jaullram

I have been reading all of the live blogs others are doing of their Star Class cruise and thought about attempting one, however, I didn’t want to be constantly on my phone blogging about the day’s events or answering questions so mine is going to be an “after the fact” blog! I am certainly not witty and it likely won’t be as funny or entertaining as others but hope to provide some information for anyone else looking for it. I will space the posts out so if people have specific questions I can answer them along the way. I am also currently going through all of my photos so future posts will hopefully have less content and more pictures! Booking We booked this cruise over a year ago. We always try to book early to secure a location we wanted and my SIL asked if we wanted to try Star class this trip since we are celebrating big anniversaries. The prices of the rooms weren’t that bad on Anthem compared to some of the other ships sailing in March. We booked and then sometime over the summer, my BIL’s parents and nieces decided to join us and they snagged the last Star Class suite on Deck 10. My Husband, his cousin and myself stayed in GLS 10324, my SIL, BIL and niece were in GLS 10724 and my BIL’s parents and their 2 grand kids were in GLS 10720. Prior to the Cruise About a month out we received the generic questionnaire about any special requests, who we would be cruising with and some other random questions. We were sailing with 10 of us in total in 3 Grand Loft Suites on Deck 10 and requested that we have the same Genie. We also requested what we wanted stocked in our room for drinks and snacks. A little over two weeks before the cruise, our Genie, Yen Lee reached out to us introducing herself. From what I have read about Yen, she will make anything we want happen but we shouldn’t expect any real surprises. That was completely fine with me because I am not one who likes surprises….I used to open my Christmas presents before Christmas and re-wrap them all again! We provided her a spreadsheet of where we wanted reservations for dinner for 4 of the nights and a list of what other things we wanted to do (iFly, Flow Rider, Cupcake Decorating, Rock Climbing, Galley/Bridge/Theater tours, North Star, etc.). We also asked that the two cabanas we had booked at Chill Island on Cococay be next to one another in the front row (specifically Cabana #4 and #5). After some back and forth emails between Yen, my SIL and myself, we got a final schedule around 5 days out with everything we wanted scheduled. She indicated she appreciated the spreadsheet as it made it easier for her to make our final schedule for the week. This is what she sent to us: One thing we had really wanted was to have a lunch set up in one of the suites on embarkation day to avoid all of the crowds. We know we could have eaten at Coastal Kitchen or any of the specialty restaurants but wanted something in our room. Within 24 hours Yen replied with menus we could order off of (Jaime’s and Chops) along with letting us know we could also order pizza. I have heard a lot of people were told they couldn’t set up lunch in the room on embarkation day but because we were her only suites, I think it made it easier for her to accommodate us.

@bossdog421, it looks like the beach cabanas don't really have a view as they are looking out over the backs of the over the water cabanas. Is that the case?

@AshleyDillo that is amazing! I don't know why the Anthem class ships don't do that....probably because of where the lounge is located (so far from everything)! That is why I was surprised because we usually sail on Anthem.

@Fairlynew - thanks! I am a beer drinker so as long as I can get that I am good. I won't waste my money on drink package then since I also get free drinks in the casino!

@Matt so just to confirm, that (or similar) menu is all day and not just at happy hour?

We are sailing in a Sky Class Suite on Oasis. I found the following menu and am hoping this is still true that I can get free beer/soda/wine/water from 11AM - 11PM. Does anyone who have sailed Oasis recently know if this is accurate?

Perfect. We are all trying to meet at 11 so maybe we can go straight to the room. Cannot wait!

@AshleyDillo, @WAAAYTOOO and @dodgestang Thank you so much! I am definitely a planner so this helps me out. I think we are going to do lunch at Chops on embarkation day and then we are just going to have light snacks and drinks delivered for sail away. I am sure if I am specific about what we want it (cheese, crackers, sliced fruit, chips and salsa, etc) it shouldn't be hard. The one thing I will really try to insist is that we are able to get into our room when we get on the ship. I want to go straight there with the luggage and drop stuff off. I will make sure we put it in our response back to whoever we have. I will also make sure porter brings suitcases upstairs! I am thinking $20 or $25 is a good tip for them (hopefully). I knew the experts would have all of the answers - thank you again!

