LIVE. Symphony of the Seas. April 20-28 2024. Sail away with me.

[mo&fran]

55 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/royal-caribbean-to-roll-out-facial-recognition-technology-for-disembarkation-in-select-ports

 

That's why when you get on and off the ship now, the guy behind the podium says things like Welcome back Jim, Welcome back Donna!........no dings.

you do realize that report is 4 over years old and is about C&I facial recognition. mothing to do with ship board operations. 

[Ocean Boy]

4 hours ago, firefly333 said:

We did the dive ship where the ship goes underwater but you can see. Some saw small turtles but missed me. They fed the fish once and we saw some coral.

 

Curacao for me that excursion to see what was in the sea was a bust. Not really a submarine. Going back next April. I want to see the ostrich farm at curacao. Good reviews. 

I've been to the ostrich farm there. We really enjoyed the experience. That is one of the very few ship sponsored excursions that we've done. It was a lot easier than planning it on our own. It also included a stop at the aloe plantation. That turned out to be very interesting, too.

[Luckynana]

10 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

My last two stops there RCI seems to be getting the less convenient pier.

Ours was also on the Beyond last month.  The walk felt like the Neverending Story....and boy, was it hot!!!

[Ocean Boy]

1 hour ago, Jimbo said:

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/royal-caribbean-to-roll-out-facial-recognition-technology-for-disembarkation-in-select-ports

 

That's why when you get on and off the ship now, the guy behind the podium says things like Welcome back Jim, Welcome back Donna!........no dings.

Odyssey is not using facial recognition. There is still a slight sound when the machine reads your card.

[Jimbo]

7 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

I've been to the ostrich farm there. We really enjoyed the experience. That is one of the very few ship sponsored excursions that we've done. It was a lot easier than planning it on our own. It also included a stop at the aloe plantation. That turned out to be very interesting, too.

 

4 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Odyssey is not using facial recognition. There is still a slight sound when the machine reads your card.

You would think by now all Royal's ship would be using that, when they started this 4 years ago........If not why isn't it fleetwide by now,

Edited April 24 by Jimbo

[Ocean Boy]

2 minutes ago, Luckynana said:

Ours was also on the Beyond last month.  The walk felt like the Neverending Story....and boy, was it hot!!!

Yes, with all the walking I already do during the port stop, it just seem like a long walk out to that second pier.

[Sunshine3601]

2 hours ago, Jimbo said:

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/royal-caribbean-to-roll-out-facial-recognition-technology-for-disembarkation-in-select-ports

 

That's why when you get on and off the ship now, the guy behind the podium says things like Welcome back Jim, Welcome back Donna!........no dings.

I just clicked on the link.  This has to do with facial recognition when going through customs after disembarking.  Nothing to do with the bong sound when leaving or returning the ship on a port day.

[SteelCityCruiser10]

2 hours ago, Lionesss said:

Real apple pie for dessert. 
 

what was the raisin situation here?  yay or nay?  

[h20skibum]

30 minutes ago, SteelCityCruiser10 said:

what was the raisin situation here?  yay or nay?  

Real apple pie should not have raisins. 

[SteelCityCruiser10]

12 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

Real apple pie should not have raisins. 

That’s how I interpret “real” as well.  

[Ocean Boy]

16 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

Real apple pie should not have raisins. 

Agree.

[A&L_Ont]

 

1 hour ago, h20skibum said:

Real apple pie should not have raisins. 

 

1 hour ago, SteelCityCruiser10 said:

That’s how I interpret “real” as well.  

 

1 hour ago, Ocean Boy said:

Agree.

High fives all around. 

[BonTexasNY]

4 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

I was just going to say this. 

I was thinking the same regarding the kids hallway nasty shenanigans.

Edited April 25 by BonTexasNY

[perfect match]

9 hours ago, Lionesss said:

Random pictures from the spouse Olympus water camera of missing turtles excursion.

Sue, do you know what beach your tour company took you to?  We  booked privately and saw plenty of turtles! Our guide did say that timing is everything because the turtles know when the local fishermen come back to shore and will be cleaning their catch. That’s a dinner bell for the turtles!

 

Since you didn’t get to see any turtles, I wanted to share one of mine with you. Enjoy!

 

Edited April 25 by perfect match

[nasa1974]

12 hours ago, xtremegk said:

 

Very late to the party...

 

Where do you stay in Cleveland? I fly in/out of there for work fairly often and struggle to find a decent hotel close to the airport.

I have stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Cleveland Airport. Nice rooms and a 5-10 minute shuttle to the airport.

The Hilton Garden Inn A Cleveland Airport Hotel

 

There are a couple of nice places on Country Club Blvd. in North Olmsted about 15 minutes from the airport (Courtyard, Extended Stay America, Sonesta Simply Suites & Hampton Inn).

[Lionesss]

4 hours ago, SteelCityCruiser10 said:

what was the raisin situation here?  yay or nay?  

I am sure if anyone requested raisins with dessert they could be added on the side. 
 

But in my opinion that would ruin the pie. 
 

However if anyone up north

like where it’s cold 

like across the border 

who knows who they are 

would like raisins. (Not) 

I am sure exceptions could be made. 
saying for a friend. 
 

😁

[h20skibum]

2 hours ago, Lionesss said:

I am sure if anyone requested raisins with dessert they could be added on the side. 
 

But in my opinion that would ruin the pie. 
 

