Thinking about the Anthem of the Seas out of NJ next year, pros, cons? Compared to...

[LongHill44]

A group of 30 + just completed a Carnival Pride cruise a few weeks back and many wanted to try an upgrade or sorts so we have narrowed it down to the Anthem of the Seas.

 

Looking for some feedback:

Pros?

 

Cons?

 

Ports?

 

Difference between Carnival and Royal?

 

Difference between the Pride and Anthem of the Seas?

 

Thanks in advance

[joand452]

We sailed on Quantum when it first came to Cape Liberty, have sailed once on Anthem and have another cruise booked on her next year. We did our first Carnival (Vista) cruise last year. It was probably our last Carnival cruise as well. It wasn’t bad...the food was very good, with lots of variety...but there was more we just didn’t care for. We enjoy nightly entertainment, which Vista lacked, although the casino was pretty friendly to me (can’t say that very often on Royal, but I tend not to play much). We liked the layout of Anthem (love hanging out in Two70*). The food is okay, and we certainly didn’t starve!

 

Can’t really comment on the ports. Depending on your itinerary, both ships pretty much can go to the same places.

 

We did notice lots of big groups on Vista. I don’t recall seeing a group of 30+ ever on Royal. Large families, yes, but no huge groups.

 

If you do end up on Anthem, come back and let us know how you liked it!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Merion_Mom]

A group of 30 + just completed a Carnival Pride cruise a few weeks back and many wanted to try an upgrade or sorts so we have narrowed it down to the Anthem of the Seas.

 

Looking for some feedback:

Pros?

 

Cons?

 

Ports?

 

Difference between Carnival and Royal?

 

Difference between the Pride and Anthem of the Seas?

 

Thanks in advance

That is a HECK of a lot of very broad questions! :eek:

 

Anthem has many different itineraries.

 

(just for starters)

[LuCruise]

What time of year? We booked Anthem for a future March break . For us, being out of NJ is a pro as it means we have the option of driving (long drive, but still do-able) Con is that probably our sea days at start and end of cruise will be cold. But that depends on time of year.

[kcamp317]

We had weighed options on Anthem next March vs Adventure. A factor for us was not wanting to fly to NJ and risk being in cold weather/snow for the first day or two outbound and again on the way back vs. just flying to Ft Lauderdale for the same price to get on Adventure and enjoy the warmer weather right off the bat after winter here in Ohio. Plus the itinerary wasn't very appealing on that particular Anthem cruise vs the Adventure during the same time period.

[PigsCanFly]

We have sailed on Anthem out of Bayonne. Loved the cruise and will be back on it next month for a Canada-NewEngland 9-day. Loved the specialty restuarants (particularly Izumi), MDR was also good. We have only sailed Carnival out of Florida, quite a while ago. We had moved to Holland America for Alaska and Hawaii and for the last several cruises we have been on Royal. In our opinion, HAL and RCL

have much better crew than Carnival did. It may be the time difference between cruises taken. We have not sailed any cruise that dissappointed us on any Line.

We parked at the port for our last Anthem cruise and will do it again next month. It is next to the Terminal and an easy walk with the luggage at cruise end.

[cot427]

Trying to be more helpful than those who don't answer when they comment or point out the obvious (different itineraries) but I've sailed Anthem twice and Carnival Splendor twice, which is a little bigger than Pride but I imagine the same setup.

 

As far as ships go, I'm a firm believer that Royal offers far superior ships, including layout and venues. Especially on newer ships, venues are innovative, like Two70 where they have a great show that incorporates technology, aerials, etc. The layout flows much better and Anthem has a nice main pool area as well as an adults Solarium, which is my favorite spot on the ship. They also have an indoor pool, but both times I sailed it was mainly used by families with many many kids.

 

Entertainment on these newer ships like Anthem is always superior, and they offer three shows that are decent to great. The live music entertainers on Anthem in May were out of this world and they always had things going on in the Music Hall, Boleros, the Schooner Bar, etc. The only thing I was disappointed about is the lack of deck/outside parties on Anthem...not one.

 

Food is too subjective, so I'll leave that out. Just note that they have the main dining rooms, Windjammer Buffet, Cafe Promenade (snacks) Sorrentos Pizza, Boardwalk Dog House and Cafe Two70, which is great for breakfast and lunch.

 

I've never sailed out of Baltimore, but others have said its similar to Bayonne in that parking is right next to the ship and it's easy.

