mtgourmet

Gosh - I’m going to add a slightly different take here. I also do full hair and makeup each night before dinner. However, I relish the ability to take my time. I often shower and sit on the balcony air drying my hair for a half hour or so. Then my husband and I will have a glass of something sparkling (champagne or prosecco), and I’ll finish the “process”. I have a great cruise mix on my iPhone that we listen to while getting ready as well. During the work week, getting ready is always rush-rush and a chore. On ship I get ready to so that I feel good about me. Perhaps that’s why my best photos have been taken at sea...

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We had no problems uploading photos for Quantum a year ago, but this year the on-line boarding system does not like my photo quality.

Will get photos done at check-in

In 3 weeks - can't believe we this close [emoji4]

I was in 1570 (the room next door) and the bed was forward.

You will love this JS - very comfortable, quiet, and the closet is HUGE

I've never had trouble getting a dinner reservation by waiting until we board to ask the Concierge to do it for me. As for shows, if you're in a suite, the only show for which you will need to make a reservation is the comedy show (I'm speaking of OA/AL, not sure about Quantum/Anthem, but I believe it's the same fleetwide). I recommend doing that (comedy show) in advance, as it's a very small venue and books up quickly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I tip by each drink because it's easier for me - I don't have to try to remember who served me over the course of the cruise. I tend to agree that a big tip up front seems like a bribe, but $1/drink seems to keep everybody happy. I do wish that the concierge had change for $20's, though.

I go to my bank before I leave town and withdraw $50 in ones. That way we've always got one dollar bills for room service and drink tips.

Very good point

I think my next husband needs to be a billionaire with Pinnacle status [emoji6]

Great question! I would love to hear a reply from a recent or current cruiser.

The Solarium is one of the best areas in the Quantum class (of course IMO).

We are in 12646 on Anthem and I can confirm there is no divider. They did a really good job of removing it. There is no evidence it was ever there.

Thank you SO MUCH for posting the picture

Unfortunately - I moved the second I saw a deck 11 GS open up and 12646 has been booked now :(

Read somewhere on CC that effective Novmber they have moved the dividers in GS on 12. hope that helps,c

Just to be safe - I switched rooms

11242 openned up last week and I switched - now I'm maybe regretting the switch...

I wish someone would post who has actually seen 12646

Awesome review!

I believe the troublesome GS is 12646, which is quite close to you, and the one I have booked for March. If the opportunity presents, could you ask if there is still a divider on that balcony.

Keep posting the pics!

Hey gapearl- I love your insightful comparisons. I am pretty much "loyal to Royal", but recently completed my first Carnival cruise.

I agree with your assessment on the main dining room food. Carnival had great choices each night, and the molten chocolate cake is perhaps the best dessert I've ever had. Royal does a fine job in the MDR, but for great food I go to the Specialty Restaurants.

One area that hasn't been brought up is suite guest amenities. I cruise in Grand Suites, and have to say, my Royal Caribbean Grand Suites have all been head and shoulders above the GS on Carnival Elation. I was also disappointed there were little to no suite perks on Carnival. I guess Royal has figured it out - if you give folks a little bit of treatment, they'll spend 2-3 times more on a cruise :)

I must throw in a different opinion:

For a good made to order omelette (not a station), go to American Icon. The service is great, they're very prompt, and added bonus - they have amazing Cafe Du Monde style beignets.

I just enlarged the photo and lost quality, so I am not able to appreciate whether or not it's been removed. This is however quite reassuring. Hopefully we'll start to hear from some who have actually experienced this suite.

I agree with sab490 - proximity to Concierge Lounge was a huge factor for my choice of this suite. I LOVE the Quantum Class Concierge Lounge - it is amazing!

This board has been inactive for several months.

Any word if they have corrected the balcony divider issue? As previously stated by several, it seems like a minor and relativley easy fix.

less than 6 months to my cruise and I'm hopeful they'll get it handled.

I agree with marci22

I have young adult children about these same ages as well, and have cruised with them within the past year.

I brought my 23 year old daughter into our upper tier suite, and wish I had put her into an inside.

For the most part, young adults do not maintain the same hours/scheduled that we do. When away at college or in their own apartment or cabin, I don't worry, but when they're in my house/room, I can't relax until they're in bed.

Much as they love you, they would really rather hang out with people their own age (remember- you raised them to be able to function independently).

