PigsCanFly

my DW always takes  dramamine equivalent daily on our cruises and never has a motion issue.  I don't take them, but have once or twice had nausea. but we are certain that it was not motion related, but alcohol related.

We followed a map that someone had put in the Bahamas page here non cruise critic.  I will try to find it, but it was a while back.

On 12/6/2023 at 5:17 PM, Lokip53 said:

We were on a pretty solid cruise rhythm for over a decade leading up to our last cruise (pre-covid) in Feb 2020 right before things lit off. 

 

We're excited to be jumping back in the saddle on Odyssey next month, but are sure that things have changed a bit (or more) over the past four years.

 

What should we be ready for? 

We have sailed 8 cruises post Covid  on Royal.  Things are different, but we still enjoyed every cruise we have had on Royal pre and post Covid.  MDR menus have changed but we 3 have no complaints about the options.  The muster has greatly improved post Covid.  Specialty prices are up, but none of the ones we have attended were not worth our cost.  Playmakers has been a great place to catch a game and food/drink.  Only one time was it so busy that we had to wait a bit for food.  When it showed up, it was great.

We have been on Anthem several times and will be on her next week and in Feb 2024.  We were in a Balcony (3 of us, DW & I ans Adult Son) in stateroom 11298.  It was fine.  We don't believe that any of out visits on Anthem have had bad rooms.  They have been either Balcony of Jr Suites.  Try to avoid the rooms with obstructed views and you will enjoy your cruise on Anthem.  

FYI. We are sailing next Sunday on Anthem and although the show times recently appeared in the app, each show (other than Spectra) says no reservations needed.  Check your app ~ 10 days prior to sailing to see when the shows will be available.

Port Liberty in Bayonne, NJ is $30/day.

We took a walking tour that included the Queens staircase, the greycliff, the chocolate shop, and a few other tidbits.  The staircase was a bit of a climb, but there are a few places on the way up to sit and recharge.  My adult son and I never felt unsafe.  It was 5 or 6 years ago, so I don't know what may have changed.  We have gone to the Straw Market a few times over the years.  The last time we got off in Nassau, we went to Sharkey's for the Conch Fritters.  Have stayed onboard the last 4-5 stops.

there is a family type pirate show on coco cay.  no cost, cute but corny show.

14 hours ago, dani negreanu said:

 

Do free cruises count towards Pinnacle?

Yet another multipost

14 hours ago, dani negreanu said:

 

Do free cruises count towards Pinnacle?

multipost

14 hours ago, dani negreanu said:

 

Do free cruises count towards Pinnacle?

Our first RCL cruise was comped from a land based casino.  Each of our subsequent RCL cruises have been comped by Casino Royale folks.  We have only paid the port fees & taxes and occasionally an extra fee for a third guest (our DS).  DW & I do enjoy gambling and despite some nice wins, we generally lose more than we win.  All of our cruises on RCL have been comped and we are now DP340+ (all 3 of us).  So, Yes, C&A points are granted for "comped"  cruises.

Thanks for the summary.  We are on Anthem  on Dec 10th.  We are big fans of AotS and are glad that it seems to be still good.  We are looking forward to returning.  Love the WWRY show and we hear the new Spectra is good.  If only the casino folks will be kind (and generous) to us this time.

4 hours ago, skittl1321 said:

Sailing Anthem next summer. Super bummed to hear I will always need to have my phone. I really hate carrying my phone on a cruise. 

I also don't want to carry my phone around.  Since they switched over, I have always just requested a paper one and got one daily with no issues.  I also always request a paper menu in the MDR. 

In the past, we brought a folding fabric table in our checked bag. It doubled as a extra chair for our son.

I always have AA and AAA batteries for my camera and other devices.  I usually board from a port stop with my camera (4 AAAs) and another 4 AAAs in my pocket (spares).  The only issue is when I forget to take them out before the scanner. I then put them thru the bag scanner, no issue.

Also, OP, anytime we have cruised Royal in December, the tree and decorations are already put up on the promenade. Last cruise we were on over Thanksgiving, they put them up on the day after Thanksgiving and had a lighting of the tree (Very big tree)

38 minutes ago, PigsCanFly said:

From what I have seen of available videos 8329 is just below the slide on the Symphony,  strm  9329 would have the view of the aqua stage/show blocked by the tube.  I won't know for sure until July.  Our next 2 cruises are on Anthem, so no boardwalk on Quantum class.  I will attempt to find where I saw the video for 8329 and share the info.

try checking out this link. These folks have a good take on the Oasis class boardwalk balcony views:

https://www.mycruisingfamily.com/blog/2022/4/18/the-truth-about-royal-caribbeans-boardwalk-view-balconies

Sorry if this ia against the rules, moderator.

