Tatka

I have a different perspective. We are empty nesters now… but I welcome all “amusement park” ships because we sailed several times on ships overrun with kids without amusement park. It’s MUCH better when kids are attracted to amusement parks and don’t overwhelm all others areas. That’s being said Icon won’t be our priority.

The point of 3 devices that you can use internet on 3 devices at the same time. otherwise you can use internet on 25 devices, but not at the same time.

We always eat in MDR (not in specialty restaurants or buffet). We are fine with offerings. We’ll see what new menus bring. We don’t cruise for food anymore, but still like to have nice choices.

I don’t remember midnight buffet since mid2000 and we till last year cruised with 8 lines.

We have not been asked on Enchantment in March in Baltimore On Anthem for this and last Thanksgivings, last Christmas and New Year, Oasis last September and this June, Adventure in September . All in NJ Celebrity Edge last year in Fort Lauderdale

Yes, it is sailing there now. There are other places too. We are fine with Anthem even though I am about to sail on her for #9 time. It suits needs of Northeast just fine. Hopefully if there is no other appropriate ship can be sent here Anthem stays. 🥰

I am sure emergencies can happen, but this would be just a poor planning. I don't completely understand why this ship was built without a roof above this pool, but I suppose it was planned to use it exclusively for warm climate.

Hopefully not. These ships are very crowded. I cannot imagine what will happen to Solarium if all kids who are usually using indoor pool will use solarium. Also Solarium cascade pools are not exactly regular pools... there will be safety issues I think. Anyway, there are enough Quantum class ships to avoid sending Odyssey to Northeast. At least for colder season. Summer is fine.

Maybe it is by the ship. We honestly do not see much difference in the last 2 years vs prepandemics. We sailed on Anthem X 4, Oasis X 2, Enchantment and Adventure in the last 2 years.

Nice to hear Princess improved. We only sailed 7 times with Princess, but for a long time it was our favorite line. We absolutely loved our second to the last cruise on Royal Princess (in some regards it exceeded preceding cruise on Celebrity Silhouette back-to-back) for New Year 2017 In 2019 after two Christmas/NY combos on older RCI Grandeur we decided to have another double cruise on RCI Explorer 5 days Christmas and then 10 days on Crown Princess for NYE. We expected Princess to be much better experience than RCI... However we got opposite. Crown was very tired.. We never sailed on such tiered ships with ANY company, Golden paint peeled in every elevator. Food was completely different than we were accustomed with Princess... especially in buffet (Royal Princess had amazing buffets, but even Caribbean or Ruby, Grand had a nice one). In restaurants food was better, but I think steak was not even present daily. There was 4 production shows in 10 days, but only one was watchable. Medallion Internet was AMAZING quality though. Speed, price! I think it was about $140 for 4 devices for 10 days (free for us). I am happy to read that food has improved again. I agree about Grandeur's Centrum being somewhat similar to Princess's Piazza, although it is closer to Grand/Caribbean class. We love it!!!

What would happen to all families with kids? Odyssey does not have indoor pool?

In Junkanoo we just rent chairs (not lounges as we are in the water most of a time) and put them in the first row on a border with Margaritaville. In Atlantis we used to pay $40 and spend time in aquariums area (underground and above) OR we asked driver to bring us to Cabbage beach. Last time (Christmas 2019) we went to Atlantis they allowed us to walk not only near aquariums, but in water park too, just not to use slides. We also tried Cable beach near Baha Mar resort, but didn’t see much advantage over Junkanoo.

Yes. For a good compensation. Same way they sometimes ask if you are OK with moving your sailing to another date. Usually with a GREAT compensation.

Straw Market is a separate building. We do not go there even though it looks nicer now. We leave the port turn to the right and walk 15-20 mins to Junkanoo beach. Absolutely no problem at all. Beach is right next to new Margaritaville hotel. It can be crowded at times, but otherwise clean and fine. We used to hope in taxi or watertaxi and go to Paradise Island either to Atlantis or Cabbage beach, but now we have another option.

I am now not arguing with people when they say "I am not getting off at Nassau!!!". It is getting much nicer than it was (we stopped there 6 times in 2021-2022), but lets people think it is bad! 🤣

This is so cool. We sailed on Oasis which used extension. In Solarium we were SO close to Atlantis!

Why? Seems like OP wants a table for two. We always request it, although not prior to sailing, but when entering MTD MDR.

Would you book balconies if you have to skip interesting excursion to pay for it? Or another cruise?

I read review from by a person which sailed on that trial cruise on Symphony. He said no charge for extra plate (except for lobster tail which was much better than original one), but they do not bring the next one until you finish the first. Seems reasonable to me.

Just think about your vacation. What are you there for? Maybe it will help you with your regret. I never regret our insides (about 40 out of 55 times, the rest balconies and 2 outsides), because frankly during last several times we had balconies we found ourselves 2-3 times stepping on them and never for long. My snorkeling gear and swimming suits do dry up well there, but it is not worth it. Solarium, pools, promenades, theater shows, music in various clubs. I am looking at some suites videos and thinking ... OK, it is very cool, but I can be in 10 fun places, but if I book it I will regret spending so much time outside of it and not enjoying it enough. For the record Princess was our favorite company for a long time. We had the best experience on Royal in 2017 New Year cruise and the worst on Crown Princess in 2020 New Year cruise. I personally find Royal Caribbean's staterooms to be better than Princess's except for change area.

I am a skier too (downhill) . As I am originally from Northeastern Ukraine I am even used to having fun running from sauna in a snow. However I cannot do this for several days long 🤪 ... especially if I am not drunk enough which I am usually not.

Well, we sometime get calls about downgrading even with assigned cabin. So rules are the same in this regard.

The only rule that applies to GTY is that they cannot place you in lower category. Everything else is random. Where, when etc.

Will you do this in January sailing from Northeast in 15 - 45F ? Anthem of the Seas Solarium for adults Anthem of the seas Indoor pool for families We now take multiple cruises out of New Jersey and these are one of our favorite places. I know that NCL ships are doing same cruises out of NYC, and we once took 14 days deep Caribbean out of Boston... but 1-2 days each way are too cold to be outside even oh hot Jacuzzi.

Thank you very much. Looks like NCL will continue to not be our option in colder climate.