Just off Anthem...random tips!

[andrew2346]

Thanks for the feedback, just one very simple almost silly question, How was the coffee?

 

Coffee was decent according to my husband and I had a few cups...not bad.

[andrew2346]

Which line was it? If you're standing in the disembark line was it left or right?

 

I'm guessing left.

 

Thanks.

 

I'm terrible at left and right and aft and forward. The best way I can describe it is this. We were on deck 3. the line to tender was all the way up the stairs and halfway thru the casino. The RC staff member said to check the other line all the way thru the other end of the casino and sure enough that once was just to the staircase. Help that helps. I believe it was all the Aft that was the good one.

[andrew2346]

Did you have long waits for the kid things? Bumper cars, flow rider etc? We have a 6 and an 8 yr old so would love to hear what your 7yr olds favorite things were. Also - do you think boys didn't want to go to kids club because there was too much other stuff to do onboard? Mine generally LOVE to do camp type things with other kids but I'm not so sure how it's going to work out this time!

 

 

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My 7 year old is very "mommy focused" and doesn't like to leave my side. My 10 year old is very independent and doesn't really like camp type stuff so I am sure that is why. My 7 year old loved the seaplex and he did bumper cars, ping pong, and air hockey constantly. Yes, you did have a line to wait in for bumper cars. However, ping pong and air hockey you just really waited your turn right there and generally people were very good about playing one game and then giving up the table. If they didn't you simply say something and that is usually the end of that. We were on a Spring break cruise with loads of kids also and it was just fine. Oh and my 7 year old liked the soccer time for kids his age on the seaplex floor. Character meet and greets were great for him also. Indoor pool was another hot spot for him.

[andrew2346]

Thank you!

 

How was the teen group for Adventure Ocean? We're sailing in less than 2 weeks, with a shy 13 year old girl.

 

 

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My girls (ages 15 and 13) did not do AO. They pretty much traveled around together because that was my rule. I seemed that lots of kids hung out in the seaplex day and night and made fast friends. Lots of teen programming without being "in AO" so to speak. The hosted events for them and supervised. She will most likely make friends and you won't see her much of the time...lol. See if you can hook her up with someone from your roll call and have them email or something?

[andrew2346]

Sorry to say that we thought the pizza was terrible, very soggy, tasted like raw dough with extra cheese. Carnival has the best pizza IMHO.

 

But we don't sail to eat pizza, rock climb etc.;) The Anthem did have the WOW factor and is worth a check out at least once.

 

HA! You must not have had MSC pizza!!!!! To die for.

[andrew2346]

Thank you for your great review. I was wondering about one thing however. On the Oasis and Allure you were able to sign all waivers "on line". Is this not possible with the Anthem? Seems it would save a lot of time and aggravation for everyone. Oh, and I would like to know about the coffee also....lol.....I thought I read in someone's review, that they changed brands. :)

 

 

 

You might be right about the online waivers. I am not sure because we did it the first day right up in the seaplex. Coffee was decent...not terrible. That I find is highly subjective though

[dedosr]

In my past experience Sorrentos has been the best pizza available, basically because you're in the missile of the ocean. Do you think they seem to have figured/improved the formula on Anthem, or do you not really have comparison with the quality on other shops?

 

I just know some folks seem to think cardboard with canned tomato sauce and government cheese would be better. I don't raise the bar high for Sorrentos but it would be encouraging they've raised their bar.

 

First let me say "Food Taste" is very subjective. So from my point of view, the pizza at Sorrento's is just ok. The sauce is ok and the toppings are fresh. The dough is preformed and frozen. Overall, I would give it a 6 out of 10. If they wanted to truly improve the taste and quality, they need to have freshly made dough not the preformed they use now.

 

By far Princess has the best pizza at sea. Not the one they serve in Alfredo's, but the one served on the pool deck.

Edited March 28, 2016 by dedosr

[andrew2346]

First let me say "Food Taste" is very subjective. So from my point of view, the pizza at Sorrento's is just ok. The sauce is ok and the toppings are fresh. The dough is preformed and frozen. Overall, I would give it a 6 out of 10. If they wanted to truly improve the taste and quality, they need to have freshly made dough not the preformed they use now.

 

BNy far Princess has the best pizza at sea. Not the one they serve in Alfredo's, but the one served on the pool deck.

