PrincipalTinker

It can happen on any ship but Anthem has had a bit more reports than other RC ships.  I've noticed that too from my readings.  Just remember, not all sanitizers kill Norovirus.  If you are going to purchase something, make sure you read the labels carefully.  There are only a small handful of products that kill the virus.

One final footnote: I think I mentioned that I was traveling with my son and his girlfriend. Since we all work in a school system, the norovirus is part of our work environment. We were not scared and we took every precaution we could. My son’s girlfriend woke up throwing up this morning. It looks like norovirus but it is really stretching that 48 hour window.

One final footnote: I think I mentioned that I was traveling with my son and his girlfriend. Since we all work in a school system, the norovirus is part of our work environment. We were not scared and we took every precaution we could. My son’s girlfriend woke up throwing up this morning. It looks like norovirus but it is really stretching that 48 hour window.

One final footnote: I think I mentioned that I was traveling with my son and his girlfriend. Since we all work in a school system, the norovirus is part of our work environment. We were not scared and we took every precaution we could. My son’s girlfriend woke up throwing up this morning. It looks like norovirus but it is really stretching that 48 hour window.

One final footnote: I think I mentioned that I was traveling with my son and his girlfriend. Since we all work in a school system, the norovirus is part of our work environment. We were not scared and we took every precaution we could. My son’s girlfriend woke up throwing up this morning. It looks like norovirus but it is really stretching that 48 hour window.

On most cruises, I like a cigar after dinner, so my wife and I go up to the smoking area to be legal, we meet a couple up there doing the same thing, they were new cruisers so they were asking us a ton of questions, we asked if they had been to the main dinning room yet, they replied no, they hadn't packed anything nice to wear so they didn't want to go, it had nothing to do with what social status they were, their entire cruise plan was to lay by the pool and scuba/snorkel at every stop, so they packed mostly causal clothes, I told them if they wanted to go to the MDR to wear the best they had and go, they would be missing out on a huge benefit of the cruise if they missed the MDR.
So a couple of nights later my wife and I saw them on deck again, she was in a nice dress and he was in shorts with Polo and dock siders, they said they had taken our advice and went to the MDR and where glad they did, I asked if they planned on going back and they said probably.
I'm like most people on here, I don't wear a tux any more on formal night but I always wear slacks, nice shirt and jacket on formal nights, other nights just slacks and a polo, but that is my personal preference, like @Ray says, Royal is the one to enforce the no shorts rule, but remember, maybe that is all someone has...

This week on the Anthem a few people showed up in shorts. I am sure any long pants are fine.

This week on the Anthem a few people showed up in shorts. I am sure any long pants are fine.

There are cruise compasses on the drop down menu on the home page. 
You do need to use your card to turn on the lights on the Anthem. There were about 1/3 if the doors in my deck that had something on their doors.

They only televise the 5 time SUPER BOWL PATRIOTS....LOL

I feel the same way, just adds to the my personal enjoyment of the cruise! 

No wifi once away from the ship at their private destinations.  

Sorry for the "panic" on my part! 
Looks like it was a website glitch... I'm modeling cruises now and getting both deposit options now and also the "usual" cancellation schedule/policy.
It seemed a little extreme to change their policy (see my screenshots) so that you would lose your minimum deposit ($500 for the above examples)...  

So, if that were the actual case you would need to cancel the cruise the date you booked it or risk losing your deposit!
 

No need for a new suit, very very few will care if it's "dated".  Personally I like seeing guys wear the old suits, changes up the scenery in a good way.  Some of the older styles are more fashionable in my opinion.  I have one from the 80's someone gave me, I intend to get it tailored so I can wear it on our cruises.

WOW Cards @WAAAYTOOO was talking about...

We always take some plain envelopes along for our cabin steward and dining room staff (pre-filled with the minimum extra we will give) and some extras in case we want to tip others on the ship above and beyond the pooled money.

It has been years since I wore a suit on the cruise.  I dress in slacks and a button up shirt for formal nights and I would say I'm middle of the road as far as dress up for the MDR.  Seems like the formal dress up is getting less every cruise.   Please dont worry about what others think and have a good time.  Trust me......nice slacks and button up shirt will be fine.  

I did not say anyone in my party wore shorts. In fact there was a shopping trip the week before to ensure we were formally dressed on formal nights, but there were shorts on many men

I forgot to mention. There were a lot, and I mean- a lot- of complaints about the change to the entertainment schedule during our trip. I don’t understand it? You could not walk in a straight line the ship was rocking with the waves. They explained they made changes because the scenery in the Gift moves, and there are elements that are. It safe in Spectra’s with that movement. All shows were rescheduled for two nights and it was communicated well. Is there something else they should have done?
i have come back to edit to just update what happened at the pool yesterday. It was very cold and the outdoor pool was closed. We could not find chairs but finally we found three chairs by the family pool. Two different couple came to us when we were there about 40 minutes. Each time they asked what we did with their things. We explained there was nothing on the chairs when we sat down. Friends later told us that the crew was going around and bagging up personal items left on pool chairs. There were many angry people.

I am in the car on the way home to Massachusetts. We went to the Windjammer for breakfast and other than the challenge of finding coffee the crowds were manageable. It took us about 30 minutes from leaving the boat to hitting the highway. 
A few final thoughts on the Anthem of the Seas. We really enjoyed spending time talking to the crew. Our assistant waiter in the main dining room is flying home to India today and I will be thinking of him today. He was so happy last night! I had posted when out  CocoCay day was cancelled that I was prepared for that possibility and I was not upset. Later that night we spent some time talking to a bartender at Two 70. She apologized for being so happy but she loves Atlantis and she hates CocoCay. CocoCay is so much work for the crew. They all were going to Atlantis from midnight to 4:00am. I know the pier will be built and soon the Nassau overnight stops will end. I am glad this crew had at least one more chance for a night out.   
We heard a lot of guests complaining: the ship is too big, Florida was cold, CocoCay was cancelled....we had a blast.
We loved the main dining room. There were many guests that only dined in the main dining room on day 6. Last night (7) the room was almost empty . Yesterday we ate all three meals in the main dining room. I must admit I love lunch in the Grande.
We watched the virtual fireworks in Two 70 last night. We loved them but thought there is a potential for so much more!
 
Thank you for all your help and tips over the last 14 months of planning. This was a first cruise but we are committing  to at least one cruise a year. I will be waiting for summer 2020 cruises for advice on our next RCL cruise. We have the Disney Dream booked for next summer. I am doing that since I am hoping to be a Disney vacation planner in my retirement and I may be able to talk for 6 hours straight about Walt Disney World resorts, parks and food but I need cruise line experience.
 
Thanks again!

And we are kicking you know what and taking names! MOOKIE!! LOL

We may get a blazer and new dress slacks.. that is a possibility
 

thank you for a wonderful Blog @PrincipalTinker and Happy Belated Birthday!  I see where you live, assume you are a SOX FAN??  Hubby and I BLEED RED SOX NATION! LOL  

Thank you for sharing your cruise experience with us, @PrincipalTinker, and am so happy that you guys had a blast despite the challenges. :) 
Have a safe trip home! 

Today is a busy day. We are scheduled to see We will Rock You, Spectra’s Cabaret, and weather permitting- the North Star.  We are heading back north. Here are a few photo’s from our balcony yesterday.