Anthem of the Seas 4/3-4/10

[tennislvr8]

Hi all, my DH and I are on the Anthem. We originally booked a balcony, it was dirt cheap, but we successfully Royal upped to a grand suite. We made a less than fair bid, which was a lot, but we wanted it so.

We drive down from PA( western suburbs of Philly) to Bayonne this morning, we left at about 8am and arrived about 9:40. It rained the whole way to Jersey. Once we crossed the PA turnpike into Jersey it stopped raining. 
Check-in was uneventful, they looked at our passport and Covid test, took our pic and that was it. We waited about 20 minutes and then were on the ship. 
We got drinks, did our safety videos, and relaxed until lunch. The windjammer is self serve, this is their first time doing self serve, we will see how it goes. 

 

 

[tennislvr8]

The straws aren’t paper but they aren’t completely plastic either. It’s more like plastic though. 

[nelblu]

24 minutes ago, tennislvr8 said:

The straws aren’t paper but they aren’t completely plastic either. It’s more like plastic though. 

Whatever they are made of they suck.  My drink in the Casino is the "Miami Vice" and many times I'm sucking wind and not the sweet nectar of the drink as the straw, on many occasions, break from the liquid half-way thru.😄

[tennislvr8]

6 minutes ago, nelblu said:

Whatever they are made of they suck.  My drink in the Casino is the "Miami Vice" and many times I'm sucking wind and not the sweet nectar of the drink as the straw, on many occasions, break from the liquid half-way thru.😄

That’s not good. I like them. I have also had 3 drinks since about 10:30 so I wouldn’t listen to me if I were you. 

Edited April 3, 2022 by tennislvr8

[Oceansaway17]

1 hour ago, tennislvr8 said:

Hi all, my DH and I are on the Anthem. We originally booked a balcony, it was dirt cheap, but we successfully Royal upped to a grand suite. We made a less than fair bid, which was a lot, but we wanted it so.

We drive down from PA( western suburbs of Philly) to Bayonne this morning, we left at about 8am and arrived about 9:40. It rained the whole way to Jersey. Once we crossed the PA turnpike into Jersey it stopped raining. 
Check-in was uneventful, they looked at our passport and Covid test, took our pic and that was it. We waited about 20 minutes and then were on the ship. 
We got drinks, did our safety videos, and relaxed until lunch. The windjammer is self serve, this is their first time doing self serve, we will see how it goes. 

 

 

have a nice trip.  I am from PA as well and it is only a 2 1/2 hr drive up turnpike.

My checkin was a breeze too.  I do know that folks park at 10am so I did not get the first two levels.

enjoy the anthem and make sure you find the bench at the front of the solarium.  fun to sit in late afternoon when things start to empty out.   

I think AOS leaves in a couple of weeks for UK and will be replaced by Oasis which I am doing in October.

 

toodles  hope no issues with coco cay and weather.

[billslowsky]

2 hours ago, tennislvr8 said:

Hi all, my DH and I are on the Anthem. We originally booked a balcony, it was dirt cheap, but we successfully Royal upped to a grand suite. We made a less than fair bid, which was a lot, but we wanted it so.

We drive down from PA( western suburbs of Philly) to Bayonne this morning, we left at about 8am and arrived about 9:40. It rained the whole way to Jersey. Once we crossed the PA turnpike into Jersey it stopped raining. 
Check-in was uneventful, they looked at our passport and Covid test, took our pic and that was it. We waited about 20 minutes and then were on the ship. 
We got drinks, did our safety videos, and relaxed until lunch. The windjammer is self serve, this is their first time doing self serve, we will see how it goes. 

 

 

If you aren't travelling with kids, go to the Solarium cafe for breakfast.  While the menu is limited, they have made to order omelets and it's so much less hectic.

 

Don't get your hopes up for entertainment, a couple of stand up comics, a (fine) juggler, and a Frankie Valle show is about it dur to "technical problems (cough cough)" among the entertainment staff.  The combo that backs up the acts in the main theater is excellent.

Edited April 3, 2022 by billslowsky

[tennislvr8]

1 hour ago, Oceansaway17 said:

have a nice trip.  I am from PA as well and it is only a 2 1/2 hr drive up turnpike.

