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Just an update... 12 days before the cruise and the onboard credit was applied to our cruise planner! I turned right around and applied it to the deluxe drink package. (still on sale by the way) . I'm a happy cruiser.

No problem with the questions.....happy to help. Chefs table.....I am trying to raise a couple of great home chefs, so originally planned to take the kids, but a fellow star class cruiser said "they'll be bored silly......send them to CK". We followed her advice and I'm glad I did. The kids would have been bored by the length of the service, and as entertaining as Andrej was, it wouldn't have been enuf for my two. Plus, I think their presence might (ok, likely) would detract from the experience for my fellow diners, some of whom paid some pretty big dineros to sit at that table. you know what would be fun? A kids chefs table! I don't mean the standard kids menu fare, but a great menu with very entertaining service and a kids-level introduction to each of their courses.......how awesome would that be for kids? I think I'll make that suggestion to someone.....

Day 2 (and the end of day 1) Ok... Just wrote a ton and lost it... Argh... We were tired and full after sabor so we sent Madison to the teen center (successfully thank goodness) and went to vintages for an hour. We love vintages as it is never crowded and we can try some wines. It was a bit frustrating how much the glasses have gone up...we were paying a fair amount over the drink pkg. Not sure if this is an oasis vs freedom class or just another year and prices rise. After vintages we headed to the aqua show. Amazing tumbling and diving but the show made no sense...at all lol. I really enjoyed it though, just like I usually like the ice shows. They say no pics so I just took a preshow one. We finished up the night in the champagne and schooner bars. I love the music in the schooner bar, but not really the bar menu. I know you can order other drinks but I never remember any! It was a fun evening and we got back to the room about 1230 to wait for the teenager to show up at the 1 curfew. For those interested, the 16 year old said it was super awkward at first in the teen center but she ended up with a group of girls playing dodgeball and wandering the ship. Must have gone well because we haven't seen her today. Day 2 started icky weather wise. I don't have a single pic because all I have done is lay on the deck chair! We got to the solarium at 830 and only a few chairs were saved... Probably because it was cold and drizzly. We got two chairs and huddled under towels. The solarium bistro was not crowded and great for breakfast, even when the crowds picked up at 10. The towel hogs weren't in force today, or they cleared them because most seats were filled. There are still empty chairs here and there but they don't have towels or they haven't been empty long. I predict tomorrow with better weather will be tougher. It is perfect today in a the solarium which means tomorrow will be too warm and I will probably do the sky deck. The weather finally cleared and the ? came out around 1. I will finally be warm after the Midwest winter!!!!!!!! Jane

First, a little background, for my first post here. I have been a lurker here for about a year, and greatly appreciate Matt and everyone who contributes here with so much great information. My first cruise was a last minute (well, two weeks before) booking to Alaska last August, joining my sister and her family...where I caught the cruising bug big time (the Casino Royale offers helped). Last week I booked for myself the July 4th Anthem group cruise, which looks really good, and I have a few questions about that. Is there a area here for discussion for group members here? I have seen the FB posting with some comments. I have purchased the DBP w/ Zoom (no Surf). I have read here a few times that people say that the internet on Anthem is very good. I do not do streaming much (maybe a some youtubes), but do check email, FB, and websites often. Will I go crazy with just Zoom, without Surf/Stream? I have also purchased the BOGO 2 Night Dining package (for the first two nights). Does anyone know if I could choose Wonderland as one of my options? I believe when I get on board, I can adjust the first nights restaurant. Thanks Ken (from NJ)

It is a ridiculous amount if storage. I overpacked and we still fit everything! And have empty shelves Jane

If you are on Facebook join this group Bermuda Bound https://www.facebook.com/groups/886000204754846/?ref=group_header. They have a number of locals on the page that do all different types of tours and will customize them just for you and your schedule. This group is a wealth of information. Since it is your first time to the island and you are only there for 1 day I personally think this is they way to go. I think @JLMoran is also on the Bermuda Bound Facebook group. My family has spent many summers (a month to 2 months) in Bermuda back in the 70's & 80's (Dad's work sent him there very often) and still try to spend at least one week a year. We have rented houses, stayed with friends, stayed at resorts & have cruised. My next trip I will be at Grotto Bay on April 7th for a week & I'm looking to do Anthem in Sept or Oct 2019. You will love the island no matter what you do.

