Anthem review - June 11-16 to Bermuda

[Bally01]

Good morning CC. After reading so many reviews prior to our cruise, I think it did help quite a bit. So therefore I am going to do a quick review of our trip.

 

I will break it down in a few organized posts, but hope to have it all done this morning. Also have a few pics to post. Also willing to answer questions if I can.

 

 

The trip:

 

Ship: Anthem of the Seas

Embark: Bayonne, NJ

Ports: Bermuda

Dates: Saturday, June 11th thru Thursday, June 16th

 

 

 

About us:

 

I am 40, wife is 39. We have two daughters ages 20 and 16. We live in southeast Connecticut. I am a police officer and wife manages a high end cosmetics store. I am the planner, who wants to do everything the trip has to offer....use every minute.....go go go. Wife is more spur of the moment and tolerates my planning schedules.

 

 

We do not take a million photos, but rather just here and there with our cell phones. I will post a few here....hoping they come up large enough to be worth posting.

 

 

Us:

 

[bkrickles1]

Looking forward to it.

Taking same cruise July 23

Any chance you saved compasses and could upload them?

Thanks and hope you had a great cruise

 

 

Good morning CC. After reading so many reviews prior to our cruise, I think it did help quite a bit. So therefore I am going to do a quick review of our trip.

 

I will break it down in a few organized posts, but hope to have it all done this morning. Also have a few pics to post. Also willing to answer questions if I can.

 

 

The trip:

 

Ship: Anthem of the Seas

Embark: Bayonne, NJ

Ports: Bermuda

Dates: Saturday, June 11th thru Thursday, June 16th

 

 

 

About us:

 

I am 40, wife is 39. We have two daughters ages 20 and 16. We live in southeast Connecticut. I am a police officer and wife manages a high end cosmetics store. I am the planner, who wants to do everything the trip has to offer....use every minute.....go go go. Wife is more spur of the moment and tolerates my planning schedules.

 

 

We do not take a million photos, but rather just here and there with our cell phones. I will post a few here....hoping they come up large enough to be worth posting.

 

 

Us:

 

[scottygirl]

Ditto to bkrickles1 post!^^^^

[Bally01]

We left Connecticut by car on Saturday morning around 7am. We hit zero traffic and was at the port by 10am. Our check in time was 10:30am.

 

Drove up to the pier, checked in suitcases at the curb and parked the car in the parking garage. Walked out of garage and immediately found people wanting to check us in. We were asked a few health questions, received our stamps and off we went. This entire process took about 10 minutes tops. Very easy.

 

 

Parking was $100 cash or credit. They have people inside the garage to handle it. Just drive in and they will direct you.

 

 

So after that, we walked into the terminal building. A holding pen if you will. They tell you which row to sit in and then you just wait. (Below is pic of the area) Sorry about the angle, just held phone up and snapped pic. Its large but not much to do in there.

 

We were in here about 30-45 mins before they started letting people on, row by row. Once it started, we were on the ship in about 5 mins. Again very simple process.

 

Edited June 17, 2016 by Bally01
Pics not showing

[Bally01]

Looking forward to it.

Taking same cruise July 23

Any chance you saved compasses and could upload them?

Thanks and hope you had a great cruise

 

 

 

I think I have them here at home. I will look for them today and try to have them up.

[scottygirl]

We left Connecticut by car on Saturday morning around 7am. We hit zero traffic and was at the port by 10am. Our check in time was 10:30am.

 

Drove up to the pier, checked in suitcases at the curb and parked the car in the parking garage. Walked out of garage and immediately found people wanting to check us in. We were asked a few health questions, received our stamps and off we went. This entire process took about 10 minutes tops. Very easy.

 

 

Parking was $100 cash or credit. They have people inside the garage to handle it. Just drive in and they will direct you.

 

 

So after that, we walked into the terminal building. A holding pen if you will. They tell you which row to sit in and then you just wait. (Below is pic of the area) Sorry about the angle, just held phone up and snapped pic. Its large but not much to do in there.

 

We were in here about 30-45 mins before they started letting people on, row by row. Once it started, we were on the ship in about 5 mins. Again very simple process.

 

 

Can't see your pics

[Bally01]

Once on board, we went to the Cafe 270 for lunch as we heard so may people jam into the Windjammer for lunch.

 

Was a very short line with sandwiches already made. Pick what you want, they heat them up on a grille then move and get sides....salads, chips, fruit, drinks.....then off into 270 to sit and eat.

