Wonder of the Seas 2024 – Day 1

Day One of our cruise on board RCCL’s Wonder of the Seas started with an exciting view of the ship as we neared Port Canaveral. I was off on another adventure this time with my dear friend, Ann Meier. We swept through the boarding process with ease and made our way across the Promenade Deck to get lunch. The layout of this ship is very similar to the one on Utopia of the Seas, which I’d been on not that long ago. You can read about that voyage here.

First, we stopped at a desk to make our specialty dining reservations. A quick stop at our muster station to check in followed, then lunch in the Windjammer Café. At the buffet on Deck 15 for lunch you’ll find an array of international hot foods, burgers and hot dogs, salads, cold cuts, and much more. Not to mention the desserts and ice cream! I ate a chicken leg, spicy rice dish, beef and salad.

Our rooms were ready at 1:00 pm so we headed downstairs. We had balcony cabin 11290 located mid-ship on deck 11. The location was aft near the elevators. Our suitcases were already waiting for us so we took some time to unpack.

Then we headed back up to Deck 15 to watch the sailaway. This is always my favorite part of the cruise. You leave land behind along with your worries and cruise out to sea.

We’d made dinner reservations this evening at 150 Central Park for our first specialty dining. This is on Deck 8 amid the greenery of the tranquil park setting. Here I chose a beet salad with fried goat cheese, Lobster Thermidor for my entrée and a chocolate peanut butter tart for dessert. And I got a birthday surprise with my finale.

Happily fed, we headed to the Aquatheater to see the outdoor show, but it was cancelled due to the ship’s motion. It was a bit rocky this evening and very windy outside. They scheduled a makeup show so we could see it another night. Then off we went to retire for the evening. It had been a long day.

Coming Next: Day Two At Sea

Utopia of the Seas 2024 Day Two

Back onboard Utopia of the Seas after lunch in Nassau on Day Two of our 3-night trip, we had a brief rest in our cabins before exploring Central Park on Deck 8. We searched for rubber ducks, evidently a Big Thing on cruises, and only found one hiding in the shrubbery by the Solarium. Some kind ladies gave Caleb ducks during the voyage so he went home happy.

Central Park has a number of specialty restaurants, the Rising Tide bar that goes up and down the center of the ship, a café with complimentary food, and concerts in the evening when you can catch the musicians there. The greenery offers a peaceful interlude in the midst of sensory overload.

Dinner on the second night for me was a Mediterranean appetizer, shrimp cocktail, braised lamb shank, a peach dessert and crème brulée. Yes, I ate two desserts. Why not?

Satisfied with our meals, we headed to All In! Production Show with singers and dancers. What stood out from my previous 30+ cruises were the special effects. Utopia of the Seas is a brand-new ship and it showed in the technology. From doors that open at a wave to ship-wide WiFi that allows you to text your companions, the level of technology was impressive. This show used it to greater heights. Lasers provided illuminations such as I hadn’t seen before, and drones circled the stage with twinkling lights. This event truly dazzled the senses.

Coming Next: Coco Cay

Utopia of the Seas 2024 – AquaTheater

We ate in the Main Dining Room early seating on Utopia of the Seas for dinner each night. Our server was excellent, being prompt with the menus and the food and making paper origami designs for my grandson.

For this first night, I chose a crab cake appetizer, prime ribs and this yummy chocolate dessert.

After dinner, we strolled along the Promenade on Deck 5, noting the bars and shops and the band playing. My favorite lounge here was the Pesky Parrot. I tried their version of the Painkiller. I’m not a fan of frozen drinks in general and this one did nothing to change my opinion.

The AquaTheater show was amazing. High dives from way above into a small pool below astounded us. Diving, acrobatics, loud music, and colored lighting all came together into a spectacular show.

Coming Next: Nassau, Bahamas

Utopia of the Seas 2024 – Sailaway

The pool deck on Day One of our 3-night cruise on Utopia of the Seas was lively, with bodies crowding the lounge chairs and music thumping at the two pool areas. We saw a food truck that offered wrapped snacks later in the voyage and free soft ice cream at a dispensary called Sprinkles.

At the far end Forward was the Solarium, a quiet area with a clear roof for adults only. This has its own bistro as well. I didn’t have any difficulty finding a chair in the Solarium during the cruise.

Up on Deck 16 were the basketball court, miniature golf, slides, wave rider, and zipline. Also, there’s a Mexican eatery here to quench your appetite. This food is complimentary.

Then we went to watch the sailaway at a good vantage point on Deck 16. Glass windows were all around. If you want to find an outside jogging track, it’s on a lower deck.

