WannaCruise

9 minutes ago, AlohaLivin said:

I posted  this yesterday on a similar thread here regarding Hampton Inn/Blue Lagoon-

 

Thanks.  That's what I'm thinking...it would be nice to be near pharmacies and the Publix as per your comments.

Thanks.  We always book refundable and I watch hotel prices regularly.  I find when it's holiday time, prices tend to go up from when released.

13 minutes ago, Matt said:

March = spring break, hence why prices are insane.

Yeah, not surprised.  Flights were also very pricey, and even more so than other years (It's Ontario March break for us)

We're looking for a hotel for the night prior to our March cruise.  We really like the Brickell area but hotels are going for $500-600 for one night!  That's insane!

Even airport hotels are very pricey.  I guess everyone is trying to make up for losses during the pandemic.

Our flight arrives late morning so we will have most of the day.  We currently have Candlewood Suites Miami Airport on 36th booked.  The hotel iteself gets very good reviews.  Does anyone know this area?  There are food options but doesn't seem like much else.

Another option is to book Hampton Inn Blue Lagoon.  It's about $120 more but seems to have more around it.

Any thoughts of either hotel or area?

2 hours ago, Rose City Cruiser said:

My TA was able to call Royal and apply my FCC to a Feb 2023 sailing.  It's worth a try.  YMMV

Nice!  I tried that for a cruise in March 2023...but I deal with Royal directly and they said no.

I have a cruise for Dec 2022 but it was a backup and we will be cancelling it.  Will apply our FCC for now in case the rules change prior to cancelling (which will be before final payment), but most likely that FCC will be lost.

I'll second/third the "grab a drink" response ... to get in vacation mode.

Another tip...our kids wear their bathing suits as the pools are nice and empty then.

Guess it depends...are you more about the ship or the stops?  We pick based on ship but that's just us.  Both are amazing ships, but if I were picking Symphony vs Allure, I'd pick Symphony just for being newer (even though I love Mamma Mia).  Another factor for me is to go on a ship I haven't been on yet.  It's fun to explore and see new things (and new shows), even if they are more similar than different.   I assume you are going without kids?  If so, the waterslides and dry slide may not matter (although I love the Abyss).

So for us, we'd pick Symphony, but if ports /Aruba are a priority, then you may want Allure again (plus for the extra night)

How fun!  Looking forward to following along.  Have a wonderful cruise.

Wow beautiful room.  Such views!

You pass the terminal drop off to get to the parking garage.  Thus, we just stopped and dropped our bags off with the porter. Then continued and parked our car.  Very easy.  I'll say that on return from the cruise, there was only 1 elevator running so there was a huge line up for people to get into the elevator with luggage to get to their car.  Luckily we parked on the 2nd level so DH carried the luggage up the stairs.  So, try and park as low level as you can.

10 minutes ago, DrNDo said:

The Escape Room is not up and running. Instead the room is being used for something called a Puzzle Break. It’s where groups of 6 team up to solve a mystery. Kind of like the old board game Clue. They just rolled it out last sailing and added multiple time slots throughout the sailing due to its limited capacity and it being on a first come first serve basis.

They had Puzzle Break on Anthem as well (similar where the Escape room wasn't running).  No limit as it was in the Music Hall.  

Fun....and pretty hard!

We were planning on doing this back in 2020...also planning on just Disney Springs and resort hopping.  (Changed our minds on the excursion last minute and then the cruise was cancelled anyways).  From my research though, my understanding is it is one bus there and one bus back.  Hopefully someone can confirm.

Nice to see the bus option is back.  I've had a few booking on Anthem with the same itinerary and it wasn't offered for any.

Our kids loved the waterpark and are begging to go next cruise (originally we said we may not get tickets each time).  Different experience for everyone.  

OP, from your picture, it looks like you weren't the only ship in port?  That may make a difference with the lines.  The cabana looks pretty nice!  Also love the photo of your son at dinner.  Too funny!

14 hours ago, GKMCruising said:

Is this the current headliner, or one of the new staple shows? We did Anthem a few years back and I definitely don't remember that one. Sad to hear you'll miss "We Will Rock You" - definitely one of my favorite shows I've seen onboard.

Don't think Frankie and the Dreamers is a permanent show such as We Will Rock You and Spectra's Cabaret; however, I've noticed they have been on Anthem for quite a few months (was watching the app for many cruises prior to our cruise)

What ship are you looking at?  On Quantum class, they charge for iFly and North Star on sea days (and I think the virtual activity on Odyssey) and certain classes have a charge if they bring them back (e.g. cupcake class).

Otherwise activities on the ship are included (e.g. zipline, waterslides, flowrider, bumper cars, rock wall, abyss....depending on what is on the ship you are going on)

There are lots of food options that are included (and very good).  Or you can pay extra for specialty if wanted.

And I agree....with the changes to CoCo Cay...it's truly amazing!  We purchased the waterpark tickets and our kids had a blast! (If your cruise goes there)

Really enjoying your review.  Great sense of humour.  I can picture exactly what you meant by the Three's Company comment (made me laugh). 

We just got off Anthem 2 weeks ago (but in regular balcony rooms) and loved the ship.  Bumper cars is fun and so nice your genie did the booking for you.  

Brave of you to try iFly.  Not me, but our kids loved it.

That's really too bad that the production shows aren't running this week.  I agree...Frankie and the Dreamers show is really great (and that's coming from someone who isn't a fan of that music).  They have such energy and it is neat that the main guy starred in the original production.  

