chiguypaul

Purchased wristbands for use with my drink package on the Harmony. Can I use those on Anthem?

On the first day, I'd like to go on iFly without a reservation. I've read from others here that's definitely possible. My plan was to board the ship early and head straight up. Any recommendations on how early, before the "start time" for iFly I should head up to try and get a spot?

Apparently the answer is "no". Just saw the post at 

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I'm leaving on the Anthem in two weeks. Can someone pass along if the fruit based smoothies are still at the Solarium Bar? Thanks!

7 minutes ago, mjkacmom said:

We sail out of NYC, most of the kids my kids meet live in the area. Cruises out of here tend to more expensive, airports suck, hotels expensive, weather cold - if we didn’t live here, we’d never cruise from here.

wasn’t our first choice either. We’ve already gone on every ship that leaves out of Miami and Fort Lauderdale for New Year’s. Was looking for a different class ship and this worked out great. wasn’t crazy about sailing out of the Northeast but had to be flexible.

Thanks. My question really isn’t about where the cruise goes to or where it sales from. I understand that. I was just wondering what the passenger make up is like. People from the Northeast makes sense. But at the same time if you leave from Florida not everyone is from Florida.

Normally, and annually, I take a New Year’s cruise out of Fort Lauderdale. The passenger base is typically from all over the US and a lot of international. This year I’m taking the anthem out of New Jersey for New Year’s. Was wondering what the geographic make up was of those who attend? A lot of New Yorkers a lot of people from the Northeast? I know every cruise can be different but I was just curious what peoples experience was. 

8 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/coco-cay-port-392

 

Scroll down and click "Schedule", then select the month/year.

 

 

Perfect. Thanks for sharing that. 

I'll add that after a few years on the Oasis class, I'm bummed about not having the smoothie option on the Anthem... Oh well..

How can I find out what other ships will be at Coco the same day I am (before I leave for my cruise)?

1 minute ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Photos of your children aged 21 and under, who may be traveling in a separate stateroom are included.

 

https://support.ourcruisephotos.com/support/solutions/articles/238919-i-am-traveling-with-family-in-multiple-staterooms

Thanks for sharing that.

Just now, Ourusualbeach said:

Minor children in another cabin are fine.  

For non-minors, how does RCL "block" the download of other people?

In an upcoming cruise I have one stateroom with my wife and adjoining room for our 14 and 17 year old. I was looking at the PHOTO PACKAGE: ALL DIGITAL + PRINTS option. In the details it says "The following are not included in print and/or digital photo packages: Photos of others in your party not traveling in your stateroom". Seriously? So if my family takes a picture together they really won't count that? I will reach out to RCL, but just curious on experiences people from CC have had. Thanks!

On 11/12/2019 at 7:16 PM, 09Minidriver said:

How do you join the roll call?

The Key cost us $207 per person

I called Royal Caribbean to add it. I also saw it on the website when I was looking at drink packages, excursions etc.

The woman on the phone said there were only a little over 100 Keys for this cruise.

Just curious...what may you pull the trigger on the Key?

Just now, Baron Barracuda said:

If you want to re-schedule, fine.  If you can't just keep the reservation.  Later in cruise you might be able to go again as a walk-on.

And that was the thinking for going early.

Just now, LibrarianBecky said:

Just my opinion, but I would definitely try to move it to later in the week, when you are in a warmer climate.  When we did it, you wore your regular clothes with a jumpsuit type thing over it.  Even with a thick underlayer, I would have been cold in NJ in December.  We sailed Anthem in March of 2017, and our first day sailing down and our last day sailing back were both pretty chilly.  It would only be worse in December.  If you can move it, I would.

 

Enjoy your cruise!  We loved Anthem so much that we are sailing on Ovation next year!

Thanks. I think your response is going to be a consistent theme. In my head I can see a blizzard with people on the deck looking unhappy while they wait to get in.

I'm taking the Anthem in December. Signed up for iFly on Day 1. Is that a bad idea?  From the pictures I've seen, people are waiting outside to get in. Would that mean waiting outside in the snow or cold weather? Can't image that RCL would have people do that. Trying to decide if I move my iFly time to a little later in the week.

RCL is always running 30% off sales on the refreshment drink package and I always jump on those before each of my cruises. When onboard on the first day of a cruise I see plenty of people buying on the cruise instead of before. Has anyone heard official stats on how many people prepurchase vs buy on board for drink packages? If you don’t know and are just speculating, please don’t reply. Only looking to hear from those who have heard actual or anecdotal data from RCL. Thanks.

I'm cruising on the Anthem during New Year's for 8 nights. I was considering the $199 Unlimited Dining Package (offered on my ship) until I read the fine print that says you can't make your reservations until you board the ship. That's a major downer to the package. Many speciality restaurants have prime seating times (for my family between 6 and 7) already booked before setting foot on the ship. Also, seems very stressful to go on the ship, rush to dining, and hope I'll get times I like. I can see where this package would be a good idea during non-holiday sailings OR for people who are very flexible on times. But, to not be able to book ahead of time, before the cruise sails during a busy holiday week is a non-starter. I can see why Royal offers this. They can fill lots of holes in the schedule once people are on board. Interested to hear if there's something I'm not considering or factoring in.

I'm considering the the Unlimited Dining Package. In the past when I've attended a single specialty dining, I was always under the impression I needed to tip (like 15 to 20 percent). I was wondering how this worked with the unlimited package. Royal told me there is no need to tip with this package and that everything is included. Is that the case? Do those of you who have had this package not leave gratuity? I do understand that if there's excellent service one could certainly tip, but is it expected? Thanks.

Does the Anthem have a smoothie bar that can be used with a Refreshment package, similar to what the Oasis class has?

Thanks

5 hours ago, Budget Queen said:

How many days ahead of your cruise?     Both these areas get hit with weather.   And once it does-  can be a disaster with cancellations.   I'd suggest-   if foul weather is predicted-  leave-  immediately,  ahead of your scheduled flight.  Fees many times waived.     A lot better than missing a ship.  

Cruise December 28th. At a minimum would fly out as early as possible on the 27th. I like your plan. May still come in the night of 26th just to play it (really) safe.

I normally fly out of Chicago to Florida. This year in late December we are flying from Chicago to NJ. The worrier in me is concerned that a one overnight stay is risky given that time of year for potentially bad weather in both of those locations. Am I overthinking it and too concerned where I shouldn't be?

30 minutes ago, CruiseMomTX said:

 

Thank you for the information!  We sail on the Harmony in May and have 1 teen booked with me and the other 2 booked with my husband so were wondering the same or if its possible to switch people and get new cards once onboard.

Switching any of you into a different room in your situation would be totally OK and something guest services can help you with. On one trip we swapped rooms with our kids. No issue ever.

For the MDR, if you come for dinner between 5:30 and 5:45 you should be fine as a walk in. During the busier periods I've seen long lines.