A Pseudo-Live Review - Anthem of the Seas - June 30 - July 9th

[Clarea]

Question: When your eating in any of the dinning rooms, does Soda come with your meal? or is that charged separately. I know it is extra, or you have to have the package to have soda most everywhere, but just uncertain about in the dinning rooms.

I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to by my kids the soda package or not. They both would like to have a Shirley Temple or Soda with their dinner, but not really much soda other than that.

Thanks!

Soda is extra all the time, including during meals in the dining room.

 

You can purchase a 12oz can of soda for around $3.

Edited July 7, 2016 by clarea

[Overtyme]

Question: When your eating in any of the dinning rooms, does Soda come with your meal? or is that charged separately. I know it is extra, or you have to have the package to have soda most everywhere, but just uncertain about in the dinning rooms.

 

I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to by my kids the soda package or not. They both would like to have a Shirley Temple or Soda with their dinner, but not really much soda other than that.

 

Thanks!

 

 

Soda will need to be purchased separately or through a package.

Apologies for the delay in my review.

Too much to do, too little time.

I will update my review once I get home (no rush)

 

 

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[Overtyme]

I just booked the Anthem. I'm curious how they deal with food allergies. I am booked under dynamic dining for now but a bit nervous about it.

 

 

Good afternoon!

We're on the last leg of our trip now.

I did inquire with our wait staff about how they manage meals for those with food allergies.

 

For the more common ones (Gluten, eggs, dairy, peanuts, the assistant waiter will work with you to find you an appropriate dish.

Where it gets more complicated is when there are less common allergies or people who have multiple food related allergies.

In those cases, the head waiter will work with you and the kitchen to come up or identify an appropriate meal.

Hope this helps!

 

 

 

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[mommyloves2cruise]

Dear OP,

Thank you for taking the time to write your review, and for asking about the food allergies. It is greatly appreciated. I hope that you enjoy the rest of your cruise.

 

 

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[clochette]

Thanks for taking the time to write a review , we are going on the Anthem in January and I am enjoying learning more about her.

[clochette]

thanks for the review, I am really enjoying it

[Overtyme]

Thank you all for your patience. I've been swamped with work (sad, but true) and have not had time to focus on this as much as I would have liked.

Let me put a cap on day 1, from where I left off- getting ready for dinner...

As I mentioned, if you have a Classic Dining rotation, day 1 dining room will be different for everybody.

For us, day 1 was in Grande, which means that we technically had 3 formal nights (Days 1, 5 & 9), but Days 1 & 9 are not strictly enforced because some people won't have received their luggage on day 1 and some people will have packed their formal wear away on day 9.

I didn't take a lot of pictures of food (shocking for me) or of the dining rooms.

Classic 1 dining is at 5:30, so it's been a non-stop food-fest from the time that we boarded, headed for Cafe Two70 for lunch and a Virtual Symphony, Muster Drill (ended at 4:30) and then dinner!

We met our wait staff - Floribeth was simply amazing. Her attention to detail and her never ending smiles when she greeted us made this trip!

More about the food and the staff as this journey progresses.

As you know, and can read and speculate about the incident elsewhere, sometime during Classic 1 dining, the announcement came, and then not too long after that the Captain came on and announced that we were turning around.

I went to sleep for the night around 1:30am and we were still in NJ.

I believe that we headed for Bermuda, full speed ahead sometime around 2:30am ET.

 

Day 2 to come tomorrow.

 

I also have started to scan the Cruise Compasses. I'm not sure exactly how to post them. The files are a bit larger than what is allowed by Cruise Critic.

I'll continue to scan them and will probably just upload them and provide a link.

[Majestic-NJ]

I also have started to scan the Cruise Compasses. I'm not sure exactly how to post them. The files are a bit larger than what is allowed by Cruise Critic.

I'll continue to scan them and will probably just upload them and provide a link.

 

You can use a Dropbox account and upload the files there then provide links to them here. That's what I usually do.

 

Fred

[jerseygirl2609]

Looking forward to the rest. Thank You!

[Overtyme]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/142388306@N08/shares/q6734N

[Overtyme]

Day 2 (Sea Day)

 

Day 1 ended with me going to sleep somewhere around 1:30 in the morning, still in Bayonne.

There was a lot of speculation around the ship that night about our stop in Bermuda being cancelled and that we would be heading straight for St. Maarten.

When I woke up around 8:00 the next morning, I stepped out onto my balcony to see that gorgeous deep blue water!

 

Breakfasts throughout this trip were split between the Windjammer and the Solarium Bistro, which was much less crowded.