Do you also have the 3pm Port Canaveral arrival time?  i.e. another sea day?

26 minutes ago, jay1021 said:

I'm originally from Montreal.  But, I used to spend my summers in Stouffville and Richmondhill, Ontario.  That was a lot of years ago, can't believe it when I think of it.  

We're very near Richmondhill, in Vaughan.

11 hours ago, jay1021 said:

When I wake-up tomorrow morning, I'll have 49 days until my next cruise on the Ovation of the Seas, Alaska.  It's been a long dry spell.  The thing I like best about cruising is sea days.  I just love sitting in a bar, on the balcony, anywhere on the ship where I can see the Ocean, land masses, inside passages go by.  Not to mention the great tasting food and drink.  I've never enjoyed a vacation more than one on a cruise ship and Royal makes it even better.  

We just got back from our first cruise since the pandemic on Anthem....wow, so amazing to be back after more than two years!

Like you, I love sea days with all the activities and just walking and sitting around the ship and watching the water.  It's so peaceful.

We usually cruise end of summer but this year we have a big Disney trip planned.....so next cruise isn't until March 2023 on Oasis.  It's a long wait but the planning lets me excited.  And at least this time, it's just "time" vs not cruising because of covid or shutdowns.  

We just got off Anthem.  As soon as we boarded we booked a spot for North Star ($19 per person) and iFly ($29 per person) on a sea day.

On our port day, I was able to get another spot for North Star (free).  As others have said, it's shorter and doesn't extend over the side.

When I checked later in the week, all iFly spots were totally booked...both free and pay sessions.

Also to add to the above, our kids did iFly and the session included 2 turns.  They had a blast.  

The views on North Star are pretty neat.

I was worried as well as we used a medical lab that does antigen tests for travel vs a known place like Shoppers or CVS.  We had no issues.  Just make sure it includes the items specified on Royal's site.

2 hours ago, Eddy said:

To repeat. As long as everybody gets tested, ( i did it at Wallgreens appt online on the ship)  you will not be subjected to any fine. The fine is for people who refuse to get tested.  Now if one of your party tests positive.... unfortunately , the rest of the group will have to quarantine for 14 days and the positive  person only 10.  why?  I dont know.     Its federal.      I would send all the negative people home and have someone come back and get the positive subject after a few days and test again.  There is no need for everybody to quarantine for 14 days... crazy. You may have read an old post , but the fine is only for people who dont get tested at all. 

 

That's not my understanding....but... I would love for you to be right. 

I agree...it's crazy to require 14 day quarantine, and certainly doesn't match provincial rules.

1 hour ago, Eddy said:

Immigration cannot refuse you entry into Canada. Just show your tests. Half the guys dont even look at them. You quarantine at your home in Canada.,not USA. ...although you can, but it would be a costly stay at a hotel.   If only one of your party tests positive then all the rest of your group who tested negative must quarantine for 14 days. Crazy.  Thats Trudeau.   Federal. Provincial is only 5 days.    Go figure that.   

1 hour ago, Eddy said:

 

The border agent CANNOT refuse you entry . PERIOD.  You will be fined $5,000.00 if you did not get an antigen test. WE did.  Even though positive, they must let you in. You simply drive home and quarantine. Just like you do anywhere in the province, with the exception of the length of time stipulated by the federal government and provincial government guidelines.  Unfortunately  , we must adhere to Trudope. 

 

SO glad to hear you're feeling ok.  Hope your wife keeps well.  Yeah, Canada cannot refuse to let you in. 

We are going on Anthem this Sunday (fingers crossed) and so have the concern if one of us tests positive.  We have no issue driving straight home and having to quarantine there...kids will switch to online school and DH and I work from home.  However, the Canadian government site says that there is a potential fine per person if you enter Canada with a positive test (meaning only negative result is valid).  We do have quarantine insurance so it would pay for a hotel but obviously being at home is much better (but not if we have to pay over $20,000!).  Did the border agent not mention a possible fine of $5000 per person?  To me, it's ridiculous as it's better for everyone to be at home rather than some public hotel.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Thanks for the report.  Sounds like you had a great time and cruise seems close to being back to normal.

Your last statement worries me.  So sorry.  I hope you are feeling ok.

We have same cruise booked for upcoming weekend.  Can I ask what you are doing now?  Are you staying in the States?  Or taking the chance and driving home so you can quarantine at your own place?  

Am really sorry that you weren't able to get a spot for iFly.  How disappointing.  Just to clarify...this is for the bookings where you pay?  If so, good to know and we should just book on day 1.  Is it the same for North Star?  Obviously free spots are better but we will pay for it if that's what we can get.  Our kids really want to try iFly (and me, North Star).

Also, do you need reservations for any shows on top of We Will Rock You and Spectra's Cabaret?  Definitely seems like there are some things to do right when we board.

Sounds like you all had a great cruise!

36 minutes ago, dancernl said:

Glad to help! I hope all works out for you in a couple weeks.

The guitar guy was good, the piano guy was not what we liked. It was strange, he played some great songs but at 2x the speed. He flew through Piano Man it was like it was speed metal. Playing so quickly also meant he made lots of mistakes and flubbed notes and had to restart phrases sometimes. We didn't get why he played this way and left shortly after he began his sets either because we had dinner or a show starting anyway. 

Thanks for the feedback.  Too bad about the piano player....doesn't sound like he's spectacular. I love when they engage others and have a sense of humor. Everyone has fun then.