BrianB

Looks like the $88 beach club passes are never coming back. Oh, well…it was good while it lasted.

I agree with the price being so much higher (darn supply and demand economics!) it makes it that much easier to avoid the temptation and pass it by. 

Plus, I was getting tired of the anxiety involved in being one of the first off the ship and rushing to try and snag a beach bed by the pool. Especially with two ships docked.

Lunch is a sit down meal in a restaurant…not buffet-style. So reservations are required. The upscale menu includes Filet Mignon and Lobster. It’s one of the best things about the beach club. That and the infinity pool…and the exclusivity. I always make my reservation on embarkation day and then as soon as I arrive at the beach club, I check with the restaurant desk to confirm.

I like that they are expanding the island to allow for more guests…but I wish they would expand the beach club…and it’s restaurant. More guests on the island means higher prices for the club. Supply and demand. I guess it would increase the exclusivity of the beach club by making it more expensive…and maybe that’s part of the plan. I’m guessing they will just keep raising the prices as long as people are willing to pay.

@Julanna Some machines have bets as low as twenty five cents a spin, or even lower. You still need to bet five dollars to get one point. So you would need to spin twenty times at twenty five cents a spin to earn one point. Some machines have a maximum bet of twenty dollars a spin…so each spin will earn four points. Each five dollars equals one point.

You can earn thousands of points by playing over a long period of time even on penny slots. It takes a lot of time to do it. For instance, betting .88 cents a spin a on a penny machine will take nearly six spins to earn one point. But, if you’re lucky, you may find yourself on a machine that gives lots of play for your money. Otherwise, you would need to keep feeding the machine to keep playing. I like to find what I call a ‘points’ machine. Those are machines that I know have a history of good play. They may not have as many jackpots, but they win just enough to keep playing…and keep earning points.

Jackpots have no effect on points. Someone can put in twenty dollars, and on their last spin win a thousand dollar jackpot. They still earned only four points. One point for each five dollars. 

The beach club is capacity controlled, so you will find loungers and umbrellas available whenever you get there. They will just be in the rows further back from the beach. As others posted, rather than waiting until you get there to make lunch reservations…make them on embarkation day. Most don’t know to do that until they get the beach club reservation letter in their cabin. There is a continental breakfast available.
If you really want to splurge…reserve a beach cabana. The prices are high, but they include entry to the club for everyone in your party.

Casino loyalty points on board are earned similar to many land-based casinos. For regular slot machines, every five dollars bet equals one point. For poker machines it’s usually every ten dollars bet equals one point. That’s because the player has more control to affect the outcome on the poker machine. 

Keep in mind…it’s not how much you put into the machine, but how much play you get. For instance, putting in ten dollars should give you two points…five dollars a point. But, if you put in ten dollars and are lucky enough to hit for twenty dollars and keep playing, you can earn six points. Your total bets equal thirty dollars even though you only put in ten. Many machines can give you quite a bit of play…win some lose some…over an extended period and your ten dollars can result in you earning many more points. It’s not the amount you put in…but how many times you bet five dollars.

Table games have different rules. Based on the type of game, the amount bet and the total time played. Many players change their bet amounts while they play. Those rules are not as clear as the slot machines and it can be difficult to keep track of what you are earning while you’re playing. You can always ask the pit boss.

@Pima1988 Yes…that’s both the bad and the good. The bad is as more cars arrive later in the afternoon, they make you wait in line for an available drop off spot before you can approach the terminal. That causes traffic to back up.

The good is, rather than a Mad Max free for all where everyone jockeys for position, there are plenty of workers to direct traffic and point you to a specific numbered space when it’s your turn. Then after you drop off your luggage, it’s pretty simple to pull out and go park your car. Plus they want to control the amount of traffic as people are exiting the terminal and crossing the street.

If the garage is available to non-handicapped, you can pull in and the attendant will hand you a ticket. If not…then there are plenty of workers to direct you where to park. Just go with the flow.

@fireclan  I would think you could as the lot is available for oversized vehicles that can’t safely fit into the garage. 

Parking at Port Liberty is guaranteed. $30 per night. Where you park depends on how many ships are using the port at the time.

