psupa

We are in Charlotte Amalie now!

 

 

Not very pretty as docking over at Havensight. I will see Crown Bay next month on the Grandeur. Is there anything within walking distance and how far from downtown.

Yesterday, a sea day, the Chair Hogs were out in full force and early.

 

The crew had not eve finished setting the deck chairs in place!

 

 

 

Hey where is everybody that left a towel (lol) and can they get those chairs any closer. I can't stand being that close to anyone and how do you climb into it. No need to worry they can have our 2 chairs as we don't sit in the sun. I saw a pic on another site someone posted that the person had put their names on the chairs. Now that would be fun to sit down in that chair and if and when they come back say your name is what is on the chair or move the chair to the other side.

Must be having some problems since we haven't had an update from Trainman since this morning

After lunch we headed up to the smoking area (Ugh, Pooh) on the Pool Deck.

 

The first thing we noticed was that the Adirondack chairs and tables had been reorganized to improve socialization which in turn increases bar sales.

 

 

 

This is a big improvement but the chairs are very hard to get into and out of!

I don't know who came up with the idea for these chairs but I definitely wouldn't be able to get out of them. Much too low. We were recently on the NCL Gem and on the pool deck they have tables and chairs all the way down on each side of the ship. Much nicer than this. Looking foward to your review and can't wait to see pics, especially of Lyric

We got some new "high tech" rollators and can sit in them in the smoking area on the pool deck. I will post up a photo as soon as we are on board and can get someone to shoot one for us.

I bought the same rollator that you have for my husband and we took it on the NCL Gem a few weeks ago. It's big but much better than the standard rollator he had. He has limited mobility so when there is a line or at check-in he can sit down and I like that you just pull up in the center to fold it up. Thank you

Theresa

It is pretty rough out there.

 

It is still a long way from barf bag levels but many folks are hanging out in their cabins.

 

It is warm but we are alternating between Sun, Cloudy, and Rainy.

 

 

We've had some rough seas and this doesn't look too bad

psupa

 

I am sorry but I was wrong. Here is a link to the Rollator that I have on Amazon but it is listed as out of stock.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Invacare-Adult-Rollite-Wheeled-Rollator/dp/B003JNQTCI/ref=sr_1_12_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1481046331&sr=8-12&keywords=Invacare+Rollator

 

Check local supplier and also thrift stores like Goodwill for availability.

 

Key features:

 

- Largest wheels you can get

- Easy to fold up

- Flattens out for storage.

Thank you

Theresa

I did a quick check on Amazon and I am pretty sure that this is it. I particularly like the heavy duty plastic fold down seat which also locks the two sides in position. It also folds up flat easily. I have mine adjusted so that it is as high as possible.

 

Mine is older and has 6" wheels which are available separately. The larger the wheels the easier it is to roll.

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Medical-Deluxe-Rollator-Casters/dp/B002VWJYRA/ref=sr_1_19_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1481015504&sr=8-19&keywords=drive%2Brollators&th=1

Thank you for the info. I am enjoying all your posts and pics.

Theresa

I have a few minutes for a quick update.

 

We went ashore this morning just after a rain shower and returned just before another rain shower. We "shopped" all of the stores in the terminal area but felt that everything was over priced and didn't see anything we could not get along without.

 

We were on board in time for lunch at the Windjammer.

 

Here we are on our way to the terminal area where we posed for this photo.

 

Much more later...

Trainman, I like the walker you have and would like to get one like that for my husband. My husband is tall like you and the walker looks very sturdy. He has one like Judith's but to me it's not high enough for him. When you get home any info on where I can find one like that would be appreciated.

Last time we were in Tortola most of those shops were not open yet. The few that were there were very high end.

Theresa

Here is a link to info on the "Lady Sheridan" in case you might want to charter her for a week or two.