Yes, they usually actually have a station on the dock or on the way off the ship to check out blue pool towels. Be cautioned, they will be checked to your Sea Pass card, however many you take, you have to bring that many back and check them back in, if not you will be charged for the towels. I usually go by the pool deck and get them and already have them packed instead of trying to do it while you walk off the ship.

You can see the beach/snorkel park along the right side of the photo .... this is the one that's an easy walk from the ship.

I take a shawl for the evening on deck. Then I leave it in the bar or the dining room. Then my husband has to go back and ask for it. Then I have to go to the customer service desk and see if it has been turned in. Then my husband tells me not to bring a shawl again because all I do is lose it. It's all part of the cruise experience for us.?

I'm hoping I'm on the right track here ...... We're on Freedom late March of 2020, and I know the "Amping" of Freedom is supposed to occur sometime near this time ... So, I was just on the web site and noticed that the month of February is completely unavailable ..... Hmmmmm, it would seem logical that this is the month for the AMP. I hope so, we'll be one of the first sailings after the amp. Check out the pic.

This is the same way we do it, that way there is no speculation. We take our DL and leave the passport in the room safe. 1 credit card and some cash.

I don't think you said, but I don't think it really matters with Royals fleet except on some of the smaller ships. Usually the main seating and MTD are in 2 different dinning rooms. On the bigger ships there are 3 dinning rooms, 1 per floor on floors 3, 4 and 5, so in this example 1 dinning room is reserved for MTD and handled with reservations or walk ups, the other 2 floors are for traditional dinning times. As far as times, traditional dinning is usually busier at the early seating, for MTD it is usually busy around peak times at a land based restaurant, IE., 7, 7:30, so if you reserve early you should be OK. If you go early and get hungry later there are plenty of places to get a snack at, if you go late go get a snack early to hold your group over, most people on here call it Windjammer reconnaissance.

We booked another cruise at NextCruise on Sunday 3/10/19. I left NextCruise and went into either MyVegas or MyKonami app on my phone and used 50,000 points to get a voucher for $100 OBC. I received the email immediately with the voucher code. I forwarded that email to [email protected] with my name and reservation number. I got home the evening of Monday 3/11 and went into the cruise planner and my $100 OBC was there already. Easy-peasy....

$399 - sorry!

The perfect expensive day ?

My guess is the space those large characters took up in the promenades will be replaced with more SALE tables of junk from china that people go bonkers over.... /end sarcasm

255 now.

I have not been on Brilliance but have been on Radiance and Jewel several times, both sister ships of same class. It is our favorite class of ships-classicly beautiful, not too large, and a "more mature" crowd without a lot of small children since it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the huge megaships. They have everything you mentioned except I can't guarantee Quest. I am just not sure about it. They are great ships for kicking back, enjoying a glass of wine in the schooner bar and dancing in the Centrum where the music drifts upward and you can look downward and watch the action. I spent 12 nights on the Jewel recently and they had a great Halloween party and some top notch shows in the theater. I don't think you will be disappointed.

@Ken23 Royal Caribbean offers a service that will shuttle you from one terminal to the next for free. We just did this when we got off Indy and boarded Serenade that same day. Just ask about it at guess services. This service is only for Port Everglade & Miami.. They will take you from one terminal to the next within the same port & different ports like i mentioned above. Only to RCCL ships...this includes Celebrity, Azamara and Silversea.

I remember taking a cruise out of New York City quite a few years back. I thought I was pretty smart trying to find a cruise that didn't coincide with a bunch of student holidays. We got on the ship and it was packed with Canadian kids on their school holidays. I guess I wasn't so smart!

OMG, I hope that I can find a pet sitter for all of these!!!