[LongHill44]

It will be for July 4th week

 

Ports seem to include as of now:

 

Kings Wharf, Bermuda

Phillipsburg, St. Maarten

San Juan, PR

Labadee, Haiti

 

Worried that some of these ports may still be a bot beat up from the hurricanes the past few years.

[boscobeans]

It will be for July 4th week

 

Ports seem to include as of now:

 

Kings Wharf, Bermuda

Phillipsburg, St. Maarten

San Juan, PR

Labadee, Haiti

 

Worried that some of these ports may still be a bot beat up from the hurricanes the past few years.

 

 

Bermuda is Bermuda, great place to spend a day or two, I don't think there was any damage and the same goes for Labadee.

 

Phillipsburg is doing well however the French side of the island is still putting things straight.

 

San Juan (Old San Juan) is alive and doing pretty well but still areas that are in need of total rebuilding.

 

A cruise almost a year from now will for sure a lot more of a return to normal, provided they don't have any more weather related disasters.

 

Cape Liberty is one of the best places to start or end a cruise for those in your area.

Parking is great, 20$ a day and easy.

Baggage is handled very well.

Checking in is a snap.

 

We live in upstate New York and are on the ship in a bout 20-30 minutes after an easy 3 hour drive.

 

We have almost always cruised from there in the cold months (Jan-Feb-Mar) to get some heat back in our bones and recharge our batteries and get ready for Spring.

 

The Anthem should give you everything that you could find on Carnival and then some, especially for any cruisers or kids that like on board activities.

 

Food-Never had a bad meal on Royal.

Hate departing from the NYC terminal

 

Have a great cruise no matter which line you choose..

 

bosco

[mizLORInj]

Have been on Anthem many times and 2 of Pride's sister ships. Having just been on Carnival Horizon in May, their new ships are great. But the Pride/Miracle/Legend/Spirit class are nice too. Would I book new Horizon before Pride? Yes.

 

Food isn't comparable IMO since tastes vary too much. If you go hungry on any cruise you're too picky. Have not really had bad food on any of 60+ cruises. Entertainment I prefer RC, but that's me. i don't compare crew because it varies by ship and the mood people are in. Can't say I've ever on any ship on any line had crew stand out as so much better or so much worse.

I would read CC member reviews of both Anthem and Pride and decide that way. Of course, your experience may vary, but it's a decent place to start. The ships are not really comparable IMO as Anthem is much newer and larger than Pride. Youtube videos of both ships are good too.

This question you have also posted on the Carnival board, right?

 

I've found it's best to try out the ship and/or cruise line for myself and form my own opinion. I have had all great cruises! No line that I'd say "never again."

[friend of Eeyore]

I just did a cruise on Anthem this summer, same itinerary. I did a review, comparing it to Princess. You'll find it here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2654421

[Oceansaway17]

Anthem - quantum class ship is NOT TO BE MISSED. Go to You Tube and look up all the videos.

 

I just did the C Vista and while I liked the burgers by Guy Fieri by the pool and the comfy mattresses , I would pick Anthem again. Been on it twice and it is an amazing ship. Loved Northstar, Two70 and the shows.

[nelblu]

The Q class is the next most favorable class of RCL ships behind the Oasis class. Been on 2 12 niters to the Carib., once on the Quantum and the other on the Anthem. Sailed her in Aug. '16 on a 9 niter to NE/Canada and have a upcoming same itinerary on Aug. 23rd. Love the ship.

 

When we sailed the Quantum originally in Feb. '15, I was able to convince my wife that for less than we would pay to sail out of FL ports (cruise + plane fare) we would get an additional 5 nights on the ship and still enjoy 7-8 days of warm and sunny days.

[jptoz]

It will be for July 4th week

 

Ports seem to include as of now:

 

Kings Wharf, Bermuda

Phillipsburg, St. Maarten

San Juan, PR

Labadee, Haiti

 

Worried that some of these ports may still be a bot beat up from the hurricanes the past few years.

Just did this Itinerary July 12. Family and I loved it.

All of the stops were beautiful, but St. Maarten had the most visible damage.

Would not hesitate to do this itinerary again.

[boscobeans]

The Q class is the next most favorable class of RCL ships behind the Oasis class. Been on 2 12 niters to the Carib., once on the Quantum and the other on the Anthem. Sailed her in Aug. '16 on a 9 niter to NE/Canada and have a upcoming same itinerary on Aug. 23rd. Love the ship.