When it’s just the Anthem sailing…parking is usually in the garage right next to the port and the overfill goes into the open lot across the street. When there are more ships sailing, especially with the Oasis, the garage is usually only for handicapped (and sometimes back to back cruisers) and the rest go into the open lots. Once the lot across the street fills (and both sides of the street leading to it), you may be directed to another open lot about two blocks distance away…or any other open space they can squeeze you in. There are plenty of workers directing you where and how to park. They provide shuttle buses for anyone who prefers not to walk.

The entire port area is on a peninsula and there is no local traffic..except for the workers at the dry dock and people visiting Tear Drop Monument Park. Virtually all of the nearby buildings are empty. The area used to be a Military Ocean Terminal that was shut down years ago. The one road in and out is in need of repair so drive carefully.

As posted above, if you use the garage…you will receive a ticket on the way in and you can pay at the machines prior to going back into the garage at the end of your cruise. But, if you forget…there are attendants who will help you pay with your credit card when you get to the exit. If you park in the lot across the street…same process. Except sometimes they may have attendants with handheld devices who charge your credit card as you enter rather than pay as you exit. This saves time when you leave as it eliminates the line of people waiting to pay on the way out. The other, further away lot is just pay as you enter. Again…much easier leaving. Get in and go. Enjoy your cruise!

Here’s a photo showing the parking…the arrow shows the furthest lot. Photo taken from onboard Liberty. The white roofed building in the foreground is the cruise terminal.

I prefer to wait. Let her get broken in a little bit.

I booked Icon as soon as bookings opened, but not sailing until Sept 2024. Nine months should be enough. Plus, there’s always the possibility of repricing should the fare drop…although not very likely.

For Utopia….I’m surprised they would start her off with short cruises. Maybe it’s a new idea to get first timers onboard a brand new, massive ship so that they leave wanting more. I know there’s a concern that weekend partiers will run rampant and turn off fellow cruisers, but if the prices are high it’s likely the weekend booze-cruisers would look for a better value on a different ship. I do like the b2b possibilities with multiple RC private destination stops, but if the price is high for each leg…that would make the total cost unattractive. 

I’ll wait and see.

Yes…you can just use your SetSail Pass before getting your SeaPass card. Or just tell them your cabin number. Your photo will show on their computer screen. At least that’s how it’s been on the ships I’ve been on so far.

Congratulations! Free WiFi!!

I did all three locations and liked South Beach the best. Not as many people…and the bar, restrooms and Snack Shack are very close. It seems most people tend to grab a spot on the beaches closer to the ship, or the water park, or the pool. South Beach is a bit of a walk…or just take the tram.

There is no charge for using towels. They will charge you if you don’t return them. Usually anyone can return them…just give your cabin number. 
You can check out as many towels as you need…just remember to return them before the end of the cruise.

Yes.

I’m booked! Second leg of a b2b.

I find that my requested MDR early seating is on my Cruise Receipt…but if I pre-purchase a three meal dining package on a seven day cruise, they automatically switch me over to My Time Dining. In the past, I wouldn’t notice it until I inspected my actual key card…or worse, when I went to early seating. 
Now…as soon as I board, I go directly to the MDR host desk and have them switch me back to early dining. And request a two-top table. I don’t like having to rush boarding and then standing in line at the host desk…sometimes for more than half and hour…but have to get there before all the slots are filled. 

@abcyoyo Yes. The daily gratuity will be applied to your onboard account every day. Usually, the final two days will be applied together on the next to last day.

However, the option allows you to pay the total amount before you board. There is no discount, it’s still the same price, but pre-paying is just a convenience. Some like to get all the extraneous expenses out of the way rather than have them add up each day.

Yep…that’s what I do. I have the one device package. I use both my Android phone and my iPad.

I switch between both devices multiple times a day. When I log in to one while my other device is online…it gives me the option to ‘Switch Devices’ so I don’t even have to log off the first one. Very easy and convenient. You use the same login and password. Just make sure the other person isn’t in the middle of something when you bump them off.

Need more info…

Why would they maybe not be able to enter Canada. What is the issue that you told Royal on the phone that resulted in them telling you that it would be okay…and the lawyer who deals with this all the time telling you it’s up to Royal. Just curious as to why a Special Visa may or may not be required in this particular circumstance. No, I don’t have any experience with this, but others on the board may…if they have more information.

