First Time Star Class 8 night Holiday Bahamas Cruise Anthem 12/20/19

[Jax 490]

On 11/29/2019 at 8:10 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Pro Tip: Get the Filet in CK night 1.

I noticed that on Day 1 we are scheduled to eat at Jaime’s not CK....I will check with Andres on Filet night. I have read so much about this that we don’t want to miss it! 

[WAAAYTOOO 11,569]

8 hours ago, Jax said:

I had heard that at 7 days we would receive access to a loop app for direct communication with Andres. So far we have not received anything or anyway other than email to communicate with Andres. Not sure if this is the norm 

I believe that they have discontinued the use of Loop.  There was not even a mention of it 2 weeks ago on Oasis.  I think it proved to be more work than it was worth as the Genies had to access Loop comms on a computer.  I would not worry about this at ALL.  You won't miss it.  Email now and phone comm once you're on the ship.  That's by far the most effective way to comm with the Genie.

 

8 hours ago, Jax said:

I received Holiday menus for the MDR and Chops Holiday Menu (attached) — Chops Holiday Menu is $89 pp plus 18% gratuity (Not complimentary for star class). But as star class guests we can dine at Chops for free, just not from the holiday menu.  Not sure the extent to which the 2 Chops menus differ but at this time we are leaning to Chops (non holiday menu) or possibly the MDR

This is very interesting to me.  Frankly, I don't see anything on the Holiday Menu that you could not get, as Star Class, anyway.  It's not as if they are offering some kind of hand-carved standing turkey or anything... Maybe there is some of the wine that you would have to pay "extra" for.  I hesitate to give advice when it comes to eating...everyone's tastes are so different...but if it were me, I would steer clear of the MDR menu.  We have been disappointed one too many times with MDR holiday menus.  I would stick with Chops and just add anything that you want.  If you are desperate for turkey then just let Luciano know that you are going to want some turkey from the MDR (ahead of time) and they will make sure that they have some for you, in Chops.  Our experience with the turkey from the MDR has been horrible, but maybe you will get lucky !!  The bottom line is....you can get food from the MDR ANYtime you want it.  It's best to give them a head's up so that they can have it ready for you but if there's something you want that is not on the menu, just ask.  As long as they are serving it somewhere on the ship, they will get it for you.

Anecdotally, last year when we were on Grandeur (realizing this was not Star Class, of course), we had the Unlimited Dining Plan and we were told we could not eat at Chops because of their special "holiday" meal.  As it turned out, there were no takers for the ridiculously priced holiday meal and they didn't even offer it.  We ate at Izumi that night but we could have eaten at Chops without any issue, had we decided to.  I don't think the holiday menu is quite as popular as they had hoped it would be, fleet-wide. IMO it's waaay overpriced for what you get.

[CruisinUpinLife 154]

Yes, the MDR holiday meal experience was not that great.  I wish they would just make what they normally make.  I feel like it's because they do not make a lot of the holiday items any other time of the year.  They should just stick to what they are good at, which is not ham and turkey.

[Jax 490]

1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I believe that they have discontinued the use of Loop.  There was not even a mention of it 2 weeks ago on Oasis.  I think it proved to be more work than it was worth as the Genies had to access Loop comms on a computer.  I would not worry about this at ALL.  You won't miss it.  Email now and phone comm once you're on the ship.  That's by far the most effective way to comm with the Genie.

 

This is very interesting to me.  Frankly, I don't see anything on the Holiday Menu that you could not get, as Star Class, anyway.  It's not as if they are offering some kind of hand-carved standing turkey or anything... Maybe there is some of the wine that you would have to pay "extra" for.  I hesitate to give advice when it comes to eating...everyone's tastes are so different...but if it were me, I would steer clear of the MDR menu.  We have been disappointed one too many times with MDR holiday menus.  I would stick with Chops and just add anything that you want.  If you are desperate for turkey then just let Luciano know that you are going to want some turkey from the MDR (ahead of time) and they will make sure that they have some for you, in Chops.  Our experience with the turkey from the MDR has been horrible, but maybe you will get lucky !!  The bottom line is....you can get food from the MDR ANYtime you want it.  It's best to give them a head's up so that they can have it ready for you but if there's something you want that is not on the menu, just ask.  As long as they are serving it somewhere on the ship, they will get it for you.

Anecdotally, last year when we were on Grandeur (realizing this was not Star Class, of course), we had the Unlimited Dining Plan and we were told we could not eat at Chops because of their special "holiday" meal.  As it turned out, there were no takers for the ridiculously priced holiday meal and they didn't even offer it.  We ate at Izumi that night but we could have eaten at Chops without any issue, had we decided to.  I don't think the holiday menu is quite as popular as they had hoped it would be, fleet-wide. IMO it's waaay overpriced for what you get.

I appreciate your insight as I had the same thoughts. I thought it was overpriced and  essentially something we can get with our star class specialty dining.  I didn’t know we could order from MDR...good to know! Just in case we are in the mood for turkey or ham. 

