teddie

We have been on two Anthem cruises at the same time-- 2/4/2023 and 11/26/2023. One day we shall meet--I am sailing Anthem again on 3/17/24! Teddie

It’s certainly up to the individual. I cruise and I tip autograts, and also give cash to those who I feel are deserving of extra. I’m not going to begrudge some poor guy busting his butt in the laundry room his piteous cut. It’s the way it is for me and I’m fine with it. Teddie

Friends of Bill W listed every day on our 11/26 Anthem cruise out of Bayonne. teddie

Don't worry if some here laugh at your aspirations. I was thrilled to get to Diamond, and I really like the lounge with its evening snacks and cappuccino machine. I also enjoy it after hours to get work done, as I am also self-employed. The 4 daily drinks are the huge draw--that's another $60 per day we are not spending. We chose an 11-nighter in a JS to get our final 22 points, and it was a great cruise, to boot. Enjoy your travels, Teddie

Thanks for your response. I've never eaten in the CK and found some of the night's menus to look more appealing than other nights (subjectively, of course). How did you find the CK food overall when compared to the MDR? We are sailing the Anthem in a JS in March 2024. Thanks, Teddie

What was your experience as a JS guest in reserving dinners in the CK during your cruise? Teddie

On a recent Anthem cruise, all of our room service orders (submitted on the clunky TV menu) were followed up with a phone call from dining to confirm everything, which was great, This was a huge improvement to our ordering attempts on a previous sailing. Teddie

Forgot to add: lotsa fruit! Especially fresh pineapple--couldn't get enough! Teddie

Somehow, I didn't overeat in the WJ. First I have a salad. Then I tour the stations to see what's offered and choose protein, veg, and one small "treat" side like a fancy bread roll, pasta, or other carb. Then I'm full.

I use this fold over fold method to fill packing cubes. Works well with slacks and tees. I use undies and pjs to fill in the middles. Works well.

And this is the one time I use wire hangers, LOL. Lightweight and less bulk. Teddie

I've previously posted my trick: I pack wrinkle-prone clothes in dry cleaner plastic on hangers. Stack and fold the entire stack in half or thirds and place on top of suitcase contents and zip up. Unpack. Hang up. Minimal wrinkles. Works every time. Teddie

That once was our preference as well. Teddie

These are good questions/observations. Over the years, my eating style has changed...I've lost and kept off 50 pounds, and no longer "live to eat" -- unless you are talking the raisin bread at breakfast in the WJ lol. So there's that. Seriously, though, prior to the MDR changes, (and before 2 cruises in 2023, our previous cruise was about 7 years before that), I found the MDR to be more like a good restaurant than a catering hall experience. The set dining hours are either too early or too late for us, hence MTD, which has altered the cruise dining experience forever, at least for us. Even with a res, there are still choppy wait times and feelings of being rushed. All these changes taken en masse have lead me closer to being a WJ person. And it surprises the heck out of me! Teddie

Yes! And the special selections on Indian Night were excellent! Teddie

Part of the MDR experience that I dislike is the timing--I felt rushed, even thought the staff were very good. I don't think about dessert before even taking a bite of anything. It's lost its specialness, overall. Maybe it's the MTD? Is it the same for the regular seatings? Teddie

The WJ was heavily staffed, and attention to detail was very much present. Apparently, the human factor still seems to play a role amongst the bean counters up above. Teddie

Smart man 🙂

Thanks for your comments! I do miss the old "Deck 5" covered promenade around the entire ship, which for me adds to the character of any cruiseship. This class of ship is the largest I plan to sail. Just enough bells and whistles to keep me satisfied. Teddie

We are just not big enough eaters to splurge on the specialty restaurants. But we do like Izumi for sushi. teddie

My recent Anthem sailing (11/26/2023 - 7 Nights Caribbean/Coco Cay from Cape Liberty) was my 10th RCI cruise, and second on Anthem. but included many firsts: The first cruise without my husband--he couldn't get time off from his new job and I went with a good friend instead. It was fun and relaxing, but I still missed him! Only went to one show: the High C Horns tribute to funk and Stevie Wonder. Played trivia for the first time! (I aced the Beatles Name That Tune) Had a massage--first time ever! It was very relaxing! First time the internet was truly excellent MDR losing its allure -- only had two dinners there. I just wasn't wowed by the choices or the experience. Waiters were lovely though. Did not attend the second Formal Night--unheard of for me. First time breakfast in the Solarium Cafe--it had everything I needed for a good hot breakfast. Had most dinners in the Windjammer--Found the experience to be positive for the following reasons: flow of people/layout of the food stations, variety of choices, food temperature, and service. All very good. NOT A FIRST: I overpacked. Again! Teddie

We were just in 10644, which has a large balcony (unobstructed) and is right near the elevators. The large balconies are really deep! It has the bed near the door, though, and this is not my preference. Do all the large-balcony cabins have the bed near the door? Our Anthem cruise in March is in a regular balcony 9564, and the bed is near the balcony 🙂 Teddie

Off the Anthem last Sunday. Received 2 bottles of water in the cabin; later in the week, I received a "Chef's Gift" of a plate of petits fours/little pastries--they were quite good! Not sure if that was part of the Diamond deal, too. Teddie

Agreed. Our steward did a thorough job each evening, and left us double towels as requested. It was fine, and was the least noticeable change. Teddie

Absolutely. Off the Anthem last week and it was our 10th RCI cruises, What was really different was our choice of dinner venues. Most notable was that we only dined TWICE in the MDR--unheard of for us! Between the harried seating, even with a MTD reservation, the menu options, and the food itself, the MDR has lost its "specialness"-- I suppose first time or more recent cruisers may feel differently, not having experienced how it once was. I am that person that purports to love dressing up, yet my second formal night outfit stayed in the closet this cruise--I actually surprised myself, LOL! Instead, we had Izumi one night, room service another, and ate in the Windjammer for the rest. I find the WJ on the Anthem to be damned good, and the selections were huge. I am not going to spend extra $$ on the specialty restaurants, as we are not big eaters, and I choose to spring for the Beach Club on Coco Cay if the price appeals to me (think Black Friday sale!) and that will satisfy my upscale meal urge. It's a New Normal of RCI cruising now. I am adjusting. Teddie