HOSKI

Thanks for the input and I welcome more. 

The reasons for the choice of these two cruises are that it is our anniversary month and we have a free cruise from Royal Caribbean casino that we will be using for this cruise. 

We are trying to decide between two Alaska cruises.  I think we want the inside passage one but would like input from others which would be better. Which would you suggest and why?

Radiance

Vancouver, British Columbia

Inside Passage (Cruising), Canada

Day at sea

Juneau, Alaska

Hubbard Glacier (Cruising), Alaska

Icy Strait Point, Alaska

Ketchikan, Alaska

Inside Passage (Cruising), Canada

Day at sea

Vancouver, British Columbia

Quantum of the Seas

Oneway From:Vancouver, British Columbia to Seattle, Washington

Visiting:

• Vancouver, British Columbia

• Vancouver, British Columbia

• Ketchikan, Alaska

• Sitka, Alaska

• Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, Alaska

• Victoria, British Columbia

• Seattle, Washington

On 9/14/2021 at 5:01 PM, Embre said:

Well, my previous cruise (which I've rescheduled for next year, due to Covid restrictions) included excursions for a dolphin encounter, rescuing sea turtles, and swimming with rays....all of which I think my 8 year old would love. These are just the ones I settled on, I had several choices at each port....so yes, there is more to do on a  Caribbean island than the beach and sightseeing...there just isn't on this particular island. Don't worry though, I switched itineraries.

They used to have stingrays here and you might want to look for your own excursion for it.  We have a picture of our young daughter kissing one.

I know it's a long shot but does anyone know a reasonable place to get cruise/beach/sea themed Christmas stockings to take on a cruise?  We will be on the Anthem over Christmas and Santa needs to stop by our cabin.  We value experiences over presents but still need to do a little something.  I've seen some nice ones for $40 to $50 but that is way too much to spend on each when I need five.

Anthem is my favorite ship so far.  We loved it but I understand what you read.  There were a lot of first time cruisers on her and a lot of people who seemed to be expecting more than what they paid for.  Since it leaves a cold port the casino was packed most nights and not very big.  I mean there were people arguing over machines.  This was worst when we first left and at the end when we weren't in warm water.

We also met some awesome people and tried to get machines close to the same people and cheer each other on.  I missed the shows and could kick myself but hubby really likes the casino.  The kids loved it.  It is so nice to drive to port and board verses flying.

One of our Anthem cruises got canceled this year but we are sailing her for Christmas and I'm super excited to sail on her again.

We are in our 50s and Diamond, should be Diamond + except for canceled cruises.

On 3/20/2020 at 8:08 AM, jollyjones said:

Yep, we're shut.

 

Sorry to all you travellers who would love to come visit us.

 

It's a bit disconcerting being trapped on a very small island with no way on or off - hope it doesn't last too long and we can soon be welcoming you back.

Please let us know when Bermuda opens back up.

On 2/21/2020 at 10:33 AM, shelly222 said:

Nice 

 

We always rent from Hertz in Divi hotel cheaper than most w insurance, gps, cell phone. Always arrange a pick up and drop off even if not scheduled during regular business hours. Chris there is awesome! 

 

Most car rentals I inquired with work around cruise ship schedule just like Hertz in Divi. 

How do you contact Chris? 

On 4/24/2020 at 7:25 AM, jean87510 said:

Yes. My husband did it beforehand.

How did he do it?  Was it right there at the cruise port?

What was the cost of the rental for the day?  Do you have contact information?

On 1/24/2020 at 11:34 AM, jean87510 said:

We rented from caribe which is a 10 minute walk from cruise port. Highly recommend if you'd like to switch. 

 

 

Do you know if there is a way to book a car ahead of time?

Thank you we will be sure to buy some.  We aren't big salt users but we are trying to use a little more.

This is what we are planning for July.  Glad to see you enjoyed it.

12 minutes ago, NJsharon said:

Do they always do themed nights at one of the clubs on board the ship?  How do you know before the cruise if they are going to do them & what they are?  Like 80s night etc.  Any examples of theme nights & yes, do they always do a theme night? Search online for past Cruise Compasses and it will let you know about theme nights.

 

Silly question, but does Royal do bingo on board?  lol  I like to waste my money on bingo.  Yes I say that, as I have never won big on any of the cruises I have taken with other cruise lines, but I still love to play bingo!!!  If so, how often do they have games?  Is it paper or electronic boards? I think Bingo was offered twice on our last cruise on Grandeur it will be listed in the old Cruise Compasses.  I believe it was paper. 

