Broons77

I mentioned it in another thread, but I'm not sure if anyone took it seriously.  I'm strongly considering driving into Boston on Saturday just so I can look at the ship.  It's over an hour to drive there and will probably cost me $30 to park and I don't think that's enough to deter me.  This is totally stupid.

@JLMoran - I have to ask.  You show Northern NJ as home.  You wouldn't happen to be a skankee fan, would you?

56 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

13 - @Broons77 (Anthem of the Seas)

Thanks for having my back Jack!

Or Joe as the case may be.  I owe you a cocktail.  What ever became of an informal meet up with us and @ellcee ?

2 minutes ago, Susie said:

I called and got nothing change. I was a little upset because I am really Royal customer to RCL. I have 11 past cruises with Royal Caribbean and 4 celebrity cruises and never been sailing with other cruise lines. RCL said I already paid in full and passed the 90 days mark then nothing they can do except an upgrade. However, I do not get any upgrade either the room I have is the same room I book on day one. RCL might give you the upgrade if pass 90 days mark but nothing guaranteed. 

I would have been upset as well, but RC wouldn't be the first company to fall back on the old 'policy' excuse.  I hope you and your family have a great time!!!

Just now, Susie said:

It is the last minute booking. I just booked about 3 weeks ago. We only can go during the holiday and summer because of my son in school. I don't want he miss school many days. When I booked price is high and 5 days later price drop about $500+ less but I already paid in full and pass the final payment date so I cannot get the refund. Anyway, I still think about it, if I wait one more week to book then I will pay less than this. Anyway, I don't let it ruin my trip. Life short just have fun.

Did you try to call RC to see if they would rebook you?  I'm pretty sure I read on several threads that they'll do that. 

3 minutes ago, Susie said:

 

I know how you feel. I normally book inside or window(sometimes) but this coming cruise I booked a Balcony to celebrate reaching Diamond Member. I am so excited and can wait for my trip. I always take my 6 years old with me (only child) so that is added up quick on the room price. 

I'm curious to see how this goes and how much enjoyment we get with the larger room and perks.  We also have an only child, but she's staying with her grandmother in a balcony room for this cruise.  We originally did have her with us, and while it was more expensive it still wasn't the full suite fare.  We also have the mitigating factor that my wife has mobility issues and the larger bathroom is helpful for her.

I know how you feel, we're both beside ourselves excited for this cruise, I can only imagine how you must be with the prospect of a holiday cruise!  Despite my upcoming suite, I'm totally jealous!!!!!

13 hours ago, Susie said:

Happy for everyone that booked a suite but feel like I might be the poorest person here. Only can afford balcony right now.

Who said I was able to afford this? 

This is a splurge trip,  which is part of the reason why I'm asking so many questions - so I can squeeze out every penny of fun and perks I have coming to me!  I'll be in the balcony cabin right next to you soon enough.  But like folks on this thread have said, how much fun is had is not at all connected to the room you stay in.

8 hours ago, twangster said:

Worst case - as soon as you board head to Boleros one deck down using the circular staircase right in front of you after stepping onto the ship.  There you will find the box office staff in a temporary setup to book exactly these types of reservations.  On a B2B in December I was first in line at Boleros and got all my reservations when they never showed up despite daily checking before sailing.  

This is probably what I'm going to do seeing as how I don't want to overstep my concierge with a request like this.  We're planning on showing up right around 10:30 so hopefully I should be able to get something ahead of the crowds and still have plenty of time to look around and grab lunch while waiting for the staterooms to be opened.

Speaking of which, do the suites get opened any earlier than the other cabins?  Thinking no as I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere...

9 hours ago, CGTLH said:

As a shareholder I thank you...

Now, would you be interested in purchasing a Beverage or Dining package? Please don't forget to visit Next Cruise while onboard! /sarcasm

Ha!!!!

Dining package?  Nonsense, let me just book the dinners individually.  Discount packages cut into profits!

If you really want me to support your investment returns, you should be directing me to the RC website during non-sales periods! 

1 hour ago, mworkman said:

@Broons77 Oasis, as I'm cruising toward the Bahamas for day 4 tomorrow.

Enjoy and thank you!

