Lovetocruise2002

47 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

Can I ask what may be a stupid question? Why do the two-bedroom suites require at least five people for booking, when that means one guest is now forced to use the sofa bed? That would be like saying you have to book 3 in a regular balcony or a JS to get one of those rooms.

I understand there are very few of those 2-bedroom cabins, so demand is WAY beyond what supply can handle and Royal is trying to make sure that only a group that will make full use of the space gets it. But if I could snag one of those for my family of four, I'd pay for that in a heartbeat! Especially for something like the 50th birthday cruise I'm trying to plan out, where I'd really like to do that in some style. Instead, I'm locked out from even seeing that option unless Royal's booking system slips up (like what happened with @WAAAYTOOO getting an ATS for just herself and her husband), or one of them opens up after final payment is due and they decide to let smaller groups have the option of getting it.

Or is this one of those things where a good TA can work some magic to get what's not even visible to regular RCI site visitors?

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?  

1 minute ago, DisneyWorld30th said:

You might be right on the naming change.  I had a hard time finding a picture of the actual room.  We have six guests so we were able to book this room.  I do believe you need 5 or more guests.  It will sleep 8.

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...

7 minutes ago, DisneyWorld30th said:

 

This is what the two bedroom Grand Suite looks like.  There are only four of them on the ship. 

 

2 Bathroom/2 Bedroom with Sleep Sofa. 

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?

2 hours ago, DisneyWorld30th said:

Hi there,

Super excited that we just booked the Harmony of the Seas for May 2018.  We were able to secure a 2 Bedroom Grand Suite (Sky Class).

As part of the Sky Class amenities, I know I have access to Coastal Kitchen throughout the day.

We have some friends that are on the same sailing, but they are not in a suite category.

Can we invite them to breakfast, lunch or dinner with us at Coastal Kitchen?  Or are they not allowed because they are not in a suite.

Our reservations are linked together for meal purposes.

 

Any info would be appreciated.

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??

25 minutes ago, Jason.H. said:

Don't do it unless you are prepared to do it every time from here on out! Wife and I always did ocean view window then had the chance to get a balcony for 100 dollars more on independence...haven't had an ocean view window room since lol.

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...

5 hours ago, Matt said:

Yes, 9-11 year olds are in Voyagers

You do it on embarkation day. There will be open hours in the afternoon.

In our Grand Suite, the bed turned into a double bed that my 6 and 2 year olds shared.

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....

15 minutes ago, rjac said:

On the cruise planner page, look in the "Activities" section. 

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? 

14 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Did anyone try the filet at the CK ?  I have heard mixed reviews.  Somehow I never manage to get to the CK on the first night.

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!

21 minutes ago, CGTLH said:

Think I recall seeing podium for Sky, Star, Pinnacle card holders for MTD. You would still have a wait. Just not have to wait in line to wait (hope you understand what I ment).

Yes thank you 

Another question...On Harmony of the Seas if you are in sky class do you get "front of the line" privileges in the MDR for MTD.  So basically if I did not make a reservation and I wanted to eat there is there a separate line/booth to go to for sky class members and I would not have to wait?

Chrisd596...thank you so much for posting this. This is something that has been on my mind for quite a while. My husband and I fell in love with RC years ago and have taken many cruises with them. However, a few years ago when our kids were 4 & 6 we decided to take them cruising and left RC for DCL mainly for better shows for the kids and activities for them.  We have sailed with DCL twice now with the kids (3rd one booked for this December) and have also gone back to RCL (without the kids) and I completely agree with everything that you have posted, except for the men's washroom part cause I would have no clue about that .  Anyway, our kids are now 9 & 11 and we are giving some serious thoughts to taking them on RCL but still worried they will be bored. They are not big into sports. What they love on DCL is the pools, the shows, and the free disney movies available in the staterooms. The ship we are looking at is Anthem in March. I guess what I am asking is this for anyone out there who might have suggestions....is Anthem a good choice for the whole family or should I be looking at Oasis class (which we have been on many times but kids have not) or the Freedom class (which we have never been on)? Any input or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

On 2017-07-02 at 6:16 AM, constable145 said:

Drinks in the Suite Lounge are somewhat limited. Small selection of beer and wine available from 1100-2300hrs. A smallish selection of mixed drinks available during happy hour from 1700-2000hrs.

No frozen drinks available at any time.

If sailing Sky class, I would have to buy the drink package.

That is what I was leaning towards too...keep my deluxe pkg. Thanks :)

Thanks so much for all the info!  Love that everyone on these boards are so helpful.  Going to throw two more questions out there that I thought of....

1. Is it true that with sky class you have a complimentary pass for the thermal suite? One day or all week?

2. With the new changes in the room service menu, can you still order anything from the MDR for in-room dining and is the $7.95 waived on all room service orders regardless of what menu they come from?

I have also purchased the deluxe beverage package but have heard that in sky class I might not need it.  What type of beverages are offered in the sky lounge?

Harmony

So excited! We just upgraded to a grand suite for our August HOTS cruise. We have never stayed in a grand suite before so I was hoping those of you out there who are familiar with sky class benefits could answer a few questions:

1. What exactly does priority disembarkation get you? Do you get to walk off the ship and bypass all lines on the last day?

2. What is Priority Dining reservations?

3. What seats do they reserve for you at shows? Front? Middle? And do they reserve a set number for all suite guests or as requested?

4. How do you make reservations to CK? It's not on my cruise planner. Do we have to wait till we get there?

Also, if anyone has other comments, tips or suggestions I would love to hear it. Thanks in advance :)