Review: 5 Night Bermuda on Anthem.

[Moltar]

We just got back yesterday from a beautiful 5 night cruise on Anthem of the Seas. Me, wife and 2 1/2 year old. This was our first time on a Quantum class.

 

Overall, I highly approve of the design, layout, activities, dining for the most part, etc.

 

Table of Contents:

 

Review & Pics

 

10 minute video of trip

 

Day 1.

 

We live about 45 minutes away from Cape Liberty so we left for the port at 11:45 and were checked in and on the ship by 1pm with our room ready. I didn't like the check-in in process.

Not because it took long but rather looked disorganized. There were lets say 10-15 RC Reps holding an Ipad spotted at odd and random locations. Some outside, some inside.

What that created was these multiple little pods of disorganized lines on who was next to speak to the Rep and check-in. I prefer the check-in process you do in Florida ports. No confusion.

We found a rep with small group around her and checked in with her. Some pods had 15 or more huddled around waiting. Again, thought it looked very disorganized.

Also a first, no SeaPass card at check-in, you hold onto your SetSail Pass to board and make any purchases like drink packages and such with it.

 

Since we got onboard shortly after 1pm our room was ready so we headed there first. Wedged into our room number sign was a cardboard envelope containing our SeaPass cards.

We had a balcony room on the 11th floor, 11700.

 

 

We were very happy with the room and especially the bathroom. Nice improvement on the bathroom design. Felt more spacious, especially the actual shower.

I didn't take a picture of that. Another first, the refrigerator is not pre-loaded with drinks. There is a check-off menu on the dresser.

You then checkoff what soft drinks you would like delivered to your room to have in your fridge, if any and hang it outside your door.

 

 

After a nice lunch at the Windjammer we went back to the room and headed down to Two70 where our muster station was. Ya know the drill.

After the muster, we sat and hung out to let the rush of people go and die down. Good thing. They played 2, 10-15 minute shows on those moving screens. Very cool.

 

 

Stay tuned for more.

Edited October 7, 2016 by Moltar

[vaborn2cruise]

Looking forward to your review. Nice to know about the refrigerator -- won't have to ask the room steward to remove the items to start with.

[nycfa]

HOW DID YOU GET YOUR TV TO MOVE?!?!? LOL

 

I swear we couldn't get ours to do that and I told my husband I swore it moves. LOL Maybe ours was busted! We were right down the hall in 11708....interested to hear your thoughts! And I will look for my family in your photos. LOL

[Moltar]

HOW DID YOU GET YOUR TV TO MOVE?!?!? LOL

 

I swear we couldn't get ours to do that and I told my husband I swore it moves. LOL Maybe ours was busted! We were right down the hall in 11708....interested to hear your thoughts! And I will look for my family in your photos. LOL

 

At first I thought it didn't move either. You have to grab the actual metal frame it is on and pull outwards. It has a small ball that pushes into a small hole to hold it firm against the wall, it is not an easy tug to loosen it from that, then you just push it back it till in clicks if you will to have it straight.

Edited October 7, 2016 by Moltar

[CruisingChick]

Thanks for the review and info, especially about moving the TV. I couldn't figure it out either and didn't want to break it, which knowing me would have happened.

[nycfa]

At first I thought it didn't move either. You have to grab the actual metal frame it is on and pull outwards. It has a small ball that pushes into a small hole to hold it firm against the wall, it is not an easy tug to loosen it from that, then you just push it back it till in clicks if you will to have it straight.

 

We messed with it for awhile but didn't want to break it either so we gave up. LOL Kept saying we should ask our steward but kept forgetting.

 

Wasn't a huge deal just made the kids steal our bed to watch TV. LOL

[Moltar]

No prob. I hear ya. I thought it would break too when I tried first. Touching up more photos as we speak. Have more of the first day and day 2 up shortly.

Edited October 7, 2016 by Moltar

[clochette]

great start, love seeing pictures

[RobinKS]

Following along. Thanks for the review!

[Hockey Nut Steve]

I was on the same cruise and had a great time. The Anthem is a great ship. Agree with the empty refrigerator. It was a joy not seeing it fully stocked where I was able to put my own drinks in to keep cool. We arrived at 915 and didn't have the problems you experienced. with the check-in.

[Moltar]

Day 1 Continued:

 

We ate dinner that night at Jamie's Italian. I highly recommend this restaurant. True, authentic, italian food. Just a great menu, great food.

We shared the meat plank with cheeses and olives, crispy calamar. I had the eggplant parmigiana, the little guy had meatballs and spaghetti and my wife

had the wild mushroom & smoked mozzarella risotto. My favorite restaurant of the trip. Menu can be seen here.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/anthemoftheseas/dining/restaurants/jamies-italian/http://

 

 

 

After dinner we strolled around the Royal Esplanade a bit and then took the little guy to Adventure Ocean "Open Play" room. The play room was awesome and spacious.

Tons of toys, blocks, cars, etc. My little guy really enjoyed it there. This room is not one of the nurseries, but, a playroom to bring your young ones to and play with.

 

 

 

Went back to the room and enjoyed the balcony view for the night.

 

 

 

So far, so good. Day 2 coming up.

Edited October 7, 2016 by Moltar

[Moltar]

Day 2 at Sea

 

Weather was much better when we wokeup around 10:30 or so in the morning and every hour by the hour kept getting warmer.

By the time we were ready to get out on the ship for something to eat it was already lunch time. Went to the Windjammer.

No complaints. I had a thing for their chicken curry and rice.

 

 

 

We had a 12:30 reservation for the North Star that day.

