FionaMG

This is a function that used to be available way back when. It would be good to see it return.

Many years ago, when DH was a crew member, he made regular stops in Victoria. Says it was one of his top favourite ports. We happened to be discussing favourites with another couple in the WJ on one of our cruises and the people at the next table piped up with, "We're from Victoria!". They were thrilled. This is going back 40 years now so I'm sure there have been big changes but I think that sounds like an amazing itinerary. I'd love to b2b it with a Panama Canal cruise.

I hear you! I'm counting down to that wonderful day. Only three and a half years to go!

Haven't done one of these from Bayonne but we regularly do them from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. They aren't cheap but, for us, the comfort and convenience factor makes them worth it. Note that they will not take chances on a late arrival at the airport. We, too, once had a late start, in our case caused by guests putting the wrong tags on their luggage, which resulted in part of the excursion being cut to ensure timely arrival at the airport.

The jumbo shrimp and the lamb in Chops are both good, better than the steak in my opinion. You'll be getting more value from your package by choosing Chops. That said, since Izumi has a la carte options, you could do a lunch or a dinner there (price is the same). I am absolutely not a sushi fan but still managed to find enough to eat (and enjoy) when I went there with DD on Anthem last summer. I can't remember exactly what we had but pretty sure teriyaki and/or kara age chicken and the fried rice. Note that the menus for Izumi vary from ship to ship so if you are looking in the app, be sure to look under Anthem and not any other ship.

Sorry to hear that. Our lunches at Jamies on Anthem were all good, both before and after they switched the menu. It was also good on the Symphony cruise we've just been on but with the caveat that the banana split I'd been so looking forward to was a disappointment. The three big scoops of high quality ice cream that I remembered from Anthem were three small scoops of normal ice cream on Symphony.

That's an interesting strategy that would never have occurred to me. I doubt we'll even get that far (only just hit D+ on our Symphony cruise that ended on Sunday, anxiously waiting for the points to post and see the status change) but am filing it away for the future anyway.

Yes, just did the lunch option, premier is no extra charge. The ticket says $0.00. Definitely worthwhile if you're fine doing lunch rather than dinner. Just don't have a big breakfast beforehand though.

The prices on the menu are the a la carte options. If you book through the cruise planner there's no more to pay and you can choose any of the protein options. Be aware that there will be an 18% gratuity added to the total when checking out in the cruise planner. No further tip required on board. Note that if it doesn't have to be dinner, you get the exact same menu at lunchtime for a much cheaper price.

Just off Symphony. They were calling the chocolate cherry tart "black forest tart" on their menu but it's the same thing.

They've hiked the price massively on this activity and on iFly. We did the North Star extended experience last year at $19 and iFly at $29. This year's prices are insane. It's definitely not worth it.

Not really. I live in Portugal and regularly book on the US website. I have also booked on the UK website in the past. However - and it's a big however - it means you are subject to that country's booking rules which may not be as attractive to you (e.g. no repricing, fees to make any changes such as names, etc.). Also, you won't be able to transfer your booking to a US travel agent, if that's something you might normally do. So be very sure you check all the ins and outs before going ahead.

So, keeping good on my promise, we ended up at the pizza place I mentioned. It's called Piola and it's literally a stone's throw from the hotel. The pizzas were good and reasonably priced but they were too big for us. We could have shared one with a side salad and that would have been the perfect amount. Also within the same stone's throw (turn right out of the hotel) there is a Vietnamese place, Sergio's Cuban, the Batch Gastro Pub and a place called Alma Rosa that looked to be Mexican or possibly Peruvian, from the menu. A stone's throw to the left you have Coyotaco and an upscale-looking place called Marion. Just beyond those there is a 7/11 if you need any last minute stuff from that kind of shop. Hope it helps.

Thanks for sharing @MaryS. I've enjoyed following along.

DH always liked those cherries too. They've done away with so many of the nice things.

I hope things don't get too uncomfortable for you @Karannk.

I liked that too!

Ok that dessert hack is well and truly noted. You're a bad influence!

It shouldn't be so hard. Bring back trays and set up racks where people can stow their dirties after their meal like we all do at shopping centre food courts.

We're staying there this week! Two more sleeps till we travel. There's a pizza place and a gastro pub pretty much right next door that get good reviews but I'm thinking we might uber over to La Carreta in Little Havana as Cuban is something we haven't really tried as it's not a thing here in Custard Tart Land. I will try and remember to come back here with a report.

I so want to go on that ship, even though we're not quite vintages (I hope! ). That beef en croute looked absolutely amazing.

You likely already know this but just in case you don't, release dates are "week of", not a specific date. So the NJ cruises you're waiting for should be released at some time during the week beginning Monday 12th February. It could indeed be on the 12th, but historically they tend to open up Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday.

Sounds like a half baked excuse. What possible difference could it make if the other two people are in your stateroom? Keep pressing.

I think their biggest headache will be the world cruise. I'd guess they'll have to make a decision about that very soon. Then later on (October/November) Anthem is due to sail that way as she repositions to Singapore. Otherwise, I don't think Royal have much skin in the game in that area. Not sure about celebrity though.

There are many variations. For example, you quite often get them around October from Canada/New England back down to Florida. Then in Europe you'll get things like Rome to Barcelona or vice versa as the ships are moving into position for their new season of sailings. Unfortunately, they are not always flagged correctly when they are loaded onto the system which can make it difficult to find them. It almost becomes something of a treasure hunt!