However if anyone up north

like where it’s cold 

like across the border 

who knows who they are 

would like raisins. (Not) 

I am sure exceptions could be made. 
saying for a friend. 
 

😁

You are right about it being cold up here.  
 

By the way, when I drove by your place yesterday on the way to Sam’s Club, Waze told me there were two police near your intersection, looking for speeders. 
 

I am sure they would be more than happy to share your casino haul. 

[sgmn]

17 hours ago, Lionesss said:

PART ONE

 

Good afternoon from Curaçao  

 

Woke up to pre ordered breakfast from room service. 
 

We were group 12 for the turtle swim and met in studio B. 

Very organized led to an outdoor line. 
Tickets collected. 
Off to large van like taxi cab which easily seats 12 adults. 
30 min ride to turtle location. 
 

Boarded boat. Safety talk. Fitted for fins mask snorkel  vest. 
 

Jump off boat from a couple feet up. 
 

So 

Rough waters.
Waves a tad to high for my liking. 

Turned in gear. 
I just. Chilled on the boat. 
 

We had about 30 on excursion. 
A tad crowded. 
 

About 45 min for those who did it. 
 

No turtles

One stingray. 
 

Back to shore. 
 

This was a newer company RCI used. 
Technically the old one was better. 

But 
Boat was older. 
Not enough seating on first 

Disappointing that you didn't enjoy the turtle excursion.

We had better luck last September. It was a RC excursion called Beach and Turtle snorkel. We first went to quite a rough looking fishing beach and entered the water directly from beach.   We saw tons of turtles just a few yards off the beach.  They swam all around us.  We then went to a very nice beach where there were beach beds roped off for us and some great snorkeling around the rocks at the far end of beach. 

One of my favourite excursions

[Lionesss]

QUICKIE UPDATE. 

 

Last night I hit a third jackpot for $1,650. 
 

My camera did not catch the picture. 
 

My spouse as my witness. 
 

Phone not broke. 
 

Alcohol effect

 

Later 

[Lionesss]

Ship news. 
 

There are 3 cruisers still missing a suit cases. RCI allocated them money to buy clothes on Aruba. 
 

A few cabins on the 10th level has cruisers not having a great experience. 
 

First of all. There showers have been backing up.  And at other times just not draining. 
But even worse their toilets do make the flushing sound but at times back up.  Not a pretty sight. 
Maintenance going cabin to cabin working to resolve  the issues. 
 

We heard that one cabin on embarkation day had an industrial fan drying the freshly cleaned/washed carpet. 
 

Hope we stay dry. We are on deck 9. 
 

Be safe. 

[Lionesss]

5 hours ago, h20skibum said:

You are right about it being cold up here.  
 

By the way, when I drove by your place yesterday on the way to Sam’s Club, Waze told me there were two police near your intersection, looking for speeders. 
 

I am sure they would be more than happy to share your casino haul. 

News from the township says we have.    3-5 police men. 
 

Where the cops are running radar by our street at McCullough hardware. The owner is the financial township person that was voted out of office. She is under investigation as others for missing funds. Coming from your house her brand new house on the right $$$$$$. 
 

later

[Sea Dog]

30 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

QUICKIE UPDATE. 

 

Last night I hit a third jackpot for $1,650. 
 

My camera did not catch the picture. 
 

My spouse as my witness. 
 

Phone not broke. 
 

Alcohol effect

 

Later 

I would be curious to know and I understand if you don’t want to answer but would like to know how long did you play before hitting that jackpot and how much money did you put in before it paid out and what denomination were you playing with?

[Lionesss]

9 hours ago, perfect match said:

Sue, do you know what beach your tour company took you to?  We  booked privately and saw plenty of turtles! Our guide did say that timing is everything because the turtles know when the local fishermen come back to shore and will be cleaning their catch. That’s a dinner bell for the turtles!

 

Since you didn’t get to see any turtles, I wanted to share one of mine with you. Enjoy!

 

The crew called it Turtle Beach. 
But two years ago we were at another beach where the fisherman cleaned their catch and dumped fish remnants in the water  with more turtles feasting. 
 

Sad this happened to us. 
 

Be safe. 

Edited April 25 by Lionesss

[Lionesss]

4 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

I would be curious to know and I understand if you don’t want to answer but would like to know how long did you play before hitting that jackpot and how much money did you put in before it paid out and what denomination were you playing with?

Great question. 
 

Greg it is a quarter machine. 
That you can play .25 cents a spin 

up to $$12.50 a spin. 
 

I play around

Anywhere from $1.25 a spin 

up to $5. 
 

I have been hitting on the $5 amount. 
 

Once I hit max bet. 
It took $12.50 on one spin. 
A tad to expensive. 
 

And yes I use some of the winnings to keep on playing. 
 

Still ahead. 
 

Be safe. 

[Sea Dog]

1 minute ago, Lionesss said:

Great question. 
 

Greg it is a quarter machine. 
That you can play .25 cents a spin 

up to $$12.50 a spin. 
 

I play around

Anywhere from $1.25 a spin 

up to $5. 
 

I have been hitting on the $5 amount. 
 

Once I hit max bet. 
It took $12.50 on one spin. 
A tad to expensive. 
 

And yes I use some of the winnings to keep on playing. 
 

Still ahead. 
 

Be safe. 

Thank you! I find this very interesting in learning about slot strategies.