CruisinCons

We were on the Liberty a few years ago - great ship! Just got off Quantum yesterday, gorgeous ship too. Putting aside all the craziness from the norovirus outbreak the previous week, had a great time too. But you have to go in knowing it will be different, and be willing to accept that and be willing to go with the flow and embrace the change. If you don't think you can do that, the Liberty is the better choice.

we are looking at an anthem cruise may 2016. was wondering if there is a bar/lounge in the solarium?

The Quantum had one. They specialized in smoothies too.

Hi, I didn't partake in the flying but I did hear there are stand by slots which provide alternative times over the length of the cruise. Stop by the iFly desk for details when you embark.

When I booked there was one day left too. You can show up for stand-by; basically you stand against a wall, they count how many people show up for their time slots, and if there is an empty seat first person in line gets to move in. 10-15 minutes later a new group shows up, and you get another chance. I did not hear anything about keeping empty slots for booking onboard, sorry.

They opened one panel on each side Friday while still in warm weather. Didn't really give the outdoor feel. Disappointing as they are jamming 4000 people to the only outdoor pool on the last real nice/warm day. I've never seen "chair hoggery" like that in a long time. 2 "outdoor" pools might fix that!

I was in the hot tubs in the indoor pool on Friday and had the perfect seat; got a great breeze coming in right on me. Was very nice....glad the weather warmed up enough so they did at least open one panel. I'm betting that with the temps we had today, they opened more than 1!

why would I need to do research on an RCI ship ?

All the rest have had normal dining and formal nights .... why should this have been different ?

you're damn right I'm complaining !!

and swoopy ...... what's dynamic classic got to do with it ??

is everyone else on the ship going to be at dinner in the grande the same day as me ??

I think you're all missing the point !!

Sorry Stitchman, CC is full of snarky people. Instead of being nice and giving constructive answers, more often than you'd like you get smart-alecs instead. Your original post was snarky to start, so those are the people who initially responded to you.

To answer your questions, the Quantum class of ships, which the Anthem is the second in this group, has a different type of dining than the others. It's a new system called "Dynamic Dining" where you make reservations at different restaurants based on your interests. There is one called The Grande, which is formal every night. Jackets required for men; if yours doesn't have one they will give him a loaner. You choose which nights you book at each dining room. You will NOT have the same waiter more than once on the trip unless you ask for them directly at the host station.

So many people have complained about this system (which requires to you make your reservations well in advance of the trip or you get stuck with stinky times) so there is a new system being offered on the Anthem called Classic Dynamic Dining, where the restaurants are rotated throughout the cruise, with the waiters traveling with you. You MUST choose this and it has limited availability.

That being said, the other posters do have a point (although they could have said it more nicely) that you can't assume just cause you have cruised RCCL before that every ship is the same. Each class comes with it's own new things that are supposed to WOW everyone, so you really should read up on a ship before you book it. This dining plan is not hidden but pretty prominent in their advertising. It is to your benefit to know your ship before booking.

I just got off the Quantum yesterday, so if you have any questions about how they handled the Dynamic Dining or my experience with it, I will be happy to (nicely) answer your questions.

I would love to see the 15-17 yo compasses!

I'm trying to figure out how to post the image. :(

Thanks! Is the sofabed by the door or the balcony?

306 has the sofabed, it actually sleeps 3. So sofabed by the balcony.

Updated 4/6/15 --

 

Here is hoping everyone survived the holiday weekend, with all of your family and friends.

 

It is with your help that I can keep this thread up-to-date. I have a few other limited resources, but CRUISERS are the best resource!

 

Adventure OTS – Tino MJ Lopez (began on 1/11/15 for 4 month contract)

 

Allure OTS - Katie Turner began on 3/8/15 for two months until Michele Scarpat returns when Allure begins sailing again from Barcelona on 5/19.

 

Anthem OTS – Zach Stratford will be taking out Anthem as her first Activity Manager -- happy sailing on 4/22/15 with passengers

 

Brilliance OTS – ???????? (there has been some conflicting information, so if someone is onboard now, it would be nice to know who is the AM on your cruise)

 

Enchantment OTS – Enzo (still on board on 3/13/15)

 

Explorer OTS – currently in drydock; Tanya was AM prior to drydock and will be continuing when ship comes out of drydock on April 24, 2015 and she may be remaining on board until June.

 

Freedom OTS - Belle O'Brien (on board 3/15/15)

 

Grandeur OTS – Andre Miller(through 5/15)

 

Independence OTS - Gordon Travis (thru Mid May 2015)

 

Jewel OTS - Katrina Blair (began on 3/21/15)

 

Legend OTS - Cici (on ship on the 3/26/15 sailing -- if someone could find out if this is a permanent assignment that began on February so only a vacation fill-in)

 

Liberty OTS - ????????

