Anthem of the Seas - Live Review 3/5/17-3/12/17

[Addictedtocruising]

I had a few Tom Collins last night. They are $13 and were covered by the package. One thing I really like is this ship shows the price of the drink on the slip they have you sign and then shows the credit for the same amount, making the charge $0. I will get a pic later to show you what I mean.

 

 

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Thank you! Let us know if you have any favorite bar tenders while you are making your rounds :D

 

Have a wonderful time!

[JessyCruises]

Food porn from night one:

 

Hubby was pleased that escargot are on the classic appetizers list.

 

 

Mushroom soup

 

Beef Carpaccio

 

 

Turkey

 

Horseradish Crusted Salmon (Jen and Paul said it was dry but tasted good)

 

New York Strip - Ethan really enjoyed it

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[JessyCruises]

Great review, we are on anthem next month and are wondering how much the "ryde" spin classes are if you happen to go to the gym. Thanks enjoy the rest of the cruise

 

 

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I will try to find out for you :)

 

 

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[JessyCruises]

Awesome, I'm on Anthem next week so it's fun to get a sneak peak! Question, how is the movement on the boat? I've only cruised out of Florida so I'm a little bit worried about being in the colder/rougher Atlantic water going down the coast.

 

 

It is not too bad. I feel it more than I do on the Oasis but do not find it worse than the Freedom when I have been on her.

 

 

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[JessyCruises]

Ethan went to the teen club and for the first time was not a fan. The facility is beautiful, I am not sure why he did not enjoy it.

He normally makes fast friends but not this time. I am trying to convince him to give it another go, we shall see...

 

 

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[JessyCruises]

We went to the welcome aboard show last night. Clo O'Connor is the CD. She is from Limerick Ireland. She seems pretty engaging. She mentioned there are over 1000 Canadians onboard this sailing! The orchestra played a few songs and there was a comedian - Troy Thirdgill. He was pretty funny. He has an adult show tonight so we will probably check him out.

 

After the opening show, we went to Music Hall where Draw the Line (Aerosmith Tribute band) would be playing. I was not a fan. The band itself sounded great, but the singer was not good. I am not sure if he was just having a bad night, but he was horribly off key for many of the songs. We stayed for most of the set.

 

 

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[Jerseygirl1416]

Thank you for all the information! We're sailing Anthem in October for the first time and loved Oasis so I'm looking forward to hearing your comparisons.

[JessyCruises]

We had our North Star reservation at 10:30 this morning. It is still pretty chilly out and I was dressed for the pool. We showed up 15 minutes early as recommended and it was a bit of a chilly wait. I recommend bringing a sweater! Once inside the Northstar I was not cold as all. The view is very cool. We went straight up and a little to the side. I had heard they were not going fully to the side anymore because it made the ride too long

 

 

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[reallyitsmema]

Enjoying your review. We were on Anthem last week and did Northstar just after we went under the bridge out of Bayonne. I am deathly afraid of heights and loved Northstar! I am so glad I didn't talk myself out of riding it, it was a very smooth ride.

[Jenjer]

Enjoying your review. We were on Anthem last week and did Northstar just after we went under the bridge out of Bayonne. I am deathly afraid of heights and loved Northstar! I am so glad I didn't talk myself out of riding it, it was a very smooth ride.

 

 

That's great to know because I am really scared and my family really wants me to do it........I am so not sure.

[vaka08]

Great review- I'm wondering how easy is it to get milk during the day (my kids drink lots of milk)

[cruisin0504]

This is great - thank you! We have less than 3 weeks to wait now! If you get a chance could you please post a pic of the smoothies which are available in the solarium? Thanks!

[reallyitsmema]

That's great to know because I am really scared and my family really wants me to do it........I am so not sure.