My checkin was a breeze too.  I do know that folks park at 10am so I did not get the first two levels.

enjoy the anthem and make sure you find the bench at the front of the solarium.  fun to sit in late afternoon when things start to empty out.   

I think AOS leaves in a couple of weeks for UK and will be replaced by Oasis which I am doing in October.

 

toodles  hope no issues with coco cay and weather.

Hope you have a nice trip too. We are on oasis in July. 

[tennislvr8]

21 minutes ago, billslowsky said:

If you aren't travelling with kids, go to the Solarium cafe for breakfast.  While the menu is limited, they have made to order omelets and it's so much less hectic.

 

Don't get your hopes up for entertainment, a couple of stand up comics, a (fine) juggler, and a Frankie Valle show is about it dur to "technical problems (cough cough)" among the entertainment staff.  The combo that backs up the acts in the main theater is excellent.

We have been on anthem 7 times prior to this. If I am up for breakfast I’ll go to coastal kitchen. I will likely not awake until first lunch aka pre lunch. 
No kids and not worried about the shows. We will do the comedians and the games, when not relaxing, eating and drinking. 

Edited April 3, 2022 by tennislvr8

[tennislvr8]

Last time we were on anthem pre Covid we were In a crown loft suite and had free in room movies and free room service delivery. This doesn’t appear to be the case this trip. I’ll find out for sure. 

[tennislvr8]

No more free movies on suites. Room service delivery is still free. 

[mets07]

Highly recommend the Frankie & the Dreamers show. Ryan Molloy is an outstanding entertainer. 

 

If Jeff Tracta (comedy/impressions/singer) is still on board, he was excellent.  

[DaniDanielle]

Ryan Molloy was fantastic.  He had the audience on its feet!

[Cruisekitty1977]

8 hours ago, tennislvr8 said:

Hi all, my DH and I are on the Anthem. We originally booked a balcony, it was dirt cheap, but we successfully Royal upped to a grand suite. We made a less than fair bid, which was a lot, but we wanted it so.

when did you get notification about your Royal Up bid being successful? On Anthem in 3 weeks time, so just curious! Enjoy your cruise!

[Sunshine3601]

I got off Anthem this morning and had horrible rain on NJ turnpike but bright skies when I got on PA TURNPIKE.   

 

I was on a b2b and wish I was still there.   We had smooth seas and warm sunny days just about everyday.   I hope the same for everyone onboard this week.

 

I really enjoyed food in the WJ being served, wish they would have kept it that way..

We had just about 80% capacity, near 3300 last 2 weeks.    Loyalty Ambassador said 3900 expected to board today.   

Have fun🤩

[Broons77]

Glad to hear you had a great time @Sunshine3601!

 

@tennislvr8 - I found Ben in the Solarium Bar to be the guy you want pouring your cocktails.  Enjoy!

[2VaCruzers]

Hubby and I will be on Anthem April 10th!!  Daughter and I sailed on Anthem back in November with about 35-40 percent capacity.  Now THAT was nice.  All the major shows were canceled back then and it sounds like this is still the case.  

[tennislvr8]

1 hour ago, mets07 said:

Highly recommend the Frankie & the Dreamers show. Ryan Molloy is an outstanding entertainer. 

 

If Jeff Tracta (comedy/impressions/singer) is still on board, he was excellent.  

Neither are on board. 

[tennislvr8]

1 hour ago, Cruisekitty1977 said:

when did you get notification about your Royal Up bid being successful? On Anthem in 3 weeks time, so just curious! Enjoy your cruise!

Alittle less than two weeks before we left. I bid in January. It’s been shared that some are fishing out on the ship after unpacking. 

[tennislvr8]

42 minutes ago, 2VaCruzers said:

Hubby and I will be on Anthem April 10th!!  Daughter and I sailed on Anthem back in November with about 35-40 percent capacity.  Now THAT was nice.  All the major shows were canceled back then and it sounds like this is still the case.  

As far as I know they shows are still ago. I’m just not interested in going to them this time around. I’ll see the comedians but that’s the extent of the shows I’m attending. 

[mets07]

10 minutes ago, tennislvr8 said:

Neither are on board. 

Thanks for the update. 

[Biker19]

9 hours ago, 2VaCruzers said:

All the major shows were canceled back then and it sounds like this is still the case.  

By your sailing all of the shows, including Gift, may be back (new cast has been on board for a few weeks already).