The good news is you still have time to go through the process of getting them approved. That would seem like the prudent thing to do…even if it means expending time and money to do it. Better to have peace of mind rather than risk being denied boarding at the pier. Good luck.

I like all the production shows that I’ve seen on the Anthem.

The only difference between now and pre-pandemic is the lack of aerialists. Spectra is so much better when the performers appear suspended from the openings in the ceiling…and when they rise up out of the floor portals. It really gives the show a sense of awe. It also makes the performances more visible to those not sitting near the front. Having an interpretive-type floor dance by one or two performers is really not a good replacement for the aerial scenes…and difficult to see.

Also, having the aerial performances in the Gift adds to the visual storyline. The dragon and the train are pretty impressive…but it’s still missing some of the ‘wow’ without some of the cast flying. And the bicyclist performance hasn’t been there in awhile. Just pedaling around the stage doesn’t replace the past stunt performance.

I understand that the aerialists were ‘grounded’ because Royal couldn’t get certified riggers. I thought it was a temporary issue. But, after being on the Liberty and seeing the aerial performances there…it seems like there are riggers available. I hope Anthem can get them back.

I prefer mornings. I’m solo and I’m a bit of a neat freak so my room usually looks unoccupied…lol. Everything is hidden away in drawers or the closet. My bags are under the bed. All the paperwork that I get is in the flat drawer. I like the bed made as soon as possible and if the attendant is having a busy day, I’ll make it myself.

I always make sure I meet my attendant on day one…and every time I see him/her during the cruise, I make the effort to chat a little bit. As long as they’re not obviously too busy.

I tell my attendant that I don’t want towel animals to save him/her some time. But I do like the printed cruise compass. I reuse towels at least once.

I also tell my attendant to skip my room on crew drill days and on turnaround days when I b2b. They really appreciate that.

So I pretty much always have a neat room. Virtually every attendant I have had has always come back in during the evening while I was dining and did the quick pillow turn down, closed the curtains and put on the small reading lights, changed some towels and left the printed Cruise Compass on the bed. 

Again, I’m usually solo and this is one of the advantages. Easy to put everything away and to keep a neat room.

Oh, and I tip well!

I booked a Sky Class Junior Suite with balcony on deck 17. I’m liking the idea of having a JS within the Suite Neighborhood and the amenities of Sky Class. I was lucky to be able to book the same JS on a b2b as soon as bookings opened. There are only eight on the ship.

I hear that some cabins are within the area of the dome. Looking at some of the rendering images, it seems like these cabins may be included. Just wondering if anyone has insight about this. Thanks in advance.

If I really want something…I’ll book it and pay for it. Then, I’ll keep checking to see if the price drops as the cruise gets closer. If I decide I don’t really want to pay that price, I can cancel and get a refund.

In particular, I’ll book the CocoCay Beach Club and then reprice it if the price drops. But……when I find a lower price, I book it again at the lower price BEFORE I cancel the first booking. I know others have had difficulty doing this as their Planner wouldn’t allow a double booking, but maybe because I’m usually solo it allows me to do it. This ensures that I keep my spot. There have been times where canceling first and then trying to book at the lower price results in losing both spots. The cheaper one is gone before navigating through the payment process…and the original spot is snatched up by someone else.

I would always purchase the three night dining package for a seven night cruise on the Anthem. The price was pretty steady at $109. Not bad for two visits to Chops and one Jaime’s.

The problems with purchasing the package are…I can’t pre-reserve on the Cruise Planner. I had to wait until I boarded and then rush to a restaurant host desk to wait in line. Only then could I make my reservations…hoping the dates and times I wanted were available. It wasn’t too difficult for me because I’m usually solo, but I wondered how someone trying to arrange for a family or group had to manage. Always added some stress on boarding day.
Also, I always choose early dining in the MDR. I love walking to my table as soon as the doors open. But whenever I purchase a three night dining package, my dining is automatically changed to MyTime. I guess they figure my spot can be released for the other four nights. Again, I would need to rush to the MDR desk, wait in line, and hope they could change me back to early dining.
Plus, it’s not the total price. Oh, it says total price as you navigate through the Cruise Compass and add it to your cart…but when you go to check out, the price jumps as they add the gratuities just before payment.