 

 

They only allow 14 people in at a time, which leaves the whole middle area empty and allows everyone to move around easily. There is a big sign that says no rocking gondola and no one did on our ride. The employee running it when we went up explained what we would feel as we started to move. He told us you would hear a loud click and a little bump as we unlocked and started to move. He then said, that was it as we unlocked, and up we went. The bump was less than what you feel as you drive slowly over a speed bump in a car. From then on up and down, it was smooth. I didn't even notice any change in movement as we turned a little to the left and then the right. I was actually able to move around to the other side for pictures. I never actually looked straight down, so never got that feeling I get when I am on the edge of somewhere.

 

We actually made reservations using Royal IQ after we boarded and were able to get a 4:30 reservation. When we went up around 4:15, they were taking reservations for 4 and 4:30, plus standbys were getting on too since line was short. Not sure if it was because it was so cold out or what. Not having to stand there long waiting also helped me not chicken out.

[Rickygump]

Sorry for not posting yesterday - I was concentrating too much on getting my bearings :)

 

We got to the port at around 10:30. You have to drive right by the terminal to get to the parking garage so we dropped off Jennifer and Ethan at the terminal with the bags and we went to drop off the car. It was a very short walk back - only a minute or two. When Paul and I got to the terminal, there was no one available with an iPad to check us in so we went right up to the check in counter. We had to have our pics taken again - apparently ours were too dark. After we checked in, we went to sit in the assigned area. They do not corral people by C&A status - I think they just sit us as you check in and that is the order they follow when you board (except for pinnacles, suites and wedding parties which did seem to have their own area).

 

We finally found Jen and Ethan. When they had come in, they were told to sit in a holding area until someone with an iPad came by to check them in. They did not have to get their photos redone. We had saved them seats so they were able to come sit with us as soon as they were done. We ended up boarding just before 11AM.

 

 

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Only 1/2 hours to board. That's not bad. Was it busy at that time.

 

 

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[themightyBOOSH]

After looking at all the bar menus it seems that there are an awful lot of cocktails priced at $13. Will the drink package cover up to $13 or $12? Sailing in a few weeks and I've heard the package cover amount can vary for sailing to sailing. Would appreciate any help!

[giraffe1316]

Is the Voom package still buy one get one 50% off?

Thanks!

[juksing]

Looking forward following your timely review! It is March break here in Ontario next week so I am sure we will have a lot of Canadians on our cruise as well.

 

Have fun and loving the menus and food pics!

[wishtdream]

Great review- I'm wondering how easy is it to get milk during the day (my kids drink lots of milk)

 

 

I have never been on Anthem, but I have been on several other Royal Ships. Milk was always freely available for my kids in the pizza place, the cafe, and the windjammer as well as the main dining room. You should have no issues if you don't see it just ask they stock plenty.

[seba1]

Thanks so much for all this great information! Sounds like for our cruise in 2 weeks we should plan on warmer clothing for the trip down and back.

 

Let us know at what point the weather gets warmer. My kids will want to be in the pool!

 

Stephanie

[XJokerX]

Following along! We board when you hop off. Thanks for posting the bar menus. If you happen to find yourself down at the Schooner bar could you catch the names of the bartenders?

 

 

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[A Pisces]

Thank you for the pictures! Lots of great information!

[goingplaces1132]

I have never been on Anthem, but I have been on several other Royal Ships. Milk was always freely available for my kids in the pizza place, the cafe, and the windjammer as well as the main dining room. You should have no issues if you don't see it just ask they stock plenty.

 

 

 

Is the milk in cartons or poured into glasses?

 

 

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[jsacco20]

Looking forward to this! Will be on Anthem in 2 weeks! If you go to coco cay can you tell me if there is the drop off kids club on the island? No one seems to know yet on the boards? And food reviews would be awesome!!

 

 

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We were there last April and there was drop off kids club. We didn't do it but we definitely looked into it and was planning on doing it if needed to for our daughter.

[Cruisee2.0]

Please post the best way to take videos/pics during the ifly. Does one of your group have to go at a different time slot to be the phototographer? I'm booked at the same time as my children

[SDA1125]

Great pictures and great information ! Thank You for taking the time to do this ! Food Pics are making me hungry lol !