sk8erguy1978

Same with me and some friends, the Bermuda sailings look so tempting but, the ship is part of the destination for us, so Adventure to Bermuda or Oasis to Caribbean it will be! Anthem's Solarium is my favorite! We love the Voyager/Freedom class Promenade and the Schooner bar area. However, I feel the Esplanade is comparable to Promenade, a little different sure, but still that 'you're in a resort hotel shopping area feeling' but that's me. I'd like to sail Oasis out of NJ too, but not sure it'll happen as we plan to go where our friends go and it might be Adventure -- and I am 100% okay with that! We will make up for it on Harmony December of 2020. Admittedly, it would be nice to see the changes since we last sailed her in 2012, but same is true for Adventure (2013).

If I was in your situation, I'd discuss with the hotel their plans as this will allow you to plan accordingly, including, maybe (while there is still space) coming in on Friday or Saturday instead and maybe extending (if refundable) the duration of the cruise. If the cruise gets canceled, I'd consider making the most of it in FL -- or saving the vacation time and trying for a last minute sailing in another month or two -- but at least I'd have the options. I remember in September 2016 we sailed on Anthem of the Seas to Bermuda with friends and family for our wedding. We were married on the island at a local hotel. EVERYONE had to discuss EVERY storm in the ocean driving our anxiety through the roof! (I mean we had insurance for the wedding, the cruise, everything, but still ...) Luckily all storms missed the island and we had the calmest seas I've ever encountered. Try and breath a bit and go with the flow... (easier said than done, I know.)

Welcome! I'll be sailing same cruise with a bunch of friends! It's a great cruise and Bermuda is our favorite island, you'll love it. I'd recommend listening to Matt's Podcast and more importantly watch a bunch of his YouTube videos, it'll really help you prepare. Here's one to start:

True, could be limited space due to commuters. Fun.

From my time configuring card access systems I see no reason they cannot activate it during dinner hours. I'd feel weird knocking on the door too.

I've only experienced CK on Anthem and was GS, my Oasis class days was back in 2010 and 2012 on Oasis and didn't sail a suite. I am surprised they don't activate the card for dinner hours so you can enter, see when (if at all) they can seat you for dinner, it's totally possible. (It is card access correct?)

This is what I was thinking. Since you're interested in the path train, why not just park at Journal Square station in Jersey City. (Disclaimer, I've never done it personally ... I've only taken the Path from Hoboken as a transfer and that was years ago, now I go directly into GCT or NYP via Secaucus Junction.) Good Luck!

100%. I'm not against 2k in jump, it's a fair price, but we are trying to book two cruises next year. Hey if I can find 2k-ish in my 2020 cruise budget, I'd do it all day. Especially since this is a milestone bday for her.

Currently in a JR on Harmony for December 2020 and I just cannot pull the trigger on Grand Suite, it's a 2K jump. That's the price of another cruise (in a balcony stateroom) we might take with friends this time next year! Same, it's about 2K jump on my Harmony cruise and while it's comparable to the Grand Suite on a per day basis as my upcoming Anthem sailing, it's easier on Anthem due to 5 vs 7 days. As of right now, the main reason for the JR on Harmony December 2020 has zero to do with CK, double points or any thing else. Just want an extra large balcony room to relax for my wife's - ummm 29th - birthday. Think this is why Matt has said in his podcasts a Jr Suite shouldn't even be in the Suite category but just an extra large balcony cabin.

I've never had an issue in Bermuda with U.S. Dollars. I also don't recall being charged for using a credit card that doesn't offer no foreign transaction fees. BUT. I'll search my CC history to confirm and edit this post accordingly. Edit: I didn't see any foreign transaction fees for the credit card I used which would charge me a foreign transaction fee (2.7%). (Because I didn't have one until recently!) Don't take this as a rule, but my experience.

Thanks! I (and a friend) had difficulty too so knew it was RCL issue but having about 30 days wasn't sweating it. I'll try on the app.

Welcome, glad you're enjoying your first cruise experience and find it a step above all-inclusive resorts. Some resort people, even after cruising will still talk about resorts as being a better value. I agree, drinks are expensive and it definitely adds a lot to the bottom line of a vacation budget, but I'm okay with that personally. I only have a small sample size, but found all-inclusive to have limited drinks and not the wide range cruise lines offer. Like the old saying goes, you get what you pay for! ... Again, welcome and thanks for your input!

... and the liquor choices are better. Enjoy your included ONE or TWO beers and lackluster liquor selection. There is a reason an all-inclusive is "so much cheaper" and "includes alcohol" because it's no different than your buddies basement! :)

I'm a bit of a spreadsheet nerd too ... Have not created one to layout options in years; last cruises have been pretty straightforward. I'm more of a Calc (Libre Office) guy, but lately I've been using Google Sheets too. Instantly everywhere.

^ I see what you did there. As far as too many options ... list them all out, and work your way down the list. ?

Same, last year, I booked online this year, nada. I'll ask the concierge when he emails ... have to ask about iFly too, I missed the booking window ? ... Although I did it last year so it's not a 'must' just a 'want'. ?

Sailed Grand Suite on Anthem twice (30 days until third time) and sorry to say only ate at CK once. However, that one experience was amazing. Just like @Lovetocruise2002 said, it's like specialty dining, only included as a suite perk. Both sailings (and the upcoming one as well) we had friends on-board so it was difficult to take advantage for dinner ... but really wish we had spent more time in CK, that one experience was amazing. Great food and great service. We have one meal we are planning to have in CK for some alone time away from friends but wish we could enjoy more dinners there. The five nights just isn't enough time for us. Hopefully we can enjoy it for other meals as well (breakfast on sea day for example) and not deal with the windjammer crowds. To summarize my rant ... it's really a perk you should take advantage of.

THANK YOU about the expire I will read my wife's RCL credit card terms and conditions closely.

Same until I heard Matt's tip the other day so will be asking for it in September! LOL, I agree but what about the 5 cookies I add on top of the 5 slices of pizza ?

As said by some, there are better travel cards that provide a greater flexibility. Not going to geek-out in points talk but do some Google searches a lot of great information about different rewards programs on YouTube, Reddit, Podcasts, "The Points Guy", etc, etc. My wife isn't into the points game or credit cards with fees (smart) so other than Discover her credit cards do not earn her anything. So, we discussed it and decided the RCL card would be a good fit for her. She can use it for some of our RCL purchases (I have Sapphire so like to get some points & insurance) and some of her everyday spend where it's not a Discover category. Between the signup bonus and her spend we hope to have a few hundred as @JLMoran said to offset a bar tab or something else.

I need that straw in my life.

I called MLife gave my C&A number and I was an overnight MLife Gold Member. It's paid off already saving room rates in Vegas. My favorite perk was the faster buffet line LOL. Here is one of many links about the MLife rewards program. https://www.mgmresorts.com/en/mlife-rewards-program.html

The cruise director asked for something fake ... A lady came running up and pulled up her shirt ... I'll keep it PG-13 ... However, thanks to the video, we saw it about 12 times as he had them go back over ... Slow motion and all. I'll add... While most items/to-do are similar from cruise to cruise (some might even sneak in things they'll be asked for) no two Quests have been the same in my eyes.

I'm sailing in 33 days, going to download the app now and check it out.

My wife would have been in trouble, I love me a Guinness! ?