Keasel

I paid upon entry and just drove out after the cruise the three times I've sailed out of Bayonne (last being July 2016). Has this changed?

If you're on the 9-night Bermuda Bahamas cruise leaving May 18th, both Grandeur and Enchantment are scheduled for Coco Cay on the 24th.

http://www.cruisetimetables.com/visitingcococaybahamas-may2017.html?offset=11

It can be a little crowded with two ships. But it won't be that bad. Also, make sure you go back to the right ship :). Have fun.

Great news! I think we will just let them take our photos at the port since I am Diamond level and hopefully have a different (shorter) line to stand in.

 

Thanks!

 

MARAPRINCE

Definitely. It saves you about 30 seconds if you don't have an acceptable photo loaded in advance. You (and I) probably spent more time on this post than it takes to have them take your picture.

Mediterranean cruises are my favorite.

Apologies if this has been discussed before ... but I was browsing the ratings of the Royal Caribbean ships here on Cruise Critic, and noticed that all 3 Quantum class ships are the least loved bunch from Royal.

 

Mariner, Serenade and Freedom are all 80+. And most other Royal offerings are in the 70's. Has there been a consensus here on CC as to why there's no love for the Quantum class?

They replaced the main dining room with four smaller facilities. But the combined capacity of the four is not enough to service the guests even with other dining choices on board. They also cut the staff too much. Otherwise, the ships are good. But the cutbacks in dining capacity and staff hurt the ratings.

Maybe the Carnival takeover rumors are being resurrected.

https://travelersunited.org/today/is-carnival-about-to-take-over-the-cruise-industry/

As reported in the ARTA (Association of Retail Travel Agents) newsletter, there is a rumor that Carnival is trying to take over Royal Caribbean International, parent company of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruise Lines.

Leaving this weekend for a 5-day Bermuda run on Anthem. We arrive back in Bayonne on Thursday morning. How is traffic heading south in the Jersey turnpike on a Thursday morning? Is it better to leave early, later or it doesn't matter?

Trying to decide whether we should get an early start like we would on a weekend or are better off taking our time and leaving after the morning rush. Thanks for any help!

Recently came back from the 5-night (July 23-28) on the Bermuda cruise. The turnpike south was clear on Thursday, July 28th. However, the first mile or two on 440 and the turnpike extension was a slow moving parking lot. It took over half an hour to get to the bridge over Newark Bay around 9am. But it was smooth sailing after that.

Enjoy your cruise.

Keasel,

 

Thanks a million for the update!! Note to self: Ditch the 20lb change purse!Phew!! We will get our tokens at the Dockyard VIC, then on our day of arrival. PS - how was Bermuda? :) Looking forward to our first visit.

Bermuda was beautiful. We've cruised there six out of the last eight years and enjoyed it every time. Convenient, safe and easy public transportation is great for DIY touring of the island.

The port webcam will help get you in the island mood.

http://www.portbermudawebcam.com

Hi there,

 

Can recent visitors confirm if it is true that transportation tokens and multi-day passes are NOT available at the Visitors' Information Center at the Dockyard anymore?

 

We just got back from the Anthem 5-day Bermuda cruise and purchased tokens on Monday July 25th at the Dockyard VIC.

D+ with RCI gets you what level with MLife please? I think it is Platinum?

 

What extra perks, if any, perks do you get on board with this please?

 

TIA.

Yes, D+ gets you Platinum in MLife.

On board, you are still D+

https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/content/shared_assets/pdf/16048689_RCI_Casino_CAS_Benefits_Chart_HR-1.pdf

I have noticed that after making a "ghost" booking to check prices. I get emails from Royal about finishing the booking. I don't fill out any info when making the "ghost" booking. So the only way they could get my email is with a "cookie" That might have something to do with the alerts you are getting.

Do you log on the website so that the "ghost" booking reflects your C&A discount? And, is your email in your profile? If so, that might have something to do with the emails you are getting.

Hopefully one of the great, knowledgeable BDA posters might see this. Stores closed like they would be on Bermuda Day or Cup Match Holiday? Thanks.

http://www.bermuda-online.org/pubhols.htm

June 20, 2016 is National Heroes Day

Public Transport timetables are affected on Public Holidays, normally follow reduced Sunday schedules.

