cot427

3 minutes ago, OfTheSeasCruiser said:

Yes, I know that.

 

I was saying that the photos are of the Windjammer bar area, not Hooked. 

 Oh okay, gotcha. That wasn’t clear. 

Seems like a very nice bar area for the Windjammer then!

19 hours ago, OfTheSeasCruiser said:

Windjammer bar area. Right as you walk in. Same as Mariner. 

Per the deck plans, Hooked is supposed to go on deck 4 across from the Schooner bar (where Izumi is on Mariner). Navigator is supposedly keeping Izumi on 14, presumably meaning no hibachi.

1 hour ago, the_lovely_voyage said:

I'm not sure what happened but I definitely replied to this thread yesterday, and then Ourusualbeach replied to my post last night, and now somehow both of our posts are gone. Not really sure what that's about.

 

To answer ethanfite56's question (again), the drydock for the Freedom is apparently scheduled for January 20-February 22, 2020. It will be getting the Royal Amplified Upgrades, similar to the Independence's upgrades.

Yes, look for "Royal Amp" upgrades similar to Independence, but not exact. Royal is always analyzing and looking at what works, what doesn't (and how to make more onboard revenue lol). For example, take a look at Mariner vs. Navigator. Very similar in terms of upgrades and new venues, but also slightly different (pool deck, slides, restaurants)

When I was under 21 and cruising, I would often have the soda package and ask for a Shirley Temple or phrase it "sprite with cherry" and I would not have any issues getting it. Now, this was 7+ years ago, so maybe it changed. 

Also on that sailing! In short, two new water slides and upgraded/enhanced pool deck with new bar concept by the pool. I have read that there may be more nightlife around that area as well, which is nice because on my last cruise on Anthem, they had absolutely no outdoor deck parties or bars open at night. Also, Johnny Rockets will move by the pool to JR Express (likely still fee) and they will add an El Loco Fresh taco stand (reports say complimentary).

Also, two new bars on the Promenade: Playmakers Sports Bar and The Bamboo Room tiki bar. Moving Diamond Lounge to where the Cigar Bar is by Star Lounge. Starbucks across from Boleros on deck 4.

Laser Tag in Studio B. Escape Room (likely on 15?). Hooked Seafood to replace Sabor. 

Moving Fitness center from forward to aft to make room for new staterooms. 

Navigator is currently in dry dock, so likely won't see an update til the week of Feb 24, as that's her first sailing back. If anyone is sailing around then could report, would greatly appreciate it!

1 hour ago, k39jkr said:

Are the slides being added for sure?  I'm hoping to benefit from the fun without the increase in kids...not that kids aren't great, but I'm leaving mine at home!

Slides for sure on Navigator. The waterslides will be two new slides that have never been offered: The Blaster, the cruise line’s first-ever aqua coaster and the longest waterslide at sea, will offer a two-person raft that will propel them through more than 800 feet of hills, drops and straightaways, which includes extending over the side of the ship for a rush of ocean air. AND. On its counterpart, Riptide, guests will plunge headfirst down the industry’s only headfirst mat racer and reach an exhilarating finish through a translucent tube with endless ocean views.

Nothing for sure on Explorer yet.

According to this, per the NY Waterway website, there is a ferry that takes you from "Port Liberte" to way downtown by Battery Park (the Battery Maritime Building). Here is the map: http://www.nywaterway.com/UserFiles/Files/HudsonRiverPeakFerryMap.pdf and here is the schedule: http://www.nywaterway.com/PortLiberte-BMBRoute.aspx

It's important to note that the ferry is not right within the ship terminal. You'd have to exit the terminal and go around to Chapel Ave. (7 Chapel Ave Jersey City, NJ)

I've taken the ferry from both Hoboken and Weehawken to the city and back, but that obviously puts you closer to Midtown and not all the way downtown. Depending on what you are looking to do in Manhattan, being all the way downtown may not be ideal for you. 

On 1/12/2019 at 11:49 PM, davisrnr said:

The disturbing part of this is that they are clearly aware of this issue and choose not to fix it. As the OP stated, in her case they actually changed the total at first and charged her the full price until she brought it to their attention. OP knew this was a glitch, but a less savvy, first time cruiser may not. That is some very shady *bleep*, and I wonder how many customers have booked this way in good faith, been charged more than they thought they would, and not caught it until very late in the process when it couldn't easily be undone...i.e. upon (or if not careful, after) final payment. 

We all know Royal's website is complete garbage. I am not surprised that it took them/or is taking them so long to fix it. Not a pricing error, but my itinerary was wrong on their main website and correct in my cruise planner for a month or more. I reported it a few times and finally they fixed it. I don't know if it just takes that long to get to through appropriate channels or that they are that incompetent that they can't fix it right away.

1 hour ago, Saab4444 said:

This is why we will cruise on her only before this dry dock and then never again as it will not improve the quality of cabins and the ship overall.This dry dock will just add again more cabins, people and pay extra options. Respective changes can be expected to be similar to Navigator.   

I am very excited to be sailing Navigator after her current drydock. In fact, I was just on Explorer 3 or so months ago and all I kept saying was this is going to be redone on the Navigator. While there will be a few new pay extra options, they are redoing the pool area and adding slides for some fun. Royal was in dire need of some new bar concepts, so the Bamboo Room and Playmakers being added to these ships will be a nice feature. Sure, food in these venues costs extra, but everything else is being replaced pay-extra for pay-extra (Jamie's instead of Giovannis, Hooked instead of Sabor. And it seems that the new El Loco taco stand by the pool will be complimentary. 

