Just back off Anthem of the Seas 22-29 May from Southampton to La Rochelle, Bilbao, La Corona and Le Harve and back to Southampton. I can’t answer and questions regarding ports as we didn’t get off the ship, It’s been a very busy work time and we needed a break!
Here are some of our observations.
We used the app to check in etc had our tests done two days before and arrived at Southampton at 10.40, we are lucky it’s about an hours drive for us. We had a boarding time at 12 but our plan was to sit outside and get on the ships Wi-Fi to book our dining. We were told no problem please come on in, check in staff were happy and welcoming. Checked our passports and covid test paperwork and waved on board. So from parking the car to being onboard took less than 20 minutes, no queues at all.
We got a drink (they scan the seapass on your phone until you get your card), went for a wander and some lunch. Watched the safety video on the phone and checked into our muster station. Cabins were ready at one o’clock and our bags were already there. So unpacked got our cossies on and off to a peaceful solarium.
Plenty of bar staff all week and no problem getting service.
We had the UBP and had got it on sale at £39 each per day (approx $48), we made good use of it both with alcohol, fresh juice and coffees.
Spirits were a bit haphazard for example you could get Gentlemens Jack and Buffalo Trace in the solarium bar but only No7 (yeuk) in the Schooner bar.
Windjammer bit uninspiring and often running out of items.
Very little waiting for lifts.
MDR ok, they did have lobster tail on one night and I got given two even though I didn’t ask for two.
Speciality we attended:
Wonderland – excellent and had lots of starters (my favourite bit of dinner)
Chops x 2 – I don’t eat meat however my dining companions said the steak (bone in rib eye) was absolutely excellent
Chefs Table – they were only doing a 17.30 sitting, there were only 11 of us and we finished gone 21.00. We had fun and met some interesting people.
Entertainment
We Will Rock You – must see
Spectra – must see
Frankie Valley – excellent really lively
The Gift – bit odd, who makes a story about a dead wife and mother!
Lots of other music around the ship
Sun Loungers
They were enforcing the 30 minute rule and removing peoples belongings and towels on a number of days especially in the Solarium.
Formal nights
Everything from shorts to black tie, lots of Scotsmen in kilts. Ladies in sparkly numbers, some families had all dressed up to get family photos. There were some very smart little boys in dress shorts, shirt, bowtie and jackets!
We had an inside virtual balcony cabin, roomy and comfortable. We only use our cabin to sleep, shower and get dressed in.
The guests were mostly British, lots of Scots and Northerners who had travelled miles to get to Southampton. Some other Europeans and quite a few Americans. The ship was not 100% full.
We put our bags out the evening before with their tags on, duty free delivered earlier and put in our luggage. Out of the cabin at 7.45 bit of breakfast in the WJ which was open until 8.30. Off the ship nice and easy seapass blipped out. Picked up our bags walked across the carpark and loaded the car. No passport checks, no customs. From leaving the WJ to driving out of the carpark just over 10 minutes! Home by 9:30, bags unpacked and washing on!
Hope this is of some use. Some people were wearing masks, 90% were not, it did not feel covid unsafe. Lots of hand washing and sanitiser plus people seemed to respect personal space. All staff had KN95 masks on.
If you have any questions, I will try to answer them.
We are RC and NCL cruisers and like the big ships.