cruiserccl

12 hours ago, twangster said:

Keep an eye on the cruise compass section on this website once she returns to Bayonne for updated cruise compassess.  

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compass?ship=435

From them you'll be able to see show times and typical event times.

I've cruised on Anthem twice in December and twice in January.  I'm more nervous about the plane having snow delays than the ship.  One winter storm can mess up flights along the East coast for days.  

Thanks! I will watch for the updated cruise compass.

I'm also worried about flights and was hoping we can drive instead. We're planning to arrive 1 or 2 days prior for that reason if we need to fly.

19 minutes ago, CrznTxn said:

Reserving the entertainment onboard is quick and easy and they gave us a flyer in our cabin that listed all the shows and headliner events for each day. We reviewed them with our friends and made the reservations and/or reminders on the app when we were logged into the ships WiFi. Very easy and with the reduced capacity there was not a show where we were turned away. It could be also that we did it early. They were checking that we had reservations but I also think they let everyone in once those with reservations were in. Dining reservations were also easy in the app. Only complaint is you have to go through several steps to make your reservations. They could have made it easier with a few less steps I felt were unnecessary but it sure beats the long lines of earlier cruises.

Thanks so much for the suggestion and info...I'm glad it's not to difficult to book for the shows. I just wanted to make sure we're able to take advantage of the shows since this will be our first time on the Anthem.

19 minutes ago, Pattycruise said:

Usually shows run twice a night so either main dining room seating will give you time to see the shows.

Check out old cruise compasses  to get an idea 

33 minutes ago, KJones said:

I don't know if anyone really knows how long the onboard-only reservations will continue. But for dinner scheduling purposes, you could look at previous cruise planners to see what time shows typically have been.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compass

Thanks so much!

I will check them out.

21 minutes ago, GKMCruising said:

Yes, that's typically the time frame. One early showing, one late showing.

Yes, it's the PCR test, they'll send info to your stateroom a few days before you have to schedule it.

We sailed out of Cape Liberty a few years ago. It was March, but it had dumped snow a few days prior - there were still massive snow drifts at the hotel we stayed at (and at the port) but we got off without a hitch.

Thanks!

So can I assume that with a 6:30pm dinner reservation, we will be able to still the main evening show?

I appreciate the info on the PCR test. I've contacted RCCL through email and they haven't responded. I just want to make sure that I can get the testing before flying home. 

And glad to here that weather is not an issue. We've only cruised in warm locations so it'll be very interesting to see snow on the ship.

My family and I have been cruising for over 10yrs. But this will only be our second RCCL cruise and the first time from Cape Liberty.

I've been doing a lot of research, but I unclear about a few things:

With regards to dining plans and specialty dining - if we purchase the dining plan, it appears that we cannot book a reservation until we board. I'm concerned that by the time we board, the reservations will not be available for the restaurants that we want and therefore, we would have no need for the dining plan.

-So, would it be possible to cancel and get a full refund for the dining plan if we decide we no longer want it when we board?

-Or would it be possible to book the dining ahead of time and ask them to use these reservations for the dining plan and then just refund the payments made for the bookings?

-If we don't like the courtesy booking made for the dining plan, can we cancel or change that booking?

With regards to entertainment 

-What time is the shows/entertaiment generally each evening? Are they usually between 7-11pm each night?

With regards to Cape Liberty

-Since we're cruising in Dec, has schedules (leaving port etc) been affected by the weather?

-Are the RCCL cruise transfers reliable?

-Any suggestions for hotels at the airport before using the cruise transfers?

With regards to Covid testings required to return home (from Canada)

-RCCL states on their website that they provide tests for return home, but it doesn't specifically say it's a PCR test that's required for Canada. Is it specified somewhere? And is this difficult to book? Should it be something we do as soon as we board?

I have to admit, we're a little nervous departing from Cape Liberty since we've never been in NJ and it'll be in winter. 

I'm sure I have many more questions....

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated! Thanks!

Hi Everyone...very new to the boards and RCCL. My family and I have cruised for over 10 yrs but our upcoming Dec cruise is only our second cruise with RCCL.

I've read in a few threads that the entertainment booking will only be available onboard at this time.

Do you anticipate this will change to be offered through My Cruise Planner soon or is this expected to remain only onboard booking for the next few months/year?

Without booking ahead of time, what time would you suggest dinner should be booked in order to not overlap with the shows/entertainment?

Any suggestions would be very helpful. Thanks!