Just off Anthem

[newxmascruiser]

So we just got home after 3 fab nights on Anthem thought I'd post a few comments...

Ship itself feels overall a lot smaller than oasis especially on the pool and sports decks.

We did loads of activities - in the seaplex bumper cars and roller skating were brilliant fun and not too long a queue. The table tennis air hockey and fusball space in there is brilliantly laid out, the doghouse being in there is a nice touch.

We also did ifly one not to miss! It is was fully booked but we called in to the desk and asked for stand by and were allocated a group within 10 mins. So much fun.

The North star is good although lines are long and it's worth waiting for a day/time when they are able to angle out over the sides of the ship which is port and weather permitting otherwise it's just straight up straight down.

We did puzzle break really really good fun make sure you book it was full every session.

All of the shows were absolutely a1 we will rock you and spectras cabaret, cannot say enough good stuff about them. Our headliner was paul zerdin first class.

The music hall is a great venue with really good bands.

Two 70 is an amazing venue. Casuno felt kind of smaller and not so many tables but good fun. The big screen at the pool is used for movies during the day, otherwise good background music which gave a nice vibe.

Bionic bar was good fun but kind of a do it once thing.

We ate in american icon 1 night and silk 2 nights. We are lunch at windjammer and cafe two70. Breakfast at windjammer and american icon can't fault the food all really great.

Only thing I feel let it down was the drinks service, we didn't have a package but waiters taking drinks orders are very few and far between and bars were really really busy. Most bars had only 1 or 2 servers so the wait was long.

Overall we had an amazing time

[lakelorain]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Getting ready to book the Anthem on our next cruise.

Would you book the Anthem again or do you prefer a different ship?

[Over Land & Sea]

Only thing I feel let it down was the drinks service, we didn't have a package but waiters taking drinks orders are very few and far between and bars were really really busy. Most bars had only 1 or 2 servers so the wait was long.

Overall we had an amazing time

 

Not at all surprised, I was expecting to hear something like this. With the ship carrying mainly all inclusive or drinks package cruisers there is no advantage to RCCL making it easy to get your drinks. If you had to pay per drink there would probably be twice as many staff at the bar and you would certainly have more around the pool areas during the day.

 

RCCL have already cashed and spent your booze money before you've even got on the boat, you can drink to that!!

[newxmascruiser]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Getting ready to book the Anthem on our next cruise.

Would you book the Anthem again or do you prefer a different ship?

 

Definitely would 3 days was no where near long enough! With only a smallish outdoor pool area and limited loungers up too due to running track in not sure how it would fare on a hot sea day. That said I'd be willing to risk it!

[bogofman]

Is there a bar in the theatre?

 

Any servers in the pub, or do we have to do it uk style and queue at the bar?

[newxmascruiser]

Is there a bar in the theatre?

 

Any servers in the pub, or do we have to do it uk style and queue at the bar?

 

No bar in the royal theatre, there is one in two70 venue.

In 2 shows at royal theatre we didn't see a drinks waiter once, the schooner bar is pretty close by though.

A few times in two70 in the evening there were more guys floating around.

The pub we only went in once and we went to the bar it wasn't too busy in there actually.

[cruzingduo]

So we just got home after 3 fab nights on Anthem thought I'd post a few comments...

Ship itself feels overall a lot smaller than oasis especially on the pool and sports decks.

We did loads of activities - in the seaplex bumper cars and roller skating were brilliant fun and not too long a queue. The table tennis air hockey and fusball space in there is brilliantly laid out, the doghouse being in there is a nice touch.

We also did ifly one not to miss! It is was fully booked but we called in to the desk and asked for stand by and were allocated a group within 10 mins. So much fun.

The North star is good although lines are long and it's worth waiting for a day/time when they are able to angle out over the sides of the ship which is port and weather permitting otherwise it's just straight up straight down.

We did puzzle break really really good fun make sure you book it was full every session.

All of the shows were absolutely a1 we will rock you and spectras cabaret, cannot say enough good stuff about them. Our headliner was paul zerdin first class.

The music hall is a great venue with really good bands.

Two 70 is an amazing venue. Casuno felt kind of smaller and not so many tables but good fun. The big screen at the pool is used for movies during the day, otherwise good background music which gave a nice vibe.

Bionic bar was good fun but kind of a do it once thing.

We ate in american icon 1 night and silk 2 nights. We are lunch at windjammer and cafe two70. Breakfast at windjammer and american icon can't fault the food all really great.

Only thing I feel let it down was the drinks service, we didn't have a package but waiters taking drinks orders are very few and far between and bars were really really busy. Most bars had only 1 or 2 servers so the wait was long.

Overall we had an amazing time

 

What type of cabin did you have?

[newxmascruiser]

Balcony on deck 12. Nice spot mid ship found it was close to everything. There are only 2 sets of elevators on anthem so we took the stairs a lot as they were right along from our room.

Oh and the stateroom had a kettle and tea making sachets!