 

Majesty OTS - Mauricio Diaz

 

Mariner OTS - Linda Feng (unsure when she started and therefore unclear when her contract completes) was still onboard up to the 4/1/15 sailing with Gordon Whatman as CD. Is she still onboard?

 

Navigator OTS - Cuddy Cudsworth (began 2/23/15 for 4 month contract)

 

Oasis OTS - Jeremie (was on 3/7/15 sailing, unsure for how long)

 

Quantum OTS - Hugo (unknown last name) was on cruise that completed on 4/5/15 and says he expects to be staying on board when the ship goes to China; if that is the case, then he will be on Quantum for quite a long time perhaps until 9/1/15; LOOKING for more verification on this.

 

Radiance OTS - Darryl Dybal (joined ship 3/21/15 for a 4 month contract)

 

Rhapsody OTS - "Cruzin" Susan McColl -- still on board as of 3/28/15 (Susan has been on for a while therefore unsure when she is going on vacation)

 

Serenade OTS – Renalto (or Renato) was on 3/14/15 sailing

 

Splendour OTS – Daniel Dornas

 

Vision OTS - IS Marvin still on NOW? -- "Magic" Marvin will not be doing the TA crossing to Barcelona on the 4/26/15 sailing; it has been reported that CiCi will be and staying onboard until Elvis Pinto joins the staff; it is uncertain however if Elvis is joining the staff as AM or CD; it was previously mentioned by a CD that Elvis was going to be promoted to CD; time will tell. Elvis has confirmed that he is going to be joining Vision 5/23/15.

 

Voyager OTS - Elizabeth Haggerty (began on 3/5/15 for a 4 month contract)

 

Thanks to all the cruisers for information that they provide to me!

 

Michele Scarpat -- currently on vacation and will return to Allure on 5/19/15

Frankie Portera -- was last seen on Oasis; wondering where he is now

Elvis Pinto -- on vacation -- going to Vision upon his return, around May 23, possibly as CD.

Aysy -- probably on vacation; last seen on Serenade Feb 2015

I think Hugo's last name is Arias...but not 100% sure. I think I'm off by a letter or two. Trying to find out for sure. The CD has his full name everywhere in the Compasses...but not Hugo, LOL.

Happy Sailing....before you know it departure day will be here.

 

Always looking for updates on who is the current Activity Manager on board a Royal ship.

 

Definitely looking to know who is currently the AM on:

 

Liberty

Quantum

 

Is Mauricio Diaz still on Majesty? When is he going on vacation? Will he be the regular AM, until Majesty leaves the fleet (even though that is in April 2016)?

 

All info is appreciated!

Got off Quantum yesterday. Hugo is the AM; he made it sound like he was going to China with the boat; but can't be 100% on that. Not sure how his mandarin is, haha. Jimmy (CD) wasn't as clear with his comments if he was going too.

No, funny, but two of our rooms has the bed by the door and two had the bed by the virtual balcony. The two rooms that we had right next to each other had one by the door and one by the balcony.

 

There was no curtain in any of the rooms, but maybe if you have three in a room there will be one. Sorry I don't know for sure.

 

Mark.

From what I have read here, the position of the bed & sofa is determined by whether or not that sofa is just a sofa, or if it's a sofabed.

We were in 11306 & 11308, connecting balconies. Our bed was by the door in 306, and in 308 the bed was by the balcony.

Wow - thank you!

 

Any chance you have a copy of the kids menu to post? Any of the kids' club compasses? We are traveling in a few weeks and I'd love to give the kids an idea what to expect.

 

Are you saying it is easier to have a dining reservation and change it than to try and book without a reservation? There are two nights that the only time available for our party of 8 was way later than what will work for our kids, but I did go ahead and book it anyway hoping to change later.

 

Did you have any connecting rooms? Was there anything different about their setup?

What aged kids? I have the 15-17 yo Compass.

If you show up at a restaurant at 5:30 chances are you will be a table. But not sure how that applies to a group of 8, as we were only 4. I'd visit the host stations on Day 1 and make any changes you want to be safe.

We had connecting balconies on deck 11. The only thing different in our room was the extra door when you first walk in that needs to be unlocked from both sides. There are very strong magnets that keep them open, and you can close one when you need to without them locking. The balcony flap was also unlocked so we had a larger balcony. Still a partial partition, just not all the way.

No kids menu, sorry, as mine are teens.

Just got off Quantum today. The $0 is so you can make a reservation. When you get there, you will be given a menu and you pay for what you order. Not sure how important the reservations are, though. Most times when we walked by it was pretty empty. Only the last night was it busy.

Agree. Just got off as well, so happy to answer anything that Torbs can't. Well, I'll try, anyway. haha!

Just got off the ship; it was broken the whole trip. Someone put in a wrong size coin. Very bummed!

