The fantastic gift RCI gave everyone on board Anthem's inaugural transatlantic

[Turtles06]

My spouse and I returned yesterday from Anthem's inaugural transatlantic, an 8-night crossing from Southampton to Cape Liberty. The ship is stunningly beautiful with some of the most extraordinary public spaces we've ever seen, and we had a great time (despite some very disappointing food service and food quality issues). I'll be posting a detailed review, but the following made us laugh, and I just wanted to put this up now.

 

During the sailing, we frequently commented to each other how odd it seemed that no one associated with the ship or RCI had even mentioned that this was Anthem's first crossing of the Atlantic, a rather big deal in our minds but clearly not in Royal's. You'd never have known anything special was happening -- that a ship was being taken across an ocean, to a new continent, for the very first time. (It seemed to us that RCI was more concerned with just getting the ship to Bayonne and promoting the ship in the new market.)

 

Then, on our last day before disembarkation, we returned to our cabins to find our disembarkation info and luggage tags, along with this "certificate," printed on thin, plain photocopy paper (not even something nice like stock paper), and already wrinkled. The cheesiness made us laugh. Really, Royal, is this the best you could do? :)

 

 

(photo by turtles06)

[champagne123]

Hahahahah. Now make sure you run to the dollar store and buy a frame.

[Thoie]

That's such a shame - we got one on our Allure spring crossing. It was a little creased when I got it, but it was printed on thin card (not just paper), and had our names "calligraphied" on as well - I've blanked out most of my name from the attached picture, but under the ship name you can see the start of the fancy lettering used.

 

I took the photo on my phone through a plastic sleeve which is a bit battered - the cert itself is pretty OK.

Edited November 5, 2015 by Thoie

[little britain]

Received on Allure crossing this week. Nice thick card.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 6s using Tapatalk

Edited November 5, 2015 by little britain

[Thoie]

I've done a number of transatlantics, but never got anything until the Allure crossing, which was the technical maiden transatlantic (with passengers).

 

I wonder will all transatlantics/transpacifics start getting a certificate? It would be funny if I get one on the Independence next year, as I've done that trip before :)

[SAS21]

We did a TA from New Orleans to Barcelona in 2014 on Serenade, we got one on our bed the last night. Just did a TA from Harwich,UK to Boston in Sept. 2015 on Brilliance and did not get one.

 

I think it depends on the ship.

So many things on Brilliance did not compare to Serenade, but that's a whole other thread.

 

That is a lousy gift on the ships first TA though. Our's did have our name on it though.

Edited November 5, 2015 by SAS21

[RiotAct]

Hey, at least it's in color!

[Sascol]

CHEEZY!!!!! They could have at least laminated that. Looks like something I can make at home.

 

We'll be boarding on the 10th - guess we should not expect anything for the 1st full US itinerary either! I would not expect anything of huge monetary value, but a little certificate (one that at least looks professionally done) would be nice.

Edited November 5, 2015 by Sascol

[DEIx15x8]

Seems to be inline with the Quantum of the Seas maiden voyage. I'm sure they didn't try to deny that it was her first transatlantic to downplay it like they did the maiden though, lol.

[Dave85]

Hilarious! Thanks for sharing. The fact that it was printed on regular photo copy paper is the real kicker LOL.

[cynt]

I'm confused. :confused: Why do you think you should get something for a TA? I understand it's the 1st one but so what. I'm just scratching my head on why you're expecting something.

[conandrob240]

It seems to me RCCL should have made a bigger deal. It's a huge brand new ship making its home in the biggest city in the world. Fanfare upon arrival, press, special celebrations during the cruise- to me, this is all free advertising. Most people I speak to locally had no idea that RCCL had a new ship sailing out of this area.

 

I guess this ones a little different because the first TAs are often also the inaugural cruise but, even so, seems like they want to keep very quiet about Anthem. LOL

[north29]

It might be a little cheesy, at least they did something to show appreciation. We got one for the Serenades snow bird repositioning last month and I have no idea what happened to it LOL diffidently a "Cheap" sake.

[Retired LEO]

Did the kids make those in Adventure Ocean?

[LMaxwell]

It might be a little cheesy, at least they did something to show appreciation. We got one for the Serenades snow bird repositioning last month and I have no idea what happened to it LOL diffidently a "Cheap" sake.

 

I had relatives on that cruise. D plus. 30 years with RCI they got nothing. Cosnider yourself lucky :cool:

[Heather1972]

Makes you wonder why bother?

[ladylemondrop]

Welcome back Turtles! Very interested to hear your review, particularly regarding food, service etc. Also how did you find getting seats/bookings for shows? Thank you, Louise :)

[cruisenfever]

It appears that this is the direction that RCI is taking when new ships are introduced. We experienced the same thing when we did the November 23, 2014 Not-So Inaugural Cruise on Quantum. Very disappointing.

[conandrob240]

:rolleyes:So strange! Keep those new ships a secret- that's a way to build excitement and fill them!;)

[funCruise3]

I sense some sarcasm in this posting. What would be the intention behind this, then? Happy cruising!

[anandaindonesia]

Royal, you don't have to do it.

But if you decide to do it, please do it in a "WOW" way 😃.

 

Sent from my SM-G7102 using Tapatalk

[robtulipe]

We did a TA from New Orleans to Barcelona in 2014 on Serenade, we got one on our bed the last night. Just did a TA from Harwich,UK to Boston in Sept. 2015 on Brilliance and did not get one.

 

I think it depends on the ship.

So many things on Brilliance did not compare to Serenade, but that's a whole other thread.

 

That is a lousy gift on the ships first TA though. Our's did have our name on it though.

 

 

We did both the Spring and Fall Serenade 16 nights TA cruises between NOLA and Barcelona in 2014 and got these for both cruises along with a certificate for our first ship crystal block on the east bound TA. :D

Edited November 8, 2015 by robtulipe

[marci22]

Hey, at least it's in color!

 

 

For now....

[steamboats]

For the Oasis Eastbound TA we received a "certificate" saying:

 

"You have been part of the 1st Western Transatlantic crossing onboard Oasis of the Seas."

 

I still wonder how we managed to arrive in Barcelona :rolleyes::D!

 

steamboats

[anandaindonesia]

For the Oasis Eastbound TA we received a "certificate" saying:

 

"You have been part of the 1st Western Transatlantic crossing onboard Oasis of the Seas."

 

I still wonder how we managed to arrive in Barcelona :rolleyes::D!

 

steamboats

Hahaha....[emoji14]

 

Sent from my SM-G7102 using Tapatalk