on Anthem, would you do Junior Suite or 2 balcony rooms?

[BarefootMom]

I'm still trying to do research between Norwegian and RCL but if we do RCL for our April trip it will be to Bermuda and leaving from NJ on the Anthem. We have never cruised on either cruise line before (just Carnival)and it will be me and my husband and two older teen daughters. When I price it out, it seems like it would be cheaper to do 2 regular balcony rooms vs the junior suite that I priced out. My husband is a sucker for a little "snobbifery" as we call it but our budget wont allow for a true suite so I am wondering whether the junior suite is worth it or not in this case? I could not tell if it included priority embarkation/debarkation or not at this level? 

 

Also, this might be a sensitive question, but I was reading about the Solarium (which sounded appealing as Bermuda might be chilly in April) and read that it allows those "over 16"...will I be able to bring my girls (15, 17) with me or would they somehow know the 15 year old (she looks 18) is not yet 16? 

 

any thoughts specifically on taking this to Bermuda? should I be nervous about rough seas in the Atlantic that time of year or is this ship so large that we wouldn't really notice? thx!!

[Merion_Mom]

Unless you are dying to eat in Coastal Kitchen, DEFINITELY two balcony cabins. 

[Clarea]

If your 15-year old is in the pool or using a lounge chair, she may be asked to leave if they determine she is under 16.

[Valiamo]

For peace of mind and the parental sanity of living with 2 teenagers is a cabin. I would go for 2 balcony cabins  You have double the bathroom's and you are not fighting for for space or the shower.

 

But, for points sake, I would choose the Jr. Suite as you get double points. 

[nvance724]

I have recently been on the Anthem and have never seen anybody approach younger adults to verify their age. You walk in, never scan your card or show your card. If they wanted a drink maybe they would figure it out if they asked for alcohol. I personally prefer other areas of th ship on colder days as  the air is stale, but thats just me. I do think the place it might become an issue is in the casino but if you are there and she is sitting quietly and not playing slots I think the girls would be fine.

Make sure they get to the shows!

Agree with the 2 balcony advice.

 

Edited January 7, 2019 by nvance724

[LittleMissMagic]

Two balconies, hands down.  Your girls will love you for it.  And you will love not having to share a bathroom with them.  A junior suite is just a slightly larger than a regular balcony stateroom, and the only suite perk is getting double credits for C&A, which I would not consider worth the discomfort of a family with two teenagers all sharing a tiny space and one bathroom for a week!

 

As far as the solarium, they don't actually ID people.  It's more about behavior than age.  I'm not telling you not to "break the rules", but I'd advise you not to advertise it on here if you do.  CCers can be real sticklers.

[gerif]

Teenage girls? Extra bathroom with two cabins? Complete no brainer. 

[champagne123]

Agree with everyone here.  Get connecting cabins.  The Jr. Suites are really not that much bigger than a standard.  Yes, there is a tub, but still only one bathroom.  Two teenagers?  You need your privacy and two bathrooms.  The Anthem is great!  Hope you have a great time!

Edited January 7, 2019 by champagne123

[BarefootMom]

thanks for the quick responses! If I book the two cabins, are there any that connect? Not a huge deal but just wondering if there is a no-brainer way to make sure to book side by side...

[Ourusualbeach]

Two cabins...nuff said 

[LittleMissMagic]

6 minutes ago, BarefootMom said:

thanks for the quick responses! If I book the two cabins, are there any that connect? Not a huge deal but just wondering if there is a no-brainer way to make sure to book side by side...

 

You can book connecting - the best way to do that is to call.  If they don't have any connecting staterooms together, you can always have them open up the balcony partition between adjacent staterooms so that you can walk between the two cabins via the balcony.

You'll also want to call to book because typically you can't book two pax under 18 in a stateroom by themselves, but they can override if they understand that their parents are right next door.  The other option is to book you in one room and your husband in the other, and then have them produce additional keys for you at guest services after you board.

Edited January 7, 2019 by LittleMissMagic

[molly361]

Two balconies for sure

[Homebody]

I don’t know if you are aware, but the Anthem has an indoor ‘regular’ pool for all to use when it’s too chilly for the outdoor pool. So if you’re anxious about your younger daughter being ‘called out’ in the Solarium, the indoor pool is for everyone.  

Another nice thing about Anthem is that the door in connecting cabins is right by the entry door and doesn’t interfere with wall space in the cabin.

Edited January 7, 2019 by Homebody
Added picture

[LuCruise]

30 minutes ago, LittleMissMagic said:

 

You can book connecting - the best way to do that is to call.  If they don't have any connecting staterooms together, you can always have them open up the balcony partition between adjacent staterooms so that you can walk between the two cabins via the balcony.

You'll also want to call to book because typically you can't book two pax under 18 in a stateroom by themselves, but they can override if they understand that their parents are right next door.  The other option is to book you in one room and your husband in the other, and then have them produce additional keys for you at guest services after you board.

For our Navigator cruise we have 2 connecting rooms and we have DH and myself in one room, and our kids (14 and 10 when we travel) in the other room.  Maybe because it's connecting?

 

We also went through this dilemma (except 2 interior category vs 1 balcony) and also went for the 2 rooms in a couple cases.  The two washrooms plus letting our kids have their own bed space was the key factor.  (But we do have one where we went for the single balcony as room is a good size) 

[LittleMissMagic]

1 minute ago, LuCruise said:

For our Navigator cruise we have 2 connecting rooms and we have DH and myself in one room, and our kids (14 and 10 when we travel) in the other room.  Maybe because it's connecting?

 

It also might depend on how you booked.  I know if you book the staterooms one at a time, it will flag that stateroom with minors.  And sometimes if you book through a third party, it usually won't let you book one room for the minors.  But whatever the situation, if you call and talk to a rep, they should be able to override.

[motherof]

The J3 cabins have two bathrooms. One full, with tub/shower, and one half. DH and I really appreciated that perk.

[cb at sea]

2 cabins, with teens.  You will appreciate your privacy, which you do NOT get in a JS...no real division of spaces.  A JS is great for 2...but I would NEVER put more than that in one, unless I had toddlers.  Which I don't....so that's a moot point!

[mjkacmom]

Definitely 2 balconies, but, as a family of 7, we always need to book very early to snag connecting cabins during a holiday week, so call ASAP.