With the kids, we were just not able to make it to a sit-down breakfast.

 

The Solarium Bistro is open to all ages and is a nice change from the Windjammer.

It didn't offer the full selection, but was more than enough and the service was vastly improved over the Windjammer, mostly due to a much lower volume of people and tables for the staff to manage.

 

Our sea days are largely broken up in this fashion:

Breakfast and then something in the morning, then lunch followed by either my wife or I taking turns bringing my three year old to the cabin for nap time, while the other one goes out and has fun with our 9 year old.

We took turns with this, and to be honest, this vacation was so relaxing no matter what we did.

While my little one napped and It was my turn, I sat out on my balcony and took a nap of my own surrounded by the sound of the ocean and the sea breeze.

Our Evenings and Nights were typically composed of family dinner in one of the four dining rooms, follows by a show and then one of us would retire early with the younger one while the other stayed out.

To some, this may sound like a waste of a vacation, with all of the separation, napping, early bedtime, etc.

But it was just the opposite.

My wife and I both have very busy careers and we balance that out with our family time (also stressful at times).

This cruise was all about going with the flow.

We didn't try to do it all and we had set our expectations accordingly.

 

More about day 2 later on. Family time calls...

[emoji4]

Edited July 15, 2016 by Overtyme

[Overtyme]

Here are the 9 days of Planners, Compasses and Adventure Ocean Planners for this cruise. Enjoy!

https://flic.kr/s/aHskDKt4wB

I hope to update and complete my review next week.

Sorry for the delay.

[ForeverAfter]

Following along! We'll be sailing in October with our 8 & 5 year old so I'd love to hear your experience sailing with kids.

[joromay]

Thank you so much for posting them. My daughter is even more excited after reviewing them and making plans for what she wants to do. Three more days!:)

[joromay]

Can you share what you did in this port? Trying to figure out what we will do specifically if we will go on our own or on a ship excursion. Thanks again and I hope you had a great time!

[Overtyme]

Thank you so much for posting them. My daughter is even more excited after reviewing them and making plans for what she wants to do. Three more days!:)

She's a beautiful ship. Enjoy your time, and don't try to do everything. It'll give you a reason to come back, and it'll also make for a more relaxing time on-board if you don't get stressed out over trying to make every activity.

It's a vacation, not a convention.

You're day doesn't have to be jam-packed.

If you happen to be lucky enough to have Floribeth in the dining room, please tell her that Scott and Jen say hello!

The biggest challenge that we found is that for the things that we didn't have reservations for (specifically North Star and iFly), it was rough, but we were able to do things on the last day.

Please make sure that you've made reservations for these things before you've left, if you haven't done so.

[Overtyme]

Can you share what you did in this port? Trying to figure out what we will do specifically if we will go on our own or on a ship excursion. Thanks again and I hope you had a great time!

Definitely!

I'll elaborate on this point in a bit, but my advice: don't rush off to Front Street, unless you want to buy jewelry.

On past cruises, we went to Orient Beach, which is one of the nicest beaches that I've been to.

Be aware, however that there are some people (not common, but you may see one or two) that go au natural.

We didn't find it to be a big deal, but I personally kept my clothes on out of concern for the welfare of the locals.

Maho beach is a popular beach. I haven't been, but I believe that this beach is right next to the airport. You can Google or YouTube Maho Beach and you'll see pictures and video of people standing next to the runway when the planes pass right over their heads.

Hope this helps!

[Overtyme]

Day 3 - Bermuda

 

As I had mentioned, due to a late start towards Bermuda, despite going full-speed ahead, we made it to port about 3 hours later than the original scheduled time.

I think people were just happy that we made this stop, and the captain gave simply tacked on 90 minutes at the end of the day, so we left later than scheduled.

 

 

Some observations:

We were the only ship in port, but there are times when NCL Breakaway and possibly other ships will be there at the same time.

Getting off the ship as soon as possible will mean that you'll have an easier time getting a taxi to your destination. Same goes for getting a cab back to the pier. Don't wait until an 90-minutes before you have to be back, or you'll end up on a :40 line for a ride.

 

It was a bit chaotic trying to get transportation, and I can't imagine what it's like when there's another 4,000 passengers trying to get transportation.

In fairness though, part of this was due to a lack of a plan on our behalf and as we had learned later on, only a portion of taxis came to the pier because there was some confusion as to if the ship was coming to port at all.

Please make a plan ahead of time.

 

Right near the pier is every form of transport: water taxi's, buses, individual taxis, mini vans (shared taxis).

