FloatyBoaty

I can see the Coastal Kitchen menus in the app for Quantum. I know they're not accurate at this point as they are for a 7 night sailing and I have a 13 night. And I don't get to go anyway because I haven't been able to shimmy my way into a JS or + for this next cruise - yet. 

Yes to of the things said above. And once you have a reservation, arrive early if you want great seat selection. I am always amazed at those who arrive as the show is about to start and are frustrated that they can't get "the best" seats. All of the shows are performed multiple times with very few exceptions. The other thing that people have to remember when putting together their "perfect" schedule is that the shows can change. The Aqua performers can't perform when it's 55 degrees out, or in a thunderstorm; the theater dancers cannot perform when the waves are too high - the technology of the shows makes it dangerous for them. If this happens the shows are rescheduled and your reservations are moved. I don't think that I've been on a cruise yet that hasn't had something rescheduled - I try to lean into vacation mode and just go with it. Listen to the cruise director announcements to know what's up, for sure! Wonder is a huge, beautiful ship. I can't imagine not having a great vacation on her. As @Pattycruisesaid, just go get an entertainment listing as soon as you get onboard and start booking. There will be people to help you with reservations as well - that can be a little faster your first time until you get used to the app onboard.

Best wishes for a great cruise!

Purchased a Jamie's lunch for 16.99 today for my March cruise. Seemed reasonable. As I looked at my further out sailings though, the prices went up - 18.99 for Giovanni's in June and 20.99 for Jamies in September. 

15 minutes ago, Rackham said:

My go-to is Blue Lizard 50+ Sensitive. Reef safe, and does protect all day without reapplication (if I forget to reapply) as long as I'm not swimming. The downside is it does lighten your skin, being mineral based, if that's something you're trying to avoid.

Same. And I use the Blue Lizard Sheer Face Lotion as well. Great protection for a pale blonde!

If you are purchasing the Chops lunch separately from a dining package, you will chose a date and time before you check out. This is the case with any individual purchase. It is only with the discounted multi-meal plans that you wait to make your reservations onboard. I have separate lunch reservations for both Jamie's and Chops on different sailings this spring, no problem at all.

3 hours ago, ScottD said:

All I'm saying is that besides us and maybe 5 other people... I saw no cash on the bars for a full week. So maybe people are making it up, or maybe I just wasn't around any  of the people who claim to tip extra. But it's a much lower number of people than I expected to see. 

You might not see me tip, but I do. I don't set cash on the bar. When my bartenders hand me back my SeaPass card, I hand them bills folded that same size. The tip makes it into their palm and into their pocket in the blink of an eye. They are practiced at accepting tips for sure. Sitting at the bar in the Music Hall on Anthem, I saw more people tipping than I'd noticed before, either by the drink or as they finished and left the bar, but very few leaving cash sitting out on the bar. I also tip my waiters, my stateroom attendant, and random people I see doing a great job, but that's me. I understand that not everyone feels the same way.

Hi - did you consider Quantum instead? They do pretty much the same itineraries and the same class of ship. Both leave from Seattle - I believe Quantum leaves on Mondays and Ovation on Fridays. I know this doesn't answer your questions, but was just the first thought I had. I'm doing Quantum Alaska later this summer myself.

I did just have an obstructed balcony on Anthem (also same class) and it wasn't too bad - the lifeboat is right outside, so no view straight down, and one of the supports also partially blocked my view. It wouldn't be my first choice, but as it was that or an inside cabin for me, I thought I'd check it out.

Agree with those posting above and adding that 1- at the end of my last cruise our first announcement was that disembarkment would be delayed by 45 minutes due to port traffic, and 2- I’m not sure I would enjoy my cruise as much as I would be stressing about this. But that’s me 

Looking forward to hearing everything about your experience on Grandeur. We have a 12 night booked next January in J3 also but am super nervous. Have only sailed Oasis and Quantum class so far and booked Grandeur for the itinerary. Hope you have a wonderful sailing!

Same message with no cruise until March 14. App and online cruise planner both down for me too.

18 minutes ago, jp1 said:

The wife and I each have our own phone.  There's no advantage to each getting our own Voom + Stream packages, correct?

1 package with 2 devices will allow both of us to use internet at the same time, correct?

