Jaynice:)

Thanks everyone for the followups to my questions. My iPhone is glitching so I've been forced to make use of my laptop to check things here and on My Planner... and thankful that I did. I found all of my exact reservation times under Order History (or something like that) so indeed, I made them and they are there. Whew!

I have downloaded the Royal IQ app but don't see a way to let it know who I am/my reservation information. Does it start working when you are on board? Looks like I will need an iPhone upgrade and glad to know that now and not after boarding the ship later this month. Again, appreciate all the info and tips!

Those times are already booked up. There will be lines for people with and without reservations. If you don't mind waiting, you can go at any time and just wait for a table. The first night is the worst in terms of lines and service with MTD but it tends to get a lot better as the cruise goes on.

That’s why I booked back in November! So we knew when we’d have a reservation and it varied every night. Ugh.

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No, the restaurant is open to all ages.

Great, thanks. Do you have any idea why the specific MTD times are not appearing in my Cruise Planner? While I have you...has anyone posted recently about acupuncture on board Anthem? Do they have better sales on board? Anyone recently say they used the acupuncturist? They can be hit or miss. Thank you!

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There's one other specialty restaurant that's complimentary. Solarium Bistro, which serves a brunch buffet on sea days, has a healthy Mediterranean menu at night. They also server a whole lobster for $20 that comes with a glass of champagne. This is slightly less than what you'd pay for the same lobster in the MDR and was excellent. At the server's suggestion we paired that with the skirt steak for some surf & turf.

 

We did MTD and went to the dining room for dinner a few times. (This was the 12 night itinerary.) Tip: make a reservation on the app ahead of time. The dining room quality is on par with a good banquet hall. It's good, but the specialty restaurants are a step above the dining room.

Is Solarium Bistro adults only? It allowed me to make reservations for me and my 14 and 10 year.

Back in November I made MTD reservations for all other nights on the website, and even found an email confirming 2 of the specific times. Cruise Planner is showing 21 dining events (3x7...ok, all nights accounted for) but the MTD times all say ‘at your leisure’. I picked specific times. When you mentioned the app, Royal IQ? And did you have ZOOM?

Thanks?

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The kids vest at Coco were only $5 to rent for the day so an adult vest can't be too much more. Do the kayak vests inflate or are they a permanent flotation device? Typically the snorkel ones inflate using a valve on the vest (and deflate that way). So if your vests will take up a lot of room I'd just rent them for what would be each $10 max. The snorkel ones are just support for floating and are chest only. If their kayak ones are front and back they may not be good for snorkeling as you might float more vertical as opposed to horizontal. No excursion tickets needed if you have your own stuff. I think the "excursion" is just renting all the equipment that's needed and a safety video (but I didn't look too into it). I'd head to the left as you exit the tender and grab some loungers. You'll be nice and close to where you need to go to snorkel. You'll see the floating docks (small) that have been mentioned.

Good to know - thanks, I'll keep the vests at home.

Separate question I hope you might know... how much were games in the arcade? Trying to decide how much to pre-buy with arcade cards ($50 or $100 per kid). Also, were the soda machines working most of the time? I'd seen other reviews that they were often broken.

Thanks again!

Hi Jaynice. You'll be able to get tender tickets 2 days before (I think) in the 270 room. I had number 31 and got to Cococay about 10:30 am (10:45 latest). They didn't check the tender tickets so if you get a high number and still want to go early you could. They may check numbers as the crowds get larger but at 10:30 it wasn't crowded to get off the ship.

 

There were plenty of lounge chairs available when we arrived but by 11:30 they were being used. They rent umbrellas for $25 but it was too windy our day to so they didn't rent them. Our plan all along was to go early and come back early and I'm glad we stuck to that; it worked for us. We left to come back about 2:30/3 pm.

 

We went to the left as we got off the tender at Cococay. It great for lounging on the beach. Bar and food not too far away. It's where the snorkeling is too. The snorkeling spots are a bit of a distance out in the water so I'd make sure you kids rent and use the snorkel vests. It says mandatory but I don't know that anyone enforces this. I know when I was 11/14 I would think I didn't need it but they will tire quicker than they think so you may want to make that a non-negotiable (plus everyone else has it on).

So if I’m understanding you, there’s no need to purchase an excursion. Just head to the beach from the tender. Is that right? Costco has snorkel sets and my kids have vests for kayaking...may think about lugging them along. Thoughts?

Omg, soooo excited!! Thank you!

Nectarologist, thank you for this! The water/ice tip and iMessaging onboard was just what I wanted to know. Can you share what you did at Cococay? I’m trying to decide what to do with my 2 boys (14 and 11) on that day. I’d like a beach day - any recommendations?

Thanks!

Thank you, dpostman! Just what I was looking for...I'll be on deck 12 so may walk up to 13 and use this entrance. ;)

...there are the "secret/discrete" passages to get there from the 13th deck forward cabin area. That is a HUGE short cut....

 

 

EDIT to add: One thing to consider if choosing a deck 13 very forward balcony: The observation deck accessible from the solarium sticks out over the bridge and will block the forward view from the balcony. Also depending on privacy preferences, the balconies of the first 3 or 4 rooms are sort of in plain view to anyone on those observation decks.

dp

dpostman, Where are those secret passages? Are they on both sides? Could you use them from deck 12 or do they only go to deck 13? Deck 12 has fewer rooms forward than deck 13 (not sure why... captains quarters?).

Thanks!

We loved the 13 deck stayed on it on Quantum and Anthem. So close to everything no need to take the elevator to go to the pool or solarium or windjammer.

Jenjer, no troubles with the motion as others have noted with Anthem? I'll be travelling late March with my 11 and 14 year olds. This floor does seem so convenient but I'm not sure how they'll do with the motion. They've never been on a cruise, and I've only been on one. All was ok? Will they do anything together or are those age groups separate? Sorry if you don't know - I may be assuming here :). Thanks!

Hi - I'm looking to take the Pride in March 2018, with my 2 boys (10 and 14). I've cruised once before (2012) on a Celebrity cruise with my now ex-husband - we had splurged on a nice room with balcony. I'm not wanting to be cramped and my boys can get on each others nerves :evilsmile: but there's a $1500 difference between Extended Balcony 8J and Ocean Suite. Is it worth that price to get OS? I'm not sure if they'll abandon me for the activities etc. :') and if so, which room do I want to hang in? Are any of the Extended Balcony rooms updated? It seems the OS are but I'm unclear on the 8J.

Another question... did you go on the slides? I read a review stating it doesn't end in a pool and sometimes it's not open. I'm all about amusements and the slide is part of my draw to the Pride. Any comments on it? How does it end if not in a pool?

Thanks!