Karannk

Room Goodies

Embarkation Lunch at Coastal Kitchen While we had originally planned embarkation lunch at Chops, we opted to change to CK based upon Yen’s recommendation. She has us scheduled for dinner at Chops tomorrow night.

Currently in the Delaware Express transport van on the way to port! I didn’t sleep too well last night. Too excited!

Genie Switcheroo We received an email yesterday stating that Andres will not be our genie after all. He will be “departing the ship momentarily” during our sailing, therefore has handed over official Royal Genie duties to Yen Lee. I have heard some very good things about Yen, so I am sure that we are still in good hands.

Pre-Cruise Communication We have been in touch with Andres via email. Generally speaking, our emails have been answered within hours -- which is pretty impressive! We have a port arrival time of 1030AM. Andres has offered to have my parents (who are not Star class) check-in with us at the port, the only caveat being that their luggage would be delivered to our suite. No worries, since their room is right down the hall. We have requested that our mini-bar be stocked with: bottled water, Coke Zero/Diet Coke, bottled unsweetened/diet iced tea, hard cider, and Amstel Light. Our son will have a surprise birthday celebration with chocolate cake at some point during the cruise. Disembarkation will be around 845AM, so we are planning to have our transportation meet us at 9AM. I have read online that there is no indoor place to wait after disembarkation, and since it will be early February and presumably COLD, we need to make sure that this is coordinated well. Most of our packing is finished. Still need to do a few last minute things. 8 days and counting! So excited!

I'm going to try. ?

Genie Assignment We received an email from Andres Villarreal last evening. He will be our genie on our upcoming cruise. I've read some very good things about him, so this is exciting. I know that there is quite a bit of debate about whether or not the pre-cruise survey is actually read by the genie - and now I have proof. In the survey (which was sent to only to my husband's email address), I had asked them to include my email address in all future genie communication. Not only did we *both* get the email from Andres last evening, but in the body of the message he asked that I provide him with my parents' cabin number. Nice attention to detail. We're off to a great start! I'm currently working on our email reply, and will update with more details once available.

Today marks 30 days. I am impatiently awaiting our genie assignment email. Looks like Andres and Romina are the current genies on Anthem. I guess there’s a good chance that they’ll be the genies onboard in 1 month’s time? Getting excited!

We received a Royal Up email, inviting us to bid for the Royal Loft Suite. Currently, we are booked in the Owner’s Loft Suite. The upgrade would provide a larger room, separate bedroom area (sofa in media room can be converted to a queen bed) for our son, a bathtub, a larger dining table that would better accommodate the addition of my parents for meals, and of course a hot tub. I placed a bid. I know that the chances are slim, but we figured why not?

Our first star class cruise on Anthem of the Seas is approaching quickly. Today marks 50 days to go. We completed our genie survey this morning. This will be our first time as a family on Royal Caribbean (the husband previously sailed as a child on RCI). We have sailed on DCL concierge twice, both times on the Magic, once in the Walt Suite. The rising prices of DCL concierge had caused me to look into other options, and it seems that the amenities provided to star class cruisers on RCI are far beyond what is offered on DCL… and for a better price! Our suite will include myself, the husband, and our 8 yr old son (who will be celebrating his 9th birthday onboard). My parents will also be joining us on the cruise, but will be in a separate cabin. Cruise Itinerary: 11 night Southern Caribbean (Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia, St. Kitts) from Cape Liberty, NJ on 1/27/2020. Stateroom: Owner’s Loft #8720 Shore Excursions: St. Maarten Beach Rendezvous. Catamaran Sail, Snorkel, and Beach Cruise in Antigua. 4x4 Island Safari & Beach in St. Kitts. All were booked online on the cruise planner with Royal Caribbean. Transportation: We are fortunate to live approximately 2 1/2 hours from the port, therefore will be arranging transportation for the entire family through Delaware Express. We have used them many times for airport transportation, and have found them to be very reliable. Bonus: We didn’t realize this when we booked the cruise, but the Super Bowl will be happening while we are onboard. Looking forward to finding out who our genie will be!

Awesome! This will be our first sailing on Royal Caribbean - as well as Star class - in January 2020, so there is a lot to learn! Even more to look forward to! ?

Seems rather intentional that the premium cocktails are $13. Just enough to not be included in the drink package, right? With all the rest included, I’d have a hard time choosing to pay extra. But they do make it so darn tempting, don’t they?