Just Off Anthem and wouldnt hesitate to book 3 more cruises on her!

My main concern is that we are trying to get some of our friends and family to join us on this cruise. We have cruised a few times before and are not bothered by sea sickness, but a few of our friends are very susceptible to motion sickness and are afraid to cruise because of it. With all the comments about motion, I'm not sure that this ship would be a good choice for them for a first cruise. I'm afraid that it might turn them off of cruising completely.

A very valid concern. On the Quantum TA, lots of veteran cruisers who normally handle motion well were under the weather despite the relatively minimal motion numbers mentioned by the captain (didn't list more than 3 deg). There's just something about how the motion manifests itself that affects more than the usual suspects.

On the February Quantum sailing, it wasn't so much the swaying, but the creaking noise in our cabin, elevator area, and especially in the theatre. However, we were sailing in a storm with 20+ ft. waves. Certain times, the spray reached the Solarium deck--it was a sight. The Captain kept us very informed both via the TV and announcement over the ship's speakers. The creaking question was raised to the Captain at the Captain's Quarter event in 270 area on the last day, and as the Op mentioned he compared it to the settling of a new house. By the By, at the same event it was attended also by Hotel Manager and I believe the Engineer. Many questions and educational answers.

A very valid concern. On the Quantum TA, lots of veteran cruisers who normally handle motion well were under the weather despite the relatively minimal motion numbers mentioned by the captain (didn't list more than 3 deg). There's just something about how the motion manifests itself that affects more than the usual suspects.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll keep my eyes open on CC for solutions that work for motion sickness that won't put us to sleep, or make me lose out on my drinks package ;)

dp

I have never had an issue with sleepiness or drinking while taking Bonine. I take one a day just before bed starting 1-2 days before the cruise. Have them test it out to see how it works for them. I also wear the seabands religiously. Since doing those 2 things, I never get sick on a cruise where prior, I was prone to motion sickness during rough seas.

Thank you for the fair and balanced review, was an excellent read! We will be on Anthem in 2 weeks!

Thanks for the heads up. I'll keep my eyes open on CC for solutions that work for motion sickness that won't put us to sleep, or make me lose out on my drinks package ;)

 

dp

Different people react differently to meclizine (generic Bonine). Some folks don't get drowsy, others, like my spouse, do. You might take one before your cruise and see how you react to it. It certainly does work for motion sickness, the only question is how spaced out you'll be.

(I never get seasick, fortunately. :) )

Enjoy your cruise, Anthem is a fantastic ship!

Agree on Quantum/Anthem creakiness, also noted lots of motion when we were in Northern waters once we got into Caribbean waters there was very little issue. The creaking still drove my DW crazy though...

DP,

When in March of 2017 are you sailing? We booked the 19th cruise while on a b2b on Liberty in October. Might have to move it out though as our youngest son is getting married on the 21st of April and financially it might not work out.

Deb

Interesting about the picture with glasses. Mom always wears hers and I uploaded her picture with them. Do you suggest I take another without and upload that instead? I'd hate to get tied up at embarkation. I'm hoping that there will be no wifi issues and we can board in a timely fashion, as I have iFly booked for the boys at 1 PM (since I'm pretty sure the flowrider won't be open due to the cooler weather).

Overall it sounds like you had a good time. I've been somewhat concerned with the overall negative reviews and somewhat apprehensive about this trip given our always excellent cruises on Freedom over the last years. While we got a good deal on the Christmas cruise, it's still a good chunk of change to spend to be disappointed.

DP,

When in March of 2017 are you sailing? We booked the 19th cruise while on a b2b on Liberty in October. Might have to move it out though as our youngest son is getting married on the 21st of April and financially it might not work out.

Deb

Departure is Sunday March 5th. It is our March Break. Both my kids are still in school and so is my wife... She is a school principal. ;)

We plan on driving to NJ. If we can get a big enough group to go with us, we might try to charter a bus to take us. Plane tickets will run us about 6 or $700 each + baggage fees.

I looked up the Roll Calls and the 19th cruise is the only one in march that is already up.

BTW, we were on Liberty last April for the Easter cruise.

dp

Interesting about the picture with glasses. Mom always wears hers and I uploaded her picture with them. Do you suggest I take another without and upload that instead? I'd hate to get tied up at embarkation. I'm hoping that there will be no wifi issues and we can board in a timely fashion, as I have iFly booked for the boys at 1 PM (since I'm pretty sure the flowrider won't be open due to the cooler weather).

 

Overall it sounds like you had a good time. I've been somewhat concerned with the overall negative reviews and somewhat apprehensive about this trip given our always excellent cruises on Freedom over the last years. While we got a good deal on the Christmas cruise, it's still a good chunk of change to spend to be disappointed.

It's really so not worth worrying about. It literally took 2 seconds for her to take another photo. I'd book iFly for another day since it can be pre-booked. Focus on Seaplex stuff with no lines when boarding. Surf simulator will be every day 9-11 and 4-6 some days had a third session 1-3 as well. then teen only session 1 night

Thanks for taking the time to write such a thorough, well balanced review. I hope that you copied and pasted it into the after cruise survey that RCI sends. They really need to address the problems with under staffing in the restaurants and cleanliness through out the ship.