[Caroline999_1999]

Hi,

 

I was also on this cruise. What's been said before I'll not repeat. Seaplex fun, Northstar not worth the wait. We had a horrendous time in Chic resturant, it took us 3 hours to have our dinner (we left before desert). The old style head waiter, waiter, assistant waiter has gone, it's now 2 waiters for 8 tables and it does NOT work. So many complaints from other diners too.

 

My other issue was that I had to pay almost full price for my 6 mths old baby to travel. There was nothing for her to do. The nursery charged $8 an hour. The play area had 2 toys suitable for her age and there was no parades/dreamworks.

 

Disembarkation was a shambles.

 

This is my 20th RC cruise, and I never ever have had complaints but really felt that the "Gold ANchor Standards" had slipped. It's a pity because she's a beautiful ship.

[newxmascruiser]

Hi,

 

I was also on this cruise. What's been said before I'll not repeat. Seaplex fun, Northstar not worth the wait. We had a horrendous time in Chic resturant, it took us 3 hours to have our dinner (we left before desert). The old style head waiter, waiter, assistant waiter has gone, it's now 2 waiters for 8 tables and it does NOT work. So many complaints from other diners too.

 

My other issue was that I had to pay almost full price for my 6 mths old baby to travel. There was nothing for her to do. The nursery charged $8 an hour. The play area had 2 toys suitable for her age and there was no parades/dreamworks.

 

Disembarkation was a shambles.

 

This is my 20th RC cruise, and I never ever have had complaints but really felt that the "Gold ANchor Standards" had slipped. It's a pity because she's a beautiful ship.[/QUOT

 

 

 

Oh no that's a shame! Disembark was great for us, we walked off with our cases at 6.45 no hassle at all, originally we had planned to leave later glad we didn't now if things turned to chaos!

Also didn't eat in chic so can't comment on that. I do agree that things weren't as slick with the wait staff though - no intros, no big bread selection offered, but didn't affect our experience we were done within the hour every night. We went to dinner at 6pm most nights maybe we lucked out and it was quieter than other times

[newxmascruiser]

Just thought a few more things to add which may be of interest.

 

Wifi was 54 dollars for 2 devices and connection was really good.

 

I downloaded the royaliq app and that was useful for checking statement, booking things. Also has an im function so could ping messages to my husband on board.

 

Room service menu is super limited but delivered quickly.

 

Bathroom had some shower gel shampoo etc in little bottles.

 

Safe was really quite small. Ipad didn't fit...

[MAZ100]

Great review. thanks for all the information

 

Do you happen to have your 3 day compass from your cruise that you can post here

 

thanks

[Static events]

Hi,

 

I was also on this cruise. What's been said before I'll not repeat. Seaplex fun, Northstar not worth the wait. We had a horrendous time in Chic resturant, it took us 3 hours to have our dinner (we left before desert). The old style head waiter, waiter, assistant waiter has gone, it's now 2 waiters for 8 tables and it does NOT work. So many complaints from other diners too.

 

My other issue was that I had to pay almost full price for my 6 mths old baby to travel. There was nothing for her to do. The nursery charged $8 an hour. The play area had 2 toys suitable for her age and there was no parades/dreamworks.

 

Disembarkation was a shambles.

 

This is my 20th RC cruise, and I never ever have had complaints but really felt that the "Gold ANchor Standards" had slipped. It's a pity because she's a beautiful ship.

 

 

Thanks for your moan.

[newxmascruiser]

Great review. thanks for all the information

 

Do you happen to have your 3 day compass from your cruise that you can post here

 

thanks

 

I didnt keep them I'm afraid.

Few comments on that though..:

There weren't any parades or parties/events in the promenade (it's quite small) but I'm sure on longer cruises there will be, there was captains reception that was night 2. There was only 1 bingo game the whole cruise that was on night 3. There were a lot of quizzes during the day. The compass gave timings for the seaplex each day with what time slots had each activity. Flow rider and Rock climbing weren't on all day so again slots were advertised.

Didn't have any activities in the casino like slot pull or poker but we were in port all day both days.

The evening menus in all 4 dynamic dining restaurants were the same each night. So the menu was called a taste of anthem and each night the menu was made up of a selection of 2-3 dishes from each restaurant for each course so it didn't matter which dd venue you chose food was the same.

[liverpoollad]

Hi Newx

 

Thanks for the review.

 

You mentioned that The Music Hall was a great venue with really good bands.

May I ask what type of music do they play & you mentioned "bands" are there more than one?

 

Cheers.

[little britain]

Disembarkation was a shambles.

 

This is my 20th RC cruise, and I never ever have had complaints but really felt that the "Gold ANchor Standards" had slipped. It's a pity because she's a beautiful ship.

I fail to see how a fire alarm in the terminal is RCI's fault, although I do agree that they should of perhaps communicated what the issue was earlier instead of leaving us just standing there.

 

Agree bar service slow - they were not geared up to contend with 4000+ Brits on the drinks package on a booze cruise!

 

Menu's very dull - back to the boring menus of the main dining room. Again RCI should have communicated this change to us before the cruise started. It was very strange sitting in Silk and eating Beef Wellington.

