teddie

We did the New England/Canada cruise some years back, and it was wonderful. We loved Bar Harbor and visited Acadia National Park, which was amazing. Interestingly, while browsing a shop in Portland, Maine, the store owner came straight out and said to me "we don't like the cruise ships and the passengers stopping here." I didn't buy anything in that shop....😶

As Diamond, you will get your four drinks/per person/per day, which you would still have to use even if they permit D into the Crown Lounge, including the Happy Hour. We love the drinks perk, as it saves quite a bit of money. Don't forget that you can use them on specialty coffees (not directly from Starbucks, though), and bottled water, so if you have leftover vouchers at the end of the day, you can ask the bartender for bottled water. Happy Hour offers hot and cold hors doevres, dessert bites etc. We are typically not hungry enough to partake much, knowing that dinner is at about 7pm for us. At all other times, I have found the Crown Lounge to be mostly peaceful and relaxing. I typically work on my laptop while cruising, so it's a nice spot for it. The cappucino/coffee machine there is also sweet... Teddie

Was there any notice you received prior to your sail date? I have read that some Diamond pax received the news on the RCI app under the "Welcome Aboard" hints and tips on the home page prior to sail date. We are departing on 3/17/2024 on Anthem, and so far, nothing is noted. Teddie

Wishing you constructive and positive responses. Have a wonderful cruise! Teddie

HAHA! Heaven forbid! Imagine the posts..... Teddie

Oh, ghee!

The med fridge is fine. We also do the ice bucket in the "fridge". Works great. Teddie

I love all of the Indian food choices--I hoped you had a chance to go to the Windjammer on Indian Night--I thought it was great! I have very much enjoyed your daily reports. Thanks very much! Teddie

I guess he likes butter.... Teddie

Three or four dollars would be fine. Teddie

Keep the reports coming--I really like your take on things. I'll be on the Anthem again in 3 weeks 🙂 Teddie

How nice to treat yourself to a beach bed! Teddie

Exactly. It's not always in the basic medical evacuation plan. Must check for this, in addition to checking what your own health insurance covers--as raised by other posters. Teddie

My experience as a nurse working in a large rehabilitation hospital included screening patients who were injured overseas while traveling, whether it was a land or cruise-based trip. What I've learned is to always purchase trip insurance and then spring for the enhanced medical piece that covers your transport to return to your hospital of choice. Otherwise, you may end up in the nearest state-side hospital, and getting back to the hospital that is desired or the one closest to your home is on your own dime. For the insurance nay-sayers out there here is just one example I encountered: a 50-ish year old female suffered a dislocated shoulder while snorkeling in the Dominican Republic, and unfortunately sustained a cardiac arrest while under anesthesia and remained in a coma afterwards. Her family had to shell out $30K for ICU level air evacuation back to NJ. Every medical evacuation on your sailing should remind you that you need robust trip insurance for medical evacuation. In the grand scheme of things: Lost luggage? Pffft. Be safe, Teddie

I love to dress up and I really like Anthem's buffets. I approve, lol! Teddie

Check out this Youtube by Ben and David...it's a very balanced recent review and tour of the Explorer. Teddie

I understand. I am hoping you contacted your insurance company directly while in Mexico and they provided the support and accommodations you required. Teddie

I am so sorry. Unfortunately, people do get ill while traveling, and your insurance purchase was smart. Now I'm going to say this: frequently, people become ill or get injured and transported off a ship on every sailing. I know your distress is still fresh here. You had insurance--good on you for taking the right care. Please know that waiting for the documents from any provider is a waiting process, including from RCIs medical department. Having difficulty in a foreign country is an added burden. I do not think another comparable cruise line would handle things much differently--they stabilized her, had her transported, and billed you as expected. I am no RCI cheerleader, by the way. You've been through a tough time, and I wish you the best. Teddie

Love me some food porn! Looks yummy! Teddie

We've had a kettle on our last two Anthem cruises out of Bayonne, and we used it every day. I understand that if your cabin doesn't have one, you may ask your cabin attendant for one. Don't forget t check out the Solarium Cafe for breakfast--it's less crowded, quieter, and had everything I would want for breakfast, including the lovely raison cranberry bread. Mmmmmm. Teddie

Of course...I'm referring to individuals with P status who engage in such behavior. Teddie

I'm just going to state the obvious, and I'm not going to beat around the bush. Those individuals who lord over other pax because of their P status are simply entitled, status-seeking snobs. I don't care how much they spent to get there. Crappy behavior is not acceptable. That is all. Teddie

Perfect. Thank you. teddie

We recently switched from a regular balcony cabin to a Jr. suite on Anthem, sailing on 03/17/2024. I had booked MTD early on but now that we are in a Jr. suite, we will try for dinners at CK. Question: Once onboard, do I need to cancel my MTD reservations in order to secure the CK dinner spots that might be available? Thanks in advance! Teddie

That tells you where I'm at--I was thinking she was named after that lovely little town of Merida on the Yucatan Peninsula.... Teddie