sk8erguy1978

16 minutes ago, Sweety said:

Zip lock bags for wet items.

These are a crutch when I travel! I like to divide up items that may leak or whatever. Also keep a few empty quart size ones. They come in handy as extras or to be a good samaritan at the airport for someone who isn't doing 3-1-1 correctly :).

Requesting a fan!

Did it for the first time last cruise, not sure if it was because we were in a Grand Suite, but the request was approved quickly. Helped for sleep noise and kept the room cool at night (I find it starts to get warm in the middle of the night). 

1 hour ago, SteveinSC said:

Hate you had to deal with it and applaud your patience, and kind nature in apologizing to them if they see this.    

I was thinking the same thing. 

Call Security (or insist Guest Services does) that's their job to handle these situations. I personally wouldn't confront them directly (or recommend anyone else does either). The last thing you need is to get into a physical altercation and possibly be removed from the ship.

We had friends in our cabin to finish last call drinks (so 2 or 3 AM) on our balcony on the last night of the cruise. We weren't being 21 years old obnoxious, but talking loud and taking photos with our new friends. Our neighbors didn't appreciate the volume and Security knocked on our door. They politely asked us to lower the volume. We apologized and that was the end of it.

Sailed this past September and the app didn't have that feature. However, the app worked great otherwise for everything else! 

Enjoy, she's a great ship.

2 hours ago, Smurfy said:

Surprisingly, it was the cheapest 7 day that I could find, given the criteria that I put in. I'll take it! LOL 

Sailing Oasis in September out of NJ and the prices were amazing at the time especially given it's a revamped ship. This will be my third time on Oasis (2010 & 2012) and cannot wait to see all the changes. You and your kids will love it. I think everyone has given you excellent sightseeing ideas, especially @Pima1988 with the dirty water dogs...YUM!

I live upstate NY a bit and would recommend the drive if you're into that kind of stuff, Hudson Valley isn't far from NYC and is full of hiking, history (West Point, George Washington House, FDR Library, etc), shopping, vineyards, and breweries are popping up ... But, with 3 days you might want to stay in NYC.

I am also big on EWR.

Check out the live blog from @twangster, some great photos of the recent Amplification: 

Yay! Have a great cruise (and safe first flight)!

1 hour ago, mworkman said:

 For tips. I find it’s easier to pick up a bundle, than to go down to guest services and get change. Come in handy for porters and crew that you deem worthy of it.

I usually go to the bank for a bundle of singles, that way I'm not worrying about "do I have enough to tip" along the way ... Taxi, Porter's, whatever.

Welcome!

Congratulations on remission! Sailed Adventure in 2013 out of Puerto Rico, EXCELLENT ship. Enjoy this time with your family!

I'm sailing Oasis in September, it was tedious, but I looked through all the itineraries to determine what ship(s) would be docked at Coco Cay and the hours. There was only one ship docked with us, which I forget now, just that they get there first.

I doubt there will be 3 ships too, especially with Oasis there, I'd suggest manually checking.

Cape Liberty is an awesome terminal (much better than years prior), having checked in via app it was a quick check, through security and into seating area. Easy. There is also a parking garage on-site for a reasonable fee. Don't know much about the hotels in the area.

23 minutes ago, KJones said:

Can iFly or North Star be booked on the app? Otherwise I would think Guest Services could help with reservations for those.

If there is no line it wouldn't hurt to ask.

My first order of business is the Windjammer, it is there I'll grab a beer from the beer cart person and of course lunch too.

However, if you're looking for iFly, North Star & Specialty dining, I'd do that all first. You should be able to book iFly and North Star via the app, but if not,  iFly entrance where they can take reservations is on Deck Fifteen starboard side aft. It's right around the rock climbing wall. I am not sure if they can do North Star there for you too or not, that's also on Deck Fifteen but forward. I do not know if you can book reservations there or not.

For the restaurants, just show up to one of them and they have the ability to book you in any restaurant, no need to go to each individually.

I've sailed the Anthem 4 times, she's a great ship, enjoy!