 

Entertainment was superb. Wild Boys rocked the ship, Spectre's Cabaret was astounding and WWRY was great. I do feel perhaps that WWRY is a little 'out there' for the mainly elderly P&O audience who sat there, not clapping along to Radio GaGa. Some may also say it is unsuitable for children, with very mild references.

 

Ship décor is stunning and Quantum class is definitely my favourite class of ship now. However I just wish they would stop fiddling around with DD, leave it alone, it works and we love it. Quantum class is meant to be different. Leave it that way.

[newxmascruiser]

Hi Newx

 

Thanks for the review.

 

You mentioned that The Music Hall was a great venue with really good bands.

May I ask what type of music do they play & you mentioned "bands" are there more than one?

 

Cheers.

 

In music hall 1 night we saw an 80s tribute they were superb literally filled the dance floor all night. Another night there was a rock band, with electric guitar etc. and then they also had an anthem rocks event with songs from queen etc, all really good.

 

There was a piano guy we saw in schooner one evening, we also saw the ships 'orchestra band' play in two70. And there is a really cool young guy with a portable upright piano who popped up at various bars at various times playing requests. Basically a real mixture!

[Donsyb]

I fail to see how a fire alarm in the terminal is RCI's fault, although I do agree that they should of perhaps communicated what the issue was earlier instead of leaving us just standing there.

 

Agree bar service slow - they were not geared up to contend with 4000+ Brits on the drinks package on a booze cruise!

 

Menu's very dull - back to the boring menus of the main dining room. Again RCI should have communicated this change to us before the cruise started. It was very strange sitting in Silk and eating Beef Wellington.

 

Entertainment was superb. Wild Boys rocked the ship, Spectre's Cabaret was astounding and WWRY was great. I do feel perhaps that WWRY is a little 'out there' for the mainly elderly P&O audience who sat there, not clapping along to Radio GaGa. Some may also say it is unsuitable for children, with very mild references.

 

Ship décor is stunning and Quantum class is definitely my favourite class of ship now. However I just wish they would stop fiddling around with DD, leave it alone, it works and we love it. Quantum class is meant to be different. Leave it that way.

 

We left the ship (self disembarking) at around 9am, we had to queue for about 15 minutes as they were fiddling around with something on the gangway, but that was all. But as we sat in Ikea having a coffee and looking at the ship Little Britain posted on facebook that they were all stuck on the ship due to a fire alarm! So glad we got off just before :)

 

We loved the ship, enjoyed all the entertainment, OH went on ifly and loved it. Most activities were fully booked by end of day 1, so book in advance if possible or as soon as you get on.

 

Main disappointment for us was the taste of anthem menus (dinner in Chic on night 2 - NONE of the main courses were from Chic!).

 

Service and food quality was also inconsistent e.g. teryaki steak in Silk was overcooked and bland, lobster in chic was amazing. Drinks service in restaurants was slow, had to ask for a wine list then often had finished our starters before the wine arrived. Service wasn't great in any of the restaurants, in Silk was poor, average in Chic and Grande. But the longest dinner only took 1.5 hours so that was ok.

 

It was good to meet you finally at sailaway Little Britain :)

[Donsyb]

Other thing to mention - they ran out of prosecco and pinot grigio!! :eek:

[liverpoollad]

Newx

 

Thank you for the reply.

 

It seems that the The Music Hall will be up my wife & I street, we have been on the Azamara Quest & after 10.45pm the ship was dead, as a joke I asked on the roll-call would there Led Zep played on board, the reply was " The ship is a bit too sophisticated" for Led Zep, seems RCCL will be a lot better.

 

Cheers.

[Silverman]

Im sophisticated and I would be more than happy to be where ever Led Zeppelin is playing!!

[Silverman]

They really did turn this ship into a Carnival. Thats just sad.

[MAZ100]

I didnt keep them I'm afraid.

Few comments on that though..:

There weren't any parades or parties/events in the promenade (it's quite small) but I'm sure on longer cruises there will be, there was captains reception that was night 2. There was only 1 bingo game the whole cruise that was on night 3. There were a lot of quizzes during the day. The compass gave timings for the seaplex each day with what time slots had each activity. Flow rider and Rock climbing weren't on all day so again slots were advertised.

Didn't have any activities in the casino like slot pull or poker but we were in port all day both days.

The evening menus in all 4 dynamic dining restaurants were the same each night. So the menu was called a taste of anthem and each night the menu was made up of a selection of 2-3 dishes from each restaurant for each course so it didn't matter which dd venue you chose food was the same.

 

thank you for your help and information

[Bobal]

They really did turn this ship into a Carnival. Thats just sad.

 

Really :confused: How on earth do you reach that conclusion.

 

I've just returned from Anthem and have sailed once on Carnival (once was enough) and I can assure you that Anthem is nothing like Carnival.

[Suzieanna]

Running out of Prosecco - oh dear! I am not a wine drinker myself, but I know this is a popular drink because all my friends drink it.

 

So long as they dont run out of Whisky - I will be calling for a mutiny if this happens!!