Just off Anthem...random tips!

[libertybelle41]

Absolutely NO corkage fee is charged. None. Zero. Zilch.

 

:)

 

 

Nada. ;)

[Merion_Mom]

Nada. ;)

 

Bupkis. :D

[aqc]

Sorry for such a newbie question but can we bring a small bottle of whisky instead of wine? Thanks!

 

I have a feeling we can't. Never tried to bring before.

Edited June 7, 2016 by aqc

[Biker19]

Sorry for such a newbie question but can we bring a small bottle of whisky instead of wine?

 

Sure, but it will likely be taken at the security check point. No, RCI's official policy is 2 750 ml bottles of wine only.

[aqc]

Sure, but it will likely be taken at the security check point. No, RCI's official policy is 2 750 ml bottles of wine only.

 

Thanks for the quick reply! Appreciate it. Will just probably bring wine and comply :)

[cruise47]

Is there anywhere still the port that you can purchase two bottles of wine before you board the ship?

[ari00]

Is there anywhere still the port that you can purchase two bottles of wine before you board the ship?

 

Manny's Liquor on the corner of 45th and Broadway. Nice selection of wines.

[Chico12]

My family of 6 (3 outside staterooms on deck 3) just got off the Anthem today. We are not diamond members so we cruised like the masses. We loved it overall. My daughter almost cried when we got off...she is 13 : )

 

Here are my random tips:

*On and off the ship was effortless

*We had 3 staterooms and brought on 6 bottles of wine, a case of water, an a 12 pack of soda. The case of water and 12 pack of soda were in a suitcase

*The Seaplex is fantastic for the kids from little guys to teens after dark

*gluten-free/peanut free cookies by Udi's can be found in the cafe promenade in a cookie jar behind the counter : ) Individually wrapped too!

*Izumi and Jamie's are FANTASTIC. And if you want that delish brownie sundae from the dessert menu they will give it to you for free at lunch time! Just go and ask for it. Plus Mommy got an espresso while she wanted : )--and it is PEANUT FREE!

*Pizza in Sorrento's is great for a snack and my kids loved it

*Dined in Grande, Silk, Chic, Solar Bistro, American Icon-all were very good. I was the only one with soda package which I stated but they never charged us for the other people that ordered soda. I like Solar Bistro the best...very healthy

*Tutti salad bar is alive and well in Chic on Sea Days

*Service is still alive on RC as well. When my son asked for his 10th brownie of the cruise and Chic did not have it at lunch time they went to Jamie's without us asking and brought it to him : )

*Cleve at the Sunshine bar makes THE BEST frozen Mojito and is generous with the wine pours. I always tipped an extra buck in cash and they knew my name and my drink

*Hang in Vintages to rub elbows with the Hotel Director. He knows his wine and when the Captain strolled thru he was teaching my son a cork trick...stopped the captain...introduced us and then took a pic on his phone and had it made for us by the photographers. It was delivered to our stateroom as was a bottle of wine and choc covered strawberries to all 3 of our staterooms! We spent a few nights in there and I am now officially a wine snob.

*When you Tender the line is crazy long from like 9:30-10:30. We went at 10:50 and no line. If you must leave at that time check both tender lines because one was WAY shorter than the other

*Buffet lunch on Coco was quite good

*Vintages has a wine station where you can try all the fine wines in 2, 4 or 6 oz pours. Loved this...you just put your card or wow band up to the scanner and voila! Sadly the card reader was malfunctioning most of the time so I would ask the bartender for whatever I wanted to try. Very nice to be able to try a small pour from a $100+ bottle of wine.

*Last couple nights all bottles of wine were 30% off so that CAYMUS was mine! (evil laughter). Was able to take it right away and enjoy with dinner

*can you tell I like wine?

*The fitness center spin classes were AMAZING. I had only spun once before and I went all 4 sea days and felt fab

*Fitness center was crowded during the usual busy times but it was manageable and state of the art

*Indoor pool was key for the colder days so plan on being able to swim or hang in your bathing suit for the entire cruise

*WOW bands....we loved having them except for one small issue which is just an annoyance. If you purchase a soda package onboard ..you still need your sea pass card with the sticker. Not sure about the other packages. I never had my sea pass card and they just gave me the soda regardless

*Windjammer was crowded during the usual hours but the food was good and hot. The waffles were like bricks first thing in the morning prob cause they had been sitting under the heat lamps waiting for the WJ to open. Get the second plate of waffles...lol. Also on that note the butter is also very cold if you go at 7am so picture cold brick waffle spread with very cold butter. Later the butter is warmer. I have a 7 year old boy that only wanted waffles so this was a daily battle...lol.

