Lovetocruise2002

You know you're in love with cruising when you know exactly when your next cruise is! Many of us are like you I'm sure ?

We're most likely headed to KSC. Just waiting and hoping for a Black Friday sale on excursions in a few days.

Can someone explain the differences in benefits between these two suites other than the space? There is a huge price difference but online it says they both have butler service, access to Michaels, etc. Is it like booking a JS vs GS on RC?

Oh, ok. ? The shopaholic in me was hopeful lol

What?! What shuttle? and what shopping area? Is it a RC excursion? Please share details Kathy....or anyone else. I never realized there was good shopping near Port Canaveral...

This might seem like a strange strategy but I use Costco Travel's website to check prices and availability with RC. I find that Costco is pretty much in line with RC in that whatever RC has available, Costco usually shows. There was only one time that I can remember where something showed up on RC that was not on Costco but usually it's the other way around. For example, often when I check suite prices with RC, it allows me to select the suite category it but won't show me the price. That's when I head over to Costco's site to check and then if I am interested I will call them. I do find it strange how in this day in age, companies like RC can't get their IT together. However, RC's site a dream compared to DCL. I absolutely hate their site. But that's another story...lol

There was a post about this earlier and some of us got an email and some of us are still waiting....I still have not received mine either but have already gone ahead to book for Symphony in the summer of 2019.

You can pick either MTD or traditional on Anthem. However, there is not as many spaces available for traditional. You only need to make reservations for MTD. We have never, both with traditional or MTD, not received a table for 2 when we requested it. We have always been accommodated for that.

Thanks for taking the time to do this blog @twangster! Really enjoyed following each day. Can't wait to follow along your next journey in a few days on Anthem and then Indy...Still envious. Share pics please ?

What specialty restaurants are on the Grandeur? I lean towards that it might be worth it if you are on an Oasis class ship and there's lots of specialty restaurants to choose from but probably a 2-3 night package if there are not as many specialty restaurants. That package is a lot of food....

Every time we sail out of Port Canaveral this is exactly what we do. It is such a seamless way to start the vacation. You basically get off the plane. Head down to baggage claim and grab your luggage and up the escalators and the Hyatt is right there. So convenient. No taxi, Uber, etc. And it is not much more expensive than a regular hotel elsewhere. There's a really good restaurant right in the Hyatt (McCoy's) for a nice dinner and drinks or you can eat in back in the terminal if you want something fast. Then the next morning, you head down to baggage claim/transportation area and hop on the shuttles. So easy.

@twangster what's your count at now??? Everyone else...CALL NOW! THERE IS STILL TIME! FOMO IS REAL!!

I've been told that many times ?

Maybe they meant to take advantage of the specials in the gym on embarkation day? They always do promos for fitness classes etc. on Day 1.

And you're laughing at me! Look who else got sucked into another! No better feeling that booking a new cruise. Almost as exciting as embarkation day!

@twangster hear the calling? You need to pitch something to RC? Maybe you can be the next Super Mario and make a living out of it?? ? At least I know I'll be safe in a week when you sail Anthem. I'm already booked on that one. Phew! The credit card bill is getting high this month...

Are those last few pics of the Solarium?

@Matt is sailing on her soon. Can't wait to follow the live blog.

The site is cruiseline.com like @tiny260 said but the app is Shipmate. I have no idea how to get onto the message boards and chats through the site. I only use the app. It's good for ship reviews and there's an area for chats related to your ship. There's a countdown for all our sailings etc. Warning...people are a little snippy there. It is a way more open and friendly atmosphere here.

Yup. My parents just got off Carnival and they love this new system.

I totally agree. We try to avoid SJ for the same reasons, especially the baggage weight restrictions lol.

@twangster RC should pay you commission! After looking at these pics for the last few days, and having never sailed Freedom class myself, I just booked a cruise on Indy! Figured it would be very similar since they are sister ships and Indy will have the slides and trampoline park by the time we sail her. I have to say, your pics had a lot to do with the decision making! Thanks! Even my husband who never knows the where, what, how, and when is asking, "So, what pics did Twangster post today?" ??Thanks for taking the time to do this blog!

It is confusing. I sometimes participate on discussions on Shipmate too and there are always many question about this with first time cruisers. I find though that many people upload their picture from home now, at least those I have spoken to and chatted with on the boards, so it probably still saves them some time. Even if you could get say 40% of your passengers to upload from home that is still many minutes there saved. And really it probably comes down to money right? The more you do online, the less people they have to employ?

Here's the next couple for me: Anthem of the Seas - March 9, 2018 Independence of the Seas - March 9, 2019 (This one gets us into Diamond finally!) Symphony of the Seas - July 27, 2019

I have checked the box over and over again and called them 3 times over the last year to ask them to add me to the mailing list and nothing.