heffy2 239 Report post Posted October 21 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. 16 twangster, JohnK6404, Ken23 and 13 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
twangster 16,813 Report post Posted October 21 Hooray! Have a great cruise! 1 heffy2 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 239 Report post Posted October 24 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. 6 DDaley, twangster, ellcee and 3 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ellcee 1,014 Report post Posted October 24 Enjoy your cruise! 1 heffy2 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 239 Report post Posted October 24 Thank you! 🙂 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WAAAYTOOO 5,461 Report post Posted October 24 Have a great cruise ! 1 heffy2 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 239 Report post Posted October 24 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. 7 1 Deedeelynn, MaryS, JLMoran and 5 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 239 Report post Posted October 24 I can’t believe how amazing Vroom is compared to other lines WiFi. I’m loving it so far! 2 JLMoran and twangster reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 239 Report post Posted October 24 Currently enjoying this place! The Anthem is a lovely ship. 5 Deedeelynn, JLMoran, Lovetocruise2002 and 2 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 239 Report post Posted October 24 The drill was incredibly quick, and we are being treated to a statue sail by like last cruise! 7 1 2 MaryS, Deedeelynn, Ken23 and 7 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
twangster 16,813 Report post Posted October 24 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. 1 heffy2 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLMoran 4,653 Report post Posted October 25 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! 1 heffy2 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 239 Report post Posted October 25 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. 4 JohnK6404, Lovetocruise2002, JLMoran and 1 other reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WAAAYTOOO 5,461 Report post Posted October 25 Yippee ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 239 Report post Posted October 25 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. 7 1 MaryS, Lovetocruise2002, twangster and 5 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 239 Report post Posted October 25 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. 😂 7 3 1 WAAAYTOOO, Sweety, Mrs. RoyalMoyal and 8 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Poolside 3 Report post Posted October 25 You must have driven a DeLorean to the port. You cruise is supposed to start tomorrow... according to the post title. 🤣 2 JLMoran and heffy2 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 239 Report post Posted October 25 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 239 Report post Posted October 25 I really like this landing. 3 JohnK6404, WAAAYTOOO and JLMoran reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cruisegirl1976 34 Report post Posted October 25 Enjoy your cruise 🙂 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 239 Report post Posted October 26 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. 6 Vwjo, monctonguy, JLMoran and 3 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLMoran 4,653 Report post Posted October 26 Sorry the DBP got the best of you last night. Rehydrate and rest up, you should be good for another round tomorrow. 2 Big Tule and heffy2 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 239 Report post Posted October 27 Good morning from Portland Maine! 8 MaryS, JohnK6404, iluvwineandtravel and 5 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnK6404 645 Report post Posted October 27 Hi @heffy2! Have a great time! We'll be following! 1 heffy2 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heffy2 239 Report post Posted October 27 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. 5 2 Lovetocruise2002, JohnK6404, melmar02 and 4 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
