Roybthered

Will let you know as we sail on Symphony at the end of August out of Rome and then sail on Anthem beginning of Oct out of Southampton. We sailed on Anthem in May as soon as she came over on the transatlantic on a 2 night cruise over to France and back (needed the points for our October cruise to be Diamond). This was our 3rd time on Anthem and the October one will be our 4th time, we did originally have the Aug one booked on Anthem but decided twice was enough and wanted to go on another Oasis class (done Oasis last October). Anthem is a nice ship for what it is and we enjoy it but you need to understand each class of ship differs from another, unfortunately for us in the UK Southampton is the only port being operated from by RCCL. Now if they started using other ports and had other ships coming over am sure the take up would be a lot more. We like Royal (wife is Prime so Aug is our free cruise!) and will be diamond in October so will not be getting the drinks package. It is expensive but you should look at it and if you feel you will get your monies worth then great but if you don't then pay as you go. Same applies to the UDP. On another note this is Cruise Critic and everyone is allowed an opinion as everyone has their own likes and dislikes.

We sail on Symphony at the end of August from Rome and all the specialty restaurants are listed individually but there no 3, 5 or UDP nights listed at all. Hope they do at least put it on the site so we can make a call on getting it if the price is right. Seems very strange.

We are sailing on Symphony at the end of August this year and they have put on all the specialty restaurants but not the UDP , hoping they put it on so we can see the price soon.

You can use the UDP at any specialty restaurant that is open on embarkation day.

We sailed last year on Oasis from NJ on the same route and had our 6 year old Granddaughter who went the Kids Club and loved it. Checked in and out, lots to do from games to crafts and she loved it. Took her there for an hour to see how she liked it on the first day and she stayed for another and did at least 2 hours a day.

Looking forward to following your journey, we sail on the two night cruise on the 12th May and are back on her in August and October.

Did this get answered?

As soon as we board we go straight to the first restaurant with a list of restaurants and timings we would like. They almost always fit you in around the timings you want but you do need to be flexible on dates v restaurants v times. Never had too much of a problem at all and we do like the UDP as for us it make a better cruise experience.

I believe there are no problems on her now. We sail on her when she gets over from the TA mid May out of Southampton for a long weekend and are then back on her in October for a 12 night Canary Islands trip. Have been on her twice before and loved the ship, really looking forward to sailing on her again.

My DW is prime and we get offers but they are all in the US and we are from the UK, seems strange that they cant'/don't offer European ones to us as getting to /from the US is a few bucks.

Your right, European countries show the price to pay with all taxes or gratuities on.

So much easier in the UK, we pay what you see as all gratuities etc are included! If the drinks package is on the website at say £60 per day then that is what you pay as all addons are included so you know if you get it say 7 days for two of you then you are paying £840. no more no less. Makes it so much easier.

Once on the app on your phone your information should be stored and you can just click on it and it should open up with your cruise details on it. You can switch to a number of cruises if you have them booked on the app and purchase a number of things, book restaurants etc.

You should be finished and out of the terminal quite quickly and on your way to be honest, the trains are roughly about every 15 minutes to Gatwick (some with changes, the 12.15 is straight through) and should only take a couple of hours. We are on the 2 night sailing on the 12th May and are looking forward to it.

We have been on Anthem a couple of times and it is a nice ship, we sail on her twice later this year. First is a 2 night Southampton to Paris (in a suite) when it arrives from the US after its transatlantic and the second is a 12 night to the Canary Islands in a balcony. We usually just book a balcony every time we sail but the 2 night one is a special occasion so thought we would book it. Glad you enjoyed it.

You should have no problem going straight to the restaurant and having lunch with the UDP. We have had it on a number on occasions and done it, and whilst there book every other restaurant for the lunches and evening meal that we wanted for the cruise (they are able to book all the specialty restaurants from there). It can get repetitive but you do have sports bars etc to have lunches at.

I bet they won't let her buy the drinks package either!!!! Airlines charge adult prices from what 12? Cruise lines are no different. Our children are all grown up and we have grandchildren but now and again like a bit of peace and quiet so the solarium is a nice place to go and chill with a lot of noise. There are lots of areas for children on the ship so not really an issue is it.

When booking a cruise the additional amounts are added, taxes, port charges and fees. This also includes gratuities if pre paid so tipping should not come into it. It is a personal thing and should be at your own digression but should not be looked down upon or lambasted if you do not. Every person can tip or not tip simple.

Do you get the same perks in a junior suite?

As soon as you get on the ship go to the first specialty restaurant and book all the reservations you want. They can book them all for you for all the locations.

We were on Oasis in October out of New Jersey and they showed the English Football League whilst on it. Playmakers has multiple screens and at least one was showing football, if its not ask and they will accommodate you.

Although we always have them on our phone, I always have a paper copy of everything we might need just in case signal goes etc. DW says "your not in the Army now!" but proved invaluable at NJ port last year with our 6 YO granddaughter who up until 4 days prior need to be covid checked but the day before the cruise they dropped it so we arrived at the port and where asked for her covid check paperwork. I had the information on my phone but could not get it up so got my trusty folder out produced the paper work and when they checked came back saying they had not been told but it was fine to board! "Fail to prepare, prepare to fail!".

What a really great review, thanks for sharing it.

Was on Oasis in October and they had a couple of parades during the week, entertaining and well received. Thankfully getting back to normal now.

We sailed on Oasis in October and had a balcony and the same happened to us, we had our daughter and granddaughter with us so wanted to use the balcony a lot. DW went to customer services to complain but not a lot was done, she spoke to our steward who did confirm it smelt and he would report it to his supervisor and my DW again went to customer services. They eventually came but could not determine where the culprit was (even thought it was the next cabin to us). The gave us a 10% refund but that was not the point, we are on a ship that allows people to smoke in designated areas and not in their cabins and definitely not using drugs!