Live blog From Anthem of the Seas Transatlantic

[BourkeBlogs]

Thanks for sharing your journey crossing the Atlantic Ocean on the Anthem with us. I enjoyed it.

 

 

 

Since you will be spending sometime in NYC I just wanted to let you know if you want to see the Statue of Liberty in daylight there is a FREE commuter ferry that runs from lower Manhattan to Staten Island that passes pretty close to the Statue of Liberty. You will also be able to get a view of lower Manhattan.

 

 

 

The ride takes about 25 minutes each way. The ferry will be less crowded in late morning and early afternoon after everyone is done commuting to/from work.

 

 

 

If you are planning a visit to the 911 Memorial the walk is ¾ of a mile to the ferry terminal.

 

 

 

The weather the next few days in going to be unseasonable warm…perfect for a quick ferry ride.

 

 

 

Enjoy the rest of your holiday in NYC.

 

 

Thanks for your tips.

 

We were fortunate to be in New York for 10 nights a couple of years ago when we got quite a lot done. We did the Staten Island ferry last time but are lucky enough to have crown tickets for Liberty tomorrow morning which will be a fantastic experience to go inside such an iconic landmark.

 

Today we are planning to go and get some rush tickets for Avenue Q, we have seen it before and loved it so are going to go again if we can.

 

We did go to the 911 memorial last time but the museum hadn't opened then so we plan to go back and do that later. We also want to go to the top of the Freedom tower as we have previously done Empire State and Rockafeller so it should be a bit different.

 

Not sure how much time we will have to get to other places but we will just use the Subway to get about.

[AndyT3]

Hi

 

Sorry we can't get anywhere near for photos. We tried in Southampton but couldn't get near so we thought we might be able to get some here but unfortunately it's again all restricted which is probably why there aren't any online as you can't get them. We're disappointed that we haven't been able to get any.

 

We have taken these (realise they are the wrong way round for you but with portrait orientation we would struggle to get anything like, from the distance from the boat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

 

Not a problem whatsoever. I greatly appreciate your effort. I think I'll crop the one of the ships name across the center bump out and use that as my lock screen. Your photo will be on my phone until I cruise in about a year!

 

Thank you!!

[Angelsea57]

Please let us know when you are going on Harmony.

We are definitely all in for your next blogging.

Already looking forward to your next one on Harmony.

Thank you!!

[Photofinish4]

Thank you again for sharing your trip with everyone. I also look forward to you posting about New York. We will be aboard next Sept. and will visit NY a few days ahead. Thank you again.

[Psych Cruiser]

Thanks for the loads of information. It was great to see your 1st cruise through your eyes.

 

We are scheduled on the Nov 10 sailing and will utilize your information to have an even better experience.

 

Thanks again and will follow your blog on the Harmony too, when you cruise on that one.

 

Thanks again. GREAT job.

 

Kudos.

 

We will raise our glasses and toast you two when we depart on our Anthem adventure.

[BourkeBlogs]

Our disembarkation time was 7am with a meeting point in the theatre. We arrived just before 7 and announcements were made when we could disembark which was around 7:10. The exit point was on deck 5 and without queues we were able to leave.

 

In the port there was a fairly short walk to the baggage area where bags were clearly sorted into numbered areas. We quickly collected our luggage and proceeded to passport control where there was a wait of around 20 minutes.

 

We were questioned by immigration why we go to the Dominican so much, based on the number of stamps in our passport. It was then further questioned about resorts, locations etc. We love the Dominican Republic but can understand why questions were asked around this as it is one of the potential drug routes of the Caribbean so we thought it was the good the immigration officer was being so thorough. In total it took around 30 minutes from leaving the ship to being out of the terminal.

 

Our taxi transfer had been booked by 10am by our travel agent as this time they recommended. We had tried to call the number on the voucher before leaving the ship, to confirm our early arrival but unfortunately this number was out of service. However, when we left the terminal a representative was there from the firm who said this was not an issue and they would be here in about 45 minutes. Unfortunately we chased after this and ultimately it was a 1 1/2 hour wait. Had we have known this we would have just got an Uber. On a plus side though the sun is shining, the sky is blue so waiting in the unexpected warm weather was not a huge issue.

