A Voyage for the Ages – VY 7/8/2024 – 7/15/2024

2 hours ago, SweetPea said:

Somehow i feel like there was a missed opportunity here

there would be no way Hubby would shell out 1 or 2€ for anything of the sort 

Breakfast for one this morning at Chops

Hubby is here 

Freeloaders you can guess…in bed still out 

Random thoughts….VY and AD are both the same class ships built around the same time. How did Chops end up on Deck 11 on this ship and downstairs on AD?

Pretty chill and boring day today. It’s a sea day. After breakfast in Chops, I noticed they charged me for our drinks in the MDR last night so I went to get the charges removed. Then freeloaders and I ended up in the WJ so they could eat some fruit. No made to order station today. We decided to order room service for lunch. Old habits die hard

Room service was really good. The chicken wings were delicious compared to other ones I have had through room service. The grilled cheese & soup that D17 got looked good and she ate it all! Now going to continue lying around and do nothing until dinner. 

21 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I noticed they charged me for our drinks in the MDR last night so I went to get the charges removed.

Knock on wood, haven't had that mistake in a while. Not a big deal and always rectified quickly but who wants to take that time during a cruise?

22 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

No made to order station today.

NOOOOOOOO!

22 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Room service was really good.

Problem solved... and love the euro-style Lays stash, lol,

4 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

Knock on wood, haven't had that mistake in a while. Not a big deal and always rectified quickly but who wants to take that time during a cruise?

Problem solved... and love the euro-style Lays stash, lol,

Oh, that explains why they are red bags lol. Cruise brain Sabrina could not figure it out lol

Exactly! The concierge explained to me that some of the dining staff is newer and they don’t know much about the C&A benefits. I feel like that should be part of their training…..

Also, I purchased VOOM for the rest of our voyage today. 1 person 4 device plan, total $487.44 for the remaining days. I am mildly annoyed by this. If you recall, because I was stuck in the loop, their solution was for me to cancel my VOOM and water and they gave me $400 OBC to cover it. Well that did not cover it! In fact, had I not used my free D+ days first, the difference would have been even more. And that $400 OBC was supposed to cover 24 bottles of Evian too and I didn’t even buy that onboard. If I had bought Evian ($75) and VOOM from Day 1, there is no way that $400 would even come close. 

4 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

that explains why they are red bags

I was confused too... then I zoomed in and saw the spelling of "naturel." I was wondering where the ridges went, lol. Red usually means wavy Lays.

On the happy news front…one step closer to

1 minute ago, OCSC Mike said:

 Red usually means wavy Lays.

I think that is why I saw it and it registered that it was red, but I didn’t think much of it, because I have seen red bags of Lays before 

That really sucks about the water/internet. I know that they know the onboard price will be higher, yet they didn't give you enough OBC to offset it. 

Love your relaxing day!  Isn’t it nice to have a sea day or two in between busy port days?  Re-energizing is so important!  (I’m making mental notes for my TA next year ).  

6 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

there would be no way Hubby would shell out 1 or 2€ for anything of the sort 

This is when you come to the rescue, and just say "It's for the people, now go stand next to the gorilla, it's what they want."

2 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

soup

out of curiosity.....what were those 4 Hwerid looking things floating in the soup?

Also, everything tastes better in the street vendors overseas because they are using the same fry oil from probably 1980, and it is just pure lard, and decades of accumulated.......flavors.....As gross as this sounds, it makes for some tasty treats!

21 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

We went to a market in Zurich once that, to this day, was the best food we ever eaten and also the most expensive.

I must know!! We’ll be in Zürich next month! I have written down a restaurant I found at some point and it notates - "full page of sausages" next to the restaurant name hahaha. You know where my priorities lie. 

2 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

That really sucks about the water/internet. I know that they know the onboard price will be higher, yet they didn't give you enough OBC to offset it. 

Oh, I am not done with that yet. Will keep you posted…..

1 hour ago, PPPJJ-GCVAB said:

Love your relaxing day!  Isn’t it nice to have a sea day or two in between busy port days?  Re-energizing is so important!  (I’m making mental notes for my TA next year ).  

It’s very much needed. We literally did nothing and that was perfectly fine with me because I know the rest of the days will be go, go, go. This cruise ends busy, then we have 3 non-stop days in Rome. Thank goodness I have a vacation after this vacation lol

1 hour ago, GregD said:

out of curiosity.....what were those 4 Hwerid looking things floating in the soup?

Also, everything tastes better in the street vendors overseas because they are using the same fry oil from probably 1980, and it is just pure lard, and decades of accumulated.......flavors.....As gross as this sounds, it makes for some tasty treats!

 

K said it was some sort of vegetable but she doesn’t know what cause she didn’t eat it lol

Also, eww..about the oil, but I get it. A lot of other cultures do that too

Hubby finished his conference around 4pm and practically ran to the wave. Uncertain if he will make it in time for 5:45pm dinner. He said, “I will meet you guys in the MDR.” as he ran out of the room. Is that guy speak for something? Anyhow, kids and I are off to eat! 

1 hour ago, DDaley said:

I must know!! We’ll be in Zürich next month! I have written down a restaurant I found at some point and it notates - "full page of sausages" next to the restaurant name hahaha. You know where my priorities lie. 

I cannot remember the name or anything, it was spur of the moment. But I will say that the airport, which is hands down the most beautiful and cleanest one I had ever been too, also had a food market and we had an amazing meal there as well. 

Funny story…So as we headed off to dinner, D17 was running a few steps behind us. D15 and I left first. As we were on our way out, we passed by Hubby practically running back to the room. D17 had her AirPods in while getting ready and did not hear him come in. She leaves, and puts the sign out for our room attendant.

I love our room attendant. She is hilarious, loud, and brash, very much like us, I think that is why I like her so much.

Anyhow, you can probably guess where this story is going. D17 puts the sign out and heads to the MDR. Room attendant, thinking everyone is gone, comes in. Hubby, thinking D17 heard him, and assuming he was going to put the sign out, walks out of the shower (dressed thank goodness) and both he and room attendant start screaming.

I wish I could describe this better cause if you all knew our room attendant, this would be even funnier. We later had a good laugh about this when we ran into her again after dinner. 

Dinner: Mediterranean Night

While I still am not a fan of the MDR, nothing really appeals to me here these days, I love the crew in the MDR. Our head waiter and assistant waiter remind me of the MDR crews of the good old days, like 20 years ago. 

Good news with the VOOM difference. I got it back, plus a few dollars extra. All good now. 

21 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Good news with the VOOM difference. I got it back, plus a few dollars extra. All good now. 

Nice to hear!

Nothing extra to report tonight. All we did was eat dinner, pack up our stuff for tomorrow, place our room service order for breakfast, and we are all headed to bed. We are in Nice, Eze, and Monaco tomorrow. Meeting time is 6:45am in the Royal Theatre and it’s a tender port. 9.5 hour tour. Going to be a long day. Goodnight all. Sounds weird to say because I know it’s only about 3:30pm back home lol

10 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Random thoughts….VY and AD are both the same class ships built around the same time. How did Chops end up on Deck 11 on this ship and downstairs on AD?

Early Voyager class launched with Portofino on deck 11 . 

There was a two story nightclub on deck 3 and 4 which later became more cabins on deck 3 and differing specialty restaurants on deck 4.  In the case of AD that's where they added Chops.  

For some Jade was the new deck 11 venue on later ships in class.

For a while Chops was limited to Radiance class plus Mariner and Navigator.

The transition away from Portofino to Chops was gradual as ships updated over the years.  No amplification program back then, each ship received updates more on the whims of the day.

11 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Sounds weird to say because I know it’s only about 3:30pm back home lol

Or in my case 1:30pm. Lol 

Get your rest for tomorrow tour.

11 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Hubby finished his conference around 4pm and practically ran to the wave. Uncertain if he will make it in time for 5:45pm dinner. He said, “I will meet you guys in the MDR.” as he ran out of the room. Is that guy speak for something? Anyhow, kids and I are off to eat! 

I was wondering if he was getting any wave time in 

1 hour ago, LandstromCruise said:

I was wondering if he was getting any wave time in 

He said he wouldn’t, but still managed to squeeze in some time. He cannot resist! 

