SweetHomeLady

Add on (related) question.  Can I make same day reservations for dinner in the MDR using the app?  Say we decide at 3:00 p.m. that we want dinner at 6:00 p.m., can we reserve it then?  Thanks in advance for your help.

Taking Sudafed (little red ones) seems to help me.  I think they promote ear drainage.

I was sailing with my parents on Valentine's day with no sweetheart of my own.  The headwaiter came at dinner and gave each lady a long-stemmed red rose.  Very nice surprise.

We usually use clear packing tape on our luggage tags.  Cut a strip of tape a bit longer than the paper tag, put the tag face down on the sticky side, then slide that through the luggage handle and fold it up, sticking the tape to itself.  Never had a problem.  Good luck!

Also, you might find a roll call group on FaceBook.  In the search section put your ship name and dates.  There are FB groups for both of my upcoming cruises.  Enjoy your cruise!

Bring battery operated tea light candles to use in your cabin or on the balcony.

Just for fun, share if you have ever had these cruise experiences.

--Sailed alone

--Sailed with a sweetheart/spouse

--Sailed with other family members

--Done a repositioning cruise

--Missed a port call because of weather

--Had your port of disembarkation changed because of weather

--Sailed in or out of a port in your home town

--Sailed in or out of a port in foreign country

--Gotten sick on a cruise

--Ate at the midnight buffet

--Had formal tea on a sea day

--Visited a cruise line's private island

--Toured the ship's galley

--Toured the bridge

--Had a wardrobe malfunction on board

--Sailed on a cruise line other than RC

--Had the chef make something special for only your table

I have only been on 7 cruises, but I have done all of them!  Let's hear from you.  Feel free to add to the list!

I make up a mini medicine cabinet.  One sleeve each of antihistamine, anti-diarrhea med, gas-x, Pepto-Bismol, Benadryl, Mucinex, etc.  Small bottle of calamine lotion, tube of antibiotic ointment, a few bandages in common sizes, antiseptic wipes, etc.  Mine fits in a small make-up bag.  It is nice to have what you need without paying ship prices, or realizing you need it after the ship store closes.

Teddy, still hoping you get an upgrade!

I would never fly in on the day of a cruise.  Too many chances for things to go wrong.  My humble opinion.

Have you used the Key on a recent Anthem sailing?  What was your experience?  I purchased it for two of us at $25.99.  DH loves adventure and hates crowds and waiting, so I thought it would be worthwhile.  Now we have a potential to Royal Up to a Junior Suite for about the same amount.  That suite perks would eliminate some of the crowd factor (dinner at Coastal Kitchen, Suite seating at shows, etc.)  Trying to decide if I should cancel the Key and try to Royal Up.  Any thoughts?

For me, I think it has to do with inner ear and chronic sinusitis.  I believe taking Sudafed ( the little red ones) helps me with the minor irritation that I sometimes experience.

I had it really bad when I took a re-positioning cruise from Vancouver to Hawaii.  (Five sea days before first port.)  My brother, who is a commercial fisherman, told me to eat or drink something and lie down or at least sit down and close my eyes until the feeling passes.  So yes, that was me, staggering down the street and then lying on a park bench in Maui with a Sprite in hand.

We have successfully used Air BnB in other cities.  My advice is to read every word of every review, and look carefully at every photo.  I look for 100% positive comments, and make sure there are several comments.  If there is some feature offered but not shown in a photo, there is probably a reason.  You can always ask the host questions before booking.  (Is the bathroom on the same floor as the bedroom?  Is there a coffee pot and coffee?  Etc.)  I check in early afternoon, so I am not scrambling in the middle of the night if something is wrong. If something does go wrong you can dispute the charge on your credit card.  We have had some good and some great experiences with Air BnB.  Good luck to you!

I agree with all the great advice already given!  Also, don't forget if meals seem overwhelming you can always order room service.  (There is an upcharge, but it might be worth it to you.)  You can also have "do it yourself room service."  Make a plate and take it to your room if you like.  On my next cruise I plan to order continental breakfast (for free) delivered to the room and "do it myself" and bring back some sausage and eggs one morning.  If I time it correctly I will have hot coffee and pastries waiting when I get back with the hot stuff.

Also, to echo what others have said, don't worry too much about planning everything.  On my very first cruise I had no idea what to expect, didn't even know how we would get from the airport to the ship.  I got my luggage and looked for someone in a Royal Caribbean shirt with a clipboard.  She sold me a transfer on the spot.  I boarded, checked into my interior state room and had a blast!  You are way ahead of that learning curve.

Have a great voyage!

Thanks for the info.  Trying to decide on whether to buy The Key or not.

Back in the dark ages, we could purchase internet packages on board with a certain number of minutes for one flat price.  (90 minute package for $25, eg.)   I will be on Anthem next year.  Will that be an option or will I need to purchase a package for daily use?  If it is an option, can you tell me the cost?  Thanks in advance!

Point for the team who has a photo of a person wearing a T-shirt from a location farthest from your embarkation port.

Agree with all about letting the steam from the shower help.  To kick up this process I sometimes put a hanger with clips on it on the bottom of the article of clothing while steaming.  The weight seems to help pull out the wrinkles even more.

I take a mini medicine kit.  One plastic sleeve each of Benadryl, anti-diarrheal, mucinex, ex-lax, Sudafed, Pepto-Bismol tablets, etc.  A few band-aids, small tube of Neosporin.  Much cheaper and more convenient to have it if needed.  I also take a mini can of Lysol in case one of us gets sick, we can manage the germs to protect the other.  I also put two Clorox wipes in a Ziploc bag and wipe down the entire cabin first thing, just in case.

Ordering room service breakfast and enjoying it on your balcony.

I had a head waiter tell me that they stopped doing the midnight buffets because lots of people came to take pictures of the ice sculptures and fancy foods, but no one ate very much.  Of course, nowadays people take lots of food photos.  I do it, myself.

11 minutes ago, TotalF said:

Thanks for the answers sofar. 

What, exactly, is a hot stone massage? 

They use warmed smooth stones as part of the massage.  Sometimes they will lay a series of stones on your back while using one to massage your shoulders, etc.  Blissful!

I cruised with my parents for their 50th.  We bought a gold mini cake topper for about 79 cents at Hobby Lobby.  I had it in my purse and when the waiter brought out the cake for them I stuck it in while he was singing.  It showed up great in the photos.  You could do something similar for a room service breakfast or even a special cocktail.

Has anyone attended one?  Can you give me a description of it?  Thanks in advance.

Does anyone have advice on how to take a day trip into New York City?  We will be driving to the port and staying in a hotel nearby.  We might go a day early to try and see some of the city.  I particularly want to see the Statue of Liberty.  Thanks!