So perhaps the quality of the cabins won't be improved, and perhaps they are adding more cabins which means more people...but I am happy with the other additions enough to overlook those.

I found the menu and it seems that, there are no special shareable drinks. They can make a couple specialty drinks into bowls, so I would say it doesn't make sense to share if everyone has the package. Just each get one yourself. Seems more like an option for people without a package. Here is the menu for anyone interested: https://eatsleepcruise.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/BambooRoom_1.jpg

https://eatsleepcruise.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/BambooRoom_1.jpg

Having been on both twice, they are both my favorite ships from their respective lines. That being said, Anthem if only for the pool deck alone...there are so many more options, with the main pool, indoor pool and amazing solarium. This is where Escape and NCL as a whole with their -away and -away plus ships fail. Their tiny main pool deck is so crowded and lackluster and the Spice H20, while nice, is also small and no pool, just a water feature and couple hot tubs.  With that said, I love NCL's deck parties and theme nights, assuming they still hold them in Spice. If being by the pool is important to you in April, choose Anthem. If you'd rather do deck parties, drink package included and longer port, choose Escape. You really can't go wrong with either. Both have pretty good entertainment and food options, although Food Republic on Escape holds a special place for me!

2 minutes ago, FionaMG said:

And what were those little bread rolls called? Tasty bites, or something like that? 

Savory bites! <3

I don't think it was posted, but did everyone see the news about the pool?

22 minutes ago, EMBFlyer said:

No, you can't!  You can't because you're not qualified to know how the decisions came about.  You weren't there.  You don't know what happened.  You're not trained like a pilot or sailor.  You don't know what goes on up on the bridge or in the cockpit.  Who died and made you the judge of all because you don't like something?

 

So, no.  No you cannot be critical of something you know NOTHING about!

Agree to disagree then. Also, don’t tell people what they can and cannot do. You don’t know me either. 

I can see 

On 12/4/2018 at 7:51 AM, creativegenius said:

Really excited to see what Virgin has to offer.  We already know the cabin pricing will be higher than 'standard cruises' because of pretty much everything but the alcohol and excursions being included.  We're expecting pricing along the lines of Disney at peak cruising times which are usually double to triple 'normal cruising rates. 

Besides specialty dining, that's the same as every other cruise line. Everything but alcohol and excursions are included. I can see it being higher because it's brand new, a new concept and no kids, but I can't see it being double to triple. Or at least, I hope not. Or I'll stick with the mainstream lines until prices come back to a more reasonable level.

So excited to book the Navigator for a 9-night before she moves to 3/4 night Bahamas! Just luck that she's getting a bunch of awesome features during her amplification...booked it months and months ago without that knowledge, so know I'm super pumped! 

On 12/16/2018 at 10:56 AM, EMBFlyer said:

And you got your maritime training and experience at.....

I'm allowed to be critical of someone in charge of sailing a ship, flying a plane, driving a car, if they put people in danger and/or if I don't like what they are doing. I will never understand why people blindly defend cruise lines/personnel/etc., especially on here. It baffles my mind. 

1 minute ago, EMBFlyer said:

 

What is wrong with Captain Matko?  Just sailed with him and found him to be a competent sailor.

He’s the one who sailed Breakaway right into the bomb cyclone last New Years cruise and risked the lives of every single person onboard. 

Anyone know if Captain Matko is off the Breakaway or is leaving 12/16? Fingers crossed! 

11 minutes ago, Dajbman22 said:

Very interesting. There was nothing like that on the Breakaway last year. At least nothing I saw in the Freestyle daily or advertised at all. Maybe it's a B+ ship thing. 

Our an embarkation type thing...maybe S. Florida ships do and NYC doesn't? Which doesn't make sense, but I also think I remember it from the Getaway. 

Anyway, have friends on Breakaway Sunday out of NOLA...will try to remember to report back! 

2 minutes ago, Dajbman22 said:

 

While NCL's buffets are usually open til 9:30pm or so, the only true late night offerings are O'Sheehans (or the other pub on the Bliss) and Room Service. There are also sometimes finger sandwiches and canapes in the casino. They haven't had late night snacks in the buffet in at least a few years now. It's pretty much on par with RCI's offerings. The only difference is that on NCL the late night option is a sit-down venue, and RCI has 1 or two takeout venues depending on the ship. 

I swear it wasn’t but September 2017 on Escape and I was sitting in the back of the Garden Buffet after 10...and they had the crepe bar. Maybe my timing/memory is off. 

46 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

I think Mariner and maybe a couple of other ships have longer hours for the WJ,

I'm assuming that was post dry-dock, once we started her 3/4 night cruises.  Curious whether Navigator will start late hours for WJ right after the dry-dock or wait until she starts her 3/4 night cruises.  

Sorrentos on Oasis/Quantum class do not compare to pizza offered in Cafe Promenade at the Voyager class...Voyager class pizza (Explorer) is absolutely foul. I would've loved a late night WJ option, even with limited offerings. Pretty sure NCL keeps Garden Buffet open late night, which is fantastic.

I've read multiple reports regarding both Oasis and Allure and guests haven't been offered a good alternative due to timing and/or pricing. It's absolutely absurd! I'm glad you were able to find Norwegian Getaway as a suitable alternative, I love that ship! But you're absolutely right...Royal doesn't care and it's a shame. Not a good reputation to have, that's for sure.