 

Food was very good, but I will let you know that we are not foodies. We are completely happy with a meal at Chili's, so we are satisfied with most food we get anywhere.

 

 

The 270 area is really impressive. Once we walked in we were wow'd. Easily found a place to sit, grabbed some drinks from the bar in there (we both had premium booze packages) and ate our lunch. Below is weird angle pic from bar when I was ordering my first adult beverage of the trip.

 

Edited June 17, 2016 by Bally01
Pics not showing

[Bally01]

Can't see your pics

 

 

 

Hmmm....let me try to fix that before I move on. I see them here, let me know.

 

I added as thumbnails too. Smaller, but hopefully able to see now.

Edited June 17, 2016 by Bally01

[scottygirl]

Hmmm....let me try to fix that before I move on. I see them here, let me know.

 

 

I'm on my computer at work and can't see your pics. I checked the app on my phone also and can't see them.

[scottygirl]

Well now they have shown up!

[Bally01]

Well now they have shown up!

 

 

Thanks, I will add all as thumbnails I guess. Small pics that way, but at least they are there. Guess Im not CC savy on posting pics.

[LadyLion_AP]

Subscribing! On the July 23rd sailing as well.

[Bally01]

Ok.....before more detail.

 

 

About the ship:

 

Never once did it seem to be crowded. The busiest place was always the Windjammer, but we never once had a hard time finding a place to sit and eat. Everywhere we went, there were places to sit (with one exception, which I will explain in entertainment post)

 

 

Although the ship is big, its really not too big. Floors 3,4,5, 14 and 15 are where everything is. Everything else is mostly just cabins. So navigating the ship is very easy.

 

The ship was clean, beautiful and well laid out. The staff....everywhere....was absolutely fantastic. All friendly, happy and willing to assist in any way.

 

 

The stores on board are kind of out of touch for us. If you want a $5,000 watch, $400 pair of jeans or high end makeup, then maybe it is for you. (Wife did buy some makeup......:( )

 

 

Random pics: Tried a new way to post them...let me know if showing or too small......Ughhh

 

Edited June 17, 2016 by Bally01
typo

[bkrickles1]

If you haven't already subscribe to roll call too

 

Subscribing! On the July 23rd sailing as well.

[Bally01]

Ok, so the pics are starting to frustrate me...I will keep posting, but if not working great, I will figure it out then do a few pic only posts to this thread later. Sorry, not sure why I'm having such a hard time with it.

 

 

 

Bayonne:

 

Truly an industrial pier. Nothing there to see but ugly buildings, but easy to navigate.

 

 

Sailing away:

 

Great view of Manhatten. (pic below)

 

 

Cabin:

 

We had room 7608. A balcony room near middle of ship. An adjoining room, which we did not know the people on the other side, and heard horror stories of noise from these forums.

 

Our room (pics below) was great. Clean, spacious and room attendant Allen was the best. The room next to us had two very young children and the only time we could ever hear them was when they were on their balcony....which was almost never. Besides that we heard nothing from our room....not even the Captain's daily messages.

 

The bathroom was small, but very nice and clean.

 

Plenty of storage, and believe me we packed wayyyyy to much.

 

The TV is surprisingly valuable. You can order room service from it, which we did one morning. You can check you bill, view daily compass, reservations, menus and many other things. Very good idea.

 

 

When we ordered breakfast for room service one morning, they immediately called our room and said it would be about an hour. However in about 15 minutes, our food was at the door. Yes....it was very good. I mean how does one even try to mess up breakfast anyways?

 

[baileymouse]

Aw, it's not the prettiest port for sure but the views are good and the 9/11 Memorial is right there at the end of the pier.

 

Great review so far, looking forward to reading the rest.

[Bally01]

Restaurants:

 

 

Not being foodies.....we did not dine at any of the specialty places. Just the complementary restaurants. Each night we were seated at a table for 2, most of the time it was right at a window which was nice.

 

Night #1 we had American Icon. My least favorite of them all. Don't get me wrong, service was great, food was decent and the design was nice. Just my least favorite of them all.

 

Night #2 was Silk. By far our favorite. Food was amazing. Service was amazing. Design was amazing. The best in our opinion. Wish we booked more here. (Actually tried to switch a night but was all booked up)

 

Night #3 was The Grande. Good, good and good. Again no issues or complaints here. Some guys showed up without suit jackets, they made them wear loaners. One guy brought it to his table, draped it over his chair and they told him he had to wear it. So he did.

