michelle

Thanks for "stealing" Matt - keep in mind in these cabins - at night the curtains always have to be drawn So no lights reflect onto the Bow and distract the Captain and Crew- they do give you a letter about this but these are the best hidden gems on ships I think- corner rooms are great!

Wow, what a great deal - hoping they last as well - maybe Cyber Monday deals Michelle

Yep you are good with Black and White and I have used porters as well Have fun Michelle

Hi ! I've sailed out of Baltimore a few times - and its very easy - I think you will like using My Time Dining even as a first cruiser Like Bcarney says you can book times, waiters, and if you meet friends, and you will, eat with them I think Chops is the only upcharge place you could try just for something different but if you don't you will still enjoy the dining - ShoreTrips.com is just as good as the ships shore tours, but since you have not done these before then sticking with the ship tours is just fine as well. Clothes - yes black pants and nicer fun night time shirts is what I do a lot and one black dress or stretchy dress my husband brings one jacket, and then two slacks he rotates, and variety of shirts. We bring one suitcase and one hanging back for both of us - and back pack with other gear (wine) Bring a sweater, I'm always cold at shows and the ship can get cold. have a great time - and hopefully January in Baltimore will be warmer than past years I'm in VA and freeze a lot. :)

Hi I have not heard about this? but think its a cool idea They often have parties like the White Party that they have during the cruise but you never know which night until you get onboard Michelle

Mark - Well since we are getting the Anthem I am okay with waiting for this ship - I think the Med is a great place for it and Asia actually. Asians love technology and this will be a huge step up from the Voyager - I would move it around though - funny thing is it has some similarities to NCL Breakaway and Getaway which sail to the Caribbean so I would not put it in that market. Too big for Alaska - and Hawaii - Bermuda would be great since many older ships sail this itinerary - Canada and New England, no cause its really a family ship Just my two cents - but I do really like it - Michelle

Hi Matt Yes I used the TV to book the restaurants and look at Movies on Demand Michelle

So matt, after now seeing the ships stores, thoughts?

Some first thoughts- Well I've been lucky enough to be on many inaugurals and I'll have to admit I really liked the Quantum - First, its a new ship so not everything works! you get used to that Second - this was mostly a Media Cruise - so you could not take a photo without someone else being in your way with a camera at times (and that is why the internet was so slow - it was free, and there was tons of media onboard ) Third - I'm a fan of RCI - They have great ships and keep getting better - Some old favorites I'm glad they kept Sorrento's, Vitality Spa and Fitness Center, Solarium, Flow RIder, Johnny Rockets, Pool w/ big screen TV and Schooners are all here on the ship. First, the ship is smaller than Allure and Oasis holding only about 4180 people which I liked It felt like an upscale freedom class ship to me - I like how they have made the new esplanade area, only a few stories high and winding around venues (if you have been on NCL Getaway, its very similar) then on the other side of the ship you have the VIA which is a lovely area with music and screen videos that leads into eventually Two70* Some interesting thoughts - they do not have the Viking Crown Lounge - a staple and the thought is that Two70 replaces that- I LOVED Two70 as a venue and the feel is great so I agree with the decision. And above Two70 you have a smaller library, craft room and computer area, that don't take up a lot of space. Outside of Two708 you have Café Two70 which is Park Café, renamed and reconfigured - Love this and the area is open and bigger and in a perfect location. Pool- one main pool area with big screen TV - TOO BIG in my opinion it was almost overwhelming cause it was low and on the side, but the adults only solarium pool area is better than I've seen before Another thing is they do not have a Champagne bar - one of my favorites but you never know if the robotic Bionic bartenders "break" then I see them being replaced with a new bar While the robots are cool, they are SO slow, and the area upstairs is just awkward. Like Michael's Pub its the anchor focus of the Esplanade and will be popular for the beer, but food cost money here No Blaze night club - not a big loss to me- but the new Music Hall venue is huge and I liked the layout a lot - really more like a night club and the cover bands were great. The Theatre was nice and the show Mamma Mia was really good - I've seen a few musicals and RCI has some of the best for sure on their ships. Johnny Rockets is an open concept near the pool and I loved that - remember I was on with no kids onboard (okay 3) and once you factor them in things can be different, lol. The RipCord is great and will be popular - the Pink Bear - I don't get it - BEST new area was for sure SeaPlex - bumper cars are awesome and the Xbox, ping pong areas - and hot dog stand just make this an all around great indoor area for kids ( no more closed decks for basketball if the weather turns) Spa - I thought it was a little small on this ship Fitness Center - love the Fly wheel area, and lots of equipment and machines Shops - very nice - some I don't get but since this ship is moving to Europe/Asia they will love them New Patisserie - where starbucks is - very popular wifi spot and nice petit fours but for a charge North Star - looked very cool - will be a hit with people for sure I think Casino - nicely laid out but they have a staircase opening right up to the Esplanade and we could smell the smoke filtering up - Dining - got to try samples at each place and drinks and liked the food a lot - We will see how Dynamic Dining is liked - you can reserve before you board, on your Room TV, on the App we had and in person down on Decks where the restaurants are located. We tried all these options and it worked fine - IF you are booked in a group though, they assign your rotation - and you can't really change it around since you are a group - they may have to changed that because people are not going to want 2 formal nights at the Grande on an 8 day sailing Dining Notes - Wonderland is visually going to appeal to many, and the décor is great - so is the Grande and I think the food will be a hit - American Icon - liked the room, its huge but our food was over done, again think Inaugural. Silk I liked a lot and we had a big table, with lazy susan and ordered all the food to share, yes you can order all the appetizers. Chops has a beautiful room and private Chef's Table room off to one side. The new Devinly Decadence I loved and the food was very good for being lower in calories. Chic also was good - Jamie's Italian will be a hit because its great food but also near Vintages wine bar which is lovely. Izumi's which I love is just in an awkward location I thought - STILL WISH they had one Dining Room Coastal Kitchen is dining for Grand Suites and above and will be a hit because Suite guests really like their perks! its is located right outside of Windjammer. ...And Windjammer - by far is the best on this ship - they have one area that is just rolls and bread - and a coffee bar - need I say more. Cabins- I really liked the colors and lay out of the one's I saw - The inside rooms with virtual balconies are cool - they have sound and you can turn off the virtual part so it does get dark The New Studio cabins for singles are great and rather big I thought and you actually can add a 2nd person to these (only 1 small double bed) and pay the 3rd / 4th guest rate and not full fare - No single supplement on these Single Studios. The Family Connecting rooms are really nice and have lots of room if you close them 0ff - These are at the corners of the decks, so have an angled look and balcony which was huge, and does unlock to the one next door - ONE NOTE - the cabin I was in, Deck 7, 7200 midship looked right down at the life boats - We had a break between life boats but I would not want one of these if I had a balcony, move up 1-2 decks. Again Ocean View - Cat F at front of ship are huge rooms What else? Bands - worked great and think these will be the new future for cruising - opened our cabin - got me drinks at Bionic- purchased things in the store - got photos. No one knew the color of bands, so no rhyme or reason on that but I think that will change. I did not wear mine, just looped it on my purse. My room key stayed in room. Put a plastic card or business card in your light so you can leave that alone. Art Work on the ship is fabulous and so many fun things to see even in the elevator. well done. Guest Services and Check in - they have new smaller stands with computers for check in Wi-Fi was not working so not sure if that is going to be an issue but staff with Ipads checked us in and my picture I uploaded before I boarded loaded fine. Guest services has just 4 stands with computers and no real desk - I think this will be an issue for them - just my thought - seems like they need to print something out and kept running back to the office? Overall - loved it - better ship layout - some new fun things - some old stand-bys - the VIA is where I spent a lot of time - did I mention I love Vintages, cheers. Questions? just ask. Michelle

