Thecatlady

9 hours ago, Coach9 said:

Do you know if there was any 80’s Rock cover bands.  

There sure was! I think there were two bands that played in Music Hall throughout the week.

7 minutes ago, Marlena said:

Lol NP! Were all shows up and running? Ice? Aqua? Etc

Aqua 80 was, however, we never saw it on the cruise compass or in the app.  There was talk in the FB group for the cruise that it was by invite only for those in C&A, which as a newbie, didn't get one.  It was a bit disappointing, but I won't let something like that sour my time.  We did see Cats, the adult comedy show, Frozen in Time, and we did some laser tag.  There was also ice skating and the usual cruise entertainment.

On 5/15/2022 at 7:21 PM, Marlena said:

Thats great!!!!

Did you by chance take a photo of the entertainment schedule?

Unfortunately my other half threw out the Cruise Compasses I brought home

On 5/15/2022 at 7:17 PM, smokeybandit said:

So when's your next cruise?

I'm looking into a fall cruise  

Just got back today from our first cruise ever on Oasis of the Seas, and it was hands down THE BEST vacation we've taken.  

Thanks to Matt, all his videos I watched, and all the advice from everyone here, we were fully prepared for everything. 

This is truly an amazing board.  I've learned so much about cruising and RC from here, I feel like I'm prepared for ours.

Thank you everyone!!!  I got nervous about this, I guess it's just the excitement of finally going on this cruise!!!!

Has anyone had issues with their travel agents?  Long story short, our cruise booklet doesn't have my husband's middle name on it, whereas his passport does.  I brought this up with our TA and she told me RC doesn't want or need it.

We embark in less than 3 weeks on our first cruise ever, and I don't know what to do.

Thank you Matt!!!!

Best response ever, by the way!

Has anyone heard anything regarding the revamped Main Dining room menus?  I'd love to hear when it's rolling out and what will be on the menu.

6 hours ago, crisgold52 said:

Tipping spoils the market. We already pay prepaid gratuities.  No difference whatsoever. Of course when one TIPS they think they see a difference but it's always subjective. I've tipped twice when I first started cruising. No differences. But if people have cash to spend on Star Class and UP then sure it's good. But otherwise most of us average folks who stick with Inside Oceanview or Balcony then tipping or not is debatable. Tipping seems very Americanized however I dont see people tipping grocery clerks or cashiers. Service is service. Minimum wage there also. 

The people working on these ships are busting their butts doing whatever they can to make us comfy, happy, and entertained while working 16+ hour days, and I highly (and boy do I mean HIGHLY) doubt even half of us are even polite to them, so the very least we can do is tip.  

For what it's worth, I worked my way through college by waiting tables at a national chain diner where I worked 12 hour shifts not being tipped, being spit on, verbally abused, GROPED, and looked down on because "it's minimum work", so I get incredibly angry (it's been 13 years since I waited tables!) when I see this.  To you it may be just minimum work, but to them it's their lifeline and how they are feeding their families, and it sure as heck isn't your job to judge.  And that brings me to my next point, why are we looking down on grocery store clerks?!  They are essential workers where I live and are the reason why my grocery stores are open, therefore I can feed myself and my other half, and in my honest opinion, can't get paid enough considering the amount of harassment I see them get every time I get groceries the last seven months. 

Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.

I posted this EXACT post, word for word, around a month ago:

Even the subject line is the same.

8 hours ago, Jill said:

I can totally relate! My canceled May cruise was to celebrate 3 1/2 years NED from Stage 4b endometrial cancer. We rebooked for October to celebrate 4 years NED. If that gets canceled (which it most likely will), then we’ll look at next May to use our FCC’s. That’ll be 4 1/2 years NED. 
 

But by golly my October 2021 Odyssey Italy/Greece had better sail because I’m hoping and praying to be 5 years NED and officially into Remission. 
 

I was given a 15% chance of making it 5 years and we’ve been taking cruises to celebrate each milestone towards Remission. So bummed about no cruise(s). 
 