 

When we sailed the Quantum originally in Feb. '15, I was able to convince my wife that for less than we would pay to sail out of FL ports (cruise + plane fare) we would get an additional 5 nights on the ship and still enjoy 7-8 days of warm and sunny days.[/quote.]

 

 

Isn't it so much better than spending 2 or 3 days (if you stay at a hotel) in airports and hotels with TSA junk and airline restrictions. Love spending the money on a cruise and not just getting to or from a shorter cruise.

 

A few days in the cold is great and we slowly get used to the weather we are heading for and the same goes for the return.

 

Love those long cold weather Caribbeans out of Jersey, we've done Baltimore more than a few times as well, with a slightly longer 6 hour drive.

 

bosco

[crzndeb]

That is a HECK of a lot of very broad questions! :eek:

 

Anthem has many different itineraries.

 

(just for starters)

 

Oh, this is just the tip of the iceberg....;)

[Merion_Mom]

It will be for July 4th week

 

Ports seem to include as of now:

 

Kings Wharf, Bermuda

Phillipsburg, St. Maarten

San Juan, PR

Labadee, Haiti

 

Worried that some of these ports may still be a bot beat up from the hurricanes the past few years.

 

Trying to be more helpful than those who don't answer when they comment or point out the obvious (different itineraries) but I've sailed Anthem twice and Carnival Splendor twice, which is a little bigger than Pride but I imagine the same setup.

 

See? The OP *did* have specific ports in mind, but didn't give that information in the post, which would have led me to be able to give feedback on that itinerary.

[lenquixote66]

A group of 30 + just completed a Carnival Pride cruise a few weeks back and many wanted to try an upgrade or sorts so we have narrowed it down to the Anthem of the Seas.

 

Looking for some feedback:

Pros?

 

Cons?

 

Ports?

 

Difference between Carnival and Royal?

 

Difference between the Pride and Anthem of the Seas?

 

Thanks in advance

 

 

We were on the Quantum and did not like that ship .The Anthem is the sister ship.

Having said that we are thinking of trying the Anthem before it leaves NJ in 2020.

[fishbonz]

Did 1 carnival and all the rest were on royal really enjoyed the food on carnival my biggest thing would be cost of cruise and were you want to go.

[quan007]

We're sailing on the Anthem next week with 35 people ... this should be fun

 

 

 

 

We sailed on Quantum when it first came to Cape Liberty, have sailed once on Anthem and have another cruise booked on her next year. We did our first Carnival (Vista) cruise last year. It was probably our last Carnival cruise as well. It wasn’t bad...the food was very good, with lots of variety...but there was more we just didn’t care for. We enjoy nightly entertainment, which Vista lacked, although the casino was pretty friendly to me (can’t say that very often on Royal, but I tend not to play much). We liked the layout of Anthem (love hanging out in Two70*). The food is okay, and we certainly didn’t starve!

 

Can’t really comment on the ports. Depending on your itinerary, both ships pretty much can go to the same places.

 

We did notice lots of big groups on Vista. I don’t recall seeing a group of 30+ ever on Royal. Large families, yes, but no huge groups.

 

If you do end up on Anthem, come back and let us know how you liked it!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[brookmill18]

Anthem is leaving NJ in 2020? Where is it going and what is taking its place?

[Rogueperson]

A group of 30 + just completed a Carnival Pride cruise a few weeks back and many wanted to try an upgrade or sorts so we have narrowed it down to the Anthem of the Seas.

 

Looking for some feedback:

Pros?

 

Cons?

 

Ports?

 

Difference between Carnival and Royal?

 

Difference between the Pride and Anthem of the Seas?

 

Thanks in advance

 

I've been on Pride tiwce as well as Grandeur (4x) out of Baltimore and Anthem.

 

Depending on where you live, if you're closer to Baltimore, than parking is slightly cheaper at 15/day regardless of cruise line.

 

A definite con with Baltimore is the Chesapeake Bay. It takes approximately 10 hours to transit out to international waters. Thus, the first day and about 6pm the last day, the shops and Casinos close. You also pay taxes on your drinks during at least the MD part of the transit (not sure about the Virginia, but that is usually later in the evening).

 

Grandeur does NOT do the same 9 nights to Bermuda and St. Maarten run in 9 nights, though Grandeur does a similar 12 nights that hits many of these ports like St. Maarten and more. I found the Pride's normal 7 day rotation to be a little bland. Royal Caribbean mixes it up a little more with Bermuda and Canada as well as longer cruises to St. Maarten (from Baltimore). Grandeur's 9 night to Bermuda is great because its an overnight stay in Bermuda and then to Nassau and Cococay (their private island0.