Yes, absolutely. No need to spend the extra $$ for separate packages

You can also go to cruisemapper.com, select any ship, then scroll to the itineraries. Select any itinerary and the relevant map will open up. I know it doesn't help with checking off all of the ports you already visited, but I like to use it when planning and daydreaming. 

It looks like it may be a chartered cruise, yes. It shows up on cruisemapper.com like this with no price listed:

You can go to cruisemapper.com to see the full itinerary.

Don't know if it's relevant - but - If either of you have a pre-existing condition, as my husband does, an Allianz policy has to be purchased within 14 days of your first trip payment or deposit. From Allianz, just so you can note the full scope of their definition: A Pre-Existing Medical Condition is an injury, illness, or medical condition that, within the 120 days prior to and including the certificate purchase date: 1, Caused a person to seek medical examination, diagnosis, care, or treatment by a doctor; 2. Presented symptoms; or 3. Required a person to take medication prescribed by a doctor (unless the condition or symptoms are controlled by that prescription, and the prescription has not changed).

22 minutes ago, Pattycruise said:

The bags are dropped off next to your door, not placed inside your cabin.  BTW, the only reason I did the key was because it was $1 more per day than the internet, so for an additional $7 on my 7 night cruise and $9 on my 9 night cruise it was worth it.  

I have done The Key 3 times in the past 6 months. The bag I drop off has always been inside my room as soon as the rooms open.

But agree, not a lot of value unless it is very close to internet price, especially since all in the room must purchase. 

13 minutes ago, Wheeler825 said:

For the price of the booze package, they better not give me any problems if I ask for the right booze

I didn't mean they gave me any hassle at all - more like if they are really busy, they might sometimes forget and grab from the well.

Yes, I ask for a Grey Goose Cosmopolitan, a Patron Margarita, a Bulleit Sidecar, and never have any problem as long as they're not taking a bunch of orders at once (like in the theater, I know that that margarita came back with well tequila). I also find that, after a good tip, the other ingredients become premium also, such as Grand Marnier instead of shelf triple sec (although you could just ask for that too).

Loved Jazz on 4 on Oasis and Allure. So cool to have a space devoted to Jazz and such a great space too. But same experience-just not many people there at all. Could be the writing on the wall that they didn’t even bother putting one on Wonder?

50 minutes ago, letscruise said:

This thread made me realize I should check to see if I could book MTD in the cruise planner.  When I get into the section to reserve, my family member names come up as "Not a flex dining guest".  What does this mean?  Does this mean my reservation was made with a reserved dining time (not MTD)? How do I find out what time we're scheduled for?    

Check on your Booking Confirmation from Royal.

Under "Guest Information" it lists:

Guest Name

Crown & Anchor Number
Age Range
Dining

The Dining listing will either say a specific time or "My Time"

If you want something different than what is listed there, you or your travel agent (if you used one) can call and change it.

Enjoy your cruise!

2 hours ago, AandD said:

FloatyBoaty are you a gambler?  We are talking about putting together a group slot pull for this cruise. 

 

Not a gambler and am actually no longer on this cruise - but have a blast!

I got off Anthem on the 24th. We still had the old menu, but they said they were changing to the new menu for the current sailing.

Anthem has an omelet station in WJ as well as an “eggs & more” station where it appears that they are possibly cooking eggs to order. 

4 hours ago, FionaMG said:

@Pattycruise, did you ask them to define "certain age"? Wondering if I will qualify on my upcoming cruise on Anthem or if I will have to send DH to Guest Services instead.

I’m on Anthem now. I asked my stateroom attendant for a paper copy the first time I met him - he noted it on his list and I have received without fail. That said, I think I’m ready to move to paperless next cruise. 

We are also still on 2x day housekeeping (Anthem). My stateroom attendant is terrified of the upcoming-at-some-point change when he will have 25 rooms to service, potentially cleaning up after 50 people/day. He is usually working the rooms until close to 2 pm as it is and then back a couple of hours later. Still getting towels animals (3 so far on day 8 of 11). We are also still on old menus. 

I have used the online form for my last three (or 4?) cruises and get an updated Guest Invoice from Royal with a cover page “Dear Shareholder…” via email in 3-5 days. The OBC is in my account when the email arrives.