heffy2 Posted October 21, 2019 Report 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. twangster, ThyriC, ellcee and 13 others 16 Quote
twangster Posted October 21, 2019 Report Posted October 21, 2019 Hooray! Have a great cruise! heffy2 1 Quote
heffy2 Posted October 24, 2019 Author Report 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. JohnK6404, twangster, PRebecca and 3 others 6 Quote
WAAAYTOOO Posted October 24, 2019 Report Posted October 24, 2019 Have a great cruise ! heffy2 1 Quote
heffy2 Posted October 24, 2019 Author Report 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. JohnK6404, Deedeelynn, WAAAYTOOO and 5 others 7 1 Quote
heffy2 Posted October 24, 2019 Author Report Posted October 24, 2019 I can’t believe how amazing Vroom is compared to other lines WiFi. I’m loving it so far! JLMoran and twangster 2 Quote
heffy2 Posted October 24, 2019 Author Report Posted October 24, 2019 Currently enjoying this place! The Anthem is a lovely ship. twangster, JLMoran, Lovetocruise2002 and 2 others 5 Quote
heffy2 Posted October 24, 2019 Author Report Posted October 24, 2019 The drill was incredibly quick, and we are being treated to a statue sail by like last cruise! mworkman, Lovetocruise2002, JohnK6404 and 7 others 7 1 2 Quote
twangster Posted October 24, 2019 Report 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
JLMoran Posted October 25, 2019 Report 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
heffy2 Posted October 25, 2019 Author Report 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. JohnK6404, Lovetocruise2002, JLMoran and 1 other 4 Quote
heffy2 Posted October 25, 2019 Author Report 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. JohnK6404, Lovetocruise2002, Deedeelynn and 5 others 7 1 Quote
heffy2 Posted October 25, 2019 Author Report 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. twangster, Lovetocruise2002, Big Tule and 8 others 7 3 1 Quote
Poolside Posted October 25, 2019 Report 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
heffy2 Posted October 25, 2019 Author Report 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
heffy2 Posted October 25, 2019 Author Report Posted October 25, 2019 I really like this landing. JLMoran, WAAAYTOOO and JohnK6404 3 Quote
heffy2 Posted October 26, 2019 Author Report 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, monctonguy, JLMoran and 3 others 6 Quote
JLMoran Posted October 26, 2019 Report 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
heffy2 Posted October 27, 2019 Author Report Posted October 27, 2019 Good morning from Portland Maine! JohnK6404, iluvwineandtravel, Lovetocruise2002 and 5 others 8 Quote
JohnK6404 Posted October 27, 2019 Report Posted October 27, 2019 Hi @heffy2! Have a great time! We'll be following! heffy2 1 Quote
heffy2 Posted October 27, 2019 Author Report 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. Skigoofy, Vwjo, melmar02 and 4 others 5 2 Quote
WAAAYTOOO Posted October 27, 2019 Report Posted October 27, 2019 That food looks so good. I’m envious. [NE] Clam chowder is about my favorite thing on the planet. Sweety, heffy2 and stephenkurucz 2 1 Quote
JLMoran Posted October 27, 2019 Report Posted October 27, 2019 45 minutes ago, heffy2 said: 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. That lobster roll looks amazing! heffy2, melmar02 and Cruisegirl1976 2 1 Quote
heffy2 Posted October 27, 2019 Author Report Posted October 27, 2019 Thank you Royal Caribbean Blog and all you WONDERFUL people who’ve posted content, you’re the reason I’m sitting here right now onboard Anthem leaving a soggy Portland. The Captain said we’re expecting 8-10 foot seas tonight. Wooo!!! ellcee, twangster, JohnK6404 and 5 others 5 3 Quote
WAAAYTOOO Posted October 27, 2019 Report Posted October 27, 2019 I love 270. I think it's such a wonderful space. Whether there is a show on or not, I just love being in there. ellcee, heffy2 and Deedeelynn 3 Quote
twangster Posted October 27, 2019 Report Posted October 27, 2019 On 10/25/2019 at 8:45 AM, heffy2 said: I realized my mistake, and couldn’t figure out how to edit it! Not a big deal but if you go to the very first post you made in this thread and edit that post, you should be able to edit the title. heffy2 1 Quote
heffy2 Posted October 28, 2019 Author Report Posted October 28, 2019 It’s snowing lightly here onboard Anthem of the Seas, and there’s lots of motion tonight, it’s glorious! Vwjo, JLMoran and WAAAYTOOO 1 2 Quote
heffy2 Posted October 28, 2019 Author Report Posted October 28, 2019 Good morning from Bar Harbor! Last night there was a lot of ship movement, and some were very worried about not being able to tender today. It was all for naught, as I’m now sitting on a bus waiting to go to Acadia National Park. Dan Curtis, JLMoran, Deedeelynn and 2 others 5 Quote
ellcee Posted October 28, 2019 Report Posted October 28, 2019 15 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said: I love 270. I think it's such a wonderful space. Whether there is a show on or not, I just love being in there. Same. I spent a lot of time there, reading when it was too cold to be outside on my sea days from Bermuda. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote
Cruisegirl1976 Posted October 28, 2019 Report Posted October 28, 2019 loving the pictures Deedeelynn 1 Quote
heffy2 Posted October 28, 2019 Author Report Posted October 28, 2019 Bar Harbor has been wonderful! I could really see myself living here, even in the winter. We went on an RCI tour, which was the first time I’ve done a ship tour since Alaska in 1998. We went on the Acadia Nation Park/Lobster lunch tour, and it was great. The guide gave us a lot of cool info, and the people on the tour with us were great. I’m currently hanging out at Atlantic Brewing Co while my mom shops. Skigoofy, MaryS, JohnK6404 and 5 others 7 1 Quote
WAAAYTOOO Posted October 28, 2019 Report Posted October 28, 2019 21 minutes ago, heffy2 said: WOW ! Look at those claws !!!! YUMMMMM Deedeelynn, Vwjo and mworkman 2 1 Quote
JLMoran Posted October 28, 2019 Report Posted October 28, 2019 1 hour ago, heffy2 said: I could really see myself living here, even in the winter. Just be aware, Bar Harbor in winter is almost a ghost town, with a long drive to get to Portland or even a more modest area like Lewiston/Auburn. And winters can be harsh; I had a job interview there when I was still thinking research was my jam, and ended up in the middle of a near-blizzard on the drive from airport to hotel. If that sort of scene is still to your liking, it can be a great place to live; by all accounts the locals are very friendly with everyone who moves there and it's a great community. Lovetocruise2002 and heffy2 2 Quote
heffy2 Posted October 28, 2019 Author Report Posted October 28, 2019 Headed back to the ship. Lovetocruise2002, JLMoran and JohnK6404 3 Quote
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