heffy2 265 Posted October 21, 2019 Report Share Posted October 21, 2019 Hello! This will be my first attempt at a live blog, and it just seemed right to do it here as opposed to CC. The Blog and podcast have been instrumental in my return to Royal Caribbean. I've been on 4 prior RCI sailings on the Viking Serenade and Rhapsody of the Seas, the last one being in 2007. I was convinced to sail this itinerary by @twangster's wonderful Snowbird Migration blog last year, and have been addicted to all of your awesome Live Blogs. I'll be sailing with my mother, and have been waiting for cruise day for about 367 days, but who's counting? I've taken much of the advice that I learned here and have pre-purchased most everything except Vroom. I'm kicking myself for not buying the Deluxe Drink Package before this last weekend, as it did go up slightly. Two weeks ago my Royal Up bid was accepted for a total of $150 for a Large Balcony cat 1C from a standard balcony. Today is my last work day, and I don't think I'll be able to sleep for the next 72 hours! I'll add more as soon as I get off work. Lovetocruise2002, DDaley, ThyriC and 13 others 16 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twangster 28,208 Posted October 21, 2019 Report Share Posted October 21, 2019 Hooray! Have a great cruise! heffy2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 265 Posted October 24, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2019 It's cruise day! It almost doesn't seem real as I've never waited for a cruise for a year before. Yesterday was spent traveling. We had a non eventful, mid-morning flight from Salt Lake City to EWR. I've only flow into Newark once before and that was a connection to MIA for my first solo cruise. We're staying at a Springhill Suites that, minus the soft goods, seems to not have been remodeled since 1983. One thing about staying so close to the airport that kind of surprised me, there was nowhere nearby to eat! After taking an Uber over to a giant mall in Elizabethtown where we found an Applebees, we came back to the hotel to rest up for cruise day. I was planning to be at the pier around 10:30, but now have some time to relax. I got an email from Royal saying that there is a coast guard drill scheduled today, so boarding is delayed by two hours. I can't remember this happening on my 24 previous sailings, but I've been through several coast guard drills as a crew member. It's going to be a longer, more hectic day than usual for the crew, I hope our fellow passengers take it a bit easy on them. I'll update more once we get onboard and I have some pics to share. I'm looking forward to see how Vroom is compared to Carnivals wifi. Skigoofy, PRebecca, ellcee and 3 others 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ellcee 1,518 Posted October 24, 2019 Report Share Posted October 24, 2019 Enjoy your cruise! heffy2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 265 Posted October 24, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2019 Thank you! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WAAAYTOOO 12,131 Posted October 24, 2019 Report Share Posted October 24, 2019 Have a great cruise ! heffy2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 265 Posted October 24, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2019 We made it! Boarding was incredibly quick. As soon as we went through security, we were ushered to a nice lady with an iPad. Two minutes later we were following many walkers up the gangway! Currently this is my view. JLMoran, MaryS, WAAAYTOOO and 5 others 7 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 265 Posted October 24, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2019 I can’t believe how amazing Vroom is compared to other lines WiFi. I’m loving it so far! twangster and JLMoran 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 265 Posted October 24, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2019 Currently enjoying this place! The Anthem is a lovely ship. Deedeelynn, JLMoran, Lovetocruise2002 and 2 others 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 265 Posted October 24, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2019 The drill was incredibly quick, and we are being treated to a statue sail by like last cruise! Lovetocruise2002, mworkman, twangster and 7 others 7 1 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twangster 28,208 Posted October 24, 2019 Report Share Posted October 24, 2019 6 hours ago, heffy2 said: I can’t believe how amazing Vroom is compared to other lines WiFi. I’m loving it so far! The Quantum and Oasis class have the best Voom. The rest of the fleet is still miles better over the competition but not quite as good as the O3b Voom on ships like Anthem. heffy2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JLMoran 7,141 Posted October 25, 2019 Report Share Posted October 25, 2019 3 hours ago, heffy2 said: The drill was incredibly quick, and we are being treated to a statue sail by like last cruise! Nice bonus to start the cruise! Was that to make up for the delay due to the coast guard inspection? Hope you have a great trip with lots of bold fall colors! heffy2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 265 Posted October 25, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2019 Good morning. I LOVE this ship! It’s perfect North Star weather, and overall very pleasant outside. I was sure it would be freezing on this cruise, and so far, it’s not. twangster, Lovetocruise2002, JLMoran and 1 other 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WAAAYTOOO 12,131 Posted October 25, 2019 Report Share Posted October 25, 2019 Yippee ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 265 Posted October 25, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2019 Just had my first Windjammer meal, and like a lot of you mentioned, the aft outside seating area had plenary of seating available. The free coffee is some of the best I’ve had on a cruise ship, and the breakfast selection is much better than CCL. WAAAYTOOO, MaryS, Deedeelynn and 5 others 7 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 265 Posted October 25, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2019 Before I forget, here’s a first sunset pic. I apologize for the scattered nature my posts.This whole live blog thing works much better before I’ve started using my Deluxe Beverage package, lol. JLMoran, Vwjo, JohnK6404 and 8 others 7 3 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Poolside 27 Posted October 25, 2019 Report Share Posted October 25, 2019 You must have driven a DeLorean to the port. You cruise is supposed to start tomorrow... according to the post title. heffy2 and JLMoran 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 265 Posted October 25, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2019 25 minutes ago, Poolside said: You must have driven a DeLorean to the port. You cruise is supposed to start tomorrow... according to the post title. I realized my mistake, and couldn’t figure out how to edit it! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 265 Posted October 25, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2019 I really like this landing. JLMoran, WAAAYTOOO and JohnK6404 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cruisegirl1976 84 Posted October 25, 2019 Report Share Posted October 25, 2019 Enjoy your cruise Quote Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 265 Posted October 26, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2019 Sorry for so few updates today, the Deluxe Beverage Package got the better of me last night. My first ever visit to Boston was not nearly as enjoyable as I planned, but it’s my own fault, lol. Here is the end of tonight’s sunset from a chilly pool deck. twangster, Lovetocruise2002, JohnK6404 and 3 others 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JLMoran 7,141 Posted October 26, 2019 Report Share Posted October 26, 2019 Sorry the DBP got the best of you last night. Rehydrate and rest up, you should be good for another round tomorrow. heffy2 and Big Tule 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 265 Posted October 27, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2019 Good morning from Portland Maine! JohnK6404, Lovetocruise2002, MaryS and 5 others 8 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnK6404 1,175 Posted October 27, 2019 Report Share Posted October 27, 2019 Hi @heffy2! Have a great time! We'll be following! heffy2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 265 Posted October 27, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2019 It’s cold and wet in Portland, but we managed to make it to Holy Donut and now are enjoying a beer and a baby lobster roll and chowder at Gritty’s Pub. Vwjo, JohnK6404, Skigoofy and 4 others 5 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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