SailingSal

As a retired teachers from NJ,  we too faced your dilemma many times.  I would be concerned about August due to the current situation, but would wait for Royal to cancel. Now, about Anthem.  It is going to packed with an over-flow of kids on that Easter Date!  We took our Granddaughter who was 5 at the time on an October cruise on Anthem and were very disappointed with what it had to offer and the crowds even then were over-whelming.  Yes, she did the flying and got to do the bumper cars, once.  When it was a roller skating day, she had to be 8.  She loved "We will Rock You", but she loves Queen.  Shows were not geared toward kids.  This was a Halloween Date and she did dress-up but it was so packed with adults,  we couldn't get into their haunted house. The Adventure Ocean was such a small area and didn't have any of the fun slides at the pools for the kids. 

I know you don't want to fly, but I might re-think and choose another ship.

Knowing what I know now, I would not have gotten off Serenade in the Nassau! 

We just returned from the March 2 sailing of Serenade.  We were on vacation and decided to disconnect!  Not until day 10 of our cruise did we realize what was going on in states. Passengers were getting e-mails that they could not return to work since they had been out of the country! At first I did believe that we were all over-reacting.  When we arrived at Fort Lauderdale airport I was shocked at the number of people getting flights out.  Again, I didn't realize that the mayor had declared a "state of emergency".  it wasn't until our 2nd day home that reality of how our travels affected our family hit me.  We were in 5 countries and interacted with many people from throughout the world on our travels.  Many people on our ship were from other countries.  Once I wrapped that around in my head my husband and I are now self-quarantined. I was shocked that Serenade left port on the day we returned, March 13.  By March 27 I hope to be healthy and well - and I will feel better about our decision. Good luck to everyone and may you all return home safely!

On RCCL We have always had priests during Easter break, and at other random times - but last year in May we had a priest for a 12 day sailing on Adventure.  It is hit or miss.  We always look at our sailings to see if we will be in port on Sundays and taxi to a catholic service.  We did a "non-denomination service" once when we were at sea without a priest - turned out to be a video of Joel Osteen and basically a commercial for his ministries! Good Luck!

10 hours ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

The garage can be full in the summer when there are more ships sailing from Bayonne.  We have never had an issue getting a spot in the parking garage at this time of year.

We had to park in the outside lot the second week in May! That is not the summer! But it is no big deal - very secure.

Actually - the garage may already be filled when you get there and you have to park in open air lot.  We had to do that - just as close and Cape Liberty is very secure.  No problem and then you don't have to worry about your height clearance at all!  Just park there - the attendants will direct you there if they anticipate that you will have a problem.  I wouldn't want to have to take the carrier off and put it back on again when you don't have to!  Enjoy your cruise and don't worry!

As I am reading through this post - I was thinking how many go on vacations and are not given alternatives when bad weather occurs? Most people are stuck - period.  I live in a shore town and have seen rainy days and storms coming up the coast and vacationers having to stay inside their hotel rooms(with kids) and NOT able to use the beaches or pools.  No one gave them money back nor did they expect compensation for the weather conditions.  We can't control weather.  I believe that Royal is doing the safe alternative and hoping for the best. If you are flying somewhere, airlines cancel flights and then an entire vacation may be missed!  I may not be happy when it rains on my parade(vacation), but time on a cruise ship with my spouse and a drink in hand is still more enjoyable compared to work - LOL

We went from in Miami from Enchantment to Navigator 2 or 3 years ago.  My husband uses a cane and there was NO way we could go through the crowds and walk the distant.  It is very congested with people and cars and too difficult for us with luggage.  So - we got off and Hailed a taxi - told him we were only going to the beginning of the pier and would tip him well.  Taxi driver was not too excited to take us - but we gave him the tip up front (better the tip you know than the tip you don't know - LOL). Even though it was only March- it was very warm.  While waiting in line to do check-in on Navigator, a young couple was behind me - very sweaty and tired.  They were just off Enchantment, too, but walked to Navigator with their luggage and were sorry they did.  So - my advice - taxi it from one ship to another!  Enjoy - we loved our "B2B" on 2 different ships!

