TanaQ

My 10 year old wouldn't go first time on Anthem. But last month we sailed and he loved going! Totally changed his mind. I'm sure your kids will love it and the staff is accommodating.

Hmm, I was on that sailing.  The weather was blah for sure and made for a rough sailing. But we had no problems with MTD, found out about formal night from waitstaff earlier that day. No issues with immigration in Boston or any debarkations. We are noob cruisers, been on Anthem twice. Boston was rather uninspiring but I was so cold so my brain may have been frozen. Our Northstart got cancelled but we went standby on day 6 0r 7 IIRC, waited less than 5 minutes and went on.

We had a great cruise.

Just a FYI, We were on a 7 night Bermuda sailing on 4/13. Sigh, it went so fast.  I believe that was either the 1st or second Bermuda sailing of the season. I did a 33 day out booking and ended up with a wonderful price on a mid ship deck 9 balcony.  But the water is rough!  Going to the Bahamas was a dream compared to Bermuda.  I'm going to try for Anthem to the Bahamas again in August if I can swing it.  We are already reserved for Oasis in Aug. 2020. I can't wait for that one!

Jersey Joe, definitely try and cruise out of Bayonne if you can. It's so simple and quick. I'm on the Bronx border and we Uber it there and back. No flights to worry about.

Any experiences? We've both never been to Boston so it seems like a fun way to see the city and decide what we want to do at various stops.  

I had the same question as OP. I'm leaving on Anthem Saturday and want to book Oasis for when she is in Jersey. $100 pp deposit is definitely a push in the right direction!

1 minute ago, CGTLH said:

May thru October 2020

Good to know, thank you!

3 minutes ago, twangster said:

Both are excellent ships.  Both have great but different entertainment.  Grease versus Hairspray, Columbus the Musical versus Flight.  Symphony being newer built on the success of Harmony and has evolved from it in subtle ways but at their core they are nearly identical sister ships.  

Both have water slides and the Ultimate Abyss dry slides.  

For the week you plan to travel, does one itinerary look more appealing?  Is Orlando easier or harder to reach compared to South Florida?

Symphony is new so it commands the new ship premium.  Is cost a factor?

Oasis is coming to NYC after it's AMPING.  If this will be your last cruise ever, go big, but perhaps a progression makes sense.  Oasis -> Harmony -> Symphony.

I didn't know Oasis was coming to NY!!! Unfortunately who knows when that will be. But yes I do want to do Oasis, just ruled it out for the forseeable future.  I need patience in my life.

ETA: Orlando might be a bit easier for us and we have some family not too far from there.  Maybe we will fly in 1-2 days early and visit. The itineraries are both fine as far as I'm concerned.  I know the child wants to return to Coco Cay to see what wasn't up in February.  Hmmmm......

11 minutes ago, Sweety said:

My six year old nephew has it too. He was on Anthem for the New Year's cruise. He will be on Harmony for Spring break in ten days. He will be on Navigator June 2019.

We were on Anthem just in February! It's super convenient as we are in NY so the port is close. But to take the other ships I know we'll have to fly to Florida.  What happened to cheap airfare to Fla?

I leave on Anthem in 9 days and already planning my next cruise.  My 10 yr old has declared we must sail Symphony. Of course he loves all the excitement of stuff to do. But Harmony looks pretty cool too.  We'd have to fly either way and from NY I can't imagine that would be a huge price difference. 

I know everyone has their preferences but I'd love to hear experiences. I'm a single parent and my son and I have gotten the cruising bug.

1 hour ago, AshleyDillo said:

I haven't been to the Salem Museum, but have you ever been to Boston before?  Do you think you will ever get back there on your own?

I'm asking because it appears the Salem Museum would be a 45 minute ride each way, so likely this would be the only thing you get to do in Boston.  And there is soooo much more you can see and do if you hang out in Boston for the day.  

If you're going to go back up there on a land trip with access to a vehicle I would definitely plan a trip up to explore the Salem area.  Gives you much more flexibility that way.

But if you've visited Boston before and the Salem Museum interests you then I would go for it..unless someone chimes in and says the museum isn't worth it, of course.  Maybe read the reviews on TripAdvisor?

I'm about a 4 hour drive from Boston and I know my mom would love Salem. I can wait and take her with us on a drive in the fall possibly.  So maybe my son and I will just explore Boston for the day.  Oy! I'll see if any more responses. Thanks!

2 hours ago, tiny260 said:

Pinging @coneyraven , he might have an idea.

Thanks! Hoping for any input. 

I have seen nothing about this.  I've always wanted to go and did book through RC. Is it any good? Should I just hang out in Boston for the day?