12 Night Anthem (partially live) Review

[njkruzer]

Looking forward to your review and comments. We will be on Anthem for an 11night cruise on Jan 28. We have never done a long winter cruise out of NY before but we were on Anthem at the end of October and found the chair hogs worse than any other cruise (of many). Interested to know of your observations.

 

We're on that cruise also but I think we're going for 12 nts! Hope you are too!

[Bubbis3]

ROOM

 

As stated previously, I’m in a JS. I love the extra large balcony facing forward. Also, it’s centrally located not to far from the rear elevator banks. What Royal did is take all 3 rooms that make up a family suite, and break them down into 3 different rooms. The larger of those rooms is the JS. The other 2 rooms are a balcony and an interior. There’s a doorway that opens up in the hallway that makes a small corridor that all 3 rooms use to access their individual rooms. Our cabin steward has been attentive but not usually visible. That’s the way I like it. Around when you want them to be and not around when you don’t want them to be. The room itself is plenty big for 2 people. I wouldn’t mind having a family of 3. I think 4 would be stretching the limits. The reason for that is there’s less storage space in this room then I’ve had on other RC JS’s. Plus, this being a winter sailing, I had to bring extra clothing than if I sailed from a FL port. So that might be taking up more space. There’s also not a lot of storage space in the bathroom. There’s really only 1 shelf besides the small vanity top. The in room safe is small. You wouldn’t be able to fit a Ipad or laptop. Perfectly functional for money, jewelry, wallet or casino chips :D. The one thing that is different on this ship, then other classes of ships is there’s no exterior outdoor light. So sitting outside to read at night is an issue. I really wish they had that. The refrigerator is small but big enough to fit a couple bottles of water and my fathers medicine. The beds, as advertised on other reviews, are firm. If you don’t like firm, you won’t like these. It’s not an issue for me, as I’d be happy to sleep on the floor. I’m on a cruise!

[Monty11]

Can you find out how much the drink package is on board?

[gqboy1]

Not surprised about the lines in the Cafe 270. It's not a secret to the many many repeaters on your 12 day Jan cruise. Solarium Bistro is another option to the WJ.

 

Is the Solarium Bistro open for kids under 16 for lunch on sail away day?

[Bubbis3]

DINING

 

My family has had Mytime dining. I like traditional dining better but it seems like the past few cruises I haven’t been able to get that. No big worries. I did my reservations online before boarding. I made all of those reservations for 5:30pm. Here’s a little hint, Mytime dining opens their doors around 5:15pm and they’ll seat you if you show up early. The lines are long. Their are 2 lines. The line on the right side is for walk in’s. The line on the left is for reservations. Because my sister is in a OS, there’s a third line that’s just inside Silk that take suites. This line is small. However, as we have learned, you will anger a lot of people who you pass to get to the suite line. On night 1, we were told to just bypass the line and go directly to your table by the dining room staff. We did this and we were chastised by several other guests for “cutting the line.”

 

I’m not going to give a review on the food. As you can read in just about every review on Cruise Critic, no 2 people will feel the same about it. I do want to mention my observations on what’s transpired since my first cruise with RC some 14 years ago and now. The first thing I noticed is the assistant waiter was bringing rolls to the table and dropping them off. In the past, there was an assistant waiter who brought a tray of rolls over and you picked out what you wanted. Gone are the little pumpkin rolls (they were small, square things) that my father absolutely loved. We asked about what happened to those and were told, they stopped them on this ship. They didn’t know why but the Head Waiter speculated that it was a cost savings measure. More on the Head Waiter in a minute. The other thing is the assistant waiter was taking our drink order. In the past, there were separate bar staff who took your drink order. The last thing is it seems the staff is waiting on more tables than the past. All of this I noticed on day 1. The cumulative effect is that IMO, the staff is overwhelmed. It didn’t take me that long to reach that conclusion. Some people are good at certain things. I have this weird ability to analyze a situation quickly and figure out what’s going on. Thus, I can tell you Service is slow in dining. Again, this is not a deal breaker for me. I’m on vacation. It might be for someone with small children who can’t sit still for long periods of time or if your figity. The other thing I thought was strange is the Head Waiter on every cruise I’ve been on has come over to say “hi” or just find out if everything is going alright. This didn’t happen here. In fact, I had to ask our waiter to send him over. He did immediately come over after asking him to do so. I did Bring up with him some of these points, and he all but admitted to me that the reasons for these things are cutbacks from corporate. I work for a large cooperation so I understand cutbacks and downsizing but RC used to stand for certain things in the cruise Industry and I feel like the one thing you shouldn’t cut back on is Service. Especially in a hospitality industry. By the way, the Head Waiter has come over every night since I said something. And he’s made his way over in the Windjammer also.

