NC350 Posted January 31, 2022 Report Share Posted January 31, 2022 Hi Everyone, I am going to attempt a live blog .... Or close to it I apologize in advance if cruising life gets the best of me. Who we are Myself, DH and DS (18) from YYC (Calgary AB, Canada) We were last scheduled to cruise in Mar 2020 on Freedom of the Seas and then COVID happened and the world shut down 1 week before we sailed We had a cruise booked on the Anthem in January of 2021... we all know how that went so we lifted and shifted to this cruise. We were to fly January 28 Calgary to Toronto, Toronto to Newark arriving at 2100. (this was the update after 12 flight changes since we booked our flights) Unfortunately Snow maggedon over took NYC and our flight was cancelled at 330pm on January 27 :(!!!! So I called Air Canada and spoke to Willy. Willy was AMAZING. We went straight to the airport (thank goodness we live close) for around 530 pm as there were many logistics to work out. Air Canada was fantastic. We were flying business class and ended up having pods onboard our flight which was amazing. We arrived a bit late in Toronto with someone losing their earpods in the seat, maintenance coming and then accidentally taking the log book and waiting for it to come back. Robert was our attendant and gave spectacular service. We had breakfast before arrival in YYZ (turned out to be the same food to LGA). With the pandemic we have not been traveling but felt very safe with all protocols in place. A bit of a new process for us in YYZ to clear US customs but relatively painless.... we arrived at our gate as boarding was underway and then arrived on time at LGA. We took an UBER from LGA to Hilton Club at West 57th in Manhattan. I wish we had booked through the app but we didn't we arrived safely and the driver was great As you can see from the photos weather system was already set to move in. JohnK6404, MaryS, Skigoofy and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaMG Posted January 31, 2022 Report Share Posted January 31, 2022 Following along. Have a great time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnK6404 Posted January 31, 2022 Report Share Posted January 31, 2022 Also following, have an amazing time!  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jkaczano Posted January 31, 2022 Report Share Posted January 31, 2022 Have a great time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted January 31, 2022 Report Share Posted January 31, 2022 Have a great time and a continued safe trip. Air Canada has some great customer service and lounges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WannaCruise Posted January 31, 2022 Report Share Posted January 31, 2022 Excited to follow along. Hoping to get on Anthem in March. Sounds like it's been a bit of an adventure to get there. Have an amazing cruise. Anthem looks fantastic!  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 2, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 Sorry for the delay... I was prepared for rough seas.... they put me down yesterday morning.... All good NOW!!! and the sun is shining We spent the Day Jan 28 exploring New York City with my cousin ... He finally was able to reconnect with our family and it was the first time we met him! All the sights and sounds of Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Central Park and finished with Dinner at Pomodoro's https://www.pomodororossonyc.com/Â We highly recommend this place. It was a picturesque end to an amazing day with the snow falling softly in the background. The photos will be over 2 posts MaryS, KristiZ, JohnK6404 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 2, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 The rest of the Day Jan 28 JohnK6404, MaryS and FionaMG 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 2, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 Jan 29 aka Snow Mageddon! Yesterday was a bonus for us as we were supposed to do our NYC tour today but with the crazy flights we ended up with that extra day.... and realized needed warmer clothes than we had so we explored. Â Started off the day at the Brooklyn Diner for Breakfast! Yummy food and LARGE portions! (way too much for us ) Our son's pancakes stacked over 2" tall and 10" in diameter... He is 18 and ate it all!!! Shopping on 5th Avenue was fun! The only disappointment was the Lego Store was still closed But Saks, Tiffany's, Uniqlo (we don't have access to this), Hollister (amazing deal on a hoodie for DS) we were happy!!! I almost forgot the most important part of the day this photo says it all I won't explain you all understand! Â Skigoofy, Yesiamthere, JohnK6404 and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 2, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 Dinner was at a restaurant called Amber http://www.amber103.com/index.html Jason was our server and a very good friend of our cousin's! Please visit this place I promise it will not disappoint and then will keep you wanting more and fill you up. Some photos of our dinner. Â KristiZ, FionaMG and JohnK6404 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 2, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 Jan 30 we spent the Day on the Ho Ho Bus... for those of you who have not heard the term it is the Hop on Hop off bus. They have them in a lot of major cities and it is a great way to tour around and see the main sites. We bought our pass through TopView Sightseeing. Then have an App which is great, bought our tickets and then all digital scanning. On boarding the bus for the first time you are given a set of headphones