Stevedan

Not even close. . . . . . .the Oceanic!

We were extremely concerned about all of the negative reviews, but had such a great time on the 12/27/15 Anthem cruise we are now booked for 6/25/16 for our 25th anniversary!

Just booked 6226 on Anthem 6/25 to Bermuda. Anyone have information on the view from this room? Thanks.

We just got back from Anthem 12/27/15 and were on Deck 3 with the casino. I was afraid it would be noisy. Never ever heard any noise. Rooms were extremely quiet and never was the proximity to public areas an issue. In fact, we just booked category 3 on the Harmony.

"They give you a tenderloin, a salad and a baked potato, for

four-ninety-five. You know what that cost you after six?"

Are you on the Anthem or at Del Boca Vista Phase II?

I was wondering if crew, or at least senior staff, can request which ship to be on and if those requests are honored. Thanks.

I was just wondering if any crew or officers can request which ship they are assigned to. Anyone know? Are requests honored?

Could you please post the first day cruise compass?

I was on the 12/27/15 cruise and would be glad to email you a copy of the first day's Cruise Compass. Sorry, but my technological ineptness keeps me from uploading to Cruise Critic. Give me your email address if you want me to scan and email to you. Thanks.

We just got off the Anthem 12/27/15. We had 2 connecting oceaniview rooms on Deck 3 and were very happy. Nice sized rooms and we did not miss the balcony. Our kids (aged 22, 20 and 17) were in one room. My 22 year old slept on the sofa bed and had no complaints). We are not always easy to please people and had a perfect cruise on the Anthem!

We just got back from the Anthem 12/27/15 and had such an awesome time we booked Harmony 12/24/16. A few questions:

1. When can you book dining reservations?

2. I don't think there are included speciality restaurants like on the Anthem. Is that correct?

3. When can you book Grease?

4. Do you need reservations for the zip line?

Sorry for the basic questions. We are experienced cruisers just not on the Oasis class. I don't want to get closed out of anything.

Thanks.

Be sure to book Spectra's Cabaret in 270. We just saw it on the Anthem 12/27/15 cruise. While I may not have liked all of the avant guarde music, the special effects are absolutely unreal. We had dinner at 8:30 and the 7:30 show got out in time for dinner.

On our cruise you could not pre-book North Star, but the lines were usually quicker than what they said they would be (told 45-60 minutes and both times turned out to be less than a half hour). Surprisingly, they took reservations for North Star onboard, but only for port days. I would have thought reservations would make more sense on sea days.

What's your take on the entertainment? What dining venues did you enjoy? Thanks!

The entertainment was very good. We saw We Will Rock You and Spectra's Cabaret. Rock You was a bit long and they left out my favorite Queen song, but it was very good, esp. the female lead. Spectra's Cabaret was simply amazing. The special effects in 270 were unreal. Calypso band also very good. CD Abe Hughes was highly visible and very enthusiastic.

Food was good, not great and not terrible. The dining venues are for the most part elegant and beautiful. Food in The Grande was very good but Silk and American Icon not up to the same standard both in quality, taste and variety. Chops a bit of a let down, but I think that was partially b/c we are from the NYC area where excellent steaks are easy to get. Our waiter was very good and followed us to each dining room. He was knowledgeable, efficient and friendly. Although we made dining reservations in advance, they were wrong when we boarded but luckily were able to have them corrected. You should check when you board as we understand this is not an uncommon problem. Windjammer was very nice, great selection and generally good quality and taste. Overall, a very enjoyable cruise!

Did you have any issues with the mattress? There have been many complaints about the "rock hard" mattresses but I haven't seen anything about them being on the Anthem.

I loved the rock hard mattresses! No complaints!

Just off the Anthem and the captain was Anders I.

We just got home from the Anthem 12/27/15 cruise. We were very concerned based on all of the negatives we were reading. We are not always easy to please but we were so pleasantly surprised! One of the best cruises ever! Hard to find any major faults. Were there minor things that could be better? Of course. Crowd management was fantastic and barely a wait for anything. Would be glad to answer any questions. Happy New Year!

We are booked in outside cabins on deck 3 for the New Year's cruise, and am a bit concerned about noise from the casino.

Very simple: Home Lines. Nothing has eve come close.

I used to really enjoy sitting in a lounge before and after dinner, listening to good music, and talking with friends and family. The lack of music in lounges truly detracts from the cruise experience to me.

We are booked on Anthem 12/27/15 on Deck 3. Had the same concerns.

Why must everything be so standardized that the music groups on all the ships have the same names and same playlist? This just adds to the generic atmosphere aboard.

I liked the days when ship bands each had their own personalities and playlists. There were bands we enjoyed year after year and the band members became friends. When we boarded a ship we always checked first to see which bands were aboard (esp. on the former Home Lines which had the best bands). Everything is so standardized these days, even the atmosphere aboard different ships of the same class.

So sorry for your problems. I too have a developmentally disabled sister and understand all you have on your mind. It is becoming even more on my mind as our mother, her primary caregiver, gets older. I'm sending positive thoughts for your strength and your BIL's health.

Just booked my first RCCL cruise in about 15 years for 12/27/15 on the Anthem. Took 2 Category H ocean view rooms on Deck 3 for the family. Any advice/comments from anyone who has sailed the Quantum? Not thrilled with the possibility of cool weather, but not needing any flights since we're from NJ is a bonus.

According to the cruise calendar on the HAL website there is a 14 day Alaskan Explorer on the Maasdam at the end of May, 2016. The schedule does not go out past that.

Same thing happened to us on the old Home Lines Oceanic (still our all time favorite).

What is the difference between them? Over all live music has gone far downhill on most ships over the years. Used to board ships hoping some of our favorite bands were on.