New to Anthem (not new to cruising)

So I just yesterday booked a fairly last minute trip on July 29th on Anthem to celebrate my 40th bday on the 30th of July. I'm actually Diamond Plus on RCCL (due to Celebrity sailings) and haven't been on any of the larger/newer RCCL ships so I have a couple of specific questions...(I feel like a newbie lol)

#1. Apparently I missed my chance to reserve the Northstar or the iFly online? (Too late I guess) Since I am diamond plus will the concierge rep help me with those things onboard?

#2. Does Diamond Plus have separate seating in the shows and a separate full breakfast or just continental?

#3. We are used to Celebrity food (we just spent a week eating in Blu in May) the Ultimate Dining package seems like a pretty good deal, should we take advantage of that or just eat in the 4 main dining areas?

#4. Anything else Anthem specific I should know or do?

Thanks in advance!

Read the reviews to familiarize yourself with the ship. :)

I don't recall seeing Diamond Plus seating in the theater, but I wasn't looking for it. I saw sections reserved for suites though.

Don't worry if you didn't make reservations--use the app from Royal and you can book it once onboard. NorthStar you will probably be able to go standby as we did 2 weeks ago. iFly not sure. Sometimes they will make a courtesy reservation for your so make sure you check the app daily.

Restaurants--main dining rooms are good, but so are the upcharge places.

Have fun. We LOVE Anthem!

You will not be rotating among the four restaurants as DD (Dynamic Dining) has been discontinued. Dining will be fixed at Chic or The Grande. If you have MTD, you will eat in Silk ot American Icon.

... Does Diamond Plus have separate seating in the shows and a separate full breakfast or just continental? ...

I don't know if the MDR has any special Diamond breakfast, but the Diamond Lounge will only have continental for a couple of hours each morning.

As soon as you board (the earlier the better), go to the iPads located in the shore excursion area and book iFly, NorthStar, shows, etc. You can download the free Royal app before the cruise - some people report being able to connect while still in terminal, and others said they had problems connecting until onboard. Reservations can be made via the app.

We like the "included" dining on the ship, but if you prefer specialty dining, then by all means buy the package! Anthem is a good ship for specialty dining because of all the venues!

So I just yesterday booked a fairly last minute trip on July 29th on Anthem to celebrate my 40th bday on the 30th of July. I'm actually Diamond Plus on RCCL (due to Celebrity sailings) and haven't been on any of the larger/newer RCCL ships so I have a couple of specific questions...(I feel like a newbie lol)

 

#1. Apparently I missed my chance to reserve the Northstar or the iFly online? (Too late I guess) Since I am diamond plus will the concierge rep help me with those things onboard?

 

#2. Does Diamond Plus have separate seating in the shows and a separate full breakfast or just continental?

 

#3. We are used to Celebrity food (we just spent a week eating in Blu in May) the Ultimate Dining package seems like a pretty good deal, should we take advantage of that or just eat in the 4 main dining areas?

 

#4. Anything else Anthem specific I should know or do?

 

Thanks in advance!

How did you achieve Diamond Plus due to sailing Celebrity?

How did you achieve Diamond Plus due to sailing Celebrity?

RCI & Celebrity match each others loyalty status.

RCI & Celebrity match each others loyalty status.

I thought that only went to Diamond

:confused:

D+ has access to the Concierge Lounge and the Diamond lounge. In Feb there was reserved seating in the 270 balcony for Spectra's cabaret. I'm sure when I saw We Will Rock You there was D+ reserved seating in the theater balcony as well.

I thought that only went to Diamond

:confused:

I really don't know - you may be right.

Is the Royal app free to use if you aren't using it for texting or calling since I bought VOOM?

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Is the Royal app free to use if you aren't using it for texting or calling since I bought VOOM?

The Royal IQ app is free to use (or other than texting and calling) irrespective of if you have purchased VOOM.

I really don't know - you may be right.

I thought he was.

JC

I thought he was.

 

JC

He is. I checked. My bad.

It may be a combination of Celebrity, older RCCL cruises, casino stuff, who knows but when I log into my RCCL account it shows Diamond Plus :) We cruised a lot when we were kids and I have continued the trend. Just been sticking with Celebrity lately. Hubby is excited about this trip though, he likes to stay very busy and obviously the activities and stuff to do far outweighs Celebrity.

Here's a recent excellent view

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511902

If your used to Celebrity food, I would defiantly do the Dinning package. The MDR is ok but not awesome. We just did a 9 nt and ate in specialty 5 nights it was perfect. Jamies, and chops are our favorites. Wonderland is a experience, if your open then go for it. Lunch in the MDR was defiantly wonderful. I also enjoyed breakfast in the Solarium bistro. I sort of hate the buffet so avoid it as much as possible.

Not sure if the reserved seats are for D+. I think the sign said Sky class and something else as well a Pinnacle I knew it didn't apply to me so pretty much ignored it. If you can not sit in the reserved seats in the main theater come early and sit on level 4. Most of the balcony seats that are not reserved have a obstructed view. The reserved seats look to have a amazing view.

In 270 if you cant sit upfront go upstairs. sitting in the back is not ideal, people walk around and in front of you the whole show. The side balcony seats are pretty good of course reserved is better.

Go with a open mind that's its not going to be the same its different than all other rccl ships and people who want to same don't enjoy it. The Solarium is a excellent escape from the crazy that is the main pool sun deck.

Last question, on the Ultimate dining package is the $50 a la carte per person?

Last question, on the Ultimate dining package is the $50 a la carte per person?

Yes, you buy the package per person, so the a la carte is also per person.:)

Does RCCL and Anthem do turn down service? Is it included

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Does RCCL and Anthem do turn down service? Is it included

Yes.

So last question I hope-I booked the Ultimate Dining Package, there's no way to pick which restaurants which nights in advance correct?

So last question I hope-I booked the Ultimate Dining Package, there's no way to pick which restaurants which nights in advance correct?

Correct, that's part of the reason you are getting a break on pricing. You must make arrangements on board.

I thought that only went to Diamond

 

:confused:

True. No matter what you are above Elite on Celebrity, you will only be Diamond on Royal. You can't add points from one to the other.

Gwen [emoji3]

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I just got off Anthem yesterday and had a fantastic time. The MDR was great 5 star service and food. Our server did a great job. My wife mentioned she liked Indian food and the next night, they brought her a mini-buffet of indian food; butter chicken, rasam, dahl, basmati rice, and a pile of fresh made roti that was flaky and delicious! Enough to share between the three of us. My mother and I ordered from the menu of the day. Even though we did not request it for the following night, he brought us suprise indian dishes to try. On the last night he brought us the stuffed tiger shrimp which was on the menu as an entree. He brought them to us to try as an appetiser. Even removed the shells for my wife and mother and put them on the plate for them. We had the MDR each night and for the galley tour and brunch and one breakfast day.

I would say the MDR is the character of the ship. The specialty restaurants can be had anywhere on land.