CapitalKyle

It’s all about where they can make the most $. Also, as far as I’m aware, there have been no announcements pertaining to where Q5 will sail from, so technically only 3 of 4 spend (or will spend) time in Asia or Australia . :)

My mistake. I thought I read something in this thread about Quantum 5 (Quantum Ultra 2?) also being sent straight to Asia. Perhaps I was hallucinating ;p

Do we know why RCI seems to feel that Quantum-class ships belong in Asia/Pacific? I'm making this assumption, but I think it's obvious based on their actions. Four of the five Quantum (and -Ultra) -class ships have either ended up in APAC or been purpose-built for the market, including the two newest - and upgraded - builds in the class.

I'm glad that Ovation is coming to Alaska but that still puts only 2 of 5 ships in the NA market, and none in the more traditional Caribbean zones (Florida/Texas). Do they just not see these ships as good fits for the market? If so that's a shame, because Anthem has easily been in my top-two favorite ships and I'd love to have more opportunities to sail the class.

FINALLY caught up on this thread. I found it a few days ago and have been down the Edge rabbit hole ever since :p. How great that my catching up coincides exactly with the beginning of her sea trials.

Lloyd, I am a big fan of your work dating back to the "Quantum Keel Blocks..." days, thank you for everything you (and your sources) do! Also thank you to everyone who has contributed to this lively, entertaining and funny (punny?) thread. Communities bound together by a common interest like this are the true spirit of CC in my opinion and I'm very thankful to have it!

To throw my unsolicited two cents out there, I think that Edge is a beautiful, stately and refined-looking ship. I'm thrilled with the bow design and agree that it's a great representation of the "everything old is new again" philosophy that others have mentioned already. The MC is perhaps a little gimmicky but I for one am going into it with an open mind and happy to see the cruise line pushing for something new and innovative. It seems like a reaction to the general trend amongst the mass-market lines for "wow-factor" bells and whistles but as gimmicks go I think it's pretty reserved.

I will sailing this beautiful lady for her westbound Mediterranean/Transatlantic on Nov 1, 2019 from Rome to Ft. Lauderdale in an AQ2 - 9274. It'll represent a number of cruising firsts for me... first Celebrity cruise, first Transatlantic, first Med cruise, and first sailing longer than the typical 7/8 days!

Test!

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Zzz

Thank you for this thread! Will be onboard Enchantment for New Years (departing Dec 29) and was wondering what had been refreshed during the dry dock.

Thanks for this thread, will be on Enchantment for New Years this year! Can't wait :bottle-pop: :champagne-toast:

Now this is what I call a crossover. Marvel Cinematic Universe be damned, this is the blockbuster entertainment the people want, nay need!

Thanks again for the awesome review, safe travels home!

Urban Poutine? I've been looking for that truck, but it hasn't stopped near my office yet. One day..soon.

That's the one!

Oh good! I can get some when I'm there to head out on the Grandeur in Sept! :D

 

Thanks Carol!

 

Lisa N.

If you can catch it, there's actually a poutine food truck in the DC/Baltimore area. Stops by the office park where I work occasionally. Classic poutine with big chunks of hardwood smoked bacon... drool.

I have a tee shirt from there...

Thanks for another great review, York. Between you, Doug and CLR you've got the unholy trinity of hilarious and entertaining CC reviews.

Need to lay down a new base. Everyone else had the same idea. Can anyone say wings?!!

 

 

 

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Wow the late night crowd really does look like it's poppin'. Was on NCL Jewel in March and the night life was so dead they were closing the bars at 11 or 12... Maybe just a bad combo of time of year and itinerary. Glad to see it's not the case everywhere!

You run as if the police are chasing you. Limited to the first 100 people that show up at Headliners Comedy Club on Deck Six. Definitely a boarding experience like non other.

Following along! Love your reviews. Apparently so does everyone else: you started yesterday and you're already at 9 pages!

Re: Vibe. You mentioned Headliners to get the passes. I've read that on Breakaway it's Guest Services... anyone know whether that's still the case? Thanks in advance!

Hope this cruise is off to a great start Rick! Boarding Breakaway two weeks from today so your review is my appetizer :D

The boys are up early to head to Abbots Cliffs for some jumping. Wish us luck.

