Koz

The photos I saw of Symphony showed some really cool-looking slides.

Having just returned from Anthem (big thanks to everyone for answering my questions leading up to the trip) I can tell  you that the bands were inconvenient when you used most bars, as in alot of cases if you weren't standing close to the wow band reader you would need to remove it from your wrist and pass it over.  I ended up losing my WoW band during a snorkel tour on Day 5 and managed just fine with a SeaPass card, even with it in my bathing suit pocket after a whole day on deck.  No issues.

Any idea as to why my online check in still shows "in process" even though we have uploaded security photos, answered all questions and printed security docs?  Also printed luggage tags.

14 minutes ago, BrianAlt said:

They don't actually enforce the boarding times anyway.  So show up when you like.

11 AM is about as early as you can expect, although I have been on ships by 10:45.

Thanks Brian.

Can anyone please confirm a boarding question I have?  Our original boarding time was 12PM. Then, due to a coast guard inspection, the window is 11 to 2.  Does that mean that all guests can arrive earlier and board whenever they want?

My goal is to be one of the first groups on- but we are non-suite and not high tier C&A. Need to board early and make a bee line for guest services to try and score a day bed, along with the escape room.  What is the earliest that we could realistically be expecting to board? 

Thank you, as always.

Leave out butchers and they'll be pissed.  Good luck getting a properly trimmed steak after all is said and done.

If not teachers, why not sanitation workers, librarians and nurses?  You open it to one and the floodgates open.

12 minutes ago, BrianAlt said:

I think it's specifically frowned upon.

Speaking from personal experience Brian?

Just now, BrianAlt said:

1) Yes

2) Yes

1) Damm!

2)  Thank you!

I just called Sandy Toes on Rose Island yesterday to add a drink package ($39 for a day of drinking) and right now, there are 9 people booked on our trip during the 4NOV Anthem cruise.  The minimum they sail with is 10, max is 40. Think about it, imagine 10-15 of you, with 5 of those being my own group, going to essentially your own private island for the day. There's no way you can beat that.

Two questions-

1) Based upon your own experiences, is wearing a latex horse head during the muster drill generally frowned upon?

2) I have  a USB switch- where there's one end that plugs into the wall and then 6 mini wires that branch out- just like a hub.  Would this be acceptable as it does not resemble a surge protector in any way?

18 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

 Forecasting weather in the Caribbean is hard.  Predicting wind is no different.  They'll be looking at the whole day, not only to offload passengers, but just as important what it will be like to reload passengers.  i doubt they make these calls a week away.  Its more a game-day decision.  RCI is the 1st cruise line with a full time Chief Meteorologist.  You can follow hime on twitter @JamesVanFleet, maybe even ask him this question.

Thanks for your reply. I realize that it's more of a gameday decision but just wonder if we are talking winds of that magnitude, I wonder if it's normally enough to have them scrap tendering and just keep us floating offshore.

Big question- how windy is too windy for tendering?  I'm looking at Accuweather for our cruise next week and now seeing projected winds of 21 to 24 MPH with some gusts. Likelihood of still being able to tender @ Coco with those kinds of conditions?

That being said, I'm looking at weather reports today for the 7th and 8th of October, so I realize that alot can change during this time.

2 hours ago, katjoe said:

So I looked into Sandy Toes some more and I think I've decided against it - it just seems very overpriced for what it includes, considering it doesn't even include all drinks...but thanks for the tip and have lots of fun :-)

No worries.  It's priced the same as all of the others without alcohol included. I don't mind paying a few dollars more if that's the case to know that we will truly be on a private beach joined by no more than 50 others, all with the same goal of relaxing without crowds around.

2 hours ago, Matt said:

Royal Caribbean does not post the compass in advance.  Best you can do is refer to a recent past Cruise Compass and then use that for a ballpark idea of what to expect.

Thank you. I'm working off of a March 2017 compass right now.

May be a silly question, but is there any way to get an advance copy of the Compass prior to our 4NOV sailing so that we can better plan our trip and what to pack etc?

Orange crush I went all the way to the final payment page and didn't get an error. 

I booked it online but you can also call.  There is a discount code available for adults $5 off. 

In my never-ending quest to get as much information as possible before the cruise on Anthem 4NOV, I am now looking into our brief stopover @ Port Canaveral and trying to find a "fun" activity for our family of 2 adults and 3 kids.  No Kennedy Space Center, No Disney, Universal or Sea World.

What I have come across is a few airboat/eco companies offering tours in the St. Jones River area.  That being said, I'm not sure if this is our best option or if we should be considering anything else.

We will have a rental car and plan on hitting the beach closer to 4PM, so we're just looking for something to kill a few hours earlier in the afternoon.

Any ideas are appreciated. Thank you!

2 minutes ago, BrianAlt said:

I haven't heard of them.  There have been Beatles, Van Halen, U2 tribute bands on board also.

Just pulling your leg on John Tesh, but I would be thoroughly pleased if any of Journey, Van Halen or U2 tribute bands are onboard.

Just now, BrianAlt said:

You should NOT assume that.  It's not unusual for the entertainment to change each cruise.  It's also possible that some stay on for a month or more.

Bummer.  If I get the John Tesh tribute soloist instead I'm going to be awfully pissed.

One more for you guys. Just noticed that on a recent cruise there is a Journey tribute band playing every night, or at least with some frequency. Should I assume that they will still be on the ship for 4 November? Thanks!

1 hour ago, Matt said:

Shorts are a contentious topic.  Royal Caribbean doesn't have a list of clothes you cannot wear, just suggestions for what you should.

Would your husband be the first person to wear shorts in MDR? Nope.  Would he be the only one wearing shorts in MDR that evening? Likely not.  Traditionalists would argue shorts shouldn't be worn to be MDR, but again, I doubt anyone says anything to you about it if you were to wear it.

Thanks Matt- I figured that was the case and am bringing pants for myself. Now, with the kids are they a little more apt to look the other way, even on a formal night? Kids in collared shirts and dressy shorts acceptable at all times?

Matt- to the dress attire question. Would a nice collared shirt along with nice (non cargo or baggy) shorts be acceptable for dinner in the MDR, or are pants still required without saying as much.  I plan on bringing pants but just didn't  know how much it's enforced.   

Kat, definitely look into Sandy Toes Bahamas. I booked an all day beach excursion for us and for the family of 5, 2 adults and 3 kids it was $315.  No  interest in hitting any of the local beaches in Nassau, and the Colonial Hilton is just way too close to everything. RC offers a similar excursion but it's a shorter duration.

Sandy Toes is HIGHLY reviewed on Trip Advisor and they offer alot for your $$$.  Fare gets you RT boat transportation from Paradise Island, Welcome Drink, full lunch buffet with drinks, private beach access, chairs, snorkeling and other non-motorized activities. This is our most expensive excursion for the trip and based upon what I've seen thus far, I consider it money well  spent.  I've heard that on the boat ride they do point out alot of the interesting things along the way as you cruise by Paradise Island.