It always gives me a thrill to watch the last strip of land go past and to head out to sea. This time was no exception. Our grandson was awed at being on a ship sailing on the ocean.

Time grew short, and we had to go to the Main Dining Room for dinner at 5 pm.

Coming Next: Evening Activities on Day One

Utopia of the Seas 2024 – Embarkation

Day 1 – Embarkation

Embarkation for our cruise on RCCL’s Utopia of the Seas went smoothly at Port Canaveral. We parked in the adjacent garage. You take a ticket and pay as you enter. Then you scan the ticket at departure. The terminal was crowded at 11:30, which was our allotted time to board. I was traveling with my daughter and her family. Our grandson did a great job of managing his own luggage.

We showed our boarding pass and passport to the proper personnel and went right onto the ship. On board, we were told our rooms wouldn’t be ready until 1:00 pm. On Deck 5, we crossed the Promenade to the aft end of the ship.

We took an elevator to Deck 15 and the Windjammer Café for lunch. The buffet was mobbed as everyone congregated here along with their carry-on luggage. The lunch buffet offered lobster tails and shrimp cocktail, salads, deli meats, hot dishes, and an Asian section among others.

Our grandson was goggle-eyed by everything, including the pool deck that we crossed to access our rooms Forward on the Starboard side of the ship.

We each had balcony staterooms on Deck 7. The room key cards were outside the door. In the room, I put the card in a slot and the lights went on. Beside the bed, my stateroom had a couch and a small desk, a bureau with a mini-fridge, two closets, and some shelving in the bathroom. The shower was circular with a glass door. The shower gel/shampoo came out easily from the dispenser. One bar of soap was provided for washing hands. I was glad I’d brought extra supplies including lotion. Out on the balcony past the sliding glass door were two chairs and small table. You can easily hear your neighbors talking next door when outside, but the cabin was relatively quiet.

We unpacked and did the safety drill, which consisted of watching a video on our phones and proceeding to check in at our Muster Station. That done, we returned to the pool deck to watch the sailaway.

Coming Next – Day 1 Sailaway

Coco Cay

The water in the Bahamas is a beautiful aqua, and I might have been tempted to go in except it was very windy when we tendered to Coco Cay on the third day of our cruise. RCCL’s private island is an oasis with native shops, a nature trail, small coves for snorkeling, and numerous beaches with lounge chairs already laid out.

We enjoyed the beach barbecue with chicken, ribs, burgers, hot dogs, and accompaniments. Somehow this food tastes better outside and when someone else cooks it.

I savor these private island stops both for the relaxation and the food. And don’t forget to order a Bahama Mama. You can’t visit these islands without drinking at least one. Or a Coco Loco, which they offered at Coco Cay. As the drink vendors said, “If you’re hot, see what I’ve got.”

We lazed around until we’d had enough sun and then caught the tender back to the ship.

At night, we celebrated our 40^th anniversary with a champagne toast. And so ended our latest cruise.

View all the photos HERE.

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A Day in Nassau

Our first port of call on Majesty of the Seas was Nassau. Having been here before, we didn’t care to take a tour and elected instead to find a place for lunch.

I’d read about a native Bahamian restaurant and wanted to check it out. Several blocks later, we entered the place on a quiet side street. Nobody was there, and so we left. It’s not a good sign if a restaurant lacks customers. We retraced our steps and chose an air-conditioned place by the water called Via Restaurant and Bar. Our grilled snapper was delicious but spicy. It came with cole slaw plus rice and beans. You can find lots of places to eat along the waterfront including Senor Frog by the far end.

We shopped on Bay Street despite the intermittent downpours and ended up buying inexpensive umbrellas to add to our collection. Stores were decorated for Christmas. The straw market is still here and under cover. I bought a hat since I’d forgotten to bring mine. The usual souvenirs are available along with fine jewelry, liquor, and perfumes on Bay Street. Know your prices before you go.

If you’re here for the first time, you can do a city tour, view the fort, visit the Atlantis resort, or participate in a number of water sports activities. I regret that RCCL didn’t offer a culinary experience or any kind of botanical garden if there is one on the island. However, the rainy weather made our independent choice the best one.

View all the photos HERE.

Next Post: Coco Cay

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Majesty of the Seas

We took our adult children on a weekend cruise to celebrate our fortieth anniversary. The older Royal Caribbean vessel left out of Port Canaveral. This was our first time at this port, which seemed less hectic than Port Everglades. Besides our ship on Friday, only one other was docked there and it belonged to Disney. We parked in a garage opposite the terminal and boarded before noon.

Lunch was available in the Windjammer Café on Deck 12. The buffet setup was much smaller than on our other recent cruises, and I vaguely remembered being here before. We’d sailed on this ship back in 1992.