 

We are currently en route to our hotel so we can drop our bags and get into the city.

[CheerMom15]

I've been following your blog since you started it! I had no questions as we are going on the Anthem in June for our first cruise ever so I wouldn't even know what to ask :) but thank you for all the pics and information! I am so excited! Have fun in the city :)

[SnappyNappi]

It is time to say a big THANK YOU to you for such a thorough and informative 'live from' review blog. I completely enjoyed every post and thank you so much for taking time out of your vacation to share your experiences with all of us on CC.

 

Very excited about our upcoming Anthem New Years cruise now!

 

Enjoy your stay on the States and have a safe journey home.

Edited November 4, 2015 by SnappyNappi

[Cayman Turtle]

I should have asked this while you were on board, but maybe you noticed. Are there still retractable clotheslines in the shower? I heard/read somewhere that there were not.

[Nessa1dc]

Thanks for your comments

 

We actually took pictures of all the casino tables the other morning with the signs showing game type, minimum bets etc. although we've taken that many pictures and got that much info I can't upload quick enough.

 

There is 3 card poker

 

Big raise stud poker

 

Ultimate Texas Hold'Em

 

There was also something called Let it Ride. I've not heard of this before so unsure if this is Poker too.

 

In regards to the IQ app, it has probably worked about 75% of the time. When it's not working we have have either received an error message when trying to access our calendar, the cruise compass etc or just doesn't load up content when you click on it. The luggage tracking never worked for us either.

 

When the app works it is good, as you can add things to your calendar from the cruise compass so it's easy to keep track of what you have planned.

 

Thank you so much. I truly appreciate everything. Enjoy the East Coast.

[Cruisin' Ya Ya]

Thanks you sop very much for your outstanding blog and photos. It has been both enjoyable and educational to see and read about The Anthem. I am so looking forward to our Dec 12th cruise on her. I will definitely continue to read the blog on your vacation in NYC.

[bluebeard39]

Cheers to you and your wife for taking us along on your TA Adventure. I will continue to read as you post. Thank You!!

[BourkeBlogs]

It took about one hot to get from the cruise port to our hotel in Midtown. We are staying at the Archer Hotel and first impressions are good.

 

The staff at reception are extremely friendly and despite our 10am arrival they were able to check us into our room.

 

We were asked if we were happy to have a room on a low floor, which we are as we will be spending very little time there over the next 24 hours.

 

The hotel is really modern and here are some room pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bit of a random one but the in room safe is the best I have ever seen. It's in the wardrobe as usual but it it's a drawer type which slides out and is huge! You could easily fit a laptop and a SLR camera in and still have space left.

[Merion_Mom]

It took about one hot to get from the cruise port to our hotel in Midtown. We are staying at the Archer Hotel and first impressions are good.

 

The staff at reception are extremely friendly and despite our 10am arrival they were able to check us into our room.

 

We were asked if we were happy to have a room on a low floor, which we are as we will be spending very little time there over the next 24 hours.

 

The hotel is really modern and here are some room pictures.

 

 

 

Bit of a random one but the in room safe is the best I have ever seen. It's in the wardrobe as usual but it it's a drawer type which slides out and is huge! You could easily fit a laptop and a SLR camera in and still have space left.

 

Welcome to the USA!

 

Beware that safe. There is probably a charge for it. ;) :D

[BourkeBlogs]

It's only 12:30 and were ahead of schedule.

 

It's a fantastic day and we were are walking round in t shirts as so warm. We rally didn't expect this is November, we had brought jackets and hats with us when sunglasses would be more appropriate.

 

As we ate breakfast so early, we have had an early lunch. We had planned where to go in advance as it's just round the corner to the theatre we need to buy tickets from.

