Secrets on the Anthem

[Lily2006]

Any hidden secrets to know about or first thing to do as soon as you get no the ship? Things you can share ahead? We leave in two weeks.

thanks so much

[1luckylady]

I'd like to see an answer on this too. We are cruising in February..

[Cruising Golfer]

Go to Two 70 for lunch, you will miss the crowds in the Windjammer. Great place for sail away also... :cool:

[Snoopycollector]

Not really "secrets" but info I learned here prior to sailing and some I learned during...

 

If you haven't booked Ripcord or Northstar, or shows - go to the lower level lobby of the theatre FIRST THING - and you can make reservations. They will have the full entertainment schedule available there for you to view (and take a copy.)

 

If you need specialty dining -- or you've purchased the BOGO for the first 2 nights and need to check or change the your reservations -- go to any specialty restaurant and ask them to check for you. They can change them.

 

Not news - but the Windjammer will be PACKED ! If you don't HAVE to eat there, try Cafe 270 -- probably much less crowded.

 

Soft serve yogurt on the pool deck closes around 6pm -- opens around 11:30am. Make sure you get there when it's working. There is usually a line of people and there is a sink there to wash your hands first -- and an attendant making sure you do so. Paper towels not always available.

 

Be open to trying the Windjammer for dinner ! Not crazy crowded like at lunch or breakfast. We found they make AWESOME soft pretzel breadsticks -- only at dinner. They were making huge donut holes for dessert the night we went -- chef was frying them and then dipping them in chocolate, etc. YUM !!

 

BOGO happy hour is every afternoon (330 - 430) in Boleros -- their BOGO drink changes from day to day. I didn't see a standard "Drink of the Day" in the Compass.

 

That's all I can think of right now -- I'm sure something else will occur to me later.

 

Sandy

[MikeandConnie]

Not really "secrets" but info I learned here prior to sailing and some I learned during...

 

If you haven't booked Ripcord or Northstar, or shows - go to the lower level lobby of the theatre FIRST THING - and you can make reservations. They will have the full entertainment schedule available there for you to view (and take a copy.)

 

If you need specialty dining -- or you've purchased the BOGO for the first 2 nights and need to check or change the your reservations -- go to any specialty restaurant and ask them to check for you. They can change them.

 

Not news - but the Windjammer will be PACKED ! If you don't HAVE to eat there, try Cafe 270 -- probably much less crowded.

 

Soft serve yogurt on the pool deck closes around 6pm -- opens around 11:30am. Make sure you get there when it's working. There is usually a line of people and there is a sink there to wash your hands first -- and an attendant making sure you do so. Paper towels not always available.

 

Be open to trying the Windjammer for dinner ! Not crazy crowded like at lunch or breakfast. We found they make AWESOME soft pretzel breadsticks -- only at dinner. They were making huge donut holes for dessert the night we went -- chef was frying them and then dipping them in chocolate, etc. YUM !!

 

BOGO happy hour is every afternoon (330 - 430) in Boleros -- their BOGO drink changes from day to day. I didn't see a standard "Drink of the Day" in the Compass.

 

That's all I can think of right now -- I'm sure something else will occur to me later.

 

Sandy

 

 

Thanks !! Sailing in 23 days, first time on the Anthem.. keep em' coming ! :)

[holden0301]

I don't think you can book Puzzlebreak online. Go to SeaPlex as soon as you board and find the line to book it.

 

If you want to rollerskate/bumpercars, pay close attention to the Compass. Some times are adults only. Arrive approx. 20 min. before the session begins. If you haven't signed a waiver yet, arrive at least 30min. before to sign the waiver (separate line).

 

Eat at Wonderland if you are adventurous!