So here goes. I am a planner by nature and not being able to plan everything myself is driving me crazy! I am going to trust the process and "attempt" to go with the flow but am hoping to get some more information. We cruise in a little over a month and I have read tons of blogs and searched the internet but I still have a few questions/clarifications: 1. If I send a schedule of dinner each night, along with other things we want to do/already have reserved, will the genie follow that or will they move things around? My concern is that the times we want to dine there won't be tables available for our group (10 people in 3 Star Class Suites) since we didn't book in advance and therefore, we won't get to eat where I want on the day I want. 2. I have heard Anthem tends to not allow lunch to be served in the suite on embarkation day. We can live with that but will they do snacks/appetizers for sail away at 3 PM that day? I have heard people say that if the restaurant isn't open that you want the food from then you can't. We were thinking of getting some sushi, tempura and spring rolls from Izumi. Alternatively, Brass and Bock is open so we could get appetizers delivered from there. 3. I know the Genie doesn't stock the room with wine but could they deliver a few glasses of wine or leave some gin in a glass to make gin and tonics? 4. With our total of 10 of us in 3 star class suites, we have asked for one genie thinking it would be less work for that genie since we will be doing mostly everything together. Does that make sense to others or would having (potentially) different genies be better? 5. Besides the few snacks we asked to be stocked in our room, I do want some snacks delivered to the room (sometimes) but I don't want wasted food. I was thinking of putting on my schedule I will be sending to the genie what days we wanted snacks delivered. Is that what others do? 6. Tipping at specialty restaurants. I know we aren't paying for any of the specialty restaurants but I usually tip $15-$20 for the two of us when we have gone to them on past cruises. There will be 10 of us at most meals so what is reasonable? Follow the same guideline we typically do? What about at breakfast or lunch at CK? Does anyone have any guidelines that are reasonable? Not trying to be cheap but we splurged for our 20th anniversary on this cruise and I want an idea of how much extra cash I need. 7. When we do in-suite dining (we want to order chops one night), do we just get in contact with our genie and tell them what we want and what time? Is that the same for ordering breakfast in the room too? 8. I know everyone tips their Genie differently and I have googled, Facebook stalked and searched and I still have no idea! It seems some people do $100 pp/day (which would be $2100 which is 40% of what we paid for our room so that is not happening)! I only foresee our Genie scheduling dinners for us and handling in-suite dining if we want. We already booked all excursions and shows. I was hoping $700 for the week was reasonable (the other two rooms would likely tip them the same so $2100 from the 3 rooms in total - I know I would be happy if I made $2100 in cash for a week!!). 9. I know we have to go to the Star Class Zone 6 drop off area. I was a little confused as to what to do when we get there. I know I don't give the bags to the pier porters so is there someone at the star class banner that will tell me who to give them to or should I go inside with them? Thank you in advance for any other tips or tricks to make this the most amazing trip ever!!! I know there are some experienced Star Class cruisers here so I look forward to hearing from the experts!

We noticed it on other sail dates as well on the Oasis. If someone is interested, it is a great deal for 2 bedrooms and bathrooms!!

I enjoyed your blog very much twangster! You have me excited for our 7 night Best of Bermuda cruise next summer on Empress! Can't wait!

Just booked..cannot wait!

I would be interested in hearing people's opinion of Empress of the Seas. We are looking at the 7 Night Best of Bermuda cruise in an aft junior suite. I know the ship is older and smaller but are we going to be really disappointed or will the itinerary make up for it? We love Grandeur (and other ships in the fleet) so hoping it is somewhat similar to Grandeur. All we really care about is a casino, seeing some comedians, having good food and having a nice balcony. We have been enjoying twangster's blog and the ship seems nice and uncrowded (yeah) but would appreciate other's thoughts. Also, regarding aft Jr suites, are all of the balconies on Deck 7 the same size - the pictures make the middle ones seem bigger?

It really depends what you want - do you want to hang out at the pool or be at a beach - two totally different experiences. We did Chill Island Cabana and loved it! There was an upgraded buffet lunch that I am not sure comes with Oasis Lagoon cabanas. Yes, there were 2 mats and 2 sets of snorkel gear. There was also a cooler full of water.

