Stephanie

Typically what I'll do if there's a shop on board with something I know I'd like to buy (Michael Kors bag, perfume, sunglasses), I'll do my research beforehand so I know what the current going price is to know if I'm actually getting a deal or not. 
I've actually had really good luck with purchasing perfume on board - I tend to restock on the particular brand I buy when I'm on board because it's a better deal than on land, plus the benefits of duty free shopping. 

This is exactly why I love cruising!  Our first cruise was on RCL, and we fell in love.  I refuse to try another company.  I love all the non-Caribbean itineraries.  Our first European cruise is next year.  We're doing the Mediterranean cruise on Symphony before she moves to Miami.  But, we've got Asia, Norway, Russia, the British Isles and Greece in our sights as well.  My husband is not adventurous when it comes to local fare, so cruising allows you to unpack once, have security in your food selection and see the world!
As to traveling separately, my aunt goes all over the world w/o my uncle.  He doesn't like to travel, and she and her friends do.  She just got home from 2 weeks in New Zealand and Australia.  She went to Iceland last year, and Greece and Croatia the year before.  She's my travel role model.  Right now, I travel vicariously through her, but my goal is to be her one day.  Lol

This is exactly why I love cruising!  Our first cruise was on RCL, and we fell in love.  I refuse to try another company.  I love all the non-Caribbean itineraries.  Our first European cruise is next year.  We're doing the Mediterranean cruise on Symphony before she moves to Miami.  But, we've got Asia, Norway, Russia, the British Isles and Greece in our sights as well.  My husband is not adventurous when it comes to local fare, so cruising allows you to unpack once, have security in your food selection and see the world!
As to traveling separately, my aunt goes all over the world w/o my uncle.  He doesn't like to travel, and she and her friends do.  She just got home from 2 weeks in New Zealand and Australia.  She went to Iceland last year, and Greece and Croatia the year before.  She's my travel role model.  Right now, I travel vicariously through her, but my goal is to be her one day.  Lol

Yes, you can play for free.  Look for MyVegas on Facebook.
 
Be aware it's going to take hundreds of hours to win a cruise though.  I've been playing for a little less than a week, and I've earned 3,140 points.  You need at least 650,000 for a cruise.  But it's a nice little time-waster, and if you visit Vegas you can cash in for other prizes as well.

This will be our second trip there (we were there last September, loved it so much, we've decided to do it again.
We did Horseshoe Beach last time .... and as far as Hamilton goes, DEAD after 5:00 it seems.  We rode a combo of the bus and ferry from Hamilton back to the Dockyard.
As for Day 2, that's our shopping day .... we stay close to the port, we will NOT be pier runners.

Yeah isn't it convenient that they removed that feature not too long ago? I loved reading those reviews before deciding which excursions to book through RC. I even did a few reviews while I was on the Allure last year at the Shore Excursions Desk-they said it was a new feature they were trying out, giving guests the ability to give feedback while still on the ship.
They probably took the reviews away because a majority of them were bad which probably led to lower sales of excursions. However, with them gone now I am booking less and less shore excursions through RC than before because I want to see reviews. So now I head over to Trip Advisor and book through the tour company instead.

I haven't done either of these.  We did the Atlantic Reef Fishing, which I do NOT recommend.  It was horrible.  Way too many people on the boat.  The fishermen were polite, but they did not introduce themselves or show us what to do except to say "drop your lines".  Only 5 people on our tour caught a fish, which I credit to the fact that there were about 30 people fishing off the same boat. 
I also did the dolphin quest experience, which I do highly recommend.  It was really incredible!

There is a website called themecruisefinder.com. I don't believe it lists every ship that is chartered or has a group on it but it is a good site. I look about once a month for the cruises I have booked to see if any are now partially chartered by a group. I want to know because I was also part of the EmpressGate mess with 2 cruises cancelled. I have had 2 cruises cancelled when I sailed (notice I said when) NCL. A great travel agent really helps with that. I had a massive group on Old Time Rock and Roll on my last Royal cruise, almost 1000 passengers with a ship that had room for 3,000. They were a wonderful group but several venues were closed the whole cruise because of this group.
On themecruisefinder.com just click on Browse Theme Cruises by Category, click the first category and look for your date and ship, then go to the next one. It takes a while but it really is helpful to see if your ship has a large group or is chartered.
Candie

I would be remiss in not encouraging you to share your review of the excursion here in these message boards!
Alternatively, the tour might be on a site like TripAdvisor, which also allows for reviews.

Itinerary, ship, weather and onboard activities top my list of how I rank my vacation experience.  We chose our last cruise based on the ship, but that's the first time we've done that.  Alaska has by far been our favorite cruise only because Alaska's beauty is astounding.  It's the only one I've ever wanted to do again.  We've done the Northeast, the Southern Caribbean and now Bermuda.  Our next cruise is the Mediterranean on Symphony.  The itinerary has been my dream vacation for the last 5 years.  The fact that it's on Symphony was just an added bonus.
We are not fans of the Caribbean islands.  They all look the same, and aside from Bermuda, have been depressing seeing all the poverty.  We love RCL and will remain loyal, but our next sailings will be around Europe and Asia.