and are given an audio tour. We did all the major sites. We started at Radio CIty Musical Hall and finished here. We hopped off at Battery Park, saw the Statue of Liberty, walked to the 9-11 memorial and then got back on and headed back uptown. The entire time was about 4 hours with the weather, cold, hop on and off and the NHL game delaying us around Madison Square gardens. Some highlight photos. FionaMG, JohnK6404, Skigoofy and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 2, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 The evening was a bucket list!!! I got to go to a Broadway Show! CHICAGO!! It was amazing FionaMG, MaryS, Skigoofy and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 2, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 Jan 31!!!! IT is ANTHEM DAY!!!! We met our ride companion Key in the lobby of our hotel at 1015. I had prebooked an XL Uber with professional driver for 1030 as we all had an 1130 checkin. The driver was early at 1020, the staff at the hotel helped load our luggage... There were 4 of us.... we all had bags.... a lot of bags! We gave some tips as they used their muscles and it was a easy drive to Port Liberty in Bayonne. It took about an hour but traffic was fairly smooth. Our view of the Anthem as we arrived at port Skigoofy, JohnK6404, MaryS and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 2, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 Boarding Process: When you arrive at port they are STRICT ON CHECK IN TIME. Please be respectful. The crew is doing their best to keep everyone safe and on board timely. We went through the airport type scanners but not nearly as time consuming nor cumbersome. After that you get in line to show your Seapass printout or from the app, passports or ID , Vaccine records and Negative test results. This is not a big area, try to have your documents ready it certainly speeds things up. We had everything printed other than our seapass boarding pass and had zero issues. Everyone vaccinated is given a white ribbon type bracelet that works similar to a zip tie, once tightened can not be released. We were unaware of what these were nor how they worked. Our DS has autism and sensory processing. THIS IS MY RANT AND I AM SORRY IN ADVANCE! Epic Meltdown. Unfortunately as we were trying to explain we would go to guest services and get it cut off and get a new one an individual decided to berate my son, tell him he was stupid for doing that she had been on 6 cruises so knew better he could not get a new one and on and on and on. She is very lucky she shut up with me saying firmly ENOUGH!!! My poor son was so traumatized and if you are reading this you should be ashamed of yourself!!!! It was so hard on him. Guest services was PHENOMENAL as always. My son explained he had tightened it too much as he was aftraid to lose it and didn't realize he had to wear the whole cruise and it was really hurting him and was wondering if they could help. Vitoria was the guest services attendant and could not have been kinder and more helpful. THank you so much for your grace and compassion. It turned what could have been a disaster into a calm these things happen situation. After this lunch was amazing and then our room was quickly ready! We still had not received notifications about success or unsuccessful bids, found out they would be out by 5pm and decided to wait a bit to unpack. We had drinks and relaxed. Sailaway from the balcony was different as no big party but that was ok! We enjoyed chatting with our neighbors as we sailed away, We are in a Junior Suite on the hump. The balcony is phenomenal DDaley, JohnK6404, MaryS and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 2, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 On our first night we had dinner in the main dining room Silk. Our Head Waiter is Johnson, Waiter is Llyod and Assistant is Thomas. These three gentleman are from India. They are the BEST team of dining staff we have EVER sailed with in our 10 cruises across multiple lines! I can not say enough about the level of service we receive from them. Thank you guys!!! We decided we would go with the deluxe drink package with no upgrade. They only charged us the difference between our refreshment package and the deluxe package and gave us the buy one get one 50% off. We were impressed. We spent the evening in the music hall playing pool with an Irish Father/Daughter duo and had a fabulous time! Stayed out way too late especially with the seas that were to come the next morning! KristiZ, Skigoofy, JohnK6404 and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 2, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 ok I am off for activities and will post Feb 1/2 tomorrow morning! See everyone then. If anyone wants anything or info let me know I will do my best! Skigoofy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaMG Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 Glad to see you made it safely through the snow. It looks really freezing! Thanks for your posts about your time in New York. They are very helpful as we are planning a similar jaunt maybe in spring of next year (was supposed to have been last year but we know how that went down). I will be sure to take a look at the restaurants you mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 @NC350Â I am so sorry that your son had to experience a total lack of compassion from that lady. I know I would have lost it if someone went off on my Autistic daughter like that. Very glad Guest Services was able to help and showed the right attitude in the situation. Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WannaCruise Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 Amazing review so far. NY is an amazing city so great seeing your time there. Great too you could fit in a show beforehand. Sorry about the experience with your son and the band. Glad at least that guest services was great. Wow...looks like a great room, and that balcony! Looking forward to hearing more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted February 2, 2022 Report Share Posted February 2, 2022 I am glad guest services was able to turn this around for your son. I notice how people are often quick to tell you what you are doing "wrong" without knowing the full scope. I am also glad you didn't get caught in any east coast bad weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 3, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2022 February 1 Seas were a little rough this morning as was I after our fun night last night Many others were feeling the rocking. I did a quick workout.... It was a great core workout trying to keep balance on a ship that was rolling a bit more than usual. Masks are worn in the gym and I was a bit worried about this because I normally work out in my home gym so no mask. It was not as bad as I thought. The equipment in cleaned regularly and everyone is following all protocols. Please remember to wipe down your mats, weights and equipment after your workout We had breakfast in the wind jammer, and then lunch outside at the Windjammer as well. Wakeviews are the BEST! KristiZ, JohnK6404 and MaryS 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 3, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2022 By after lunch it was up to 20'C which is tanning weather for us so we enjoyed a few beverages and some sunshine! No pictures sorry! TOnight was formal night and our servers had learned so quickly about our family. They are the best we have had in any cruise we have been on!!! We can not say enough If you are in American Silk as for them!!! Tonight our son had his usual and even posed for pictures which is a rarity. Yesiamthere, PRebecca, MaryS and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 3, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2022 To finish the night we saw the comedy show which was hilarious and then arrived in our stateroom for this little guy to tuck us in! melmar02, WAAAYTOOO, MaryS and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 4, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2022 Feb 2, 2022 This morning was a beautiful sea day full of sunshine! We decided today we would do the NorthStar and then try to do the iFly on a port day. NorthStar is $29.00 per person and iFly is $59.00. We had been told that if you did them in port they were free. That seems to be holding true and then on February 3 (I know I am jumping a day) we were supposed to be in Puerto Rico they actually did both for free. We took advantage of the offering! The NorthStar was fantastic. I am not a fan of heights and certainly not over the ocean. It was an awesome experience and the pictures of the view do not do it justice! We were told that we were 300ft above sea level and the same height as the Statue of Liberty.  FionaMG, JohnK6404, MaryS and 3 others 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 4, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2022 Our son discovered the seaplex with my hubby after the NorthStar. They did Johnny Rockets for lunch. Shakes are included with the Refreshment Package and the Deluxe Beverage Package. The fee for the food was not worth it my husband said. He was disappointed in the burger size and flavor. Our son was excited to find and use the X-Box on the big screen and has spent a few hours a day in there! None of us were keen on the Bumper cars but those using looked like they were having a blast. I went for a massage while they were doing this which was fantastic! The afternoon we spent catching some rays and having a few drinks! All were exactly what we needed. The evening we went for dinner at Wonderland! A unique experience. Here was our menu and food photos. There is some video as well Our "neighbors" at dinner had some different things as they both decided to have the kids desserts so they were gracious and allowed me to take photos of their food Thanks ! Â IMG_5668.MOV MaryS, JohnK6404 and KristiZ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 4, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2022 More food pictures and video. One thing I should say is due to all the mains having hot peppers in them I was unable to have a main from Wonderland. My husband loved the ShortRib and they got me a Chops Filet with mushrooms and asparagus which was very kind and accomodating. (I was just going to skip main and did not expect this at all!) IMG_5659.MOV JohnK6404 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 4, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2022 More pictures JohnK6404, Yesiamthere and MaryS 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 4, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2022 The world My husband loved this!!! IMG_5670.MOV WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 4, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2022 DH had a massage after supper and also enjoyed it. Our shore excursion was cancelled in St Lucia before we boarded. To this day we have never received notification and Guest Services has confirmed that a refund has been issued. Waiting as I am unsure amounts etc. The Guest Services attendant when we tried to get