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Adam P.

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Posts posted by Adam P.

  1. I can answer one of those... Number 2.  There are FAR better deals out there to be had with RCCL.  Not so much on any of the Quantum Class ships such as Anthem.  They are the latest and greatest of any ships in the world, and therefore the prices are priced as such.  You will definitely NOT be disappointed with that ship in any aspect.  My suggestion, though, would be to look at the freedom class of ships. Freedom, Liberty, and Independence.  Still amazing ships with a ton of stuff to offer an entire family including child care, but with prices drastically cheaper than on Anthem.  There are also family staterooms that can accommodate 5 people easily.  

     

    http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/01/30/photo-tour-of-royal-caribbean-larger-panoramic-ocean-view-stateroom-freedom-of-the-seas

     

    Here is a link of a recent blog post about some larger amazing rooms that could be found on Freedom or Liberty.  There are a few different categories but if you called RCCL they could get you into the right one.  I believe they are called family panoramic ocean view on that class ship. Stateroom category PF.  The blog review was of a "large" panoramic ocean view which is similar but not quite.  The family one has a set of bunk beds in a closet type room and a second half bath.  Stateroom 1804 is one of family cabins on deck 12.

     

    It would involve flying though, instead of driving obviously, which you could do if you sailed on anthem. Or the long drive to FL that you mentioned. Extra cost, but if I had to guess, it would still be much cheaper than sailing on Anthem haha.  Hope this was at least a slight help.

  2. Thanks for the clarification!!! Looks like the soad and water package is for me, with me buying the occasional drink or two. But I have to ask......is going to the "naughty room" (LOL @ THE NAME) really that awful?

     

    Haahahahahah.... I guess it depends on what you may be going to the naughty room for.  I have only experienced it once, and that was back in 2008 for my honeymoon cruise.  Which was also my first cruise.  I apparently did not read the list of restricted items close enough.  I will repeat that this was my honeymoon.... :blink: Luggage was not to our room by the late seating for dinner.  Afterwards called GS and was informed I had to go to the 'Naughty Room" to retrieve my luggage.  Went to GS where of course I was escorted to the "sassy rejected luggage place" by a beautiful girl who was about my age at that time, 23... Who then instructed me to remove said restricted item from my suitcase while she watched..  SOOOOO embarrassing let me tell you haha.  BUT.... If I was to be going there to claim my case of bottled water, probably would not be any sort of big deal at all.  Easy peasey.   :D

  3. post-3376-0-17494000-1454117550_thumb.png

    Actually, only the Royal Replenish and Ultimate include water; the others do not, although all do appear to include soda.

     

    See the breakdown of the packages on the blog here:  http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/royal-caribbean-beverage-packages

     

    I've sailed with the Premium Package on my last five cruises..... definitely includes bottled water.  As you can see by the screen shot I just took in cruise planner, there is even a bottle of water in the picture advertising it.

  4. Does anybody have information on a beverage package that includes soda and a generic water ( not evion ).

     

    I had read a post saying such a package is available, but I can't find it now.

     

    Thanks

    Ultimate, premium, select, and royal replenish all include bottled water. (not evion)  Could be wrong about select, but I think it does.  The only one that does not is royal refreshment...  I thought when you replied to Doc with "that may be our way to go"... you were all set haha.  Replenish

  5. Haha interesting observations. I could see it being a coincidence or there being something to it.  We'd need a more scientific approach: a few people tip normally, a few people over tip and see how it plays out.

    Sadly I won't be able to over-tip until April on the Empress.   :(  I'm not sure that would be 100% scientific though, as it is a lil baby ship, so who knows of that would change things as far as how they get bags to your rooms ect.  Much less passengers= much less bags.  BUT.... also much smaller crew.  Should be interesting... still skeptical about such a small ship.  Voyager is my previous smallest.  I will let you know my purely scientific research when we get back haha.   :P  

  6. I have experimented with this.... The results of what I found were either quite astounding or pure coincidence.  I will go with that it was not coincidence.  I do believe that the porters have full control of where they place your bag which will also determine how fast it gets on the ship and therefore how fast it at your room.  I have given the standard 5-10$ many times in the past, and had my bags delivered at what I thought was a reasonable time.  Nothing special but not after dinner or anything.  On my last 3 cruises I have given 25$.  10$ for each suitcase and $5 for the garment sky roll.  Guess what.... each time... bags were already not only delivered when the staterooms were released, but put right inside the room!  You can't tell me that is coincidence!  Or maybe i'm just crazy haha.  But yeah.... I'm in the mindset of tipping a bit more gets your bags extra attention.  

  7. Sorry for the delayed response.  By 1000 the morning rush hour is indeed over.  Traffic can still be nutty, but not nearly as bad.  

     

    I can't really make any recommendations for transfers except to say that Uber is available in South Florida (including to and from air and sea ports) and frequently when traveling, depending on the distance and number of passengers, it seems limo services can offer great value.

     

    BH

    (current 71F in South Florida)

     SO jealous.... although we are experiencing a heat wave at the moment.  19 currently!  Time to whip out the shorts!.  JKJK.  Man I hate winter!  Thankful for my countdown to cruise in My Cruises.  What gets us through it haha.  75 days.... tick tock tick tock.....Time goes so slowly.  Until you are on the ship of course!  Thank you for the info.. I have used uber many times in chicago.  Great service.  Believe it or not we have it here in Green Bay too.  Snowmobiles.  Again.. jk  Any idea how much it would be from Port to FLL?  

  8. Adam, you would still have to buy some kind of data plan for the iMessage to work though right ?

     

     

    Yes, iMessage relies on data only (not SMS), so you would need a data plan.

    Correct and correct.... but you could use the onboard wifi as your data source.  Not sure if that's what your were referring to or actual data from your phone provider.

