MaryCS62

The only "non menu": item was a grilled chicken breast, which is now apparently available instead of whichever other chicken item is on the menu that night. Otherwise "requests for items not on the menu can only be made for allergies or dietary restrictions" - or something like that

I have mobility issues, and it would leave DH with all the bags - if we were going to consider that, I'd Uber straight back to the hotel & we could leave from there. Might keep that idea in my back pocket, though

I'll try to do that - I'm hoping it works out well. Like I said, it's only worth it because it's a B2B - and they offer good timing options. DH and I did a March cruise from Bayonne, & DD drove us & picked us up (cheapest of all ), and we're doing another next March but out of Baltimore, so will drive down the day before and stay over. Looked to do the park & stay there too, and it would be cheaper than parking at the port, but the one I was looking at only offered 1 drop off & pick up time - I think they do a single run. The hotel pick up & drop at the port was ok - 10 am pick up, but then the pick up at the port for the return trip to the hotel was about 1045 - meaning at least 2 hours at the port after disembarkation, and the price savings does not justify it, especially since I don't know anything about the port of Baltimore, and could potentially be outside in the cold or rain (or snow - not impossible in March) waiting.

nope, it's not usually worth it - the cost usually exceeds parking at the port, and we only live about 40 minutes from the port, so doesn't make sense to do it. Only doing it now because it would be $480 to park for 16 days, and this is almost $100 less to stay and park. That's enough for a "treat myself to something" on the cruise

My DD knows it well - she was dx over 11 years ago, and it was extremely difficult to find good bread. Things have improved greatly since then. I believe they bake it on the ship, so I can see that quality can definitely vary. We'll see how Oasis does in August

Haven't done it yet - it's in 2 months. We went through TrinityReservation.com & went with Springhill Suites Newark Airport. We're going to be 3 - me, DH, adult daughter - so this was the best option I saw - it's 1 BR with 2 beds & pullout sofa in the living room area. It includes free breakfast & private round trip SUV cruise port service. You can pick your pick up times from the hotel at the beginning & at the port at the end. We picked 930 pick up from the hotel - plan on getting that early embarkation time! & 9am pickup from the port - I like to stay on the ship as late as possible. According to my instructions, we have to be in the lobby 10 minutes prior to pick up time, and they ask you text/call the car service 20-30 minutes prior to port pick up.

for our B2B in August, it actually worked out cheaper for us to take a room at one of the park & cruise hotels - we'll save close to $100 - even though we live only about 40 minutes from the port. Our big decision now is do we completely unpack the car & bring all the bags in, or unload the car in the morning. My vote is probably to bring it all in, since I'm not sure where the car will be parked in relation to the hotel lobby. I may take a drive to the hotel one day (I actually don't work too far from it) and look to see where everything is.

You will definitely need a picture ID for him - anyone over 16 does, as well as his birth certificate. I'm unsure if his school ID would work. From Royal's website: For sailings departing from U.S. homeports, an official US state-issued Birth Certificate is also accepted. Guests age 16 and older that present an official US state-issued Birth Certificate will also need to provide a valid Driver’s License or picture ID issued by the government. Can he get a state issued ID with his picture on it, even if his license isn't ready? My older DD had one, as she could not get a driver's license (medical issues, driving impossible). Did his learner's permit (the expired one) have his picture on it? I'd bring every form of ID you can get for him

DH always wears slacks and a nice shirt for most nights, and dress slacks, button down long sleeve shirt & a tie for dress up nights. I only wear long, tank style dresses if I'm going to wear one, so that or dressy palazzo pants are my go to on the dressy nights. I can't wear heels, so the long dresses and dressy slacks are a better option for me anyway. But, as others have said, many people don't bother dressing up at all - if you want to look a little nicer, then pick something you are comfortable in that maybe has a little sparkle to it, but no one bothers you if you don't

Yes!!! we have a collection of the glasses from our cruise 10 years ago!

Sometimes, I would find a soda machine that dispensed water (not all did, which was weird), and just run a little water to rinse it out, especially if I was changing flavors. Otherwise - a quick rinse in the sink in the room

Well, I'd be ok with that. Going on a 9 night and hoping to skip Mexican and Italian. Might do Solarium if there's a night we don't like. Won't do specialty on that one, because in the 7 day following it we have the UDP.

