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Broons77

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A couple of you on here may recall that I'm about to take my first ever cruise.  My wife and I are booked in a Grand Suite for 5 nights on Anthem leaving on October 13th and we're both totally calm, not excited in the least and will have no problem getting through the next 11 days without obsessing and spending every second of on line time searching again and again and again for cruise related content that we haven't looked at a thousand times previously.  And before anyone asks, I'm not considering in the least driving into Boston on Saturday just to see her docked at the Black Falcon.  However I do have a couple of unanswered questions that I'm sure the nice folks here can help me with.  Some are suite related and most relate to planning out when and how I can drink.

  • My wife's Setsail pass has the fancy little 'Sky Class' logo on it next to the cabin number but mine has no such thing, just the cabin number.  What's up with that?  Anyone ever seen this before?  I suppose I could call, but it seems like kind of a stupid thing to ask about.  My wife finds this endlessly amusing and is going to insist at check in that I be sent out of the suite boarding line.
  • Can room service bring drinks, and can you pre-schedule things?  We'd like to start off each day with a 6 AM bloody mary and coffee as we're early risers to begin with and we'd like to add booze to the mix. 
  • Despite my daily checking, I didn't see the availability of North Star or Flowrider or IFly reservations on the Cruise Planner until they were booked up.  Are we SOL or will we have a shot at these things if we're willing to stand in a huge line?  Will these things be in operation while in port in Bermuda?  I was thinking that may be our chance if we stay on board while in port.  Or maybe do they hold back some reservations for suite guests once on board?  And will someone bring cocktails while in line or will I need to employ a runner?
  • I know the suites on Anthem fall into the Royal Suite Class, but are the other perks the same as the rest of the fleet?  For example, will I see the welcome amenities as shown here:  https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-are-the-benefits-of-the-suites-program.  I was going to bring a bottle of bubbly and host a pre-sail toast with the rest of the family that's also coming on this cruise.  But it says they provide a bottle of Chandon along with some other things.  If they do this, I won't bother bringing a bottle with me but I'm thinking I'll have to.
  • As I stated earlier, we will probably be staying on the ship for the most part while in port in Bermuda.  Will most things on the boat be shut down, like shops, the casino, things like that?

I had other questions, but can't remember them now.  I'll add as they come back to me.  This board has been a great resource as we prepare, thanks to all for your hospitality!

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30 minutes ago, Broons77 said:

A couple of you on here may recall that I'm about to take my first ever cruise.  My wife and I are booked in a Grand Suite for 5 nights on Anthem leaving on October 13th and we're both totally calm, not excited in the least and will have no problem getting through the next 11 days without obsessing and spending every second of on line time searching again and again and again for cruise related content that we haven't looked at a thousand times previously.  And before anyone asks, I'm not considering in the least driving into Boston on Saturday just to see her docked at the Black Falcon.  However I do have a couple of unanswered questions that I'm sure the nice folks here can help me with.  Some are suite related and most relate to planning out when and how I can drink.

  • My wife's Setsail pass has the fancy little 'Sky Class' logo on it next to the cabin number but mine has no such thing, just the cabin number.  What's up with that?  Anyone ever seen this before?  I suppose I could call, but it seems like kind of a stupid thing to ask about.  My wife finds this endlessly amusing and is going to insist at check in that I be sent out of the suite boarding line.
  • Can room service bring drinks, and can you pre-schedule things?  We'd like to start off each day with a 6 AM bloody mary and coffee as we're early risers to begin with and we'd like to add booze to the mix. 
  • Despite my daily checking, I didn't see the availability of North Star or Flowrider or IFly reservations on the Cruise Planner until they were booked up.  Are we SOL or will we have a shot at these things if we're willing to stand in a huge line?  Will these things be in operation while in port in Bermuda?  I was thinking that may be our chance if we stay on board while in port.  Or maybe do they hold back some reservations for suite guests once on board?  And will someone bring cocktails while in line or will I need to employ a runner?
  • I know the suites on Anthem fall into the Royal Suite Class, but are the other perks the same as the rest of the fleet?  For example, will I see the welcome amenities as shown here:  https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-are-the-benefits-of-the-suites-program.  I was going to bring a bottle of bubbly and host a pre-sail toast with the rest of the family that's also coming on this cruise.  But it says they provide a bottle of Chandon along with some other things.  If they do this, I won't bother bringing a bottle with me but I'm thinking I'll have to.
  • As I stated earlier, we will probably be staying on the ship for the most part while in port in Bermuda.  Will most things on the boat be shut down, like shops, the casino, things like that?

