BrianB

@RCIfan1912I also get the three night dining package. Another reason to board as soon as possible. Restaurant reservations for the dining package can only be made onboard…never figured out why….and they fill up quickly, especially if you’re trying to get a large table. Then I go to the MDR, make sure they have me listed as early, and request a table for one. I also let them know the nights I won’t be there…and my table would then become available. I was told they just keep my table open for me and if I don’t show up by certain time, it shows as available and they can give it to someone else. So far, I’ve never had a problem getting everything arranged.

There is no car on the Royal Esplanade on the Anthem. But, there is a small child’s peddle car and a small airplane on either side of the stairway on the upper deck. I guess that qualifies as a ‘car onboard’.

@RCIfan1912As soon as you board, go to the host desk at the MDR and request a table for four. Have the room numbers ready. I’ve never had a problem. Also, it’s always a good idea to go and check what dining time they have you listed for. Several times I have chosen early seating at 5:30, had it listed on my cruise confirmation receipt, but when I went to the host I was told they had me listed as My Time. So I had it changed back. It’s easier to do that as soon as I board rather than being surprised when I show up at 5:30.

Not really a supply comment, but… I always thought it was somewhat impractical for me to purchase a soda package because I didn’t want to lug around an RFID tumbler just in case I wanted to use a soda machine. I thought it would be better if the machine accepted my SeaPass card and I could just tap and use a glass or paper cup when I wanted. But, I’ve also noticed many times where machines are not operating…and they are few and far between. Just my opinion.

Happy birthday in advance! …and my sympathies on having ‘non-cruisers’ in your family. I agree with the majority of comments…bucket list + not wanting to be bored + people watching + no regrets = Symphony! Lots to do should you decide staying aboard most of the time is your best option. More entertainment, dining choices…lots more people to be watching! I’d also say in my opinion, after the shutdown…I realize that things can change at any time so I want to make sure I don’t miss out. Do what makes you happy! Happy cruising!

@Jason12 @mistertomatohead @smokeybandit Good find! Deleted the last digit and then retyped it in…hit save. Back to normal! **And yet another reason to love this forum!

@Terri_FL… @mistertomatoheadmakes a good point. I have seen passengers on board at guest services or with the Loyalty Ambassador with issues regarding their Shareholder OBC. Guest services will contact shoreside and confirm your eligibility for the benefit. Then it should be applied. That’s seems to be the last resort.

According to HD Angel...the new menus on the Anthem are due on Jan 24.

I printed out the copy of the Shareholder Benefit Request form and made multiple copies. Each cruise, I fill in one form per cruise (if on a back to back) and email each completed request with a copy of my brokerage statement page that has the Royal shares listed. The page has my name and date and I black out my account number with a sharpie. The date must be within 90 days of the cruise. I usually email my request about a week before my cruise. I never combine requests and always submit a copy of my brokerage statement with each one. Usually I will receive an automated email response within a few hours or by the next day from Shareholder Services acknowledging receipt of the request. If I do not receive the automated response by the next day…I resend the email. Sometimes things just don’t go through for any number of reasons. Then, sometimes I will receive an email copy of an Amenity Confirmation showing the OBC has been applied. Or, I will receive an updated Cruise Confirmation Receipt showing the additional OBC. If the request is denied, I get an email advised me the benefit is not combinable on this particular cruise.

I’m on the Anthem for eleven nights from NJ. Our first port is San Juan. It takes three days at full speed for us to get there…going against the Gulf Stream. We arrive at 3pm and leave at 11pm. So for us, it’s just the sailing distance that affects the time in port. I think that’s the latest regularly scheduled sail out time from a port on any cruise I’ve taken.

I know the supply line is slow…but…I’m still waiting patiently for my official RC Blog Crystal blocks for my Pinnacle level, and the milestones.

I try to book as far out as I can…usually the best prices and I have no problem picking the rooms I want. I do lots of back to backs so I want the same room on each leg. Then, I check the booking very frequently by doing mock bookings and look for the price to drop. Usually the price rises as the cruise gets closer, but sometimes the price drops during sales or sometimes for no apparent reason…so I call and reprice. Or sometimes a suite category may drop in price just enough for me to decide to pay a little more and grab it. I do my own bookings so I can control the reservations and call for repricing as soon as I see a drop. The only issue I have is sometimes the website only shows a small sample of cabins available in the category I want. But, if I didn’t have the time to monitor my cruises, I would definitely use a good travel agent to do it for me. Plus, the TA would have more access to available cabins. I also try to book through NextCruise when I’m aboard. I save lots at the time of booking on the reduced deposit and get the OBC which pretty much returns my deposit…or more. Plus, an additional benefit is if I do use a travel agent, I can transfer the NextCruise booking to them when I get back on land. Also, for the b2b, the NextCruise agent can look at both cruises at the same time to see which cabins are available on both. A TA could do that too. I have lots of future bookings and those furthest out are the Icon in September 2024 and then the Symphony in October 2024. Just my opinion, but….never worry that you may have cruises booked too far away…or too many…lots of flexibility and pricing opportunities between time of booking and time of sailing. Enjoy the anticipation! Enjoy your cruise!

Just checked now…mine is still down…has been for days. But…I did call Wednesday to reprice a booked cruise and the agent had my correct points on her computer. So, it seems like it’s only on my side. But, more importantly, my points on the Royal Caribbean Blog are still there! Whew!

