Va4fam

Thank you for sharing your experience.   We have a 2025 trip booked on Wonder and will live vicariously through everyone else.  By the time we sail on her, she will be "old!"

On 9/29/2023 at 1:30 PM, smokeybandit said:

The C&A newsletter:

 

I

Don’t worry — access requirements aren’t changing. All members who have enjoyed the Diamond Lounge will continue to enjoy the exclusivity and comfort of your private space with delicious treats and top-notch service.

Thank you for being part of the Royal Caribbean family. We look forward to welcoming you to the Crown Lounge on a future adventure.

*Renaming of Diamond Lounge to Crown Lounge does not apply to Spectrum of the Seas^®.
 

Typically the words "Don't Worry" tends to make me worry.

That sounds amazing!   What would you do during all of those sea days?

We stayed at Coast Coal Harbour a few blocks from the terminal.   Took a cab (since we had luggage but convenient location close to the water, park, shops and food.  

Rooms were fantastic and not quite as expensive as the Pan Pacific.

On Odyssey we had trivia and Minute to Win it one evening, a house band several nights, 80's music show, and an orchestra.   

We went to ROCK, Royal decided to ROLL.

We really enjoy the cover bands and purposely booked Oasis/Quantum ships thinking we would get to see them.

Agree with previous posters, the house bands work hard but it's not the same experience.  

You can save $$$ by bringing  up to 12 16.9 oz bottles of soda onboard.    

But the "soda jukebox" (coke freestyle) machines are so much fun....hard to resist!

Love it if everyone could report last time they saw a tribute band on a Royal Ship.  

Ours was "No Quarter" (Led Zeppelin) on Oasis February 2022

5 hours ago, Jolly Ogre said:

Was that a Van Halen or a Van Hagar tribute?

I think they are Van Halen (DLR) mostly.

Haven't seen them yet, they mostly tour West Coast.

Hope tribute bands not being "phased out."

We were on Odyssey over Easter/Spring Break and disappointed no tribute band.

Last year I was in NYC and saw that FAN HALEN was doing 2 weeks on Anthem.  I seriously tried to find a way on the cruise but overruled by my wife.

Tendered to Coco Cay in March of 2017.   No beach club, no water park, no hot air balloon.  The island was very laid back and chill back then.

17 hours ago, Rags1 said:

Victor Bodden. Highly recommend them

Awesome.   Now I can look forward to a date with a sloth in 2024!

Thank you.

Following along.....seems like a great trip so far........what is the name of the tour or service you used to book the sloth tour?   We are going next October and my wife insists that she get a sloth hug!! 

Do what's best for your group.   It's easy to go together and check everyone into their respective rooms.   Then you head to the ship and take a group picture in front of the ship's background and head to the gangway!  

Parking garage is about a 1 minute walk to the terminal.   Last time I checked it was $30 per day to park.  

The building is not as fancy as newer terminals at Port Miami or Galveston but check in is efficient and organized.     

Haven't sailed her yet but would really like to before amplification.   Crew seems to be top notch and the ship has dining options not available on most ships! 

There are no bad Oasis class ships!

Last year it was almost $100 until Black Friday sale of $49.

Book now and hopefully reprice later?

We did a super fun UTV tour with ABC Tours in Aruba.   Scenery was amazing (beach, rocks, natural bridge)   Highly recommend.

If you are headed downtown, take a minute to see the Bridge of Locks in Curacao.....better yet bring one to add to it.  

We have heard similar feedback about $2 bills.

3 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

  The only thing I can control is whether or not I leave a tip, so I do.

I follow this "rule" whether it's a bartender or a meal server.  I tip at every meal whether I eat at a specialty restaurant or the Windjammer.  99% of the time I leave my tip on the table and depart the pattern.  What happens to that money after I leave is, and will always remain, a mystery.  It's simply none of my business.

@WAAAYTOOO.....I agree with everything you said...but slightly confused about tipping at WJ?   For meals or drinks?   I don't think we have tipped in WJ or Sorrentos except for drinks and now starting to feel bad.  

@Psycho and Barb and @Mike n Ky.....thanks for sharing about Chops +1.   Good to know it's still being offerred.

Maybe 142 days is too far away for Royal to offer it?   Anyone know?

Black Friday last year had internet prices for $13.99 a day.....but $20.99 is best I've seen for this cruise.  

Maybe they should bring back the $19.99 Key!   The Labor Day sale reduced it from $42.99 to $31.99.   No bueno.  

2 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

The “standard sale price” varies by ship. Wonder goes from $20.99 to $19.99 every sale (including the current Labor Day sale).

We are in the same "boat" with pricing....$20.99 went down to $19.99 with the latest sale.  May just hold off and see if Black Friday deals are any better.

We can save another $30 if we skip first night of internet since signal will be strong for a while after leaving Bayonne.

2 hours ago, Jill said:

I’ve got Chops+1 for an october 4 night allure. Not available for Icon and Utopia hasn’t loaded any dining yet 

@Jill....I don't see Chops +1 on any of my future cruises either.  

2 hours ago, Mike6453 said:

to add, Anthem while a nice ship is not known for their specialty dinning options. if you are not going to go places more than once this may affect your decision in purchasing a package or just trying the D+ BOGO. The ship has Chops, wonderland, izumi and jamies italian.

Agreed.   Part of the reason we were looking at the BOGO and Chops +1 is the price and lack of options.

4 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

Math is a little off. The onboard price of internet is $29.99. So, you would get the 4 days and pay 7*29.99 for $209.93. Making it a $31 savings. 

I have not seen Chop+1 since earlier this year, it is not offered on any of my sailings from Oct-Feb 2024. The 3N package would be great and you could potentially also take advantage of the D+ BOGO, giving you 5N of specialty dining for the cost of less than 3 if you had purchased a la carte. 

 I was using the regular cruise planner pricing which is typically less than the onboard price.  Good catch.