dreamer976

Have been glancing at the webcam. I have a friend aboard and there’s been no mention of the late departure. 
Sail away time was supposed to be 8:30 eastern. Already 2.5 hours late and counting. 

Well, thanks robmtx, where the heck have I been?

I admittedly haven’t spent much time on CC as I once did, but recall seeing someone’s video walking through one of RCCL’s Windjammers  pointing out that cruisers weren’t able to serve themselves, BUT….. I’ve been wrong before! 😆

Perhaps it was much longer ago than I recall. 
 

Ellen

Hello Radio!  I don’t see any crew members at the food stations in your pic at Windjammer. 
 

Was it just too early, or are they back to self service?

Loose rule of thumb:  Any cruise with a duration of 7 nights or longer will have an older demographic.  3 and 4 night cruises will have more of a “party” atmosphere, or as many put it, “booze cruises”. 
 

BRAVO, I say, to a very interesting and thoroughly entertaining cruise review. 
 

Now that I haven’t cruised in 2 1/2 years (seems like 10!), I’ll be living vicariously thru others’ reviews, and will be searching CC for some of your past reviews. 
 

THANK YOU Sid

You may want to try a Labadoozi. Has a rum and citrus taste, but don’t have a clue as to the ingredients. 
This drink is served at Labadee, but I’ve ordered them aboard ship as well. 
Enjoy

Following!  It’s been a while, but will surely enjoy another Radio cruise … any ship, any itinerary. 
I’ll have the Keurig (don’t judge me) heated up and ready to go 😁

Ellen

FOLLOWING!!! 

Have hardly even read anything on CC in the last 2 years and my last cruise was October 2019… feels like a lifetime. 
Thank you, twangster, for taking us with you aboard this new beauty. Looking forward to anything and everything you care to share. 
 

Ellen

Definitely agree with others that your concerns are largely unfounded. Sailed Anthem last fall and while it’s not my favorite class of ship, we really enjoyed her. 
 

BTW, the rowdy crowds are normally found on cruises much shorter than an 11-nighter. Want to relive your old college party days?  Take a 3, 4 or 5 nighter (especially on a cruise line which shall remain nameless) and you’ll most likely experience plenty of rowdy behavior. Longer duration cruises, especially taken when school is in session, will most likely have a very high percentage of “Q-tips” on board; I’m including myself in that group 😉. 
 

Lots of very nice venues aboard Anthem and the entertainment is wonderful!  I concur with the poster who’s DW loves the Royal Swedes, a rock/pop cover band that is aboard her more often than not in the Music Hall. They’re great and I wish I had found them earlier in our sailing than I did. 
 

DS and I have our first Celebrity sailing coming up next May (🤞🏼). While reading that portion of these boards, most people agree that Royal Caribbean entertainment is the best in the industry. 
 

Enjoy your cruise, whichever one you choose!

Ellen

Annie-

yes, so glad you decided to post your amusing review. You and Dave are A HOOT!

So refreshing to see postings that make us smile for a change and I thank you for taking your precious time to do it. I’ll be waiting anxiously for your next installment-can’t wait to see and hear of your birthday surprise. BTW ... HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY! 🍰🍷

Ellen

Thank you so much for posting this wonderful travelogue. A very pleasant way to spend a couple of hours, much of which was spent staring at your WONDERFUL photography. 
 

Ellen

I absolutely LOVE your Easter eggs, Noreen. They are just too cute!

 I hope you both had a peaceful Easter/Passover. 
 

Ellen

I totally understand your plight, as voluntarily turning down a PH would be a Hugh downer;  HOWEVER, if turning those 7 nights down means that you can now do Alaska (in a suite, no less!) I can almost guarantee that seeing Alaska would completely remove that sting. 
 

I am definitely a beach/warm water/palm tree type of girl, but was talked into doing an Alaska cruise by my late husband. I was so blown away with the majesty and beauty that I couldn’t even image, that we did it again a few years later! 😉

Whatever you choose, enjoy!

