Live blog From Anthem of the Seas Transatlantic

[Susie51]

Thank you for info about the time frame of when reservations become available.

[Mott1086]

Susie51--- I've heard dining is open 90 days out, and entertainment about 60 days out.

 

CruiseNovicesUK--- that has been the number one complaint I have heard about Q / Anthem--- that the bookings for dining and entertainment are not open together.

 

Sadly, I've heard many horror stories of people who have had to change one or both of those :(

[LuCruise]

Following along. Thanks for doing a live report. Enjoy your cruise.

[demodawn]

Looking forward to following!

[conandrob240]

Looking forward to this so much! Thank you!

 

If you have a chance to take a photo of the coffee shop drink menu, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'd also be curious to know what beers are excluded from beverage package at Michaels Pub

[BourkeBlogs]

Morning

 

Here are some pictures of the room. Cabin is deck 3 forward, port side ocean view.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The wow bands and the other card were located on the bed in our cabin

[BourkeBlogs]

Can only add 6 pictures per post so here are some more:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The safe is small. In the safe is an iPad and a Kindle to give some idea of scale. If you have a SLR, laptop etc with you it will not fit in the safe.

[BourkeBlogs]

Here are some pics from the Bionic Bar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BourkeBlogs]

Not sure if anyone is interested in the cruise compass, but here is yesterday's and today's:

 

 

 

 

 

And I thought this was quite interesting, our current position. Sorry for the quality, the picture was taken from the in room tv:

 

 

While I was taking pictures of the tv, here is another one with the channel list on:

 

[BourkeBlogs]

So last night we did eat in the Windjammer. There was a fairly good selection of meals and plenty of empty tables available. However one down side is no waiter came to take any drink orders from us.

 

After dinner we went to a show in the theatre. This was a welcome type show hosted by the cruise director Luke Arrowsmith. As we have not cruised before I'm not wholly sure what their role is, although after chatting to some other people I understand what they do. Although we didn't think he was particularly engaging and seemed quite flat.

 

After Luke had introduced his team a comedian called Steve Womack was on. We didn't find him particularly funny as his routine seemed very dated. But then again we tend to go to comedy clubs fairly regularly so this may have impacted our view of this.

 

After the show in the theatre there was another show in 270 at 10pm. This was to showcase the unique features of the venue, which is an absolutely fantastic entertainment space.

 

There was a live band a couple of singers, aerial performers and a display of the robo screens and the screens which cover the windows and surround the venue making it very immersive. I've added a couple of pictures below:

 

 

 

 

On the way back to the cabin, we stopped in to Sorrentos for a couple of slices of pizza which were OK. There was also an option to create your own which would have been good, although we didn't want a full pizza and didn't want to waste any.

[cruiserone]

CruisenovicesUK, thank you for your reply. Wow the photos are amazing and giving us all a great idea of the ship.

 

This certainly is a large ship. Celebrity ships not as large so this will be a new adventure for the family.

 

Enjoy your cruise and I look forward to following your thread.

 

Carol

[Dave85]

Thanks for the awesome live review! Have a great cruise.

[BourkeBlogs]

Looking forward to this so much! Thank you!

 

 

 

If you have a chance to take a photo of the coffee shop drink menu, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'd also be curious to know what beers are excluded from beverage package at Michaels Pub

 

 

Hi conandrob

 

Here is the coffee menu for La Patisserie, which serves Starbucks. The drinks are included in drinks packages (dependant on if you have coffees in the package) but the cakes are chargeable in this venue.

 

There weren't any paper menus unfortunately so had to take a picture of the to menu boards, so hope these are clear enough:

 

 

 

 

 

I'll be able to upload the 270 coffee menu later

[LuCruise]

Wow. Amazing photos.

[Psych Cruiser]

WOW these are all great postings.

 

We are sailing on Anthem on November 10th out of Port Liberty and this is invaluable information.

 

Do you know who the the Loyalty Ambassador is on board?

 

Thank you and keep up the GREAT work.

