Anthem- New Years Cruise- Fantastic Cruise!- Happy to answer questions

[Bottlenosedolphin]

I was on the Anthem sailing Dec 27-Jan 3. After reading many negative reviews on the Anthem before my sailing, I was extremely concerned about my cruise vacation and was more worried than excited for my vacation. I am so happy to report that my family could not have had a better experience. From the minute we arrived at the pier to the minute we walked off the ship, the experience was nothing but amazing for me and my family (with a couple of kinks here and there but that is to be expected on any trip I think).

 

The staff on the ship were incredible. Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. Our stateroom attendant was always friendly (always present and working) and our room was immaculate. The waiters in the restaurants were exceptional, taking the time to learn our names and spending time just talking to our family. The staff in the Windjammer were also extremely friendly. If there was a table that was dirty, they would come over immediately, clean it, and always offered to get us coffee or juice while we got our food.

 

As for the food- it is the best we have ever had on a cruise. (Just as a reference, we are diamond members, and have also sailed NCL and Disney). Every night the food exceeded expectations, except for one night in the solarium (Divinely Decadence). The appetizers there were good but the main dish was inedible and we ended up leaving. Get the short rib in American Icon Grill- amazing. And almost everything in Jamie's Italian is great. Def NYC restaurant quality food. Silk was very good as well. Some people were annoyed because they don't interpret dishes the same as what some are used to. Food was still excellent. And don't miss the Grande. Food is excellent. If you don't want to dress up and bring a jacket, you should eat there the first night when it is not yet formal. The food in the Windjammer also exceeded expectations. In the morning there was always an omelet station and a fried egg station, but the cooks would make anything you wanted upon request, and happily did so. For lunch, there was always a pasta and fried rice station and a panini station (where they kindly made a simple grilled cheese for my kids.) The salad bar was always being replenished and the food stations were always clean. There were tons of employees making sure the stations were full of food and clean. The only negative was that they couldn't keep up with the demand for their chocolate chip cookies! :)

 

The SeaPlex is an incredible space and very well designed. We were able to do bumper cars, roller skating and circus school (trapeze) with minimal waits. I think the key was getting there early (if the session is scheduled for 3:30, I recommend getting there at 3:10 to get in line for a time.) For roller skating and trapeze they give you a wrist band with a time slot to come back. Bumper cars you wait in line, and we never waited more than 20 minutes, even toward the end of the session. The bumper cars run for 3 minutes a session which we felt was a sufficient amount of time (and no more or less than an amusement park I would think). They have a good amount of cars and not too many so you don't feel congested and stuck. The same idea for roller skating, they have a good amount of people on the rink so it doesn't get congested. It is extremely well run in my opinion. The XBox room was a bit challenging because the teenagers would sit for hours and hours without any regulations and the younger kids rarely had a chance to play.

 

We thought the pool complex was very impressive.

 

The shows left us with a bit to be desired. We liked the traditional broadway shows that Royal used to have. They were more frequent throughout the trip and more entertaining. My family didn't care for Spectra and We Will Rock You had amazing talent but the show could be better. The Gift was canceled. One note- make sure you read the messages on your T.V. in your room! They changed the date and time for Spectra on me and didn't notify me. It was on the message on the T.V. but it totally messed with my dining and plans for one of the nights.

 

I can go on and on (ship was immaculate, pools scrubbed every night, public bathrooms extremely clean, etc.) but I'd rather answer any questions you may have about your upcoming vacation or if you are thinking of sailing on the Anthem (esp if you have been reading negative reviews- I can put your worries to rest). My family will def be taking this cruise again!

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

Did you happen to have Dynamic Dining Classic? Or did you do DD Choice?

[Bottlenosedolphin]

I did the choice dining and we were able to eat in a different restaurant every night. The Grande, Chops, Jamie's Italian, Silk, the Solarium Bistro, American Icon Grill, and Chic. I will say the whole reservations process was the most difficult part of the entire trip and I don't think they have the right system in place right now. It is way too complicated and they don't have enough dining times open prior to sailing.