Ellen

The Royal Suite, great food AND winning big in the casino?  You must be living right! 😂

Loving your review. It sure is an extra treat, considering the state of cruising currently and for at least the near future, unfortunately.  I’ve been cruising for almost 20 years now (mostly with Royal Caribbean) and have my first Celebrity cruise booked for May 2021. 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

Thank you, Noreen and stay safe. 
 

Ellen
 

When aboard Anthem OTS this past October, there were Pickleball games posted in the Compass up in the Sportsplex on the top deck. 
 

Ellen

I’m surprised that this thread isn’t in the 🔥 category. Surely those currently cruising that have the internet are following the news with abandon. 

Totally doable, depending on day of the week, how many ships in port that morning, and only IF everything goes according to plan. Personally, way too stressful for me. I only book flights leaving after 1:00pm on debarkation day. 
 

Whatever you plan, have a great cruise! 😊

Ellen

Great start!  You all look like a fun group having a great time. 
 

Patiently waiting for more... 😊

Ellen

I agree that the Wonderland experience can vary from ship to ship. Just walking in to Wonderland aboard Symphony is part of the experience. Aboard Anthem, for instance, not so much. 

I would recommend Wonderland to anyone at least once, if they’re at all curious. It is, after all, more than just a meal. With the right waitperson, along with the AMAZING Madhatter, it’s dinner AND a show.  

Enjoy your cruise. 

Ellen

My best tip?  Bring your most comfortable walking shoes!!!

Yes, she is huge, but beautiful.  I concur with the entertainment comment. I would also urge you to at least take a walk through the Solarium after dark. The “art piece” in the center is quite interesting during daylight hours, stunning after dark. 

Enjoy your cruise ... and, I’m a little bit jealous 😉

Ellen 

While I do agree with the “chopped up” reference and overall, there’s just something about the design that doesn’t do it for me, I really loved many things about Anthem. Specifically, 270 and it’s Cafe 270, the Music Hall as well as the way-above-average entertainment. I 100% agree with the We Will Rock You recommendation, which was amazing. 

I very much much like Radiance, Voyager and Freedom class ships, but Oasis class still does it for me, really delivering the “WOW!”  

Ellen

Just did the same cruise, same ship, 9 nights, this past October 2019. We sailed on the 10th, so a bit earlier than what you’re interested in. Unfortunately, our weather was far from the best, lots of gray days, on and off rain, temps pretty cool, but there’s no guarantees.  If you’re familiar with Anthem OTS, you probably know that the entertainment is better than most, much like the Oasis class. 

 I did pretty much the same cruise over 10 years ago on the Jewel OTS, but round trip out of Boston. We sailed around the 26th of September, had gorgeous weather, but there was just the hint of the colors changing. 

Fortunately, I cruise mostly just to enjoy the ship, the entertainment and the food, all while being on the ocean, my most favorite place to be, although cruising in warmer climes does appeal to me, to be able to enjoy the balcony. 

If if you have any specific questions, ask away! 😊

Ellen

Have you read through your roll call?  I’m fairly certain that you’ll be far from the only CC solo cruiser, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. 

I’ve only done 2 TransAtlantic cruises so far, but there were plenty of solos on both of them. RCI has a message board on every sailing, usually near Guest Services, or Promenade Cafe on Oasis, but if you can’t find it, Guest Services “should” be able to help you find it. That’s where you should be able to find solo luncheons or get-together posted. 

Can't speak to any of the tribute bands aboard, but if Royal Swedes are indeed on board, do not miss them.  They're a pop/rock cover band, usually found in the Music Hall and are incredible!

Ellen

Hello Kim!  So glad you were really able to take that preChristmas cruise, and I’m finally caught up. 

Kudos to you (and to hubby and Sakari for being so supportive) for actually diving again. The fact that you had even planned on trying it so soon, and fairly early into your recovery, is surely testament to you being no sissy!!! 👏👏. I would have thought you might never be able to put on a fin on that foot again, but there you were in video, not just wearing both, but actually using that fin!  SIMPLY AMAZING!

Thanks, once again, for documenting your wonderful travels with all of us. If I can’t be out there myself having a wonderful time on any ocean, I can at least smile, and sometimes laugh, along with you and your family. 

Ellen