 

Royal Caribbean's ship designs are much more subtle than Carnival in general. The Pride is like someone decided they wanted Reconnaissance Art and then threw it EVERYWHERE.

 

Royal Caribbean is more laid back. There is not this constant energy in the air to do stuff which Carnival is good at. Depending on what you like, some people find that fun, and other's find it exhausting. The opposite on Royal Caribbean, some may find it more laid back, while others may feel bored.

 

Anthem has a lot more bells and whistles, though the upgrade the Pride had adds some interesting things like the Green Thunder. Anthem has Ifly, North Star and Bumper cars, which are unique to the Quantum class and does NOT include an extra fee. The anthem has a lot of cutting edge technology onboard.

 

Food on both ships are good, but service I gotta give to Carnival. Carnival seems to be consistently overall better, but Royal Caribbean varies from mediocre to mind-numbingly amazing.

 

Anthem, if done right and nothing goes wrong, I feel embarkation is so much easier with their new system. Grandeur is still doing the traditional check in as of April, but Baltimore is a pretty good port. It holds the record for fastest time from door to ship (10 minutes, 45 seconds) at noon, though at that point, I'm emerald member which would account for that. Anthem did it in 15 minutes with no reference to loyalty level. We walked up from the parking garage and was met at the door BEFORE security by a check in member. They checked us in on mobile Ipads, and afterwards, went through security and onto the ship...at noon. This is impressive considering the ship capacity is much higher than Pride or Grandeur (more than double the capacity of both).

[LongHill44]

I've been on Pride tiwce as well as Grandeur (4x) out of Baltimore and Anthem.

 

Depending on where you live, if you're closer to Baltimore, than parking is slightly cheaper at 15/day regardless of cruise line.

 

A definite con with Baltimore is the Chesapeake Bay. It takes approximately 10 hours to transit out to international waters. Thus, the first day and about 6pm the last day, the shops and Casinos close. You also pay taxes on your drinks during at least the MD part of the transit (not sure about the Virginia, but that is usually later in the evening).

 

Grandeur does NOT do the same 9 nights to Bermuda and St. Maarten run in 9 nights, though Grandeur does a similar 12 nights that hits many of these ports like St. Maarten and more. I found the Pride's normal 7 day rotation to be a little bland. Royal Caribbean mixes it up a little more with Bermuda and Canada as well as longer cruises to St. Maarten (from Baltimore). Grandeur's 9 night to Bermuda is great because its an overnight stay in Bermuda and then to Nassau and Cococay (their private island0.

 

Royal Caribbean's ship designs are much more subtle than Carnival in general. The Pride is like someone decided they wanted Reconnaissance Art and then threw it EVERYWHERE.

 

Royal Caribbean is more laid back. There is not this constant energy in the air to do stuff which Carnival is good at. Depending on what you like, some people find that fun, and other's find it exhausting. The opposite on Royal Caribbean, some may find it more laid back, while others may feel bored.

 

Anthem has a lot more bells and whistles, though the upgrade the Pride had adds some interesting things like the Green Thunder. Anthem has Ifly, North Star and Bumper cars, which are unique to the Quantum class and does NOT include an extra fee. The anthem has a lot of cutting edge technology onboard.

 

Food on both ships are good, but service I gotta give to Carnival. Carnival seems to be consistently overall better, but Royal Caribbean varies from mediocre to mind-numbingly amazing.

 

Anthem, if done right and nothing goes wrong, I feel embarkation is so much easier with their new system. Grandeur is still doing the traditional check in as of April, but Baltimore is a pretty good port. It holds the record for fastest time from door to ship (10 minutes, 45 seconds) at noon, though at that point, I'm emerald member which would account for that. Anthem did it in 15 minutes with no reference to loyalty level. We walked up from the parking garage and was met at the door BEFORE security by a check in member. They checked us in on mobile Ipads, and afterwards, went through security and onto the ship...at noon. This is impressive considering the ship capacity is much higher than Pride or Grandeur (more than double the capacity of both).

 

Thanks for the great quick reviews

[Biker19]

Anthem is leaving NJ in 2020? Where is it going and what is taking its place?

5 year dry dock is due, in Europe, likely. Won't know about replacement till next spring, probably.