karl_nj

I once saw a family disembark the ship from coco cay because a member of their sailing party passed away. I assume they took a boat to another island in the Bahamas and then got a plane home.  You would need a passport for that.

Well, it turns out embarkation for my cruise last week was super smooth.  Much better than it was Christmas of 2021.  
Disembarkation was amazing too... looked at my watch when leaving our stateroom and I was opening my front door in just under one hour... 

We had a French class on Anthem last week.  There were 3 sessions; it was fun.  We are going to visit Paris for Spring Break next year, so it was a nice little refresher.

I like your name!

I really only had one major issue; we boarded early, so we were able to book all of our shows "in person" on the promenade once we got onboard.  Everything before Barcelona went into the system immediately (I assume they held back some slots for those of us boarding in Rome). 
The only "post Barcelona" show we asked for was in the comedy club.  Since they couldn't book us yet, they wrote down our request on a piece of paper and they said they would book us once it opened. 
Not sure what happened, but we mentioned it offhand to the Diamond Lounge concierge and he told us to come back and check with him to make sure it was handled correctly.  Turns out he was right, we were not booked for it yet, and he quickly got us added.  I'm really happy I checked, as otherwise we would have showed up that day and been turned away!

Yeah, you just get the 'extended' in-person version of the 'new' muster drill.  I assume it's similar to what happens if you don't do it on the app.
It didn't take that much longer.  We were directed to a nearby lounge one we boarded, and they went over the usual things, and then we were handed over to another crew member who took us to our 'real' muster station and let us go.
After that we went back to the royal promenade and found someone to help us book our shows. 

We took the port shuttle bus that dropped us off at the cruise terminal that is closest to the Columbus monument, and then just walked around.  The Virgin Voyages ship was docked there that day.

Luckily, I had no issues with photos on our cruise; was able to find all of them both pre and post Barcelona. 
Also had no issues with dining.  We had traditional dining; seemed like our entire section were people that embarked in Rome.  We didn't try doing any specialty dining on this cruise (other than some onion rings at Playmakers). 
My teenage daughter was also bummed about new friends leaving halfway thought the cruise. 

Yes, I would agree with you there.  I think Quantum class has the best solarium out of any cruise ship, on any cruise line.  Especially for sailing out of a cold weather port. I also love how they also have a separate indoor pool that is open to younger passengers (less of an issue for you.)
I'm not sure any of the Solariums on Celebrity are as nice.
Music Hall is also a great venue on Quantum class ships.  On Oasis class ships they rebranded a different space as Music Hall, but it doesn't work as well as it does on Quantum Class ships.
Since Celebrity Edge is a smaller ship, they have fewer bars onboard.  Quantum class ships have the Pub, Boleros, Schooner Bar, Music Hall (each with a different musical perfomer/band), Vintages.  Plus a bar at Two70, Casino Bar, Bionic Bar.  Edge really has 2-3 indoor bars... the big Martini Bar in the middle and Eden in the back.  There is also a bar in "The Club" but it didn't seem like much was going on there.  If you want a drink and to listen to a live performer, you pretty much only have 2 options.
Sounds great! When I had my JS on Anthem, we were traveling with others that were not in a JS, so we didn't try CK.
Celebrity does have some cabin classes that include a 'special' dining room.  There is a suite restaurant, but there is also a dining room for Aquaclass guests, which are just balcony cabins that cost a little more.
Yes, I totally agree that breakfast in Two70 on Anthem is wonderful.  Even if sometimes they don't heat though the breakfast sandwiches as much as they should.  The view (and it being pretty empty) makes up for it.  I'm planning on having breakfast there often next week when i'm on Anthem!
They have something similar in Eden on Edge, but it didn't seem quite the same to me.

Yeah... but they are in a sealed envelope with your name written on it...
I think the response from the customer "service" desk is the *really* crazy part of the story.

