Adriana

37 minutes ago, SuzanneM said:

Yay for the UDP! It's not available anymore for any but one of my sailings and I don't think it'd be worth it anyway; I'm on Rhapsody so there's just Chops, Izumi, Giovanni's. But I may still get it for the last one, where it's still available. That's just a three-day and maybe I'll use one night for Chef's Table at discounted price. 

Oh no! Even if you don’t get it, it’s nice to have the option! Your plan sounds like a good one, especially if a decent price. 

40 minutes ago, Pooch said:

Yes we are on Explorer.

Very nice, enjoy!

Hi again! I have a weird seafood question. I can’t stand seafood (purely psychological after feeling bad for fishing as a kid, felt bad taking for taking it away from his school of friends).  I have been trying to get over it for years, but not too successful. I hear the seafood on board is great. Here is the question; does it taste like seafood? Does it taste fishy? Not sure if I am making sense. With all the sears and sauces, especially in the specialty restaurants, I wonder if I can try some (maybe not an entree) and can handle it without a silly reaction (so childish ). Thank you! 

Super excited! I bit the bullet and got the UDP! I was able to make a reservation for the first night. I will prob try to make it to the MDR some nights (in addition to specialty), maybe for just a bite and check it out. Let’s see! Yaaay!! 

33 minutes ago, SuzanneM said:

I tend to be reading my kindle while waiting for the meal so I'm usually left alone. Sometimes the tables are really close though and someone strikes up a conversation. And sometimes that's okay. Not sure how close the tables are now that the pandemic has happened; I'm going on my first cruise since the pandemic in eleven days.

That’s a good point about the closeness of the tables now. They used to be so close that I almost always chatted with the neighboring table. I wonder what they are like now. … Oh how neat! I hope you have a great time!!

18 minutes ago, Pooch said:

Yeah we don’t really do Halloween but the ears are cute & easy to pack, not that I think hubby will wear a pair.

Super cute! Are you also sailing during Halloween?

9 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Not anymore. There were when I posted that comment.

Whew!!! Thanks! I had a mini panic attack! Hahaha!

On 8/19/2022 at 11:42 AM, smokeybandit said:

So really nothing changes for protocols other than unvaxxed can now go on those cruises. But that does align with the changes cruise lines are making.

 

Now will the Bahamas do the same?

I thought there were no restrictions to the Bahamas? 

On 6/11/2020 at 11:54 AM, twangster said:

I found out by looking at my future cruises on the website. 

They removed me from Star Class that would have included a Genie, prepaid gratuity, Voom, deluxe beverage package and the dining package among other benefits and now those are all lost since Liberty doesn't offer Star Class.  No change in fare, no compensation, no refund option.  Can't Lift & Shift a fall 2021 cruise and CWC doesn't apply as I've only paid a deposit.   Sail Liberty or walk away from my deposit.  

For my party including family members sailing with me, adding gratuity, Voom, deluxe beverage and the dining package adds nearly $4k to the cruise cost.  

Oh my gosh, that is awful! I can’t believe they are doing that! I really hope they come up with something to offer in compensation, major compensation! 

49 minutes ago, Pooch said:

I’m bringing my Minnie Mouse ears!

Oooh, good idea as a back up! I even think that Halloween falls when we are near Orlando (Pt Canaveral). 

41 minutes ago, SuzanneM said:

They may have balcony guests who place a RoyalUp bid and are moved to a suite. Then there will be a free balcony for another RoyalUp bidder.

Ha, duh me! Good point, thank you!

12 minutes ago, Pooch said:

Good luck and God Bless.

Thank you! God bless!

2 hours ago, PRMLVM said:

We were at Coco Cay in the early 90s.....what a different place it is today!!  

I have not been there since the early 2000’s in my baby days of cruising, so I am curious to see the difference. 

1 hour ago, twangster said:

In addition to an extra point per night for solo in a double occupancy cabin, solo gets another extra point per night when in a suite.  

1 point per night - studio cabin

2 points per night - solo in a double occupancy cabin

3 points per night - solo in a suite, JS or higher.

Thank you! Yup, that is what happened in the past, checked what SuzanneM said and got those points. I went back to see how much a balcony would be for just me and get the double points, but we’re sold out. Interestingly enough, I still got an email about RoyalUp even though all balconies are sold. 

1 hour ago, barjpoe said:

Candy is always welcomed

Costumes - some, most, half 'n half; your choice. If you have room and a special costume, bring it. They have done costume parades in the evening.

Cool beans, thank you! I do not have a costume in mind, but may get one just in case and def will bring along some of the good chocolates! Well, “good” in my mind, my faves like Twix, Reese’s, etc! 

20 minutes ago, WAYNO said:

Virtual Mass...

 

Over the past few years, it has become common to attend Mass via the internet.  I would think, with internet connections on the ship, Mass could be streamed to their Chapel, which is ever so lovely. 

Yes, my church does livestream one of its Sunday Masses, so that is my backup, but is not the same nor does it fulfill the Sunday obligation. However, as I am truly trying to find a Mass, it will be okay. I just really hope a priest will be on board. 