 

Night #4 was Chic. This was our second favorite. They treated us like we were owners of Royal Caribbean. They just kept bringing us desserts, champagne and offering the world to us. Again, food was good, service was amazing and design was good.

 

Night #5 we returned to The Grande. (booked months earlier or we would have chosen Silk or Chic) This night guys were wearing shorts, t-shirts and sneakers. Maybe since it was last night and everyone was packing to leave. But what a contrast.

 

 

 

Breakfast every morning we ate at Windjammer. Tons of great food. Omelette stations and basically anything else you can imagine for breakfast.

 

 

For lunch we ate at Cafe 270 twice, which was good. We ate at Johnny Rockets once (extra cost of $7.50 total for two of us) and we ate in Bermuda twice. We did look in the Windjammer one day for lunch and to be honest we did not like anything we saw, so that is why we hit Johnny Rockets.

 

 

Few more random pics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ATLgirl15]

That's funny you mention about staff being everywhere. We felt the complete opposite. Everyone was sooo nice and helpful - no complaints about service whatsoever but it seemed like they were less visible than usual. Maybe it's all the technology eliminated jobs. the one thing that stood out was that we never officially met our room attendant. I rarely saw any in the hall (which maybe is a good thing and done on purpose). But it seems odd. Usually they make a point of introducing themselves and giving a card with their name and contact. Come to think of it I don't know his name. but he did his job and we have no complaints -just seemed less personal than usual.

[Bally01]

Entertainment:

 

We found the best bars to be at were Schooner bar on floor 5 and The Music Hall on decks 4 and 5. There was always things going on here.

 

 

The ship has it all really, singing, dancing, trivia, game shows, parties, karaoke..... you name it...its there.

 

Shows:

 

The Gift. (in 270) We heard it was weird and hard to follow, but it ended up being my wife's favorite show RC put on. It all comes together at the end if you pay attention.

 

We Will Rock You. (in Grand Theater) We stayed for about half of it. I liked it, wife did not. But we left for another reason....(See below)

 

Spectra's Cabaret. (in 270) We both liked this show. Entertaining music and dancing. They are right on top of the audience for a lot of it. Which made it really interesting.

 

The Quest game show. (in 270) Oh my.....what can I say about this show, game......its audience participation if you sit in lower level. Top level you are safe. I haven't laughed that hard in years. So funny. People are crazy. Don't go if you are easily offended, politically correct or are not ok with some people stripping their clothes down a bit. An awesome show hosted by the cruise director Dru Pavlov. (by the way, Dru is everywhere and a great Cruise Director)

 

Love and Marriage game show. (in Grand Theater) They picked three couples from audience. It basically the newlywed game. Very funny and again hosted by Dru.

 

60 Seconds or less game show. (in Music Hall) Not great. Boring really. We left.

 

 

Best thing the ship had to offer.......Mo5aic. This was a 5 man group brought on for our trip. They were simply amazing. Filled the Grand Theater and left to a standing ovation. I can't explain them much more than saying wow. Maybe search youtube for them.

 

The next night they did a more intimate show in the music hall. This is when we left We Will Rock You in time to see them again. Yes they were that good. Unfortunately, the Music Hall which is huge and has two levels....was beyond capacity. We were forced to stand on a staircase with obstructed view. People were everywhere...it was insane.

 

The casino:

 

We are not gamblers. We live 20 minutes from two of the largest casinos in the world here in CT and never gamble. When we go it is always for food, drinks and dancing. That being said, we ventured to the casino one night and gambled. Wife blew $20 in slots in about 20 minutes. I played a few hands of blackjack at $10 minimum bet and walked away up by $60. Nice place, but people can smoke there and it is oddly in an area at the bottom of the ship kinda by itself.

 

Anthem Rocks:

 

Party in Music Hall the last night. I really liked it, wife didn't. Lip sync by staff, dancing, party atmosphere.

 

 

Wear white party:

 

A bust. Everyone was to wear white in Solarium one night starting at 10pm. Not may people came.

 

70's party:

 

We missed it. Not sure how it ended up.

 

 

Seaplex:

 

Cool place. We did bumper cars once. Had to wait about 5 mins. Warning....the cars are probably the hardest hitting bumper cars I have ever been on. When you get hit...you get hit. But we had fun, laughing the whole time.

 

Table tennis, video games, basketball, volleyball, roller skating...its all there.