Room service

Laat night we ordered room service for breakfast this morning. It’s the card that you hang outside your door and you choose a time slot. We chose the earliest 6-6:30am. It’s 6.30am, no food. We are supposed to be in the theatre by 6:45am. Room service called. There is delay. Wonderful. The icing on the cake, I just checked our onboard account and they have charged us for breakfast

12 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Room service

Laat night we ordered room service for breakfast this morning. It’s the card that you hang outside your door and you choose a time slot. We chose the earliest 6-6:30am. It’s 6.30am, no food. We are supposed to be in the theatre by 6:45am. Room service called. There is delay. Wonderful. The icing on the cake, I just checked our onboard account and they have charged us for breakfast

Ugh that is terrible and such a crappy way to start a long excursion day! I wondered if you arranged breakfast through concierge or via that door card but didn’t want to ask for fear my suite snob would show. LOL You know I have absolutely no clue how to do anything for myself when cruising so I am naturally curious.  Hopefully concierge will straighten this all out for you. What a pain in the rear. I hope you are able to grab something to eat and you have a great excursion.  

BTW it’s only 10:30pm here so it’s possible I won’t hear how this ends till tomorrow morning.  

28 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Room service

Laat night we ordered room service for breakfast this morning. It’s the card that you hang outside your door and you choose a time slot. We chose the earliest 6-6:30am. It’s 6.30am, no food. We are supposed to be in the theatre by 6:45am. Room service called. There is delay. Wonderful. The icing on the cake, I just checked our onboard account and they have charged us for breakfast

The suite concierge can... well you don't need me to explain these things.

Sorry breakfast was late.  

After a recent port intensive early arrival European cruise myself I get it.  Breakfast is a challenge.  Add some teenagers to the equation and lookout.  

7 hours ago, Jax said:

Ugh that is terrible and such a crappy way to start a long excursion day! I wondered if you arranged breakfast through concierge or via that door card but didn’t want to ask for fear my suite snob would show.

As a fellow suite snob, I was not sure either. I used the door card. 
 

7 hours ago, twangster said:

The suite concierge can... well you don't need me to explain these things.

Ugh! I did need my mentor to help me navigate suites on non-Royal class ships. I had no clue that the concierge can arrange a breakfast order. I will keep that in mind for Saturday. 

This tour that we are on is just mid. I am pretty done with the day. Will share about the tour later when we get back to the ship. 

7 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

This tour that we are on is just mid.

MID??? Methinks you are spending too much time with the freeloaders, lol.

On 7/9/2024 at 6:18 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said:

On 7/9/2024 at 4:35 PM, asquared17 said:

sabrina, i LOVE that pink skirt!!!!

I love it too!! Anthropologie (circa May 2021) 

yesssssss my anthro senses strike again!!!

rip to the shenanigans with getting charged for room service and drinks… glad you are getting it corrected but imagine the folks who remain blissfully unaware!!

Just got back to the ship. Totally wiped out. It was super hot today. This might be the room service apology lol

Going to retreat now to my happy place…aka suite lounge

2 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

MID??? Methinks you are spending too much time with the freeloaders, lol.

I teach Grade 8 lol. And I have teenagers 

1 hour ago, asquared17 said:

yesssssss my anthro senses strike again!!!

There are only certain stores I will shop at because I need petite sizing. Anthro is one of them.

1 minute ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I teach Grade 8 lol. And I have teenagers 

LOL, forgot about that part, but still...

Since I am already out of order, I will start with dinner tonight. 

Taste of UK

Food is still mediocre at best, but I continue to love this dining room crew! 
 

24 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Taste of UK

I've only had this menu when we did Indy in 2022 and we ate in the WJ at the time. I sent pics of about 5 items to an English friend... to put it kindly, he was not impressed, lol.

P.S. I want tikka masala now!

Ok, it has been a super long day. Apologies ahead of time if there are typos to follow. I really need to go to bed, but the Type A in me will not allow me to fall behind on this blog. 
 

Today we did the Nice, Eze, and Monaco Discovery Tour. It was 9.5 hours long and it started at 6:45 am. Made for a super long day! By the end, everyone was exhausted, except for Hubby. He was making fun of me and said I should call this tour “Not Nice, Not Eze (easy), and Want to go from Monaco”  

We had to tender and arrived in Nice just before 8am. I loved the flower market the last time we were here. This is my first complaint. They got us here so early that nothing was open. In their defence, they did give us free time here until 9:15am and we caught some things start to open, but they could have started this tour a tad bit later. More on that in a bit.