 

The only specialty Restraunt I’m going to is Chops and that’s not until night 11.

 

If anyone has any specific questions on dining I’m more than glad to find out for you.

[Bubbis3]

Is the Solarium Bistro open for kids under 16 for lunch on sail away day?

 

Yes you can take kids to the Bistro for lunch. The doorway to that Restraunt is right inside the solarium door. Shouldn’t be an issue.

[Bubbis3]

I mentioned last night that we had to do a turn around in PR for a medical emergency. They had to take someone else off in St. Maarten by ambulance today. Hoping everyone stays safe for the rest of the voyage.

[maria1122]

Looking forward to your review and comments. We will be on Anthem for an 11night cruise on Jan 28. We have never done a long winter cruise out of NY before but we were on Anthem at the end of October and found the chair hogs worse than any other cruise (of many). Interested to know of your observations.

 

I will be on the January 28 cruise on the Anthem also only we will be on it for 12 nights. Check the itinerary. We get back on to port on February 9.

[brookmill18]

Thank you--we're scheduled to be on this same cruise next year! Who is the cover band on board? Do you know how many times they'll show We Will Rock You?

 

Thanks!

[gingersvp]

Enjoying the review thus far. Sailing Anthem for the first time in May, so hungry for details!

[Bubbis3]

Thank you--we're scheduled to be on this same cruise next year! Who is the cover band on board? Do you know how many times they'll show We Will Rock You?

 

Thanks!

 

The cover band is DSB - Journey tribute band. They were excellent but it was loud and many older people didn’t stay. I loved it. I think the we will rock you show is showing 3 Times.

[Jasukkie]

DINING

 

My family has had Mytime dining. I like traditional dining better but it seems like the past few cruises I haven’t been able to get that. No big worries. I did my reservations online before boarding. I made all of those reservations for 5:30pm. Here’s a little hint, Mytime dining opens their doors around 5:15pm and they’ll seat you if you show up early. The lines are long. Their are 2 lines. The line on the right side is for walk in’s. The line on the left is for reservations. Because my sister is in a OS, there’s a third line that’s just inside Silk that take suites. This line is small. However, as we have learned, you will anger a lot of people who you pass to get to the suite line. On night 1, we were told to just bypass the line and go directly to your table by the dining room staff. We did this and we were chastised by several other guests for “cutting the line.”

 

 

I'm on the next sailing of Anthem, with MTD because that's what we had to take. I'm going to have to mentally adjust to this concept. One of the things I love is just walking in to my usual seat, no lines, and being welcomed by the same staff etc. I can live with slow service once seated, but I hate lining up like cattle and having to listen to people bitch about line cutters and all that. Did you notice if there are times the line thins out? I don't mind eating later, but maybe earlier is easier? I made reservations just to have them, are the two lines pretty much the same?

[Freo]

Temperatures on board are comfortable. I find the solarium to be a bit too warm. The thermostats in the room work great. You won’t be cold, even up in the NY area. Lots of activities to do inside.

 

Any chance that they serve Heineken Light or Amstel Light on tap in the Solarium. Looking forward to be onboard the Anthem of the Seas next week.

 

Thanks for taking the time to go live.

[Merion_Mom]

I'm on the next sailing of Anthem, with MTD because that's what we had to take. I'm going to have to mentally adjust to this concept. One of the things I love is just walking in to my usual seat, no lines, and being welcomed by the same staff etc. I can live with slow service once seated, but I hate lining up like cattle and having to listen to people bitch about line cutters and all that. Did you notice if there are times the line thins out? I don't mind eating later, but maybe earlier is easier? I made reservations just to have them, are the two lines pretty much the same?

After you board, go to the dining room on Deck 3 and talk to the host/ess there - you may well be able to switch into traditional dining. Certainly worth a try. :)

[shari72]

Nice Whalers icon Freo. We will also be on Anthem next week traveling from central CT too.

