Gears

Royal did say a while back that its strategy was to modify their product towards the millennial generation (not over used any more than baby boomer generation, generation X, etc.). I think this aligns to their strategy as do the facilities on the Oasis class ships we see and are going to see.
BUT...
My reaction was something else. RC...are you in the cruise line business or the resort business? Many, many, examples exist of business ventures not being successful because the company(ies) ventured outside their core competency in a effort to increase revenues by trying to be everything to everybody. Is this the same? Some may say yes, others may say no.
I see BIG business risk in this. The size of the capital investment along with the operational costs for a resort (not their core competency!) of this nature...on a small island in the Bahamas...in hurricane alley. What makes this special versus something on the mainland a few hundred miles to the west that will compel people to get on a cruise ship? I've filled out many RC surveys and I don't recall a 'would you like a wave pool at a port of call' being part of it...I have to wonder how they have arrived at the conclusion that this is a good investment beyond someone's personal pet project. Hope they don't turn CocoCay into an eventual rusting piece of junk. I think their capital could be better deployed.
 

Royal did say a while back that its strategy was to modify their product towards the millennial generation (not over used any more than baby boomer generation, generation X, etc.). I think this aligns to their strategy as do the facilities on the Oasis class ships we see and are going to see.
BUT...
My reaction was something else. RC...are you in the cruise line business or the resort business? Many, many, examples exist of business ventures not being successful because the company(ies) ventured outside their core competency in a effort to increase revenues by trying to be everything to everybody. Is this the same? Some may say yes, others may say no.
I see BIG business risk in this. The size of the capital investment along with the operational costs for a resort (not their core competency!) of this nature...on a small island in the Bahamas...in hurricane alley. What makes this special versus something on the mainland a few hundred miles to the west that will compel people to get on a cruise ship? I've filled out many RC surveys and I don't recall a 'would you like a wave pool at a port of call' being part of it...I have to wonder how they have arrived at the conclusion that this is a good investment beyond someone's personal pet project. Hope they don't turn CocoCay into an eventual rusting piece of junk. I think their capital could be better deployed.
 

Doesn't make me excited at all....if anything kinda sad. I liked Coco Cay for what it was...a nice relaxing private island beach in the ocean..
 
 
All the noise and theme park feeling and upcharge and cost for everything....can get that anywhere/everywhere else....why cant they leave one place just to relax.....Labadee is busy already..whynot add all this crap there?

Yep, there rolling out the old website ?

Eww...no. Germaphobe here remember?! Lol

Pre-cruise report:

Sailing:  March 9-17, 2018, Anthem of the Seas, 8 Night Bahamas cruise
 
Sailing with:   Hubby and daughters, ages 11 and 9, who I will refer to as D1 and D2 from this point onward.
 
Flying from: DTW to EWR via Delta.  
 
Pre-cruise hotel:  Embassy Suites in Elizabeth, NJ.  
We chose this hotel based on several factors.  When travelling with the kids, I like to look for hotels that provide a complimentary breakfast.  It is one less thing to worry about.  Also, this hotel came highly recommended by another site that I like, EatSleepCruise.com for value, space, and ease of getting to the port.  Also, being the hotel/cruise snob that I am, this was one of the few in the area that looked relatively clean and modern.
 
The itinerary is as follows:
Day 1 – Cape Liberty, NJ
Day 2 and 3 – At Sea
Day 4 – Port Canaveral
Day 5 – Coco Cay
Day 6 – Nassau
Day 7 & 8 – At Sea
Day 9 – Cape Liberty, NJ

We booked the Kennedy Space Center guided tour through RC shore excursions.  Got a great rate on it during the Cruise planner Christmas sale.  At Coco Cay, we have the Aqua Park and Slide combo purchased for the kids.  And Hubby and D2 are going to do the Blue Lagoon Dolphin Encounter in Nassau.
We are lazy cruisers.  The ship is often our destination.  So, going on 3 excursions (only two for D1 and I) is actually quite the splurge for us.
 
Cabin:  
Unless the last-minute upgrade fairy strikes it’s going to be a Family Junior Suite (FJ) this time around.  Initially, we went with 2 connecting balconies, but then KSF came up in November and we switched it to the FJ so that I could get my dinners in CK.  Picking a cabin with our kids is a bit more difficult.  No one sleeps well when the girls share a bed so we needed a room that has a Pullman or can accommodate a rollaway.  Also, with 2 girls and myself, a 2nd bathroom is becoming a necessity.  So, the FJ fit those requirements as it has 1 ½ baths, and we have one on Deck 9 that has an additional Pullman.  
Our plan was to book the FJ and then wait for the 45-60 day price drop (as I have seen on many sailings) and upgrade to a full suite.  However, this was one of the few times that this did not work out. The price did drop around the 60 day mark, however, KSF ended by then so it was not worth it to upgrade.
 