[Jax 490]

1 hour ago, CruisinUpinLife said:

Yes, the MDR holiday meal experience was not that great.  I wish they would just make what they normally make.  I feel like it's because they do not make a lot of the holiday items any other time of the year.  They should just stick to what they are good at, which is not ham and turkey.

Appreciate the review on MDR.  I think it’s best we avoid. 

[Lovetocruise2002 10,783]

1 hour ago, Jax said:

I think it’s best we avoid. 

Definitely. #notteamMDR lol

[Jax 490]

6 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

5 hours ago, Jax said:

 

 

[Jax 490]

Update on live communication with Genie 

We are now communicating live through Messenger.  

[Jax 490]

All checked into the Marriott in terminal hotel at YYC airport.  We love this airport hotel as it is connected to the airport and offers a M Club lounge. There was a nice spread tonight but in my excitement to eat, I forgot to take pictures . I will try to do better because who doesn’t like to look at food pictures right? Due to the busy holiday travel we are required to check in 3 hours before instead of our usual 2 even with our NEXUS.  So it will be an early morning.  But we are pumped to get this party started!

I was able to complete our online hotel check in at the Conrad Hotel Downtown NYC (Hilton) earlier today and select our room. Being able to select our room online was a first...I liked it as it avoids any disappointment at checkin and we were able to select the floor and room location we wanted. 

My random thoughts as I sit in our room is that I sure hope our driver meets us as planned at JFK. I will check in tomorrow from NYC.

[Jax 490]

The last flight attendant has arrived!! Should be up and on our way within the next 40 minutes.

[Dan Curtis 174]

Not that unusual at JFK. Enjoy the trip.

[Jax 490]

We made it!! And are settled into the Conrad Downtown. We landed at JFK in the midst of a winter squall. It was kinda funny because as we landed and people started turning on their phones emergency alerts started sounding on everyone’s cell phone. Traffic was slow into Manhattan as a result; taking about 90 minutes. A big shout out to NY City Limo as our driver was great. He was waiting for us with an airport meet and greet and got us here safely.  
Of course, the boys were starving so eating was a priority.  We found a great pizza place called Harry’s Italian beside the Conrad. Enjoyed the pizza and Fettuccine Alfredo. 

[Kylie 1]

Enjoy your time in NYC! Food looks delicious—I miss NY Italian food so much! (Moved to CT years ago.)

We'll be on the Anthem tomorrow too!

[Boston Babe 844]

Have a great time and you too @Kylie!  Might be a bit chilly on sailaway, but hopefully not for long!

[Jax 490]

Not surprised but our Royal up offer was not successful. The hot tub would have been nice.  

[Jax 490]

Today was a busy day.  We started the day off by eating NYC bagels followed by pizza, pork belly and brisket . It seems like the food coma has already started! Lol. We started out visiting Stadium Goods, a shoe exchange warehouse Reyd has wanted to visit. He purchased his first pair of Yeezy’s so it was a pretty good day for him.  Then we were off to One World Observatory — we couldn’t have picked a clearer day; the view was picture perfect! We ended the afternoon by a visit to the 911 Museum. We were disappointed to learn that the stock exchange is no longer open to the public. 

 

I have heard from Andres several times today about miscellaneous stuff and he said the Anthem is close, waiting to dock around 5 am. 

Transportation is picking us up at 9:30am tomorrow morning. Next check in will be onboard the Anthem! 

[Curt From Canada 285]

We are on Anthem in FEB ... we are watching closely.  Thank you for this.

[NC350 99]

We are from Calgary as well ..... doing the Anthem in Jan 2021 so I am super excited for your review. Our son will be a bit older than yours ..... if yours checks out the teen area at all can you let me know what he thinks? Thanks :)

[Sweety 1,398]

Following.

[Matt 10,935]

Happy cruise day!

[WAAAYTOOO 11,569]

Cruise day, cruise day, cruise day !!!  YIPPEE !!!!!

You should be on board by now....how'd it go ??

[Jax 490]

1 hour ago, NC350 said:

We are from Calgary as well ..... doing the Anthem in Jan 2021 so I am super excited for your review. Our son will be a bit older than yours ..... if yours checks out the teen area at all can you let me know what he thinks? Thanks

Will do!!

[Harper 6]

Have fun! We go the 28th and can’t wait. If you happen to snap a picture of the seaplex schedule would love to see it. There’s not many 8 night itineraries to compare to

[Jax 490]

23 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Cruise day, cruise day, cruise day !!!  YIPPEE !!!!!

You should be on board by now....how'd it go ??

So far it’s great! I think we are going to Andres! He gave us a brief tour and we are now at Chops. Andres picking us up @ 1pm to show us to our stateroom. Can’t wait!!

[Jax 490]

7 minutes ago, Harper said:

Have fun! We go the 28th and can’t wait. If you happen to snap a picture of the seaplex schedule would love to see it. There’s not many 8 night itineraries to compare to

Absolutely!!