[BourkeBlogs]

Thanks to everyone who is following and enjoying this blog. I enjoy writing things like this, so it's great that it's helpful.

 

This morning after spending a while updating all the photos on here while my other half was still asleep, we went to the Windjammer for breakfast around 08:30. It was very, very busy and we had to do a full lap before we could find space to sit which was on the end of bench style seating.

 

When we sat down a waiter came straight over and took our drink order. We had some of the freshly squeezed juice which was great and much better than the concentrate option. The tea was pretty good and was Tetley, my other half had a coffee which she said was as good as Starbucks which is something especially with the amount of Starbucks she drinks at work!

 

There was a good choice for breakfast, I didn't take any pictures as it was busy, so couldn't get any clean shots. However if we go earlier one day I'll try and get some. A full cooked option was available including both British and American style bacon, sausages, potatoes etc. There was an option to have freshly fried eggs or pre done boiled eggs, but you can't get poached if that's your preference. Omelettes were cooked to order, and the usual choice of cereals and breads. Toast is pre done so no queuing at toasters which was great. Also you could ask for toasted muffins bagels and the like.

 

After breakfast we went to go on the North Star, we got there around 09:30 and the queue took around an hour. Although after we had been on I would estimate the queue length would have been over 2 hours.

 

The North Star was fantastic with some great shots of the ship which I have added below. Unfortunately there is reflection from the glass on these:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As it was windy there was a fair bit of movement in the capsule though. My other half wasn't the big fan of the shaking of the capsule but it wasn't bad and you could easily move around in it.

 

I did ask the staff member in the capsule what happens if it gets stuck at the top. I know an odd question but I was interested to find out. Apparently it's quite easy and they can just release the pressure in the hydraulics which returns it to the start location. In extreme emergencies he said you can also zip line down the arm.

 

One other point is that the programme is 17 minutes so probably around 25 by the time you allow for loading and unloading. They allow between 15 and 18 people on at any one time depending on weight as everyone is weighed before boarding.

 

After North Star we had a walk round the deck and you can do a full lap of the boat. I think one trip round is just over half a mile. It was very windy towards the front. At the rear there were some people doing body boarding on the Flow Rider, probably only about 6 people which I would assume was due to the cold weather. The Flow Rider looks fantastic through and I am definitely going to have a go over the coming days. (I'll upload some Flow Rider pictures shortly)

 

Since then we have just been for coffee and we are now in two 70 watching a pianist / singer who is pretty good.

 

I've taken some pictures of the two 70 menu so will add these in the next post.

[sharktums]

Thanks for the live updates! Keep it up!

[BourkeBlogs]

Here is the two 70 menu:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 28, 2015 by CruisenovicesUK

[BourkeBlogs]

Two 70 menu continued:

 

 

 

 

Here are a couple of the menus from Cafe two 70 as well:

 

 

Edited October 28, 2015 by CruisenovicesUK

[BourkeBlogs]

Here are some pictures from on deck this morning:

 

 

The above picture is actually the outside of the of the Dog House in the Seaplex.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[fishbonz]

Will be watching the whole trip across hope it's a great cruise.

[AndyT3]

Awesome pictures! We're not on her for another year, but I'll take whatever I can get.

 

Hope your enjoying your cruise!

Edited October 28, 2015 by AndyT3

[Tura Lura]

Awesome pictures! We're not on her for another year, but I'll take whatever I can get.

 

Hope your enjoying your cruise!

 

I know! i'm not on her until 9/8/16. All these pix are getting me excited!

[BourkeBlogs]

WOW these are all great postings.

 

We are sailing on Anthem on November 10th out of Port Liberty and this is invaluable information.

 

Do you know who the the Loyalty Ambassador is on board?

 

Thank you and keep up the GREAT work.

 

 

Hi, thanks for the great feedback.

 

We we just found out the Loyalty Ambassador is Andre Stoica, hope this helps.

[BourkeBlogs]

Some more pictures, this time the menu from the Music Hall