Review - 3 nights is not enough on Anthem

[little britain]

We took a short 3 night cruise on Anthem on May 3rd from Southampton. We did have some issues which we fed back to RCI via the feedback form, and to be honest we were waiting for them to contact us to discuss this; but as they have not I thought I may as well submit my review!

 

Let’s start by saying I am a huge fan of both Quantum class ships and especially of DD. I was on the first tremendous sailing of the Quantum TransAtlantic and I loved the natural extension of MTD into DD, offering more variety and choice. I booked this short cruise with DH and 6 friends so they could also sample this. We spend time checking out the various dining options and arranging how best we were going to fit as much as possible into the 3 days trying as many venues as possible. We even had a spreadsheet detailing different venues for breakfast, lunch tea and dinner! So it was with horror that we learnt online that the previous 3 night sailing was not having DD, but rather a ‘one size fits all’ menu served in every single complimentary restaurant. Not dynamic dining at all…. so RCI were basically failing to deliver on one of the main reasons, if not THE main reason, we booked the cruise. We were not happy. However; at least we knew before we boarded; unlike many of the guests on board who were not on CC or FB so their restricted dining experience would have come as a complete surprise. Why could RCI not simply have written and informed their guests that this change was happening. Just saying.

 

So that is my rant over with – now on to the cruise.

Boarding at Southampton was quick and easy. Large signs saying ‘if you have your Seapass go through this door’…..where as what it should have said is ‘if you have your Seapass stamped with a green stamp go through this door’. Find a girl with an iPad; she does some checks, and gives you the aforementioned green stamp. We were in the first group to board. The ship, basically identical to Quantum, luxurious, stylish, artistic, gorgeous. A love-child of Oasis and Eclipse. And a glass of champagne on boarding was a nice touch which I have not seen before on RCI.

 

As it was a 3n sailing, it was essentially a party ship. There were a few hen parties on board. The ship ran out of Pinot Grigio and Proscecco. The caterers had seriously underestimated the drinking capacity of 4000 Brits - the majority of whom had the drinks package!

 

And as a short cruise there were also obviously many people trying RCI for the first time, I suspect from P&O. I have never seen so many people sit motionless, unswaying and not clapping along to the fabulous performance of We Will Rock You. It even had Curly Watts in! The entertainment on board was excellent – the Music Hall was jumping every night with the superb Wild Boys

 

and I was thrilled to see the great DJ from Quantum playing in the Bionic Bar. One thing you can say about the ship was that there was music everywhere and a great variety of music too in the different venues. The performances of Spectra’s Cabaret in 270 was outstanding too.

The comedian was not funny.

 

 

Activities on board were varied. I cannot believe I spoke with a guest who said ‘There is nothing on this ship for children’…..perhaps they need to go to SpecSavers……they obviously had not been anywhere near Seaplex with the bumper-cars, circus school, or the incredible iFly. There was a huge queue for North Star, and I must be jinxed as when I got to the front of the queue on Quantum it broke down…….and when we got to the front of the queue on Anthem, yes you have guess it, it broke down. After a bit of ‘discussion’ they eventually agreed to take names and guarantee us whenever we returned we would go straight to the front of the queue. We also did the Puzzle Room, which was intriguing and very popular.

 

As we strolled around the ship on the first day, there were little food stations set up outside each of the restaurants. Here is what you could have had....:rolleyes:

 

But despite the menus not having the dishes we would have chosen, the food on board was definitely a step up from the usual RCI fare. It was a bit odd though sitting in Silk and not eating anything Asian. We also dined in Wonderland. It was incredible. Admittedly I was a little dubious as the menu sounds a bit ‘odd’ but it isn’t really – and the décor, and presentation of the food makes it a dinner to remember.

 

 

There was another hiccup when it came to disembarking. Apparently there had been a fire alarm in the terminal; we were stood waiting for over an hour before they made an announcement. Another occasion where RCI should have just said something. Don’t keep us in the dark. Just saying.

 

I still love Quantum class, I would say it is my favourite class of RCI ship. Whilst on board we booked Ovation. Let’s try again to sample Dynamic Dining…..

[kevinyork]

Thanks for your balanced review. 3 day cruises can always be a bit different from longer cruises. Shame about the Taste Of Anthem menus. A bit like booking your favourite chinese restaurant and being offered a menu with burgers on it. Hoping our 13 nighter in Sep doesnt have any of these menus. Can you tell me how you get to know when the puzzle room is on please?

 

 

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[Donsyb]

Thanks for your balanced review. 3 day cruises can always be a bit different from longer cruises. Shame about the Taste Of Anthem menus. A bit like booking your favourite chinese restaurant and being offered a menu with burgers on it. Hoping our 13 nighter in Sep doesnt have any of these menus. Can you tell me how you get to know when the puzzle room is on please?

 

 

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You will likely have the taste of menus for royal nights only ( RCI's formal nights on anthem).

 

I was on the same sailing as Little Britain, we had a great time but were also disappointed by the menus. We also made our feelings known, both by email before the sailing where we were fobbed off with a generic response, and after in the survey, which we have no response to.

[cruiseclues]

I thin your right about the 3 Nights...thanks for the photo review. :):):):)

[Stitchman]

I had no problem with the taste of anthem menu.

It was still a good choice and far better than eating in the wind jammer "cattle" marketplace !!

almost dined in there the night our table guests went to a show, but skipped it as there was nothing we fancied queueing up for, and went to divinely decadence, the best food and service on the ship.

So good in fact, I left a very well deserved tip !!

[Donsyb]

I had no problem with the taste of anthem menu.

 

 

were you on a 3 nighter with that menu every night?

[Stitchman]

Nope ..... but was on anthem in October on a 3 nighter and it was fine

 

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[Donsyb]

Nope ..... but was on anthem in October on a 3 nighter and it was fine

 

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By which time I believe they had ditched the idea and reverted to normal menus....

[Stitchman]

By which time I believe they had ditched the idea and reverted to normal menus....

Well actually ..... not exactly.

There were still dishes from each of the other restaurants in the ones you were eating in.

 

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