Although an older model, the ship is well-maintained and clean. There’s only one pool area on Deck 12 without a secondary glass-covered solarium pool. Elsewhere, there’s a rock climbing wall for sports enthusiasts. You can also go outside on Deck 7 and walk around the deck there for exercise or lounge in a chair facing the water.

Our oceanview cabin on deck four was tiny, with a small desk that also served as a dresser. Inside the small bathroom, the rectangular shower space had a good showerhead on a removable hose and a curtain instead of a glass door. Lotion, shampoo, and conditioner were provided. I wasn’t as comfortable here as on other recent ships we’ve been on, but it’s a less expensive cruise and we managed for the three nights. This sailing is good for a quick getaway that isn’t as expensive as some other ships, and it has an appealing itinerary with two ports of call. The cruise staff was friendly and worked hard to give guests a memorable experience.

Shops were located on Deck 5 and had better merchandise than on the larger and newer Celebrity Equinox, our most recent voyage. The shows were entertaining with a comedian, juggler, and singers/dancers. If you’re a night owl, other activities are offered to keep you occupied. The Schooner Lounge had a musician nightly, and you could find dance music in another lounge.

Deck 14 has the Viking Crown Lounge, always a favorite of mine with its panoramic view toward the bow with floor-to-ceiling glass windows. This is where Diamond Members and above could get their free cocktails and appetizers each evening at 5pm.

We’d opted for assigned seats in the dining room at 6pm and luckily had a table for four. The food was very good, although the choices were not as classy as on Celebrity Equinox. You had to pay extra for filet mignon or lobster. The bread selection was varied enough, and a different salad was offered each night. On the second night, the waiters danced along to a conga line. On the last night, they serenaded us with “O Solo Mio” to go along with our Italian cuisine. Other dining options included Johnny Rockets for a small fee, Sorrentos for free pizza, and a deli with appetizers and wraps. For early birds, Sorrentos is open early with coffee and pastries.

The Windjammer opens at 7am in the morning for breakfast. I liked that they offered prepared fried eggs although you could have your eggs or omelets cooked to order. Half and half is available in little cups to go with your coffee.

There’s a ceremony of flags in the atrium where the cruise director announces the number of crew members from each country. This was an impressive display along with a few selected native dances. We also attended the welcome back party for repeat cruisers, and Richard won 100 credits in the casino. It took us a while to figure out how to play the slots. It took us less time to play and lose all the points. I’d rather spend my money on souvenirs I can bring home. Note Santa hiding in the crowd on the below right.

Now I have to work to lose the weight I’d gained. So it goes each time after a cruise.

View all the photos HERE.

Next Posts: Nassau and Coco Cay

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Vision of the Seas

Vision of the Seas
Nov. 2-12, 2012

The Ship

Vision of the Seas was a refreshing change from our last voyage on the exciting but enormous Allure. A member of Royal Caribbean’s Vision Class fleet, this ship has sleek lines and a classic layout. Ocean views are prevalent from all the lounges, and the more intimate size makes this cruise an easy one to run into the same people and make friends. We had a great itinerary with four days at sea to relax and five ports to visit.

I loved the floor-to-ceiling windows in many of the lounges and the Windjammer Café that showed ocean views. The Windjammer faces forward so you have a view of the ship plowing through the waves. I really missed these windows on the Allure and felt closed in on that huge ship despite the numerous venues. The Vision’s Solarium has a domed glass cover, so you can sit out at the pool during inclement weather. We had no problem getting lounge chairs at either of the two main pools during the day.

There are enough inside lounges for variety, and the shops have interesting wares. We had plenty of places to walk around, and I for one did not miss the interior Promenade from the larger ships. I’d rather see the water wherever possible, although the Promenade at night does give you a place to stroll. Still, there was plenty to do here. A lively, several stories-high atrium had a dance floor where musicians played in the evening.

The captain greeted us at the Welcome Aboard Party on the second night which was formal dress. Lo and behold, we had a lady captain! As I’m a fan of Captain Janeway on the Enterprise, I was thrilled. Captain Lis Lauritzen was gracious and kindly posed for photos and gave welcoming talks throughout the cruise as well as her daily briefing from the bridge. (“This is Captain Lis from the Bridge”—Do you ever wonder where else they might be?) I liked her joke about the difference between a boat and a ship. “A ship has a captain. A boat is run by a frustrated husband.” Diplomacy, poise, and wit are definitely part of her job description.