*Made to order omelets were very good but if you go during primetime be happy to wait at least 20 mins OR do yourself a favor and GO EARLY.

*Deck 5 was a lovely place to step out to spend a precious few moments alone to listen to the ocean in peace (if you do not have a balcony)

*Early cup of coffee and a nice bran muffin...6am-6:30am Cafe Promenade.

*Do not wait in the endless Guest services line. Get up at 6:30am and have NO LINE. I promise ....best way to go. OR do the opposite and got at 10pm.

*Seaplex waivers for bumper cars, roller skating, etc. The first time a parent has to go up and sign a waiver...this can take a while. Go with them the first time or they will come right back to you

*Northstar only does 360 degrees around on the first and last sea days

*You can standby for the Northstar but you could be there for an hour and it is cold right now....so dress accordingly for that. Don't lose your cool when you wait for an hour and then it gets too windy and they shut her down. It happens and it did happen!

*Large party (5 or more) you NEED to have your dining ressies lined up before you sail. We were never able to change ours because everything was booked--prob because were were a party of 6. What we were able to do was show up at 7:15 for a 7:45 ressie and get seated right away. By that time the larger parties that were seated earlier were done.

*Loads of photo ops with dreamwork characters...no real lines for that

*Make your Ifly and Northstar reservations PRIOR to the cruise. Everything was booked

*My girls loved Abe the cruise director late night/early morning show on the TV...apparently he is pretty funny : )

 

I am sure I will think of more later.

 

Small annoyances:

*free style machines were out of service or not calibrated correctly frequently

*Xbox controllers were not working and that was annoying to the kids because we were on a Spring break trip with lots of kids wanting to play

*Technology issues Royal iPad IQ pads were finicky and the Bionic bar was having issues; couple of out of service elevators

*THE CABIN DOORS DO NOT SHUT ON THEIR OWN...YOU HAVE TO PULL THEM CLOSED. My teenage daughters cabin door was always ajar (eye roll). Disturbing in the morning when I would go to the gym and see they slept all night with their door open.

 

We had a great time on this cruise...the ship is GORGEOUS and it certainly did Wow us. The service 95% was excellent. Were some people having a bad day or in the wrong line of work? Sure.. but the vast majority were great.

 

I have taken about 15 or so cruises..mostly with Royal but also sailed on Celebrity, MSC, and Disney.

 

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

WE ARE CONSIDERING CANCELLING THIS CRUISE AS WE HAVE READ THAT SMOKING IS PERMITTED IN PUBLIC PLACES, ie THE CASINO, is thtis the case?

[mixplix]

spin questions

 

1) did the bikes have clips - if so, which kind

2) what time were the spin classes

3) did they cost extra

4) could you use the bikes when there was no class in session

 

thanks,

mixplix

[ATLgirl15]

Smoking on Anthem seems to be consistent with other Royal ships - there is a designated outdoor area on deck 14 and a designated outdoor area on deck 5. The casino is divided with a smoking and non-smoking section. We played at non-smoking tables and didn't have any issues with smoke wandering over. Although if you are sitting right on the border you may still smell it. I can't speak to the conditions at the slot machines. At one point a smoker was walking through to the smoking area but already lit up and one of the staff specifically approached them to put it out.

[death_star]

spin questions

 

1) did the bikes have clips - if so, which kind

2) what time were the spin classes

3) did they cost extra

4) could you use the bikes when there was no class in session

 

thanks,

mixplix

 

They have clips but he didn't know.

In my past research (and experience on the Indy) they are in the AM and are extra. I have read that since it is a dedicated spin room they don't take the saddles out.

[mrschili]

WE ARE CONSIDERING CANCELLING THIS CRUISE AS WE HAVE READ THAT SMOKING IS PERMITTED IN PUBLIC PLACES, ie THE CASINO, is thtis the case?

 

Yes smoking is permitted in the casino.. and it smells quite awful most of the time... I even was a smoker and I couldn't stand it.

[seethesea429]

Does Vintages on Anthem offer tapas like on the Oasis class?

Edited July 12, 2016 by seethesea429

[Guest maddycat]

Does Vintages on Anthem offer tapas like on the Oasis class?

 

I don't know if it's like on the Oasis since I've never sailed on the Oasis, but you can get tapas in Vintages. The small plates are from Jamie's which is next door to Vintages and there is a fee.

[Floating Lanai]

Thanks for the info!