1 hour ago, Morecruisesplz said:

Does lower or higher in that last aft boardwalk balcony deck make a difference in the view?

From what I have seen of available videos 8329 is just below the slide on the Symphony,  strm  9329 would have the view of the aqua stage/show blocked by the tube.  I won't know for sure until July.  Our next 2 cruises are on Anthem, so no boardwalk on Quantum class.  I will attempt to find where I saw the video for 8329 and share the info.

On 11/25/2023 at 8:50 PM, RFerrington said:

I haven’t seen one of the plastic bags since the restart.  All I ever get are the paper bags now.

That is one of the reasons I always bring tape.  I find that the paper bags (with tape added) allow more rolled laundry.

We are booked on Symphony otS in July 2024 in 8329 in a Boardwalk Balcony. We are looking forward to watching the Aqua shows from our balcony.  It has a clear view.  Be forewarned, many of the Boardwalk balcony have views of the aqua stage blocked by the spiral slides.  DS and I stayed  in a Boardwalk balcony on Oasis once near the Carousel and enjoyed the music and watching the activity on the Boardwalk.  I have also heard other folks rave re: their Central Park balcony rooms.  

On 11/12/2023 at 3:54 PM, Happytime22 said:

put this in another thread BUT no answers:

I have always used a wireless travel Router at Hotels (TP-Link AC750 Travel Router) as I do not like being ‘open’ on wireless connections.

I read somewhere that many ships, even with Starlink, had very poor connectivity in your stateroom? 

I’m will be more aft on the 12^th floor on Symphony and want to make sure that I actually would get connectivity without a problem… as I do most of my on-line work in my cabin and if the connection is bad… would not buy the daily package.

 

Anyone have experiences?

We will be on Anthem in 2 weeks and will be using the same travel router from our room,  We used it on HAL Zuiderdam in September with no issues. On Anthem we will be very close to the aft elevators, so I expect decent connectivity.

We cruised with our 9mo old son 30 years ago on the Norway.  I remember carrying a bunch of stuff onboard. Lots of gerber jars, diapers, equipment for baby safety.  The one most useful addition , for DW & I, was we brought my MIL.  Our son and his Grandmother shared the same sleep schedule which allowed DW & I to enjoy evenings on the ship.  Now, 30 years later, our DS is D+ on RCL and 4* mariner on HAL.  Be forewarned. cruising can be addictive for any age.

We are also booked on upcoming cruise with 2 rooms based on free room offers for DW and I.  I am in a JS with our Son and DW is booked solo in an inside room nearby.  DS and I will fet 2 pts each for the JS and DW will get 2 pts for a solo.  DW & DS will get keys for the other rooms and DW & I will share the JS, DS gets the inside (w/virtual balcony and none of my snoring). DS is 30 yrs old, and self sufficient so not an issue of child? left on his own😉

Our soda package purchases are also charged gratuities.  I hope it pays the folks to keep the machines stocked/working.  If we use the bar or waiter to for a soda, we usually give them a buck tip.

We have receivgne ed chocolate covered strawberries often from either the casino or the C&A folks.  They are never left uneaten.  We also have received Champagne or Wine from the Casino folks .  The champagne better than e gets consumed by DW & I, wine becomes Christmas gifts for wine drinkers in the family.  As for specialty restaurants, We also endorse CP150 on Oasis class.  For us it has been much better than Chops.  The Italian restaurant and Izumi rank next for Us.

On 11/10/2023 at 5:22 PM, ZoeyVictoria said:

Three-card poker is fun because there is nothing you could do that would affect or irritate other players (as happens in blackjack).  There is usually great camaraderie because every player (and the dealer) wants the others to do well.  

That is why I play 3-card.  It is usually a fun crowd.  That is also why I will not play BJ at a casino.  Other players seem to think that everyone else is doing the "wrong" things solely to affect their play.  That does not happen (that I have witnessed) on 3-card.  And I am still chasing a second Royal Flush.  The 6-card bet keeps me playing.  Love those 5 card straights and above.  A couple of wins can pay for my week.