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

[Joe33472]

Forgot to mention we saw dolphins and whales this morning from our deck.  It was really the highlight of our day.   So cool.   There was a pod of about 20 or 30 dolphins.  Not sure about the whales, because they were further away from the ship, but in our binoculars you could definitely tell they were whales and not dolphins.  Not sure of the type of whale, but definitely whales.   That consumed some time.

 

Also, some of our Roku channels stopped working tonight due to geo-blocking.  I also had problem accessing my work email, because it said it thought I was in Spain.  Has to be related.  Our phones are also coming up with some Spanish signon pages.  

 

I went back to my iPad and used a VPN and the Xfinity streaming app.  I wonder if I use the VPN on my laptop if the Roku will work again.  Will troubleshoot in the morning.  Watching Two and a Half Men and then going to bed. 

 

[GimmeOcean]

1 hour ago, Joe33472 said:

Forgot to mention we saw dolphins and whales this morning from our deck.  It was really the highlight of our day.   So cool.   There was a pod of about 20 or 30 dolphins.  Not sure about the whales, because they were further away from the ship, but in our binoculars you could definitely tell they were whales and not dolphins.  Not sure of the type of whale, but definitely whales.   That consumed some time.

 

Also, some of our Roku channels stopped working tonight due to geo-blocking.  I also had problem accessing my work email, because it said it thought I was in Spain.  Has to be related.  Our phones are also coming up with some Spanish signon pages.  

 

I went back to my iPad and used a VPN and the Xfinity streaming app.  I wonder if I use the VPN on my laptop if the Roku will work again.  Will troubleshoot in the morning.  Watching Two and a Half Men and then going to bed. 

 

Yeah, our Starlink location switched from Atlanta to Madrid today. Now I can’t stream Hulu among other things. Good thing I decided to download the Shogun finale to watch yesterday.

[LeeW]

On 4/25/2024 at 12:50 PM, Joe33472 said:

Just realized that when I was testing the hotspot on my Pixel that I hadn't put the phone into Airplane mode 🙃And that I was on cellular at Sea. Hotspot still works when I put the phone into Airplane mode and turn on Wifi.  UGH

 

Easiest solution to that is use an old phone with no sim card in it.  As long as phone doesn't use esims.

[Joe33472]

11 minutes ago, LeeW said:

Easiest solution to that is use an old phone with no sim card in it.  As long as phone doesn't use esims.

 

Thanks!  I think my Pixel is using an esim rather than a physical sim.  I received a text message from my provided that welcomed me to the cruise and let me know that I was on Cellular at Sea.  Hopefully I put the phone into airplane mode before I used any data.  

[Joe33472]

Smooth seas this morning!   Maybe we'll start seeing some more birds today as we get closer to Ponta Delgada.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Joe33472]

Good Morning!   Took breakfast away from Cafe 270 and we really enjoyed the breakfast sandwiches, fruit, and yogurt.   I think we're either going to get a salad from Cafe 270 or go to Playmakers for lunch. 

 

Spent a little time this morning getting our phones ready with e-sims for Europe.   I used a variety of methods for Internet while in Europe in the past, and my favorite right now is Airalo.   Easy to set up and I think prices are really good for regional coverage.  There is probably cheaper regional options, but Airalo so easy.  I used Airalo last summer in France and last fall in Ireland, buying country specific plans, which were more reasonable.  

 

Of course, if you're only in Europe for the cruise, paying the $10 per day for Global Travel plans that most carriers offer that would be the easiest.  So, for $70 bucks you would have data from Portugal to Rome.  Most of the people we talk to at lunches and dinners have extended plans in Europe.  With the week on the cruise and time in Europe the $10 per day per device can really add up fast.  

 

[Ocean Boy]

On 4/25/2024 at 12:50 PM, Joe33472 said:

Just realized that when I was testing the hotspot on my Pixel that I hadn't put the phone into Airplane mode 🙃And that I was on cellular at Sea. Hotspot still works when I put the phone into Airplane mode and turn on Wifi.  UGH

 

In the main drop down menu there should be a switch to turn off mobile hot spot.

