Greenmomma

Did you find it busy/full there on most nights?

 

 

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It was never "full". Some nights were busier than others. I thought the last few nights more so than earlier. Generally it was not full/hectic, a lovely atmosphere. Seriously makes me want to only book suites from now on.

There were only two of us and we never made a reservation for CK. They accomodated us the first night (well day three because we did the BOGO specialty dining nights one and two) but we had the same table, same waiter and they were absolutely wonderful. One night I went alone because my daughter met friends for dinner and they were so amazing, they wanted to send dinner to go for her, just a dessert, etc etc. It warmed the cockles of my heart.

Anthem is an amazing ship, with an amazing crew. So much to do (or not). Can't wait to get back on her again.

It's hot and fresh because they have their own kitchen. Greenmomma...you should try CK on an Oasis class ship for your next cruise. Same fantastic food and the view is phenomenal!

 

 

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I'm working up to it. I have an aversion to air travel after 9/11. Used to be on the road three out of four weeks before that. I'll get there eventually. Do love the convenience of Cape Liberty in Bayonne. I'm about forty minutes (on a bad day) away. So Anthem it is for me. (no complaints - love her)

My understanding is that they have seven menus so on the eighth night they start again. There is a "classic" side which has the normal shrimp cocktail, ceasar salad, chicken and steak (some other stuff too) and then there is the daily side which rotates. We ate off both and they were great. One of the main advantages to CK other than the lovely atmosphere and outstanding service, is that the food is hot. That's my main complaint for MDR or WJ. The food is "good" but never hot. In CK it is.

Reuben was the Maitre'D (also in charge of Windjammer), Kevin was the host, and our waiter was Keshimer (K) he went by K so not sure I've spelled his name right. Honestly best service I've ever had land or sea and I'm a "foodie" snob. They are great. I've altered my booking searches now to suites so that I can enjoy CK because of them.

Greenmomma, we're headed on Anthem soon in a JS as well. I have heard conflicting reports about breakfast/lunch in CK? Normally it's just dinner only for JS guests but others have reported staying in a JS on Anthem and being able to have all meals there. Did you dine there just for dinner? Or breakfast/lunch too?

 

 

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We just had dinner. I also heard that you could ask about being "allowed" breakfast and lunch but we didn't ask. I sort of feel like if we had, they would have let us. But we mainly did room service breakfast and lunch on port or WJ so it wasn't needed for us. I will say CK was the best part of all my Anthem sailings. Great food, great service. They've got it going on.

agreed. but that wasn't the point.

Do any of us on a cruise have a problem that isn't first world?

Thank you for the advice, Greenmomma! Super helpful! I signed my daughter, husband and I up for the sushi-making class on Anthem for our cruise in April, so I'm particularly happy to hear that you enjoyed it so much! I will pass on your other advice to the family. Thank you so much for posting.

You're welcome. Enjoy! Hi! (you'll know when you take the class)

I was answering OP’s question. Jeez.

Yes you were. Thank you. :)

I have family members whose last name is Bisson, which should be pronounced BEE-SEW. They live in Nova Scotia, where they are known as the BISS-UNs. Yes, it bothers me.

 

 

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I would pronounce that BY SON :(

A couple more thoughts. We did the sushi making class at Izumi. It was great and a lot of fun. The staff and other cruisers made it fun and I think I could actually make it at home now. Well worth the cost. It was a little bit early 10:00 a.m. to eat sushi but I had mine packed up and ate it for lunch. Delicious. Highly recommend this. We also did the all access tour. Paid 79 a head on sale. It was ok. I think this tour really depends on the person giving it. It was fine. I guess I expected more given that they sell it for $150. We saw the galley but not much cooking going on. 1-95 was interesting. The laundry - well those guys should have a separate line item for tips. The bridge, while I was glad to see it, was sort of boring. No captain and we were sort of shuffled off to the side while our guide chatted with a couple people on the tour. Not a highlight, My daughter did iFly and that was amazing for her to do (and for me to watch) such a cool activity. We didn't get to do Northstar due to weather (I had done it previously and it is an amazing thing - just do it). We did bumper cars the first day on embarkation and go to go around twice with no line. Such good fun. Highly recommend. Trapeze school we watched but neither one of us was brave enough to do it. Maybe next time. Casino was fun. No big losses, no big wins but fun to do. Bingo was fun, (wish we had won the grand suite!). After all is said and done, my favorite places are still the Music Hall and 270. Love the ship, love the crew.

