BrianB

@mom2mybugsI asked the MDR host right after embarkation on the Anthem if I could be seated solo at a two top for the days that I was not eating in a specialty restaurant. He saw on his computer that I had already made reservations for three days in Jaime’s and Chops and told me my solo table would be available for me on the other days. All of the restaurant host computers are linked so they know you are not going to show in the MDR if you have specialty reservations…or check in at one the other restaurants. So your regular MDR table is available for someone else.

I have both Amex Plat and Allianz yearly policy. Amex offers the best, hoop-free coverage if you use their personal travel service when booking. Otherwise, it's still pretty comprehensive. Allianz is straightforward in that the written policy is clear as to what is covered and what's not (Exclusions). Both are secondary coverages...you can't double-dip (or triple dip if you also get a refund from the cruise line). Proof of un-refunded or unreimbursed loss is required. So far, I've never needed to file a claim so I don't have experience dealing with that...but, I try really hard to keep myself educated as to what I need to do as far as 'timely notification' is required should something happen. I have their apps on my phone, and their quick reference cards in my wallet. Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance!

Love being near the elevators! No noise issues...never heard elevator machinery...no kids stampeding down the long open hallways. No crew coming in and out of service doors. No long walks to get to my room. I try to get as close to the elevators as I can. Also, on the Anthem, it's where the bump outs are. Enjoy your cruise!

Love the Oasis from NJ...but I have no problem saying, "Buh bye Cats". Love the performers but found the show 'meh'....just not my cup of tea...or rather...saucer of milk. Looking forward to new shows on a new Oasis class out of NJ!

I still don't know exactly where it's supposed to be. Is it the area directly across from where the ships dock? This photo is from Wednesday.

@PattycruiseI understand your concern. That part of the description is sort of a typo and I thought it would be changed or even clarified by now. It makes it seem that the cruise upon which you reach 700 points will be your ‘free Pinnacle cruise’. As if you didn’t have a choice. It doesn’t make any sense and should be corrected. Happy cruising and enjoy your journey to the P Club!

I was informed a long time ago that because the ‘automatic gratuities’ are accumulated and dispersed by the cruise lines…which of course makes sense as the money is coming through their internal accounting…the cruise lines determine where that money goes. They, of course, like to publicize that each penny is being sent directly into the crew’s accounts…but I understand that is only a generalization. Although they don’t put that little asterisk (*) next to the explanation, some of that money stays with the company. The reasoning is ‘to support crew wellness activities, off duty events, theme parties, celebrations and recognition dinners’…even the cost of such things as the bicycles that the cruise lines provide for crew members to use while on shore leave. If that is truly where all of that money goes, along with the rest going directly to the crew…that’s fine with me. But, as with all big businesses, I’m guessing there is the usual ‘service fee’ or ‘account operating costs’ where a percentage is skimmed off the top. “Everybody just wants to wet their beak’.

@twangsterMy experience with reaching Pinnacle was the same as your’s. I accumulated 700 points midway through a cruise in February and the Loyalty Ambassador reached out to tell me I was going to be recognized on that cruise. As the Tier Party was on day 2, technically I wasn’t even Pinnacle yet (not for another two days) and the points wouldn’t have been applied until 10-14 days after the cruise…but that was my milestone cruise. I didn’t receive ‘The Box’ with the actual certificate until August. When I called about two weeks after that cruise, the Pinnacle free cruise certificate was waiting for me in my account and I had no problem applying it to an existing cruise towards a suite. I didn’t need to book a new cruise. I don’t know if that is the current policy or if it was one of those ‘Covid Period Temporary Things’. I just made my 1050 milestone last week. Same procedure…my recognition was done on day 2 of the cruise whereas technically I didn’t accumulate the 1050 until midway through the cruise. I’ll wait two weeks and call to see if the free cruise certificate is in my account.

In my opinion, its probably best to call (or have your TA do it) and actually cancel rather than just ignore final payment. You seem concerned about negative activity if you don’t…and so would I…even if it’s just some sort of electronic checkmark in the uber-mysterious Royal algorithm that may have an effect on my next reservation attempt . I like things neat with no loose ends…but that’s just me. You have until the final payment date to make your decision…just in case Royal cancels for some reason like @twangstersaid, as has happened before, and your NRD deposit would be refunded.

@Ditchdoc Don’t forget Wonder….. I have cruised primarily from Port Liberty in Bayonne NJ…easy drive to the port! So my most often is the Anthem…next up is Oasis. Then Allure and Wonder from Ft. Lauderdale. Jewel, Liberty and Icon booked.