Stores, shops, & businesses, except those with a holiday trading license, able and willing to pay their staff double overtime and thinking they might benefit from arriving cruise ships, etc. on that day. It is entirely up to each shop, store and business whether or not they open that day and if they do their staff may have the option of whether or not they wish to work on that day.

The fitness center is on deck 9 and there are elevators to that deck. Or did you mean there is not an elevator that opens directly into the fitness center?

I think they're talking about the deck 10 fitness center. You walk in the spa reception area on deck 9 and go up steps to deck 10. I think there are only emergency exits from the fitness center on deck 10. So, the only way in is through the spa and up the stairs.

Hi we are sailing on the Grandeur in August 2017 and I am wondering if it is scheduled for a dry dock prior? I know it last dry docked in 2012.

 

Thanks!

There's a three-week gap in the schedule in late April and early May 2017. Looks like the dry dock will be then.

It depends.

If you signed up for a table for the early or late seating, then it would be rude to make your table mates and waiters wait on you not showing up. Please be polite to everyone and show up or let them know. The reason we stopped with fixed seatings is because we were forced to wait on people of who may or may not show up.

If you signed up for MTD, then don't bother. That is what MTD is for.

Taking my family on a 50th anniversary cruise on the Anthem. Cannot make any dinner reservations for all of us to sit together any time, any restaurant.

Have been on the phone with an agent for hours trying to book night by night. She is making three separate reservations for each night. We have 6:00 twice but the other nights are 7:30. Our little one is 5.

 

Do we make final payment. Is the Oasis or Allure more family friendly?

We are retirees and thought we would be dining with our children and grandchildren on this great splurge. Taken 25 past cruises and one with the entire family. I have ne'er had this problem before.

Thanks for any and all advice.

Shift to Oasis or Allure unless you have to drive to the port. We were on one of the early Quantum sailings and are close to a final payment decision on a future Anthem sailing also. Limited availability on dining 3 months out is not a good sign.

Maybe the astronomical body is the sun and the heated discussion relates to solar panels being installed. Something Pullmantur did is incompatible with the installation. Royal Caribbean should have been aware of and/or inspected Empress. But it was overlooked until the dry dock started.

On one of the earliest posts "ScottyG" gave a huge hint however most people missed it or misinterpreted it.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2330365&highlight=scottyg&page=3

"It is not a marineside issue but is astronomical in size."

What could be "astronomical" in size? Maybe the sextant needs to be replaced.

Muster Drill just ended. "Wash your hands, it's the right thing to do. It's easy when you only have two. "

 

I do NOT like eating at 5:30. I am going to look into our options.

Why not try dynamic dining if you're on the Anthem?

How does the airline charge for the baggage? We have two free bags each with Delta and was going to use the valet service but not if we can't get our free bags. :confused:

Part of the form prompts you to explain why bag charges should not be applied. It's worked for me with the AAdvantage credit card having no bag charges for one bag per person.

As the ship is quite small, JS's that are AFT facing are the absolute best in my opinion. There's no noises from above or below & the balconies are tremendous. If you go for the one smack bang in the middle, that is the biggest! (The corner ones don't wrap around!)

I agree. The aft JS's are the best. We were in 8084 (one from the center JS 8086) out of Venice in 2014. There is no noise from above. The Sports Deck on the plan (referenced in one of the above posts) is just a small open deck outside of the spa and fitness center. No sports are played there.

is that doable. just wondering

We made our 1159am flight this past Wednesday, Dec 23rd easily and didn't rush at all. Half of the ship was probably off before we left the ship and got in line for customs. There are always plenty of cabs and we were at the airport well before 11am.

The RCI rep may have told you that but this reminder is right on their page:

 

You must complete and print your SetSail Pass 3 days prior to your sail date.

Is this different for Anthem?

I can still print my SetSail pass for tomorrow's cruise (Dec 14) on Serenade. The site only indicates that it must be completed 3 days prior to the sail date.

Online Check-In must be completed 3 days prior to your saildate.

Status: Ready to Print

Completing Online Check-In for all the guests in your reservation will save you from having to fill out forms at the pier and must be completed 3 days prior to your sail date.

It's completely different now.

That's good to hear. How far up is the cutoff? Between the last two warehouse-type buildings or even further up?

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/en_US/pdf/fastfact_ne.pdf

The fast fact sheet is up on the Royal Caribbean website