We have heard so many positive comments about dinner in the WJ we tried it one night on Anthem.  It was a terrible experience for us - crowded and poor selection and quality of food.  That doesn't mean we won't try it again - but never on Anthem!

We had our daughter and granddaughter on a Halloween cruise on Anthem - it was fun and if you wanted to dress-up you could.  Don't stress over it - just enjoy!  We did all dress up as a family as "little mermaid theme".  We had fun!

Like so many others who responded, Song of America was our first cruise, too.  It was June 1997  to Bermuda.  Everything about that cruise was "magical", except our boarding.  When we arrived at the pier a huge storm blew in and lighting struck the gangway and it broke off from the pier.  Now, I was afraid that this was a horrible "omen" for us not to get on!  Fortunately no one was on the gangway at that moment because of the lighting.  We had no electricity for 2 hours and could not board the ship - there were about 150 of us who had to board yet.  They moved the ship to the next pier.  Ken Rush(who was with us on the pier) was our Cruise director and he told all of us not to worry, they won't leave without us because they needed him on board - LOL!  After that "sail-away", the next 29 have all been a breeze!  

Oh, and I will never forget the very small, small rooms.  We had to turn sideways to squeeze through the room.  All the beds had to be singles - no room to double them!

On 7/31/2019 at 7:23 AM, Snit13 said:

Love Empress but don't think I would want to sail her from Cape Liberty to Bermuda.  Seas can get quite rough and she is small. 

So - we sailed "Nordic  Empress" from New York in 2000 and 2003. Both times we went to Bermuda.  Loved it and not a problem.  Took our kids in 2003 and have so many fond memories. Love that we can dock in Hamilton an "d St. George again.  We plan to book and enjoy time to ourselves.  A great little ship - can't wait to sail on her again!

On 7/31/2019 at 7:23 AM, Snit13 said:

Love Empress but don't think I would want to sail her from Cape Liberty to Bermuda.  Seas can get quite rough and she is small. 

So - we sailed Empress from New York in 2000 and 2003. Both times we went to Bermuda.  Loved it and not a problem.  Took our kids in 2003 and have so many fond memories. Love that we can dock in Hamilton and St. George again.  We plan to book and enjoy time to ourselves.  A great little ship - can't wait to sail on her again!

Suggested name - "CoCo Crazy to book Cocoa Cay"

We did a BtoB in Miami - got off 1 Enchantment and then had to get on Navigator.  We took a Taxi.  Not because it was far, but with luggage, traffic, and HEAT it was way more efficient and comfortable.  A young couple stood next to me to board Navigator and were drenched with sweat.  I asked if they had walked, and they did from Enchantment.  They thought it would be so easy since it was close - but they said NO WAY would they do that again - LOL!  Highly recommend the $10 for a  Taxi!

38 minutes ago, dawnelda said:

OK, totally crazy, got it.

 

If we (probably, apparently) miss the ship then I wonder if they'd hold our room if we called RCL to let them know we'll meet them in Palma.

 

Any thoughts about whether or not they'd let us on the ship in Palma?

I am anxious just reading this - why are you doing this to yourself?  Do you want to miss the first day?  I would be on the phone now to see if RCL will hold your room - or/and then be changing my flight to at least the day before the cruise leaves! I wouldn't even drive to Bayonne. NJ from Cape May, NJ without at least arriving 6 hours ahead of time.  Landing 3 hours before any cruise is insane!

On 7/10/2019 at 8:32 PM, cindivan said:

We were on the anthem in June. Suite/concierge lounge is deck 12 aft. Diamond plus, pinnacle and suite guests are allowed. 

 

Not attached to CK like the Oasis class. Personally I didn’t care for it and we were in a GS on deck 12 so very convenient for us.   Ricardo the suite concierge was awesome, but the location and several other factors worked against him.   The appetizers at night were just ok. Even with the premium drink package you could only get drinks from the free diamond drink menu. And I think the location was just not very convenient for a lot of people. 

 

It it was never very crowded, so I don’t think I am the only one who thought this. 