 

Totally agree with this review of the pizza. However, my waistline is grateful the pizza was just OK because I was able to skip over it. Kids went over and over and over.

[dedosr]

Thank you for your great review. I was wondering about one thing however. On the Oasis and Allure you were able to sign all waivers "on line". Is this not possible with the Anthem? Seems it would save a lot of time and aggravation for everyone. Oh, and I would like to know about the coffee also....lol.....I thought I read in someone's review, that they changed brands. :)

 

Yes, I agree, when we on the Oasis and Allure we signed all wavers on line. When we sailed on the Quantum, on line waivers were not available. However, it was simple and quick on the ship. When we went for IFly, they had multiple IPads available and we checked off everything and that was that.

[cot427]

Thanks for the tips! Loved all of them.

 

I thought I read Anthem had no where mid ship to go outside. So on deck 5, you can walk outside on the deck? Does it wrap the whole way around the ship? I love sitting out there for peace and quiet on some of the other Royal ships (whether I have a balcony or not.)

 

Love the Vintages tips - I'll definitely be hanging out there some.

 

Were you able to do Northstar or was that you waiting in line and then it shut down? I was able to get a 9:30 reservation on day when we pull into port at 9...not ideal but better than nothing...unless they cancel it on me.

[champagne123]

Yes, I agree, when we on the Oasis and Allure we signed all wavers on line. When we sailed on the Quantum, on line waivers were not available. However, it was simple and quick on the ship. When we went for IFly, they had multiple IPads available and we checked off everything and that was that.

 

Great!!! Thank you:)

[Mom.to.2]

Do the beverage packages work at Vintages or is everything there above the $12 max?

 

 

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[Clarea]

Do the beverage packages work at Vintages or is everything there above the $12 max?

We have been able to find $12 wines at Vintages on Liberty, but it might vary ship to ship.

[SMHCPA]

My 7 year old is very "mommy focused" and doesn't like to leave my side. My 10 year old is very independent and doesn't really like camp type stuff so I am sure that is why. My 7 year old loved the seaplex and he did bumper cars, ping pong, and air hockey constantly. Yes, you did have a line to wait in for bumper cars. However, ping pong and air hockey you just really waited your turn right there and generally people were very good about playing one game and then giving up the table. If they didn't you simply say something and that is usually the end of that. We were on a Spring break cruise with loads of kids also and it was just fine. Oh and my 7 year old liked the soccer time for kids his age on the seaplex floor. Character meet and greets were great for him also. Indoor pool was another hot spot for him.

 

 

Thank you! My 6 yr old is also "mommy focused" so I get that completely lol.

 

Do you have to pay to play ping pong, air hockey or the Xbox games?

 

 

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[Seaworthy01]

Coffee was decent according to my husband and I had a few cups...not bad.

 

I can live with that, thank you.

[somerandomidiot]

Thanks for sharing. Just wondering how busy Solarium Bistro was? Ive booked my dining on Ovation for Silk/Chic/Grande/American for each of out 14 nights just to get times that suit (we like to eat between 6 and 7), but would like to try Solarium a few times and no option to book on cruise planner. Thanks.

 

It's odd. The food there is great but I have never seen the solarium bistro more than half full for dinner on anthem, even back when it was devinly decadence.

[Mom.to.2]

It's odd. The food there is great but I have never seen the solarium bistro more than half full for dinner on anthem, even back when it was devinly decadence.

 

 

 

In that case, I wonder if a "classic" diner can show up at SB for dinner one night without a reservation, and be seated?

 

Our San Juan port call is 3-11 pm so it's unlikely we will be able to make our classic early seating that night. I'm wondering if they will allow us to dine at solarium bistro later on, instead.

[Jersey19]

Thank you for you detailed review. Sounds like you and your family had a blast overall! I noticed you mentioned the peanut-free offerings, and I've been waiting for a post regarding how food allergies are handled on the Anthem, especially because we are on Dynamic Dining Choice (I wanted Classic to keep the same waiter throughout, but it was booked with a long wait list). Assuming someone in your party had food allergies, were you able to get information about ingredients readily in the various venues? Were the staff knowledgeable about ingredients in both the main dining rooms and casual locations such as Windjammer, Sorrentos, etc? I've been very concerned about this-- I have a little one with more than nut allergies and on a prior cruise, the only place we felt truly safe was the main dining room because our waiter got to know him well.

