monorailmedic

Didn't try specialty dining. Since it was our first cruise on RC, I wanted to try all 5 nts in the main dining to evaluate variety of the menu, etc. 
"One more question"  you stated it exactly, didn't think another cruiseline could match up and being a Disney Vacation Club member, I have never really been disappointed in my experience with them. Over 20 years of vacationing in Disney and DCL, if I've ever mentioned a problem at the resorts or anywhere else I have been reimbursed financially very well for any inconvenience.
I didn't want to spend $2000 to be disappointed in any way on another cruiseline. However leaving out of NJ, and the ability to skip flying, plus not wanting to be a person who wouldn't try another cruiseline push me in this direction. Leaving out of Bayonne and going under the Veranzano Bridge was really cool. Then cruising north, dcl doesn't do that much and when they do it, like twice a year or so, they can charge a bundle, so this worked for us.
 
Rebooking a cruise next year for 7 nts to Bermuda and a stop at Boston, was perfect for us. The rebook was easy. The price dropped about $150 and i made a call to RC and they credited me right away. 
Calling RC to make changes and adjustments over the last year or so, is always easy. Hardly wait. They are very helpful. So in a way, the entire experience surprised me. 
Getting a balcony for the same price as a dcl inside room, is also a plus. .....It's the men's bathroom that needs to be addressed. Really no excuse for that.
After the trip I know sometimes things go wrong, like I tried to do early walk off on disembarkment day, wow that was a mess. But people we ate w/ just walked off at the time they were suppose to, so I'll do that next time. Tendering to Bar Harbor was also a huge pain, but I decided not to focus on the negative, which is weird for me. Too many surprisingly nice things happened for us.  