 

http://www.superyachtfan.com/superyacht_lady_sheridan.html

Haha that is just way over my budget I'm afraid. We'll just have to stick to taking a cruise

Theresa

We just returned from a 12-night cruise on the Anthem and we really enjoyed the ship. We did classic dining and had no issues with the service or food, but that was before the change from DD to MTD. I can't help you with anything for children, but there is plenty on this ship to keep you busy. I read threads too but don't take everything I read seriously. People will complain about nothing. Go and enjoy the cruise and come back and let us know how you liked it. The Anthem is a gorgeous ship

Can anyone tell me the cost for a bucket of beers.

I saw a number of disabled passengers during my departure. I recall at least one of them being helped to the baggage claim by a person wearing an RCI name tag. I haven't received a survey email yet. I want to give a low score to disembarkation and give a shout out to a couple of crew members for good service.

We waited over 2 hours for a wheel chair. Yes they wheel you through to the luggage area. I wish we could just walk off, but the length of that hallway when getting off is just too much for my husband. We were the last group to get off the ship after they announced everyone should now disembark. Believe me Royal has my complaint in hand. This is my only complaint to an otherwise beautiful cruise

Onboard, it is a very fine ship. I know that some people prefer the promenade on other RCI ships to the esplanade on Anthem, but to me they are the same, except that the esplanade has a lower ceiling. It’s the same stores and bars with a Café Promenade. It’s still a bit to mall like for me, especially when the tables are blocking the passageway, which is pretty much all of the time that the ship is in motion.

I agree about the congestion in the area on deck 4 with the tables and $10 junk sales. Very hard to get by and this is the area where Cafe Promenade and Sorrento's Pizza is. That area is not big enough for that

We were on this cruise. Love the Anthem and Captain Ban is the best. He was all over the ship and in the Diamond and CL talking to folks. We had the best wait staff in Classic1 dining and liked rotating through all the dining rooms and sorry to hear that will be changing. The entertainment was good especially the Liverpool Legends. I did see We Will Rock You and Cabaret Spectra, but did not make it to the gift, but will not comment on my thoughts. I believe you need to see it before you make any comments good or bad.

However our debarkation was another story. We have no choice but to use wheelchair assistance and we were on the ship until 11:00 when everyone else was already off and then they announce that everyone should be off the ship. Well I would like to know how they think we could do that without a wheelchair. Royal fails miserably with their debarkation for disabled passengers. Not sure what the issue was but I will tell you I gave them a "0" on the survey form for disembarkation and I have already sent Royal a complaint and I can't wait to hear what excuse they give. There is absolutely no excuse for this.

Good cruise, but Bayonne port is awful. Still stuck on ship with no estimated departure time. Hope that the bus waits. I will answer any questions. I don't know when I will get around to a review.

We were on this cruise. The Anthem is a gorgeous ship, we had a wonderful time, and we had the best waitstaff in Classic1 dining and enjoyed rotating dining rooms.

However we have no choice but to use wheelchair assistance because the walk from the ship to the terminal is too long for my husband. We did not get off the ship until 11:00 AM and the only ones left on the ship were those needing assistance to get. Royal fails miserably with the debarkation for disabled passengers and I have addressed it with them and gave them a "0" on the survey for debarkation. I can't wait to see what excuse they give me about this. On the way out my husband said he heard them saying this happened on the previous cruise too. We where still on the ship when they announced that all passengers should disembark. REALLY and how do I do that without a wheelchair. Too bad such a nice cruise ended with a bad situation. Sorry Royal there is no excuse for treating disabled passengers in this manner.

Again, I completely understand weather, new ports, rough seas, etc. All that I'm saying is that RCI should have given people an option at least on the day of cruising. I'm sure they will compensate and it looks like they have. It's all about customer service here, folks. It's a lot of people to leave uncertain. Those on and off the ship. Still surprised that some people get so defensive and try to make it look like there was nothing else RCI could have done. None of us know what the captains/RCI discussed yesterday or the day before, etc. Bottom line, this cruise definitely didn't go as planned for any of the passengers and that is unfortunate.

