Christinampl

1 hour ago, jakeil7 said:

I don’t think so (and keep in mind that it changes with time). However, you could ask on the roll call for the sailing. Assuming you are not looking at a trip in the far future. 

yeah, that is what i figured and I did ask the roll call, thanks!

1 hour ago, proggieus said:

all that will tell you is what its selling for that particular day- by the time you actually book the cruise and log into cruise planner it will likely be different.

I know and I am ready to book the cruise and drink package now as long as together the price makes sense. Thanks!

Hi, is there a way to check the price of the deluxe drink package for a particular sailing prior to booking?

You will have to call (twice 🙄) to link dining though. Used to be able to do that online but no more. Annoying that I cannot eat dinner with friends/family but I can link charging privileges to their cards.

I sailed Anthem last October (adding this since you asked specifically about Quantum class, Brilliance in February, Symphony (largest at the time) in May and then an 8 day on Empress in mid-September.

I was a little nervous how I would feel going from all there is to do on Symphony all the way down to Empress in under four months and I want to say that I LOVED Empress! One of my favorite cruises to date, actually since the staff was SO AMAZING. I did have to adjust to such a small room and only having the Windjammer open most of the time when sometimes I just wanted a grab and go snack in my bathing suit but it was a small cost to me. I look forward to possibly sailing her again. I wish they had brought her back to Tampa for year round 3 and 4 day sailings since I think we are lacking that here.

On 9/3/2019 at 8:47 PM, dreamer976 said:

I have also had the RCI phone reps tell other people, part of my group but in different staterooms, that their request to link reservation w/mine would not be done unless I also called in to give my permission. 

 

Same dining type, time, didn’t matter. Who knows, maybe some people have found themselves “stalked” by fellow cruisers and they want to make sure everyone is on the same page. 😉

Of ALL of the terrible things that Royal did when "upgrading" their website, THIS is the one that irritates me the most.  That I can no longer just link all of us online like the good ole days and when I call to get us linked this is what I am told 😡

The next issue I have is that at least once per year my travel companions are from the UK (I am US) and half the time they tell me they cannot link US/UK bookings. The other half I get it done after about 5 calls. 

It is INSANE that it takes at minimum 2 calls from 2 different parties to different reps to get only 4 people to the same table.  But while I cannot get them linked to my dining reservations, I CAN get linked to their CREDIT card and give myself charging privileges!

Looking forward to your review. Happy you were able to enjoy under the stressful circumstances.

I board Empress this Saturday and cannot wait to read your thoughts. Any photos of MDR or drink menus?

16 hours ago, MaskedTurtle said:

They may be less-desirable to me, but not to others.  Also, they may be cheaper to the point that people book them to save as much as they can.

And that to me, is the biggest point, what people find desirable. I have MOSTLY chosen guarantee rooms because I like the savings more than I care about my room. I had a room on a 4 night this year that I LOVED the location of because it worked for MY needs.  I could definitely see though, why it would be a very undesirable location to many.  

Personally, I am perfectly fine with whatever room they give me as long as it is clean and I am taken care of because I use my room for sleeping and showering. Others require suites, balconies, etc. Figure out what is more important to you and choose accordingly 🙂

Loving this review since I am sailing Empress in just over a month after a nice time on Symphony in May. There are not many reviews on Empress, let alone so detailed and your photos are GORGEOUS. 

While I liked Symphony just fine, I do enjoy being on the smaller ships and feeling like I am out at sea rather than in a city.  I thought I read that Empress does not have a formal night but I see you referenced formal night.  I know not everyone dresses for it but there is a formal night (my sailing is an 8 night)?

The pool is very shallow and they would be able to stand in almost all of the pool (but one area in the middle). I am 5'3" by the way 🙂

Sailed Anthem last October and it was the largest ship we sailed. I only once felt the crowding and it was when a show let out and there was a sale at the shops on board. We were at the Pub and it was a little crowded but not terrible. That said, it was not our favorite but that could be the actual cruise, not the ship. I longed to be on a smaller ship BUT it may have been just that I longed for a sunny Caribbean cruise (it was a Canada/New England fall sailing) and time in the pool. 

