Ethelfleda

Hi everyone,

I"ve mostly been cruising with friends lately - but just booked an 11 night Solo on Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas, Sept 16 - 27.   

Cheers,

FL

Ugh - my last trip on the Anthem was with my roommate's parents, who wanted to eat at a non-standard seating time for the MDR. We tried the MTD with reservations, and it was often a 20 minute wait to be seated. No THANK you! I am back on the Anthem on Saturday, but I've got the late seating in the MDR (such as it is) so I won't have to wait in that queue every night.

That is far and away my favorite view from every ship.. The mixed blues in the wake are so beautiful as it undulates behind.

Quiet morning, went to Easter Mass with a priest I assume they brought on just for this cruise.

 

Then, we went to a meet and greet with the officers (we said hello to the captain!).

 

Now, we're just relaxing and enjoying the view. [emoji41]

 

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Loving this review, Andy.. thank you for sharing your perspective!

Take the time to wander the halls and admire the artwork, even along all the halls that are just cabins. You might be surprised at some of the great things (and horrible choices) they have hanging on the walls.

I found them very hard.. but three blankets folded in half under my "topper" (requested in advance from special needs) fixed that problem. Yes, I like a softer bed, and Royals beds kill my hips if I don't pad them like crazy.

I often describe cruises as a resort that changes beautiful locations while I sleep (or drink, or read, or party). I love the service (and yes, I feel like I get good service the great majority of the time), the ambiance of the ships themselves, and the no stress time I get to spend with the people I choose to share my vacation with. Also I'm addicted to the flowrider, so at the moment anyway - "no flow, no go".

Yes, and I really enjoyed the escape room on the Anthem.

I tried to reserve it as soon as I got on board (went to a long line and when I got to the front was put on a waiting list because "all the slots were full"). Then when I got my Royal IQ app up, I was able to register for a spot without a problem. I recommend loading up the Royal IQ app as soon as possible and making your reservation with it. I also got an iFly reservation for my cabinmate the same way.

I will have to look into the thing in 270.. that sounds like fun too!

So glad I saw this. Every post I read seems to give different info about securing a reservation for the escape room. Anyone actually ever do it and can tell me where on Anthem to do this?

Yep - right outside the arcade (which is sad, because the noisy machines sometimes drown out the beautiful tings, dings, and "knock, knock, knock" sounds. I spent hours enjoying it on my Explorer cruise in September/October.

Can you request mattress toppers for the beds?

I always email special needs ahead of time and request that the bed be provided with extra padding. They no longer have the eggcrates, but they do have padded mattress cover-like things. I also then have my cabin attendant add 2 or 3 folded in half lengthwise blankets under that padding to make it softer (the beds are separated, so I just need that on my bed, my roommate doesn't mind the firmness of the beds).

I find it quite comfortable when all is said and done. Good luck!

FL

They really need a hot tub by the flowrider. The problem is you can't keep flowriding you have to wait in line which is when you freeze.

 

JC

I LOVE the idea of a hot tub by the flowrider. Yes please!

I know for certain that the flowriders on the Explorer, Independence, and Liberty are able to heat the water -and have asked the staff to turn on the heater at times. They sometimes do, sometimes don't.

Following along, thank you for sharing your thoughts! I"ll be getting on board shortly after you disembark.

Following along!

Oh have a great trip!! I'd love any updates you care to post. (I'm boarding the Indy on the 27th for a B2B, and am ridiculously excited).

Usually for flights when disembarking in PE and flying out of FLL it's 11:30am...however I seem to remember a (post) slight difference when using SW...best to check directly with that airlines.

Thanks for the info.. I"ll leave my flight as is then. I don't really want to cool my heels in the airport any longer than necessary. I'm not worried about the post, since my flight is at 11:50, but I'm betting that's useful intel for other travelers.

Cheers,

FL

I've used this service but I don't recall how late your flight needs to leave to be eligible. More specifically I"ll be on the Independence of the Seas out of Fort Lauderdale, flying out of FLL. I've got a SW flight that leaves at 11:50 (I was going out very early, but then decided to turn my trip into a B2B, which solved the need to rush home at the same time), but I might be tempted to change it to after noon if that's the break point for the luggage service. Anyone have recent info on how early ones flight can be and still sign up?

Thanks!

Guess I've been missing the opportunity for a nap/shower hybrid this whole time. So if you're an addict, surely you can stand longer than a moment by now?

 

I don't have an issue with the Royal beds. I sleep very well on them.

I suppose I do occasionally stay up for a longer run these days.. it's a lot of fun.

Please don't let me distract you from your review.. I"m eager for the rest!

Why, thank you Ethel. Hope you stick with it. Is that a pic of you standing on the Flowrider? Impressive!

Thank you, and it is.. a brief shining moment of standing before I crashed into the .. what's under that stream of water anyway? Mat? Trampoline? The bedding I wish that Royal would put on the beds instead of the boards they must use under the mattress cover instead of padding?

I am a flowrider addict, and now that I think about it it must have to do with the amount of time I spend lying down on the very comfortable surface as the water pushes me up the hill to the drain at the top. It's like a shower and a nap, all at once. Very refreshing. Strongly recommended!

Oh I'm so following this review!! Thank you in advance for the rest!

Yes! I"ve got Anthem in mid April (7 night), and Harmony B2B in Late Sept to mid Oct (each 7 nights). I loves me some big ships!

I always request a mattress topper via special_needs and haven't been disappointed yet. The Cabin attendant has always either already had it on the bed, or tells me immediately that it will be placed before I'm back from dinner when we meet before the muster drill.

You can send an email to special_needs@rccl.com with your request. This can also be used to indicate dietary restrictions, medical accommodations, etc. No guarantees on how reliable this will be -- you will typically be advised to follow up with the appropriate crew once on board (e.g. cabin steward, maitre'd, etc.).

OP - I totally agree with you. I once had a cruise where all the mattress toppers were given out before I met my cabin attendant to request one. Now I contact special needs before every cruise and request that they be provided. I still usually add another blanket or three for additional padding because they did away with the egg crates (for hygiene reasons, i"m cool with that). The beds are painfully firm for a big woman who sleeps on her side. My hips ACHE. I'm diamond though - so I'm powering through!

Oh - good suggestion! I'm in!

Thank you!

I would also get in the self-assist line at least an hour before scheduled ship arrival.

Has anyone been able to book a cruise for the subsequent cruise on the same ship (as in, going to Next Cruise as soon as they open and creating an impromptu B2B?)

I'm flying Southwest, so I"m sure I could just change my flight to one 5 nights later and go right back out (one laundry service, and I'm good to go again).

I may not have the search chops to figure out if this question has been addressed before - but I wasn't able to find anything on it. I apologize if I overlooked it.

Any insight is welcome, thank you.