I had other questions, but can't remember them now.  I'll add as they come back to me.  This board has been a great resource as we prepare, thanks to all for your hospitality!

Can’t answer the drinking questions (not drinkers) but can tell you that when the ship is in port all shops and the casino are closed. They will open again as soon as they leave port.  Enjoy your cruise ? ☺️

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1.  I understand your wife's glee at having the "Sky Class" on her set sail pass.  It's a wonderful sight, indeed !  I have been reading lately that some peoples' boarding passes are missing the "Suites" markings.  It seems a great mystery to me.  In fact, all of our upcoming cruises (where the set sail passes and luggage tags are ready) are also missing the "suites" designation.  That isn't going to stop us from boarding in the Suites line, believe me !!  At least one of you has the Suites designation.

2.  Room service will NOT deliver drinks to your room, unfortunately.  They WILL bring coffee.  I have not yet been on Anthem but on the other ships I have sailed lately, there has been a bloody mary bar out on the promenade.  I'm afraid you would have to retrieve your bloody mary yourself.  One caution. While we have not yet sailed on Anthem, the drinks, in general, and the bloody marys, in particular, built by the robo bartenders were horrific.

3.  No direct knowledge of the Anthem activities, so no help her except to say that I would ask the Concierge for his/her advice. Perhaps he or she could help you get a reservation.

4.  Yes, the Sky Class suites amenities are pretty much the same as the other full suite with one notable exception.  I do believe that all Sky class pax get free Voom internet on the Q and O class ships where they do not on the other ship classes.  Also, for pax on the Q and O class ships, you will have the suites lounge that is open 11AM - 11PM and will have water, soda and limited alcohol available during that period where the other class ships' suites lounge is basically closed all day until the "happy" hour.  I know this is true of the O class ships...not entirely certain about the Anthem but I think their suites lounge is the same.  Since you mentioned a small "gathering" let me mention here that you are eligible for room service in your suite at any time while the MDR is open.  Therefore, if you wanted to get some "munchies" brought to your room for your guests, do so during normal MDR operating hours.  They will bring as much as you want.  I would recommend talking to the Concierge as they can help you get the kinds of munchies (the kind of things that are generally in the Lounges during "happy" hours) that would be suitable for a small party in your suite.  There is no charge for this unless you want servers or alcohol. As for the bubbly...not entirely sure.  We always have bubbly waiting for us but I'm not sure it is a function of our C&A level, the casino or the fact that we are in a suite.  I would bring my own just in case.  What's wrong with having 2 bottles ?!  Ask your room attendant to bring you a champagne bucket with ice.  Oftentimes the champagne will already be on ice (if you have a good attendant).  Other times, it's not.

5.  In Bermuda, the shops and the casino will be closed while you are in port BUT (at least on Grandeur) the casino will open at around 8-9 (can't remember the exact time) on nights when you are in port.  To my knowledge, the shops remain closed.

Enjoy your suite.  You will be ruined hereafter, but that's just the price you will pay for being SO smart !

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48 minutes ago, Broons77 said:

Despite my daily checking, I didn't see the availability of North Star or Flowrider or IFly reservations on the Cruise Planner until they were booked up.  Are we SOL or will we have a shot at these things if we're willing to stand in a huge line?  Will these things be in operation while in port in Bermuda?  I was thinking that may be our chance if we stay on board while in port.

North Star should definitely be in service while in port. I'm on the same sailing, and while I have a reservation for North Star it's during a sea day; never once saw it available for advance reservations on the port days. I don't know if it's just a matter of not allowing it so everyone has a chance while in port, or if I just discovered the availability a little too late (even though I made my reservation the same morning it showed up in my Cruise Planner), but I'm also going to see about getting in line at 8:30 on the second port day and hoping they have a couple open spots. I imagine seeing Bermuda from the North Star would be pretty impressive.

iFly should be open while in port as well; I saw reservations for that as well the same day I booked North Star, but availability was pretty limited for all days. It's possible they're booked solid now, but you can check with one of the staff and see if they had any cancellations or have any unbooked slots left. Do be aware with the iFly that you only get one minute in the thing; the rest of the time is suiting up, getting prepped / hearing the safety speech, waiting your turn, etc. If you want someone to take video, they have to do it from outside the main area where everyone is waiting their turn. If that someone happens to also be doing the iFly with you, they'll have to wait outside while you take your turn, and then you'll switch places so the other person gets their turn.

