Rachelmle Posted January 9, 2017 Author #51 Share Posted January 9, 2017 They are supposed to have a counselor for each age group .. Safety is the most important thing and if I do not feel like they are adquitly staffed my kids won't be staying. It was actually two counselors per age group. However, I think there were a lot more kids than usual since it was the Xmas/New Years sailing. I would suggest you stop by Adventure Ocean to get an idea about the amount of staff per amount of children on the ship before making your decision. Having at least a little non-kid time is so needed!! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irish13 Posted January 10, 2017 #52 Share Posted January 10, 2017 Oh absolutely.. It was actually two counselors per age group. However, I think there were a lot more kids than usual since it was the Xmas/New Years sailing. I would suggest you stop by Adventure Ocean to get an idea about the amount of staff per amount of children on the ship before making your decision. Having at least a little non-kid time is so needed!! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djheart007 Posted January 10, 2017 #53 Share Posted January 10, 2017 Hi great review .. one question, where were you able to find the "Royal Refreshment" package while it was on sale? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachelmle Posted January 10, 2017 Author #54 Share Posted January 10, 2017 Hi great review .. one question, where were you able to find the "Royal Refreshment" package while it was on sale? Thanks. One day while popping around the Cruise Planner on the RCCL website it just showed up on sale. I don't remember getting an email about it - just randomly saw it with a discounted price. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmitch2945 Posted January 16, 2017 #55 Share Posted January 16, 2017 What was the earliest that you observed people debarking from the ship? Were taxis standing by ready to receive passengers leaving the ship? I ask because my wife and I are scheduled for 2 cruises- The Anthem from 2- 9 April and the Norwegian Getaway (Port of Miami) from the 9-16 April. As such, we have a tight window to fly to MIA or FLL between cruises. We will self assist our own luggage and standby near the gangway to be one of the first off the ship. There are a few available flights, however I would like to take the earliest flight from Newark to FLL, one which departs at 8am...if possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merion_Mom Posted January 16, 2017 #56 Share Posted January 16, 2017 What was the earliest that you observed people debarking from the ship? Were taxis standing by ready to receive passengers leaving the ship? I ask because my wife and I are scheduled for 2 cruises- The Anthem from 2- 9 April and the Norwegian Getaway (Port of Miami) from the 9-16 April. As such, we have a tight window to fly to MIA or FLL between cruises. We will self assist our own luggage and standby near the gangway to be one of the first off the ship. There are a few available flights, however I would like to take the earliest flight from Newark to FLL, one which departs at 8am...if possible. Just a wild thought here.......... ARE YOU INSANE?!?!?!?! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHoward909 Posted January 16, 2017 #57 Share Posted January 16, 2017 Just a wild thought here.......... ARE YOU INSANE?!?!?!?! Sent from my iPhone using Forums No you will not catch your flight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonaCK Posted January 16, 2017 #58 Share Posted January 16, 2017 What was the earliest that you observed people debarking from the ship? Were taxis standing by ready to receive passengers leaving the ship? I ask because my wife and I are scheduled for 2 cruises- The Anthem from 2- 9 April and the Norwegian Getaway (Port of Miami) from the 9-16 April. As such, we have a tight window to fly to MIA or FLL between cruises. We will self assist our own luggage and standby near the gangway to be one of the first off the ship. There are a few available flights, however I would like to take the earliest flight from Newark to FLL, one which departs at 8am...if possible. I don't think this is possible. Sorry. I would rethink this plan if you are not past final payment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachelmle Posted January 16, 2017 Author #59 Share Posted January 16, 2017 What was the earliest that you observed people debarking from the ship? Were taxis standing by ready to receive passengers leaving the ship? I ask because my wife and I are scheduled for 2 cruises- The Anthem from 2- 9 April and the Norwegian Getaway (Port of Miami) from the 9-16 April. As such, we have a tight window to fly to MIA or FLL between cruises. We will self assist our own luggage and standby near the gangway to be one of the first off the ship. There are a few available flights, however I would like to take the earliest flight from Newark to FLL, one which departs at 8am...if possible. There is no way at all you'll make an 8am flight. Personally, I wouldn't even entertain anything before noon just to be on the safe side. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaylemh Posted January 16, 2017 #60 Share Posted January 16, 2017 With all the construction at exit 14A (Bayonne exit) on the turnpike, you could stuck in traffic. What normally takes about a 20 minute drive to the airport could be well over an hour. You will be able to get off the ship usually by 7 - 7:30. This also depends on customs. So no you would never make an 8 am flight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaylemh Posted January 16, 2017 #61 Share Posted January 16, 2017 Just an idea, change your ship from the Getaway to the Breakaway out of NY. You would be able to make that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retire2cruise55 Posted January 16, 2017 #62 Share Posted January 16, 2017 Good question. We didn't drive and park. Instead, we had car service take us to and from the port and it was super easy. At embarkation it was essentially curbside service for our bags. At disembarkation we flagged down a luggage cart guy (there were a bunch) and he set us up at one of the zones for pick up. I called the car service and relayed to them which zone we were located. Super easy. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Can you please share what car service you used and if you would recommend? Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachelmle Posted January 16, 2017 Author #63 Share Posted January 16, 2017 Can you please share what car service you used and if you would recommend? Thank you! Sure - I used Summit Express car service (based out of Summit NJ). We had 4 adults, 2 kids, and a huge load of luggage. We used their large Mercedes Sprinter van and it was perfect. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewSalt Posted January 16, 2017 #64 Share Posted January 16, 2017 On one memorable occasion it took one hour to drive from the parking lot to the road and another 30 minutes to drive the next mile. The local news had a piece on how long it takes to get through security at ewr, in some instances two hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retire2cruise55 Posted January 16, 2017 #65 Share Posted January 16, 2017 Sure - I used Summit Express car service (based out of Summit NJ). We had 4 adults, 2 kids, and a huge load of luggage. We used their large Mercedes Sprinter van and it was perfect. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Thank you so much! Sailing in April and soaking up all the good info⚓️[emoji3] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachelmle Posted January 16, 2017 Author #66 Share Posted January 16, 2017 Thank you so much! Sailing in April and soaking up all the good info⚓️[emoji3] Totally! You'll love it :) We had so much fun that we all decided to rebook for the 2017 holiday cruise. Only 340 days to go..... Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegirl Posted February 14, 2017 #67 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Hi! Great review. My family and I were on this sailing too and there was actually a quite bit of overlap in many of our experiences. My review just went live here: http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=565563. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyinpa Posted February 14, 2017 #68 Share Posted February 14, 2017 thanks to OP for the great review. it helped me choose my 1st anthem booking. 270 was for VIPs only. They sold every table in there this year. There were also tables available for sale on 5 overlooking the Esplanade. My husband and I did not reserve anything, and were able to find great seats overlooking the Esplanade or the balloon drop. Tables started at $200, and went way up from there... We drove to the pier, dropped our bags, and then found a spot in the garage. With kids, I would probably do the bag drop and have one parent stay with the kids while the other goes and finds a spot. The garage is very close to the terminal. We had a porter take care of the bags when we got off the ship, and she met us on the ground level of the parking garage to load the bags after we got the car. VERY easy. i never did a holiday cruise but it seems soooo crazy to have them charge for additional things that are normally free (tables at two70) regarding getting off the ship, ive been in NYC and there you want to pay the porter to bypass the long customs line and take your stuff to your car. is it the same setup in NJ? You will be assigned a dining room. You will not be able to choose the dining room, you can only choose the day and time. in my limited reading so far i had not gleaned this. so are you saying i cannot try any other dining rooms other than what they assign me? i'm assuming this is chic/grand/american/silk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyinpa Posted February 14, 2017 #69 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Ha - I never even thought to ask my cabin steward to fold up the sofa bed each day! I do live in NJ. What's the User CP????? Sent from my iPhone using Forums thats funny but not. 1st day we got back to the room the pulldown bed was put away and we told him next time to just leave it down all week. the kids really used it during down times during the day. user CP is where you can change your location and stuff. under your name top right of the page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonaCK Posted February 14, 2017 #70 Share Posted February 14, 2017 thanks to OP for the great review. it helped me choose my 1st anthem booking. i never did a holiday cruise but it seems soooo crazy to have them charge for additional things that are normally free (tables at two70) regarding getting off the ship, ive been in NYC and there you want to pay the porter to bypass the long customs line and take your stuff to your car. is it the same setup in NJ? in my limited reading so far i had not gleaned this. so are you saying i cannot try any other dining rooms other than what they assign me? i'm assuming this is chic/grand/american/silk Yes. You can pay the porter and bypass the line. Best $20 we spent for the trip. The food is the same in all the dining rooms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyinpa Posted February 14, 2017 #71 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Yes. You can pay the porter and bypass the line. Best $20 we spent for the trip. The food is the same in all the dining rooms. good to know http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/experiencetypes/category.do?pagename=onboard_cat_dining_options i'm trying to find where it says they assign a dining room and that you cannot choose what you want. its not very clear if thats how it's supposed to work. i cannot even find the normal tiny 'terms and conditions' that NCL posts at the bottom of their pages Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travalerie Posted February 14, 2017 #72 Share Posted February 14, 2017 We were on the same cruise and had a fantastic time! I booked the North Star pre-cruise as soon as they opened up the reservations (90 days before). \ Do you have to be paid in full to book reservations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 14, 2017 #73 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Do you have to be paid in full to book reservations? No. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travalerie Posted February 14, 2017 #74 Share Posted February 14, 2017 No. Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyinpa Posted February 15, 2017 #75 Share Posted February 15, 2017 do reservations open up at 90 days for both north star etc and dining? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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