I writing my thoughts here cause it took a few years and a few rc canceled cruises to finally try RC. Yes we were reluctant to cruise RC. When we finally started our drive to Port Liberty I must say I had my mental clipboard in my mind ready to rate negatively every issue we encounted onboard RC Anthem of the Seas.    So for my fellow dcl'ers heres my review:
Checking In for Cruise:      RC  about 5 min         DCL   about 20 min
Parking:                             Easy at both
Entering ship: Very Impressive atrium on dcl upon entering ship, plus visually amazing every time u pass through it. 
Adult Area on Ships:  RC seems about twice as large. 4 huge beautiful Jacuzzis. RC adult area on deck 14 is enclosed, which is a huge deal. Weather controlled. It doesn't matter if it rains, and is cold, etc. It's called the Solarium and that describes it. Warm, tropical and beautiful. Multi level mid size pools and u can just sit back and watch the path the ship takes.The Solarium is totally enclosed in glass There's even a very nice small cafe in this area. Very nice. DCL Jacuzzis are much smaller and "metal" looking. No where close to RC's. The RC Jacuzzis stay on all the time. Very rarely did we have to press the button. Jacuzzis open to midnight. Some pools open to midnight. 
For 10 and older:  RC has tons of activities. The rock climbing, the surfing area, the Ifly which is also super fun to watch, the NorthStar. How about the FunPlex area: Huge inside area that has a full court basketball area, that turns into a skating area, also a bumper car area. However the dodgeball game held here was hilarious. Each side had about 50 adults/kids playing. The game I saw, a younger female adult dressed in formal outfit ending up beating everyone. It was amazing to see her catch the balls thrown at her in her outfit. Fun!
Main Theater Show:  The RC shows were extravagant with special effects, lighting, singing, etc, but for us, the shows were weird. However, everyone we spoke with loved them. So I guess we'll give it another chance next cruise. Disney Shows are of course Fantastic. 
Dining: Here of course was one of our main concerns. I didn't like that we couldn't visit all 4 of the different dining areas. Oh well. Quality of dinner I thought was about the same between RC and DCL. DCL does present it a little better, but no big deal. DCL has a bit more variety for the dinner menu as well. 
Service: I found the staff at RC to be very friendly and willing to assist. Of course DCL is pretty much fantastic, but after 7 cruises on dcl, maybe they are over the top! Too much. And dcl always hints to please give them a top rating, like almost every day. 
Windjammer vs. DCL buffet forgot the name?  The first day dcl has the shrimp and crab legs and Windjammer doesn't. After that they are pretty much the same with these few exceptions: Windjammer has way more variety. The omlet station is much easy to deal with. A few different people are making omelets. I found I had to wait at dcl for a few people before me all the time on dcl. RC also had a few staff making spaggetti with vegetables of your choice and it was really good. Windjammer seemed larger as well, more international type foods. On the last full day of the cruise, Windjammer had "special" desserts. That was a nice touch as well. 
Pay for soft drinks:   Not even a big deal for us. Besides ice tea, juice is available in the morning, plus flavored water drinks that were really, really good. Didn't miss the soda at all. 
Stateroom: Very, very nice. I think the size was 198 sq ft, a little smaller than the 214 stateroom were usually reserve on dcl. We reserved a bed topper months before so the bed was fine. Sheets were very comfortable similar to dcl. We did miss the split bathroom a bit, but did enjoy the glass shower. 
Night Entertainment:  RC seemed to have way more and a better variety. At least 2 comedians during the cruise. Also the ship has 3 bars or clubs which rotated different bands on different nights. They were really good to watch and listen to. 
Public Restrooms:  Ok here is the place where RC needs lots of work. The Men's Restrooms around the ship are dirty most of the time. My wife said the Lady's room was fine. I'm glad for that, or she might have jumped off the ship. Not sure if this is a male thing...but the public restrooms don't have a little button to override the automatic flush, when the auto flush doesn't know that someone has left. I think it is also confused by the fact that sometimes the seat isn't closed. I don't know what it was, but RC put the little button on the toilets, so guests can manually flush the toilets. I hated that and so no need for that at all. 
Rebooking:  RC absolutely kills DCL on this. They have 4 or 5 stations for this. Plus a book to reserve a time slot. DCL used to have a drop off box. I always researched and knew my next cruise info, and when dcl discontinued that box, I had to wait a long time in line while people who didn't research would ask begining level questions like "What ship is cruising from what port???  All stuff u can find online before u take up 2 hours just chatting. Last dcl cruise I just left my info on the managers desk and said "book this or not and getting rid of that mailbox for next cruises is a disaster from those of us who know what we want to do. I don't want to give up 2 hrs of my vacation time, cause someone higher up isn't smart enough to make the right decision."
 
All in all, forgetting the public bathrooms, we had a great time on the Anthem of the Seas. I went in trying thinking it would be horrible, but we had a great time, like strolling around the ship at night and watch all the people having fun.   (ps- I don't know how so many people drink so much. I was so full from the meals, I couldn't keep up with the drinking. But everyone was having a great time. 
 
 
 
 

I'll throw one more on the pile and say there are never enough hangers in any stateroom of any ship I've sailed (we hang most of our clothes).  I just ask for extra hangers and it's never been an issue - no sense in packing them IMO.

As far as I recall when reading this a while back the crux of the issue is the lack of a true earth ground on a ship.  I used to do electrical work but it's been a while since I read up on this topic so you'll forgive any errors in my summary, but in short, yes, surge supression is a good thing as is ground-fault protection.  The issue is that *some* breakers only stop flow between neutral and hot, allowing a ground-fault to exist (this could happen the other way around as well).  A breaker safe on a ship would cut off all three conductors, hot, neautral, and ground. I put up a post about this a while ago which includes a CG bulletin on the matter (which, as I tried to explain above, I realized I should re-read).
http://www.cruisehabit.com/power-strips-why-theyre-not-allowed-ships-and-how-safely-gain-some-extra-outlets

As far as I recall when reading this a while back the crux of the issue is the lack of a true earth ground on a ship.  I used to do electrical work but it's been a while since I read up on this topic so you'll forgive any errors in my summary, but in short, yes, surge supression is a good thing as is ground-fault protection.  The issue is that *some* breakers only stop flow between neutral and hot, allowing a ground-fault to exist (this could happen the other way around as well).  A breaker safe on a ship would cut off all three conductors, hot, neautral, and ground. I put up a post about this a while ago which includes a CG bulletin on the matter (which, as I tried to explain above, I realized I should re-read).
http://www.cruisehabit.com/power-strips-why-theyre-not-allowed-ships-and-how-safely-gain-some-extra-outlets

