WrittenOnYourHeart

To go in and retrofit outlets where none exist would take longer than the regular drydock - or even the revolutionizing.

I'm back! And lesson learned!!! Royal is not for me anymore - at least not their larger ships!! Anthem was totally full (4905 passengers!!) with 1600 under 18s and it was so obvious - especially since our first 2 sea days and last day and a half of sea days were too cold to be outside (and the afternoon of our first returning sea day we encountered rough seas so Flow Rider, climbing, and iFly were all cancelled meaning everyone was inside. I'm glad I tried it - now I know. And I did love Spectra's Cabaret in Two70. But other than that, I am ready to be back on Celebrity in July!! (Also Disney in November for my best friend's wedding. I actually really like Disney...kids tend to stay in their clubs which don't have the random hours of opening or closing like RCCL did.)

That has to be the easiest debarkation ever. After an early breakfast in the Windjammer, I went back to my cabin to brush my teeth and get my stuff, then headed down to Deck 5 to get in line. I was in line by 6:30 or so and I was at the back of the sculpture there. I think it was around 6:50 a crew member came down asking us to make sure we had our SeaPass cards in hand, so that was a good clue we were about to start moving. And sure enough, we did. Quick trip down the escalator and then walking through the area where they were putting out baggage and a stop at the facial recognition screen at customs and I was outside. A bit of a struggle to get a signal (T-Mobile is not the greatest at the port), but I was in an Uber by 7:01 and home by 7:45! Merida is doing well and is doing her velcro cat routine. 🙂 So... My overall thoughts... I'm glad I tried such a large ship. Granted, part of the issues may be that it was a totally full sailing with 1600 under 18s on board - and that both of our sea days going down and the better part of both returning were cold so everyone was inside - but I don't think a ship this size or larger is for me. I am not one who needs or uses things like bumper cars (those belong in amusement parks, not on ships), Flow Riders, or iFly fake sky diving. I've done my 3 previous Royal cruises on Radiance- class ships (I'm only missing the Serenade to complete the set), and that size feels about right for me. But as I said, I'm glad I tried it. If you don't try you'll always wonder. Leaning into my teacher side, here's my list of Glows and Grows Glows * Spectra's Cabaret. Hands down this was the highlight of my cruise! * Beach Bed on South Beach. I'm not 100% decided on Coco Cay overall (it's extremely busy, and it feels like a lot of space is devoted to the water park which is not my jam. * The serving team of Don and Zaq who I had both nights I did MTD and was in Silk. * My solo balcony cabin. Yes, it's small, but I don't pack a ton of stuff and I don't need a lot of space. As my TA said, "Everything you need, nothing you don't". Bonus for the extra large balcony...I just wish it had been warm enough to actually enjoy it! * The Bionic Bar was cool. I do wish they had other flavored vodka options than Vanilla as there is a drink I would have love to have made but it requires raspberry and blueberry. That's just me though. It was cool to watch the drinks be made and see the recipe. * Though I'm not a pool person, I love that they have a solid adult-only Solarium - which is made possible by having the option for the indoor family pool. I can only imagine that when the ship they're getting next year which doesn't have that enclosed area the adults will lose that space for the first 2 days so kids have somewhere to splash. It is LOVELY to have a quiet retreat area to chill. Grows * Their gluten-free game. While I didn't go hungry, this could definitely be improved. Particularly with selection. I was shocked that they don't have gluten-free chicken fingers (or nuggets) - especially as a cruise line that partners with Autims on the Seas. As a teacher of kids with autism, I know a lot of them are on gluten-free diets, and many of them have food issues and often only eat chicken fingers/nuggets. There also seemed to be issues with fries - at Chops, they appeared to have been baked, not fried, and at the MDR brunch, the steak frites was only steak...though ketchup was brought. The 2 dinners I was in the MDR - one of which I had pre-ordered, one I had not - were well done and I had options. I will say Celebrity does a much better job at actually labeling things - both on the menus and at the buffet. And Disney flat-out has allergy menus for all of its MDRs. * Other entertainment shows. I lasted 5 minutes of The Gift and not super long at We Will Rock You (though my escaping that one was less obvious since during the afternoon show on Day 7 we started hitting rough water so a number of people left unable to handle the movement...I'm sure people just assumed the motion was bothering me) * Nassau. Grated I'm not sure where else they would go, but that port is over-done. * The entrance to the Solarium Bistro being only in the 18+ area since kids are allowed to eat there. Because the entrance is inside the 18+ area, kids do come into the 18+ area for that. Most leave after, but... (Royal isn't alone in that awkwardness. At least the Dream class ships on Disney have the forward stairs/elevators that open onto the adult pool area, so kids are constantly walking through to get to the all-ages pool area.) Overall I did have a good time, and as I said, I'm glad I tried it. Thanks for following along!