 

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33 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Enjoy your suite.  You will be ruined hereafter, but that's just the price you will pay for being SO smart !

Thanks Waaaytooo.  Go big or go home I always say!

To answer your question on the champagne, I'm not a huge fan, so 2 bottles would be a bit much.  But if I have to take one for the team and have an extra glass or two, so be it!

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25 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

North Star should definitely be in service while in port. I'm on the same sailing, and while I have a reservation for North Star it's during a sea day; never once saw it available for advance reservations on the port days. I don't know if it's just a matter of not allowing it so everyone has a chance while in port, or if I just discovered the availability a little too late (even though I made my reservation the same morning it showed up in my Cruise Planner), but I'm also going to see about getting in line at 8:30 on the second port day and hoping they have a couple open spots. I imagine seeing Bermuda from the North Star would be pretty impressive.

iFly should be open while in port as well; I saw reservations for that as well the same day I booked North Star, but availability was pretty limited for all days. It's possible they're booked solid now, but you can check with one of the staff and see if they had any cancellations or have any unbooked slots left. Do be aware with the iFly that you only get one minute in the thing; the rest of the time is suiting up, getting prepped / hearing the safety speech, waiting your turn, etc. If you want someone to take video, they have to do it from outside the main area where everyone is waiting their turn. If that someone happens to also be doing the iFly with you, they'll have to wait outside while you take your turn, and then you'll switch places so the other person gets their turn.

 

Thanks Joe.  The Flowrider and IFly are for my stepdaughter so she'll be the one trying to grab a slot, I'll be trying to get on North Star.  I'm disappointed in myself, I thought I was on top of these reservations but apparently I'm just another slacker.

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@Broons77, I missed the part about Flow Rider. There are no reservations for that, ever. Just get in line with everyone when it's open, on any day, and wait your turn. On the port days it will probably be open for limited hours, most likely later in the day.

There is a Cruise Planner option to book a private Flow Rider session, but it's not cheap by any definition. Should still be listed since we're still more than 3 days ahead of embarkation day.

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Hi,

As you are in a suite the concierge will be able to book the iFly and Northstar for you. When we were on Ovation Bing booked us 3 times on the ifly and a couple of times on the Northstar.

We asked her to make the booking on the first day when we got on the ship.

Have fun on Anthem!

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2 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

2.  Room service will NOT deliver drinks to your room, unfortunately.  They WILL bring coffee.

You can probably get a pitcher of virgin bloody marys delivered in the morning.   I usually ask for a pitcher of orange juice in the morning and they deliver that.  We bring our 2-bottle allotment of champagne and have mimosas on the balcony.  There are a few ways you might obtain a modest supply of vodka for the room, with varying degrees of sneakiness.

Keeping it legit, I used to see an option in cruise planner to order a bottle of liquor for the room at like 4x the usual price, but I haven't seen it since the last time they "upgraded" the website.  It was in with the section where you'd order special decorations and the like.

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There should be an email address for the Concierge, someone might have it so you can "try" and communicate with them ahead of time. I'm not promising they will respond.

I don't have it but the address for the Concierge on Liberty was Lb_Concierge@rccl.com, the "Lb" for Liberty.

The guy on Liberty went above and beyond for my Wife and I this summer, after we had already disembarked the ship, I tipped him before we left, but if I ever run in to him again he will get an extra large tip...

 

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I somewhat surprised you didn't get an email from the Suite Concierge.  Maybe it's coming in a day or two.  Feel free to reply to the concierge email with any questions and reservation requests.  

Anthem doesn't have a dedicated Suite Lounge like Oasis class so the 11am-11pm drinks don't happen on Anthem.  There is a Concierge Lounge that Suite guests can use (also Diamond Plus and Pinnacle) that has evening happy hours.  The Concierge Lounge is all the way aft on deck 12.  And I mean allllll.... theeeeee...... wayyyyyyy aft.  If you are all the way aft on another deck you'll burn a few hundred calories walking to the lounge as you have to go forward to the mid-ship stairs/elevators then all the back to the lounge.  