I've cruised in September many times from NJ to Bermuda. That was even the month we picked for our wedding which if we didn't get to Bermuda - yikes! That year (2016) the seas were so calm you'd think we were docked. This year Jerry interfered with our cruise and they cut Bermuda short and sailed slowly back to NJ. It was still a great cruise.

As mentioned the ships will avoid the storms which could mean an alternate itinerary (different islands, different order, shorter or longer sailing). It's a risk sure but even in perfect weather times some travel delay can mess you up. I experienced quite a few flight delays this past year.

From @Matt's podcast:

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2014/06/11/cruising-during-hurricane-season-royal-caribbean-blog

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/podcast/episode-318-hurricane-season-redux

2 hours ago, Oliver said:

You had a friend was denied entry on a restaurant on Anthem for not having a jacket? You’re kidding! 

Honestly not sure, he refused to wear it and left. It was during the times of dynamic dining.

1 hour ago, twangster said:

I've seen that on land but never on a ship, including Anthem.  I'm surprised they had sports coats available to hand out.   Seems like a great way to spread germs.  

I agree, he didn't wear it LOL. It was during the dynamic dining phase.

3 hours ago, Pima1988 said:

I almost feel like this is a fight between passengers, and as I said before RCL has to be the parent.  It really is simple to make both sides happy.  For that 1 night, the MDR has to be re-arranged.  Think about a restaurant on land.  Every night they are re-setting tables do to reservations.

I forget the restaurant on Anthem but a friend was denied entry unless he put on a sports jacket, they even had one for him. So, there are some policing of the policies (at least that day, at that restaurant, on that ship).

12 hours ago, Oliver said:

I don’t think it’s just cruises. Our society has moved this way entirely. 

Yep. 100%. I work for a big company that used to require shirt, tie, etc ... Now as long as you're not seeing a customer, T-shirt, jeans and sneakers are the norm. Many companies allow even less.

39 minutes ago, Curt From Canada said:

My advice is ... Ask your soulmate. Ask the person who you are devoted to. Ask the only person on the earth that matters.

That's exactly what I do ... If she's wearing something nice I'll ask what she thinks will complement her outfit and pack accordingly.

1 hour ago, twangster said:

I understand that some people like to dress up.  The question is why does that require everyone to follow their dress standard?

Why do people who choose to dress more formal get offended when someone doesn’t conform to their level of dress?

What if people dressing better is offensive to people who just wear jeans and a polo shirt? Should the cruise line ban people who wear something too nice?  They just want to relax but now they feel like their oppressive boss or parents are present, judging them, stressing them.

What other people are wearing does not change the taste of your food.  Food does not taste better if the person at the next table is wearing a tux.  Food does not taste worse is the person at the next table is wearing jeans.

Dressing up and taking pictures can be accomplished even if the people in the next cabin don’t. You can choose to make every night a dress up night.

People who don’t dress up aren’t stressed about this.  They aren’t being torn.  They are enjoying the cruise they paid for.  

No mass market cruise line should be forcing guests to conform to a dress code.  You can’t market a cruise to the masses and then enforce a dress code for the elite of society on any night.  

Stop judging other people.  Focus on your family and dress however you choose to and enjoy your dining experience. 

If you can’t stop judging other guests and this is ruining your cruise it may be time to look for a boutique cruise line that will satisfy your level of expectations.   The mass cruise market isn’t for you.  

Exactly what I was trying to say! While I'll personally follow the suggested attire (hence no dining room on formal nights - which by the way, I'm still wearing dress pants, shirt and tie in a restaurant like chops) I don't even notice what others are wearing. I try and dress to match my wife and ask her what she'd like to see me in.

30 minutes ago, CGTLH said:

Think anyone will notice...

It's like the color tape on a brake light!

Thanks for the photos! Excellent work! I'm now extremely excited for September! We have not sailed her since 2012 so it'll be totally different!

Just now, WAAAYTOOO said:

Yep.  That's the message I got.

As soon as I opened a non-incognito window I was able to read the article. Honestly, the videos & photos posted here are better anyway.

1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Rats !  I can't read this article.  I'm blocked b/c I am not a subscriber.

17 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I WAS in incognito.  I'm sure it's user error. ..

That's why, it can only be read outside of incognito mode.