MaryCS62

Unfortunately, it's not available that way if you use a TA, since you pay through them.  

No, for some reason that is not an option. It should be on your original cruise reservation info, but I never have access to that. The app won't show it either, at least not ahead of time.  Doesn't even show the date in the app daily calendar, which annoys me to no end.  My usual fix is to immediately add it to my personal google calendar, where I also add every excursion and on board activity that anyone in my traveling party books (since my calendar in the app or on the website only shows what they're signed up for if I'm doing it also) as well as things that won't show (such as spa services, for some weird reason, or private events like a pub crawl)

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.

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'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.  

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

My favorite hack -
If you enjoy the frosted coffee at Chick-Fil-A, it's fairly simple to recreate on board.
I head up to the Diamond lounge and get 2 shots of espresso. (I assume that those with a beverage/refreshment package would be able to get espresso from the bars with coffee or at the Promenade cafe.)
Ask for an empty beverage cup at the Windjammer and pour in the espresso. Then head to the soft serve machine and fill the cup with vanilla soft serve. Mix together and you'll have a delicious frosted coffee!! 😋

When crème brulee is available in the MDR, I always ask our waiter for some sliced strawberries and blueberries on the side.

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.

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 

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

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 

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

Drink waiter in the MDR bringing around shooters at the end of dinner

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. 

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. 

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."

Go ahead and try to make reservations on front end of your b2b for second cruise. You may get lucky and you're no worse off than waiting to make them on second cruise.

You won't need to split up. The only venue you have to actually make a rez at the place is Izumi. In fact, you can go to one specialty place and they can call Izumi and make it for you. 

You beat me to it. 🙂

It's SIL's favourite too. I prefer my cheese at breakfast. For me, dessert = chocolate. 😂

I've made my own cheese plate in WJ (to-go) before. Also always a nice snack option if you have access to the DL or SL. No matter what you think of the food onboard, tough to go wrong with cheese. 😁

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.