[andrew2346]

Thanks for the tips! Loved all of them.

 

I thought I read Anthem had no where mid ship to go outside. So on deck 5, you can walk outside on the deck? Does it wrap the whole way around the ship? I love sitting out there for peace and quiet on some of the other Royal ships (whether I have a balcony or not.)

 

Love the Vintages tips - I'll definitely be hanging out there some.

 

Were you able to do Northstar or was that you waiting in line and then it shut down? I was able to get a 9:30 reservation on day when we pull into port at 9...not ideal but better than nothing...unless they cancel it on me.

 

Yes...deck 5 and no it does not wrap around but there are chairs out there and it is nice and peaceful and you can hear the ocean. We were able to do NS. I forgot we had a ressie for it and we went right up on time. Prior to that when I thought we didn't have one we waited in the standby line for over an hour ...got inside the ball and got the boot because it was too windy. Major bummer but it is what it is. It can't go up when it shouldn't. Reservation or standby that is something that happens.

[andrew2346]

It's odd. The food there is great but I have never seen the solarium bistro more than half full for dinner on anthem, even back when it was devinly decadence.

 

Totally 100% TRUTH. Never full. They denied us I am sure because we were a big party of 6. I'm guessing if you are two you might squeeze in. Maybe they don't have the wait staff? No idea. I did love that place though.

[andrew2346]

In that case, I wonder if a "classic" diner can show up at SB for dinner one night without a reservation, and be seated?

 

Our San Juan port call is 3-11 pm so it's unlikely we will be able to make our classic early seating that night. I'm wondering if they will allow us to dine at solarium bistro later on, instead.

 

Can't hurt to try...if you have a big party though might be less of a chance.

[andrew2346]

Thank you for you detailed review. Sounds like you and your family had a blast overall! I noticed you mentioned the peanut-free offerings, and I've been waiting for a post regarding how food allergies are handled on the Anthem, especially because we are on Dynamic Dining Choice (I wanted Classic to keep the same waiter throughout, but it was booked with a long wait list). Assuming someone in your party had food allergies, were you able to get information about ingredients readily in the various venues? Were the staff knowledgeable about ingredients in both the main dining rooms and casual locations such as Windjammer, Sorrentos, etc? I've been very concerned about this-- I have a little one with more than nut allergies and on a prior cruise, the only place we felt truly safe was the main dining room because our waiter got to know him well.

 

Yes, my son has peanut allergy with anaphylaxis. We brought several epipens on board with us. Honestly I felt everyone I asked was pretty clueless about what had nuts and what did not. The pastry chef came out from the windjammer and told me which desserts my son could have. My advice is to trust nothing in this case unless you have seen the label yourself. How we live pretty much is to ask and go for the usual things we can have on land without an issue if they say..."no nuts". Like I know for instance that most choc chip cookies he can't have because the choc chips are from "processed" plants. So I avoid those. Go for the soft serve ice cream...that was a winner about 50 times..lol. Also, I brought a big bag of my own desserts that were safe.

 

I am not sure what your allergy issues are but if you can bring anything onboard to make life a tiny bit easier I certainly would.

[hansolosmom]

Thanks for all the tips - since we are sailing "as the masses" too

[Jersey19]

Thank you. I had a sinking feeling this was the case, as it was on the Allure, but at least we had the main dining room consistent waiter for dinners who was an enormous help. Dynamic dining choice means no meals will be easy. He is all nuts (tree and peanut) and EGGS. Eggs throws everyone off. Very difficult.

[mommyloves2cruise]

Thank you. I had a sinking feeling this was the case, as it was on the Allure, but at least we had the main dining room consistent waiter for dinners who was an enormous help. Dynamic dining choice means no meals will be easy. He is all nuts (tree and peanut) and EGGS. Eggs throws everyone off. Very difficult.

 

 

We will also be cruising on the Anthem this summer with food allergies. My son has milk, egg, peanut, tree nut and shellfish allergies, we are also scheduled to have Dynamic Dining and I am a little nervous. Thank you for the information. We will plan on being extra patient and bringing on plenty of safe food.

 

 

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