I haven't been there yet but have read a few reviews about it. Basically, when you get there you "paint" a piece of paper and your menu will appear. Your waiter will let you order a couple things, ask you a bunch of questions about likes and dislikes, then take over the ordering for you based on how you answered their questions. It's for people who are adventurous in eating, willing to try foods not normally found on regular menus. Definitely not for kids, unless they are willing to eat wacky stuff. Pretty sure there is a kids menu, but you may still have to pay the specialty restaurant fee for them. Not 100% sure on that.

Everything has ben covered. Just some suggestions:

 

American Icon Grille. Best salad bar on sea days for lunch.

Jamie's order the meat platter as an appetizer. If you like pasta, order fettuccine Bolognese an the lamb chops for the main entrée. Don't waste you time on the eggplant, etc.

Chic, order the Chilean sea bass and the chocolate torte.

Grande, the lobster tail(s). On some nights Silk has lobster tail(s)

You do not have to eat in the WJ for dinner, but visit and see the wonderful selections--from Italian antipasti to pasta and shrimp scampi cooked to order. While there, grab a handful of freshly baked cookies at any time of the day.

Take plenty of pennies and use them in American Icon Grille as there's a machine that flattens the coins with various Quantum symbols .

 

All show: Make sure you get there early. I suggest a minimum of 30-45 for Mamma Mia, assuming you have reserves.

 

I-fly/Ripcord: Make sure you have reserves and you will enjoy the longest 60 seconds of your life. I had Michael (a Scot) as instructor and he was fantastic.

 

NorthStar: Try the early AM especially when in port. They only take 12 at a time and lasts for approximately 12 minutes. Lines, usually get long.

Music Hall: Go for the Karaoke shows. Some are good and others are awful. However, very entertaining.

 

Solarium and 2x70 for relaxation.

 

There are so many other activities such as bump cars that you should investigate and partake in.

Was there a cost, other than the penny itself, to use the penny machine?

No idea! That's what I am hoping to find out. :D

I tried searching but I can't seem to find the answer to this question. I've got my shiny pennies ready to be flattened into Quantum pennies. But no one said if there is a cost for the smusher. LOL Do I need to bring quarters to "pay" for my smushed penny? Or is it complimentary.

Thanks bunches!!!

Thanks. All I've seen so far is from early sailings, or from the other itinerary than ours. Was hoping someone who just got off would be around to answer.

We're heading on our 11th cruise and working on my packing list. When we cruised pre-kids, we used to love to participate in the theme nights, but were often disappointed at least once a trip as we didn't have the appropriate "themed" clothing. I wish they published those things ahead of time, as more people may participate if they bring the proper attire with them.

I think this is the first cruise we are not packing hawaiian shirts, but we are cruising from our home state so we are not worried about how much we a bringing on a place. Anyone who has cruised Quantum already remember any theme nights? 70s, 80s, etc?

Thanks!

Ignore the people who just want to hear themselves talk, yet have nothing constructive or important to say.

We've left our kids on board many times (they are going on their 6th cruise) and if it wasn't a normal thing to do then the cruise line wouldn't offer it.

In our experience, Disney was the only ship that required payment or booking. Both RCCL & Carnival let you drop them off. They did feed them too. Good luck and happy sailing!!

Jenjer, see you on Quantum next week!

Oh, I just noticed that your itinerary is different than ours. We are in Port Canaveral until 11pm. Then we are going to Nassau first, staying 2pm until midnight, then CocoCay the next day. Maybe that's why we have the one headliner, as we are in port at night two nights in a row.

We only have one guest entertainer scheduled on our cruise, days 4 & 5. Maybe they will add a second when we get there? That would be great. We enjoy going to a show every evening, and are kindof bummed that there isn't enough new ones each night.

We noticed on our last cruise a couple years ago that (not only on RCCL) entertainment options were slowing down. I think that we had 2 shows, 1 guest entertainer, and that was it in the main theater on our last Carnival cruise. One night the cruise director did a couple shows, Love & Marriage, that kind of thing, both were using passengers as entertainment, and one night had the big bingo game. I can't remember what else for the 7 night cruise, but there were nights where we were looking for something to do.

We're not old, in our fourties, but we have been cruising since 1992, and I think we're more in the older folks camp with liking things the way they are. We chose the QOS for our two teen boys. I think once they are off to college we will find ourselves back on the smaller boats with more traditional cruising experiences.

I wish they kept that the same every cruise, it would be so great! I can tell you the Day 2 10:30pm of Starwater has been cancelled on the 3-29 cruise, and they added a Day 1 at 8:15pm. We got an e-mail notifying us of the cancellation, inviting us to visit the Cruise Planner to choose from 6 other showings that week. I was there within 20 mins of the e-mail, and the ONLY option available was the new day 1 showing. LOL

Awesome spreadsheet!! Thanks for doing that for us!