Our cabin was comfortable and in a great location. If you’re sensitive to light when you sleep, I’d suggest you bring a sleep mask. Light beamed through the peephole from out into the corridor and it shone like a beacon in my eyes at night. If you have a balcony, light from outside might shine in as well. You might also want to bring some shower gel. You can barely move in the shower, so if you drop a bar of soap, good luck retrieving it. Our shower on Vision had a clingy curtain instead of a glass door, and I cringed at the thought of who might have touched it last. As for shaving in the shower, forget it. I had to put my foot on the toilet seat and dip my razor in the sink. I hope the shower curtains are replaced with glass doors during the upcoming refurbishment. It is badly needed as most of the carpets throughout the ship are stained and the paint is peeling off the outdoor chairs.

Make sure your room isn’t over, under, or near a lounge with music at night or near an elevator. On the Vision, a door separates the public areas from the stateroom sections. This door helps to keep noise out of the cabin areas, except perhaps for the people right next to it. They might hear the door bang open and closed all night. A couple we met had their room over the show lounge (not the theater). The band’s noise reverberated throughout their cabin and they were forced to stay awake each night until after midnight. Be careful to look and see where your cabin is located when you book your cruise. Otherwise, our cabin was comfortable and the steward gave excellent service. This is a nice size ship if you’re looking for a more relaxed cruise experience.

As for entertainment, the production shows in the Masquerade Theatre were visually appealing and the singers/dancers competent, but these shows lacked sparkle and so were nothing exceptional. I hate jugglers, so we skipped that performance. We enjoyed the comedians, especially 85 year old Norm Crosby who’s the best we’ve heard in recent times. We also caught a couple of movies: The Lucky One with Zac Efron and People Like Us with Chris Pine. Overall, I’d rate the entertainment and enrichment topics as average. If you’ve been on many cruises, you’ve seen similar. But does it matter? Being on a ship is still a diversion from watching TV at home.

To View entire Photo Album, Click Here.

Coming Next: The Food (my favorite part!) and then the Ports of Call.

San Juan

We’ve been on tours here before so this time we just walked around, browsing in the stores. I picked up some 14k gold hoop earrings at Tropical Jewelers for my daughter cheaper than the ones I bought myself in a similar size in St. Thomas. From the pier, walk up Calle Tanca a couple of blocks to Calle Fortaleza, the main shopping street. Turn left and stroll along, ducking into any shops that strike your fancy. We got lured into Restaurant Barrachina, home of the famed Piña Colada drink created here in 1963. It’s a charming restaurant with a tempting appetizer menu or a place for lunch. No worries about the waiters; they speak English. The food is good and there’s a rest room in the back. As for the piña coladas, I’ve had better but it was fun to try one here. The waiter recommended Don Q Cristal for a white rum. There’s a store by the waterfront but it was closed on Thursdays and that’s the day we were in port. He also mentioned Ron del Barrilito for a golden rum. He said these are the rums used by the natives, not Baccardi brands.

After an early meal, we continued onward on Calle Fortaleza. At the far end toward Calle Christo is a barricade blocking access to the Governor’s mansion. Turn left and you’ll find yourself at a historical chapel. Go into Pigeon Park next to the chapel for a fabulous view of the harbor. Note the stone wall with all the pigeonholes where the birds live. It’s a fascinating glimpse of old San Juan. If you’ve never been to the island before, you can tour the forts or take a bus tour to the rainforest. A couple of hours patrolling the city streets is more than sufficient for shopping.

Labadee

This is a fabulous beach party at RCCL’s private hideaway. Passengers had the entire day to roam about this beautiful peninsula. It’s part of Haiti but is separated from the mainland by scenic mountains. Lush with green foliage and palm lined lagoons, this island-like setting offers something for everyone. You can lose yourself in bliss lying on a lounge chair and sipping a potent Labadoozee or rum punch while gazing at the sparkling turquoise waters. Go for a swim, stuff yourself at the BBQ lunch, or get a thrill riding on the zip line or rollercoaster. Shop for colorful Haitian paintings and wood carvings at the native market. Or rent a jet ski and zoom across the waves. Kayaking and floats are available as is an Aqua Park for kids. Whatever your pleasure, you can find it here. A tram ride can take you from one end to the other if you don’t feel like walking in the heat.

My camera broke so I don’t have any photos for these ports. A new camera became one of my holiday gifts upon our return. I hate learning new technology. Some features are better than my old camera, though, so it’s worth the effort.

Tag: RCCL

Wonder of the Seas 2024 – Day 1

Utopia of the Seas 2024 Day Two

Utopia of the Seas 2024 – AquaTheater

Utopia of the Seas 2024 – Sailaway

Utopia of the Seas 2024 – Embarkation

Coco Cay

A Day in Nassau

Majesty of the Seas

Vision of the Seas

San Juan

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