LIVE from Odyssey of the Seas Transatlantic April 21, 2024 thru May 5, 2024

[Joe33472]

All our bags are packed and we're ready to go..... on our first cruise in probably 30 years.    We booked this cruise over a year ago and can't believe we leave tomorrow.   We live in South Florida, so travel to the port will be easy tomorrow afternoon.  Since we plan on carrying on our luggage, I scheduled a 2:00 p.m. check-in time so we can go right to our stateroom.  I was able to convince my SO that carry on size bags would be best because we'll be spending some time in Europe after the cruise.  We originally were going to carry on a 24" luggage each, but opted for this set up.  It still looks like a lot....  

 

 

The cruise itself is 14 days with four ports of call.  We were originally going to take the Celebrity Beyond TA to Rome, but Celebrity cancelled that cruise.  We're actually pretty excited that it worked out that way, because I think that Royal Caribbean is a better fit for us.  

 

 

I'm going to review and post pictures as we go along.  

 

[LooneyCruzer]

We are at the airport flying in now

[marchand28]

About to cross into FL from GA. Definitely have bigger bags than you all. But not as much as usual. See everyone tomorrow!

[Joe33472]

Completed the health questionnaire....  That was pretty easy!  

 

Just two questions, but the second one is all encompassing....  Wonder what they do if you select YES to that one....

 

 

[GimmeOcean]

Woohoo, a thread for our TA. Hope you don’t mind if others contribute. We flew in to FLL this morning and are at the Riverside hotel tonight. About to go check out the riverwalk. Can’t wait to board tomorrow!

[Ocean Boy]

Odyssey is one of my favorite ships. I'm looking forward to following along. Wishing all  on board a great cruise!

[Joe33472]

1 minute ago, Ocean Boy said:

Odyssey is one of my favorite ships. I'm looking forward to following along.

 

So glad to hear that the Odyssey is one of your favorites.  We were debating between this TA and the Oasis TA going to Barcelona.   It seems like people either really like or don't like quantum class ships.  We really have no frame of reference, since we haven't been on a cruise ship in years, so we're really excited to experience one of these huge ships and to see how the cruise industry has changed (I think it's for the better).    The Odyssey looks really fun and the specialty dining selections are things that we actually eat.  Nothing against French food that some cruise lines focus on, but we're not that bougie. 

[GimmeOcean]

Beautiful afternoon in Ft. Lauderdale.

[Ocean Boy]

1 hour ago, Joe33472 said:

 

So glad to hear that the Odyssey is one of your favorites.  We were debating between this TA and the Oasis TA going to Barcelona.   It seems like people either really like or don't like quantum class ships.  We really have no frame of reference, since we haven't been on a cruise ship in years, so we're really excited to experience one of these huge ships and to see how the cruise industry has changed (I think it's for the better).    The Odyssey looks really fun and the specialty dining selections are things that we actually eat.  Nothing against French food that some cruise lines focus on, but we're not that bougie. 

I had zero interest in Q class ships and I love O class. The first time that I sailed Odyssey was only because, timing, price, and itinerary happened to come into alignment. The ship totally won me over.

[LooneyCruzer]

Link for tonights meteor show

Lyrids meteor info

 

 

 

[mo&fran]

Looks like Odyssey will not be sailing from south Florida any more. All US cruises will be from Bayonne.

[Ocean Boy]

58 minutes ago, LooneyCruzer said:

Link for tonights meteor show

Lyrids meteor info

 

 

 

Thanks!

[Ocean Boy]

10 minutes ago, mo&fran said:

Looks like Odyssey will not be sailing from south Florida any more. All US cruises will be from Bayonne.

Do you know for how long?

[mo&fran]

2 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Do you know for how long?

No sailings are presently scheduled for Florida. Schedule I see runs to Feb 2026.

[Joe33472]

I can't imagine that they turn people away who arrive outside their scheduled time, but received this text this morning.    Maybe in Bayonne they do that.  😆 

 

Double and triple checking to make sure I have my passport.   I've lost one in the past.

 

 

Another beautiful day in South Florida!   Safe travels to all those making their way to Port Everglades today!  Bon Voyage!

 

 

 

 

[LooneyCruzer]

Onboard, eating lunch and drinking already!!! Easiest onboarding yet!

[GimmeOcean]

52 minutes ago, LooneyCruzer said:

Onboard, eating lunch and drinking already!!! Easiest onboarding yet!

Same!

[Thisguylikestocruise]

Doing a Greek Isles cruise on Odyssey in September. Looking forward to this blog! 

[Joe33472]

Wow!  What a great experience so far.    Check in was a breeze, we basically walked right through security with no wait and boarded the ship.   We brought our luggage right to our stateroom and unpacked.  

 

First impressions is that the ship is beautiful.   Very impressed with everything so far.  We went to Sorrentos and had a slice of pizza, it was okay.   We went to Cafe 270 and got iced mochas and we enjoyed the drinks very much.   I  personally think that they were as good as Starbucks.  

 

We're in a junior suite, so we stopped by Coastal Kitchen and made a dinner reservation for night 5 (I think).  I think I could have made other nights, but we want to try a bunch of different things, so I didn't push my luck.  May go back during the week to see if there is anymore availability.  

Although we're in port, I connected to Starlink and it works good.  Not terribly fast, but adequate.  I was able to call my Dad using Wi-Fi calling and it was crystal clear.   I have work meeting tomorrow afternoon, so I'll update how that goes. 

 

 

Sail away is 6:00 p.m. and we have dinner reservations at Chops Grille at 6:30 and we're really looking forward to dinner.  

 

 

 

 

[mets123]

9 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Do you know for how long?

Odyssey is replacing the Anthem in Cape Liberty. So it will be sailing from Bayonne between November and April and Europe May through November.

[LooneyCruzer]

Day1 aft 11326

Edited April 21 by LooneyCruzer

[Joe33472]

Chops was nice experience, although it was a little hot in the restaurant (physically) and the service was a little spotty.  But overall, a nice experience.   We met a very nice couple sitting next to us.     I had two lavender vodka martinis which were really tasty.  I originally wanted a glass of malbec, but the waiter said that they didn't have any (already, really?)....   Too much food, we decided to take dessert to go (apple pie and key lime pie).  

 

 

 

 

 

Internet is still good.... 

 

 

Off to the casino to waste a little bit on money. 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 22 by Joe33472

[wolfcathorse]

Please post who the captain is. I want to verify my chart.

[Ocean Boy]

48 minutes ago, Joe33472 said:

 I had two lavender vodka martinis which were really tasty. 

 

If you feel so inclined, try a Hotel Nacional in Bolaro's and see what you think. They hooked me!

[Joe33472]

56 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

If you feel so inclined, try a Hotel Nacional in Bolaro's and see what you think. They hooked me!

 

Thanks for the tip!  Tomorrow night I'll definitely try one of those at Balaros!   We went to the bionic bar and then tried to walk outside, but it was too humid.   We're wiped.

 

Even with boarding in the mid-afternoon, and calling it an early evening, we broke even on the DBP.