2 hours ago, CGTLH said:

Breakfast room service menu is standard across the feet. Also, keep in mind you'll be charged bar price for a Bloody Mary via room service even if you have a drink package.

I better get a thank you card from the RCCL shareholders for what I'm contributing to this years profit margin with this cruise.

@mworkman - I didn't think it was asking too much!  Is that menu from Anthem or another ship?

Thanks @Lovetocruise2002 .  I'm giving them until the weekend, then I'll email if I don't hear.  I'm looking forward to being ruined!

1 hour ago, F1guynz said:

Hi,

As you are in a suite the concierge will be able to book the iFly and Northstar for you. When we were on Ovation Bing booked us 3 times on the ifly and a couple of times on the Northstar.

We asked her to make the booking on the first day when we got on the ship.

Have fun on Anthem!

Thanks F1!  We are in a suite, so I'll be asking the concierge.  My bucket list includes a stop to your beautiful country!

@tiny260 @twangster  - IFly/Flowrider is actually for my stepdaughter who is staying with her grandmother in a balcony room so the concierge isn't supposed to be able to help me out there.  I will definitely ask about the North Star for the missus and myself.  I'm expecting the email any day now.  We're still 11 days out and the scuttlebutt I've seen is that the email comes around a week prior.

@Orange Crush - The overpriced booze is still there, in the 'Royal Gifts' section.  Not only do you have to pay a lot for it, but you have to hunt to the depths of the website to do so!

51 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

@Broons77, I missed the part about Flow Rider. There are no reservations for that, ever. Just get in line with everyone when it's open, on any day, and wait your turn. On the port days it will probably be open for limited hours, most likely later in the day.

There is a Cruise Planner option to book a private Flow Rider session, but it's not cheap by any definition. Should still be listed since we're still more than 3 days ahead of embarkation day.

Good to know, I didn't see anything on Cruise Planner for it aside from the pricey private booking you speak of.  No thank you to that.

25 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

North Star should definitely be in service while in port. I'm on the same sailing, and while I have a reservation for North Star it's during a sea day; never once saw it available for advance reservations on the port days. I don't know if it's just a matter of not allowing it so everyone has a chance while in port, or if I just discovered the availability a little too late (even though I made my reservation the same morning it showed up in my Cruise Planner), but I'm also going to see about getting in line at 8:30 on the second port day and hoping they have a couple open spots. I imagine seeing Bermuda from the North Star would be pretty impressive.

iFly should be open while in port as well; I saw reservations for that as well the same day I booked North Star, but availability was pretty limited for all days. It's possible they're booked solid now, but you can check with one of the staff and see if they had any cancellations or have any unbooked slots left. Do be aware with the iFly that you only get one minute in the thing; the rest of the time is suiting up, getting prepped / hearing the safety speech, waiting your turn, etc. If you want someone to take video, they have to do it from outside the main area where everyone is waiting their turn. If that someone happens to also be doing the iFly with you, they'll have to wait outside while you take your turn, and then you'll switch places so the other person gets their turn.

 

Thanks Joe.  The Flowrider and IFly are for my stepdaughter so she'll be the one trying to grab a slot, I'll be trying to get on North Star.  I'm disappointed in myself, I thought I was on top of these reservations but apparently I'm just another slacker.

33 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Enjoy your suite.  You will be ruined hereafter, but that's just the price you will pay for being SO smart !

Thanks Waaaytooo.  Go big or go home I always say!

To answer your question on the champagne, I'm not a huge fan, so 2 bottles would be a bit much.  But if I have to take one for the team and have an extra glass or two, so be it!

A couple of you on here may recall that I'm about to take my first ever cruise.  My wife and I are booked in a Grand Suite for 5 nights on Anthem leaving on October 13th and we're both totally calm, not excited in the least and will have no problem getting through the next 11 days without obsessing and spending every second of on line time searching again and again and again for cruise related content that we haven't looked at a thousand times previously.  And before anyone asks, I'm not considering in the least driving into Boston on Saturday just to see her docked at the Black Falcon.  However I do have a couple of unanswered questions that I'm sure the nice folks here can help me with.  Some are suite related and most relate to planning out when and how I can drink.