 

 

[Joe33472]

Had lunch at Playmakers again today and it was good.  I love these old school salt and pepper shakers that are reminiscent of the 1970s. 

 

 

Walked by the kids club on our way to Sprinkles and it looks like they've have a full day of activities for 13 to 17 year olds.   There are more kids on the cruise than I thought would be.   Would have been nice if my parents had taken us on a TA.  Lucky kids 🙂 

 

 

Our first Sprinkle's ice cream in 7 days.  It was SO good.  

 

 

[Ocean Boy]

49 minutes ago, Joe33472 said:

 There are more kids on the cruise than I thought would be.   Would have been nice if my parents had taken us on a TA.  Lucky kids 🙂 

 

Yeah, my abusive parents made me go to school.

[FionaMG]

3 hours ago, Joe33472 said:

Good Morning!   Took breakfast away from Cafe 270 and we really enjoyed the breakfast sandwiches, fruit, and yogurt.   I think we're either going to get a salad from Cafe 270 or go to Playmakers for lunch. 

 

Spent a little time this morning getting our phones ready with e-sims for Europe.   I used a variety of methods for Internet while in Europe in the past, and my favorite right now is Airalo.   Easy to set up and I think prices are really good for regional coverage.  There is probably cheaper regional options, but Airalo so easy.  I used Airalo last summer in France and last fall in Ireland, buying country specific plans, which were more reasonable.  

 

Of course, if you're only in Europe for the cruise, paying the $10 per day for Global Travel plans that most carriers offer that would be the easiest.  So, for $70 bucks you would have data from Portugal to Rome.  Most of the people we talk to at lunches and dinners have extended plans in Europe.  With the week on the cruise and time in Europe the $10 per day per device can really add up fast.  

 

 

I have used Airalo a couple of times when we've cruised out of Florida and it worked fine but I fairly recently came across another e-sim supplier that I prefer and which I have found is even easier than Airalo.

 

If you want to take a look it's called Roamless and what's different about it is that they don't have plans, just credit in your account that you can top up as necessary and that never expires.

 

They currently only cover 69 countries but their coverage in Europe is widespread and reliable. My daughter is currently working on board a cruise ship and has been using it through the Med and the Adriatic without issues.

 

If you (and anyone else following along) want to use it for a future trip, you can use my referral code which gets both parties a small amount of free credit: XN58Y.

[Joe33472]

13 minutes ago, FionaMG said:

 

I have used Airalo a couple of times when we've cruised out of Florida and it worked fine but I fairly recently came across another e-sim supplier that I prefer and which I have found is even easier than Airalo.

 

If you want to take a look it's called Roamless and what's different about it is that they don't have plans, just credit in your account that you can top up as necessary and that never expires.

 

They currently only cover 69 countries but their coverage in Europe is widespread and reliable. My daughter is currently working on board a cruise ship and has been using it through the Med and the Adriatic without issues.

 

If you (and anyone else following along) want to use it for a future trip, you can use my referral code which gets both parties a small amount of free credit: XN58Y.

 

Thanks for the heads up about Roamless.  I'll definitely check it out as I usually go to Europe at least once or twice a year.  The rates look really good.  

[Joe33472]

Beautiful day up on the pool deck.  Lots of folks sitting out sunning.  We're from South Florida, so it's a little chilly for us.   But beautiful day. 

 

[Joe33472]

49 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Yeah, my abusive parents made me go to school.

 

Me too!  My parents didn't even take us away on spring break. 

 

I keep thinking, but I wouldn't dare say it to a kid, "Why aren't you in school?".  Probably home schooled or something.   If home schooled, what an amazing learning experience to take a TA.    The kids on this cruise have been so well behaved and are hardly around. 

 

 

[Joe33472]

Went to Coastal Kitchen tonight and we really had a great dinner.   Started with the smoked tomato soup and mushroom risotto arancini.    Had filet and grilled chicken for our mains and we both had cheesecake for dessert.  The cheesecake was really the highlight.  I think we ate every morsel on both our plates.  Smooth and creamy, it was delightful.  