As far as I recall when reading this a while back the crux of the issue is the lack of a true earth ground on a ship.  I used to do electrical work but it's been a while since I read up on this topic so you'll forgive any errors in my summary, but in short, yes, surge supression is a good thing as is ground-fault protection.  The issue is that *some* breakers only stop flow between neutral and hot, allowing a ground-fault to exist (this could happen the other way around as well).  A breaker safe on a ship would cut off all three conductors, hot, neautral, and ground. I put up a post about this a while ago which includes a CG bulletin on the matter (which, as I tried to explain above, I realized I should re-read).
http://www.cruisehabit.com/power-strips-why-theyre-not-allowed-ships-and-how-safely-gain-some-extra-outlets

I can confrim, the roads in KW can be  abit rough.  I drove a motorcycle as my primary mode of transportation for years, but I'd be extra cuatious about renting a bike or scooter on vacation.  Unfamiliar raods, looking at the sites, and an unfamiliar bike/scooter just add risk (plus the road conditions in KW and any number of other destinations in the Caribbean).  I wouldn't knock you for a moment for doing it - and don't get me wrong, I've thought about it.  Just throwing out some considerations.

Lucia, the first time I went on a group cruise with these nice people, and Brandon, I booked it on my own.  As time went on, I switched the reservation into the group, with MEI as my TA, and immediately saved about $500 off the fare.   YOLO, Book It !!

I've personally used Brock @ MEI for a number of years and am a big fan (ask my spouse, putting up with e for 10 years isn't easy).  There is nothing wrong with chatting with a few agents and see who you best communicate with.  Whoever you decide to go with, make sure they know that you found out about MEI from this site, it'd be a great help to Royal Caribbean Blog, and it also let's them know that Matt, myself, and many others really appreciate their hard work.
BH

Welcome!
On the Royal Caribbean Blog group cruises, it's really about taking a cruise with the folks from this site (including myself) and enjoying a cruise with other Royal Caribbean fans who really "get it".  We're a great bunch and we organize a number of events onboard.  Here are a few recaps from past group cruises that I think will shed some light on what to expect:
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/podcast/episode-163-freedom-of-the-seas-group-cruise-review
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/03/01/abc-islands-live-review-royal-caribbean-blog-podcast
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/03/01/abc-islands-live-review-royal-caribbean-blog-podcast
In terms of more tangible benefits, folks that book the group cruise in our group with MEI Travel do get some bonus rewards and "thank yous".  What it can be will depend on the sailing and how many folks book into the group, but on past group cruises it has taken the form of onboard credits, lunches at specialty restaurants and private shore excursions.

I'll add one more factor - iPlayer will only work if your connection is in the UK (you have an IP address in the UK).  The IPs issued to VOOM, in my experience, have been North American.
There are ways of working around each of these factors, but they are substantial obstacles.

A similar thread here may help: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/4043-ship-to-shore-communications/
There's also a great post about keeping in touch here: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/07/27/how-stay-touch-someone-your-royal-caribbean-cruise
Voom won't be of any assistance off the ship, so if you're looking to stay in touch ashore it all comes down to your cellular provider. 
Depending on your AT&T rate plan international data and voice is $10/day, activated for that day as soon as you turn off airplane mode/turn on roaming in whichever country your in.  With some plans use in Mexico and Canada is included at no charge (if I recall).  If your device supports it you can use WiFi calling when in port (and you're someplace with WiFi) but obviously having cellular service is easier.  If someone in your group has TMobile their plans include roaming without the $10/day charge.
I hope this helps, we're always here to answer additional questions.
 
