What's wrong with the Anthem?

[Merion_Mom]

Thanks so much-I will find it!

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=545700

[nelblu]

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=545700

 

 

Mom, can you educate me a non-teck peon on linking a specific review. Thanks.

[mugtech]

We loved Anthem on 9 days to New England and 9 days to the Caribbean. We will now seek other Q class ships since we have seen WWRY and Spectra twice, ready for something new. Got Ovation and Spectrum lined up.

[Tin can]

We were on Anthem for 14 nights when she sailed initially from Southampton in 2015.

 

We are sailing from NJ in August 2019 and wouldn't hesitate to go on Anthem again but we got a really good deal on Adventure.

 

I'm looking forward to her coming back for a season I think in 2020 from Southampton.

[Merion_Mom]

Mom, can you educate me a non-teck peon on linking a specific review. Thanks.

Simple cut and paste. Go to the desired page. Highlight the address in the window. Right click on "copy" or (if on a PC), hold CTL + X, then go to the Cruise Critic post where you want the link, and hit CTL + V. (or right click on "paste")

 

:)

[Iamcruzin]

Interesting, every one of those was from a cruise May 2018.

 

The complaints on that review such as drinks and excursions being too expensive, crowded areas of the ship and gratuity being added to everything can be said about any ship on any cruise line any day of the week. I haven't been on the Anthem yet and I know that review doesn't hold water. The person who wrote the review only joined CC this year. My guess is that this is was a first time cruiser who should probably book all inclusive land vacations.

[doa70]

Put us on the "loved Anthem" list as well. It's very different than the rest of the fleet as others have pointed out, but we enjoyed that. With most of the fleet being so similar it's nice to have an option that while still familiar is also unlike the rest. We still love the other classes as well, especially Oasis, but we have no complaints about Anthem and are looking forward to sailing her again later this year.

[95south]

Sometimes I think competitors have people creating some of these negative reports.

I'm guessing this is common practice. Create a bunch of sock puppet accounts, smash competitor, try to profit.

[dcgrumpy]

There was something odd/off/suspicious in almost every one of those linked reviews.

 

There were also A LOT of unrealistic expectations and lack of research.

 

"I expect a more luxurious experience because it's a larger ship." HUH?

 

"Our obstructed balcony was obstructed!!!"

 

"The entertainment was terrible. We didn't go to any, because we didn't know that we had to make reservations ahead of time. We never had to do that on any other cruise."

 

"I wasn't allowed to fly high enough on iFly."

 

 

 

And of course, the obvious comparisons to other cruise lines, which, as Bob pointed out, are a bit suspicious in the way that the review runs.

 

My favorite was the guy who said he was numerous people putting ketchup on their pizza because there wasn't any sauce. LOL

 

Does Sorrento's even have ketchup?

[The_Big_M]

"lacklustre?" At least it's 3.5

 

Ovation is even worse, at 3. Though that's because they've badly taken their eye off the ball with service and food on it.

[cot427]

 

I personally like Anthem. The cascading solarium pools are my favorite shipboard pools. 270 and the music hall are wonderful venues. DW loves bumper cars & I-fly. Best of all I can drive to pier in under an hour. Will be on her again in 5 weeks with db, sil &kids. They've only sailed Oasis & Disney so will be interested in their impression.

 

I agree, the solarium pools on Anthem are my favorite of any shipboard pools. Actually, I rarely go into the pools on cruise ships because of crowds and layout, but these are perfect. I was always able to go into the pools and feel like I had an adequate amount of personal space!

 

In addition, two70 and Music Hall are indeed wonderful! They are (for the most part) utilized well!

[hazeleyes46]

We booked two of those. I know it's not the same as a balcony...but seems like such a neat concept for interior.

 

It really was neat and we got to see the NCL ship we were on 10 years ago when in Bermuda and got to see what was going on with the weather outside without leaving our room or paying extra for a balcony.

[hazeleyes46]

I would say most of the negative reviews of “Q” class come mostly from those who have sailed on “0” class ships.

 

Then again, people enjoy complaining. I’m Jewish, it happens to be my birthright...

 

[emoji1134]Shalom[emoji1134]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

What does "0" class ships mean?

[hazeleyes46]

Well we did the 5 day Bermuda cruise last week, and we enjoyed our cruise and it was the first time on the ship. As you can see we are avid cruisers and have been on most of the fleet. We are traditional cruisers and we like our early seating dinner around 6pm. We booked this cruise late as it was a comp from the casino, we had a cabin on deck 3 ocean view it was very nice. We had my time dinning and we were assigned 5;30 which is a little early, but the first night we had to lovely couples beside us and the Maitre'd asked us if we would all like to come and sit at the same table every night at the same time and we did do that.

 

The ship is defiantly broken up into much different spaces that Royals other ships. We did find the elevators quite busy always the shows were excellent and different. The casino was crazy busy all the time which is different for us as we normally do long 14 night cruises and the casino is never so busy. As busy as it was we didn't see a lot of people winning jack pots like we had on the Explorer of the seas in May.

 

The 270 theater being on the back of the ship is very cool and most of the dinning and entertainment is on 4 and 5 there is quite a lot of walking for bow to stern, and there is an incredible amount of retail stores on this ship. More than any other i believe.