 

What kind of game shows do they have on the ship, and how often do they do those games? Same answer check the Cruise Compass

 

Trivia games... do they do those fairly often?  What kind of trivia games, are there prizes, is it serious business or just for fun? Same answer check the Cruise Compass

 

Solarium is on the Grandeur correct?  What time does that open in the morning & does it really get full very quickly?  It says 16+  But do they keep the 18-21yr old 'kids' in check or not?  Can you go early and 'reserve' a spot, then go grab breakfast, and come back, or do you have to be sitting on your seat at all times?  What if you are alone, and want to wander off to a trivia session, then come back?  I guess you'd have to give up your seat right?  Yes they have a Solarium for 16 and above.  If leaving from a cold port and it is cold they allow under 16.  You cannot reserve a chair for longer than 30 minutes without being in it or your stuff may be taken.  Give up the seat and find a new one when you come back so others have a place to sit.

Buffet area.  What free drinks does it have during the day for free? Iced tea, lemonade, water, coffee, hot tea, milk, juice from concentrate

The soda machines that you can use if you buy the soda package with the special 'chip' cup.  Are there many of those soda machines placed around the ship? I believe 3 locations

'Cafe Select Coffee Card' I think would included iced lattes? Yes

That is the only 'premium' coffee I drink really, but I do like to drink that every day.  I was planning to just get the basic soda package for myself as I don't drink alcohol, but didn't think the 'Refreshment' package was worth it as I really am not into mocktails or juices. Go with refreshment package if you enjoy iced lattes and bottled water.  You will also be able to get mocktails and fresh made juice with it.

That being said, are the iced lattes a decent size?  The card is good for 15, it also says 50% off individually purchased coffees. There are 3 sizes, some ships require 2 punches for medium and 3 for large.

If I used the card on 15 iced lattes.  Could I then get 50% off future iced lattes? not sure

 

Izumi, is that just a sushi restaurant, or is it hibachi too?  If just sushi, can you order sushi to go, or is that just sit down?  If it is sit down, can you just order one thing, or is it a set meal (appetizer, plus entree, and dessert)?  Was confusing looking at dining options online.  I know my 2 daughters love sushi, but don't want them spending a fortune there!  lol Just sushi on this ship no hibachi.

Spa - there are no services, such as facials that a 15yr old could get done?  It shows a 'fruity facial' & one for acne, but then says the minimum age is 18yrs old! I believe you can take her but you must go with her. 

Hope this helps

12 minutes ago, NJsharon said:

 

 

 

 

Coconut Mojto is the best.

You cannot wear shorts for safety reasons, pants and closed toe shoes.

Ours started at 11 am.

Zip locks to wash out swimsuits in.  Hooks to hand up a mesh shoe organizer because some doors won't take the over the door hooks and mesh because plastic gets nasty and cracks.  Open your suitcase and slide under the bed for dirty clothes then you are already part way packed.

Hair straighteners are permitted and can double as an iron.

17 minutes ago, later said:

Is the 12% tax correct and is the gratuity  still 18%. So a $13 drink will be $16.90? 
 

Is there a VAT tax when the ship is in port at Nassau?

 

No because you are drinking on the ship not land.  The only place that I know of that makes them charge an extra tax on board when in port is Texas.

1 hour ago, SandiLynn said:

Do I have to pay tax when using unlimited drink package?

No

When we cruised in May the entire area was smoking.  They had ashtrays and notices/signs for the who area.  Maybe they are trying to split it now.  It is a beautiful area with lots of breeze.

Smoking areas are limited so please do not complain that there are a few places people can smoke. 

Pick towards the front of the ship because they have a beautiful smoking area at the back of the ship behind Boleros. 

I just saw a video from another angle than the first one I saw and I am surprised how clear it shows him lifting her out the window.  Wow, I could not even imagine someone doing that.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/royal-caribbean-says-video-shows-081943671.html

Just cruised the Grandeur and at Adventure Ocean they gave kids who didn't have a lanyard one.  They required us to show her card when she went in and they kept it until she left.  We bought the lanyard with the plastic sleeve for our kids because on some ships you cannot put a hole in the card because of a chip.

We like the change.  You can now do sea day lunches as well as go to more than one restaurant in a night if you can eat that much.  They told us when we used it that you can only make one reservation per night so if we went to two restaurants in a night one would have to be walk-up/space available.  We also were not charged extra for the habachi. For us it depends on which ship and who is going. 

We have decided to spend 2020 cruising out of Baltimore and Bayonne to avoid air for family of 5.  We will hit many of the same ports and we have been to many of them before so we just look a little harder for something to do different at the ports or plan something on board for one of the ports instead of getting off.  One thing we found pretty cool is to look for cooking classes in the ports.  Even if you aren't big on cooking they can be fun to learn to make and eat local food. 

Oh and we took a break from cruising for about 10 years and did all inclusive vacations so we are glad to be back to cruising.