hp_slash

I'm going on the Ovation in a few months and I'm hoping to get drinks at the Bionic Bar. I've gone on Anthem a number of times and love using it when it's available. Does anyone know what spirits and mixers are available at the Bionic Bar to design your own cocktails? I know there's this menu online showing the bar's specialty cocktails, but it doesn't say WHAT is in each drink, just visualizes the "layers." I'd really like to know ahead of time before I'm on the ship and literally have the tablet in my hand.

1 hour ago, Oceansaway17 said:

I did Ovation in 2019 and only went on Northstar when in port.

When the ship was in the glacier area, it was actually cool to have a photo of the Northstar and glaciers.

 

 

That is an awesome shot! I'll actually show this to my husband; he's not good with heights/enclosed spaces like the North Star but was going to tough it out if the view was worth it. If he can see something like this without doing NS, he'll be very pleased!

I've done North Star on the Anthem twice pre-COVID when it was free any time. I normally wouldn't pay for it (it was $30 on sea day when I last went on Anthem so I passed) but thought it would be worth it in the Endicott Arm. I'll see if I can reserve it when I get on the ship but won't hold my breath.

Thanks all for the advice!

I'll be on the Ovation in May on an Alaskan cruise that goes through the Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier. I know as a Quantum class ship Ovation has the North Star, which would be absolutely amazing to be on while we're sailing past the glacier.  Does anyone know if they operate the North Star while sailing through the Endicott Arm?

I'll see you soon! DH and I are booked for the Bar Harbor/Halifax part of your "Adventure." Looking forward to seeing what you think of the ship!

On 3/28/2022 at 2:05 PM, Raemk said:

I was surprised and a bit disappointed at how many things were either closed or cancelled due to Covid.  There was no We Will Rock you show all week.  Cancelled and the only explanation was "unforeseen circumstances" and there was no replacement.   Cruise Director no where to be found {rumored to be in quarantine).  MDR not open for lunch on sea days and as I mentioned Solarium Bistro no lunch or dinner at all.  Pool DJ a no show on sea day, etc.   Its hard to be critical during these uncertain times, but there were just to many things closed for a ship sailing at 70%+

I agree, I was on Anthem last November and I gave the staff a lot of leeway, considering it was only the second North American sailing back for the ship.  While the Solarium Bistro was open for dinner (I don't think I ever checked it for lunch), We Will Rock You was closed and the scuttlebutt on the ship was that too many performers were sick and couldn't perform.

Love the adults only solarium. Nice to lay out in any weather outside and the pools are nice to sit in, not swim. The Solarium Bistro is a fantastic Mediterranean restaurant in the solarium, definitely make reservations for dinner there (it is included but fills up fast). SeaPlex has bumper cars at times, check your schedule and go.

I'll be sailing through the Adriatic on Brilliance of the Seas in late October, and heading to Split, Croatia on Halloween. I know Royal has big to-dos on board Caribbean and U.S. based sailings for Halloween, but do they do anything on European cruises? I know European nations don't celebrate Halloween like in the US. Just want to know if DH and I should be shopping for costumes!

Just got off the Anthem and noticed a big lack of vegetarian options. Went to the dining room for lunch where they served 4-lentil chili. The description didn't mention meat at all and was in the same place on the menu as typical vegetarian dishes, so my husband (who is avoiding red meat for health reasons) ordered it. Even after the waiter told us there was no meat, it came to us filled with ground beef. 

On 11/19/2021 at 7:21 PM, CFIGuy said:

So, with Spectra and We Will Rock You both on pause, what have the evening entertainment options been in lieu of these shows?

Just got off this sailing, instead of We Will Rock You the headliner for the show (who had performed in Jersey Boys in worldwide tours) did a bunch of Four Seasons songs with choreography. Instead of Spectra there was an extra Beatle tribute show and an extra show of the juggler from earlier in the week.

Thank you for the report! My husband and I worry we were spoiled from our last snorkeling trip to Bonaire. But I think we will take the chance and see what it's like.

I was wondering the same thing, but for a Europe cruise.  DH and I will be on Brilliance in Italy for Halloween '22. I know that Halloween isn't a big holiday in Europe so will Royal do anything?

Thank you for the trip review! I'm heading on the Anthem in November from NJ.  I've been on 4 times before and now I'm looking forward to a new show to see.

FYI, just found this article that says they hope to reopen Lucayan National Park soon:

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2020/jan/03/lucayan-national-park-could-reopen-next-10-days/

Currently it is closed to the public.

I'm heaving to Freeport late January and have the same questions.  Currently Lucayan National Park is closed because of damage from Hurricane Dorian, but there are some reports that it may reopen soon:

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2020/jan/03/lucayan-national-park-could-reopen-next-10-days/

Thank you for posting about this! Two members of my party are civil service employees so I'm going to try to get the discount, even though I'm past final payment. Just have to clear 45 minutes of hold-the-phone time on my schedule...

Went to Coco Cay last month and found the pool to be FREEZING.  Temps were in the low 70s that day.  The beach water was also cold but warmed up throughout the day.  Lots of people were in the beach water, swimming and snorkeling, but very few in the pool.

Great pictures, thank you! We are supposed to sail to Ocean Cay end of January. On the sailings where you didn't dock at Ocean Cay, did you get any refund or credit from MSC for the missed port?

Thank you to everyone posting from OC! I am sailing in late January so very excited to see what this island has to offer.

I just came back from a cruise out of Port Everglades and rented a car through Dollar, not Alamo, but the process is the same. Call the rental car location and tell them you have a reservation, they will come pick you up in a shuttle bus and bring you to the office. I wouldn't suggest walking it, it's not pedestrian friendly. Surprisingly, no one else from my cruise had a reservation with the car rental company because we were the only ones on the shuttle bus.

1 hour ago, phabric said:

Thanks for the review.  We plan on going there as we are staying pre and post cruise in FLL.

 

How did you get there?

I stayed at the Oasis Hotel which is right around the corner from Tom Jenkins. DH and I just walked.

Just came back from my RCI cruise and ate my pre-cruise dinner at Tom Jenkins BBQ.  The place is very small with about 4-5 picnic-style tables inside (and a bit of outdoor seating). It is counter-order and you can see the kitchen from right behind the counter. So don't expect a lot of atmosphere or ambiance. That being said, the food was fantastic! Because of a flight delay DH and I went around 9 PM on a Friday, about an hour before closing, so they were out of all beef and baby back ribs. We both had the pork ribs dinners with beans, cole slaw, and cornbread. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender and very meaty. They came with extra barbecue sauce but I didn't even feel like I needed it.  A real no-frills place with attention to great tasting food. If you are spending a good amount of time in FLL definitely make this one of your meals.

I still haven't gotten DH to try escargot, he thinks he'll hate the texture. I adore snails and get them every chance I get.

Is the snorkeling good on Coco Cay? I would have assumed with all the human activity there wouldn't be many fish to see in the water.  I'm going there on Anthem in December and if it's a good experience I'd like to snorkel there.

I just bought a new underwater camera for this excursion--can't wait to see some sea life!!

Definitely try to book the escape room if you can. When I sailed on Anthem last year it wasn't available to book before the cruise.  I went to Guest Services the first night and signed up for what they said was the last spot.