 

I believe that Royal is making different ships with different things to attract a bigger spectrum of customers and they are doing a good job. The New York and New Jersey area's populations are well suited for this ship.

 

WE will sail again on this ship.

 

Brian J

 

 

We were on the same cruise and the first 2 days we did great in the casino. After that second afternoon though, no money was to be made, nothing new though as this is the same on all ships.

 

Not sure what other ships you have been on but we found this ship to have the worst shopping. Not enough and too much of the same thing.

[hazeleyes46]

I'm guessing this is common practice. Create a bunch of sock puppet accounts, smash competitor, try to profit.

 

I have no interest in writing a review but I would be one of those people who didn't give a raving review on everything.

[hazeleyes46]

My favorite was the guy who said he was numerous people putting ketchup on their pizza because there wasn't any sauce. LOL

 

Does Sorrento's even have ketchup?

 

Only had the pizza once and didn't find that at all but probably got the ketchup next door at the Pub lol

[LuCruise]

It really was neat and we got to see the NCL ship we were on 10 years ago when in Bermuda and got to see what was going on with the weather outside without leaving our room or paying extra for a balcony.

Great. Thank you for the feedback.

 

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

[Biker19]

What does "0" class ships mean?

Oasis.

[hazeleyes46]

Oasis.

 

Ahhh..yes. This was our 8th cruise and 4 of them were Oasis and Allure and we found to like those ships better than the Anthem. More to do, more shopping, more open spaces. I would tell people to try both as they are different and while we had a great time, we probably wouldn't pick Anthem to go on again. We would probably try the Harmony or Symphony or something else that might offer a little more for us.

[The Fun Researcher]

Thanks all. OP here. Well, I went ahead and put down the refundable deposit on the early June 2019, 9 night sailing. The schedule and itinerary fit the bill.

 

There are some o.k. sailings on the Oasis class out of Florida, but I'm a little tired of the cookie cutter itineraries they do, and they are only 7 nights. We haven't been to Bermuda yet so that was a big draw, but I wish they were in port longer. 8am-4pm? Oh well, we'll get up early and make the most of it.

 

I'm enjoying reading all the ins and outs of the Anthem so please keep the comments coming.

 

Dan

[CapeGal]

Just wondering why it seems to get lackluster ratings? Can anyone summarize the main issues versus the other classes in the RCI fleet?

 

I'm looking at a 2019 9 night to Bermuda and Eastern Caribbean and the dates and itinerary fit our schedule, but the Quantum class seems to suffer in reviews. Looking for input. Thanks.

 

Trying to make an informed decision. :)

 

Dan

 

You know, we have been on Anthem. I can tell you my husband LOVES all the activities (which I don't partake in); so that is why we go. As for what I DON'T like, it is very crowded on the retail "promenade" deck, and I like to walk around. I also don't like the smaller size of the ship. I am one of the rare birds that LOVES the larger ships and absolutely loved Harmony. It really depends on what you are looking for. The shows are very good and their jewelry shop and staff are awesome;)

All that said, we will be back on Anthem in September for a 5 day cruise to Bermuda.

[Iamcruzin]

Thanks all. OP here. Well, I went ahead and put down the refundable deposit on the early June 2019, 9 night sailing. The schedule and itinerary fit the bill.

 

There are some o.k. sailings on the Oasis class out of Florida, but I'm a little tired of the cookie cutter itineraries they do, and they are only 7 nights. We haven't been to Bermuda yet so that was a big draw, but I wish they were in port longer. 8am-4pm? Oh well, we'll get up early and make the most of it.

 

I'm enjoying reading all the ins and outs of the Anthem so please keep the comments coming.

 

Dan

Bermuda is my favorite port. If you find that you like it I would suggest doing the 7 day to Bermuda where you are in port for 3 days. I will probably do that next on Celebrity.

[nelblu]

Thanks all. OP here. Well, I went ahead and put down the refundable deposit on the early June 2019, 9 night sailing. The schedule and itinerary fit the bill.

 

There are some o.k. sailings on the Oasis class out of Florida, but I'm a little tired of the cookie cutter itineraries they do, and they are only 7 nights. We haven't been to Bermuda yet so that was a big draw, but I wish they were in port longer. 8am-4pm? Oh well, we'll get up early and make the most of it.

 

I'm enjoying reading all the ins and outs of the Anthem so please keep the comments coming.

 

 

 

Dan

 

If you like the ship, then the next step is either an 11 or 12 niter to Southern Carib. I was able to convince my wife that from a cost basis (airfare) it was approximately the same or cheaper than a 7 niter out of Florida and got 4-5 more cruise days. :)

[The Fun Researcher]

If you like the ship, then the next step is either an 11 or 12 niter to Southern Carib. I was able to convince my wife that from a cost basis (airfare) it was approximately the same or cheaper than a 7 niter out of Florida and got 4-5 more cruise days. :)

 

 

 

Thanks, doing a 9 night ABC cruise in March 2019 on the Navigator. (Our first time doing a true southern cruise ). If we like it we’ll be looking at longer on the Anthem.

 

Dan

[Captain Billy Bob]

There is nothing wrong with Anthem. Your kids are going to love it.