Anthem Eastern Caribbean Itinerary out of Cape Liberty, I have concerns

[ImpulsivePuppy]

Thinking of doing the Anthem in October as it fits in nicely with my kid's fall break. (yeah, yeah, we never had that when we were kids) But I am a little unsure if this itinerary is even worth it. Having family in Florida that we visit fairly frequently Port Canaveral doesn't seem like a great port to stop in. Am I wrong about that? On first thought it just doesn't seem too exotic or exciting. Coco Cay is great for a beach day. Nassau seems to be the only stop with any sort of intrigue. I am interested in the ship itself but three sea days seems like a tad much. But again, I could be wrong. I'd be interested in knowing what the consensus is on this cruise. Is the ship the main attraction? And just as an aside, why did RCL choose to sail out of NY where the weather may not be that conducive to that first and last sea day, not to mention the travel of the distance to and from the Caribbean takes the opportunity away for an additional port day. Thanks so much!

[Clarea]

I would not fly to New Jersey to cruise to Florida, Bahamas, or Caribbean. I'd fly direct to Florida. I think Anthem is a great option for those in the NY area who can drive to the port, but I would not want to waste 2 days in cool weather.

[Ocean Dancer]

The Anthem was built for cooler climates. There is so much to do indoors like bumper cars, puzzle room, watching two70 that the ship with an indoor pool actually is the destination. Drop your winter clothes upon boarding and you are in the Caribbean. Shorts and sandals are the dress during the day, and the ship has so much night life that you will be blown away.

 

We did 12 days with 3 sea days each way and would have loved more. Have a great cruise!!

[toras]

Note this is called a Bahamas cruise. Caribbean destinations are south of Bahamas.

 

I'm going on this cruise even though I've been to Nassau and don't like it much. Port Canaveral is not interesting either. But the ship is the destination (and because of the proximity to Cape Liberty - we don't have to fly there), and looking forward to snorkeling in Coco Cay - just hope we don't skip that port due to bad weather!

[Fouremco]

At that time of year, you might want to consider looking at a Canada - New England cruise if you are going to fly to the east coast.

[teddybear231]

We did a family reunion cruise about 3 years ago on a similar itinerary but on Carnival Pride. We stopped in Port Canaveral, Nassau, and Freeport. Since there was over 45 of us, with a lot of kids, a vacation to Disney just wasn't feasible. So those who wanted to visit Disney got to go to a park that day. Yes, it was only 1 park, but most of the kids were small and did not know that there was much more!

 

It was a great (and much cheaper) option IMO.

[gerif]

I can drive to port in less than 1/2 hour. I love sea days - and ports I don't care to see again become sea days. Anthem is a nobrainer for us, especially since flying is difficult for DH. There are a lot ol people who can easily drive to this port and the ship often sails full. Guess it is why Royal does it.

[nelblu]

The Anthem was built for cooler climates. There is so much to do indoors like bumper cars, puzzle room, watching two70 that the ship with an indoor pool actually is the destination. Drop your winter clothes upon boarding and you are in the Caribbean. Shorts and sandals are the dress during the day, and the ship has so much night life that you will be blown away.

 

We did 12 days with 3 sea days each way and would have loved more. Have a great cruise!!

 

 

We cruised the 12 niter to the Carib. in Feb. '15 and I convinced my wife that for the same $ spent on a 8 day cruise out Florida/Puerto Rico we would get 13 days and still enjoy 7 wonderful warm & sunny days. We left in a sleeting storm and came back to an outside temp. of -10. We enjoyed the entire trip even on the way back when we encountered a storm upon reaching the Bahamas.

[kjmjrm]

Clarea/Bob's advice is the best you will get here. Having personally also done Anthem and many cruises out of FL, I agree with Clarea/Bob 100%.

[xcell]

If you want the islands -- cruise from Florida.

 

The ship is one of the reasons I want to cruise out of NYC, the other is driving instead of flying saves me a lot.

 

I agree, nothing in Port Canaveral -- for the money I'd save shopping in the outlet, I waste renting a car to get there.