"Bermuda" and "Cheap" aren't really synonymous. Since it sounds like you have an overnight, you could do the Crystal Caves and/or Fantasy Caves; those are $24 per adult and one of the less-expensive things my wife and I did there last October. Definitely a "one and done" item, but interesting nevertheless. From the caves you could take the #1 or #3 bus to St. George's, then take the Orange Line ferry back to the dockyard. (see the last paragraph for more on this) You could also go to Horseshoe Bay beach for a good chunk of the day, although instead of the transit pass you'd want to just use the small shuttles / minibuses located just off the pier, right by the booth where you buy the transit passes. Costs $7 per person each way, and once at the beach you're under no obligation to rent a lounger, chair, or umbrella; you can bring towels (just don't lose them!) and then go in the ocean for no extra cost. Take the shuttle back to the ship when you get hungry and eat on board, since anything you buy food-wise will definitely not be cheap, at least at Horseshoe Bay's only on-site restaurant. If it's available (wasn't yet posted as of yesterday), you can use the transit pass to take the Orange Line ferry to St. George's; it's only available weekdays, but that shouldn't be an issue on the 5-night Bermuda as long as it's back in service for the summer months. In St. George's you can wander around and window shop, as well as walk the half-mile to Tobacco Bay Beach and just hang out there a while for nothing. Once again, when done you can take the next ferry back to the dockyard and eat on board to save money. This option really is only viable when the Orange Line ferry is available, as otherwise you have to take the other ferry (Blue Line) to Hamilton, and then deal with a 1-hour bus ride to St. George's.

Wow, for our May sailing on HOS our Chill Island Cabana is $1299

What the hell is that?

Small umbrella stroller for naps and to carry your stuff around. The big ones get in the way for you and others.

That stinks... milk shakes are cheap compared to alcohol! ? Poor business decision... RC should encourage drinking milk shakes as they will fill you up like a meal and prevent you from having too much of the more expensive food or alcohol! ?

They did on the Anthem - I'm crossing my fingers that it's the same on Ovation! ?

Very true. Can’t believe all the tiny little things, and bigger perks that have disappeared since I first cruised with RCCL 13 years ago. Trouble with me is although I’m tempted to try another liner I always end up booking with who I know.

The Deluxe beverage package with Voom is the Surf and Stream version. Even if you're not streaming web browsing will be a more responsive with the Surf and Stream package. Welcome to the group on both accounts: message board and for the group cruise

It’s the one with 254 members. That is the one that many of us are on ?

That’s a major hassle w/ traffic. Just hop in an Uber and go from port to port.

I think Uber or Lyft would be your best option. Enjoy your cruises !

Hey @Ken23! Welcome to the boards! So far, I only know of two FB groups for this sailing. One is from the RCBlog event page on FB. And the other is a FB roll call group that many of us are on but not run by @Matt. I am going to pass the VOOM Surf vs. Surf and Stream to someone more techie than me. However, I think the Surf&stream will be a whole lot less frustrating. We always get the surf&stream. With the BOGO, you can adjust when you get on board. Make sure you take care of that right away. There have been some reports lately that there are restrictions placed on the venues that you can use the BOGO at. You should be able to use it at wonderland but YMMV. See you on board!

I have zero answers, but I'm totally envious - I'd love to go!

RCCLs constant chipping away at perks and the increase in nickel & diming will just push their loyal customers to sail with their competitors.I, for one, have no issues moving on.

Me too! ? It makes it easier to compare the overall value especially when they start throwing in OBC to muddy the waters!

Check the app store for your phone. There are some pretty sophisticated apps out there that give you additional functionality with your phone. ProCam is one for the iPhone

Wasn't she commissioned right after the Santa Maria? ? Asking for a friend ?Weren't you the Quartermaster @rjac ?

53 for me. Anxiously awaiting them finishing Perfect day on time.

I'm actually booked on Vision B2B for Chrismas/New Years in 7652. I've heard great reviews and I couldn't resist. Below is the video which will give you a look at how big that wrap-around balcony is and the cabin: And... below is the Junior Suite #8088: Now.... the hard part..... deciding which one you want !! Sorry!! ?

The worst day of the cruise... The day is here, the day we leave our home on the seas... We pulled into Miami around 5am, and from what I could tell, we were cleared and self disembarkation started around 6:45am We headed up to Chop’s about 8:15 for our breakfast, it was delicious We decided not to use our Key benefit for disembarking because we wanted to leave with my cousins, they had the latest departure possible, so we wandered around the ship a bit. The next cruise is the Zumba chartered cruise, so the pool deck was oddly empty, and they were craning in a ton of equipment We were let off the ship about 9:20, and going down the gangway, we passed the crane When we got to the baggage area, our bags were already off the belt and waiting for us, assuming because of the Key Going through customs was super easy, nothing like I was expecting. We were out on the curb about 9:30. Driving away from the port, the last view of the ship, you can see the crane putting crates up on top We had decided to rent a car for the four of us to drive up to Ft Lauderdale, that ended up being quite an adventure with shuttles and Uber’s to finally get us a car at the Miami airport, and we had to try a couple of them before we found one to fit all of our baggage We stayed at a hotel for the evening, and now we are at the airport waiting for our plane. Thanks so much for following along, this has been fun, and I think it actually caused me to take more pictures and remember things more to be able to document them. I don’t know when our next cruise will be, but likely something from the west coast, burning a couple days flying back and forth just makes it hard. I am jealous of all you guys that can just hop on a long weekend cruise!!

