cruisin0504

We booked for embarkation lunch, seems like a great alternative to chaos of buffet.

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According to the information we've been given by Royal Caribbean International, here's what you'll find onboard a Royal Caribbean ship for Hanukkah.

 

Hanukkah: Hanukkah will be celebrated with lighting ceremonies, songs, games, food and even a kids' history of Hanukkah.

That's great news! Thank you!

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When we were on the Anthem in March we were able to make phone calls over Wifi package. I think that I read something about that not working now. I need to figure this out as I need to check in on my 80 year old mom a few times a day. Someone suggested going through an app like what's app, but I don't understand this part of the technology enough to know if that would work.

Not So.....we sailed on Her Majesty of the Seas several years ago and Chanukah fell over the weekend that we sailed. Each night they had a special setup of food and time to light an electric menorah at that time. The services were lay led, since they do not provide a rabbi, which is totally fine. The same with Shabbat services the ship will provide an area for the service but it needs to be lay led.

That would be lovely. I hope that they do that on the Anthem. I questioned via email twice and was told no. Time will tell. It is good to hear of others who enjoyed their Chanukah abord RCI ships!

Thanks everyone! We are all in agreement - no rabbi is needed. It happened to have been nice to have one on the HAL cruise, just because it was very organized. Chanukah celebration of some sort would be nice and appreciated. I hope that someone from RCI is following this thread and helps to make that happen. Even though it is an individual mitzvah to light the menorah - I feel that there is something special about meeting up with others and sharing in the celebrating while far from home. If there is nothing set up for our first night, then at the meet and mingle on the first day we will reach out to the officers present.

I will let you know the outcome after the cruise!

On the CCL Vista TA last year, on Shabbat two groups organized services. One traditional and one reformed. It was held in the library, arguing was abound, I thought fists would fly soon.

 

 

Yikes!

 

Years ago my son led the service (at 17 years old) and everyone thought that he must be Yeshiva trained - but he was actually reform! It was a nice compliment. We have never had a conflict - more like everyone pointing at one another who should lead.

Nothing beats the sheet cake decorated with "Happy Passover" on Navigator a few years back.

Haha! That reminds me of college - when they thought that they were being so kind - had piles of bagels and cream cheese for Passover. The non-Jews loved it!

 

See if you can contact the cruise director for the specific ship.

 

As has been stated, some ships DO celebrate.

 

If anyone happens to see this and are sailing before our 12/14/17 cruise - could you please provide info on the cruise director? Thank you.

 

I totally agree - no rabbi is needed - just trying to make is special by having an area in the back of the windjammer - with an electric menorah, some traditional foods, etc. would be so nice! We loved the self led Sabbath celebration - surrounded by the ocean - it is so memorable! They provided beautiful challah, wine and had it set up very nicely.

Not true. We sailed last year on Grandeur, and there was a nightly lighting of the menorah with an appropriate reading (at least I thought it was). It was in the Centrum, along side the Christmas decorations. I thought it was a nice touch.

 

Mike - I wish it were not true - but this is the response that I received today via email:

Please be advised that while Passover is generally held onboard, we do not typically have Chanukah services or celebrations. We apologize for any disappointment this may cause.

They didn't have a rabbi for the Shabbat (Sabbath) service earlier this year, and it was lovely. A rabbi was nice to have, but not essential.

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I am so disappointed.

We have sailed during Chanukah through the years - on HAL and NCL. In all cases Chanukah was celebrated nightly - with appropriate foods, a menorah and more. I just heard from RCI that there is NO celebration on board the Anthem. Considering all of the money spent on the beautiful Christmas decorations (which we do enjoy) - it would cost very little to recognize our celebration as well. We chose this sailing as a Birthday/Chanukah present and never thought that it would be omitted from the many offerings of this mega ship!

We purchased lunch at Chops for our upcoming Anthem cruise in Dec. $19/pp and get to avoid the chaos of the buffet!

I remember those budget cuts very well last year when they canceled all Tribute bands back in September for the rest of 2016.

 

 

 

Going forward, they will no longer have any Tribute bands on 5 night sailings, which are the Bermuda sailings.

 

 

 

Currently on Anthem and they just had the Bon Jovi Tribute band called Wanted, who performed for 3 nights, they went home today :( Wanted will be back on Anthem for the 11/4 & 11/11/17 sailings :D

 

 

 

Next week Anthem is having a U2 Tribute band and on our 12/2/17 Anthem sailing they are having a Led Zeppelin Tribute band.

 

 

 

So as of now, Tribute bands are back :D except for 5 night sailings.

Do you happen to know which band will be on the 12/14/17 sailing?

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On our sailing on Oasis, or maybe Allure (cant remember which it was) they had free popcorn.. Sad that they don't offer that on Anthem.

Yes - hopefully someone reading this will agree and have free movie type snacks and beverages for the movie. It would be a fun way to enhance the experience.

We're sailing on the 8-night Bahamas cruise. Anyone know if they'll screen outdoor movies or which ones? Thanks!

 

 

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We were on the 7 night Bahamas last March and they did show outdoor movies - I think it was every night - even when it was cold. We are on the 8 night in December - when are you going?

We have sailed both. Had great cruises on both. One of the main differences that we found was that the Anthem is better suited for Northern sailings. In order to have an indoor pool area on NCL you have to pay for the spa area. On Anthem there is a huge indoor area - some for families and another for adults only. Both very nice! Basically can't go wrong with either - mostly depends on time of year sailing IMHO

Has anyone heard the updated condition of CoCo Cay after the storm? We LOVED our day there earlier this year and hope to enjoy a beach bed again in Dec.

We LOVED the GF crepes and pancakes in the Windjammer every morning. We did not request that they prepare many items separately GF for dinner - but they were very accommodating when asked. There was a lot of confusion trying to get GF in 270 for a roast beef sandwich. We LOVED the meringue cookies in the windjammer. We felt that there were plenty of GF options for us - but we only have intolerance.

Have a great time! We loved the Anthem so much that we are going again in Dec!

We too were surprised by this - our solution was to go to the windjammer during dinner time and make up a plate of fruit to enjoy upon our return to the cabin. Worked out great!

Thank you! I know nothing about the Summit - and I love the pre-cruise research! This looks great - I will enjoy reading it tonight (gotta work to be able to cruise ;p)

Sorry - no answer to that one - but curious as to how the Summit is - we are booked for next May!

There is a real grab bar in the shower, mounted vertically, on the wall across from the one shown in the above photo.

 

 

 

Thank you!

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Hi all -

Planning a trip to Bermuda with my Mom. She needs to have grab rails in the shower. We are looking at a balcony cabin. I would prefer to not take a handicap cabin from someone who may need it if we can accommodate this way. Does anyone h have any pics? The cabin that we are looking at is 8143.

Hi - I am looking for recommendations. My Mom (80 years old) and I are going to cruise to Bermuda next May. I am looking at the 3 local options - NCL Breakaway, RCL Anthem and Celebrity Summit. I have been on the 2 mega ships and never on the Summit.

Which do you think would meet her needs best? She is mobile - but sometimes has balance issues. One thought that I had was that I experienced the medical care on the Anthem and it was great. Does Summit have comparable care to the newer larger ships?

Thanks in advance!