shipmate13

Great, I sure will check on that. I am keeping notes of all of these suggestions and feel better about it already. thanks again

You have given me some wonderful suggestions for hotels and restaurants. Can't thank you enough. I will definitely keep these in mind and appreciate your help!

Thank you. I will look into this hotel also. And transportation to NY, that sounds like a bonus to me. Appreciate this.

Thank you so much, that is great news.

Thank you for your suggestion. I will certainly check it out

We are cruising out of New Jersey for the first time in August and was hoping we could get some advise on hotels near the cruise pier and transportation ideas. If we are flying into Newark Liberty International Airport and staying at a hotel near the airport, is there shuttle services to the pier or will we have to Uber or take a taxi? I guess we could go back to the airport in the morning and take transportation thru Royal Caribbean too as an option. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

When we were on our Alaska cruise and staying in a suite, we went to the concierge lounge every night before dinner and had wonderful free drinks. Before we left, they poured us a full glass of wine or whatever we were drinking and told us to take it with us to dinner, sometimes they gave us two. The sign outside said no drinks were allowed past the door when leaving but they encouraged us to take them. That was a nice perk. Saved us some money.

I'm sorry, interlopers? The other passengers who paid to be on the ship? Is that who you are referring to??? You make it appear to sound like everyone else is not worthy. Very sad.

But reading your review, it appears that you enjoyed this ship which I will be on next August. I am looking forward to it and I will not board until I am told to do so.

Interloper: Intruding on people without their permission, one who interferes with the affairs of others for selfish reasons, an intruder who does not belong at a social gathering or anywhere else.

Sad very sad.

Finally, someone not posting that they will never go on Royal Caribbean or Anthem again because they didn't have towel animals every night or a chocolate on their pillow. Sounds like you went with an open mind and had a wonderful time. Good for you. I am going on this ship next August and can't wait. I am not loyal to any cruise line and like it that way.!

I know what you are going through. We sold our house in three weeks and they told us to get out in 2 weeks and we were leaving on a cruise. We had closing just 2 days before we left but when we got on that ship, we were so relaxed because the hard part was done. Our last cruise we were in a suite so the extra perks were fantastic. It spoiled us so much, we booked another cruise while we were on the ship in a grand suite. I had on board credit from a previous cruise so when my bill came on the last night it was $1.32 cents. Yup, that's right. We are going on this ship in August next year for 9 days and can't wait. I hope you have a relaxing trip with wonderful memories.

I'm sorry, was that a stupid question?

Can someone please tell me if the dividers can be opened on the Anthem of the Seas. We are going on this ship with another couple that has never sailed on Royal Caribbean and we talked them into a balcony suite. We were hoping you can still have them opened so we can visit in the evening or throughout the day when we are in our rooms.

Thank you

My daughter and son in law is on that ship.They are celebrating their 2nd anniversary and I am very grateful that someone is posting information about what is happening on it. Just because you are not on the ship and its not important to some of you, we have loved ones who are passengers on it and even the little things become very important to us. Thank you for the post.

We just came back from the Alaska cruise a couple of days ago and it was a total nightmare once off the ship. I would not chance a flight that close because you never know what to expect. The lines in the airport was crazy!! The lines waiting for transportation to the airport was crazy too.. We did take Uber and they arrived right on time but anything can happen. I would not do it, but that is just me

Thank you for responding to my question. I very much appreciate your assistance

I have not been on Royal Caribbean for a couple years but the last time I was on it, they allowed us to punch a hole in our sign and sail cards. I thought I read somewhere recently that they are not allowing that anymore, is this correct?? We usually like to keep them on a lanyard. I don't want to put them in pockets or purses which I do not carry. Does it have something to do with the magnetic strip on the back and if so, can't you just punch a hole away from it. Things change so often now that you have to ask.

thanks for anyone who can answer this for me. :)

Wow, I guess I am lucky since I never have gotten off a ship with a photo ID only sign and sail card but a lot of you brought up a very good point so with that being said, I will definitely take my ID with me. Never been to Alaska so not knowing what to expect during this vacation makes me a little uneasy, but its a cruise right, so I need to just relax and take my ID!!!!

We are going on Explorer of the Seas to Alaska in July. I read that you are required to take 2 forms of ID with you when you leave the ship, a photo ID and your Sign and Sail Card. We have never taken a photo ID off a ship with us before at ports only the Sign and Sail Card. Is this something new??

also I heard from people who have cruised Alaska before say that the only wildlife you will see is if you go on an excursion especially whales, bears etc. Is that a true statement?

OK, I have cruised a few times but never have I done anytime dining. We are going with relatives in March and they are going to do the anytime dining so we have decided to go along with it but we have always done traditional and love it. How do we tip our waiters/waitresses if we go that route? Will it be automatically put on our bill or will it be separate? Hope that isn't a stupid question

No, never a fortunate one for a suite. The last two Royal Caribbean Cruises we have been on we had lanyards in our room along with pins. Maybe I was just lucky I guess.

Has Royal Caribbean changed recently about giving lanyards and pins to returning Crown and Anchor Members? They use to have them in the room upon your arrival. My daughter just came off the Allure of the Seas and this is her 4th cruise aboard Royal Caribbean and she said that they didn't have them in the room like previous cruises.

Thank you everyone for all your feedback, even to those of you who checked schedules before responding, that was kind. I am certainly going ahead with plans as this is the only time I can go. I believe it will be what I make of it. Looking forward to the vacation aboard the beautiful ship.

thanks again.....

Ouch, I understand it is a huge ship and it will be full but I am hoping for an enjoyable time and not being overrun by spring breakers. Hopefully they will all head to a beach instead. Nothing against college students before someone thinks I am anti children but I have had some really bad experiences on previous cruises during spring break and this is the only time I can schedule or I would change it. No matter what I will make the best of it.

I just booked the Allure of the Seas for March 22. Can someone tell me if I dodged spring break? I kind of looked at schedules for colleges and high schools and it looked like the one I scheduled is in between spring break and Easter so I hope I am right.

I also have a complete set, so if you need more just let me know, I will be happy to help you out.