Retiredprofessor

Bob, MSC Yacht Club is not adults only. It’s for anyone staying in that area.

Hope that very ill passenger makes it.

Were there any people in those seats at 5:30 or were they just covered with towels, books, flip flops etc?

Looking forward to your review and comments. We will be on Anthem for an 11night cruise on Jan 28. We have never done a long winter cruise out of NY before but we were on Anthem at the end of October and found the chair hogs worse than any other cruise (of many). Interested to know of your observations.

Tomorrow on Anthem

One week till Anthem

18 until Anthem

I agree with all of the responses to your question. We are booked on Anthem for two cruises in the fall and winter. We love going out of Bayonne and avoiding the hassle of flying. When I saw that Adventure was sailing next spring I jumped on the May 18 and can't wait. Our favorite ship has always been Explorer so Adventure is the next best thing. I'm almost looking forward to that cruise more than the other two Anthem cruises. I say "almost" because the best cruise is the next one up!

I am one of those cruisers who mourned the departure of Explorer from NJ. Don't get me wrong I will sail Anthem but I miss Explorer. All of a sudden I see that Adventure is leaving from Bayonne next spring. Booked a GS and I am as happy as I can be. Love this class of ship and can't wait!

142 till Anthem

155 until Anthem

Thank you Marion Mom, I took your advice and it looks like the answer to my planning questions. Will enjoy looking over each thread. The planning can be so much fun. 😎

Thank you for your great review. We just booked the 12 night cruise on Anthem for next January, 2018. We have sailed her before and have an October sailing in the works as well, so my question is more on the ports. What insights can you give on the itinerary? We've seen our share of forts so looking mostly for some great beach ideas. Thanks!

I was there in early November 2016 and had a great time. That said, the Ride is EXTREMELY bumpy.

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We'll be sailing Freedom next Saturday and appreciate your comments. We were thinking about Chops on the first night. Do you think your experience was due to an increase in activity because of the BOGO promotion?

33 days on the Freedom

Thanks for your comparison of X and Royal. We are also similar to you: both D+ and mostly loyal to Royal. We recently tried MSC's Divina in their yacht club and thought it was excellent. However, I'm not sure I would have felt so positive if not for the yacht club amenities. We really like to sail from NJ and after trying Anthem and not really loving her, we booked Summit for the end of April next year. So I was glad to hear your positive comments. We probably will still sail RC. As a matter of fact we have Freedom booked out of Ft. Lauderdale in November but lately we hate to fly so hoping to love Summit. One question: Do they ever open the solarium roof? Again, thanks for your review.

We just came off of our first MSC cruises in the YC on Divina. We are D+ on Royal and really didn't know what to expect. I agree with most of what has been said about the butler service. I felt they were great. My husband drinks rum and that was something that wasn't offered in the minibar. Every afternoon our butler would arrive with a glass of "water" (rum) for him to make his afternoon cocktail. In my mind special service included in your experience. Overall loved the YC!

Thank you so much for that quick response. It's our first MSC cruise as D + RCCL and we are excited to experience a new venue.

Can anyone tell me if "after dinner drinks" like Grand Marnier are available at no additional cost in the YC bars.

Thanks for doing this review. Looking forward to reading it and looking at your photos. Our first three cruises were on the Nordic Empress and when we heard she was coming back we have decided to put her on our list. Can you find out when her fall schedule will be coming out. I haven't been on RC website recently, but last I looked it was not available. Have a great cruise!

There have been so many wonderful memories it is hard to pick one but I will never forget sitting on our balcony one night watching a lightening storm way out on the horizon. Better than any firework display I have ever seen.

I remember having the RCCL brochures listing all the ships and the sailings with pricing. Obviously the prices did not include any specials and promotions. At the bottom it would give a price for additional (3rd & 4th) passengers in a cabin. My recollection was it ranged from about $299 to 499 depending on the cruise length. We once took my adult daughter in an Owners Suite for a very reasonable additional amount. Just priced taking same daughter on our upcoming Anthem cruise and it is about four times that. When did things change? (Does anyone know?)

I apologize in advance if this has been asked before but does anyone know if there is a buy one get one free benefit for D and D+ in the specialty restaurants on Anthem on the first night?

Does anyone remember the incredible bread basket that Portofino's served? It was really a highlight IMHO. It included breadsticks, a sail-shaped flat bread, and, of course a nice selection of rolls. They served it with three, I think, toppings. Why did they stop this? I like Portofino's better, but they are both very good.

37 Days till Liberty of the Seas to Bermuda:)