  9. Another quick point.... I'm not sure if you guys have or use apple products such as an iPhone or iPad???  But if you do, just having an internet package would allow you to be able to send and receive iMessages which are basically like the exact same things as text messages but between iPad and iPhones ect.  Only data is required to do this.... no texting or voice coverage required then..  Just something to think about!

  10. Galveston limosine is the service I have booked previously when sailing out of this port.  You don't have to book an entire mini bus like Marc described.  We always just used them with two people and it was pretty reasonable price wise if i remember correctly.  We were on a coach bus.  The ride was definitely not 2.5 hours each time we did it... More along the lines of an hour and 15 if memory serves me correctly.  http://www.galvestonlimo.com  Good luck!

  11. I would stay in FLL area.  Find a hotel close to the Tri-rail train station or take a cab to the closest Tri-rail station.  It runs to the Miami airport where you can catch the metrorail or cab out toward the port.  It is cheaper and you don't have to worry about traffic.

    Awesome, thank you for that info!

  12. From a  PR perspective, this is really a complete DISASTER.  These recent whiplash changes (PRICEY refurbs to Oasis and Allure in preparation for DD and then changing their mind - completely wasteful....Quantum is going to NYC !  YAY !  Oh...nevermind, we're sending her to CHINA instead and we're ripping up and redesigning this BRAND NEW ship !!!!  Majesty in - Majesty out - Majesty in and promised  refurbs -oops...never mind...let's bring an old ship back (Empress) after we have already purged her...on and on...) just SCREAMS POOR STRATEGIC MANAGMENT.

     

    The fact that we don't (and never will) receive any kind of explanation only adds to the problem.

     

    As montocguy suggests, it leaves the customers wondering whether they can trust anything that RCI promises.  RCI has already made some pretty sketchy price increases that have put a lot of cruisers off...and this kind of betrayal is producing a lot of very bad press...and confusion...and mistrust. 

     

    Sometimes ya just gotta suck it up and follow through with your plans even if it costs ya a few bucks.

     

    Disappointing management decision.  VERY bad.

     

    ...and it is making me VERY uncomfortable about my plans to cruise on the Empress in April.  If I haven't heard something to confirm that they are going to follow through on those refurbs I may well cancel Empress before final payment.

     

    Well said.... I have also had my heart skip a few beats wondering about if they will follow through with the Empress refurb now... I'm on that same cruise April 11th but will also be on the April 7th sailing so my final payment date is even a bit sooner.....  This all makes me nervous, which is sad that us, as their most loyal clients, have to be worried about such things.  BIG fail RCI!

  13. If you're not looking to do anything in Miami, I'd be inclined to stay in Fort Lauderdale.  It's (generally speaking) a bit less hectic and has just as many hotel options at what you may find to be better prices (comparing apples to apples).  That in mind, it looks like that sailing leaves on a Thursday, so the if you do stay in Fort Lauderdale just know that the traffic going to Port of Miami can get pretty insane during rush hour.  Also know that it isn't a cheap cab ride from FLL to downtown/port area in Miami.  I'd guess around $75.

    Somewhat more or less what I was thinking.... Staying in FT Lauderdale might be less stressful.  I would assume we would be headed down there In the morning but around 10am maybe?  Is the morning rush hour over by then?  I was also hoping to find some sort of transfer that would take us from the hotel to the port and then back to FLL after the cruise.  Any thoughts on anything besides cabs?  I have used KSA before with no issues but that was never to Miami.  And they seem to have more bad reviews than anything haha.... Anyways, i really appreciate your input as it appears you live in the area.  So lucky!  It is -6 here.  Is it April yet?? lol

  14. Excuse the mess - we (and by "we", I mean my wife) were packing on our last night after 14 days on Empress in November 2005.  This is stateroom 9636 - a Junior Suite at the time (I don't know what it would be classified as now).  I'm reading the old Crown and Anchor Magazine that RC used to send out.

     

    IMG_0140.jpg

     

    IMG_0144.jpg

    HI... Great pics thanks!!  I will be in a JS coming up in April here.  I realize it was quite some time ago that you were on the ship but I was wondering if you would be able to tell me if the JS room had a tub in the bathroom as most of the other RC ships do?  The website description says that they do indeed but I have been trying and trying to find out and have been researching and my general consensus seems to be that they do not.  Is this correct haha?  They also claim the rooms are 225 sq ft which i'm not sure is accurate either.  Anyways, any info you could help me with id greatly appreciate thanks!!  :)

  15. First time cruise coming in March. Going on 4 night on Enchantment of the Sea. Any comments appreciated. We have My Time Dining. Is it still necessary to make a reservation and should we do it before getting on the ship?  Comments about Chops. Is it better then main dining?  Worth the extra cost?

    Any other helpful hints about this ship would be appreciated.

     

    Thank you

    From my experience with MTD, it is not necessary to pre reserve a time.  In some cases it is actually faster to get in the dining room without one and not have to wait in the "reservation line".  You can always reserve a time on a daily basis depending on how you feel and the things going on around the ship that day.  Either way is not a bad option and the wait is usually minimal.  

     

    As far as chops.. I ALWAYS try and eat there at least twice per cruise as it is never disappointing. Far better than the main dining room, but comes at a premium price as well.  Worth it for us though.  If you reserve three meals in specialty restaurants ahead of time on cruise planner, you will receive a discount as an onboard credit one you get aboard.  I believe it is 20 or 30% off.  I agree with Doc, the filet is the way to go.  You can get as many appetizers and side dishes as you want so don't be shy if you want several as they are all great.  The thick bacon is my favorite amongst those..... oh and the corn.  The sides are served family style.  Enjoy your first cruise as you will never forget your first!  :)

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