As for the Cabana attendant, we didn't see one but things may have changed now that the island is fully opened. There was someone there when we first got there that gave us our towels so maybe she could get you things. As I said, I didn't see a private locker and USB outlet but it does say it in the description so my guess it is likely in one of the wicker tables? There was a cooler full of waters and when we wanted more we went to the bar.

SweetPea - we have read some reviews that Star Class suites can have the drink cart come around at a certain time of day in the afternoon. Was this an option for you on Anthem? We are planning on having our room stocked with beer but would love it if they came around and made us a mixed drink or a glass of wine. Sounds like you had an amazing time - we can't wait for ours in March!

I received the same survey today and mentioned our displeasure with the new pricing. I mentioned that if there were too many prime members that perhaps they should offer discounts of varying percentages off depending on points. My husband had 10,000+ last year and I was at 8,000 so that should account for more of a discount than someone who just gets 2,500. I also mentioned that I can go to MSC or NCL and get 30% off without even stepping foot in their casino. I know you have been a member much longer than me (didn't know it existed when we first cruised with RCL in 2013) so I am sure you are feeling the disappointment more!

Maybe you will have better luck because you have a "Michelle"! Our Star Class on Anthem next March at full price was $8,400 and I got a quote to upgrade using Prime certificate and it was $5,500. Still a great price but I was expecting it to be $2,000 less than that (at $3,500). We are still going to do it but not enthusiastic about their new pricing!!! I only have the deposit down as I am hoping once the craziness goes away maybe the pricing will be better because at 30% I can go to any of the other major lines and get the same discount before having step foot in their casinos!

I will be interested in what you find for pricing. I called this morning and used to getting around a 60% discount off the total price to upgrade rooms. When I called this morning to upgrade my prime certificate to a Grand Loft Suite, the discount was only 30%....needless to say, I am going to wait to see if pricing is better in a month or so. It seems like the upgrade pricing is not as good as last year so I would love to see if you find the same.

So, I just called to book my free annual prime cruise and then upgrade to a balcony or suite. In the past, we have always paid around 40% of the total cruise fare for the cabin we want to go to. So, for example, we booked a Grand Suite with last year's prime offer and paid $1,800 which was 40% of the current rate for that room. This year however, the prices to upgrade have increased significantly and we are now paying 70% of the going rate. I asked about it and she said that is the pricing they have and she couldn't tell me anything more. When I received the price, the "math" doesn't work either. If I get a free interior and only have to pay for taxes and fees, I am getting a discount of $1,220 (Total interior (cheapest) for the cruise we are looking at is 1,678 less taxes and fees of $398). When she priced out the upgrade to a balcony, the discount I received was less than the $1,220 which doesn't seem right! Currently annoyed because apparently they are taking away more perks from us again!!!! Has anyone else experienced this yet?

RTripp the “amenities “ included with the Chill Island Cabana was a cooler of water (yes, only water), upgraded lunch buffet (see my post above), private roped off beach and bar for just Cabana area. As for the private speaker and safe - never actually knew it existed!!! There was a cocktail table in the cabana so maybe that is where the speaker and locker was! Next time we will have to look harder because it wasn't obvious. Also, the description says cabin attendant but we never had anyone come ask us for drinks like they do in Labadee.

FYI - the ones in the back actually had a ramp and not two steps up so those may be better. They had beach wheelchairs at the end of the dock too which will help get you there.

Yes, right next to the chairs is why I wouldn't include #8. It was a lot louder there with people talking and we wanted a nice quiet day. I honestly wouldn't even mind the back row either as the cabanas were staggered. Overall, it is a wonderful experience no matter which one anyone ends up with.

The Chill Island Cabanas are a pretty short walk. Basically you leave the cabana area, cross a little sand road (where the shuttles drive), walk past the bathroom and down a path to the pool. It wasn't far at all. I didn't walk to the pool from the bungalow area but those did seem further away from the pool. We enjoyed the cabana immensely but it really isn't a necessity since there are so many lounge chairs near the water and also at the pool. If you plan to split your day between pool and ocean then the $500 for the cabana may not be worth it. Enjoy either way!

The beach beds are further down the island and have been there for a few years now. The one real downside to those is the water is so shallow there that there really isn't any good swimming areas. When we walked down that way the water was only up to peoples knees 30 feet out. We prefer the cabana area as the snorkeling was amazing and the water was deeper