Genie's Help Since Return to Sailing

[Midway7934]

My husband and I are booked for a January cruise to the Caribbean on the Anthem. It is a rescheduled Star class trip. My last cruise was right before the onset of covid. It was a Star class cruise cut short because several passengers had to be tested for suspicious symptoms which later turned out to be negative. I give you this background since the rebooked Star class is partially paid for with the returned fare from the earlier cruise. What I would like to know from anyone who has used a Genie since the return to cruising is does the Genie still reach out ahead of time? Do you still meet your Genie in the Star class drop off area as he(she) walks you in with your luggage? Does the Genie save our seats for dinners and shows? Are we still escorted off the ship with our luggage? I ask all these questions because my husband is blind and for our 50th anniversary (January 2020 cruise) we shared the most wonderful cruise of our life. I obviously need extra help with guiding my husband. Any information from someone who has used a Genie since returning to cruising would be most helpful. My final payment is not due until December and check in is scheduled for the end of November. I thought things would have improved after 2 years. I can still cancel, but will never see Star class again at this rate. Thank you anyone for your info.

[RFerrington]

2 minutes ago, Midway7934 said:

My husband and I are booked for a January cruise to the Caribbean on the Anthem. It is a rescheduled Star class trip. My last cruise was right before the onset of covid. It was a Star class cruise cut short because several passengers had to be tested for suspicious symptoms which later turned out to be negative. I give you this background since the rebooked Star class is partially paid for with the returned fare from the earlier cruise. What I would like to know from anyone who has used a Genie since the return to cruising is does the Genie still reach out ahead of time? Do you still meet your Genie in the Star class drop off area as he(she) walks you in with your luggage? Does the Genie save our seats for dinners and shows? Are we still escorted off the ship with our luggage? I ask all these questions because my husband is blind and for our 50th anniversary (January 2020 cruise) we shared the most wonderful cruise of our life. I obviously need extra help with guiding my husband. Any information from someone who has used a Genie since returning to cruising would be most helpful. My final payment is not due until December and check in is scheduled for the end of November. I thought things would have improved after 2 years. I can still cancel, but will never see Star class again at this rate. Thank you anyone for your info.

We too were on that Anthem Feb 7 (I believe) 2020 cruise.  Was supposed to be 8 nights and ended up being 5.  Even shortened, it was a great cruise.  It was the last cruise we were on before the shutdown.  

 

We booked a SC on Allure for 11-21-21.  Our Genie has reached out to us so I can answer that part of your question.  Unfortunately, due to vax requirements, we had to cancel that cruise so I cannot answer the rest of your questions but from everything I have read of others who have cruised SC since the restart, all of the SC amenities are still in place.  If you are traveling with unvaccinated children ineligible for the vaccine then there are some restrictions but it doesn't sound like it is the case for you.  The only "change" that I can detect is that you must still adhere to arrival/check-in times but SC has a "flexible" arrival time.  My guess is that, once you get there, you will be allowed to at least enter the terminal and wait in the Suites waiting area.

 

Below is the letter we received from our Genie for the 11-21-21 Allure sailing.  While not Anthem, I suspect it is typical of all SC sailings at the moment.  Sorry it is difficult to read.

 

[mac_tlc]

We sailed on the Allure 8/15 in Star Class, and we had done Star Class pre-COVID. Very few differences. The genie did not meet us in the terminal, we were escorted onto the ship by another employee. Very rarely did she or the room service staff enter the stateroom. Still reserved all dinners and shows and was present at every one of them. Still sent a ton of food and stuff to the room!!!  Upon debarkation the genie escorted us to the ship exit, another employee took us through the terminal to customs. They still picked up all of our luggage at the room on the morning of debarkation.
 

Still got the pre cruise questionnaire. 

IMHO, make the final payment , you will love it !!!

 

mac_tlc

[Midway7934]

Thank you both. My travel agent arranges for a wheelchair at the terminal once inside. My husband thoroughly enjoys cruising and loves the fact that the Genie helps me with the details. By the way, Romina was my Genie on the February 7 (yes that was the cruise changed to Bermuda), to celebrate our 50th anniversary. Ironically that was where we went on our honeymoon. It was supposed to be a cruise to the Bahamas.Again, thanks for sharing your recent “Genie” experience. We are both vaccinated. Too bad she can’t arrange a COVID test 2 days before the cruise!

[jndsilver31]

my wife and were on the symphony oct 23 to oct 30 in a srar class suite, the Genie reached out twice to ys, he met us instde the terminal and escoted us to our suite (2 bedroom aqua theatherbsuite). he also escorted us thry customs. it was great. 

 

he/she will get you seats for the shows.

[mrpie90]

On 11/4/2021 at 3:40 PM, Midway7934 said:

My husband and I are booked for a January cruise to the Caribbean on the Anthem. It is a rescheduled Star class trip. My last cruise was right before the onset of covid. It was a Star class cruise cut short because several passengers had to be tested for suspicious symptoms which later turned out to be negative. I give you this background since the rebooked Star class is partially paid for with the returned fare from the earlier cruise. What I would like to know from anyone who has used a Genie since the return to cruising is does the Genie still reach out ahead of time? Do you still meet your Genie in the Star class drop off area as he(she) walks you in with your luggage? Does the Genie save our seats for dinners and shows? Are we still escorted off the ship with our luggage? I ask all these questions because my husband is blind and for our 50th anniversary (January 2020 cruise) we shared the most wonderful cruise of our life. I obviously need extra help with guiding my husband. Any information from someone who has used a Genie since returning to cruising would be most helpful. My final payment is not due until December and check in is scheduled for the end of November. I thought things would have improved after 2 years. I can still cancel, but will never see Star class again at this rate. Thank you anyone for your info.

Hi.

We were in the owners  Loft suite on Anthem out of Southampton and

yes the Genie did all that you mentioned plus anything you would require 

Him to do.

 

Ian

[fishernrex]

We were on Odyssey with a Genie (Marla) and she was wonderful.  We had a last minute upgrade and were still contacted as soon as possible.  Met us at the terminal, walked us on, introduced us to our steward, etc.  While shows/dining times weren't an issue on our trip because of very low passenger counts, Marla still made sure we had everything we could possibly want (and then some). 

 

Just in reference to folks coming into your room, if you order room service directly (instead of via the Genie), the won't enter your room.  However, if you order through the Genie, they will make sure the cabin steward is available to set everything up for you.   

 

As this was our first Star class cabin, I can't compare to anything pre COVID, but I will say, I can't imagine anything could have been better in any way.  The service was fantastic.  

[lovescats5]

It was good to hear that you need to order thru the genie to have a steward come into the room.  The last time we were on Anthem in SC our genie gave us a direct number to order room service.  It was fun to call and have them know who we were.  Might be something to look at doing over Thanksgiving when we will be back on Anthem.