Finally - and this is the most important piece: This is your special anniversary. When your kids are married or on their own, it's going to just be the two of you. Celebrate!

My husband and I wear "true" formal wear (gown & tux) on every formal night every cruise. We are never the most over dressed. This is your cruise - dress up, get great pictures, you won't regret it - I promise [emoji6]

I have done 2 B2Bs in the last year.

On Quantum in November (2014) - we got off for 15 minutes and were then allowed back on. I'm not sure if we had to get off, but the crew were figuring things out and it was a bit disorganized. In fairness - this was their first paying cruises out of Bayonne. No Formal dining room lunch, but Windjammer was open and we watched the port, Statue of Liberty, sat in the great seats in the Solarium (that were always taken during cruise days :)).

On Brilliance in March (2015)- we didnt have to get off, but chose to go and buy two more bottles of wine. There is a really nice Publix with a surprisingly good wine selection, that is an easy 20 minute walk from the cruise port in Tampa. Once again - no formal dining room for lunch, but Windjammer was open at about 11:00.

Oh my - I too have booked 12646 on Anthem for my only cruise (so far) in 2016. Since there are no other GS available - I'll guess I'll just have to make this a fabulous cruise in spite of the unfortunate balcony configuration. Perhaps if enough people provide feedback, RC will open up the divider. If not - this will no doubt still be a great cruise on a beautiful ship!

We too are booked in this GS. I booked the day I received the email that Anthem was available for US bookings (almost a year ago). From the descriptions, I'm having a hard time visualizing this limited balcony. Hopefully someone will post pictures from aboard the ship looking out.

On my sailing there are no more GS available (seems like a common theme for this ship), so it looks like this will be my 8 day home away from home. Maybe this problem will be fixed by March of 2016...

ever the optimist :)

To answer the Activity Manager question definitively- Mo was the Activity Manager/director. He too was exceptional.

We did My Time dining and loved it.

This was the 2nd leg of a B2B for us. We were in a mid-ship GS on the 1st leg - I believe 1564 and it was very quiet too.

I am spoiled by the GS size and perks, and would find it hard to go back to a balcony.

Maybe their addictive - once you've tried the Suite Life you're hooked [emoji2]

We did Stingray City & two stop snorkle tour in Grand Cayman. It was great, but I confess - the stingrays made me nervous. We did a private all in-inclusive beach resort in Cozumel- Nachi Coccum, based on a Cruise Critic recommendation. It was a lot of fun.

All-in-all it was a great ship, we met some amazing people, and had a fabulous time. I highly recommend the Brilliance, but more for the staff than for its beauty. I think the Serenade is prettier - but that's just my humble opinion.

Thanks for your review, and sorry to jump on with so much

Hopefully I'm not too late with my response. I just saw your questions.

 

No noise from the pool deck at all. It was very quiet. I often read on the balcony with nothing but the waves.

 

Yes, you can order from the dinner menu anytime dinner is being served. The menus are placed in your room each morning. Food was warm to hot. Not piping hot but that's to be expected, I think.

 

We always ended up with the same room service delivery person. She was very gracious and we tipped her well.

 

 

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We were also on your cruise, and in a GS - 1600 the aft GS, and had no noise from above. The odd zig-zag maneuver in the early hours of day two was unusual..,

We saw a lot of Clo and thought she was delightful. So Sorry you didn't have the same experience.

We were totally WOWed be the Concierge Lounge service on this ship. Joclyn the bartender and Charmaine, the suite concierge, were amazing.

What is FTTF? I'm new to Carnival and not up on the lingo

How much is the cheers package per day?

I think the OP should definitely try the Chefs Table. Like the OP my husband do not care for lamb (we too have tried it many times and are not fans).

We did Chef Table on Serenade last year, and inquired before the meal if we should cancel when we discovered lamb was the main course. The chef made a discrete substitution of a lovely filet mignon and the meal and experience were sensational.

I think if you inquire before being seated, and perhaps before booking a reservation, you'll get a feel for how accommodating your chef and his team are, on your particular sailing. I fully realize that some chefs may not be as accommodating, so inquiring up front is my recommendation.

I am doing only my 2nd B2B in March. My 1st was on Quantum, and there is nowhere to shop by the Port Bayonne cruise terminal. In March I wlll be cruising out of Tampa. Can I go and buy another 2 bottles of wine during my brief disembark? If so, does anyone know if there is a liquor/wine store within walking distance of the cruise teminal?