On Anthem, towards the end of the cruise (last half or so of 12 night) Jamie's started offering lunch at 19 dollars and then a few days later went down to 15 dollars. Two courses. Not sure what was included.

St Lucia is incredibly beautiful. We did the mud baths. They were a little touristy but the tour there and back was amazing. Buffet lunch included and our tour guide was amazing. I'd live there if I could. Breathtakingly beautiful. Barbados is also a very beautiful island. We did the cave tour which was interesting. Again, a very, very beautiful island.

edited to add: my daughter says if you eat the food of a country it ensures you'll go back. We ate lunch at every port we visited.

Actually I did tell what I wished I had written as an example to get the thread started. I was truly interested to see what people thought a week or more after their cruise. I see now that that was a mistake. Apologies. Carry on.

I try not to obsess over petty things and I love natural light.

Not obsessing. Just an observation that I wish I had mentioned. They ask for feedback in order to make the experience better for everybody. We're all entitled to our opinions. No natural light coming in those windows at 6 p.m. in January. As I mentioned it's florescent yellow.

I'm a full week off the 12 night southern carib Anthem cruise. Mostly unpacked and laundry done. Obsessing over what my next cruise booked will be (I tend to be spontaneous and book within 60 - 90 days of departure). But I'm sitting here thinking about the post cruise survey and what I wish I had mentioned but didn't. Wondering if there is anything you wish you had mentioned and didn't.

Here's mine: Chops Grille - ate there for the third time (of four Anthem cruises). It was fine. Food was fine, service was fine. Not exceptional but nothing to complain about. BUT why do they keep the curtains open so the view out every window is florescent lit life boats? Who wants to see that jarring yellow brightly lit while you are trying to have a fine dining experience? Why don't they close the curtains? Of the entire Chops experience two weeks ago, that's what I remember. Those ugly yellow life boats at dinner. (of course had I ever had the need to use one I'd be darn glad it was ugly yellow). Just wondering, has any of the Chops staff ever sat in one of their tables and realized how incongruous that view is? Just close the curtains!

How about you? What do you wish you had mentioned on your survey?

I bring my iPad (with Kindle reading app) AND paperback books just in case I run out of battery or something happens to the iPad. Can't be on vacation without books.

On Anthem two weeks ago my cabin neighbor handed a book over the balcony to me cause he was done and thought I'd like it. He had seen what I was reading when we rode the elevator together. Gotta love our fellow cruisers.

Actual photo from inside of one of the cabins on Harmony on this charter:

 

Ok. This is funny.

We just got back from St Maarten, St Croix, St Kitts, St Thomas, & Martinique on Jan 15. I agree that St Maarten is still in bad shape but they are functioning. The damage still visible is heartbreaking. Our guide said they lost about 750 boats & it looks like the majority are still where they landed. There was 1 big fishing boat only about 6 to 8 feet from the road next to the airport. Some of the containers the ships bring are twisted like toys. The boardwalk still has at least a fourth of their businesses not open yet. Marigot would have little business if not for the straw market. Some are still in the process of getting power back & wifi is spotty. You never know if you can use a credit card or not. My friend went on the back road to shop & saw police with guns & dogs. Someone told her there is a lot of looting. I expected more clean up but I can certainly understand their issues. I really feel compassion for these islands that survived those storms. I heard some people complaining but it is just something that we all have to deal with. Best of luck to all those still recovering.

We had lunch at L'escargot and it was amazing. Walking down Front st, more businesses were closed than open and there were many, many police around. We did enjoy our lunch and highly recommend the restaurant.

Royal Swedes, they are a great band. We had the pleasure to meet them on Freedom 8 nt last November.

Yes. They are great. I liked Rock the Boat and Katrina and Synergy on previous sailings too. Kudos to RCL on choosing the house bands. Outstanding.

Thanks for the musings! :) Our first RCCL cruise is in a bit over a week, and this makes me so excited! We'll be sailing on the Liberty, but we've been talking about how much fun the Anthem and her sisters look.

Love Liberty! She was berthed out of NJ in 2015 or 16. Have fun!

Read the other long thread discussing this tragedy. This is a full charter by Atlantis Events. This is not a cruise full of families and small children.

Thank you. And even if it wasn't, I supervise my kids vacation or not.

What did you see in San Juan that made you decide it was not ready?

We walked around on our own. Comparing to the last time I was there. We stopped for a bite to eat right near the fort. The only food available was fried. I asked for water and was told the water there was undrinkable. So I had a mojito. We did walk the streets, spent money with the vendors. My daughter did the parrot thing and it was great. Best ten dollars we spent.