The same is also true for Port Canaveral, select RC terminals at port everglades, port of Tampa and port of Miami. Even if you checkin online you still have to walk through security, and at different cruise terminals you still have to checkin with a representative. I had to checkin with a representative at the terminal in Port Canaveral even through I had checked in online.

I can't wait to retire to Washington State. You have THE BEST ciders. Plus most of my friends are already there. I've wanted to bring cider but I'm sure Royal would think it's beer.

Cruise day 1 on board! We were on the ship by 11ish! First MAJOR complaint is that when I immediately went to do the BOGO, they said 3 restaurants only... Giovanni's, samba grill or sabor. They flat out refused to give us Central Park 150. I was furious as I had gone over every bit of fine print. There was availability... It wasn't that. They just wouldn't include the restaurant. I will not buy the BOGO again... If I'd known that I would have bought the ultimate dining when it was hugely discounted. It didn't start off the cruise well, and I will slam it in the review, but nothing we could do. He did give us a 20 percent off for 150 later but that really doesn't help that much... We didn't want that many specialities or wed have done the pkg. Anyway on to better... Lunch at Park Cafe was wonderful! Lava flow and kummelwick Our bags were in the hall waiting when we went to our room at 115. The room has a ton of shelving space and we have no trouble at all fitting 3 people's stuff. The room will be a bit snug when we are all in it but it won't be bad. Here are pics: We unpacked, Jeff took a nap and then we did muster and sailaway. We watched from the boardwalk behind the aqua theater Dinner was at sabor and it was all over the place. Parts of dinner were amazing... The beef empanadas for example were incredible and my daughter's vegetarian tacos were quite good. But the cobia tacos were meh (and I loved them on freedom) and the bacon/chicken peppers were easy overcooked. Unfortunately our service was awful... The server was new, didn't know the menu and had no idea how to pace the meal. It was really disappointing. This also leads me to the drinks and the drink pkg. I had 3 margaritas at sabor because I wanted to try them. Each one I couldn't taste any tequila at all... And since I'm not a huge tequila fan I was very aware. I watched the blue Hawaiian sailaway drink made and he didn't even put a whole shot of kracken in. It's irrelevant because we have the drink pkg but it was really noticable that the drinks were weak. I've never ever noticed that on my 4 other Royal sailings. So just an observation...we will see how the rest of the cruise goes. We are freezing in the solarium! We have a 1015 aqua theater show but I'm not sure if it will happen since it is very windy. And, lol, I will see if we manage to stay awake that long! Looking forward to Sunshine tomorrow and just a day of laying in the sun! Jane

We are in room 8440... Can't remember what category that is but it's right off Central Park and it's pretty basic as I understand it. It will be an adventure! Jane

@JennyB not dumb at all! Overall speeds vary by ship (with fastest speeds generally being on the newer ships), but the Voom Surf is a throttled connection to the internet by which I mean that it’s the same connection as the Surf and Stream, but they slow down your speeds. I’ve been told it’s enough to text through apps like Whatsapp or FB messenger and also to use WiFi calling. It will load webpages, just much slower and trying to stream on the connection will result in a lot of buffering just like what happens when you have a weak WiFi or cellular data signal on land. And the Surf and Stream is the unthrottled but pricier version. Which Voom is better for you is a personal question, but there is a really good article on the Internet here: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/02/07/guide-royal-caribbean-voom-wifi-internet-prices-and-tips

On your shopping ventures you might look into what the particular store would charge for shipping your clothes back to Norway. It could be cheaper to ship than the extra weight you would pay the airline

They had Guinness on tap in the pub on Indy last summer. However it wasn't poured correctly for either of the 2 pints I tried. Maybe I should of had a word with the barman and advised him how it's meant to be poured (rather than just straight up) but the bar was far too busy.

Not the worst news ive ever heard. thanks for the info.

Just in time for the RoyalCaribbeanBlog Group cruise on Mariner, I've fixed the missing photos from this topic.