 

A similar thread here may help: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/4043-ship-to-shore-communications/
There's also a great post about keeping in touch here: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/07/27/how-stay-touch-someone-your-royal-caribbean-cruise
Voom won't be of any assistance off the ship, so if you're looking to stay in touch ashore it all comes down to your cellular provider. 
Depending on your AT&T rate plan international data and voice is $10/day, activated for that day as soon as you turn off airplane mode/turn on roaming in whichever country your in.  With some plans use in Mexico and Canada is included at no charge (if I recall).  If your device supports it you can use WiFi calling when in port (and you're someplace with WiFi) but obviously having cellular service is easier.  If someone in your group has TMobile their plans include roaming without the $10/day charge.
I hope this helps, we're always here to answer additional questions.
 
 

They seem to be below the water line.  Project Icon == Submarines

They seem to be below the water line.  Project Icon == Submarines

They seem to be below the water line.  Project Icon == Submarines

I'm surprised the hard bed thing hasn't been a bigger deal.  I like a firm mattress but what they've been putting in is more like a metal plate with a comforter thrown over it to offer the illusion of padding.
As far as the bridge tour, no one likes when things are taken away (I wouldn't be happy about this - I love bridge tours!) but I think this is where so many loyalty perks are overvalued.  They can come and go, and aren't the reasons I pick which cruise line or cabin category in which I stay.

Fantastic reference.

Come dip your toe into Royal's sister brand with us, the water is fine

If your sailing is in the next 80 or so days there shouldn't be any changes, as no policy has actually been drafted yet.  The Treasury Dpt has 90 days from the announcement to present the details.  After that?  It's really a bit of guesswork based on limited information, but it seems safe to say that cruises will continue - the details (how you'll be required to tour, for example) are sketchy.
http://www.cruisehabit.com/us-update-cuba-policy-roll-back-people-people-trips-cuba-organized-tours-become-requesite

If your sailing is in the next 80 or so days there shouldn't be any changes, as no policy has actually been drafted yet.  The Treasury Dpt has 90 days from the announcement to present the details.  After that?  It's really a bit of guesswork based on limited information, but it seems safe to say that cruises will continue - the details (how you'll be required to tour, for example) are sketchy.
http://www.cruisehabit.com/us-update-cuba-policy-roll-back-people-people-trips-cuba-organized-tours-become-requesite

Aside from any moral argument, I personally don't find it worth it to bring booze onboard (beyond what is permitted). I've done it in the past, for sure. Ultimately I realized that I was then stuck with one or two options, only in my room, and was schlepping liquids around. The end result was pretty much always that I had a large bar tab in addition to the hassle. I guess in summary, yup, there are ways to do it, but I don't find it worth it either. As I get older, I also feel slightly more guilty about it, especially around the lack of beverage gratuities paid out to the hard working staff.

Aside from any moral argument, I personally don't find it worth it to bring booze onboard (beyond what is permitted). I've done it in the past, for sure. Ultimately I realized that I was then stuck with one or two options, only in my room, and was schlepping liquids around. The end result was pretty much always that I had a large bar tab in addition to the hassle. I guess in summary, yup, there are ways to do it, but I don't find it worth it either. As I get older, I also feel slightly more guilty about it, especially around the lack of beverage gratuities paid out to the hard working staff.

According to the cruise lines, nothing has changed with regards to cruising. 
http://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/news-headlines/carnival-says-trump-s-new-cuba-policy-won-t-block-cruises.html
See also Cruise Habits' (Billy's) analysis on Cuba:
http://www.cruisehabit.com/information-us-revised-cuba-policy-comes-light-carnival-claims-cruising-cuba-will-not-stop

I was never into the magnetic hooks but recently saw how much easier it is to dry clothes with them (vis the line in the shower which is limited and doesn't provide good airflow).
As mentioned, make sure you have a good solution for a power strip - as they will take certain types away.  You can read an explanation at the link below.
I also like to bring some grocery bags for sorting out dirty laundry (especially things which may still be wet when it's time to pack up).  You can also swipe one or two from the stateroom.
http://www.cruisehabit.com/power-strips-why-theyre-not-allowed-ships-and-how-safely-gain-some-extra-outlets