Rakaia

I think that's a great suggestion!

We arrived a bit late once. Nothing happened other than having to wait in a longer line. Not a big deal.

I like both the MDR and Facejammer. We look at the MDR menu every day and definitely have those nights we are happier at the 'Jammer. There are also some nights I'd rather have a sampling of foods vs. an entree. I also appreciate a more laid-back night sometimes where I don't have to wait for a table, wait for food, etc. Plus....can't beat the view!

9 out of 10 times when I ask for a floater, it's just given with no questions asked or extra charges. I've even occasionally passed a drink back to the bartender when it tasted weak and they've nicely topped it off with whatever liquor was in the cocktail (that's usually with bartenders I've gotten familiar/friendly with).

Our absolute favorite is the Marriott Residence Inn Elizabeth/Newark Airport. Nice large rooms with kitchenettes, included complimentary hot breakfast, close to a big mall for food/last minute shopping needs and quick easy drive to port. Not 100% sure on a shuttle as we park at the port (which is easiest).

Love Two70 and the Cafe! The cafe was our go-to in the morning for breakfast/coffee (especially iced Chai lattes ) and it was easy to carry it into Two70 for my daughter to work on homework (we were on Anthem) after we ate. Loved their sandwiches at lunch as well (and that little shrimp cockail they had....yummy!).

Themed Christmas Eve meal...yes! Towel animals...yes! Displays on every floor on Christmas Eve. Live Christmas music in the Esplanade (I didn't see a singalong but there definitely could have been one we missed) I do remember Christmas themed drink specials.

I have to agree that despite the super-fun Christmas activities and events, we didn't enjoy our Christmas cruise last year quite as much as we have our others (hence booking a Christmas season cruise this year (and next) instead of one that included the holiday itself). It was totally the makeup of the other passengers that put a bit of a damper on it. Tons of giant family groups with pretty badly behaved kids and obnoxiously drunk adults. I think with these groups everyone figured everyone else was watching the kids when in reality, no one was. Definitely didn't feel the passengers meshing together as we find on other cruises with large groups taking up hot tubs/sections of the Facejammer/public areas/ect. We still had a great time (hell, it's a cruise, it's Christmas and RC really made it special) but due to the general passenger vibe, we will likely opt out of holiday cruises in the future (unless we find a great deal of course)

Anthem had a fantastic special Christmas show in the theater last year on Christmas Eve (or was it Christmas Day?). I also loved the pop-up brass concerts in the Esplanade, the egg nog (both of the "adult" and non-version), the hot cocoa stations, the Christmas cookies in the Facejammer, the special events (including a Santa meet/greet), the decorations, etc. We cruised last week on Anthem and none of this (other than the decorations) took place so it must just be for cruises over the holiday itself. Lots of decorated Christmas cabin doors on both cruises...we brought battery-operated lights for extra pizzazz

We saw him on Oasis last year. Very funny!

We always stay at the Marriott Residence Inn Newark/Elizabeth. Super nice staff, free hot breakfast, large rooms (with kitchenettes) and right next to a big mall for fast food/last minute needs. Quick drive to port as well (we just park at the port as it's the easiest option by far...I have zero desire to deal with a shuttle, especially at the end of a cruise).

Next December (when she is going out of Bayonne). Looking forward to seeing how she differs from Anthem (will be back on her next month )

My daughter is just starting her collection Next additions will be Odyssey (and MSC Meraviglia.......) We also have a mini fleet on our Christmas tree.

My daughter dislikes the kid's menu for the most part (says it is "boring"). She was cool with the kid's menu at Jamie's in the past (her pasta was great!) but has her eye on the chicken sandwich this time She definitely will have fun...kid loves to cruise (and eat good food )!

Even though we paid the child's rate?

My daughter (11) is a big fan of the menu at Jamie's. We took advantage of the sale yesterday and booked a lunch on our upcoming Anthem cruise in December. I was only able to book her as a child through the reservation system...does this mean she's limited to the kid's menu? We were fine with paying full price for her so she could order whatever but that option wasn't available. She's done the kid's menu in the past there and been ok with that (as I shared some of my entree with her and the waitstaff didn't mind bringing her an adult appetizer) but she wants to order from the adult menu herself this time. Anyone had experience with this?

I've always scored 10 or 10:30 from Bayonne (most recently 10:30 for Liberty in August). Checking in next week for Anthem in Dec....curious what will be available (last December we did get 10).

Olden days? I did that for my daughter (born 2012) OP, you could request hot water from room service/Windjammer too if you want to do the hot water warming technique and don't think the tap gets hot enough. Use the ice bucket to put the hot water in.

Sure. The operator is Stuart Cove's. Link below, they also have a FB page. https://stuartcove.com/

Phoenix is great!

On Liberty currently on a 5 night Bermuda cruise. We've had Welcome Aboard, French (formal), Taste of the USA, Caribbean and tomorrow is Italian. I thought the Lobster Mac was really good (my 10 year old ordered it...she inhaled it. I'm surprised I got a taste). Caribbean night was meh.

My 10 year old daughter's two favorite things in life currently are Royal Caribbean and Lionel Messi. We were on Anthem the day of the men's World Cup final in December...she was in heaven watching the conclusion of the match on the big screen in the Music Hall. I thought she was going to explode when she saw that clip of him onboard HOTS

This. I remember when my never-gets-sick husband came home with pneumonia from an NCL cruise. That was in 2011. You board a ship with people from all over the world and spend time in close quarters with these people....illness happens! The times I've gotten Covid incidentally have been from work, not cruising

Definitely not restricted to kid's menu. My 10 year old has never ordered from it, she found it boring. It's fun to get a copy of the kid's menu though at dinner as it doubles as an origami project . Ordering from the adult menu is also a great way to try new foods/tastes without worrying about wasting $ if they don't like it! She developed a love for escargot via cruising; an appetizer I would have been reluctant to pay for her to try (though I would have finished it if she hadn't taken to it ). As for the soda package, it depends on if your kids like soda. Mine really isn't a fan for the most part and has been quite happy with the free offerings (especially the lemonade and fruit drinks). She drinks a maximum of 1 soda a day really (usually a Shirley Temple at dinner and rarely even finishes it) so we go a la carte with her. If she liked sodas more, we'd spring for the package.

That's the risk with prime rib served in a mass-setting. The strip is definitely a good second choice though! We'll be sure to ask our server what they recommend Glad you loved Liberty. We haven't been on her before and we're looking forward to our trip!