twangster

@Lovetocruise2002 is correct.  It's calculated from the onboard price.  The pre cruise cruise planner price is normally discounted from on board prices as well, that isn't the normal price.   While we want the BOGO50 to apply to the last sale price we saw, it doesn't work that way, much like many retail stores where new discounts apply to the full price and are not cumulative.  

To make it more confusing, on board rates vary from ship to ship for some reason and they are not published so it's hard to see the BOGO50 in play.  

5 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Oh, and most of all, thank you for coming out of hiding 

Your turn next

4 hours ago, JLMoran said:

Awesome blog as always, @twangster.  Looks like the Moment lenses worked out pretty well for you, a lot of those shots were spectacular!

I missed my Nikon.  The Moment lenses are fine but a phone camera struggles in low light.  I didn't post a lot of photos that were just too grainy.  

The filter holder works well too but I found it hard to use a CPL because the phone screen is hard to see in daylight.  You can see well enough to frame a shot but it's too hard to see detail to judge the CPL adjustment required.  

2 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

This could ONLY happen to you...

Actually I just got finished with another dude with the same name who was wanted (arrest warrant).  For a couple years every time I crossed a border they would start to look me over with interest until I pointed out he was African-American and I'm not, something one agent let slip early on.  

Maybe it's the same guy but now he has a protection order filed on him.  Minor inconvenience that only takes a few minutes to research.  Not a lot I can do about it.  

Bayonne tip:

Other people in the FB group reported Uber/Lyft prices in the $50-58 range to EWR.  Those 1st off snagged it for $12.  My brief delay caused me to pay $21 but that's a lot better than those 30 minutes or an hour after me.  

It pays (or saves) to get off early.  

Despite the fog we arrived on time.  Shortly after 6am I headed downstairs to the theater and the self assist area.

The theater upper level filled up and it was pretty crowded.  Around 6:45am they started letting us off.  I thought I was doing well and had only a brief wait for a customs officer.  Unfortunately someone with my name apparently has a protection order against them and it 'won' me a trip into secondary screening.  After 10 minutes they cleared me and let me exit.

By this time the ride sharing waiting area was pretty busy with a lot of people hailing rides.  I had to wait just under 20 minutes for my Lyft to show up.  Both Uber and Lyft were showing ~$21 to Newark airport. 

At 8am I was in the security line at EWR where they had one agent checking ID and one screening lane open for all passengers - so much for Pre.  35 minutes later I was in the Sky Club eating breakfast.

Day 5 - Afternoon

I found the ice cream station on the pool deck, forward, port side:

It had rained a good part of the day and the water was a little choppy but the ship handled it well.  Late afternoon that changed.  The water become calm and fog moved in.

They added a few watch officers to the bridge wings and the fog horn sounded every two minutes.  Our speed dropped to single digits.

I attended another show in the main theater with the Royal Caribbean dancers but I missed the juggler.  Since I had only a small carry on bag I didn't pack until morning which came awfully quickly.  I awoke to a foggy NY harbor.

Lady Liberty in the distance as we backed into the slip at Cape Liberty.

10 hours ago, PrincipalTinker said:

On the Anthem my traditional dining was 8:15. The 7:00 headliner/production shows are all over by 8:00?

I didn't attend all of the main theater shows but the cruise compass for all of them states "All shows in the theater are approximately 50 minutes"

1 hour ago, PrincipalTinker said:

Can I ask- I notice that the headliner shows are at 7 and 9. Is there traditional dining? What time are the seatings? Are the shows less than an hour?

As @KathyC mentioned, they are very aware when dinner is and they schedule most shows with dinner in mind and vice versa.  They understand very well that delaying an appetizer means delaying an entree which delays dessert - this time management was discussed during the galley tour..   They know the entertainment schedule and they strive to be fully in tune with it.   They are not perfect and they deal with staff changes all the time, on top of guests challenges but in my opinion they do a great job to get you onto what ever your next experience is. 

1 hour ago, PrincipalTinker said:

Can I ask- I notice that the headliner shows are at 7 and 9. Is there traditional dining? What time are the seatings? Are the shows less than an hour?

I will be sending Matt the Cruise Compasses from this cruise as I suspect a few other blog insiders who are present may as well.  Ultimately none of us know how that may be change for it's new summer port or beyond.  Only time will tell.

Call Royal and ask them. Non US/Non Canadian could have caveats.  Best to talk to the company that will decide if you can board.  

Just now, CGTLH said:

Maybe they should have extra day(s) as a gift D+ option. One can only stand so many towels and bottles of wine.

That is a great idea.  

I fly Delta a lot and they have 'Choice Benefits' as a menu of options to choose from for elite flyers.  Having a choice allows each of us to choose what works for each of us.  

Some want free internet days, some want a towel, some may want a massage or specialty dinner.  Give us a choice each cruise.  I like it!

On 5/9/2018 at 1:29 PM, WAAAYTOOO said:

What is up with its hair ?

<shudder>

Who thought it was a good idea to put a sketchy, creepy-looking ventriloquist's dummy in the glass case anyway ?

...and what do you mean, "at least it stopped staring directly at my door" ?  Did its head move ?  ...or is this just your weirdo bot senses THINKING that it's no longer staring directly at your door ?