Before the pandemic, the Anthem would have a huge dessert buffet set up on the pool deck during a nighttime pool dance party. Even Capt Srecko and the senior officers would be dancing. The cakes, treats, handmade sweets and ice cream with all the trimmings were delicious! It was great! But, I haven’t seen it since the restart…yet.

Wow! Lots of choices…. On the Anthem, it’s been Matt Yee in the Schooner Bar. Singer and comedian. Always standing room only every night. Gets the audience involved, very funny and his shows become loud, raucous and attract even more people who come to see what all the noise is about…”Gimme an Oy!” The Royal Swedes were a regular in Boleros and the Music Hall. Excellent group! I haven’t seen them on the Anthem since the restart. Joyce Koi played classical guitar in Schooners and was part of the band in the show We Will Rock You. Very, very good guitarist. Did both rock and classical. Also, some of the Beatles groups were phenomenal! Really got it perfect! And the Journey cover band was also a great show! I’m sure I’m leaving a lot of my favorite performers and groups out…there’s just so many. Then there’s the headliners like Frankie and the Dreamers…the Royal comedians, magicians, even the comedy jugglers. Excellent all around performers and entertainers.

Every time I hear a code ‘Alpha’ while on board, I always say a little prayer for the patient. Then I keep in mind that we may be diverted to get the patient to a land-side hospital if necessary. That can entail going to the nearest port…or returning to the embarkation port if it’s closest…or even changing course to race towards land in order to meet a helicopter for an at-sea airlift. I’ve been aboard many times where itineraries and/or port arrival times were adjusted because of a medical issue…or even a mechanical. I just go with the flow…..

@JjohnbI believe since the restart, the menus were printed on hard stock laminated poster-type paper so that they can be wiped down and sanitized before and after the guests handles them. Maybe it wouldn’t be to much harder to have them in the leather holders or the boards and just wipe them down too…but, time will tell.

My experience in the MDR on the Anthem…this includes my last back to back during the holidays which had full occupancy. During the New Year cruise we had 4700 passengers…well over full capacity with double occupancy. Lots of families with kiddos…which indicates lots of picky eaters. I usually sail solo and always go to the MDR host after boarding and ask for a single table…never been an issue. I always do early traditional and walk right to my table as soon as it opens. I’m guessing this is the main reason why I never had any problem with my choices/substitutions/drinks/timing of my meal. On the Anthem, my drinks were served by dedicated bar servers. For example…Sagar, who is a bar server by day in the Solarium…and Upendra, who is a bar server in the Diamond Lounge and the Theater…have been delivering my wine as soon as I sat down. Sometimes, both my waiter and assistant would get my wine right before the bar server could come over. My waiter and his/her assistant have always been great. I usually order meals with substitutions…I love some vegetables but detest others, so I ask for changes. Never a problem nor a delay. I usually order soup and salad, my entree (with changes) and my dessert all at once. Everything is delivered timely, perfect temperature and presentation. Always correct. My experience is usually less than an hour. JMO…I never had an issue with the MDR on the Anthem. I think that’s primarily because I go as soon as it opens, I’m usually solo, I’m easily pleased and don’t have to work around other family members, friends, kids or entertainment. I understand how difficult it can be to try and arrange schedules and preferences for a group…especially when dining during the busiest times. I sympathize. I’m excited to try the new menus. I really appreciate getting a preview here and thank my lucky stars…again…that I found these boards! Thank you all! The new menus look enticing! I’ll wait to make a judgement until after I have tried them. I leave Friday on the Anthem for an eleven day Caribbean cruise. Hopefully, they will be in place during that time.

Fantastic review…amazing photos. Thanks for taking the time and effort to provide such a compete and honest review! Love it!

I posted lots of Starlink experiences, with screenshots, on the Anthem these past few weeks…. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/32518-starlink-internet-could-be-coming-to-royal-caribbean/

People who just don’t understand the concept of closing a door without slamming it! Especially if their door shares a space with a neighbor’s door, like on the same frame. Too many times I’ve been in my cabin when someone next door just lets their door slam and the whole cabin bangs! Yes, I know it’s a safety issue to ensure the door is closed…but at least try and hold it so it doesn’t slam.

Final update for this cruise.... On the Anthem...holiday cruise...ship at near total capacity (4700 passengers)...hundreds more than total double occupancy capacity. Final sea day. In the Solarium, which is packed. So much so that getting a lounger resembles the Hunger Games. Still very good wifi...I have an older Samsung Galaxy S8 Android phone. No problem. However, I keep seeing lots of passengers on this cruise complaining on FB about lousy wifi...difficulties connecting, drop offs, slow, no internet at all. I don't get it. I tried finding the same issues using both my phone and my new iPad 10 all around the ship. I had good service this whole cruise. Even video-messenging during last night's New Year's Eve countdown on the Esplanade. I can't explain why others are having issues. I went back to my room on deck 7 shortly after midnight and streamed HD Netflix without a problem. I don't understand why others are having such miserable service.

Great info. I had a whole bunch of questions...came here and had them all answered. Thank you all!

I'm doing that cruise too. B2b with the Bermuda cruise. In my opinion….that’s an excellent opportunity for a back to back from Bayonne. Doing the nine night Canada/New England combined with the five night Bermuda is a great way to spend two weeks. I get the beauty of the fall season with the northeast cruise, and the continuation of summer visiting Bermuda’s beaches. Bermuda is an overnight stay….so lots of time to come and go and see the sights.