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Again RCI had no choice because the USCG decided to close the Chesapeake Bay. A decision had to made and RCI decided to sail early in order to be out of bay before closure. From what I've read RCI is stepping up to the plate and reimbursing folks who were not able to board 100% and those who sailed will get 50% and I think that is very generous of them and great customer service. I've cruised enough to know that if there is a storm the possibility exists for a change in itinerary to include missing scheduled ports. In a situation like this I would stay on the ship and just enjoy the ship and not worry about where I was going. I'm still on a cruise.

So, my parents drove to Baltimore, got on the ship, then were told that they were leaving early because they are closing Chesapeake Bay! The ship is supposed to go to Bermuda. I doubt it seeing as the storms are right in the path. RCCL has not informed anyone before the sailing or even right now. My parents decided to get off the ship seeing as we live in NY and can drive to Canada anyway. My parents are loyal Diamond cruisers. Unbelievable how Royal has not informed the passengers. So, they get off the ship and there are many people waiting to board that we're told they can't!! They just shut the doors on these people who were parking cars, etc. their baggage is on the ship! I cannot believe that Royal did not learn anything from the Anthem disaster!! I'm so happy my parents decided to get off the ship, but so disappointed in RCCL that they are so lacking in customer service!!

So why did your parents get off the ship and not stay onboard? I believe this was a last minute decision that had to be made because of the closure of the Chesapeake Bay this evening and that's why the early departure. RCCL had nothing to do with the decision to close the Bay. I believe the ship is going to Canada and RCCL has the right to change an itinerary for safety reasons, storms, etc. So what is your complaint?

That's a no brainer, good move

We have a cruise booked on the Anthem in October -regular balcony room 8266. My husband has a health issue and now may need to take a scooter for mobility. We would change rooms but no handicap rooms are available. I think it will fit inside if the bed is beside the balcony but no one seems to be able to tell us if that is the case. Does anyone know the room configuration of this cabin?

Thank you, Karen

My husband has limited mobility issues and uses a rollator walker. We also request a shower chair if we don't have an accessible cabin. Maybe that would work for you.

So is this now a private area or is it open to anyone. The loungers look like they are for anyone who goes over to Columbus Cove. Columbus Cove is really nice and I'm not happy with them putting in these bungalows. Should have left it unspoiled like it was. Sorry but this is just another money making gimmick

I've never been on any cruise ship, let alone rcc were first time cruisers. So we don't know what to expect. But I expect the same options. But we shall see what happens. Nothing but problems with this ta from the beginning. If we cxl, we're out 500$. No refund [emoji24], which was told to us from the start. So we might be stuck like chuck.

 

 

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You should not be out the $500 deposit because you are not in final payment. Deposits are refundable up to final payment. The TA may have a cancellation fee, but I doubt it is $500. I would pursue it and hope you get the refund and then I would change TAs or book direct with Royal Caribbean. Congrats on your upcoming wedding

It may be possible and sometimes it happens that the luggage tag fell off or the bag was in a different area. I hope you get your bag back

Except St Maarten, where we had a tour with Bernard's Tours and there was no problem. I can walk a short distance, so was not confined to the wheelchair. In many of the ports of call we just got one of the tours from those waiting at the quayside, which is much cheaper than doing any ship's excursions.

 

I found everybody very helpful and went out of their way to make sure I could cope OK. Don't let having a wheelchair put him off.

Have heard that Bernard's Tours is very reputable in St. Maarten. However lately I'm cautious about doing an excursion not booked with the ship solely for the reason if the tour is late getting back the ship will wait.

Sorry, I just realized what I wrote applied to HMC not Grand Turk, so I edited. However, GT should be fine to push a wheelchair around at the port and along the walkways on the beach. I would call the special needs number at Carnival and ask if there are beach wheelchairs available at GT - however, the beach can be steep for a wheelchair there, so sticking to/close to the paths might be best there. Even if he doesn't want to go to the beach, he can still get around port. The special needs desk can likely offer advice on excursions, too. I can't see why he couldn't sit on a tour bus/trolley in GT and not get off if access is a problem.

Grand Turk is very easy to get around. It's very flat with shops and there is a fabulous Margaritaville right there with a huge pool and lounge chairs. I can't say anything about tours there since we only stayed in the port area at the end of the pier.