reallyitsmema

No Hibachi on Anthem and Izumi is tiny!

We enjoyed Wonderland but not sure it is a great choice for a 5 yr old birthday. The venue is smaller and they really didn't have many in costume. I wouldn't do Sorrentos either, that is a very busy venue with lots filling freestyle cups or passing through to Cafe Promenade. I would pick Jamies. That is a larger venue and you could see about bringing decorations that you could coordinate with the restaurant. They have an outside area that isn't used much that might be an option or there are tables that are on the Via that they could set you up. A lot depends on what your daughter likes to eat too.

We have had pool towels left in our suite and if they aren't there, we get them from the suite sun deck area. They are usually just in a basket that you can take them from without checking them out.

I don't like her either but Sifu is driving me crazy! Why does he always talk in the third person? It is so arrogant to talk like that.

That area is supposedly used as a crew smoking area too.

We have booked many GTY cabins but will not book a GTY on Voyager class ships or Freedom class ships because of the aft facing balconies and suites on deck 6 and 7. GTY cabins are not always the bad cabins as some like to claim as we have done a suite GTY and ended up with a 2 bedroom grand suite. To the OP, always good to do a little research on the ship before rolling the dice on a GTY. Quantum class ships also have cabins that a lot of people don't like. They are obstructed balconies on deck 6 that look out at the side of lifeboats or at davits. As you saw from the pictures posted earlier in this thread, you do have a really good view if you stand at the railing but if you sit, you are looking at a lifeboat.

I think you meant suite class perks, not star class perks.

Found one from 2017.

I have pictures that I was trying to find from when we sailed from Port Everglades the day of the airshow. We had an escort and there were multiple other boats surrounding the Navy ships in port. I am sure it is increased security but I also think, in that port at least, it depends on what other ships are in port. I have pictures of the guy on the gun waving to everyone as we sailed away.

I have seen an escort like that many times, especially from Port Everglades.

Interesting change on this week's Wonder sailing. Just saw this letter posted elsewhere. Edit: Oops, didn't see it posted elsewhere here. Disregard.

There is a big storm off the coast, so leaving from a northern port would have encountered really rough seas last night. This shows there is clearing below now and should allow you guys to get to Bermuda.

I would have had a discussion with the Head of Housekeeping and if that didn't make it happen, I would have spoken to the Hotel Director. The newer sofabeds are easier to close but they should have taken care of it.

We have heard announcements like that before and it has usually been a missing teen.

Same can be said about here too. 😄

Nothing wrong with trying to be prepared, just don't take everything he says as gospel. Things change constantly and that video is five months old. Things are different ship to ship and sailing to sailing too, so sometimes, you need to go with the flow. 🙂

Watch the video starting just after 6 minutes. That section is what the OP is referring to and he does mention first seating. OP is a first time cruiser trying to figure things out. That Blog is not always right. As far as MTD, you can make reservations starting at 6:45 but many people have said they have just shown up without reservations, way before 6:45 and have been seated because MTD is not on its own level as the blog states, it is in the first seating dining room and will fill people into tables that are no shows for first seating.

It absolutely says to get in the MTD line if you are late. I am listening to it now.

Bruins home opener on here. Will watch Survivor tomorrow.

@dani negreanu Thank you for updating us. My heart goes out to you and your family. I can't imagine what you are going through and am a loss for words as to what to say. You are in my prayers. 🙏🏻

I would definitely bid on Symphony, probably even the JS if the starting bid wasn't too much. I just didn't see the value of bidding for the JS on Serenade. We could have bid on the Royal Suite too but it wasn't worth it as it is the same benefits as a GS and OS. I doubt we will win, most of the people who have won have gone from insides to OV. One went from a balcony to a JS but no bigger suites.

We will be on Serenade doing NE/Canada. Not too much pool sitting going on and no ice rink. Someone on the rollcall got the list of entertainers, not too great either, a magician and a vocalist that is okay. We were just looking for a quick getaway, close to home. Royal only puts a ship in Boston for a very short NE/Canada season and occasionally adds a couple of Bermuda runs like they did last time we were on Serenade in 2019. We have done GS in the past but wasn't doing to spend over $5k pp for the limited perks. We only booked right before final, so not many suites left at the time, so they were pricey. Hopefully, getting off the ship in Boston will be easy as we are doing CBP in Bar Harbor since we are doing our Canada ports first, followed by the US ports.

I have issues with that high sided tub but I would deal with it for a week. 🙂 We bid for suite lounge access and breakfast in Chops, plus the larger cabin. We'll see what happens...

I haven't given in yet! My house was down to 63 degrees this morning. I decided to make dinner in the oven instead of grilling so the house will heat up a bit. 😄

Anthem definitely has a door to the Solarium from the deck 13 cabin passageway on the port side of the ship. Never checked the other side. We have sailed Quantum too but never went that way as we were in an aft facing cabin, so not sure if it exists.