BrianB

I sailed out of New Jersey and tried to exchange my currency to the local Port Canaveral currency but couldn’t find anyone who would make the exchange. They just looked at me funny like…I couldn’t figure it out.

I’m in NJ and close to the port. I sail on the Anthem out of Bayonne over the winters. It’s the perfect ship for sailing out of New York harbor in cold weather. The Solarium is completely enclosed in glass and climate controlled. So is the large indoor family pool. And the indoor SeaPlex is great! It usually takes about a day and a half to get to a warmer climate where you can lounge on the sundeck and enjoy the outdoor pool. I don’t want to jinx it but…here in NJ, December snow storms are not the norm. They do happen occasionally but rarely severe, and there is typically advance warning so crews are ready to plow and clear. As mentioned above, dining packages do not allow pre-reserving…but there is usually availability when you board. They will not allow all of the reservations to be taken before embarkation day. Just go to any restaurant host with your list and they’ll do their best. Have back-up times ready just in case. However, if you do wish to guarantee your preferred restaurant time…just make the individual reservations on the Cruise Planner. It will cost a bit more than the package but you will have peace of mind that the reservation is booked. As to your question, you can cancel your Cruise Planner purchase and get a refund if you wish to cancel the dining package. Also, the courtesy booking that comes with the dining package is just a placeholder and you can change it onboard. **reservations are dependent upon the health safety protocols in effect at the time…in case distancing measures are still in effect. The main entertainment shows ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘The Gift’ in the Royal Theater and ‘Spectra’s Cabaret’ in Two70 perform several times during the seven day sailing, usually each show performs once a day on several days. The time of the shows may change…We Will Rock You also does a matinee showing. All of them…in my opinion…are wonderful, not to be missed. Enjoy your cruise!

Whenever I see a cabin that I really want…I click on it. That blocks it for about fifteen minutes. Then I call. Sometimes it’s frustrating when I call because I have to listen to the menus, press the numbers, more recordings, more pressing…then finally get to the sound of a ringing phone. Then……nothing. Start all over. So, when I get through and tell the agent that I’m the one who blocked it…they usually put me on hold so they can get a supervisor to confirm it was me and unblock it. This has happened frequently…and I never lost the cabin. Good luck!

What’s this word ‘diet’ that you speak of? As I always say….calories don’t count on a cruise ship. That’s a known scientific fact I just made up!

Not part of this thread but….. My sister and brother-in-law put each other down as emergency contacts. But they always travel together. I picture them lost on some island and each getting a text at the same time telling them the other one is lost on some island.

Have you ever listed your mother as your emergency contact? I have my sister as my emergency contact and she keeps getting texts with links to emails regarding changes or other notifications about my cruises. They always address ‘your cruise’. She usually gets them before I do…or maybe before I notice them!

I have the same attitude about exercising! I try walking around the ship as much as possible and use the stairs whenever I can to alleviate some of the guilt I feel stuffing my face with all that deliciousness! On land I try to eat right, exercise and take care of myself…so I can splurge when I’m on board!

I don’t know about the PCR test but the rapid antigen nose swipe test comes back within hours…usually less. They’re done right in the pharmacy.

I always cruise solo but never alone!

Even on 7 night cruises the Cruise Compass says ‘Say goodbye to formal night, say hello to wear your best’. Makes it easier to go formal or just kick it up a notch with a collared polo and khakis. I have seen both ends of the dress spectrum and everybody seems to just accept it. Some go all out formal and some just stay completely cruise casual…or anything in between. Your choice.

I did car service in the beginning of my cruising career…but I learned I was more comfortable leaving when I wanted, driving myself, in my car…not relying on the timeliness of a driver either getting me there on time…or making me wait with my bag at the port to be picked up. Maybe it’s just me but I’ll pay a little more to be in control.

My back to back just cost me $350…the next one will cost me $420. But…I consider it as part of my cruise cost. Parking, tips, specialty dining, excursions, purchases. The convenience of parking right next to the terminal outweighs the cost, at least for me. Plus, parking is guaranteed. For that price, I could use a car service to drop me off and pick me up, but I prefer driving myself. It’s all part of the budget.