 

We did not do, but watched/saw:

 

I-Fly (Not as easy at it looks on videos)

Surfing (ditto)

Rock wall climbing

 

People had a good time on these.

 

 

Pools:

 

We used the pools and hot tubs in Solarium mostly. Very nice. One hot tub was kinda cold, but rest were very nice. Main action was at outdoor pool.

 

 

I did participate in a staff vs. guests pool volleyball competition. They claim to have never lost, but they lost the first match. They are average at best! Fun event.

 

We did the North Star while in port in Bermuda. Very cool. See pics below.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 17, 2016 by Bally01
typo

[Bally01]

That's funny you mention about staff being everywhere. We felt the complete opposite. Everyone was sooo nice and helpful - no complaints about service whatsoever but it seemed like they were less visible than usual. Maybe it's all the technology eliminated jobs. the one thing that stood out was that we never officially met our room attendant. I rarely saw any in the hall (which maybe is a good thing and done on purpose). But it seems odd. Usually they make a point of introducing themselves and giving a card with their name and contact. Come to think of it I don't know his name. but he did his job and we have no complaints -just seemed less personal than usual.

 

 

 

Sorry, I meant staff everywhere we came in contact with them was great. Not that there was staff everywhere.

 

Our room attendant was great. Introduced himself on day 1 and talked with us everyday at least twice. He gave his card, made towel animals and could not have been any better.

Edited June 17, 2016 by Bally01
typo

[Bally01]

Passengers on board:

 

I heard all the negatives.....people complain about everything.....New Yorkers all over the ship making it horrible.....blah blah blah.

 

 

People were great and very well behaved. (With one exception)

 

We never saw anything in regards to complaining, arguing or anything of the sorts. And although we live an hour from NY, we are not New Yorkers. Everyone was great

 

 

 

The one exception:

 

There was a comedian on board who did one adult only late night comedy show. I love comedy shows.

 

Steve Docheme or something close to that. He started the show and within minutes was distracted by one family/wedding party in the front row. They were about 20-30 people. They kept commenting and he basically cracked jokes with them the rest of the show. He was taken way off his script I thought.

 

Ruined the show.

Edited June 17, 2016 by Bally01

[Bally01]

Random pics.....

 

More to come later on Bermuda and other things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bally01]

Bermuda:

 

We loved Bermuda. Nice people and nice places to visit. Day 1 we got off the boat and walked around the area right off the boat. Shops, a tiny mall as well as a few bars. One bar is Calico Jacks. An old ship right off the pier which has been converted to a bar. It has a real wooden plank that you can walk off and jump into the water. Very cool.

 

We then took the ferry to Hamilton. $5 per person for the ferry ride. Takes about 20-30 minutes.

 

We then walked around Hamilton. Shopped, ate lunch and had some drinks at Flanagan's Irish Pub......yeah.....we ate at an Irish place in Bermuda.....the food and drinks were very good $65 with tip included. Nice seat on the balcony. (See pics)

 

From there we took a taxi to Horseshoe Beach. $25 for the ride. Nice look at other parts of the island and a great conversation with driver along the way.

 

Once at Horseshoe Beach.....was a very windy day so sand was being whipped around quite a bit. We took some pictures, got in the water, which was cold but you get used to it fairly quick. We then went in the one building to get a drink. The bar was a few teens mixing random drinks with ice from a cooler and random bottles. Drinks were ok. Beautiful place, but not our favorite.

 

We then took a bus back to the ship, $7 per person.

 

We had a Pirate/Booze glass bottom boat excursion at 6:30 pm. They cancelled it as it looked like it was going to storm. (it didn't storm)

 

 

Day two, we paid to explore the Naval yard right near the boat. Interesting if you like history. It also allows you to get very close to the swim with the dolphins excursion. Great photo opportunities as well.

 

We then went to the Snorkel Beach area that we had no clue was so close to the ship. We only saw it from the naval yard and decided to go. This was our spot. Beach, bars, chairs to sit, mini golf, volleyball,entertainment and food. We had a few drinks, ate some lunch and hung out a bit before heading to the ship for our North Star reservation. If you order anything for food......expect to wait 45 minutes. But everything was very good.

 

Really wish we knew about that spot sooner.

 

 

Bermuda is great place. No one hassles you at the pier, people are very friendly and we enjoyed our visit.

 

 

 

 

 

[Bally01]

More pics of Bermuda...

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bally01]

Few more