SuiteLady

I would prefer OV balcony, HOWEVER if it meant the difference between taking a cruise or not, I would do CP too!  This question is really a personal choice....I love to look at the ocean and sit out on my balcony in the morning and evening.  I think the one thing that makes me hesitant on the CP balcony is the fact that I want to sit out on my balcony and not have to look across to others perhaps sitting on theirs.  CP is beautiful, but not sure how much u can appreciate it, due to actually being above it??  I never stayed in a CP balcony, only visually saw them on the HOTS.

Sailing on the Anthem in May and had an afternoon choice (2:30?) and evening time of 6:30 for We Will Rock You show....no other choices and I read where the show was 2 hours long, so thought that might be the reason for only one show in the evening??  It is a weird time to coincide with dinner times though.....

Yes, it depends on the venue....my experiences are that if they are late night, and held in the theatre, seating is usually Never a problem!  I do not believe that I ever reserved a comedy show??  Not saying that is the case on all ships!

I am sailing on Anthem in May and our entertainment was open about 87 days out, or so.  We Will Rock You gave us those only choices, also.  Thought it to be very weird, as well.  We will probably choose another venue that evening ( Solarium?) and then get something after the show.  We do have anytime dining, so maybe go to MDR following the show?  I don't like to eat that late, but doing that one night won't be a big deal.  I don't think they do add a late show for that one because I read somewhere that the show is like 2 hours long!

I have been to Labadee several times...this is my "beach" day and so it is rather cost effective for me!  My husband and kids did the coaster and loved it!  Zip lining and coaster are not super cheap, especially when you have several people who want to do it, but they said it was worth it.  No hagglers bothering you on the beaches, but if you are not into this, stay far away from the vendors outside the Artisian market building!!  I find that the vendors are not as bad inside the building.  No rental for beach loungers either, which is a plus!  If you have the beverage package, drinks are inclusive.  Had this last trip, and it was certainly a bonus!!  I will be back there in May and looking forward to it!  Enjoy your time in Labadee and your cruise!

It really does not matter the order or show itinerary....however, as stated above, I would definitely book the Aqua theatre show first, as it can be cancelled due to bad weather!  On Air is a venue on the Promenade that has Karaoke every night and I found myself there ALOT!  Quite good and entertaining (free).  We were on HOTS for 7 day cruise, but they did have 2 different ice skating shows, the one called iskate you do not need reservations (first come first served).  I actually liked this one better than the main one!    Enjoy your cruise...HOTS is a fabulous ship!!

LOVED the HOTS!!  As stated, most of the activities are free!  They also have ping pong tables and activities that include trivia games throughout the ship at varying venues....I believe they also had roller skating, as well as, ice skating....along with all the above activities listed.  I found the lines to be minimal for all things!  On Air has Karaoke every night, which can be very entertaining and your kids may want to get in on that!  They also had sport tournaments like basketball and I believe ping pong too.  They did not lack for things to do!!  The Merry Go Round is fun to ride, which is also free.....The windjammer gets extremely busy....After the first day, I did not step foot in there again!  Went to the Solarium for breakfasts/lunches and MDR for dinners.  Worked out great!.  There are also free ice cream machines on the pool deck.  I had my reservations due to the size, but never felt crowded- then again I went in January, which may have helped!  Enjoy your cruise!

2 hours ago, snaefell said:

Ok to explain,we had booked the Anthem transatlantic for April 2020,starting in New York,calling at Halifax,Ponta Delgada,Cobh & Le Havre before finishing in Southampton,really excited,been to the USA many times but not New York,really looking forward to Halifax also.

RCI have pulled Halifax from the cruise saying that the 'Atlantic can be rough in winter',well sorry that is laughable,any sea or ocean can be rough any time of year,it just is a pathetic excuse.

That leaves us with Ponta Delgada where we went this year,Ireland & France,which we can visit(& do) anytime from here in the UK & a lot of sea days.

After an argument RCI say we can switch to another cruise but it will cost us £150,not really finding anything else that lights our candle we either stick with it or cancel & lose the deposit which makes me spitting mad!

Oh wow!  I'm sorry to hear that this has happened......Strange, as April is considered Spring, not winter.....

