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Day 1

This was a special cruise for a couple reasons. It was a Christmas present for my 2 grandkids, 2 daughters, and son-in-law; and during the cruise I planned to finish the final chapter of a book I am writing, The Joy of Cruising. It was a surprise for the grandkids, who couldn’t understand why there were not going to school Friday. With a ruse of driving to NY to my mom’s house, the grandkids and their parents drove up to my single daughter’s office in NJ supposedly to pick her up. In the lobby of the office building my grandkids were given a giant Christmas card which announced the cruise and had photos of all the Anthem activities. My wife and I could see all of the high fives and jumping up and down from a limo parked outside the lobby as they kids got the first surprise. The second surprise was when they came out to the limo and my wife and I—up from FL—were sitting inside.

Boarding was super efficient as reps with tablets checked us in within minutes. We thought it was just a first step and when we then got in a long line were told we go board the ship. I guess the people in the long lines had not pre-checked in?

Our cabins were on deck 10, “spacious ocean views”. They were on the opposite corners of the front of the ship and were more than twice the size of a standard OV but were not suites. They were wonderfully spacious but I wish they had 2 bathrooms. My daughter set up the cutest Charlie Brown Christmas tree in her room.

We ate in Cafe 270 to avoid the Windjammer Buffet embarkation day crowd. 270 was not crowded at all. Wife had a Reuben but we’ve never heard of a  Reuben without sauerkraut.

I had grilled blue cheese/bacon on sourdough and RCCL’s signature Kummelwelt roast beef. I will be having plenty more of both. After muster drill in the Music Hall, stayed for an overview and wife won $300 off a next cruise. She shrugged her shoulders but I smiled inside cuz I have my eyes on Symphony out of Miami this summer.

Had couples massage, best I ever had. Seems I tend to find that to be true of the last massage I have had! Had one in Jamaica on a cruise in July and thought it was the best I ever had. For me massages are like cruises—never had a bad one.

Went to 6:30 welcome aboard show which was a lot of families with kids. Was looking forward to seeing the comedian Tasha; she was decidedly underwhelming. She struck me as a comic who thrives with adult comedy and just lacked the versatility to do family stuff. After a painful closing skit which involved inviting a couple of kids onstage, she plugged her upcoming adult show and stated almost apologetically “I guarantee it will be a lot different than this one.”

Other than my 14yo grandson who went to the “infamous” Sorrentos, we thought dinner was fine at MDR but we always do as we are not foodies.

Checked out the Royal Esplanade particularly the liquor shop for my cruise ship staples of Sheridan’s two compartment bottle of coffee liquor/Irish cream, and Hennessy Pure White as they are not available in the US. They had Sheridan’s but I was quite disappointed this cruise did not have Henny White.

10:30, time for the Lakers game so i headed back to my stateroom.

Was very interested in responses to Torbs as I will be on that cruise also. I am even more interested in the NBA games on Christmas (the ship will be at Coco Cay)

We are taking our grandkids and their parents on a Christmas cruise. Sending the grandkids a huge card that says do not open until Christmas. On the way to the pier in NY 12/21 (the grandkids will know by then they are going on a road trip but will think they are visiting us in FL) they will be allowed to open the card which will include photos of the Anthem, Flowrider, bumper cars, waterpark at Atlantis, etc. Topping off the surprise, when they board Anthem, my wife and I will be be onboard.

Hello. We are in that cabin--along with the same layout cabin on the opposite corner of Deck 10--on 12/21, so I will add to the comments I am sure you will receive at that time. In the meantime if you search online there are a few posts about the cabin and photos. It is way more than slightly larger than a standard OV; twice the size. Happy cruising...Paul

Just finished reading every post in this thread. What a great time. (Sometimes it was like eavesdropping on a private conversation between Hattack & wwcruisers.) Hattack sounds like a music encyclopedia and for a music guy like me and former record store owner (remember those) it brought back memories. What drew me to the thread is I am writing a book called The Joy of Cruising, which is about passion for cruising. The book has a section on theme cruising which is the ultimate blending of passions: cruising and whatever the theme of the cruise is—in your case music. I learned a lot reading your posts. Wish CC had a message function.

I'm sailing on 7/21/18 with Festival At Sea. I understood that this cruise sold out earlier this year.

Hello. On the same cruise. I am writing a book, The Joy of Cruising, that will have a section on theme cruises.

We did and will be doing,16 each year from 2016 to Jan 1 2019.

We are retired and on a "quest" for "pineapple" ( will make it on the Presidents cruise Sept 29, 2018)

After that we will slow up a bit (I think)

I know this thread is a couple of months old. Wondering if you would be willing to be contacted. I am intrigued about your post. (I am not trying to solicit or sell anything.) If you are willing to talk to me i’d be glad to provide my email. Thx

Enjoying this thread as I sail on Anthem in Dec, and it’s getting a lot of love (just a little hate.) Surprised at couple of responses listing Sovereign as least favorite. Lot of sentimental feelings for Sovereign: 1st cruise ever 30 years ago and it was magical—world’s largest ship, spectacular midnight buffets. It also was my 1st time traveling with my then girlfriend and current wife. I was so perplexed at the comments I looked it up and learned Sovereign was cited for dumping pollutants in the ocean in the 90’s, so if that is the reason for the hate it is understandable but it will forever hold a special fondness for me.

Hello, where did you see this sale? I don’t see it in my cruise planner or on the Royal website. Thx

Greetings. Taking my wife, daughters & grandkids on Anthem of the Seas this Christmas; returning to Royal Caribbean almost 30 years after my first cruise ever, which was on Sovereign of the Seas. (Between then we have cruised on Carnival, NCL, and Disney.) Odd thing is Royal can find no record of the cruise to add to my profile. It was my first time traveling with my future wife (it was even mentioned along with a photo in a memoir I published.) I provided addresses, birthdates, wife’s maiden name; it’s not a big deal but I can’t stand when I know for certain I am correct and I sense the person I am speaking with doesn’t fully believe me. Even offered to send him photos with a logo on them. He did seem to be looking hard to find something and assured me the records go back that far. Any ideas? Should I just try another rep?

Ha! I meant it in the context of he was spoiled by the very large room. He is 6’3”. The space compared to when we have an inside with the kids on bunks on top of us is SO much more comfortable. He will have a hard time adjusting to a more normal sized room.

Ok great! That’s comforting to hear; I have that cabin on deck 10 as well as the identical cabin on the opposite corner for the Christmas sailing. I read a similar comment about someone being spoiled by those corner rooms in another thread on CC. Thx

Hello Dannilynn17. Glad you enjoyed your cruise. Curious as to why you said it will be tough to get your husband to cruise again because of the room, but just about everything you said about the cabin seemed positive? Thx

Was there a pole in room 9510 on your sailing? Looking to book one of these large rooms but without the pole at the foot of the bed.

Hello. I have the same cabin one deck up for a Dec sailing and there definitely is a pole.