Random Pre-cruise thoughts:
-    It’s our first time:
•    Bringing our kids on RC.  We have sailed DCL with them 3 times in the past.  
•    In a Junior suite.  We’ve done interiors, ocean view, regular balconies, and full suites but never Sea class.
•    Sailing Quantum Class.  As many of you know, I am a huge Oasis class fan.  I also tend to favour the newer and bigger ships.  However, Hubby does not like to sail the same ship twice in a short time span.  That’s where Anthem fit the bill.  It also worked out nicely that this sailing just made the cut off date for KSF.  I must admit that I do feel some apprehension about this sailing.  As a creature of habit, I will miss my morning coffee and nightly strolls in Central Park and the amazing shows in the Aqua Theater.  In addition, sailing out of NJ in March makes me a bit nervous.  The weather and seas are always up in the air and sailing out of cold weather (and snow now, thanks to Nor'easter) doesn't quite sit well with me.
•    Doing a Live Blog!  I can’t say enough how much I love this RC Blog community and how much I have learned and benefited from all of you.  I see this as a way of contributing back.
-    We plan to eat most of our dinners in Coastal Kitchen.  We were able to make reservations in the Cruise Planner this time.  This option became available in the Cruise Planner around 170 days out.  Disappeared for a while and then came back again.  When we sailed on Harmony, we had to wait until we got the Concierge email or book on board.  Going from what others have reported on other boards, it seems that you can make reservations ahead of time on Quantum class ships but not Oasis class.  We also made reservations for dinner at Jamie’s for one night.  The pasta was calling, and we could not turn away.
-    We purchased VOOM for 2 devices.  Too bad for the kids but @twangster saved the day for them.
-    All other entertainment reservations (shows, iFly, North Star) have been made.  These all showed up in the Cruise Planner about 160 days out.
-    This cruise sold out over a month ago.  It reached the ¾ lifeboat capacity back in November!  It’s March break in Ontario and according CC roll call and FB pages for this sailing there will be lots of kids and many Toronto Maple Leafs fans!  Hubby will be in good company!
-    The teacher in me is hoping that this can be an interactive live blog. Meaning, if there is anything you would like me to find out please do not hesitate to ask away.  I will do my best to check back regularly and find out for you.
-    Lastly, I will likely be doing most of my blogging from my phone, so if you are replying to something that has pics attached, please do not include the pics in your reply.  Thanks!  ?
 

Welcome to the RCL Blog and you’re going to be set with information here!
I will bet you won’t sail on Dinsey again. Nothing wrong with Disney, but RC is hands down the best value end-to-end.
Hang on for all the info.
Who’s got a list of short cuts for the lady?

This is our setup. Six table cloth clips and two towels per chair. The clips keep the towels on in a good wind as well.

This is our setup. Six table cloth clips and two towels per chair. The clips keep the towels on in a good wind as well.

This is as laughable as paying for the cup cake decorating class...or the MDR cookbook.
Looks like our sailings on the Allure have the 'free' option and the insider 'watch your wallet' version of Mama Mia!. Unfortunately...I am being forced to go...only because my wife is a massive ABBA fan. Will need to bring my sunglasses so she can't see my eyes closed whilst napping. 

Swells at the port entrance are making it too dangerous to enter. Port stop canceled.
Off to St. Thomas!

What the hell is wrong with these "whiners & complainers"? Diamond level tells me they are seasoned cruisers and know/should accept the hazards of cruising. Can you imagine if the Captain had said "damn the surf and waves, we're heading into port" with catastrophic results, like the Italian Concordia, talk about whining and complaining! 
Good for you Orange, I like your course of action!

The whining and bitching in the Diamond lounge is something else.

Sunday. I knew when I woke up at 4am with the curtains brushing the side of the bed we weren’t stopping in Nassau. 
The weather is fine...just swells from the north.

The nor’Easter that went through the NE US has impacted cruise itineraries this week.
Nassau port was closed today as a result of sea swells and it was a roller coaster ride from Port Everglades last night. Turned today into a sea day and a modification of the ports of call for the rest of the week.
Was:
Nassau, sea day, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, sea day, sea day
Is now:
sea day, sea day, San Juan, St. Thomas, sea day, Nassau
No complaints, just an illustration of how things far away can impact your plans. As a cruiser it’s important to be accepting of the unexpected out of control of the cruise line and not let it ruin your vacation. 
Now...off to the afternoon set of laps on deck 5 followed by a post 4:30 trip to the bar.

In our years of cruising we have never missed a docked port of call. Tendered, yes, several.
Capt’n said swells in the entrance channel were at 20ft.
Aside from a brisk wind it’s clear, sunny and 78 degrees.

Swells at the port entrance are making it too dangerous to enter. Port stop canceled.
Off to St. Thomas!

This was posted by Ken Kozak, the admin for the Anthem FB group:

Swells at the port entrance are making it too dangerous to enter. Port stop canceled.
Off to St. Thomas!

We’ve made the ship the destination in this case. Lots to do on the Allure. 
Headliner show was supposed to get on in San Juan...woopsie! He’s flying to St. Thomas tomorrow.

At least it's your 2nd leg and you made some stops last week...safe travels home on Sunday...

You sound overwhelmed, but don't be. you've come to the right place! There is so much information here and insight. Breathe! @Sabrinaklai and @twangster  I bet will help you along your way along with many many others. I don't have children, never sailed on Disney so their insight is better than mine, but trust me, this Blog has helped me tremendously! Welcome to the RCL Blog! 

It's also a great example that bad weather is not limited to hurricane season.

The nor’Easter that went through the NE US has impacted cruise itineraries this week.
Nassau port was closed today as a result of sea swells and it was a roller coaster ride from Port Everglades last night. Turned today into a sea day and a modification of the ports of call for the rest of the week.
Was:
Nassau, sea day, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, sea day, sea day
Is now:
sea day, sea day, San Juan, St. Thomas, sea day, Nassau
No complaints, just an illustration of how things far away can impact your plans. As a cruiser it’s important to be accepting of the unexpected out of control of the cruise line and not let it ruin your vacation. 
Now...off to the afternoon set of laps on deck 5 followed by a post 4:30 trip to the bar.

I honestly thought the cabin next to us left their balcony door unlocked and it kept waking us up as it slid open and closed as the ship lurched back and forth this morning.  Swoooosh - clunk - swoooosh - clang - swoooosh - clunk . . . 
After meeting the neighbors I am now 99% sure it was actually their small children running back and forth.