I so agree with your statement that the location is inconvenient!  My husband walks with a cane and to walk through all of the carts and rooms through the long hallway to access the lounge was a trek for him.  The view is great - but too, too far removed from the elevators.  

3 hours ago, SailingSal said:

We had to think about this, too for the very same reasons you mentioned.  At D+ we get plenty to drink - but fresh OJ, a pool drink; night cap, and coffees are a nice add-on for only $18/day.  So we do have the package in our paid cart - no cancellation this morning.  We have our confirmation.  This morning for our 11 day March Serenade cruise it is now listed in the cruise planner at $60 for Deluxe drink package and they added Voom!  

I was just thinking - if this smart "IT" team tries to cancel everyone's purchased $18/day drink package, perhaps they may make it worse and cancel our reservations instead😫 I really DO believe anything can happen!  I advice this "IT" team to leave well enough alone and don't play with our cruise planners 😉

6 hours ago, mac_tlc said:

Price for Allure November 2020 TA is now up to $50. But, my order has not been cancelled yet. I had to think twice even at $18, but figured even we would break even at that, although our bar tab is never even that high. Oh well, we will see what happens. They really got themselves into a conundrum with their response that they were going to honor it. 

 

mac_tlc

We had to think about this, too for the very same reasons you mentioned.  At D+ we get plenty to drink - but fresh OJ, a pool drink; night cap, and coffees are a nice add-on for only $18/day.  So we do have the package in our paid cart - no cancellation this morning.  We have our confirmation.  This morning for our 11 day March Serenade cruise it is now listed in the cruise planner at $60 for Deluxe drink package and they added Voom!  

On 6/25/2019 at 11:11 PM, iluvcruises said:

Sailing on the Freedom of the Seas in August and would like to get some info from some recent cruisers regarding Johnny Rockets.   Exactly how much extra per person is it to eat there?  Also, is it open 24 hours?  Thanks so much!

Good Question about "upcharge".  I am not sure (Adventure of the Seas in May) except that we paid $29.95 for the 2 of us - (2 burgers; 2 cokes; 1 fries; 1 onion ring; and added 1 shake).  That would have included the 18% tip.  Food was poor - not worth it!

We had the pleasure to dine with him 2 years ago.  Very personable and friendly at dinner - we had no idea about him.  My husband asked him, "so, do you cruise much?"  The entire table boost into laughter - we were at the captain's table.  Mario then told us his story. 

On 6/7/2019 at 8:20 PM, ymncruise said:

 

No, if it wasn't free, I wouldn't have even considered eating there.  I don't go there on land either. 😄

Thank you for your honesty.  I would not have started this thread if it had been free except for the shake.  That is why I started the thread - the price of the meal.  We paid $29.50 for 2 burgers; 1 fries; 1 onion ring; 1 shake.  We did not see any posted prices - but it was a crowded sea day and we thought it would be "oK" even with an up=charge.  It wasn't.  

We didn't get the cute "hello" when we entered; or an ok burger.  We had bad frozen fries and  onion rings.  We were just felt it was over-priced and poor quality of food.

I don't remember seeing Chianti offered - I would have ordered it if I had.

The majority of times we sailed, there has been a priest on board that does offer  mass.  We were on Adventure May 4 and had mass daily - but it is usually just by luck.  Unfortunately the 1 time we had a sea day on a Sunday they offered a place of Christian workship and put a Joel Osteen video on - oh, well, they tried!

The Boleros and Schooner Bars had enjoyable entertainment.

20 hours ago, Mawelch said:

Ken Rush are you reading these?

Speaking of Ken Rush - he was the cruise director on our very 1st RCCL cruise!  He set the bar for all of our Cruise directors. And he hosted the horse races!

When we went into Johnny Rockets - I never expected to leave with a $29.50 bill.  We thought it was going to be the usual fun experience(so-so food) for $15 (that is how much we spent the last time we used it).   Lesson learned and shared!

Love the horse racing - we bought a horse on 1 cruise(Bermuda 2003 - Empress of the seas).  The kids had so much fun "dressing" the horse in theme.  Since one of the adults had a fractured leg, the horse was appropriately named, "Break a Leg".  I say, bring back the races!!!!