 

(In this photo, you can see taxis, the water taxi, mini vans and buses waiting as we pulled into port).

 

 

Bring Plenty of cash if you plan to rent beach chairs and umbrellas.

I can't remember exactly how much, but I want to say that we spent $50 for a pair of beach chairs and an umbrella at Horseshoe Bay.

 

Okay, back to on-task, my review:

 

I have to say, I had been looking forward to this stop for over a year now.

I was so glad that we made it there. I had been there before, but this was the first time that I had been there in a looooooooong time.

People will think that I'm crazy, but the blue water there is just a different color than the blue waters in the Caribbean and it's gorgeous.

As for the pink sand, "pink" is a real stretch. There are some flecks of pink in the sand, but not enough to give the beach the appearance of being pink.

 

 

In the past, I had gone to Hamilton, which is a great place for shopping and walking. But that was also when the ship used to dock on Front Street in Hamilton.

I also used to go to Elbow Beach, which I understand is still beautiful.

 

We docked around 11:00. Because we're traveling with a 3 year old, we decided that it would be wise to not keep her in line for :45 while everybody else made headed for the gangway.

As a result, leaving the ship was easy, but finding transportation was not as easy.

 

Beach towels are always available either as you leave the ship or right on the pier (as was the case in Labadee).

 

This time in, we hopped a mini-van (shared taxi) and headed over to Horseshoe Bay.

It was breath taking.

 

 

There is a cafe at the entrance to Horseshoe Bay, which serves burgers and some simpler food.

It wasn't great, but it was convenient.

We had lunch there, sat out on the patio and watched the ocean and the birds, which my older daughter took a liking to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Overtyme]

Day 3 - Bermuda (improved photo resolution from Flickr)

 

As I had mentioned, due to a late start towards Bermuda, despite going full-speed ahead, we made it to port about 3 hours later than the original scheduled time.

I think people were just happy that we made this stop, and the captain gave simply tacked on 90 minutes at the end of the day, so we left later than scheduled.

 

https://flic.kr/p/KqBrsR

 

Some observations:

We were the only ship in port, but there are times when NCL Breakaway and possibly other ships will be there at the same time.

Getting off the ship as soon as possible will mean that you'll have an easier time getting a taxi to your destination. Same goes for getting a cab back to the pier. Don't wait until an 90-minutes before you have to be back, or you'll end up on a :40 line for a ride.

 

It was a bit chaotic trying to get transportation, and I can't imagine what it's like when there's another 4,000 passengers trying to get transportation.

In fairness though, part of this was due to a lack of a plan on our behalf and as we had learned later on, only a portion of taxis came to the pier because there was some confusion as to if the ship was coming to port at all.

Please make a plan ahead of time.

 

Right near the pier is every form of transport: water taxi's, buses, individual taxis, mini vans (shared taxis).

 

https://flic.kr/p/KqBsv2

 

 

Bring Plenty of cash if you plan to rent beach chairs and umbrellas.

I can't remember exactly how much, but I want to say that we spent $50 for a pair of beach chairs and an umbrella at Horseshoe Bay.

 

Okay, back to on-task, my review:

 

I have to say, I had been looking forward to this stop for over a year now.

I was so glad that we made it there. I had been there before, but this was the first time that I had been there in a looooooooong time.

People will think that I'm crazy, but the blue water there is just a different color than the blue waters in the Caribbean and it's gorgeous.

As for the pink sand, "pink" is a real stretch. There are some flecks of pink in the sand, but not enough to give the beach the appearance of being pink.

 

https://flic.kr/p/JtsSxC

 

In the past, I had gone to Hamilton, which is a great place for shopping and walking. But that was also when the ship used to dock on Front Street in Hamilton.

I also used to go to Elbow Beach, which I understand is still beautiful.

 

We docked around 11:00. Because we're traveling with a 3 year old, we decided that it would be wise to not keep her in line for :45 while everybody else made headed for the gangway.

As a result, leaving the ship was easy, but finding transportation was not as easy.

 

Beach towels are always available either as you leave the ship or right on the pier (as was the case in Labadee).

 

This time in, we hopped a mini-van (shared taxi) and headed over to Horseshoe Bay.

It was breath taking (my photo's didn't do it justice).

 

https://flic.kr/p/KgkoEu

 

There is a cafe at the entrance to Horseshoe Bay, which serves burgers and some simpler food.

It wasn't great, but it was convenient.

We had lunch there, sat out on the patio and watched the ocean and the birds, which my older daughter took a liking to.

