WAAAYTOOO

The very fact that they are now holding embarkation lunches in the MDR vs in Chops sees to indicate that they have expanded the population of Key recipients.

Yes. That will be more than adequate

Yes, you can definitely ask your specialty restaurant waiter to bring you anything that they are serving in the MDR that evening. You can also ask the waiter to bring you something from a different specialty restaurant but I don’t overuse this amenity.

The chance of your room being ready at noon is nearly 100%. I wouldn’t even worry about that. As others have said, the SC rooms are the top priority as immediate occupancy is one of the SC perks. I agree that Chops is probably no longer the first choice for embarkation lunch....especially with a big party. CK is not a bad choice but it’s not the kind of WOW Start to the SC experience that you’re really looking for. As long as you don’t plan on eating before noon, there is no reason why you couldn’t have lunch catered in your suite. Just remember that in-Suite catering is only available during regular restaurant operating hours regardless of what day it is. The nice thing about having lunch catered on boarding day is that you can take the time to eat and unpack kinda simultaneously. I am never really relaxed until I have unpacked. Eating lunch “out” only delays unpacking unless you’re eating to pass the time until your room is ready.

You would only have your carry-on luggage with you as your big bags would have already been checked at the curb with the longshoremen. Since you have the UDP, you would have to take your carry-on bags with you to whatever specialty restaurant you eat at on embarkation day but that’s not a huge inconvenience. They always have a place to leave luggage by the door. Then, after you eat lunch, if it’s still too early to go to your room, you can always take your carry-on luggage and go to the Concierge Lounge. That’s not nearly as impressive on Anthem as it is on the O class ships but it’s somewhere quiet and convenient to wait for your room to be ready. Chances are, though, that by the time you finish eating lunch, the rooms will be ready.

In July we rented a car from National for a few hours on a B2B on NAV. On turnaround day they picked us up at the port, took us to the airport where we picked up the car, conducted our business, returned the car to the airport and the shuttle took us back to the ship. I used loyalty points so it was just a couple of dollars for taxes. The service was perfect and it was very convenient.

I believe that if the ship knows why someone has been delayed and it is a reasonable wait, they will wait. It's those folks who just don't come back on time and haven't bothered to try and signal "we're on our way !!" that get left. If they are aware that an excursion has been delayed (even if it is not one of theirs) I think they will try and accommodate. I will never know b/c I will never be that brave !

Welcome to the Blog, Rui. Congratulations on the Royal Loft Suite. I know you're going to LOVE Star Class.

As others have mentioned, the Key is really a waste of money if you are Sky class. Since you have the Ultimate Dining Package, you will already be entitled to the embarkation lunch - somewhere. The absolute ONLY Key amenity that you will not get with Sky class is the one where you are permitted to drop your luggage off at the theater and have it delivered to your suite. If you think that is worth $419.86, then by all means, keep The Key.

I love holiday sailings. I know you will have a blast !

Yeah ! Great job. Mine looked nothing like these ??

Actually, I think you can just walk in and order a smoothie. I’m not a smoothie drinker so I have never done it personally, but on some ships they have smoothie bar that is only tangentially related to the spa. Anyone can go there and get a drink.

You will need to be out of your cabin by 8:00. In general, they will require everyone to be off the ship by 10 AM so that they can clear the ship for the next cruise.

I’ve actually never gone to the beach in Curaçao. I love everything else about Curaçao so I’ll bet the beaches are lovely, too.

I love the turtle farm. I thought it might be kinda lame but I really enjoyed it. Love the stingrays, too. Heading back to GC in 2 weeks !

Money will go where it’s treated best.

Have a great cruise !

When I have asked for something from one of the other specialty restaurants (or from the MDR door that matter), I have never been denied but I also always recognized that they were going out of their way to accommodate me and that they could easily have said “no”. I will also add that, with the exception of asking for a lobster tail from the MDR, my extra-restaurant requests have always been either appetizers (mushroom soup from Chops) or desserts (RVC from Chops). I have never requested an entree from another specialty.

Have a great cruise. What an awesome itin. Enjoy !

When I first read your post I said to myself, “ wow. Is Oasis going to Freeport now ?” I guess you just clarified it !

Nice job, Twangbot !

I think you might be very fortunate to have gotten a solo cabin at the last minute. It is my understanding that these cabins sell out quickly so you’re starting off on a lucky streak ! I know you’ll have a blast. Sounds like it will be a fun cruise.

Me too !

Hey, WedNoMor. Welcome to the RCCLBlog

We I really don’t care for being forward so if given a choice of forward or aft I would choose aft