[Snoopycollector]

Thanks !! Sailing in 23 days, first time on the Anthem.. keep em' coming ! :)

 

I learned this on CC before I sailed -- and since Dynamic Dining will still be happening -- you might find this useful:

 

Wherever you are dining (Chic, American Icon, Grand, Silk) -- check the menu of the restaurant next door -- if you see something on the other menu, and ask your waiter nicely -- he/she can get it for you. My nephews LOVE miso soup, and I knew about this "tip" so I asked our waiter the night we dined across from Silk, and he said "no problem" -- when he saw how excited my nephews were about the soup -- he made it a point to bring it to them EVERY NIGHT no matter where we were dining. (We had Dynamic Classic - rotating locations, same waiter) Of course, I was then the coolest aunt ever !:cool:

 

We repeated that routine with dessert once we saw the cookie/ice cream skillets offered.... our waiter (Stephan Franklyn - from St Vincent I think) was awesome !!!

 

Food allergy tip -- the bread in the basket on the table -- one or more has nuts. If you are allergic, ask your waiter to bring you some nut-free breads.

 

OH -- see, I knew they'd come to me.... the "tutti salad bar" is located in Chic on sea days. Ask to sit in Clive's section. We made him a little crazy (in a good way) -- I don't remember exactly what the menu item was, but among the description was the word "raclette" -- and not being cheese gourmands... we had no idea what it was so we asked him. He came back after a long delay and said it was cheese. And the S'mores dessert at lunch in Chic - it's a beverage -- NOT anything close to graham crackers, with chocolate and marshmallows. If you were to ask what it was, he'd tell you it was a beverage... but if you assume, you are very surprised. The beignets were delicious !! (I requested Clive's section every time we were in Chic -- we made him laugh.)

 

Having said that -- be on time -- be EARLY -- for your ripcord appointment, no matter what anyone tells you. The entrance is near Gigi the giraffe.

 

Have a great time !! We loved Anthem so much -- we're going again in March 2017 !!

[Snoopycollector]

I don't think you can book Puzzlebreak online. Go to SeaPlex as soon as you board and find the line to book it.

 

If you want to rollerskate/bumpercars, pay close attention to the Compass. Some times are adults only. Arrive approx. 20 min. before the session begins. If you haven't signed a waiver yet, arrive at least 30min. before to sign the waiver (separate line).

 

Eat at Wonderland if you are adventurous!

 

I had somehow managed to book the Puzzle Break online in advance -- but it was very close to sailing -- maybe 2 or 3 weeks. All of the other items were not available to book online by that time. I think you could book the Puzzle room in the same spot in the theater lobby where you can reserve North Star and Rip Cord and the shows.

 

Bumper Cars -- show up before they start to get in line. It moves quickly and once they know they are going to run out of time, they will close the line. The cars only go for about 2 hours per session. I think it was 6 - 7 or 6-8 when we went and we got there around 5:45 before going to dinner (at the Windjammer or JR's) You only get to drive them for about 2 mins.

[dpostman]

Anthem outside observation wings. head all the way to the front of the solarium, then walk all the way to either side. You'll find an inconspicuous door leading to an observation deck that juts out of the side of the ship giving you a view normally reserved to only the ships officers.

 

dp

[livelovelaugh84]

I agree with going to Two 70 for lunch on embarkation day. In fact we preferred it for lunch most days!

 

If you are doing ripcord make sure you're wearing shoes that tie up (sneakers/trainers) OR have socks on to borrow their shoes. I went in Toms without socks so had to convince my friend to take his socks off for me to borrow them! Not ideal!!

 

I'd only ever sailed on Freedom class before so was surprised at the difference in the solarium on Anthem. It was lovely but got very hot! I wish hey could have opened the roof up or something!

 

The bionic bar is a gimmick. It's fun to watch but the drinks produced are not good! Definitely not worth purchasing if you don't have an inclusive package!

 

The solarium bar stays open late and you can head down there for a pina colada and some music in the evening. We only discovered that at the end of our cruise and would have liked to have known sooner!

 

Enjoy - you're going to have a great time!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[LovesCruising]

Jamies was open for us on boarding day - surcharge was $20 PP - so worth it!!

[Irvineatty]

We ate lunch at 270 Café upon boarding and there were only a few people in line in front of us.