On ‎3‎/‎15‎/‎2019 at 11:49 AM, snaefell said:

Suitelady,many thanks although it looks like our Anthem adventure just may be stillborn!

Huh?

2 hours ago, snaefell said:

Is it available for breakfast to all or only certain cabin grades?

Yep, as Clarea said, open to ALL!  It is such a nice option for breakfasts and lunches!  Last cruise on HOTS, after day 1, I did not step foot into the Windjammer the rest of my cruise...:)  I intend to do the same on my upcoming cruise on the Anthem!

15 hours ago, fmhealth said:

Wow!! What a wonderfully comprehensive & incisive overview. Thanks so much. Just two quick questions if you don't mind.

 

1- Is the second ice show worth seeing & just skip the first one?

 

2- I believe you pointed out the lunch buffet as a superior choice to the Windjammer. Is this buffet available everyday?

 

 

Once again, thanks for all the effort & energy that went into your review. Much appreciated!!

 

Be Well,

fmhealth

2nd Ice Show was my favorite!  And yes, Windjammer has lunch buffet every day- even port days!  Also, for an alternative, since the Windjammer can be very busy- the Solarium serves breakfast, lunch and dinner at NO CHARGE.  I ate breakfast and lunch in there almost every day and LOVED it!  Breakfast and lunch are smaller scale buffet, like Windjammer, but still much to choose from!  Dinner, from what I understand, is that they have a menu.  I never did dinner there.  I loved the HOTS and would not hesitate to sail on her again!  My next cruise is on the Anthem, out of Cape Liberty.  No flying this time, which I love cause my luggage weight is always an issue for me!!

When I sailed on the HOTS, we had OV balcony deck 8 forward, not too far up the hall from the elevators and it was quiet, with very little foot traffic.  Going totally aft is where the Aqua theatre is and the rooms that are first, after that are the Crown suites?  Aqua suites?  Not sure exact names, but 2 story suites...then you have Boardwalk balconies right behind them.  You may hear some noise from the shows and screams from some going down the Abyss slide and the Merry Go Round.  That is why I believe your best bet is forward on this ship......

I never saw a menu for breakfasts or lunches, so I am guessing it is only for dinner....Now that I know it is complimentary on the Anthem, I may check out the menu and see if it interests me for a dinner or two there!

On ‎3‎/‎11‎/‎2019 at 4:10 PM, tursia said:

In all of our years of cruising we have never eaten in the Solarium Bistro, just wondering if someone can post a picture of the breakfast and lunch menu on the Anthem. I think this cruise we might need to check it out as I hear there are some healthier options.

 

Thanks!

Ate most breakfasts and lunches in the Solarium on HOTS.....LOVED it!!  No menus, as it is buffet, as poster above noted.  They have a decent variety and I was never at a loss of what to choose!  My Windjammer days will be VERY limited in the future....LoL  The Solarium does serve dinner, however you will need to inquire, as some ships will charge in the Solarium for dinner only!  We always did our dinners in the MDR, so I have no idea how the dinners are there and if it is worth paying for, if there is a charge.

18 hours ago, Edhoff said:

Yes, but I'm on vacation. I wear dockers and a collared shirt.  Wife just wears dressy top, slacks, capris.

That is fine attire....I have to tell a quick story....On my last cruise on HOTS, we were busy that day and never looked at the Cruise Compass and needless to say, never realized it was formal night!  On our way to the MDR, we noticed some people really dressed and people having their photos taken.  We got to the MDR and on our way to our table, I noticed people with lobster tail for dinner (more then what would be normal, as you can pay for this, if you choose).  I look at the menu and see it offered, and realized it was indeed formal night!!  Well, needless to say, we were dressed casually but nice, and never felt out of place!  In all the cruises that I have been on, I never overlooked a formal night!  Not that I am a "gown-wearing" person, but I do wear something "dressy".  So with this being said, you will definitely be fine in what you are planning to wear!

2 hours ago, later said:

The bars we used on the Harmony had hand scanners at the bar so we didn’t have to take off the wow band when at the bar.

 

If ordering from the tables they needed to take the band.