I think that was last night. Not positive. Thank you!

Brunch was no problem (other than the no frites). And other than the server I had the port day I went to breakfast having some attitude, breakfast was no problem.

I can see how it wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea. And I would certainly never talk someone they were wrong for not liking it or getting it. But I loved it! It makes me think, which I appreciate.

Just goes to show how objective this topic can be. Spectra’s Cabaret has been the absolute highlight of my cruise on the Anthem this week! I absolutely love the creativity of it!! I saw it 2 full times and ran up after dinner tonight to catch all but 10 minutes of it! On the other hand, I hated We Will Rock You. Only lasted 30 minutes before walking out. Though that did get 25 more minutes than The Gift which only got 5 before I bolted. (And for someone who lives in New York, a Broadway show is a LOT cheaper than a cruise!)

Did dinner at MTD once more since I had pre-ordered. French Onion Soup, Chicken Chettinad, and Crema Catalina. All yummy! It was 7:05 when I finished, so I hoofed it to Two70 and was able to scoot up to the balcony to catch most of Spectra’s Cabaret one last time. That show truly has been the highlight of my cruise. Now to finish all but last-minute packing and try to get some sleep. It’s gonna be an early morning. 😢

It’s become kind of a tradition to do a “Toast to vacation” selfie. This one was colder than usual! (The drink is From Here to Orion from the Bionic Bar. Cuervo Gold, Blue Curaçao, and Sprite) Came up to the Solarium to read for a bit before dinner (only problem with evening cleaning - it’s between 5 and 8 ) and nature started showing off.

Decided to try the MDR “brunch” which was in American Icon. I got a much nicer waiter than the time I did breakfast (the one who acted like it was a huge issue I had not pre-ordered.) It was ok… My server cut my wedge salad for me - not a fan, but whatever. He also neglected to say that apparently the frites part of steak frites would be a problem - I didn’t get them. 😢 I can only assume they don’t have a dedicated fryer - which isn’t a problem for me, but I don’t like to cause issues and confusion. They did bring ketchup, which was weird since no frites ever appeared. Overall I have not been thrilled with their gluten-free game - lots of stuff they should have available but don’t (chicken fingers for example…or a dedicated fryer at the MDRs). It’s especially surprising since they partner with Autism on the Seas and a lot of people with autism eat gluten-free…and kids especially can be super choosy about their foods, many only eating things like chicken nuggets/fingers. Still… Pics from “brunch”… Post cutting - I had no chance to take a pic before. Steak no frites - they just weren’t there and never appeared. Ketchup did though. At least I knew this dessert was fine. I know people ask about the table situation. Yes, they appear to have the ability to split 4-tops by doing something like 229 and 229B, but they are not far apart. A bread plate is the reference. Not sure what I am doing this afternoon. Maybe wander, maybe read.

I hope you have a great time!

That’s great for you. That was not the case for me. I know what I experienced and that was loud music and heavy bass coming from behind me where there was nothing but brush between me and Hideaway.

It was! I was a bit afraid of the menu, but my server helped me make decisions that worked for me!

Sorry for not posting yesterday. Most of the day was pre-packing and just chilling. I tried We Will Rock You but left - it just wasn’t for me (especially very nasal voices which all of the lead females had). Dinner was at Wonderland and it was great! I had brought my own wine in a clear glass and my server poured it into one of their fancy glasses! Reconstructed Caprese, Tomato Water, Crab Cones (minus the cone), and the Bird’s Nest. (All was adapted for me being gluten-free.) Snap, Crackle and Pork and The Chicken and the Egg (I couldn’t decide!!) Forbidden Apple (also adapted). Sadly because I am allergic to peanuts I could not have The World. 😢 We have been very rocky since around noon yesterday. Barf bags were out last night. It doesn’t bother me - my mom says my sister and I got our Navy granddaddy’s genes.

It was coming from behind me and I was in Beach Bed 71 which means nothing but brush behind me.