Just got back from this cruise last week.  It was a little rockier compared to our Southern Caribbean sailing.  If you've ever done Alaska, it's comparable as far as ocean waves.  We sailed through a rain storm on Wednesday morning.  That was some major rocking - I have video of major tidal waves in the swimming pool.
Anthem is gorgeous!  And massive!!  Lots of really cool venues, like the Music Hall, Boleros, Two70, etc.  I wasn't a fan of not having a main dining room, but other guests we talked to liked the smaller feel of the restaurants.  The amount of storage in our stateroom was phenomenal - and I way over-pack!  Honestly, I'm not sure I like how big the ship is, and I'm a little apprehensive now b/c we have already booked a cruise on Symphony next year...  It may be our last cruise on the massive ships.

If it's the same Carly I had on Jewel in 2013, then yes she is quite good.

Pictures, shore excursions, shopping in the promenade shops or on shore, casinos, tips, sodas and alcoholic beverages - it all adds up.  I've never purchased a beverage package.  I don't drink soda or coffee, but I do have cocktails.  On my last cruise, I did a cost comparison.  I bought 2-3 beverages / day.  At that rate per beverage, I spent about the same as I would have spent had I purchased the package.  If you drink soda or drink more than 2-3 alcoholic beverages / day, then the drink package is well worth the money.  As DocLC said, it's all dependent on what you choose to spend your money on.

Delta already has this service in Seattle.  When we returned from our Alaska cruise, my dad & his wife were flying Delta.  They were able to check-in to their flights & check their bags right there at the port.  It was a very nice service.  The rest of us were on Southwest and had to lug our bags to the airport. 

I wish they would cruise RT from Honolulu.  I want to cruise Hawaii, but I don't want to be at sea for 4 days sailing out of Vancouver to get there!

Ah!!!  So THIS is why RCCL doesn't cruise in & out of Honolulu just around the Hawaiian islands!!!!  Mystery solved. 

I find it totally inacceptable and a violation of my constitutional rights that no cruise lines sail from my city! ........ Colorado Springs

correction.  The website is sixthman.net.  Highly recommended for anyone who loves cruising and music.  These people have a great business plan.

I was on Jewel in 2013 and noticed lots of live music too. In fact, I've found all cruises in Caribbean to feature a lot of live music.
I haven't taken an Alaska cruise yet, but I've been on Voyager class ships a lot and felt there was lots of live music. Granted, if it's not pool weather, the music is relegated to spaces inside.
Each evening in the Cruise Compass is a section that shows where the live music will be.

I'm not sure about what extra items to pack, but our last cruise to Alaska (7 days + an extra day in Seattle) required strategic packing b/c I was having to take pretty bulky items.  And, since you can't bring an iron or steamer on board, I did a lot of research on packing strategies.  I rolled my t-shirts, shorts and dresses and put them in ziplock bags to be able to compress them without getting wrinkles.  I also rolled our jeans and sweatshirts.  It worked like a charm!  I also learned little tricks like stuffing socks inside your tennis shoes so you have no wasted space in your suitcase.

I'm not sure about what extra items to pack, but our last cruise to Alaska (7 days + an extra day in Seattle) required strategic packing b/c I was having to take pretty bulky items.  And, since you can't bring an iron or steamer on board, I did a lot of research on packing strategies.  I rolled my t-shirts, shorts and dresses and put them in ziplock bags to be able to compress them without getting wrinkles.  I also rolled our jeans and sweatshirts.  It worked like a charm!  I also learned little tricks like stuffing socks inside your tennis shoes so you have no wasted space in your suitcase.

Thanks, all!  After reading the blog about the hidden gems on Anthem and your responses, I think I'm going to opt for the thermal spa pass instead.

The only cruise terminal in Boston is Black Falcon. It is located in South Boston.You look out at the Airport across the harbor and at Castle Island Fort. The public transportation system (MBTA) is located a short walk away. Lots of taxi's near the port and the waterfront restaurants are within walking distance. Most people asked about Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, a 10 to 15 minute walk away.
 
 Black Falcon Cruise Ternimal 1 Black Falcon Ave,  Boston, MA 02210, United States   http://www.massport.com/port-of-boston/cruiseport-boston/

I've found the spa services to be quite good onboard. Certainly comparable, if not superior to, most spas you find at resort hotels.
 
Keep in mind there will be a handicap between your regular masseuse and the one on the ship, simply by the fact the one you go to all the time knows you and your needs.  Be sure to explain any areas they should concentrate on/ignore prior to treatment.

So, why don't you  just bring your massage therapist along? Definitely a win win situation I would think.