Congrats to you though!

You will definitely make it to five years

Congratulations

8 hours ago, Boston Babe said:

I am so very happy for you being cancer free!  You keep that positive attitude! Things will go your way for sure.  You deserve it!! Such wonderful news for you!

Thank you!  I got official news I was cancer free two weeks before Christmas, it was the best Christmas gift ever. So far all my follow up tests are negative, and every time I celebrate with a glass of champagne

9 hours ago, twangster said:

First part of this B2B was a 7 night to the Bahamas:

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/5068-anthem-112517-712-b2b

I love Anthem.  Sailed her four times, the last in January of this year.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/5387-anthem-11918-9-night-bahamas/

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/17677-anthem-jan-5-2020-11-nights-southern-caribbean-recap/

I was supposed to sail her to Southampton in April but the pandemic happened.  I will sail her again, lots of good memories.  I turned Diamond and Pinnacle on her so she'll always have a special place in my heart.  

Thank you!!! I feel like I'm all set to go cruising after reading this!

2 minutes ago, Ogilthorpe said:

We have been on this itinerary in February and thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact we have it booked twice more. I highly recommend it. 

Also being from upstate NY I find Bayonne in February balmy . There was plenty of room at the sky bar on embarkation day ... while I relaxed with a cocktail wearing my shorts enjoying the ambiance

You would get along great with my better half, I swear sometimes I think he was born in Sineria instead of New York State.

33 minutes ago, MelKaps said:

I haven’t done Anthem out of Bayonne, but I did Explorer out of Bayonne in 2013. My advice is to dress warm in the beginning and end of the cruise since it is cold in February. It takes a day or two to hit warmer weather. You also hit the cold by the last day, too. 

I'm an upstate New Yorker, that frigid air is every day life for a good two or three months.  

1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I did it a few years ago in March.  Here is my blog on it.  Lots of thoughts...

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/5780-anthem-of-the-seas-march-9-17-2018/

 

So pretty much stay away from the WJ . I loved your review!  Thank you!!

For what it's worth, I stay away from buffets for the most part too.  

15 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

I realize I've been and continue to be a negative nellie about this, but think hard about Feb 2021 and how realistically cruises can be expecting to sail again. Especially to the Bahamas, when they just closed their borders to all US citizens today with no stated expiration.

I get what you're saying.  I'm also usually a negative Nancy myself.  But this isn't a usual run-of-the-mill vacation for me, my original cruise was booked to celebrate me being cancer free.  I'm young, I could have easily been a statistic, and I know I'm being too positive and almost naive about The Bahamas reopening, but I have so much hope for 2021.  2019 was such a horrible year for me, 2020 took my celebration away, so now I'm keeping my fingers crossed 2021 will be absolutely epic for all of us

I was originally booked for September 27-October 4 on Oasis from Bayonne, and as a first time cruiser I LOVE the itinerary.  So instead of wallowing in despair of my cruise being cancelled, I'm thinking about going on Anthem with the same itinerary in February/March.

Has anyone done the Anthem 7 night Bahamas cruise from Cape Liberty cruise before?  What do you think of Anthem?

27 minutes ago, Hifi898 said:

It’s for on-ship chat with other users that have the app. Click on it and it should tell you. You can’t use it unless you’re on the ship

This is fantastic news!!!!  While the boyfriend is snoozing I can head out and get some snacks and fun without worrying about when and where to meet up.

I got a little bit curious about the update to the app and decided to open up my upcoming Oasis sailing (in late September).  Once the sailing is opened, there's a chat box in the upper right hand corner.

Is this what I think it is?  Oasis has chat capabilities now?

What's everyone's favorite embarkation lunch?

What's everyone's favorite snack foods on a ship?

And what about dinner food?

Hi everyone!  Does anyone have any pictures of the current Vintages Menu on Oasis of the Seas?  Thank you in advance!!!