This thing puzzles me. Is is just supposed to be the world’s smallest lazy river? And in my “Beth’s brain is on vacation” moment… I spent yesterday wishing I had brought a water bottle on board. I started doing a light pack up so tomorrow isn’t awful and realized I have my cup with straw from CocoCay. 🤦🏼‍♀️ So I have a water “bottle” today.

Concerned I could have dealt with. This guy was very accusatory - or sounded that way. If he had said something other than “Are you ever planning to come to dinner here?” perhaps it would have felt concerned. It can be all in the phrasing.

It was pretty good. I had to ask for butter though - like how in the Windjammer I have to get it from the bread area. The avatar is from the NoH8 campaign. They do pictures periodically in various cities. (The other was Gamora from Guardians of the Galaxy.)

Decided to try one of the MDRs tonight. Made a reservation so I could get in the line for the Silk side. It was nice. Had the Buffalo chicken dip, the steak, and a gluten-free cake. It was good. I ordered for Saturday night since I have Wonderland tomorrow night. I’m tired so will likely just shower and chill in my cabin tonight. Just heard an Alpha Alpha Alpha call a few minutes ago. I hope whoever it is is ok! (It may have nothing to do with this, but I have seen a lot of kids running around unattended. Before dinner I was sitting in The Via reading and some kids were running around with walkie talkies - I discovered later when their dad (or the adult male with them) came out of Jamie’s to say the food was about to come. So they were just allowed to run all over rather than sit at their table and wait. One of them hid so he had to go and find them, then they were running (as he half-heartedly said to stop) to the restaurant and it was all I could do to not bust out laughing when I heard them fall. They were fine - but come on. I hope the Alpha call is not because someone ran into someone and knocked them down!)

Thanks!

Well, we won between us and Liberty in terms of lack of pier runners (our gangway was in first)…but we seemed to have more people too drunk -or just observant - to tell the difference between light blue (us) and white (Liberty) because a number of people had to be redirected to us from Liberty’s gangway. 🤣🤣 I got a Galaxy from the Bionic Bar - it was yummy! Sprite, Vanilla Absolut, and Orange. Tasted like a creamsicle!

Will do!! I am kinda bummed that we backed in and the pier is on the starboard side. I like watching pier runners! Guess I will have to head to the top deck…or maybe deck 5…around 4:20.

“Balcony Maintenance” today appears to be spray washing them down. They were just on my balcony doing that. I am being a rebel and have my curtains open. 🤣🤣 If they want to peep me reading while fully dressed, go for it. 🤣🤣

Correct. This was the one that goes up and down. It is included in your cruise fare but did need to be reserved. It felt like we rotated a little bit, but not like at sea. They can’t do the extended one in port because there are other ships and if one had to move it would be bad. It was a little warm - the crew member operating it said he was going to have to put on the air. I decided to get off for a bit just to see. I was back on in half an hour. 🤣🤣 No more Nassau for me unless I am on an excursion. It did provide a respite from all the crew drills happening! I know they are vital, but the announcements and alarms can be disconcerting even when you know what was going on. (Speaking of safety, during sail away yesterday, a mom and kid were out on deck 5 and looked among the ropes at one of the life rings and the mom said “Oh someone found it.” I didn’t have the heart to tell her that in something affecting safety such as that, it was likely a crew member who would have trashed it. In the event of an inspection - which can happen at any time - anything like that found in or on safety equipment is a penalty. So if you are going to hide ducks, stick to things that are not part of the ship’s safety equipment. Ducks in safety equipment is part of why Disney put the kibosh on hiding them. People being insane and literally tearing through on board plants and such is another, but the hiding in safety equipment was the major one.) Decided to try a gluten-free pizza from Sorrento’s. It is ok…a little too much sauce for me. The menu looks ok tonight, so I decided to chance going to MTD. Got a reservation at 7. We’ll see if I get fussed at for being gluten-free tonight.

Currently chilling in the Adult Solarium until time for my North Star at 11:30. Kinda wishing I had picked an earlier time, but it is what it is. I *might* walk to the straw market after…last time I was there was the old one in 1982. We’ll see. We have 3 other ships in port (so far) - Carnival Elation and Conquest, Liberty (again), and just watched MSC Merviglia pull in. She seemed to me to be coming in hot, but has now slowed to a creep. Going to work on finishing my second book for the cruise today. I would be on my balcony, but I got a notice that they were doing maintenance today. They did on PC day also, but I honestly can’t tell what was done besides a “Wet Paint” sign taped on the glass. Oh well.