Yes, select bars....not for table service, pool-side, or pool bars.....just so scattered and limited that it made it more of a bother then a convenience!  Hope they find a better way!

There definitely is....and depending on how long your cruise is, depends on how many "formal" nights there are.  I think where the confusion may be, is that the "formal" nights tend to not be so formal anymore.....they have lessened the dress code and you will find everything from gowns to quite casual.  On my last cruise, HOTS, it was a mix but seemed like quite a few were dressed to the 9's!  My next cruise is in May, on the Anthem, and we have 2 formal nights (9-day).

12 hours ago, dsvd79 said:

but- does Harmony use them?

yes Harmony uses them, however I opted not to get one just because it didn't seem too convenient....u had to take it off when ordering from the bar, purchasing from the stores, etc.  It would be great if they always used scanners or made it more convenient!

10 hours ago, Maplemoose said:

Oh, ok. With 18 decks I did realize that there would probably be no line of vision to the water from 8 to 10 decks from the top. It is food for thought though for someone like me who always gets a balcony on a traditional ship, if there is such an animal these days. I am also used to the Waterfront on NCL which provides an uncrowded setting to relax overlooking the water. Does the Harmony have anyplace with a quiet ambiance overlooking the ocean? 

In the back of the ship on HOTS, beyond the flow riders....close bar, table and chairs....especially when flow rider is not open!  Even when it was, I enjoyed that space.....also in the Solarium- clam shell chairs right in front of the windows, facing the ocean is relaxing- but undercover and not out in open air.  I loved HOTS and I never felt crowded for anything except during the "sales" on the Promenade!!  LoL

58 minutes ago, Maplemoose said:

Thank you. I am more interested in what happens next. For instance, on NCL, you make the reservation and the doors open 30 minutes before the show for those with reservations. Standby people are admitted 20 minutes later. We have always been able to sit up front which is important because of my wife's vision problems. Does everyone need to make a reservation on RCCL? How early must one line up in advance. I am presuming seats are not assigned. 

I would call RCI special needs department and talk with them about the need for up close seating and I would also go to guest relations, once onboard to relay the same info.  HOS is a large ship and I think it would be difficult to get up front and close without being in line VERY early!  I sailed on HOS, and there is plenty of seating, however to get up front and close might be tricky!!  Good luck and enjoy your cruise....HOS is a fabulous ship!!

I always like to be mid ship just because you are always half way between the farthest points/places!  We did an aft family suite on EOS and I felt like I was always hiking to get anywhere, and especially back to my room at night!  I tend to get motion sick very easily, but rarely on cruises....being aft was never an issue with me and I took nothing or wore nothing for motion sickness!  We are in room 8652 on the Anthem, this May.  Enjoy ur cruise in whichever room you choose!

This was an option, and new to me, 2 years ago when I sailed on HOS.  Ours did not need to be re-taken, but as the posters above stated, it really does not save but a few seconds at check-in!  The main thing is about the ability to do facial recognition, so no glasses on or nothing on your head (glasses/hats/headbands, etc). 

On ‎3‎/‎8‎/‎2019 at 2:20 PM, cleophus12 said:

Same here.  4/27 Anthem.  Booked iFly and NorthStar as well as that wine tasting.  Also frustrated that we can't book shows.  

You will need to let me know how the wine tasting is....I am doing this on my 5/9 cruise on the Anthem!  Are you able to book any shows yet?  Strange that we sail after you, and were able to book them......

11 minutes ago, Nessa1dc said:

Wait a minute...I don't even see the option for North Star and I Fly...and all my Entertainment was done on Sunday.  I cannot stand this new website.  How is it that some can and some cant...its crazy.

 

Where do you all even see North Star for reserving.  I go to Cruise Planner...then what?  I don't even get the option.

Go to Cruise Planner and across the top it has categories and you need to click on "Activities" and it will bring iFly, North Star and some other activites, also.

I sail on the Anthem May 9th and booked all my entertainment, dining, and North Star!  Weird that RCI said that they
"are not up yet" for April sailings???  I booked North Star under "activities".  I also booked a wine tasting too! :)

I will add, that I have gotten error messages when trying to get onto RCI site on occasion and I see ALOT of people complaining about it.......