We've been on 20 RCI cruises and have never been on a ship that was not clean. That is definitely something that the Anthem's hotel director needs to address.

Great review!

My husband and I were on the November 10 sailing on Anthem of the Seas. Our cabin was located on the 13 floor and 4 cabins from the front of the ship. The first night sailing out of NYC was rough, but we did not get seasick. We thought the bed was the best we have ever experienced on a cruise ship. Our room was beautiful and the attendant did a great job and was very pleasant.

The ship was beautiful, and we thought all the public areas were immaculate. Always people cleaning.

We normally sail on Celebrity Cruises and we thought the food in the complimentary dining rooms was fantastic. However, the service was poor. Just getting escorted to your table was a job trying not to get run down by staff with rolling carts and trays. Never an apology....We had lobster tails in the Grande and first time ever that the waiters on 2 occasions did not take the lobster out of the shell. The shells remained for a long period on our butter plates before they were removed. Another table near us had 4 people eating, 3 people left and the fourth person finished his dinner surrounded by dirty dishes.

Even after he left, the table remained dirty for another 20 minutes.

In Chic, the waiter argued with me when I told him my prime rib was too well done. His boss brought out my new prime rib, but the waiter never came back to see how we were doing until it was time to serve dessert. In my 20 plus cruises, I have never experienced such an arrogant server.

Even with service issues in the dining rooms, I would love to sail again on the Anthem.

To be clear, I did not get seasick either. Neither did anyone in my party. But there was a definite roll and sway to the ship coming back to NJ both nights that was not in line with the fairly calm weather and seas we had outside. Based on ship movement, I expected to look out and see very rough seas.

Connie

Any pictures to post?

Westfield, NJ ROCKS!!!

Tons! Is there a way to load them all easily or do I have to go one by one?

Neither my spouse nor I thought Anthem "moved" unusually. We had some really rough seas and high winds on the TA, and the ship rolled as one would expect in those conditions, but otherwise you could hardly tell you were at sea.

Neither my spouse nor I thought Anthem "moved" unusually. We had some really rough seas and high winds on the TA, and the ship rolled as one would expect in those conditions, but otherwise you could hardly tell you were at sea.

And my spouse and I, both of my parents and a number of very experienced cruisers (4 separate couples to be exact) we talked to on the ship all agreed that the ship had more movement than other ships we've sailed on. I think even the captain indicated in an interview that it does. Does it mean I got sick? Not at all- simply a personal observation.

I for one appreciate the honesty of your review. While you didn't love all things, it was very thorough and honest!

We have never cruised before, so we don't know what to expect as far as if it is different than any other ships, so that won't bother us :)

One question, what does everyone take for "seasickness". I would like to have something on hand, just in case it does bother me. The husband and I did a dinner cruise once (like 2 hour around the harbor on a small boat) and I turned green and our server noticed it and brought me some medicine! I don't even know what it was.... Thanks!

Thanks for the heads up. I'll keep my eyes open on CC for solutions that work for motion sickness that won't put us to sleep, or make me lose out on my drinks package ;)

 

dp

In anticipation of fully enjoying our Anthem cruise in May 2016, we have researched Seaband Wristbands just in case. According to the reviews they work really well and it's all based off of pressure points, no medication to make you sleepy or miss out on any of the perks of having the drink package!

Here is a link to some at Target, I'm sure many places sell them though!

http://www.target.com/p/seaband-wristband/-/A-15115907?ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=15115907&ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Health%2BBeauty%2BShopping&adgroup=SC_Health%2BBeauty&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9006422&gclid=COfBm9D7wskCFYQ1aQodrj4N1Q&gclsrc=aw.ds

Connie EXCELLENT review. Thanks for posting. I loved the Anthem. I'm going to post a review as soon as I get my pics uploaded.

In anticipation of fully enjoying our Anthem cruise in May 2016, we have researched Seaband Wristbands just in case. According to the reviews they work really well and it's all based off of pressure points, no medication to make you sleepy or miss out on any of the perks of having the drink package!

 

Here is a link to some at Target, I'm sure many places sell them though!

http://www.target.com/p/seaband-wristband/-/A-15115907?ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=15115907&ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Health%2BBeauty%2BShopping&adgroup=SC_Health%2BBeauty&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9006422&gclid=COfBm9D7wskCFYQ1aQodrj4N1Q&gclsrc=aw.ds

I was a bit skeptical on these, but I wore them 24/7 on our 10 day a month ago and felt great ! Give 'em a try !

Thank you for the balanced review. :) We are sailing in January and after reading so many negative reviews we were beginning to wonder if we made the wrong choice.

We hope that the service issues improve a bit before we board. Last year was our first Royal cruise (11th overall). We thought that the food in the Windjammer was bland and boring last year, as you did on this cruise. There we many things that we did enjoy or we would not have booked this cruise. We are hopeful that we will enjoy the food in the restaurants at least as much you reported in your review.

I was on another forum and it was stated that if you book another cruise on the Anthem, they were refunding half of a drink package and giving half off the drink package on the next cruise, can anyone who was recently on the Anthem confirm or deny this?

Never saw anything like this.