teddie

I don't say this to be argumentative, but *everything* we get on board has been carefully calculated into what we pay, whether individually or across the board for cruise fare pricing trends. Justt sayin'... Teddie

OOOH Did you request it specifically from Room Service, or did it come with the pastries plate? Teddie

Here's the recipe posted way back by @reallyitsmema #3 Posted July 18, 2011 I found it. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=900066&highlight=bread+recipe&page=2 Alexis posted via igot2cruz back in 2009. Here you go. This is what is the raisin and cranberry AUSTRIAN STRIEZEL that igot2cruz calls what you want. AUSTRIAN STRIEZEL 2 (¼ -ounce or 7 g) packages dry yeast 1 tablespoon (15 g) sugar 2 tablespoons (30 ml) rum 1 cup (250 ml) water, lukewarm 2 pounds (900 g) all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon (1.2 g) salt ½ cup (120 ml) milk 4 eggs ½ cup (120 g) butter, room temperature 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract Zest of ½ lemon ½ cup (120 g) raisins ½ cup (120 g) dried cranberries 1 egg yolk, beaten Garnish - slivered almonds Preheat oven to 400F or 200C. 1.To prepare dough, combine yeast, sugar and ½ cup (120 ml) water in a bowl and whisk until yeast has dissolved. In a stand mixer or a large bowl, combine all ingredients except raisins and cranberries and mix for 2 minutes at low speed, then for 8 minutes at high speed using a dough hook. The dough should be soft and elastic. 2.If kneading by hand, add flour a cup (250 g) at a time and knead for 10 minutes. Add raisins and cranberries to dough and mix well. Shape dough into a ball. 3.Cover and set aside in a warm, draft-free place for 20 minutes. 4.Punch down dough and divide into 1 pound (450 g) loaves. Cover and allow to relax for 20 minutes. 5.Cut dough into 3 equal pieces and hand roll each dough into 12-inch by 4-inch strip (30 x 10 cm). 6.Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and spray with nonstick spray. Transfer rolls to the baking sheet and braid,tucking the ends under.Cover and let rise for 20 minutes. 7.Brush braids with egg yolk and let rise for another 10 minutes. Brush a second time and sprinkle with slivered almonds. 8.Bake for 20 minutes, until nicely golden or until loaves sound hollow when their undersides are thumped. Serves 6.

I’ve had those and they are pretty tasty actually. But that’s me. teddie

I did spy some cranberries in it. It used to have sliced almonds on the top--those are gone... Confession: on disembarkation day, I bring a baggie with me and nab 4 or 5 slices to bring home 😇

Looking forward to more! I will be on this ship/itinerary for the third time in March. It's so convenient sailing out of Bayonne, and I've reached the point where I don't care where the ship goes, as long as I can get to cruising. Anthem was the largest ship we've sailed so far. I won't go any bigger, but we do like it very much. PS Anthem has an excellent Windjammer, and the Solarium Bistro is also an excellent buffet for all three meals. Teddie

So I am sailing 3/17/2024 on the Anthem, and I just noticed that the Welcome Aboard message is now showing on the app. No mention of the D restriction. Might it show up closer to sail date? T

Thanks; I guess it comes down to the final breakdown of C&A status on sail date. Teddie

Apologies if this has already been answered here. How would I know if my sailing excludes Ds from HH, and how far in advance would it be made known? Thank you Teddie

Sailed Anthem in Feb 2023 and again in November 2024. I found the MDR to be noticeably without the WOW factor from, say, 10 years ago. Not horrible, but not thrilling. On the most recent cruise, we had a number of dinners in the Windjammer, and we loved it. Variety, presentation, international options, all very very good. Again--subjective but this was our experience. I add that the Solarium cafe is a great option for all three meals. It's smaller, less crowded, and much more relaxing, even at peak times. Sailing again in March. I will update after that. Teddie

Interesting--I was at Beach Club last February and again in late November 2023. I think I saw a total of 3 kids. I purposely do not cruise during school vacation times. When were you there? Teddie

So looking forward to the rest of your report. Congrats to you and your beautiful family! Teddie

Me too! I anticipated a high-dive gone bad. Glad everyone was just safely dancing. LOL Teddie

Thanks for the review! The Diamond drinks deal is to us the best of the perks. Teddie

Geeze. And what makes for a more expensive table? A shorter walk to the bar? I could picture people who love to party-it-up on NYE springing for this, though that would not be me. At those prices, I'd sure expect at least some fancy hors d'oevres to go with my strawberries and petit fours dessert! T.

Well, that is my point... Teddie

That's what I would hope for. Teddie

Regarding the crew reporting their cash tips--I'd love to know the real story here. Are there any RCI crew members out there who have divulged the answwer? How would the company truly know if a crew member pockets my cash tip? It cannot be logically assumed that if a pax chooses to cancel the auto-grat, that they will tip in cash instead. Doesn't take into account all the lovely stiffers out there.... Plenty of wait staff in the food industry "pool" their tips. It's essentially on the honor system if the tip is made in cash, though. Again, I pay autotips, plus extra in cash to my room attendant. Teddie

I’ve done this in the past with good results. Did some research online and then called the property directly to discuss and confirm. teddie

If so, that was included in what we paid. It wasn’t mentioned as a separate addition to the fare. Teddie

Nope. I wish. Teddie

Ha, true--but I am way beyond food/ginger remedies due to ongoing middle-ear issues. I thank medical science for my patch! Teddie

I use the patch, but I also use an electronic Reliefband. It's a medical device, FDA approved. It helps with nausea. Teddie

It will be done! teddie

Woot! Meet up ! teddie