I know showing vaccine cards may not be a permanent thing, but…as a frequent cruiser, I was hoping there would be an option for allowing Royal to store a copy of my card in their system…like all my other personal info. That would make it easier during check-in at the terminal…and also reduce the chance of losing it. But, then again…I have my photo stored and always use it during online check-in, however it seems I still have to pose for a picture at the terminal. I figure they’re pretty strict about the cards..especially since during a back to back, I had to produce my card again even though they just photographed it when I boarded a week before. Maybe the systems aren’t set up for it as a way to ensure there are no mistakes. I know it’s not easy making computer program changes over such a large system, especially for something that may be ‘temporary’…but here’s hoping!

*Sunscreen!

$20 a day is a good price for the Key. Depending on the current cost of Voom, it’s probably just a few dollars more per day. I would keep it even if free room service was the only other benefit. But waiting to see what add-on’s, if any, they give for the Key may make it worthwhile for you. If you’re not satisfied, you can always do the Guest Services route onboard.

Me too! It gives peace of mind to have insurance and picking one that has great ratings and reviews is important. Also, I think any US government agency (Coast Guard, Navy…etc) rescue including helicopter evacuation is not chargeable to you. It’s covered by their budget…it’s what they do and they do it so well. But the land transportation and the costs after leaving their control mount quickly. That’s where your responsibility kicks in and it’s good to have the insurance. Good luck!

Depending on the ship and deck…some aft balconies may have more engine vibrations. Other than that, usually the view aft is great! Watching and hearing the wake is calming. The views are wide. The huge balcony is always a plus…and allows for loungers instead of just chairs. When docked…a side view may limit what you can see, but an aft cabin usually gives a nice view of the port and surrounding areas. I’ve never been on Rhapsody so maybe someone else can relate their experience. Good luck!

The agreement you make is they will assign you the cabin and charge your card. You get no choice…except to not bid. What I do is check the deck plans of the ship to see if there are any cabins in the category that I’m bidding on that are in a bad location for me. If so…I may not bid on that category. It would be safer (peace of mind) to pay for the upgrade and choose the cabin. However, I always bid on Grand Suites and above. I don’t think I would turn my nose up at any Royal Star Loft Suite!…but, that’s just me.

After watching several videos of people doing the test…I knew what to expect. I used my iPad. Doing it by myself, I knew I had to be able to tilt it forward and then keep my hands free, so I stuck it in my table napkin holder. The proctor seemed to be able to control the cameras. The iPad had to switch to the rear facing camera in order to read the QR code and my Identification. Then it switched back to observe the test. Make sure you leave enough room between you and the iPad so you can do the test with the proctor watching. I had no problem. Good luck!

I think the increase to $30 begins 10/15. So…..in order to save money……quick!….book a cruise now!

Just got back from Oasis yesterday. Parking in the adjacent garage is easiest. Just pull up, drop off your luggage, and then pull right into the garage. There are plenty of porters to take your luggage and workers directing you where to go. When you enter the garage, an employee hands you the ticket (they make sure you understand that you must take the ticket with you…you will need it before you return to your car) and then more employees direct you where to park. It’s $25 a night…but it’s the easiest, most convenient, safest and closest to the port. When you leave, there are machines to insert your ticket and credit card. Again, there are workers at each machine to assist you…makes the process much quicker and prevents lines. As you pull out of the lot…more employees to put the exit ticket into the machine for you. The arm goes up…and off you go!

I find that they do answer emails…just takes a little while. I just got an answer to my question, ‘What time does the Ark sail?’.

How was it? Without giving it away…were the puzzles challenging? I hope you all enjoyed the experience.

The Anthem is returning to New Jersey from the UK. Due to the CDC protocols…the first sailing on November 7th has been shortened by one day. Instead of leaving on the 7th, we will depart a day later, Mon Nov 8th. The port schedule has changed and the stop at Nassau has been eliminated. We have the choice of doing nothing and being shifted to the six day with a one-day refund…or cancelling altogether and getting a full refund. Only the money paid will be refunded and any FCC used to book will be re-issued.

The Mission Control Escape Room on the Oasis had been closed due to the health protocols. It is re-opening again. It will operate on sea days 2, 6 and 7 three times each day. Capacity was 12 but now is 8 max. Vaccinated-only…but you can request everyone if all eight are in your travel party. $19.99 per person. It can only be reserved onboard. I may be an eternal optimist but, every little bit of relaxing protocols is a good sign to me.