 

We discovered that the Northstar was opened up without reservations immediately after the pre-sail safety muster call. We ended up with the best view of the Statue of Liberty and NYC skyline. See my pictures here.

 

https://goo.gl/photos/8gPFxgocppnmeiVe6

Edited October 7, 2016 by Irvineatty

[lucymorgan]

Great question and great tips from everyone! :D

 

Does anyone know approximately when bookings (for restaurants etc) start to open? Our cruise is 11 months away.

 

Thanks

[Clarea]

Great question and great tips from everyone! :D

 

Does anyone know approximately when bookings (for restaurants etc) start to open? Our cruise is 11 months away.

 

Thanks

There's no set time or pattern to when bookings open. Keep checking your Cruise Planner.

[lucymorgan]

There's no set time or pattern to when bookings open. Keep checking your Cruise Planner.

 

Thanks Clarea. I was hoping to avoid having to check constantly, but I think I will check at least once a week, increasing frequency as we get closer. :)

[Clarea]

Thanks Clarea. I was hoping to avoid having to check constantly, but I think I will check at least once a week, increasing frequency as we get closer. :)

Another good place to check is your Roll Call. Someone usually announces the various openings there.

[dpostman]

Anthem outside observation wings. head all the way to the front of the solarium, then walk all the way to either side. You'll find an inconspicuous door leading to an observation deck that juts out of the side of the ship giving you a view normally reserved to only the ships officers.

 

dp

 

Here is a link to "Spaniel Lover" great video of the Solarium. At 4:10 into the video, he shows a few hidden gems of the solarium, and how to get to those observation decks.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=49747443&postcount=6

 

dp

Edited October 7, 2016 by dpostman

[davy jones]

Is the Solarium Bistro open for lunch on embarkation day?

[Life is Good Cruising]

Go to Deck 14, walk up a few steps to the glass floor and look down.

[sammydh82]

If you are at all interested in trying out the Trapeze School pay attention to the cruise compass as well. It was only 2 hour sessions (broken into 1/2 hours) and like 10 to maybe 15 people per 1/2 hour session. They filled up quickly so I would recommend showing up to the Seaplex ahead of the scheduled start time! :D

 

Roller skating was the same way... 2 hour sessions that were sporadic. You have to have socks and they provide helmets that you are required to wear! I don't even like roller skating but we did it because we were roller skating on a cruise ship! haha

Edited October 7, 2016 by sammydh82

[Biker19]

Another good place to check is your Roll Call. Someone usually announces the various openings there.

 

+1, subscribe to that thread and you'll get an e-mail.

[53sunset]

The best secret we found was on Deck 6 aft. If you go all the way to the end of deck 6 and go around the corner you'll find a set of double doors that aren't marked, open the doors and you'll be at the top level of 270 and the library, you can go through the library, computer stations, and down the stars to enter 270. It's well worth your time to check it out. Enjoy your cruise. :)

[Moltar]

If you smoke, vape,. They have a beautiful smoking lounge on Deck 5 Starboard outside. Specialty restaurants are only open from 12 noon to 1:30pm for lunch, ridiculous. Casino Bar is now non smoking, but, there is a section of the casino designated for smoking. The elevators are ridiculously out of tune or something. Took forever to get one. Could be due to a slightly older crowd. Be pepared to wait awhile for an elevator.

[Irvineatty]

Here's a little trick I discovered to deal with the few times that there were waits for the elevator.

 

During peak elevator times when everyone is waiting to go down from Windjammer on Level 14, it is often quicker to take the "up" elevator to 15, which then often goes down and skips 14. Something about the way the elevators are programmed that makes them do this. I can't explain it, but we found this to be the case.

[MikeandConnie]

The best secret we found was on Deck 6 aft. If you go all the way to the end of deck 6 and go around the corner you'll find a set of double doors that aren't marked, open the doors and you'll be at the top level of 270 and the library, you can go through the library, computer stations, and down the stars to enter 270. It's well worth your time to check it out. Enjoy your cruise. :)

 

Our cabin is in 6 aft, this is great to know...Thanks !! :)