 

 

Unfortunately, we were half done our appetizers by the time we realized we hadn't taken taken pictures.  So, please forgive the 1/2 eaten arancini.  It was delicious and with spicy marinara and alfredo sauces. 

 

 

We're off to cause some trouble in the casino and in the bars.   Hope everyone is having a great day. 

 

 

 

Edited April 27 by Joe33472

[Joe33472]

Went to karaoke in the Music Hall and that was really fun.  Some brave people sharing their talents with the attendees.   We didn't end up staying for the orchestra that was after the karaoke. 

 

We're so excited for our stop tomorrow in Ponta Delgada.  The weather looks good (no rain but partly cloudy), so barring any unanticipated happenings, Captain Marek said he anticipates we should be able to port. 

 

 

Making it an early night so we're fully refreshed for a great day for tomorrow.

[Joe33472]

Internet is the slowest it's been the entire trip.   Maybe lots of people in their staterooms researching and making plans for tomorrow? 

 

 

[Joe33472]

I've put days 6 through 8 of Cruise Compass into the attached PDF if anyone considering a TA might like to see. 

Cruise Compass Days 7, 8 and 9.pdf

[Joe33472]

Looks like the Oasis is making a stop in the Azores.  Hope everyone is okay.  We're rapidly approaching Ponta Delgada.  Bit of rocking last night and this morning. 

 

[LooneyCruzer]

Great day in the Azores. Thermal baths, the local lunch at Tony’s, then pineapple plantation with goodies, pineapple vodka, beer, sorbet, tart, and got a bottle of liquor. 
 

[LooneyCruzer]

[Joe33472]

Cruise Compass Day 9.   Cruise Compass Day 9.pdf

 

Had a great day in Ponta Delgada.  We stayed downtown and explored the churches, fort, etc. and had lunch at a local restaurant.  Because it is Sunday, a lot of things were closed, which was a bummer.  Love the mosaic streets and unusual trees. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Merion_Mom]

15 hours ago, Joe33472 said:

Looks like the Oasis is making a stop in the Azores.  Hope everyone is okay.  We're rapidly approaching Ponta Delgada.  Bit of rocking last night and this morning. 

 

 

Not ok.  Emergency medevac.

[jeb1990]

Great pictures from the Azores!  I'm on this Transatlantic cruise next Spring with the same ship and ports so have appreciated following along.  Did you experience the Azores on your own or did you book a ships excursion or independent operator excursion for this stop?  Any tips are appreciated!

[Joe33472]

6 minutes ago, jeb1990 said:

Great pictures from the Azores!  I'm on this Transatlantic cruise next Spring with the same ship and ports so have appreciated following along.  Did you experience the Azores on your own or did you book a ships excursion or independent operator excursion for this stop?  Any tips are appreciated!

 

Our plan was to take a cab up to the Sete Cidades and then just explore town afterwards.   Due to the weather being overcast when we first arrived, we decided not to go up there, but looking at @LooneyCruzer photos, it just looks wonderful the higher up you went yesterday.  We really didn't plan too well and would have loved to do the pineapple farm.  I'd definitely recommend coming up with a plan in advance to do something.   We're going to firm up some plans for Malaga today or tomorrow.   Maybe the hop on hop off or something   I've heard mixed reviews from other cruisers about Sete Cidades, with most saying it's over rated. 

 

 

[LooneyCruzer]

@Scottee25 organized the custom tour,  they did a great job of getting us around the island to see most of the good viewing spots plus our scheduled stops. 
https://azoresdreamtours.com

 

We have been to the lakes before so chose to do something different. If you can get a private tour and have good weather, they are spectacular, especially if you can beat the tour busses and get there first. 
 

We have also been to Malaga before and hit most of the hot spots. This time we are doing a private cooking class with a local catering company up in the mountainsides overlooking beautiful scenery and learning how to make paella and other Spanish dishes. https://larosilla-catering.com/

Edited April 29 by LooneyCruzer