information, book a new excursion and find out more about St Lucia was the most dismissive, unhelpful , J****** I have ever encountered on a cruise! We are meeting with the manager later today to make a decision on what we will do but we were certainly unimpressed with the whole situation. On a positive note Vitoria in guest services is wonderful and the best service staff ever!!! We have spoken with her about any questions or concerns and she has been phenomenal. I am off to Explore St Marteen ! More later JohnK6404 and WAAAYTOOO 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattG Posted February 4, 2022 Report Share Posted February 4, 2022 6 hours ago, NC350 said: Our son was excited to find and use the X-Box on the big screen and has spent a few hours a day in there! Awesome! These were powered off/unavailable in December, good to see them back in use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 5, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2022 16 hours ago, MattG said: Awesome! These were powered off/unavailable in December, good to see them back in use. I am super thankful I will let you know that... not many activities for an 18 yr old that is a gamer so it was something to get him out an about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 5, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2022 February 3- Today we were supposed to be in Puerto Rico.. we all know that has not been going well..... Hoping restrictions change and we can visit as this is twice we have not been able to go, Once in March 2020 we were to do my dream cruise Sailing out of San Juan to ABC's (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaco and St Martin). We were set to leave the week the world shut down ! I guess looking back I am thankful we did not get stranded there although an Aft Jr Suite would have been an ok place to be while sailing home! Today the ship gave complimentary NorthStar and iFly due to the missed port which was lovely. We took full advantage. Our son was a natural in the iFly and ended up figuring out quickly how to go super high and the instructor had to "lift off" to go retrieve him. My hubby thought he took video but was actually pictures which was unfortunate. It was an amazing time. Hubby and I then rock climbed. I failed lol but he made it up all lines and rang the bells. We spent a lazy sea day around the pools with a few beverages and dinner at the Costal Kitchen. Our service was good and food was good. I will say nothing exceptional but we did enjoy ourselves. Our son informed us he was going to see "his waiters" and would not join us. We figured out why the night at St Marteen which is up next! JohnK6404, WannaCruise and MaryS 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 5, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2022 Good Night! Next up St Marteen JohnK6404 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 5, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2022 Good Morning St Marteen JohnK6404 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 5, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2022 Today we made our own excursion and went to The Yoda Guy. Admission to the main area is free the museum area is $15.00. All of the money goes to the Foundation which supports youth in the industry to excel and achieve their dreams. There is also a donation box at the end. We took a taxi both ways to the downtown area from the pier for $3.00 each. The museum piece was incredible and Nick was awesome. Our son can do a few voice impressions and did his Yoda for Nick. We explored town a bit, grabbed a few things including our son buying a new outfit for himself. He is 18 so he also treated himself to a couple which was something he was looking forward to!  JohnK6404 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 5, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2022 A few more photos from the museum. We took these off our phones and Nick asks (please follow the rules to protect the articles) no flash photography!!!! Â I will admit I love the Ewoks WannaCruise and JohnK6404 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 5, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2022 JohnK6404 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 5, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2022 Nick was so gracious and took photos with each of us. We were allowed to drop our masks briefly and stood 6 ft apart It was an awesome Build your own excursion ($75.00 with taxi, entry and donation so $25.00 each) We were about 3 hrs reading and listening to the different videos. A thoroughly enjoyable time! WannaCruise, Yesiamthere, WAAAYTOOO and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 5, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2022 Back to the ship for a late lunch after a quick dip in the ocean and spent the day catching rays with some drinks. This girl is fried! MaryS and JohnK6404 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC350 Posted February 5, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2022 Dinner in the main dining room! Our waiters have taken to bringing platters of shrimp for our son which he loves and eats it all.... Where does he put it though??? Hubby and I shared the trio of desserts as we couldn't decide. They were all yummy! We went to the Headliner show which was with Greg London and was fantastic! We really enjoyed the hour of music go See him! MaryS, Yesiamthere, JohnK6404 and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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