We sail Symphony next month and I am curious to how I like it. I am keeping my mind open but so far, I think I am realizing that small/mid-sided ships fit our cruising style best.

12 hours ago, Zingy2 said:

 

We are sailing on the Brilliance in May and have also booked the Sushi making class for the two of us.  Did the Izumi staff indicate why they would not allow you to take your creations to your room (health/sanitary reasons...not wanting people to share with those who may not have paid for the class or...)?  Seems like a lot of food to have to consume at one time.  It is curious that some ships allow it and other may not.

They told us due to health safety issues.  We STUFFED ourselves sick but enjoyed it 😋

1 hour ago, BNBR said:

We had so much extra sushi, we brought it back and put it in the fridge in our room to enjoy later.

Lucky you, they would not allow us to take it out of Izumi on Brilliance in February. We were so bummed because we wasted about a roll each since it was SO MUCH food.  We decided we would do it again but only pay for one person to roll and both of us could share the eating part 😋

Usually yes, but I have had issues with asking for a coke and a bloody mary at the same time while sitting and STAYING at the bar and the bartender said no, only one drink at a time. Not the usual, but it has happened to me once (NEVER went back to his bar and I used to bartend so I tip well, his loss).

Spinning bar was working last weekend (and fortunately for me, Radiance class spinning VCL has always been up and running on my sailings).

I know this may sound strange but I have been on the same ship, same itinerary within 2 months time and I have felt it was a COMPLETELY different cruise!  So different that after my first I said I would never sail that particular ship again...2nd time I LOVED it! 

On 2/4/2019 at 11:21 AM, ZoeyVictoria said:

Just met some very pleasant women on the elevator who were able to confirm that the drink package still works.

 

 

That may have been my friend and me since I remember telling a few people in the elevators that they were accepting the drink package.  I hope your inconvenience was not "too" bad since I heard some horror stories of folks dealing with airlines. 

I'll be on your second sailing so this review is getting me so excited to board in two days!  Not excited about the weather I am seeing projected but we'll make the best of it.  I am so glad you got the fish n chips at Four Green Fields, they are AMAZING! 

My favorite cruise ship drink is the Habanero & Grapefruit Daiquiri in the Schooner Bar. When I ordered it I assumed it was a fruity frozen drink and when I received it, it was more martini-esque and not what I was hoping for/expecting.  I turned out to LOVE this drink so much.  So much so that I drank the Anthem out of the Miami Club Rum that they use to make this drink. I cannot wait to be on board the Brilliance in two days to have a few (just know that this is a strong cocktail if made correctly).  Enjoy your experiment!

Gladly got my Brilliance Jan. 31 sailing down to $49 today from $56 last week.

On ‎10‎/‎4‎/‎2018 at 10:09 PM, lenquixote66 said:

Subject says it all.

We went on our own ,BIG mistake.

Why was it a mistake for you? We are considering renting a car so we can go as we please.

There are SO many flights TPA to Newark so I am sure all will be fine.  We are at Gate A6 and you may be on the same if that gives you any peace.

Hope to meet you on the cruise! I am BEYOND looking forward to some cooler, no humidity temps.

Hi aring75, I am on this sailing with you and see you are from Tampa Bay.  I am over in Clearwater and also flying United tomorrow.  Are you on the 6:10am flight?

I think it is great for me since I tend to wear a lot of dresses with no pockets or a bathing suit and have to hand it to my DH to keep in his pants/shorts/swimsuit. I am also used to using something similar at Disney World where I am often. Is the WOW band waterproof (for pool/hot tub use)?

There is an Enterprise Rent a car nearby on Crown St. (15min walk from the City Market)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you! It was showing as sold out and now there are plenty of vehicles! I see you live there...any other pointers?

time to get there would be about 20-30 minutes from the town of saint john, cost for cab would be about 30.00 canadian dollars,

may I ask why you want to rent a car for your time in port

We have 12 hours in port and even accounting for $60 round trip taxi renting our own car is cheaper than any private tour I have found. Renting a car has been recommended a few times and I think it would be our best option.