[land lover]

I see u r in CO, I'm flying from SO CA in few weeks to board Anthem.....why #1 I want to check out the ship and #2 I am treating one single 20 something son who lives in NYC.

 

Family in Florida no reason to fly to NJ for a cruise...only unless you r going for the ship and on this ship there is plenty to keep ur kids active for the cold sea days.

 

Have your children been to NYC...now that would be an educational and memorable vacation..... just sayin'

Edited February 25, 2017 by land lover

[ladyj_46]

I cruised out of NYC in 2014. We set sail the Sunday before Christmas, it was windy, drizzled all day, and just before anchors up it began to flurry. It didn't seem to bother anyone. We encountered a storm overnight, but by noon the next day we were shedding our jackets. In Port Canaveral my daughter and I took a sightseeing/bird watching boat ride on the Banana River. Everyone on the excursion liked it, but I can see that it would have a particular audience. My friend selected a NASA tour with his 13yr old. Depending on the age of your kids, there are hydrofoil rides and always Coco Beach. The Port in Nassau is one of my least favorite places in the entire world. I will admit to finding it downright scary, which is saying something coming from me (I've worked in a NYC psychiatric center and have done home visits without escort in projects). We had to pass through the straw market and security to get back to the ship. I remember airports after 9/11, soldiers with rifles, but the men that stopped us in Nassau had massive rifles that really scared me. After a wonderful day on a glorious beach tour (Blue Lagoon), it was a downer. Atlantis was my first choice in destination in Nassau, but due to it being Christmas Day and tourism being at its fullest, I could not gain admittance.

[ladyj_46]

I'm flying from SO CA in few weeks to board Anthem.....why #1 I want to check out the ship and #2 I am treating one single 20 something son who lives in NYC.

 

Family in Florida no reason to fly to NYC for a cruise...only unless you r going for the ship and on this ship there is plenty to keep ur kids active fro the sea days.

 

Have your children been to NYC...now that would be an educational and memorable vacation..... just sayin'

 

 

NYC in autumn is wonderful. There is a little slump in tourists after school is back in session and the Christmas season begins. Hotels are a bit cheaper usually. A train ride/ or boat ride up the Hudson is most scenic at that time of the year.

[land lover]

Since we have got some active Anthem cruisers on this thread and I can't figure out how to search on the new format.....when r the formal nights on Anthem?

[land lover]

I cruised out of NYC in 2014. We set sail the Sunday before Christmas, it was windy, drizzled all day, and just before anchors up it began to flurry. It didn't seem to bother anyone. We encountered a storm overnight, but by noon the next day we were shedding our jackets. In Port Canaveral my daughter and I took a sightseeing/bird watching boat ride on the Banana River. Everyone on the excursion liked it, but I can see that it would have a particular audience. My friend selected a NASA tour with his 13yr old. Depending on the age of your kids, there are hydrofoil rides and always Coco Beach. The Port in Nassau is one of my least favorite places in the entire world. I will admit to finding it downright scary, which is saying something coming from me (I've worked in a NYC psychiatric center and have done home visits without escort in projects). We had to pass through the straw market and security to get back to the ship. I remember airports after 9/11, soldiers with rifles, but the men that stopped us in Nassau had massive rifles that really scared me. After a wonderful day on a glorious beach tour (Blue Lagoon), it was a downer. Atlantis was my first choice in destination in Nassau, but due to it being Christmas Day and tourism being at its fullest, I could not gain admittance.

 

Totally off subject..but my son has just finished rotations at Cooks County, enough said. He is the one I am taking on the Anthem at the end of March.

 

 

I think ur experience in Nassau was the exception...something must of happened so they called in security or because of the holiday they beefed it up. Tourism, is their bread and butter if a major problem occurs not only will people stop flying in but cruise ships will stop coming.