 

At 4:00, we headed to towards the restrooms to wash our feet off and then to get on line for a taxi.

 

There was about a :30 minute wait to get a cab on this cruise. This may have been an exception, but give yourself plenty of time.

We were back on-board by 5:00, took a quick shower, then up to dinner.

 

More about day 3 shortly...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Clarea]

Unfortunately, not seeing the photos. Getting a Yahoo login page when I click on the photos.

[sammydh82]

Unfortunately, not seeing the photos. Getting a Yahoo login page when I click on the photos.

 

I believe it is because the photos were posted through the Flickr link. My Aunt shares her photos this way and I have to login through my Yahoo account to view them.

I'm not sure if Yahoo owns/operates Flickr or what the situation is but that's how I've always had to login to view any photos there!

 

Edited to add: Although I just tried clicking the links and it took me right to the photos so now I'm not sure!

Edited July 27, 2016 by sammydh82

[Overtyme]

Day 3 - Bermuda (improved photo resolution from Flickr)

 

As I had mentioned, due to a late start towards Bermuda, despite going full-speed ahead, we made it to port about 3 hours later than the original scheduled time.

I think people were just happy that we made this stop, and the captain gave simply tacked on 90 minutes at the end of the day, so we left later than scheduled.

 

https://flic.kr/p/KqBrsR

 

Some observations:

We were the only ship in port, but there are times when NCL Breakaway and possibly other ships will be there at the same time.

Getting off the ship as soon as possible will mean that you'll have an easier time getting a taxi to your destination. Same goes for getting a cab back to the pier. Don't wait until an 90-minutes before you have to be back, or you'll end up on a :40 line for a ride.

 

It was a bit chaotic trying to get transportation, and I can't imagine what it's like when there's another 4,000 passengers trying to get transportation.

In fairness though, part of this was due to a lack of a plan on our behalf and as we had learned later on, only a portion of taxis came to the pier because there was some confusion as to if the ship was coming to port at all.

Please make a plan ahead of time.

 

Right near the pier is every form of transport: water taxi's, buses, individual taxis, mini vans (shared taxis).

 

https://flic.kr/p/KnNdhj

 

 

Bring Plenty of cash if you plan to rent beach chairs and umbrellas.

I can't remember exactly how much, but I want to say that we spent $50 for a pair of beach chairs and an umbrella at Horseshoe Bay.

 

Okay, back to on-task, my review:

 

I have to say, I had been looking forward to this stop for over a year now.

I was so glad that we made it there. I had been there before, but this was the first time that I had been there in a looooooooong time.

People will think that I'm crazy, but the blue water there is just a different color than the blue waters in the Caribbean and it's gorgeous.

As for the pink sand, "pink" is a real stretch. There are some flecks of pink in the sand, but not enough to give the beach the appearance of being pink.

 

https://flic.kr/p/JtsSxC

 

In the past, I had gone to Hamilton, which is a great place for shopping and walking. But that was also when the ship used to dock on Front Street in Hamilton.

I also used to go to Elbow Beach, which I understand is still beautiful.

 

We docked around 11:00. Because we're traveling with a 3 year old, we decided that it would be wise to not keep her in line for :45 while everybody else made headed for the gangway.

As a result, leaving the ship was easy, but finding transportation was not as easy.

 

Beach towels are always available either as you leave the ship or right on the pier (as was the case in Labadee).

 

This time in, we hopped a mini-van (shared taxi) and headed over to Horseshoe Bay.

It was breath taking (my photo's didn't do it justice).

 

https://flic.kr/p/KgkoEu

https://flic.kr/p/JudyYv

https://flic.kr/p/Kgko6J

 

There is a cafe at the entrance to Horseshoe Bay, which serves burgers and some simpler food.

It wasn't great, but it was convenient.

We had lunch there, sat out on the patio and watched the ocean and the birds, which my older daughter took a liking to.

 

At 4:00, we headed to towards the restrooms to wash our feet off and then to get on line for a taxi.

 

There was about a :30 minute wait to get a cab on this cruise. This may have been an exception, but give yourself plenty of time.

We were back on-board by 5:00, took a quick shower, then up to dinner.

 

More about day 3 shortly...

 

NOTE:

You may need to sign-in (or create a Yahoo! (Flickr) account in order to see these. I moved them to a public album to see if this makes a difference.

Anyone else share photos through Flickr? I like it because of the hires images and the free 1 GB of storage. The images can be seen in the post a few entries above, but the quality was horrible. The links will take you to the full resolution photos.

 

 

 

 

 

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