teddie

We paid $700 total to upgrade from a JS to a GS with Large Balcony, and it was absolutely worth it, but it's definitely a gamble. If you are satisfied with your cabin, then stick with it. Happy sailing! Teddie

I was notified 3 days before sail date. I point out that a bid could be offered for a cabin that does not necessarily show up as available. Recall also that there is a great chance that there was a late cancellation, OR, that a pax in an excellent location got bumped up with THEIR bid, which opens up that cabin for MY bid 🙂.

Forgiven lol.

Just noticed this is a pretty old post, so I am deleting my comment. Teddie

I'm self employed. And there it is. Teddie

Check the Monday of American Thanksgiving week. Prices typically drop then. Good luck! Teddie

For sure...if not this time, hopefully soon! Teddie

On my 3/17 Anthem sailing suites showed as sold out for months prior to sailing. I was notified about 4 days prior to sail date that my RU from JS to GS was accepted. Several others on my group page also received RU acceptance emails the same day I did. I guess between any travel agent holds and/or cancellations, it IS possible. Interestingly, the concierge's welcome letter was in our suite on check in--with the previous guests' name on it. Teddie

I'd keep both. I had three different cabin bids going simultaneously. I don't think the number of bids impacts the acceptance.... Teddie

On my third sailing submitting a RU, my bid from a JS to a GS was accepted 4 days prior to sailing and at the lowest bid amount. I was thrilled. And now I'm spoiled for suites. There is definitely a method to this process 🙂 And to add to the fun, a person in a FB group for my sailing RU'd to my original JS cabin. Teddie

Thanks for your review. It's extra nice to read, as we just sailed our third time on the Anthem, the most recent time being the 03/17/2024 sailing--we prepared the ship to be ready for you :). The whole MTD "reservation" process is clunky as heck! While the hostess is lovely and clearly works very hard, something is wrong with the way this goes. The "reservation" line is slow, and I can only believe that the "without reservation" line is slower. The checking of availability takes way too long. It is not a smooth process by any means. I am not sure if the software is ineffective, or if the hostess's preparation is lacking. Interestingly, since we had a full suite on the 03/17 cruise, we felt again that the process was clunky for the Coastal Kitchen as well. Again, lovely, hard working hostess. When you arrive at the podium, if the hostess is not there, you will wait in the hall outside the closed doors of the CK until she comes out after seating the previous guest. Then comes a somewhat longish wait for the hostess to locate a table for you, I felt badly for those on line behind us! This was extra tricky at breakfast on a port day prior to disembarking--even arriving early incurred at least a 10 minute wait in the hall for the hostess to emerge from the CK. (We were patient and didn't complain or ding anyone/anything on the survey.) We loved the service in the MDR on previous cruises, and really loved the service and food in the CK on this most recent one. But something has got to change for the seating process! Teddie

We were just there last week and paid 89$ per person. I’ve never paid more than that and this was our third visit. All three were purchased during Black Friday weeks. Teddie

Best to get an early check in time (before 11:00 AM) in Bayonne to beat a long wait to drive up to the luggage drop off. Teddie

I guess I'm used to it; but coming from the south, it's a straight shot on the turnpike for the entire state to the port. Just don't do the speed limit in the left lane and you'll be fine 🙂 Teddie

Jeeze. Cape Liberty in NJ is fine. It's our home port and we sail out of there 98% of the time. Teddie