Susan in Maine

We did the Chef's Table on Magic last November. I was not particularly impressed, and neither was my daughter. It really depends on how much of a foodie you are back home. If you haven't had the opportunity to try a variety of foods, you may really enjoy it. Several of the others who were with us on the same night thought it was amazing, but us - not so much, especially for the money.

However - the bacon ice cream is AMAZING!

Boots, no. Shoes and socks, yes. Sweatshirt - definitely yes. 

It's the time of year that it could be mid-to-upper 70's during the day and 40's at night. If it's misty/foggy/damp it will feel REALLY cold.

Plan on lots of layers

One other thing - the ocean water up here is REALLY cold! 

4:00 pm is the time the ship leaves anchor in Bar Harbor, the "all aboard time". Your itinerary is pushing it. 

I'm not sure why you are dismissing Cadillac Mountain. It's the first place the sun touches in the US.  If it's a good day, the view is spectacular!!! Sand Beach is no big deal, I suspect you will be a bit disappointed.  Thunder Hole is pretty amazing, but it's always really crowded as there isn't much space. If you do go to Thunder Hole, go to your right and walk on the rocks. Within about 5 minutes you'll feel like you are all alone!

I just answered this question in another post. Unless seeing LL Bean's flagship store(s) is on your bucket list, Portland has way more to offer IMHO. 

I've lived in Maine my whole life (so far) and I pretty much only go to Freeport to go to Bean's (as we locals call it)

I live in Maine, and as said above, unless visiting LL Bean's flagship store(s) is on your bucket list, I'd stay in Portland. There are some good restaurants in Freeport, but Portland is considered a foodie mecca. The rest of Freeport is your basic outlet town, but spread out.

There are lots of wonderful independent little local shops within walking distance. There are great restaurants everywhere. One of my favs has always been DiMillo's on the Water. It's a converted car ferry and pretty nice. Every seat has a view of the waterfront. 

There are ferries to take to some of the islands in Casco Bay, a wonderful art museum, and the Victorian Mansion all within walking distance as well.

If there is anything specific you'd like to know about Portland, just ask!

On 7/26/2019 at 3:22 PM, Countrygurl said:

I would recommend Acadia National Park Tours.  Very reasonably priced and a wonderful tour!

Those are for stops in Bar Harbor - which is at least a 3 - 3 1/2 drive north of Portland.

We are on the September 17 Magic cruise to Canada. Currently there are NO excursions for our stop in Sydney, Cape Breton. There are only 30 total excursions for the other to ports as well (St. John New Brunswick and Halifax Nova Scotia). Doesn't seem like very many for a ship that could have 4000+ passengers.

Anyone have any ideas about this?

I live in Maine and have cruised out of Bayonne twice. We drive to the port as it's SO much easier than relying on any other form of transportation. 

We drive to Southern CT the day before the cruise, stay in a hotel and have an easy <2 hour drive to the pier the morning of the cruise. We don't have to worry about shlepping luggage or train/bus/plane luggage limitations. 

The best part is how easy it is getting home. Walk off the ship with your luggage, get your car and drive.  We are on the road by 8:30 AM

You CAN only buy the drinks package for one person, but you have to prove that the second person cannot drink. You need a note from a doctor saying that they have health or other reasons that they can't drink - i.e. certain health issues. I believe you can only do this once you are on board.

I checked into this because my 24YO daughter is intellectually disabled and has several health issues.

thanks everyone!

Does anyone know if AARP is still selling these gift cards?

I bought several before our cruise in November and saved 10% on my on board costs.

Thanks!

By that late in October the foliage is pretty much gone. It also can be quite cold, and depending on the year, there can be snow.

If you really want to see the beauty of the Northeast, I'd go no later than the first week of October.

We were on the Anthem in April and the food was pretty lackluster.  Some of the dishes in the MDR were just.....strange. Beef stroganoff in a very dark sauce with dill pickles on top? Chicken Cordon Bleu paired with french fries (who does that?)  English trifle that was just awful.

Before everyone flames me, this is what my friend and I experienced.

The service in the MDR was exceptional and our server was very quick to notice if he thought we didn't like what we had and brought something else. "life is too short to eat food you don't like" 

We were on the Anthem in April 2019 pre-pandemic and had a very different experience. The food I had on Carnival Magic in November was at least as good, if not better. It was very disappointing as my friend and I only get to cruise every three years or so.

We were just on Anthem in our first JS. We loved it! The bathrooms are great. One had a great bathtub - nice and deep for soaking AND a separate shower! The other was the toilet/sink. We're spoiled now.........

A few years ago I badly broke my right foot a few weeks before a cruise.

A knee walker worked just fine for me - and I was about 61 at the time. Amazon has several - just make sure you get one that fits her as they come in different sizes.

You can also get a transport wheel chair for not a lot of money. The transport ones are a lot smaller and much more lightweight, but she won't be able to wheel herself around.

When it's time to get on the ship, staff at the pier will put her in a wheelchair and take her on board if you need the help.

Hope that helps!

I tried searching for this information, but clearly my search skills aren't good!

We have a junior suite with boarding time of 1:00-1:30. Since we have a suite, can we board as early as 12:30?

Thanks!

Despite having been on a number of cruises, this is our first time in a JS. (Yay Royal Up!).

I'd really like information on the differences between CK and MDR. Why would I be more interested in CK?

Thanks everyone

I'm not sure you can book a cruise only 3-5 days before the cruise. I'm sure cruisers with way more experience than I can let you know.

We're leaving on the Anthem three weeks from today.

For anyone who has sailed on her, what was your favorite place?

Susan in Maine

Thanks all!

I love my pop-up hamper - $3 at Walmart - takes no room in my suitcase, and very little room in the cabin. I've also found them at the Dollar Store.

Mainstays Mesh Pop Up Laundry Hamper, White - Walmart.com

Basic first aid kit

Kindle (love to read on my balcony)

OTC meds

Battery tea lights

comfortable broken-in walking shoes/sandals

packable mini-backpack - one that packs into itself like this one:

Amazon.com : WALUCAN Backpack for Hiking Camping Lightweight Foldable Durable Waterproof Daypack WCAD001 Orange : Sports & Outdoors

Extra glasses/contacts/sunglasses

Lanyard for SeaPass

Remember - when on a cruise ship you can't pop out to the local walmart/drug store/convenience store. If there are things you use on a daily basis, take them with you.

Our new cabin is still NEAR the elevators. My problem with this particular one is that when you get off the elevator or stairs, turn to port, and walk straight ahead, you would walk into the door of this particular cabin. (#11236, Anthem of the Seas)

This was my first opportunity to bid with Royal Up. My apologies for not knowing all the nuances!

My choice is usually to get a cabin that is in the middle of the corridor - I like the walk, and I appreciate the quiet. Clearly I wasn't going to turn down the upgrade - I just had a question.

I've had the same TA since 1980!! Yes - way back when you used a TA to book flights! 

Two very specific reasons I use a TA: About 15 - 20 years ago, the cruise we were on came back during a hurricane. The time we were told we would be docking kept changing all day. My TA was able to continually change our flights back so we could get home the same day.

Yesterday we got our Royal Up bid accepted. I wasn't happy with my cabin. My TA successfully got it changed to a different cabin - without me spending a lot of time on the phone! 

I tell her what I want, what ship, what cabin, etc. She does all the leg work. Why not use her?

(We were both 10 when we started working together Hehehehehe)

Does anyone know if RCCL (Anthem) has decaf Iced Coffee?

Thanks!

Thanks everyone! My TA did get it changed for us.