I know what you mean - on Anthem, DH wanted to do Jamie's, so I picked the night I thought was going to be Mexican - nothing really appealed - and closer to our departure, the menu changed - Mexican disappeared, and British night was there instead! I definitely wanted that, so cancelled and re-ordered Jamie's so that we went in Italian night instead. Only problem was that we had MTD, and when I had to pick a time for the night we originally had Jamie's, it was impossible to get something before 9pm, since we were only a couple of weeks out.

ours is not going to Bermuda (sadly, as I would love to see Bermuda again) but to Charleston, Port Canaveral, Grand Bahama Island & Nassau - so I imagine we'll be hugging the coast instead of heading out into the Atlantic - so I guess we will see.

The other options (I've seen other cruises in the app for 10 or 11 day cruises and longer) appear to be Asia, Britain, USA, Mediterranean, & Royal History in addition to the ones listed that I had on a 7 night Anthem cruise in March -- Welcome Aboard, France (aka 1st formal night), Caribbean, Mexico, Italy, Royal (aka, 2nd formal night, lobster tail night) Bon Voyage.) Looked in the app at a 12 night Jewel of the Seas to get those options

We're doing a B2B on Oasis in August, and on the 2nd cruise we have the UDP, so we figured that on the first cruise, we'll scout out all the venues, make sure which ones DD (celiac) can eat at safely, then as soon as we get back on after clearing customs, split up (3 of us) and go to different locations and set ourselves up for the week. Fingers crossed this works, and we can get what we want.

Gluten free soy sauce is just missing wheat, which is often a component of "regular" soy sauce. It can have a different taste, since the soy is fermented without the wheat, but I've never noticed it. I have to use it all the time because DD is gluten free. You have no idea how happy I am that you said that they will cook with the gluten free soy sauce -- We have the hibachi booked for our upcoming cruise, and were hoping we would be able to keep it (will still check on board, of course, but this is encouraging). Sorry the other passengers got sick - that's strange.

This is from Anthem, Jan 2019. Not sure how different it will be now, but it was 2 rolls, the shrimp over rice (top of pic, called nigiri), and the cone (on the right). Very good and filling - either have an extra person to eat it with you (my DD didn't take the class, but enjoyed helping me finish this!), or don't have breakfast that morning. I think I remember sak3 - plus, from the description: "Practice your Chopsticks skills as you enjoy a wonderful Sushi lunch with a taste of Sake."

DD went to Christopher Newport University in Newport News, made the drive from NJ many times, and always got a kick out of driving the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel - should be fun seeing it from the water - assuming it's not too cold next March

Oh, good - I loved that, and of the meals I had on Anthem in March, I was actually most disappointed with the desserts - nothing to write home about. With that said - I avoided the overly rich and sweet dessert options by choice - type 2 diabetic, and I also couldn't really eat a heavy dessert right after dinner. I would take the artisan cheese plate to go for a late snack

Sorry, I need a little clarification on this (mobility challenged, currently walk with a cane due to bad knees, used a scooter on Anthem & will be using one on Oasis, otherwise I'd never get anywhere, but hoping not to have to on Vision next year) - when you say "gain access to the handicap lane" - is that for driving for drop off for checked luggage, or something else? DH and I are traveling from NJ, will come down the day before, stay at a hotel & drive to the port to park there. Is there a way for him to drop me off at a spot I won't have to use the ramps? He can park & walk from there no problem, but it will be easier for me not to have to do that.

It's the first night usually - I was able to pick a time, but not a place - although I plan on changing it if I don't like what they've picked for me. Not sure if they notify you in your room (ie with a paper notice), on the app, or when you go to start making reservations onboard. I have been told that that is the very first thing you should try to do as soon as you are onboard, and to have your times, places, & dates ready, along with alternatives if you can't get your first choices.

No, as far as I know, irons and ironing boards are not allowed in cabins - you can't bring an iron or steamer on board, and they have ironing services available for a charge

A Modest Proposal...

where is this benefit held - I've never seen it -- "Private departure lounge with continental breakfast"