 

Some early morning photos.

 

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Good luck and have a blast. The pics are gorgeous!

Also just want you to know that your review has triggered the itch and I'm now stalking a 9-nighter on Anthem next summer to Bermuda/Caribbean. This is all your fault. :')

My FAVORITE BARTENDER IN THE ROYAL CARIBBEAN WORLD is still on the Anthem!!!!!! Suzy Q making me my favorite drink!!!!

 

 

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Suzy Q ftw!!! I was on Anthem's inaugural trip to Bermuda last year and she made Music Hall the place to be.

Loved your Navigator review, happy to be able to follow along live this time! You guys look like my kind of cruisers, here's hoping I cross paths with you at the bar one day.

I will be sailing on February 18th on Adventure. I would be happy to checkfor you if you let me know what you are looking for. Email me at debhan79 at yahoo dot com with the specifics and and maybe a picture of something similar so I can look for it. I will write it on my list of things to check for.

Thank you so much, I'll do that.

Food is so subjective. We haven't been on the Jewel in years (we board her again this Friday for the Panama Canal!), so I can't be Jewel-specific here, but we think Cagney's is overrated. Surely you have better steakhouses in DC (or pretty much anywhere). We usually enjoy Le Bistro and Teppanyaki, On the Gem last February, we were underwhelmed with the meats at Moderno (dry and tough, just like the steaks at Cagney's, with which it shares a kitchen), though we enjoyed the salad bar and the papaya cream dessert, and went back a second night just for those. (Again, the meats will not be anywhere near the quality of a Fogo de Chao.)

 

We have the UDP on the Jewel (and we are Platinum, so we also get two dinners at Le Bistro), and so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for some good dining experiences!

 

Enjoy your cruise!

Thank you for the thoughts, and enjoy the Panama Canal cruise! That sounds wonderful.

Thanks everyone for the responses! I may just have to ditch the group for a couple dinners :p

Which restaurant(s) should I not miss?? I've heard Cagneys...

Hi - going on a group cruise on the Jewel in March. It will be my second NCL cruise but the first was on Sky, so I didn't get much of the true "NCL experience," I don't think.

My question is whether the specialty restaurants (Teppanyaki, Cagneys, etc...) are open for lunch? We are sailing with a group who will likely want to stick to the MDR mostly, but a friend and I don't want to miss out on the specialty restaurants!

Bump. Still looking for one :)

What's the earliest time to board

We were able to select a boarding time of 10:30 - 11:00. Not sure but think that is the earliest.

I sailed on April 30th and when we checked in online 10:30-11:00 was the earliest option. Our boarding was delayed by a Coast Guard inspection but not by much. It was not super busy when we arrived at about 10:30 but there were small queues for each of the roaming check-in agents. Make sure to do the full check in online (picture and everything) as it will save you a lot of time pierside!

Link to my live blog HERE if you want to read the portion about embarkation.

Linda and I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you, Kyle. You put a lot of time and work into your postings and your photos, and they've really helped us to prep for our first Anthem trip in August.

 

I hope our paths cross on some future cruise. I suspect that we would both be filling up a bunch of memory cards.

 

So Linda and I say THANKS, KYLE!!!! You've set a high bar for anyone's future reviews or photos of the ship.

 

Regards,

 

Linda & Alan

Thank you so much for those kind words, Linda and Alan! It means a lot to me that others were able to get some enjoyment or value out of my work. Happy sailing in August and here's to our paths crossing one day onboard!

Beautiful! I love your choices of what "qualifies" as art ... I'm sailing in 3 days, and these pics just got me completely amped up!!! Cannot wait to see them in person on Saturday ... thank you!!! [emoji847]

Thank YOU for following along and commenting :D Two days! Aaaah! I am so very jealous. I hope you have a fabulous time and please say hi to those two bartenders at Bionic Bar for me. They were so quiet but always so accommodating :rolleyes:

In all seriousness, though, Susie at the Music Hall main bar (Deck 3) is the best bartender on the ship. Make sure to stop by!

Last few. More stairwell art:

Well that does it! Again, not a comprehensive collection of the art onboard, or even all of the stairwell art, but the ones I found more interesting or beautiful. :D