 

 

Last Sept. I visited Nassau and since the weather was perfect we could not of had a better time. We went thru non-impressionable security, however maybe I've visited heavily armed ports and don't even notice anymore. After a snorkeling excursion we walked the market and even had a local suggest where we could find the best conch. If that was your first and only experience I would give it another try, but as you said when you feel scared...it doesn't leave you with a good memory.

[land lover]

NYC in autumn is wonderful. There is a little slump in tourists after school is back in session and the Christmas season begins. Hotels are a bit cheaper usually. A train ride/ or boat ride up the Hudson is most scenic at that time of the year.

 

You r so right.....NYC beats any cruise...:D certainly not is cost..but just the experience and history...cruise lovers..... plz don't flame me...

 

 

BTW congrats on upcoming retirement.

[nelblu]

May, I suggest rather than going South from Bayonne since it does not make sense for you, try going North. Took a 9 niter on the Anthem and covered Boston, Bar Harbour & Portland Me., St.John & Halifax in Canada. Wonderful cruise and scenery and lot's of lobsters.

[luckyinpa]

The Anthem was built for cooler climates. There is so much to do indoors like bumper cars, puzzle room, watching two70 that the ship with an indoor pool actually is the destination. Drop your winter clothes upon boarding and you are in the Caribbean. Shorts and sandals are the dress during the day, and the ship has so much night life that you will be blown away.

 

We did 12 days with 3 sea days each way and would have loved more. Have a great cruise!!

 

 

after doing a december sailing on the breakaway, i began looking for a warmer winter ship. this is what i discovered about anthem. ill confirm after my trip in 10 months if i made the right choice

[toras]

when r the formal nights on Anthem?

 

 

For the 7 night Bahamas cruise, it is Day 2 (Monday) and Day 6 (Friday).

[CruisinCons]

We did that itinerary on the Quantum out of Bayonne in March 2015, and as previous posters have said, the indoor pool and all the indoor activities like the bumper cars, keeps the kids happy the first day when it's a bit chilly to be out at the pool. After a day at sea, you are far enough south that temps are not bad.

 

As for the ports, we have previously been to Port Canaveral so not interested in doing Kennedy Space Center again or spending the ridiculous prices for a one day at WDW or Universal. So we did a really super fun excursion that now 19 & 17 year olds still talk about. We went on an airboat in the Everglades. They had so much fun zipping around that they were telling their friends about it for weeks after we returned. Nassau, we didn't even get off the boat as we'd been there before as well. Perfect opportunity to get on the NorthStar with no lines, and hang in the pools with no chair hogs. We actually like staying on the ship when everyone else leaves.

[ladyj_46]

Totally off subject..but my son has just finished rotations at Cooks County, enough said. He is the one I am taking on the Anthem at the end of March.

 

 

I think ur experience in Nassau was the exception...something must of happened so they called in security or because of the holiday they beefed it up. Tourism, is their bread and butter if a major problem occurs not only will people stop flying in but cruise ships will stop coming.

 

 

Last Sept. I visited Nassau and since the weather was perfect we could not of had a better time. We went thru non-impressionable security, however maybe I've visited heavily armed ports and don't even notice anymore. After a snorkeling excursion we walked the market and even had a local suggest where we could find the best conch. If that was your first and only experience I would give it another try, but as you said when you feel scared...it doesn't leave you with a good memory.

 

 

I was through the port in Nassau in '93 and it really made little impression on me then.

[kicker]

A few thoughts: first, you're coming from Colorado? That obviously gives you a lot of different flying options (since some on here are suggesting you go from Florida). Are you planning on visiting NYC also? That would be a good reason for choosing Anthem. We're currently booked on Anthem for Oct 16 (that may change as a couple going with us is expecting a grandchild late September - just found out). Another question: how old are the kids? We did Oasis OTS last October with our 7 yr old granddaughter - she loved everything about it. Oasis has the Boardwalk area, which Anthem doesn't, also Central Park where we had lunch outside at Park Cafe several days. Adventure Ocean for kids is probably the same on all the larger ships (again - younger kids will enjoy; teens probably not as much). You have lots of different choices, and you'll get lots of different opinions on here. Good luck!