I keep looking out the peep hole but so far he isn't looking my way, yet.

It's been kind of a dull day weather wise so I've been working.  It was like this when I woke up but then it got a little rougher and it rained for a few hours.  It's since settled back down.   I'm not sure I'm a fan of the cove balconies but I understand they changed that on some of the Voyager class ships.  Having said that I'd book another balcony cabin for the right price.

Our progress so far:

Voom has been just okay.  I've had several wifi calls and no issues noted.  It's not as good as the Quantum, Oasis or Freedom class ships.  Despite paying for Surf and Stream I'm getting Surf type results. 

It will be interesting to see if Royal does anything now that Carnival has proven they have the fastest internet at sea (at least on one ship).

I also think there is something with the new contract with Speedcast.  This is the second cruise where day 1 speeds were like they used to be but by day 5 they have dropped substantially.  Hardly the fastest internet at sea.

Tonight's dinner menu.  I'll likely go back to the MDR where service has been outstanding. 

1 minute ago, CGTLH said:

Please! Make it go away... It keeps on telling me strange things...

At least it stopped staring directly at my door.  Days 1 & 2 were hard to get through.

On 5/9/2018 at 12:31 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said:

That "thing" is even more disturbing up close!

Are you talking about me?  Or to me?

On 5/9/2018 at 12:11 PM, WAAAYTOOO said:

You're an evil, evil bot.

Also for any future Adventure cruisers, here is a quick reference guide to key events, subject to change of course with the ship repositioning.

The subject of straws came up recently.  This was observed in the Behind the Scenes Galley tour.

On 5/9/2018 at 11:39 AM, Matt said:

Bookmarking this post!

Well then, here is the full list of other "Common Drinks", Royal Caribbean style:

When I was diamond I would have welcomed them eliminating the free day for diamond which for the most part equate to a lower discount than what emerald gets. 

My position was biased by the fact that I tend to sail longer cruises and I tend to purchase Voom for the whole cruise.  Right now for a diamond member the single day discount on a 7 night cruise yields a 16.4% discount compared to emerald at 15%.  That negligible. 

Having made D+ though, my position has changed since the D+ 2 day discount yields an effective discount of 76% (3 night) to 16% on a 14 night sailing.  So for all those FL based D+ who jump on short cruises I'm on board with hoping they don't make the change now.

As I offered earlier, it depends what type of cruiser you are.  Lots of short cruises or long ones makes a big difference in the current scheme.

Since Pinnacle gets free Surf maybe D+ should get 3 free days

21 minutes ago, Floski said:

Thanks to you and Poole, you might as well have done this to me...

I know, but misery loves company and if am to have the image burned into my brain I wanted to share it with you!

You are welcome.

Our guide today would be Arasu who is the Executive Sous Chef. 

There are five primary galleys on board.  If you spread them out on land they would cover 2 acres.  The specialty restaurants all have their own smaller galleys unique to each venue.

Arasu did a great job explaining in technical detail the science and timing they use to keep food at the ideal temperatures to maintain safe food conditions.  Why is it so important he asked us?  Because he explains "There 4,000 guests and 1,025 crew on board but only five beds in the hospital down stairs".

Some appetizers being prepared:

Shrimp any one?  Is it weird that I was so tempted to reach my hand in their and just swish them around?  (rest assured I resisted)

These were being used to make the shrimp appetizers for later today.

The bread making station.  That's all dough on the counter getting ready to be baked.

Do you have any idea what he is preparing here?

In my Serenade live blog I talked about having a plate of butter called Escargots À La Bourguignonne which must translate to "lots of butter".  I wasn't too far off, that is a large scoop of butter he is placing on top of the little critters getting them ready to go in the oven.  Once in the oven the butter melts and covers them in buttery delight.

Arasu went on to explain the many "lines" they use within the galley to maintain separation between food groups.  Beef on one, Chicken on another, fish separate from shell fish, etc.  They go to great lengths to keep foods separated.  Wait staff are not allowed to go all the way into the galley to avoid cross contamination.  This way if someone with an allergy orders chicken or fish there is a high degree of confidence it hasn't come in contact with shell fish or vice versa. 

He went on to explain the various ovens they have including some that can use steam or heat to cook, or a combination of both.  Super heated steam is very efficient and quick so they can cook hundreds of meals in record time.

It was very informative and with my son joining me on an upcoming cruise it's comforting to know his allergies can be accommodated safely.

Day 5 - Galley Tour

We start the tour on deck 3 in the lobby area where you would check in for dinner at the MDR.  From there our group of about 16 heads to the deck 4 galley.  Behind the divider that blocks the galley from the seating area they have a bulletin board and several notices and tips such as how to tie an apron or the proper way to push a trolley.  My eyes went straight to the "Drink of the Day" guide for crew:

Now you know how to make your favorite DoTD!

They had another section with 24 common drinks including the Slushy Coco Loco.  I always wondered what's in a Coco Loco.

Adventure 5/5/18 sailing still had the D+ two days free or $45.98 discount.  I used it to buy a full voyage Voom plan on board.  Took the Surf and Stream 5 night price from $99 to $53.  However I could have taken the free days of Surf only if I wanted to.

6 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I wonder if Poole realized he had that bra on upside down.  Nevermind....

I'm not sure, but he sure did seem to be enjoying it.