Mason - got you the Quantum ship. Need an address to send it to email me - [email protected]

:) Sea View Café for sure See the Shows at Night - and yes Matt those elevators are cool! have a blast

cool thanks for sharing so excited to get onto the ship tomorrow with Matt and other agents!

Hi - welcome and I agree with others that is a good rate and spring break prices don't often get better unless they are having trouble selling out the sailing - I say book it - and the nice part is you can occasionally watch the pricing yourself, or if you are booked with an agent they can do that to see if other rates come out that are lower.

cool - I take pictures with Bartenders too! oops maybe that is TMI :D

everything - 270, bumper cars, cabins! love cabins

doable - and the turnpike is pretty quick 4 hours no traffic usually is a good bet

Yes you can pay with more than one credit card when the balance is due- you can also make payments over time YOU can call in $500 /a month for instance to bring the balance down slowly and not get hit with one big bill at final payment time. hope this helps

ah great idea to look for friends - super excited to see this ship.

Mason - Okay I will look for these on the Quantum when I'm on - are they the smaller ships models? can you post a pic of one you currently have so I know for sure. or email me a picture as a reminder. [email protected]. thanks

My clients that like NCL love the Dining packages, mostly because they get a discount doing it this way but also because they often get offered specials for booking a certain restaurant on a certain night - can't imagine the back office nightmare for the ship - but for instance Embarkation night people rarely book specialty places, so NCL offered a discount to do a certain restaurant Night one to clients on the Dining Plans. Suites guests on NCL too have a designated dining line which I love. So much easier to do all the pre-planning via someone else helping to see the whole a layout of dining, entertainment, spa etc. But then again, I think Suites guests on NCL have advantages over RCI Great post Marc lots of detail and information and very helpful, thanks

THIS is so very cool, thanks for sharing

Want to weigh in a bit, but since I'm an agent won't go crazy! Our Office does not have fees, never have never will- but many agencies do charge them, brick and mortar, cause they have to pay the light bills I guess.... I always give OBC or gift cards if someone transfers their booking to me, the catch is transfers have to be within 30 days of deposit (RCI rules) I do look for better prices with RCI directly, and do adjust if the come out, if you qualify for them We as agents spend countless hours on the phone not just about prices, but if you have a bad situation being your advocate. Very valuable Some online sites are good - some not- just be diligent As an agent, I want to be your agent for years to come and for many kinds of trips. Maybe you love RCI and sail alot - but then want to go to somewhere new, and don't want to research it- That is where a good agent is valuable. Hopefully, they can tell you tips, or do the research for you, or just again make suggestions - that is the goal at least. I've met some bad agents over the years too, just like bad websites. The internet is a research engine, its not an agent and it has not hurt my business at all! I love my job....

so glad you had fun!

Nov 12 - Quantum

all I have seen posted is from Princess cruise that will deny any boarding to a guest that has recently traveled from a country on the watch list and they are following on the ship protocols handed down from the CDC