Lovetocruise2002

Unofficial...check Fan site....check

They have make up too. I remember seeing it last month but I don't remember the exact pricing. I do remember thinking it was more expensive than a regular land based salon though.

Hi all! Not really new here but it's funny how you don't notice things sometimes and I just discovered this thread now. Probably about time I introduce myself properly. I discovered this site years ago but have just joined the message boards about a year ago. I love this community here. I have learned so much from all of you. Other sites and boards are quite negative but there is such a positive energy on RC blog and a whole wealth of info. So thank you all. Anyway, here goes... My name is Sabrina and I live in southern Ontario in Canada. No, it is not freezing cold here lol. In fact, it was just in 90s for most of this week. I fell in love with cruising right away 15 years ago. We took a cruise on Adventure for our honeymoon to the Southern Caribbean. There was no better way to spend a vacation after that. In fact, my husband often complains that we should do something else but since I am the planner in the family we have found ourselves on many cruises since then. I have two girls (ages 9,11) and we bring them on cruises sometimes. They are going to be those kids that I am jealous of and reach diamond level before they are 18! I love Royal even with some of their faults. We have tried Carnival (never again) and Disney in between but we are pretty much loyal to Royal and will continue to be. I am a bit partial to the Oasis class ships. I prefer the amenities of the bigger ships over the smaller ones. Central Park never gets old. Our last cruise was just on Harmony last month which completes all three for us. I am so excited to try out Symphony but sad to say that it's going to be a while since I am not willing to go Europe yet with the kids and I'm a teacher so my vacation times are pretty limited (so envious of all of you who can cruise during low season). So probably 2019 for us. Our next cruise is a big family cruise on DCL this December. First time cruising with a group of 14 (8 adults and 6 kids between ages 2-11) so that will be interesting. We usually prefer cruising just as a couple or just with the kids. We are also "lazy cruisers" meaning our main objective is to sleep in, eat, and lay by the pool or balcony and relax. Next up is Anthem in March 2018. This will actually be the first RC cruise that we will bring our kids on. We have cruised with them a few times in the past but it's been with DCL so it will be interesting to finally check out Adventure Ocean. Normally, when my husband and I cruise alone we avoid that deck completely It will also be our first time trying out a Quantum class ship. In July 2018 we will actually be abandoning Royal to try out the new MSC Seaside. I have mixed feelings about this because I love Royal and those Oasis class ships so much but we managed to book a Yacht Club suite (which is equivalent in benefits to about a GS on Royal and you get a butler!) for less than the cost of a JS on Royal. Also, I have a hard time convincing my husband to sail the same ship twice and Symphony won't be in the US yet so it's going to be MSC for us next summer. Future cruise goals include finally reaching Diamond level (we are one 7 night cruise away or sooner if I can convince hubby to get back into Sky Class), trying out a CLS at some point, and my biggest "wish" is trying out Star Class (ahh...we can all wish right? lol). Well hopefully that wasn't too much info and I am really happy to have found this wonderful community of people. Sabrina

We went on Harmony in August and I was able to access dining by late February. Shows came later in late March. I just booked Anthem last week for March 2018 and dining is already available at about 168 days out. Shows not yet. Just keep checking. There does not seem to be a set date.

Tried all those options but on Anthem they have no suites that are connected to another suite, balcony, or interior. The closest is the family connected junior suites but those don't actually have a connecting door just a small hallway which connects the room. That's what they told me on the phone. And my kids are 9,11 so too young to not have a connecting door. But yes, this is the unseen cost of an upgrade...hard to go back down lol

We booked 2 connecting staterooms right now, hubby and kids are happy but I want back into a suite ?

JLMoran I feel same. I would love to grab one of those too for my family of 4 and would gladly pay. Instead my options are either kids sharing a sofa bed which they hate or attempting to add a rollaway which takes up space. Oh well....maybe if I check daily I will get lucky too like WAAAYTOOO....

This might be a silly question but if kids are sharing a sofa bed do they get separate blankets or do they share same blanket like in a hotel room? Just trying to get visual of what it might look like? I know a rollaway will not fit in a balcony cabin but will they bring you one if you are in a JS or GS?

Enjoy! Harmony is my favourite ship so far. Loved Coastal Kitchen too. The crew up there is top-notch! It was just my husband and I when we went so don't know if you can bring guests. But I am sure someone else knows...

Very nice! That must be one of the ones they have renamed for 2018...think that is currently known as the Royal Family suite right? Did you need a minimum number of people to book that one?

No answer to your actual question but...just curious...What is a 2 Bedroom GS?? Does that just mean it has the dividing wall where the TV is and a privacy curtain plus sofabed or is it actually 2 Bedrooms with real beds??

Lol...15 years ago we took our first cruise on Adventure and our travel agent convinced us to "splurge" on a balcony since it was our honeymoon. Fell in love with it and got spoiled and never looked back after that. And then, just this past August, many RC cruises later we went on Harmony to celebrate our 15th anniversary and I finally convinced my husband to get a JS. Thought that was going to be great! One month before the cruise prices for GS dropped and we upgraded for an extra $500 just to "try out" Sky class after reading many comments here I was curious. Here's where I am going to sound really spoiled....I loved the GS and Sky class! Kids now want to go on Anthem and we have booked 2 connecting balconies for the extra bathroom and beds and although I know logically this makes the most sense some part of me is finding it hard to "go back". I'be been checking daily for price changes on the Anthem. I know...spoiled but very fortunate already. But yes...careful with those upgrades. They can be dangerous lol. Already trying to prep hubby on booking a GS for symphony in 2019....

One of the reasons why we love Disney photopass at Disney World is that the photographers are everywhere (even on rides) and readily available. On all the RC ships we have been on I only remember seeing them at embarkation in the terminal, the main promenade areas, and in the dining room. And the lines for photo ops were usually long compared to Disney World. Maybe I wasn't looking hard enough and not sure what the price is for the RC photo package but if it is more than $169 (that's how much Disney was a few weeks ago when we went) then that would be enough to make me hesitate. I think it also depends how important the cruise photos are to you and your family too...

Thanks Matt! Do you by any chance have a picture of what that room looked like with the sofa bed set up? I read your live blogs for that sailing and have found many pics of the GS but none with the bed out. Just wondering if that takes away a lot of the space?

One more question....has anyone ever stayed at Embassy Suites Newark Airport in Elizabeth, NJ. I looked into all the above recommendations (thank you) but I came across Embassy Suites in my research and it is right across the street from outlet shopping! What could be better than retail therapy pre-cruise? lol...

Thank you all for the feedback. We booked our cruise for 8 nights on the Anthem for March 9, 2018 I was wondering a few more things though....this is our first time bringing our kids (9,11) with us on Royal Caribbean. Anyway, as far as Adventure Ocean goes will they end up in the same group? And is there an option to sign them up for AO precruise or do you have to wait until embarkation? Second question is this...I know logically in my head that booking 2 balcony staterooms makes the most sense and it is cheaper. However, I was super spoiled by Sky Class last cruise and am still considering upgrading if the price was right. This might be the deal breaker though...for those who have been in a suite on Anthem, does the fold out couch turn into a double bed or does it turn into a twin and a trundle. I have read on some reviews on CC that there are couches like that but not sure which rooms those are in?? My kids hate sharing a bed....

Yup. Did that...nothing...just dreamworks breakfast, sushi making, cupcake sprinkling class etc. Nothing about the All Access tour

It's not even in my cruise planner for our Anthem cruise in March 2018.

Anthem of the Seas March 9, 2018 - 8 night Bahamas cruise First time on Quantum class after many years on Oasis class...mixed feelings but hubby and kids wanted this one this time ?

FManke not sure where in Canada you are headed but beaver tails are amazing! Think churros but flat topped with lots of sweet stuff! Also, i agree with poutine too!

Can anyone out there comment on sailing out of NJ in early March (to the Bahamas) and how rough or calm the waters are the first day out and the last day back? We have never sailed from NJ before and none of the other Caribbean or Mediterranean sailings have bothered us in the past but I have heard about rougher waters in the Atlantic.... Another thing I was wondering about is which side of the ship gives you a better view of the NY/Manhattan skyline when sailing out? Also looking for recommendations for a nice 3 or preferably 4 star hotel near the port? Last question...if we fly in the day before what is the best way to get to the terminal the next day? Car service? Taxi?

We tried it on the Harmony two weeks ago. It was delicious! I want to go back just thinking about it ?

Just found this now...Harmony of the Seas-August 19. 18 more sleeps...so excited!

Yes thank you