BEENSAILING

ALLA / LINDA (and everyone else)....

http://www.cruisecritic.com/v-5/news/news.cfm?ID=6801

Mary, give CR a call, I know they have dates for their (Poker & Slot) tournaments for 2016 because they told me they had them. I did not ask the dates, wasn't interested their tournaments, only their Golf event. If the rep tells you they don't know the dates, ask them to ask their Supervisor for the dates. It seems some of them at CR know a little more than others about the 2016 CR event sailings.

 

Cheryl, it was great seeing you again. Have a wonderful time in S.A., enjoy your cruise, I want to hear about it when I see you again on board Anthem in 2016. All the best to you in the casino :)

Linda - we are not booked on Anthem (yet) in 2016 (I think Alla and Boris are...) In the fall of 2016 we are going on Explorer from Seattle to Sydney. Long cruise....and then the plan is to stay on in Australia for a while and then go to Hong Kong.

I see that others are just as frustrated as I am about no concrete information on the "new" program. Remember last year when they announced a big change and then they didn't make the change... Not going an any Super Bowl cruise this year as we are heading to South America for "Around the Horn" later this month. I have not been receiving snail or emails from Club Royale but the reps are very patiently telling me what my new offers are each time I call.

Alla and Linda - It would fun to see you on another cruise ...

-Cheryl

I have a vendor who gives me a few $5 Starbucks gift cards every month or so. Can I use these on Allure? I've heard their kiosk accepts the gold card, so figured these might be of use.

According to this you can on Oasis and Allure. I never tried but will keep in mind for next time on one of those ships.

http://www.******************.com/questions/can-i-use-my-starbucks-gift-cards-royal-caribbean

That's the one cruise I still regret we could not take. I cannot imagine Royal taking a Voyager (or larger) ship around the horn again.

Rhapsody is doing the Around the Horn sailings in Feb/March 2016. I would be happy with a bigger ship but they need to be able to get into certain ports. And even then a few of the days we will be tendering.

Just to be clear. If you are flying, you need to put the wine bottles in your checked bags, then, transfer the bottles to your carry on luggage at the dock before boarding.

Of course.

I read on another thread that there are signs in Port Canaveral that states, if you have bottles of wine in your checked luggage, that it must be pulled out and brought on the ship in your carry-on thus through security. True or false? We've always bubble wrapped and sent them on with the porter with our checked luggage. What is right/safest? TIA

Absolutely carry on the bottles of wine. No problem. If sent thru checked luggage the luggage may be held in ship's holding room until you go down and then the luggage needs to be opened and they need ti make sure it isn't liquor or beer...

Looking for an over the door organizer for a family of 5. We have one of the family suites (with windows overlooking the front of the ship) - Freedom of the Seas.

 

Need to purchase in the next few hours so I can guarantee it gets here before the weekend! Recommendations please, and thank you! :)

Many store sell over the door plastic shoe storage hanging bags - I bought years ago at Bed Bath and Beyond and never cruise without it.

I just gave up my superior balcony hump cabin for a forward jr suite. I hope it's the right choice. I know I had a "prime" cabin but I'm hoping the jr suite is worth it. And personal experiences/ thoughts welcome.

WORTH IT!!!!

More space. Double points. in-suite coffee and tea set up. Large balcony. Re walk in closet - Quantum class ships do not have walk-in closets in Spa Junior Suites (but does have good amount of closet space either side of the bed plus additional storage space.....also worth it!)

I have been following your trip across the Atlantic. You have been absolutely wonderful in sharing information, observances and answering questions. I am sorry the weather was so rough. (My husband wasn't as enthralled with it as I was.) We both really enjoyed the food in Jamie's and have booked that for our Nov. 30 cruise. October is a tough time to cross the Atlantic and I am sure those of who have been following you will think long and hard about ever (never) doing a crossing at this time of year. It is really unfortunate some of your entertainment and activity options were cancelled. Were the live shows cancelled because the entertainers couldn't stand on stage? (I can understand about Northstar and rock wall climbing being cancelled.) We traveled across the Atlantic in May from Bayonne to Barcelona on the Quantum and it was smooth sailing. Everywhere we ate the food was wonderful. I found Wonderland quirky and delicious. (Though my husband wasn't as enthralled with it as I was.) We'll be on the Anthem Nov. 30 - just a few weeks from now. The roughest crossing we have ever had was on a smaller ship - Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas - across the Tasmanian Sea from Australia to New Zealand and then back to Sydney. (Won't be doing that route again.) I hope you'll have a chance to try a Quantum class ship in calmer seas. Again, I thank you for all of your time posts and photos. I think Cruise Critic should give you a special award for this!

Your sense of humor about the waterfall made me chuckle. Our last "rough crossing" was the Tasmanian Sea from Australia to New Zealand and back. Water up and out of the pool. Ropes to hold on to when walking. and that was a much smaller ship - Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas. Could not believe the swells. We were fortunate we did not get sea sick, but there were others who had a miserable time. I hope your crossing gets smoother...

Thanks to all you posting live from ANTHEM. Many people in our roll call are following your postings. (We are on Nov 30 sailing) are really looking forward to free lobster and caviar. Maybe there was no free lobster because of what food gets loaded based on departure port. So maybe leaving from New Jersey .... like we had on Quantum. In your travels on the ship can you find out if there is any complimentary caviar in any of the bars? Perhaps at Vintages or the bar next to North Star. Thanks!!

I don't have any pictures of the balcony but found this You Tube video that shows a clip of the Balcony. What a great surprise for you husband's 50th bd.

 

The balcony is great sized on Spa Junior Suite. We were in SPS on Quantum crossing earlier this year New Jersey to Barcelona. I too missed walk in closet of other Royal Junior suites but the closets on Anthem SJS will be same size as on Quantum - plenty of room for hanging clothes. Loved the separate toilet/sink from other sink/tub/shower. Shower is great fun. Good space in both bathrooms for toiletries. We'll be on the Anthem after Thanksgiving in SJS. (What I don't like about the SJS is stateroom sitting space - or lack of it. I found the corner settee not very comfortable - and not as large as sofas on other Royal ships.) That being said, I am still very happy to be in a SJS and look forward to that cruise.

We were in a junior suite on the Quantum New Jersey to Barcelona. We went for breakfast each morning (no reservation needed) and for several dinners - reservations needed. I believe same policy then as now on those ships. Enjoyed our food... (and LOVED THE QUANTUM!) If your upcoming reservation

let's you book Coastal Kitchen, that means no problem. PS - I suggest you print out a copy of your Cruise Calendar which will show all of your dining reservations - as well as all activities and shore excursions - JUST IN CASE OF TECHNICAL ISSUES on the cruise... We'll be on the Anthem Nov/Dec.