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51 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

@Broons77, I missed the part about Flow Rider. There are no reservations for that, ever. Just get in line with everyone when it's open, on any day, and wait your turn. On the port days it will probably be open for limited hours, most likely later in the day.

There is a Cruise Planner option to book a private Flow Rider session, but it's not cheap by any definition. Should still be listed since we're still more than 3 days ahead of embarkation day.

Good to know, I didn't see anything on Cruise Planner for it aside from the pricey private booking you speak of.  No thank you to that.

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42 minutes ago, twangster said:

I somewhat surprised you didn't get an email from the Suite Concierge.  Maybe it's coming in a day or two.  Feel free to reply to the concierge email with any questions and reservation requests.  

Anthem doesn't have a dedicated Suite Lounge like Oasis class so the 11am-11pm drinks don't happen on Anthem.  There is a Concierge Lounge that Suite guests can use (also Diamond Plus and Pinnacle) that has evening happy hours.  The Concierge Lounge is all the way aft on deck 12.  And I mean allllll.... theeeeee...... wayyyyyyy aft.  If you are all the way aft on another deck you'll burn a few hundred calories walking to the lounge as you have to go forward to the mid-ship stairs/elevators then all the back to the lounge.  

Thanks, Twangbot.  I haven't been on any Q class ship yet.  Thanks for correcting the Suites lounge thing.  I thought the Q class ships had a Suites lounge, too.

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@tiny260 @twangster  - IFly/Flowrider is actually for my stepdaughter who is staying with her grandmother in a balcony room so the concierge isn't supposed to be able to help me out there.  I will definitely ask about the North Star for the missus and myself.  I'm expecting the email any day now.  We're still 11 days out and the scuttlebutt I've seen is that the email comes around a week prior.

 

@Orange Crush - The overpriced booze is still there, in the 'Royal Gifts' section.  Not only do you have to pay a lot for it, but you have to hunt to the depths of the website to do so! ?

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1 hour ago, F1guynz said:

Hi,

As you are in a suite the concierge will be able to book the iFly and Northstar for you. When we were on Ovation Bing booked us 3 times on the ifly and a couple of times on the Northstar.

We asked her to make the booking on the first day when we got on the ship.

Have fun on Anthem!

Thanks F1!  We are in a suite, so I'll be asking the concierge.  My bucket list includes a stop to your beautiful country!

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1 hour ago, mworkman said:

@Broons77 Oasis, as I'm cruising toward the Bahamas for day 4 tomorrow.

Enjoy and thank you!

 

2 hours ago, CGTLH said:

Breakfast room service menu is standard across the feet. Also, keep in mind you'll be charged bar price for a Bloody Mary via room service even if you have a drink package.

I better get a thank you card from the RCCL shareholders for what I'm contributing to this years profit margin with this cruise.

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30 minutes ago, Susie said:

Happy for everyone that booked a suite but feel like I might be the poorest person here. Only can afford balcony right now.

Not poor at all! Many here book interior rooms, not because of a lack of funds, but simply because that means more cruises that can be booked! ?

Youre just getting an early exposure to our “Suite Snob” contingent, which definitely skews things a bit. ? Also, several here who regularly book suites are doing so as members of the Club Royale casino loyalty program that Royal has. You have to gamble a lot more than I’d ever be comfortable with, but at the same time you can gamble way short of what I’d consider “high roller” levels and manage to score really good discounts on high-end suites. Especially if you have a travel agent like the legendary Michelle!

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Just now, JLMoran said:

Not poor at all! Many here book interior rooms, not because of a lack of funds, but simply because that means more cruises that can be booked! ?

Youre just getting an early exposure to our “Suite Snob” contingent, which definitely skews things a bit. ? Also, several here who regularly book suites are doing so as members of the Club Royale casino loyalty program that Royal has. You have to gamble a lot more than I’d ever be comfortable with, but at the same time you can gamble way short of what I’d consider “high roller” levels and manage to score really good discounts on high-end suites. Especially if you have a travel agent like the legendary Michelle!

LOL, I do penny or $0.05 slot and sure that does not count for Club Royale.  Might try Jr. Suite if the price is right in the future. Three people, Me, my husband and my 6 years old bring the suite price little too high.

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2 hours ago, Broons77 said:

I better get a thank you card from the RCCL shareholders for what I'm contributing to this years profit margin with this cruise.

As a shareholder I thank you...