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

I did the choice dining and we were able to eat in a different restaurant every night. The Grande, Chops, Jamie's Italian, Silk, the Solarium Bistro, American Icon Grill, and Chic. I will say the whole reservations process was the most difficult part of the entire trip and I don't think they have the right system in place right now. It is way too complicated and they don't have enough dining times open prior to sailing.

 

Thank you for answering and for you're review. I like the sound of the Classic option, where you rotate through the restaurants at the same time each night (no need to make reservations!) with the same waitstaff.

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

Also:

 

Do you know if there was a Captain's Corner/Q&A?

[mets07]

Thanks for your review. I second the short ribs at American Icon. (In fact, I had that selection both times I went there).

 

:):):)

[Bottlenosedolphin]

Also:

 

Do you know if there was a Captain's Corner/Q&A?

 

I didn't go but I believe there was. My husband was telling me some of the questions asked.

[grouchomarx]

There were a few posts recently mentioning that Anthem was going to be charging $1500-$3000 per couple for NYE in 270. Also I saw someone mention Vintages would have a $500 minimum, and there were also expensive charges for the Seaplex. Could you verify if any of that was true on your NYE sailing? I've been so curious ever since I saw those posts but didn't find any follow up information (maybe I missed it). Thanks!

[dancersp119]

Did you pre-book all your shows?? That is going to be the most confusing for me..We are on the 12 night cruise in April and have chosen classic late dinign because honestly if I had to pick restuarants every night and entertainment I might go crazy...Any show hints would be great...thank you...so glad you enjoyed your cruise.

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

There were a few posts recently mentioning that Anthem was going to be charging $1500-$3000 per couple for NYE in 270. Also I saw someone mention Vintages would have a $500 minimum, and there were also expensive charges for the Seaplex. Could you verify if any of that was true on your NYE sailing? I've been so curious ever since I saw those posts but didn't find any follow up information (maybe I missed it). Thanks!

 

Yes, there were charges for tables/etc in certain areas, but there were also plenty of areas available for those who chose not to pay. I didn't have personal experience, but I read a thread about it.

[Bottlenosedolphin]

There were a few posts recently mentioning that Anthem was going to be charging $1500-$3000 per couple for NYE in 270. Also I saw someone mention Vintages would have a $500 minimum, and there were also expensive charges for the Seaplex. Could you verify if any of that was true on your NYE sailing? I've been so curious ever since I saw those posts but didn't find any follow up information (maybe I missed it). Thanks!

 

 

 

On my sailing, all of the New Years activities were complimentary as far as I knew. Nothing on the daily newsletter that listed where the parties stated that there were additional fees. The two big parties that I was aware of on my sailing were the outside NYE party on the pool deck and the NYE party in the Seaplex which was a glow party. (they encouraged people to wear white or neon). They did charge for the glow party supplies (sunglasses, necklaces, etc.) There was also staff selling bottles of champagne outside the bars.

 

As for the Seaplex, the only charge was to play air hockey (your typical $1.75 a game charge). Everything else was free.

[Bottlenosedolphin]

Did you pre-book all your shows?? That is going to be the most confusing for me..We are on the 12 night cruise in April and have chosen classic late dinign because honestly if I had to pick restuarants every night and entertainment I might go crazy...Any show hints would be great...thank you...so glad you enjoyed your cruise.

 

I did prebook my shows and the tickets did sell out for my sailing (ship was at capacity). The shows were typically at 7 or 9. Make sure you check the messages on your T.V. throughout the sailing. One of the showtimes I booked (Spectra) was canceled and they moved my date (and the T.V. was my only notification) and the other show (The Gift) was completely canceled on my sailing due to technical difficulties. I hope they have more shows on your 12 night than they offered us!

[Biker19]

After reading many negative reviews on the Anthem before my sailing, I was extremely concerned about my cruise vacation and was more worried than excited for my vacation. I am so happy to report that my family could not have had a better experience.

 

....and yet, people keep coming here to read the reviews and get all worried about lots of issues.:rolleyes: