ship was in port with us, and I later saw a Disney ship leaving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 4, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

Tried to venture into Ventral Park color Jazz band before dinner.  It was raining heavily, so heard the orchestra playing on Promenade instead! 
 

At Hooked for dinner tonight.  I just found out I can get whole Maine Lobster  on the UDP.  That is my favorite food.  I may just cancel the rest of my dinners and eat here the rest of the cruise! 😂

 

Pretty empty—no problem with walk ins I’d imagine!

 

 

 

 

Edited October 5, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

I THINK I’m looking down at the Solarium Bistro.

 

Not fancy—going for a New England Lobster House vibe.

[TravelBluebird]

I got both the Baked Oysters AND the Soft  Shell Crabs for appetizers.

 

Don’t judge me.  Last thing I had to eat was at 10:30 am!  😀

 

 

Edited October 5, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

The lobster was PERFECTLY cooked and delicious.

 

Carnival undercooked my lobster twice on the   Venezia  and I STILL haven’t forgiven them.  Maybe that’s why I’m on Wonder this week! 🥲

Edited October 5, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

Ok, back to the rest of the excursion while I finish my Coconut Cream Pie (tasty, could be fluffier).  Also before I forget, for sides, I had french fries (basic but good) and the Mac N Cheese Lobster, just a taste. It was OK heavy on the cheese and light on the lobster, but then who am I to judge Mac N Cheese since I rarely eat it?

 

As I said, rest of excursion…

 

Mountain Top was a tourist trap, but I will forgive them because of the incredible views, Also the home of the World Famous Banana Daquiri (over 6 million sold!) and everyone who had one liked it.

 

Plus they had my inexpensive beach towel, so props to them.  Really one of the largest souvenir shops of any kind I’ve ever seen.

 

We got to the beach and big signs said it was CLOSED. Well, it was closed unless you came in a tour bus or a taxi.  We were told correctly no services except for bathrooms. I was glad I had my beach towel to sit down on after I finished walking on the beach.

 

If you come to this beach, be a little careful—sharp drop off right after the breaker waves to the right.  One gal I saw got a little bit stuck.

 

Overall, Magen’s Bay is a BEAUTiFUL beach.  While we were there it did NOT rain and everyone was sad that we only had 1 hour there instead of the usual (shortened because of the weather forcast).

 

When our jitney got to Charlotte Amalie, it was met by one of those annoying “shopping associates.” big free party at Diamonds International!  LOL.  I followed the group there to get the lay of the land, a free water and charm, and barely stopped walking as I got out to explore on my own.

 

Spent a considerable time sitting on a bench watching the stormy waves Met another “solo” traveler on the bench. Well, she was solo because she was here with her 20-something kids!   I’ll try to post a movie below to give you the idea of it.  Also, found a delightful small store, Harbor Front Trading Co. that specialized in handmade items and Fair Trade; got my sun a turtle and a small watercolor of St. Thomas to join 2 I have of Halifax for my video studio backdrop.

 

We left in the pouring rain and very gusty winds!

 

I walked around getting images of the port.  It felt nice to get back to our big, beautiful ship.

 

On the way in, a man in front of me slipped on a short metal gangway and fell hard. Brought up memories of my broken ankle.  Other than a very skinned knee and being shook up, he was OK.

 

In case I forgot to mention above, the captain did confirm that the short jaunt off course last night was to get the ill person to helicopter that came out to get him.

 

 

 

Edited October 5, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

By the way, the waves and wind got MUCH worse than in that video above. I have a video of tghat  I need to edit shorter for you—I had to stand by the stores because it was SO windy.  I think that is how those weather people who get blown around in hurricanes feel. 

 

Right now the seas are MUCH calmer than they have been.  Wind at 32 knots pretty constant.  Maybe Tropical Storm Philippe is finally moving his bloomin’ ___ out of the way of our cruise ship?

 

I may or may not make it to the 80s Party…I’m TIRED and that is at 10:45pm!  The parties are later on Royal, and tomorrow is an EARLY wake up for Sint Marteen. I have an independent tour there tomorrow morning (through ShoreEx; supposed to be a small group).

 

Going to go pack my travel bag for tomorrow so if I DO go to the party, I won’t have to worry about it.

 

Edited October 5, 2023 by TravelBluebird

[Tazzybear14]

Love our reviews!  I will be getting on the ship Sunday as you are debarking.  I have been on the Allure and Oasis so I think the Wonder will be pretty comparable and I loved them both.  Thank you for taking the time to do this.

[TravelBluebird]

1 hour ago, Tazzybear14 said:

Love our reviews!  I will be getting on the ship Sunday as you are debarking.  I have been on the Allure and Oasis so I think the Wonder will be pretty comparable and I loved them both.  Thank you for taking the time to do this.

 

Seriously my pleasure! I enjoy sharing the experience! Ack JELLY I’m already counting that I only have 3 days left (1 port and 2 sea days).  Don’t worry, we’re leaving your ship in good condition (well, so far)!

[TravelBluebird]

So I decided to get my fav Blueberry Nojito from my fav bartender in Boleros.  Latin band was playing. They are good but WAY too loud; only 3 couples dancing; I think more would dance if they’d turn it down a bit.

 

Then I wandered to the 1980s party.  GREAT playlist, heavy on the new wave, the dancers leading the party were fun BUT it was terribly crowded with no room to dance; most of the people were watching the dancers instead of getting involved. And again it was LOUD; for some reason much louder than the Balloon Drop party. So I left after 15 minutes.

 

Thought about the casino but have to be at my tour group meet point at 9am, so decided to walk though the beautifully quiet Central Park to sound-detox, and now I’m headed to bed. Night all! I’m excited about Sint Marteen in the morning!

[TYMAN]

Jumping in again. 😁 Great country band in Mason Jar! That bar is the happening place!! Dinner was great too! Looking forward to brunch on Friday, thanks Mike!

 

Time for my daily breakfast at Johnny Rockets! 

[silentbob007]

21 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

Wow.  Woman at counter didn’t even bother to put my coffee order in.  She’s gone and the new person out here made iris right away with an apology but still.  20 minutes! 😡

Sorry about the dud recommendation. 😞

 

I just remember fine great baristas on my last cruise who were very quick, friendly, and wanted to rate my coffee I bought on shore. 

[OCSC Mike]

52 minutes ago, TYMAN said:

Great country band in Mason Jar! That bar is the happening place!! Dinner was great too! Looking forward to brunch on Friday, thanks Mike!

 

I'm not even a country fan but they really were great... and they will play non-country. I heard some funny story about them doing a Backstreet Boys song or something, lol. Told ya the bar was very popular. Glad you liked it all!

 

I'm sure you'll like brunch. The blackberry moonshine lemonade was a nice drink for that time of day too but the food would be just as delicious with water.

 

What did you like about dinner there? We're doing brunch again in March but then we'll be D+ so I'm planning ahead for BOGO's (since they may or may not let us use it on brunch and we also want to try Giovanni's Kitchen for dinner). I'm sure I'd enjoy it and my wife tried some dinner items at brunch that she liked, but I've heard quite a few people say the BBQ wasn't very good.

[TYMAN]

3 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

I'm not even a country fan but they really were great... and they will play non-country. I heard some funny story about them doing a Backstreet Boys song or something, lol. Told ya the bar was very popular. Glad you liked it all!

 

I'm sure you'll like brunch. The blackberry moonshine lemonade was a nice drink for that time of day too but the food would be just as delicious with water.

 

What did you like about dinner there? We're doing brunch again in March but then we'll be D+ so I'm planning ahead for BOGO's (since they may or may not let us use it on brunch and we also want to try Giovanni's Kitchen for dinner). I'm sure I'd enjoy it and my wife tried some dinner items at brunch that she liked, but I've heard quite a few people say the BBQ wasn't very good.

I thought the ribs were pretty good. My son had the chicken sandwich and he said the brine on it was really tasty. Christine had the chicken and it looked good. Funny thing is they didn’t have green tomatoes so we had the fried “ripe” tomatoes. 😂 Gede, our waiter, was awesome! Looking forward to brunch, and will do the “Mike” recommended drink. 😁

[TYMAN]

PS…..haven’t found Ms Dee yet, she’s a on the go all the time young lady. 😂