Now, would you be interested in purchasing a Beverage or Dining package? Please don't forget to visit Next Cruise while onboard! /sarcasm

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2 hours ago, JLMoran said:

Not poor at all! Many here book interior rooms, not because of a lack of funds, but simply because that means more cruises that can be booked! ?<span><span>

Lol! ??Guilty! 

@Susie don't feel bad. These boards are a wonderful resource and this community is so great that we can even poke fun at each other but in all honesty, any cruise is a great cruise. We have sailed everything from insides to suites and while we do prefer suites, we have not had a "bad time" on any cruise. Well, except that Carnival one. ?

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3 hours ago, Susie said:

Happy for everyone that booked a suite but feel like I might be the poorest person here. Only can afford balcony right now.

Truth is I sail often in an interior cabin.  Super Mario has over 7,500 points in the Crown and Anchor system.  He lives on ships and he chooses interior cabins.  

Some people jokingly say once you've had a balcony or a suite you can't go back but I have and do all the time.  I've had suites and they are great but that isn't what makes the cruise.  My worst Royal cruise was in a junior suite.  

Don't ever feel you are missing out because you don't have a suite.  

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7 hours ago, Broons77 said:

@tiny260 @twangster  - IFly/Flowrider is actually for my stepdaughter who is staying with her grandmother in a balcony room so the concierge isn't supposed to be able to help me out there.  I will definitely ask about the North Star for the missus and myself.  I'm expecting the email any day now.  We're still 11 days out and the scuttlebutt I've seen is that the email comes around a week prior.

Worst case - as soon as you board head to Boleros one deck down using the circular staircase right in front of you after stepping onto the ship.  There you will find the box office staff in a temporary setup to book exactly these types of reservations.  On a B2B in December I was first in line at Boleros and got all my reservations when they never showed up despite daily checking before sailing.  

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9 hours ago, CGTLH said:

As a shareholder I thank you...

Now, would you be interested in purchasing a Beverage or Dining package? Please don't forget to visit Next Cruise while onboard! /sarcasm

Ha!!!!

Dining package?  Nonsense, let me just book the dinners individually.  Discount packages cut into profits!

If you really want me to support your investment returns, you should be directing me to the RC website during non-sales periods!  ?

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11 hours ago, Susie said:

LOL, I do penny or $0.05 slot and sure that does not count for Club Royale.  Might try Jr. Suite if the price is right in the future. Three people, Me, my husband and my 6 years old bring the suite price little too high.

I play the penny slots and I was able to get 300 off a cruise. I am not a high roller.

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12 hours ago, Susie said:

Happy for everyone that booked a suite but feel like I might be the poorest person here. Only can afford balcony right now.

I have never been able to afford a balcony.....and I have booked a dozen cruises over the years....so don't feel badly....now my excuse is that airfare from Canada kills any chance of me being able to afford to upgrade my bookings but...

 

That being said...I spend NO time in the room so as nice as the view might be, I would rather take more cruises or longer cruises with an inside room at the end of the day....

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12 hours ago, JLMoran said:
12 hours ago, Susie said:

Happy for everyone that booked a suite but feel like I might be the poorest person here. Only can afford balcony right now.

Not poor at all! Many here book interior rooms, not because of a lack of funds, but simply because that means more cruises that can be booked! ?

We book interior all the time! That way we get a GREAT vacation booked on the cheaper side and then we can put the extra funds toward the other aspects of the cruise that matter more to us. (Excursions, drinks, dining, casino, etc!) 

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8 hours ago, twangster said:

Worst case - as soon as you board head to Boleros one deck down using the circular staircase right in front of you after stepping onto the ship.  There you will find the box office staff in a temporary setup to book exactly these types of reservations.  On a B2B in December I was first in line at Boleros and got all my reservations when they never showed up despite daily checking before sailing.  

This is probably what I'm going to do seeing as how I don't want to overstep my concierge with a request like this.  We're planning on showing up right around 10:30 so hopefully I should be able to get something ahead of the crowds and still have plenty of time to look around and grab lunch while waiting for the staterooms to be opened.

Speaking of which, do the suites get opened any earlier than the other cabins?  Thinking no as I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere...

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23 minutes ago, ellcee said:

Staaahhhpp. I have an inside room. I don't care, I'm cruising.

I normally will book inside if the price is high. However, we just make it to Diamond member so I just celebrate it and booked the balcony this time. Hope weather good for us when we sail in Thanksgiving week to the Bahamas with Anthem.

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