On the Anthem... Lunch reservations for the beach club restaurant are handled by the host desk in Chops Grille. You can call on day 1 of your cruise...or it's easier just to walk up. As soon as I enter the beach club, I stop at the restaurant desk just to confirm my reservation. Towels are supplied on each lounge chair...and you can definitely get more at the towel hut. No card scan needed. They are plush Beach Club marked towels and you can't take them outside the club. When I enter the club, they just scan my card on their ipad...or just ask my ship and room number. I never bring the letter or an excursion ticket.

I agree with #4…..especially with the purchase of the dining package. I always get the package because I save some money. The downside to the package is you cannot make any specialty restaurant reservations prior to boarding. So I find it’s best to board as early as I can and go right to any restaurant host desk to make my reservations for the cruise. Sometimes they have a restaurant reservation kiosk open on boarding day…but any host can make all the reservations for all the restaurants. Then I can browse through the entertainment offerings for the cruise on the app and make those reservations. Keep in mind the shows can change times and dates week to week so you can’t rely on someone posting the entertainment schedule for the cruise prior to your’s. And headliners come and go so someone performing on one cruise may be replaced on another. I coordinate dining and entertainment reservations to make sure they don’t overlap. Then…eMuster and check in at my muster station. #5 Checking in or not makes no difference in canceling your cruise. You can always cancel…with significant loss of money! Read the cancel policy.

As an example of what can go wrong….. The county in New Jersey where I was born issued Official County Government Birth Certificates for years. They were considered official government documents with raised seals and used for government identification purposes. That is…until some workers in the County office realized they had a way to make money for themselves. They illegally issued hundreds of falsified birth certificates for a fee. These certificates were used by other nefarious individuals to file for welfare and other government-supplied services. During the background check by those agencies, the County office confirmed they were valid. And the money flowed. Of course as with virtually all such criminal schemes…somebody spilled the beans and the corrupt enterprise was shut down. The result was that every county birth certificate issued prior to the date of discovery were declared invalid. Then the state mandated that all government birth certificates must be issued by the state office. The point here is you just can’t beat a passport for official government identification…especially for travel. It’s better to find out that your other, previously thought valid, forms of identification are useless during the passport application process…then on the day you really need them.

Sorry you were turned away and had your surprise cruise ruined. I'm really impressed that you want to book again. Some people would be turned off forever...and that's a shame. Cruising is a great vacation! I'm guessing the birth certificate was not state government issued (if you're from the US) with the raised seal. I've heard of many cases where people produced original 'Hospital Issued' certificates...which have since been recognized as unreliable and subject to easy forgery/fraud. Pretty much all US government agencies will not recognize these certificates for use as official identifiers and require the state health and human services copy as an official document. Sorry you did not realize this requirement. Maybe it should have been more clearly stressed during the booking process, and your disappointment could have been avoided. Good luck booking your next cruise and I really hope you and your family have a great time!

This week on the Anthem...sea days in the Solarium.

@mom2mybugs I've been lucky enough to snag a bed several times...I'm a really fast walker! I had one this past week. Etiquette is you have it for the day. Your personal stuff and towels (beach club supplied) spread out is enough to show it's taken. You can eat, go in the infinity pool or swim in the ocean...your bed remains yours. But...as posted above...it's not really in an ideal spot at the walkway between the pool and restaurant. Everyone coming and going all day seems to pass right behind you. As long as you don't mind it..... This week I booked a bed on South Beach. Much more secluded. There's a bar nearby...good service...snack shack...restrooms. But...my next Beach Club visit I'll forget about the rush to get there early. I'll take one of the many loungers in the back row...near the pool. Less stress trying to beat the crowd and less activity passing by, but steps away from that wonderful pool and restaurant. Enjoy!

Only if the new room has a different muster station. If not...then no re-muster.

Something new for me with the Muster Drill. I don't know if others experienced this change. On all of my previous back to back cruises... every guest, including those on a consecutive (back to back) cruise, had to complete the muster drill shortly after boarding. Today on the Anthem...we were told if we were staying in the same room, or in a different room that had the same muster station as the previous room, then we didn't need to do the eMuster or report to the muster station. Shortly after noon my app showed that my drill was 'completed'. I like it!

$89 is a great price! Grab it! You'll be happy that you did.

Yes. On the app and in the Cruise compass.

On the Anthem...

They're playing in the Music Hall. Don't know if they'll still be here in January.

How about we all chip in and lease our own satellite constellation. The 'Royal Caribbean Blog Super Special Satellite Service' for members only?

My experience is the agent can only access what's in the computer at the time they check it. They can't go back to a previous price once that window closes. I just hold on with my phone on speaker (I pretty much know all the words to the commercial they play while holding...its burned into my brain!). Sometimes it can be a long wait, especially during sales. If I didn't have the time to do that...I would definitely use a travel agent. Good luck!