 

We went to Patzeria Family & Friends which we had found on Trip Advisor as one of the best restaurants in New York and we were so glad we did it was amazing!

 

We got there at 11 which is when they start serving lunch and were given the menus. As I have uploaded every menu so far this trip I may as well do this one

 

 

 

 

 

 

[conandrob240]

You are really lucking out with the weather. It is absolutely gorgeous and expected to be like this until Friday. Thanks so much for the live blog-it was so helpful to me and so much fun to follow along as we gear up for our Anthem cruise in 18 days!

 

Let me know if you need any NYC advice.

 

Given the weather, I would strongly suggest a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge and then along the promenade in Brooklyn Heights. Some great restaurants there and the views are absolutely unbelievable!

 

Enjoy!

[BourkeBlogs]

As well as the main menu they had a specials option

 

 

There were also drinks specials with draught available for $6 and some cocktails for $5

 

For starters we went for the garlic knots and mozzarella dippers

 

 

Both of the starters were excellent.

 

For mains we asked for recommendations and he waitress recommended the lasagne pizza, which has won awards from the New York Times and the Stromboli

 

 

I'm not surprised they have won awards for their pizza it was amazing. It's one of the best pizzas I have ever eaten.

 

Although quite full we shared the strawberry cheesecake for dessert

 

 

Again this was brilliant.

 

If you live New York you may have been here so know how good it is but if you don't and you ever get chance to go I would highly recommend it.

 

In total our bill was only $66 including drinks

[countess5]

You need to try Carmine's on 44th street, 200 W 44th Street. Great Family style Italian Food! :D

[BourkeBlogs]

You need to try Carmine's on 44th street, 200 W 44th Street. Great Family style Italian Food! :D

 

 

Funnily enough that's on our list for tomorrow. We went there last time we were in NYC and the pasta was amazing

[BourkeBlogs]

We've just got our tickets for the show tonight. Usually around $100 each but we got rush tickets which cost $27 each.

 

Top tip of your never been to NYC, if your happy to take a risk on availability and your comfortable on any seat (rush tickets are usually front row) you can save a fair amount of money. You also need to be able to get to the box office for opening time and pay cash.

 

Just on the subway now on the way to our next stop of 911 memorial.

[LuCruise]

We've just got our tickets for the show tonight. Usually around $100 each but we got rush tickets which cost $27 each.

 

Top tip of your never been to NYC, if your happy to take a risk on availability and your comfortable on any seat (rush tickets are usually front row) you can save a fair amount of money. You also need to be able to get to the box office for opening time and pay cash.

 

Just on the subway now on the way to our next stop of 911 memorial.

 

What a way to end a cruise...in NY. Love that city!

 

What show are you seeing? I think rush is fairly new. Great idea.

 

The 911 memorial is well done...very moving. We saw it in the summer when we visited NY.

[saskiapaci]

Have a nice time in NY!!!! I'm planning for the Harmony TA for next year and was wondering: how did you manage the time change on board and once in Us?? Are you feeling some short of jet lag?

Enjoy every minute of New York!!!!!

Ciao

Saskia

 

 

Inviato dal mio SM-J100H utilizzando Tapatalk

Edited November 4, 2015 by saskiapaci

[Setting sail for fun]

Getting lots of good tips for a short trip to NY. The hotel looks nice. We are a short train ride away but haven't been there in a number of years.

 

Enjoy the beautiful weather - so unusual for November!

[conandrob240]

They do have excellent pizza but, keep in mind, you are in NYC- any place you stop for a slice is going to be better than the best pizza in most other places in the country!;) Carmines has excellent food. If you go and its packed, keep in mind the high top tables around the bar are first come, first served so you can hover around and grab one if need be.

[denatravels]

 

 

 

What show are you seeing? I think rush is fairly new. Great idea.

 

 

 

I did it the first weekend I lived in NYC. That was in 2003.

 

 

Rush policies for every show in NYC:

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/index.php

Edited November 4, 2015 by denatravels