It's been a long time since I've worn a tux on Royal Carribean.  I think it would be overkill.  I'll still bring my tux on Cunard though.
Sometimes I will bring a suit on Royal.  Other times just a sports coat/blazer, and sometimes none of the above.  It does depend on if we are driving or flying, and if we are flying how long the rest of our trip is (sometimes if I fly for a cruise I'll add some time pre or post cruise to do something on land.)  It also depends on what the weather is, am I packing mostly shorts and polo shirts, or do I need clothing that is more bulky and heavy?
Yes, it is possible to pack a suit in a regular suitcase.  There is a way to fold it to avoid too many wrinkles.  If it's the last thing you pack and the first thing you unpack, the wool fabric tends to de wrinkle itself pretty well.  usually.
When I first started sailing on Cunard 15 years ago, I would bring my tux, a suit *and* a blazer.  The blazer (no tie) was for "casual night" on day 1 and the last night.

Wow... well at least you tried.  If you don't end up getting your diamond pin this time around, you can ask at the C&A desk on your next cruise and they will give it to you. 
Now you don't need to feel bad about giving any scores less than "10" on the survey.

Yeah... I realize...  I'm just a little amused that yesterday they sent out an alert to give yourself more time to get to the terminal, and then today they sent out an alert that said basically said you will be punished if you arrive early.
Based on how things went the last time I sailed out of Bayonne (Christmas 2021) I fully expect to see lines like the ones in the photos you shared.  Nobody pays attention to the boarding times, and the terminal staff doesn't seem to do much about it.

But whatever you do, don't arrive early!!

It's been a long time since I've worn a tux on Royal Carribean.  I think it would be overkill.  I'll still bring my tux on Cunard though.
Sometimes I will bring a suit on Royal.  Other times just a sports coat/blazer, and sometimes none of the above.  It does depend on if we are driving or flying, and if we are flying how long the rest of our trip is (sometimes if I fly for a cruise I'll add some time pre or post cruise to do something on land.)  It also depends on what the weather is, am I packing mostly shorts and polo shirts, or do I need clothing that is more bulky and heavy?
Yes, it is possible to pack a suit in a regular suitcase.  There is a way to fold it to avoid too many wrinkles.  If it's the last thing you pack and the first thing you unpack, the wool fabric tends to de wrinkle itself pretty well.  usually.
When I first started sailing on Cunard 15 years ago, I would bring my tux, a suit *and* a blazer.  The blazer (no tie) was for "casual night" on day 1 and the last night.

Wow... well at least you tried.  If you don't end up getting your diamond pin this time around, you can ask at the C&A desk on your next cruise and they will give it to you. 
Now you don't need to feel bad about giving any scores less than "10" on the survey.

From a sign in Cunard, the "fancy" dress was not only for esthetics but for practical reasons if you went overboard.

I'm enjoying the emails i'm getting from Royal Carribean for my cruise tomorrow:
 

 
tl;dr: Don't be late!  Leave early!

tl;dr: But don't arrive early!
 
I'm not sure they can really have it both ways...
In any case I'm actually kind of surprised that "last call" boarding time is 2pm, seems a little early.
 

Yeah... I realize...  I'm just a little amused that yesterday they sent out an alert to give yourself more time to get to the terminal, and then today they sent out an alert that said basically said you will be punished if you arrive early.
Based on how things went the last time I sailed out of Bayonne (Christmas 2021) I fully expect to see lines like the ones in the photos you shared.  Nobody pays attention to the boarding times, and the terminal staff doesn't seem to do much about it.

But whatever you do, don't arrive early!!

I'm enjoying the emails i'm getting from Royal Carribean for my cruise tomorrow:
 

 
tl;dr: Don't be late!  Leave early!

tl;dr: But don't arrive early!
 
I'm not sure they can really have it both ways...
In any case I'm actually kind of surprised that "last call" boarding time is 2pm, seems a little early.
 

Wow... well at least you tried.  If you don't end up getting your diamond pin this time around, you can ask at the C&A desk on your next cruise and they will give it to you. 
Now you don't need to feel bad about giving any scores less than "10" on the survey.

Wow... well at least you tried.  If you don't end up getting your diamond pin this time around, you can ask at the C&A desk on your next cruise and they will give it to you. 
Now you don't need to feel bad about giving any scores less than "10" on the survey.

Looks like all of this ends Nov 13th for Bermuda
 

Yse!  You could order a drink and have it delivered to you while standing in line for four hours.