twangster

I love CK! Sadly I'll miss it on Anthem in December as I'm not living the suite life on that cruise. I have tried CK on Oasis, Allure and Harmony. Service was excellent (not that MDR service isn't very good as well) and food is better than MDR (not that food isn't very good in the MDR). CK has its own kitchen right there. On the All Access Tour on Harmony the chef in Silk mentioned that the CK kitchen is independent. My son has a nut allergy. Our CK waiter asked if we were eating dinner again there which we were and the CK kitchen cooked a special Apple pie for him and another guest with a nut allergy on that night. We had a very good duck entree in CK on Harmony. Incredible flavors. Perfect sized portions. Great views. They do lobster as well on the 2nd formal night like MDR. Specialty dining is unique, love Izumi Hibachi for example. I'm doing the BOGO on Freedom soon because for $30 for two specialty? Why not! But I'd have no issue eating MDR all the time. I'm trying to turn my Anthem into a B2B for 19 nights and I'll mostly do MDR.

I bring a refillable bottle with me like others mentioned, same as when I fly for work. Go through security with it empty then fill it up. I also bring a small container of dish soap to wash it daily. One of those 2oz TSA friendly shampoo type containers for flying works perfect.

Once final payment has been made I've always known trying for a price reduction is unlikely to yield any results. That's okay, those are the rules. Sometimes though after final payment I've been able to upgrade, at cost, to a different cabin type. Unfortunately for my upcoming Anthem sailing they wouldn't go there, from inside to ocean view or balcony. Since I'm going solo that's okay, it's just me. I'll spend that money on some diving excursions.

When I switched from another cruise line to RCI this was a concern for me. Since then it hasn't proven to be the issue I thought. As soon as luggage arrives I use wrinkle release and a steamy shower. That usually does a pretty good job. On a cruise I don't fret over a slightly imperfect shirt.

Perfect. Thanks!

I used to sail Carnival so can relate. I think it's easier for them because their loyalty program doesn't really give you much. Gold level and you get a bottle of water and sometimes a cheap pin. Woohoo! No on board discounts. Every line is different and I have no issue with RCI for not granting points until actually earned (sailed). In the case of a B2B though, technically I'll have satisfied that once the first cruise completes.

I might turn my Anthem cruise in a B2B. I will become Diamond on the 1st leg of the B2B. I know it usually takes at least 4-5 days for C&A status to update after a cruise. Has anyone managed to talk their way into the next level when your C&A level changes mid-B2B?

Checked this morning for 12/2/17 Anthem and Northstar opened up on days 2 and 3. Changed my day 11 reservation to day 3. I'm 49 days out today. Just a point of reference as you get closer.

Minority? Not at all. Usually a table for two with MTD is easy. If you show up in prime time, there may be a wait, no different than a local home town restaurant off ship. Sometimes when I cruise solo I'm in the mood for company and ask for a larger table, sometimes I don't because I don't like explaining again why I am solo and OMG how could I cruise solo? Maybe next time I 'll create something like - aliens usually leave me alone on ships . Point is, they will generally try to accommodate your MTD whim, even if it changes night by night which is easier for them off peak, no different than any land restaurant.

Thanks. I'm solo this trip. My inquiry was relative to getting a better cabin at a small increase but rates went up a bit so I'm happy where I am.

I read this thread earlier but just had a thought so came back to it. Perhaps you shouldn't try to plan every port excursion to encompass the whole group. There isn't anything wrong with planning it so some folks might opt for option A and others option B. I have done a similar port intensive cruise and it can get tiring, you need a vacation from your vacation. For the inlaws you don't want them to feel pressured to do young things so they don't slow down the group and end up with them being exhausted by day 4. Sometimes its interesting to hear about something different others did, gives you lots to talk about over dinner. Just a thought...

My personal preference is MTD for the flexibility. I think new cruisers can benefit from fixed time. There is so much to take in for newcomers that fixed time can help anchor the day and you do get a better dining experience with the same wait staff each night. You can often manage that with MTD if you are early or late and eat at the same time each night, but generally speaking fixed time is a better overall experience.

The girls I cruise bring their own hair dryer and shampoo (and a small truck load of other related products). I would not even attempt to influence that decision any more, I learned that lesson once the hard way.

Welcome and a virgin 3 cruise B2B? I'm impressed! I've never sailed from Sydney so my views and perspective are from North America. 1 - There are some Cruise Compass found on this site but sadly none for your cruise(s) that I could find. Typically cruises 7 days or longer have two formal nights and some of the longer ones like 12 days also have two smart casual nights. Formal here in North America may be different in practice than formal in Australia in terms of attire. 2 - For North America the US Thanksgiving has traditionally been a time when RCI offers specials on some excursion and drink packages. 151 days is still a long ways put so be patient, check often. RCI has introduced new bundles over the past few months, who knows what else might become a bundle, keep checking. 3 - The number of devices logged in simultaneously. If you purchase 1 device, you and your SO could both use it, but only one at a time. I often bring a smartphone and tablet and switch back and forth as needed with a one device package. 4 - Here in the U.S. you do disembark and reboard usually first between B2B cruises, uncertain about AU. 5 - Top of lifeboat - You can look straight out but looking straight down will be impeded by the lifeboat.

No Sabor.

Surprised 1977 has no votes. I was impressed on Harmony with 1887 and the projection on the ice. 1977 is supposed to take a leap forward in projection on ice technology. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

i resemble that remark. The Leafs have taught me a great deal about living with disappointment. Let's not go there.

I first read that as washy washy. Ship on the brain. Okay - my favorite is FHPSLEUH1HE

What ship are you on? in terms of MDR for dinner and steak, typically it is available every night. In another thread I posted pictures of the Grandeur MDR menu. There is a "Classics" section that is on the menu every night. On this ship there was a "Manhattan Strip Steak" always available unless the daily entree included a different cut.

i switched from Carnival in 2016. There are some differences for sure, but I'm happy with RCI overall. Keep trying if it is important to you. People do cancel or make last minute changes, you just never know if a Northstar slot might open up. PS - Grew up in the GTA. Go Jays! (ok maybe not this year)

Lump of coal for me. Deluxe + VOOM package for 12 day Anthem went up $2 per day since last week. $780 for 12 days is too rich for me, looks like I'm carry on two bottle of vino. Sadly I make diamond on this cruise but that won't help me until the next one

I booked Anthem 55 days out. While I could book iFly, Northstar was not available to book. I kept checking and two days later it was available on days 10 & 11 (sea days). The time on day 10 conflicted with MTD and it wouldn't let me book it so I grabbed the spot on day 11 mid afternoon. i guess the point is, this is one of those check several times each day items.

This needs to be multiple choice... I can't decide!

When I have the drink package I tend not to use the supplied cup, but I save them and use them on cruises when I don't buy a drink package. As long as the ship has the freestyle machines, a never used "chip" cup seems to work on other ships.

The Chops sample menu is available on the RCI website here https://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/dam/royal/data/dining/chops-grille/menu/Chops-Grille-Sample-Menu-web.pdf It lists the few items that are an extra cost. If no price is next to the item, it should be included. This is a sample menu, actual menu could vary slightly.