 

 

 

Since this was only a 5 night cruise, North Star did not have the time to go over the side of the ship as well, if they did so, they would not have been able to get everyone on North Star before the cruise ended.

It was a cool experience but was definitely missing the over the side part. That would have been a very cool site and to look down and be 300 feet high over the ocean directly.

Spent the next few hours on the pool deck mainly at the wave pool and watched some of ther Jet game out there. I'm a Giant fan so it was horrible for both of us on that ship.

 

 

Went back to the room in the late afternoon and relaxed there until dinner at Silk @ 7:30.

 

More on Night 2 coming up.

Edited October 7, 2016 by Moltar

[khank]

Loving your review so far - looking forward to the rest! We sail this itinerary September 2017. Did you have a good view of the NY skyline & Liberty Island when you sailed?

[cruise47]

Great review and thanks for the information on the ref and tv.

Where was my cabin Stewart?

[Moltar]

Loving your review so far - looking forward to the rest! We sail this itinerary September 2017. Did you have a good view of the NY skyline & Liberty Island when you sailed?

 

Thank you :) I was actually caught up in two70 watching those 2 short moving screen shows and then wandering a bit back to the room. By the time it hit me that maybe I should be outside watching us sail away and maybe catch all that stuff, we were just finishing going under the Verrrazano Bridge.

[Moltar]

Night 2.

 

We went with Dynamic Dining as you probably already guessed. We had reservations at Silk for 7:30. For apps my wife had the vietnamese pork tacos & Miso soup.

I went with the Tom Yum Gai soup & crab rangoon. I had no issues and found them to be good. Wife thought her apps were good as well. Our mains were, for me, the duck. Loved it.

For her, Spicy garlic shrimp and she wasn't crazy about it. I didn't try it. The Boss had chicken fingers. So far so good with this Dynamic Dining. Although we both did miss having the same wait staff.

That can really make your cruise even better if you have a crew that has a lively personality.

 

After dinner, we checked out two70.

 

 

two70 is something special at night. I loved the space screen the best and the world city skyline. Bummer is they roll up those screens at midnight.

Went down there to relax one night and zone out on those screens but it was just the dark of night through the windows. I don't understand why they don't let those displays roll till 2,3 or 4am.

Bar is closed, no problem but why can't we night owls enjoy those views?

 

 

Watched some of the Steelers - Chiefs game for a few then went down to the casino to play some craps. Dice were ice cold. Called it a night around 2am.

 

Edited October 8, 2016 by Moltar

[Moltar]

Here are the pics from the first post that went a little haywire. Day 3 coming up later today after work.

 

 

 

Day 3 coming up after work.

[Yorkvillain]

Spent the next few hours on the pool deck mainly at the wave pool and watched some of the Jet game out there. I'm a Giant fan so it was horrible for both of us on that ship.

 

 

Lol. I feel your pain. [emoji3]

 

Loving your review Moltar. Looking forward to the rest.

[cincicruisers]

Enjoying your review.

[Moltar]

Thanks & thanks. I'm going to look for the compasses I saved too. Won't be off work till 6 and dinner birthday so next update around 830~900

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Lady_831]

Loving the review and the pics! sailing on her next Saturday.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[Moltar]

Day 3. Bermuda.

 

I really don't like group tours. With that, we booked a day tour on our own with just us 3. He took us around the island and gave in depth details on things. He was also the unofficial mayor, every 2 minutes someone was yelling his name or he was yelling someones. Very friendly older gentlemen. We asked him where a great place to get lunch was and he suggested Wahoo's in St.George. Great food and location. Went to the lighthouse, Royal Naval Cemetery, smallest drawbridge for boats, western hemispheres oldest church, Long Bay beach, watched team America train for Americas Cup and the footage I have is amazing, you'll love it in the video at the end of the review, and a few other places. It was a great day and Bermuda is a beautiful country. I am already interested in doing another 5 day Bermuda for next year in October.

 

 

 

More pictures from day 3 and thoughts coming tonight

Edited October 8, 2016 by Moltar

[cruiser12]

Is not to be missed. I was on the same 5 day, didn't want to get off. Very easy check in. Went right to cabin to drop off carry on. Had a quick bite, then did our own tour of this amazing ship.

Ate at The Italian Resturant ( first night) followed up by The Seakhouse and the Surprise was WONDERLAND - what a dinning experience ♥️♥️♥️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.

We were 14 - Crazy Cousins - cousins by the dozens -

If you truly enjoy live entertainment the shows are not to again be missed.

Mini - con. No makeup mirror, no outside light for balcony - not that I could find anywhere ? Not a fan of the card for lights or that they were left out side door for pick up -

 

We are working on putting together a few more cruises - can not imagine not being on Anthem - 💋💋💋

[JaniceB]

Enjoying your review and pictures.

[Guest maddycat]

Is not to be missed. I was on the same 5 day, didn't want to get off. Very easy check in. Went right to cabin to drop off carry on. Had a quick bite, then did our own tour of this amazing ship.

Ate at The Italian Resturant ( first night) followed up by The Seakhouse and the Surprise was WONDERLAND - what a dinning experience ♥️♥️♥️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.

We were 14 - Crazy Cousins - cousins by the dozens -

If you truly enjoy live entertainment the shows are not to again be missed.

Mini - con. No makeup mirror, no outside light for balcony - not that I could find anywhere ? Not a fan of the card for lights or that they were left out side door for pick up -

 

We are working on putting together a few more cruises - can not imagine not being on Anthem - 💋💋💋

 

You can leave any card in the slot to power the lights and ac. It doesn't have to be your seapass card. We used an old AAA card and left it in the slot at all times.