Anthem Review - 6/3 - 6/8

[jpurdy]

Just off Anthem. Will review by topic:

 

Embarkation: So very easy. Dropped off luggage w/porters, proceeded to garage (pay @ debarkation. Pay machines at entrance to garage). We were checked in and on the ship in 15 minutes. Arrived @ 11:00.

 

Ship/Cabin: We chose an OV on Deck 3. Not our 1st choice usually, but cost jumped considerably to balcony. It was very nice. Everything we needed. Wouldn't want more than 2 people in it though. Shampoo/condition/bath gel/lotion provided.

 

It was quite a hike up to 14 to Windjammer/Solarium, etc. at least twice a day, but we sure got our exercise. We walk to everything on a cruise and it does pay off!

 

Casino: We had a blast. People were winning. We won. Nothing large, but I came home ahead w/slots.

 

Drink specials: On sea days mimosas are only $1.00 in the bar for an hour. DEAL. Almost every day there was 2 for 1 special @ Bolero's. Hint: If you are a wine drinker, ask for the 'house' wine of your choice and it should only be around $6.00. It was more @ Schooner Bar for some reason, but everywhere else was $6.00. They add on service charge and tax to that, but still reasonable. If you don't ask for 'house' first, they will charge $11.00.

 

Food: We ate exclusively at Windjammer for every meal. We prefer to be casual and not on a clock, so this works for us. Food was excellent. We are not foodies, but know bad food and I only had a couple items that I didn't like. Plenty for kids to find and we loved the stir fry station and pasta station. Delicious. Fruit was outstanding.

 

Itinerary: This was a 5 day to Bermuda w/ an overnight there. We planned on Snorkel Park, but my husband sustained a basketball injury to his eye day before cruise so there went that idea. Instead we went to the Fort right off the ship and it was such a pleasant surprise. Well worth the $$ in our opinion. Don't miss the big clock mechanism on the 2nd floor of one of the outbuildings. America's cup was racing right in the bay and it was so interesting to watch. We walked up to where the teams dock their boats and fly their country flags. We aren't shoppers so can't comment except to say there was plenty of it at the Clock Tower mall. We did not venture anywhere else.

 

Entertainment: Shows were well done. The Gift was beautifully done IMO. I actually got emotional at the end and a nice elderly man behind me did too. The band Rock The Boat was outstanding. We saw every show. If you like 50's to 80's rock, this band is for you.

 

Cleanliness: Now the only downside. I do not know if it was the size of ship or management., but I was disappointed. WJ always had food on the floor, under tables, etc. It got worse as days wore on. Our stateroom had a layer of dust on bathroom shelves. We felt the attendant was always rushed and over worked. Felt bad for him, and it reflected in cabin. However, bathroom, except shelving was always very clean. We always told him to skip our room at night. Not necessary for us.

 

Disembarkation: We chose self debarkation which is so easy. Off the ship and on the road by 8:00.

 

Happy to answer any question!

[royal girl]

Nice review. Thanks for sharing.

 

What time were you in line for the self debark?

[BillHoo]

Nice review. but as they say - "pictures or it never happend!" ;p

[jpurdy]

Nice review. Thanks for sharing.

 

What time were you in line for the self debark?

 

7:30 (the first option). Many people broke the rules and lined up at door to disembark. Staff was awesome and let those of us who stayed in 270 depart first and as we were directed where to wait. Someone complained, but they just smiled.

[jpurdy]

Nice review. but as they say - "pictures or it never happend!" ;p

 

Ya know I thought about it but didn't have the voom pkg and turned off my phone. Hence, no pics. Sorry!

[dpcmh]

Were there theme nights for dinner in the WJ? If so, do you remember them and what nights?

[easyboy]

Thanks for the review

 

 

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Forums mobile app

[jpurdy]

Were there theme nights for dinner in the WJ? If so, do you remember them and what nights?

 

Yes, I remember Bermuda (4th night) and Indian (5th night). They put placards on tables to specify what theme it is. There is so much to choose from (more than any other cruise we've been on) that having a theme didn't really matter IMO.

[Clarea]

Thanks for the report. I find the cleanliness issue interesting, as you say, it points to insufficient crew. I've read about crew issues before on Anthem.

[jpurdy]

Thanks for the report. I find the cleanliness issue interesting, as you say, it points to insufficient crew. I've read about crew issues before on Anthem.

 

Yes, I didn't see an over abundance of wait staff in WJ. While extremely pleasant, we thought it was under staffed for ratio of passengers. Should have been someone walking around with broom/dust pan at very least to pick up food on floor. It was disconcerting to see so much on the floor by end of day.