1 hour ago, Pooch said:

I would expect the answer to be no unless you happen to have a priest randomly on board.  As they must celebrate Mass every day, they might post when & where.

Thank you! I am hoping for a priest to be in the mood to sail!

49 minutes ago, SuzanneM said:

It's all personal preference. I cruise solo a lot (and vacation solo in general a lot) and enjoy a small table to myself. I don't really enjoy interacting with strangers much and want the peace of my own table, without needing to chat and get to know people.

But if you do, then that's fine. Probably another group will have opted in as well to sharing a table; they can always request their own table if they don't prefer sharing. 

Anthem has an excellent selection of restaurants so you probably won't get bored with the UDP. But at the same time, it has a ton of great foods included at no extra cost, so it's all depending on your personal tastes. You can review all the dining options on the Things to do Anthem page (scroll down to "All Dining" row):
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/anthem-of-the-seas/things-to-do

Thank you! I am the same, go away solo more often than not and am pretty comfortable with it. At times, I do love chatting with others, but when at the table with them, it is more pressure to be witty and social (which I like, but like the option of being on my own.  I will probably stick to my little table. Sometimes, folks from another table start a conversation, usually asking if I am alone (you prob get that). Since separate tables, not as much pressure. 
     This will be my third time on Anthem. I have only done the main dining room and the other free places like two-seventy and Windjammer. I am on the fence with UDP, but leaning towards it. … Thanks again!

20 minutes ago, SuzanneM said:

If you're booked in a solo studio, you only get one point a night because there's no solo supplement. When you're booking, look at the description and see how many people can be in the room. If it's just one, it's a studio and you won't get double points. But you may get a great price.

You can check your past bookings in your account. There's a tab called Upcoming cruises that it defaults to, but there's another tab with Past cruises. Click that tab and you can review all your past cruises (canceled or successfully cruised) and see how many points you received for each. 

That’s right! I forgot I could check out past points, thanks!! For a balcony, I suppose I got a better price, but double points would be worth an extra hundred or more. But, was excited about it! 

13 minutes ago, SuzanneM said:

I remember there is a chapel at the top of some (most?) ships, but it can be used for religious groups or social clubs. I think it's something that has to be informally organized. 

Edit: Here's a Royal Caribbean answer: 
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/does-royal-caribbean-offer-religious-services-onboard

(Rolling my eyes at their reference to Chanukah as a high holiday though, or needing a rabbi on board for it...)

Thank you! Def eye roll for that! 

33 minutes ago, foulmouthedleon said:

I think you get double points for cruising solo as you pay double for the room (double occupancy), so logic would dictate that if you pay 2x for the room, you'd get 2x the points.

It would be logical, but logic is not always used in business. I would love double points when I travel solo! It has been four years, so I may not be remembering correctly if I got them or not. I am bummed now that I got the solo balcony and no double points! Well, not fully bummed if it saved me some money, but still bummed. 

28 minutes ago, TXcruzer said:

I have over 300 days at sea (and am Catholic). I have never seen a Catholic mass on board. 
I have heard that if a priest happens to be on board that they can perform a mass if they are inclined, but Royal does not provide a priest and mass as a matter of course. 

Thank you. That is what I figured. I do not recall ever seeing it in all my years cruising thus was surprised when the rep said they do have it. 

28 minutes ago, AandD said:

We have cruised with our Priest 4 times in the last 5 years. From our experience they will let people know of a Mass by putting a message on the message board. But I have not seen a message board in the last year. The last time we had 8 people in our group. 2 married couples and 4 priests. There was as many as 40 people during daily Mass.

Thank you! I was wondering about the message board. It is good to know that if there is a priest on board, he may post to invite to Mass. That is pretty neat that you were able to travel with the priest! 

Hi again (really am sorry for all the questions)! I have been away from cruising for far too long…four years! This (Anthem on Oct 29th) will be my first since then and as a Diamond. I will be cruising solo (common for me).  It has its pros and cons, and now I am trying to figure out dining. I have My Time Dining and was asked if I wanted a small or large table. I was never asked that before and said small since I do not want to purposely impose on a family or friends. However, dinner conversation could be nice. Do you have any thoughts either way? With a random person sitting with you or if you like to do it? I know it is usual on cruises, but since I will be alone, it may make the others feel awkward and feel they must include me.

     Also, any thoughts on the UDP? I am considering it. It would be nice to try the different places (I don’t eat seafood) and venues. Not sure if it would feel more isolated (not always a bad thing), may be missing out, will get bored, etc. It may be nice for a more experience, more relaxed pace. I have never done any specialty dining (for pricing, best is UDP and not other packages).  I know it is personal preference,  I am curious to hear others’ thoughts. Thank you!

Hi again! I am sorry for all of the questions! Does anyone have knowledge or experience with Catholic services while on board? I will be on Anthem over two weekends and All Saints Day. I do not want to miss Mass. When I booked, I asked about services and was told that they do have Mass and to check the Compass. I have not cruised in four years (yikes, hoping to get back in the groove), but I do not recall there being a Catholic Mass. I will also put a message on the cruise message board on board (if they even still do that) to see if there is a priest sailing who will be celebrating his own Mass. 

     I think I remember a chapel or general service, but not a Catholic one. Thank you!