Anthem of the Seas LIVE 1/9

[PiperHolliday]

Sorry for not posting all day. Lowbrow jerks on here pissed me off (thank you CC for the ignore function) and I was having way too much fun in Sint Maarten. I'll have to post the cruise compass tomorrow because I just only got into bed. 

 

We skipped eating onboard at all today and met a fantastic driver named Dexter. He's so friendly and knowledgeable about the island. If you want to experience the real local St Maarten/Martin, he's got it covered. Anything you're looking for, he's got the answer. He goes by the nickname Mr. Bowtie and wears a bright, eye-catching shirt and bowtie, so he's impossible to miss. 

 

 

We headed to Maho Beach for plane-spotting around noon. The prime time for the largest jets today was between 1pm and 3pm, so we planned accordingly. We had a quick and tasty lunch at Sunset Beach Bar before staging ourselves for the arrivals. The beach is small, but the sand is soft and the water is clear and turquoise. During that time of day, the tide begins to come in and it makes for some very fun wave riding. But be aware of where you place your belongings on the beach, as a big wave is bound to wash it away when you least expect it. 

 

[PiperHolliday]

Dexter brought us back to the ship just so we could freshen up before dinner and then we headed to Oyster Bay for our reservations. We ate at Big Fish - a restaurant right near the border of the French side, from a Curaçao chef. 

 

Finally, we had real cocktails. After one, I was feeling it. After one and a half, I was drunk. And they were delicious and what some (one) would call "frilly". 😱

 

Tamarind is grown in abundance on the island and is used in many dishes as a local flavor. Our first cocktail was a tamarind margarita. It was superb and strong. And only $10. 

 

My next cocktail was a mojito and it was actually a mojito! Not a sugary, watered down excuse for a mojito. And again, it was strong and made from organic, local ingredients. 

 

My final cocktail was a replacement for dessert. I was so full, there was no way I could eat any more at all. It was a chocolate martini and it was fantastic. Creamy, rich, chocolatey and strong. 

 

Those three cocktails were all I needed for the whole evening. Because they were done right. 

 

🤡

[PiperHolliday]

As you can probably gather from the name, Big Fish is a seafood restaurant. Our starter was called Hurricane Shrimp and it was by far the best thing we've eaten during this whole trip. It was so flavourful with the perfect amount of spice. The shrimp was cooked absolutely perfectly. Tender and juicy, with the exact right resistance when taking a bite. We sopped up the sauce with the table bread, it was that good.

 

My husband had Mahi Mahi in lobster sauce. 

 

I had the dish created for King W-A and Queen Maxima. Cod, lobster and shrimp in a tamarind sauce.

 

We loved our meal and will definitely be back. Our waitress was also so personable and by the time we left, the staff felt like friends. 

 

Edited January 14, 2022 by PiperHolliday

[PiperHolliday]

I forgot to add the videos from Maho Beach! 

 

 

 

 

[PiperHolliday]

We got back to the ship around 8PM (9:30PM all aboard) and they were actually looking for us. We were two of about ten left on shore. Really? Why? That blew my mind. St Maarten/Martin is the culinary gem of the Caribbean. I highly suggest not missing out on dinner on the island, if you're given the chance. 

Edited January 14, 2022 by PiperHolliday

[PiperHolliday]

Day 5 Cruise Compass

[PiperHolliday]

Day Six Cruise Compass

[PiperHolliday]

We went to the MDR for breakfast and it was good! The service was fantastic and the food was cooked perfectly and didn't lack flavor. 

 

Express Breakfast. 

 

Classic Benedict. Yolks were prefect! 

[PiperHolliday]

Anthem of the Seas in Sint Maarten 

[suesnake2002]

Awsome picture of the ship!!!

We always take a pic of ship each cruise. Then we have a magnet made with the date on it. We decorate our stateroom door with them. 

[EllieinNJ]

Last night we went to see the stars from WWRY sing at 270.  They were good but we left early to go to the theater to see Frankie and the Dreamers.  The lead singer. Ryan Malloy, is wonderful and so energetic.  Only had 2 dreamers but put on a great performance that lasted 15 minutes past end.   

Finally got a reservation for North Star this morning.  So excited.

[toad455]

Another bonus about this sailing, 270 is always empty for breakfast and lunch. In Antigua today and the Enchantment followed us, or should I say we followed her to Antigua.

[toad455]

Sharing the pier in Antigua with the Enchantment. Another gorgeous day on this wonderful cruise! In Antigua they take your temperature at the pier before you head off.

[mosherrskl]

12 hours ago, Bxc53 said:

I confess I haven’t read all 10 pages, so apologies if this is a duplicate.

 

Are  the pools and hot tubs open as ‘ normal’? Are they salt water?
 

thanks 

The hot tubs are now filled with Purel.

[MadamGorgeous]

1 hour ago, toad455 said:

Sharing the pier in Antigua with the Enchantment. Another gorgeous day on this wonderful cruise! In Antigua they take your temperature at the pier before you head off.

Hey, is Antigua ship excursions only or can you do your own thing? I LOVE ANTIGUA!!!! Have fun today!!!!

[MadamGorgeous]

This thread is absolutely amazing! Thank you all so so much for taking the time to do it! Piper, your detail and suggestions are just perfection! 

[toad455]

1 hour ago, MadameGorgeous said:

Hey, is Antigua ship excursions only or can you do your own thing? I LOVE ANTIGUA!!!! Have fun today!!!!

 

Antigua you can get off on your on. Barbados we have to book an excursion through the cruise line.

[toad455]

The locals are loving having tourists back here in Antigua. They've only had cruise ships return since December. Such a great time here doing the beach hopping tour.

Edited January 14, 2022 by toad455

[DaniDanielle]

Happy things seem better Piper.  I agree about the Ignore button!

[Biker19]

36 minutes ago, toad455 said:

Barbados we have to book an excursion through the cruise line.

Have you tried going on your own? Are there any restrictions at the port?

[irelandvegas]

Piper, Did you make your dinner reservations in st. Marten ahead of time or that day?

 

[GMoney]

12 hours ago, PiperHolliday said:

 

 

Those three cocktails were all I needed for the whole evening. Because they were done right. 

 

🤡

You cannot get a good mixed drink / cocktail on RC.

[toad455]

1 hour ago, Biker19 said:

Have you tried going on your own? Are there any restrictions at the port?

 

Well, we can't so...

[Biker19]

1 minute ago, toad455 said:

 

Well, we can't so...

FYI -last month pre-cruise the same policy was in effect, but, you could freely walk off the ship, take any tour and walk into town without any restrictions. I was asking thinking you'd already been there but noticed that tomorrow is the scheduled Bridgetown stop.

[toad455]

The clear downside is that there's only a limited amount of excursions available for Barbados and they're all sold out. Anyone without one is left to hope for cancellations.