• My wife's Setsail pass has the fancy little 'Sky Class' logo on it next to the cabin number but mine has no such thing, just the cabin number.  What's up with that?  Anyone ever seen this before?  I suppose I could call, but it seems like kind of a stupid thing to ask about.  My wife finds this endlessly amusing and is going to insist at check in that I be sent out of the suite boarding line.
• Can room service bring drinks, and can you pre-schedule things?  We'd like to start off each day with a 6 AM bloody mary and coffee as we're early risers to begin with and we'd like to add booze to the mix. 
• Despite my daily checking, I didn't see the availability of North Star or Flowrider or IFly reservations on the Cruise Planner until they were booked up.  Are we SOL or will we have a shot at these things if we're willing to stand in a huge line?  Will these things be in operation while in port in Bermuda?  I was thinking that may be our chance if we stay on board while in port.  Or maybe do they hold back some reservations for suite guests once on board?  And will someone bring cocktails while in line or will I need to employ a runner?
• I know the suites on Anthem fall into the Royal Suite Class, but are the other perks the same as the rest of the fleet?  For example, will I see the welcome amenities as shown here:  https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-are-the-benefits-of-the-suites-program.  I was going to bring a bottle of bubbly and host a pre-sail toast with the rest of the family that's also coming on this cruise.  But it says they provide a bottle of Chandon along with some other things.  If they do this, I won't bother bringing a bottle with me but I'm thinking I'll have to.
• As I stated earlier, we will probably be staying on the ship for the most part while in port in Bermuda.  Will most things on the boat be shut down, like shops, the casino, things like that?

I had other questions, but can't remember them now.  I'll add as they come back to me.  This board has been a great resource as we prepare, thanks to all for your hospitality!

12 minutes ago, ellcee said:

lol, I didn't go to one show last cruise. I had planned to go to everything.

There's a group of us going, and we're all reserved as a group for the show in 270 and We Will Rock You.  I don't care too much about the former, but heard the latter was very good.  We'll see how it goes...

October 13 - Anthem to Bermuda!  First cruise evah!!!!!!!!

Where is this master calendar you speak of?  Found it!

As for a meet up...

1. Yes

2. I don't want to go to a place where the drinks have been described as 'awful'.  I would prefer a full bar as opposed to Vintages.  But I'm totally new here and all...

3. Bermuda Day 2 evening is the best for me.  Unless it's Sea evening 1 and you catch me between CT and the show in 270

Jamie and I will probably be staying on the boat for much of the time in Bermuda so we'll be day drinking somewhere if anyone is around then as well.

Try as I might, my schedule is quickly filling!  My first cruise and everyone told me to not overbook.  At least most of our activities are centered around booze and food.

We're reserved for the late show of Spectra's after CT, but we have an hour to kill and I don't care what bar I kill it at.  On this boat with 4000 of our closest friends, may as well meet a few of them!

@ellcee , then park yourself at the Schooner Bar around 9ish.  My wife has mobility issues over distances, so we'll have her wheelchair.  Despite her challenges, I'll probably be half in the wrapper and arguing that it's her turn to push me for a change.  I'm Chris and she's Jamie.  Say hello and I'll be happy to deliver my review in person!

3 minutes ago, ellcee said:

I'm doing Chef's Table on Anthem next month. Should be interesting since I have a low tolerance but reallllly love wine.

Ditto for us, this could be absolutely hilarious by desert time.  We're booked or the night of the 14th. @ellcee, If you're booked prior to that please let me know how it is, and I promise to do the same if we go first!

In that case @JLMoran ...

Thanks to all, @Lovetocruise2002 , @JLMoran , & @melski94. This all makes more sense now.  I do have reservations for our group for those nights we'll be dining together so we'll see where we end up!

@JLMoran , I saw a picture of the table setting for Chef's Table, I don't know I've ever seen so many wine glasses on a table in my life.  Very much looking forward to that meal, we'll have to see if I'll be able to get through another glass, given the 5 that comes with it.  The most recent CT menu I saw was from June on Harmony and it looked totally out of control.  Can't wait!

Hi @Lovetocruise2002 , thanks!

I was actually talking about the restaurants like Silk, Chic, American Icon.  Are our MDR reservations good there?   We're the only ones in our group in a suite so we're doing CK another night for just me and my wife.

Any experience doing a Chef's Table?  We're doing that on night 2.