u/Ops_check_OK

Hello. My FIL has a Rolex that was in a car wreck with him 20 years ago or so. I want to push for him to get it running again. Are there any good places people can recommend? We’re around Lawrenceville. TIA! I’ve heard bad things about going with Rolex themselves so I’d like an independent shop.

Well what’s everyone’s thoughts? Magic and Wonder back in Alaska, two full time San Diego ships? Did I hear that right? No NYC announcement. The smaller new class of ships got a tiny preview. Didn’t seem to see an attraction at sea on the pool deck, however there seemed to be a glass type wall midship around deck 4 or so.

Well we did it: we finally tried Utopia of the Seas. It was…..ok?

The Good: Check in at the port was a breeze. The app gave us Express check in so we just showed up (they don’t really enforce PAT‘s) and pretty much walked straight on. The Windjammer was open for all meals. We liked that flexibility. Our daughter loved going ice skating in Studio B and the show there was pretty OK. The employees we interacted with were all great. The Windjammer staff especially was funny! Duck hunting was great! The other cruisers really do it up with quantity. We didn’t know it would be quite as prolific and ended up re-hiding several because we we ended up having enough. The mini golf course was awesome as well. Air conditioning in the rooms was freaking excellent!

The Bad: We‘ll start at the top of the ship and work down. Pools were a unmitigated disaster of human soup. On the first day I noticed the deep pool next to the kids area was kinda hazy. Ok I thought. They’ll do chemicals and clean overnight. Nope. By the second day I could barely see my feet in a 4 foot pool. We didn’t go back to that one. The ones in the adult centered party section were better I think clarity wise. We did go in the one, however shortly after we got in a parent let her kid pee in the pool right next to us so we skeedadled. The ice cream on deck only ever had Vanilla and Chocolate and we really missed the other flavors you can get on DCL haha. Also every pool was full of adults with drinks in hand. Like give the kids one pool please without drunk adults. Our daughter was hyped about what we’ve seen about the playground on the aft deck that has like a big lighthouse tower and two slides. Well the slides are permanently closed for whatever reason. That was a bummer. The Elevators. My god what a nightmare. You press an iPad for what floor you want to go to and then you’re chained to that elevator. Many times we would be on 9 trying to go up to 16. we get an elevator assigned and then it comes down but it passes us. We watch it go all the way down to like 3 or 4 (some elevator doors are glass so you can see the elevators) and then we’re stuck. However long it takes that elevator to come back is how long you have to wait. Other ones stop at our floor but there’s no buttons inside so you can’t choose what floor it stops on. Many times a group of us will stand together for one elevator and not all make it on. It’s needlessly complicated. The Coca Cola Freestyle machines were a hot mess a lot of times except at Windjammer. Always out of things even carbonation. Very weird. Sucks we paid extra for it. Our Boardwalk facing room was nice except for the times the Aqua Show was playing. The speakers were on 11 and the echo was killer. Sounded like a rock show right outside the balcony door and unfortunately for early sleepers and children they ran a show starting at 10:30 pm. Imagine our shock haha. The food was just ok. Presentation at the MDR was lack luster to say the least. It’s on the plate so Mission accomplished vibes. Windjammer food was ok but felt a little like they made weird choices about what to serve. It’s hard to explain. Also they only did seafood on the first day! Like come on man I’m on a ship. I’m here for seafood.
Many others have said this but it’s actually hard to see the ocean. Even the running track around the outside is mostly blocked with lifeboats. I could go on but what’s the use. We wanted to try Royal Caribbean to give it a shot, we did, and we won‘t be doing it again. DCL won this 1 v 1 and it‘s where we‘ll spend our money going forward. Make your own opinions and let’s discuss if you want. Thanks.

Can anyone share what quantitative measure is used to define what is and isn’t deemed appreciable as far as it pertains to weight and balance when making a decision on major vs minor repairs? Everything weighs something. If you’re adding equipment (not STC‘d) but not changing the MTOW, with limited impacts on W&B would you bother with a 337? Just wanted to discuss. Not making any choices based off of this. 337 already filled out. Thanks. Keep em safe.