 

Bubbis3- Thank you for the review, My in-laws are on this cruise with you so it is nice to hear about the cruise.

We enjoyed DSB band last year-great vocals but the loudness of their music drowned them out sometimes.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Greenmomma]

I'd just like to know when you see drink cards, if at all, and what price. Thanks Bob.

tommorow. 10 for 85.

[Clarea]

tommorow. 10 for 85.

Thank-you, and please refresh my memory, how many days into the cruise now?

[gaylemh]

DINING

 

My family has had Mytime dining. I like traditional dining better but it seems like the past few cruises I haven’t been able to get that. No big worries. I did my reservations online before boarding. I made all of those reservations for 5:30pm. Here’s a little hint, Mytime dining opens their doors around 5:15pm and they’ll seat you if you show up early. The lines are long. Their are 2 lines. The line on the right side is for walk in’s. The line on the left is for reservations. Because my sister is in a OS, there’s a third line that’s just inside Silk that take suites. This line is small. However, as we have learned, you will anger a lot of people who you pass to get to the suite line. On night 1, we were told to just bypass the line and go directly to your table by the dining room staff. We did this and we were chastised by several other guests for “cutting the line.”

 

I’m not going to give a review on the food. As you can read in just about every review on Cruise Critic, no 2 people will feel the same about it. I do want to mention my observations on what’s transpired since my first cruise with RC some 14 years ago and now. The first thing I noticed is the assistant waiter was bringing rolls to the table and dropping them off. In the past, there was an assistant waiter who brought a tray of rolls over and you picked out what you wanted. Gone are the little pumpkin rolls (they were small, square things) that my father absolutely loved. We asked about what happened to those and were told, they stopped them on this ship. They didn’t know why but the Head Waiter speculated that it was a cost savings measure. More on the Head Waiter in a minute. The other thing is the assistant waiter was taking our drink order. In the past, there were separate bar staff who took your drink order. The last thing is it seems the staff is waiting on more tables than the past. All of this I noticed on day 1. The cumulative effect is that IMO, the staff is overwhelmed. It didn’t take me that long to reach that conclusion. Some people are good at certain things. I have this weird ability to analyze a situation quickly and figure out what’s going on. Thus, I can tell you Service is slow in dining. Again, this is not a deal breaker for me. I’m on vacation. It might be for someone with small children who can’t sit still for long periods of time or if your figity. The other thing I thought was strange is the Head Waiter on every cruise I’ve been on has come over to say “hi” or just find out if everything is going alright. This didn’t happen here. In fact, I had to ask our waiter to send him over. He did immediately come over after asking him to do so. I did Bring up with him some of these points, and he all but admitted to me that the reasons for these things are cutbacks from corporate. I work for a large cooperation so I understand cutbacks and downsizing but RC used to stand for certain things in the cruise Industry and I feel like the one thing you shouldn’t cut back on is Service. Especially in a hospitality industry. By the way, the Head Waiter has come over every night since I said something. And he’s made his way over in the Windjammer also.

 

The only specialty Restraunt I’m going to is Chops and that’s not until night 11.

 

 

If anyone has any specific questions on dining I’m more than glad to find out for you.

 

Unless something has changed since December JS can eat in Coastal Kitchen for dinner and OS for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Much better food and service.

[Greenmomma]

Thank-you, and please refresh my memory, how many days into the cruise now?

Day 6 of a twelve night.

[Clarea]

Day 6 of a twelve night.

That's a good deal, many days to use the card. Sometimes on a 7-day cruise, the cards don't become available until day 5, and there may be two port days left.

[biffco]

Any chance that they serve Heineken Light or Amstel Light on tap in the Solarium. Looking forward to be onboard the Anthem of the Seas next week.

 

Thanks for taking the time to go live.

 

No beer on tap at the Solarium bar

[Bubbis3]

I'm on the next sailing of Anthem, with MTD because that's what we had to take. I'm going to have to mentally adjust to this concept. One of the things I love is just walking in to my usual seat, no lines, and being welcomed by the same staff etc. I can live with slow service once seated, but I hate lining up like cattle and having to listen to people bitch about line cutters and all that. Did you notice if there are times the line thins out? I don't mind eating later, but maybe earlier is easier? I made reservations just to have them, are the two lines pretty much the same?

 

The line seems to be down by the time I leave from dinner. Usually that’s just after 7:00pm.

[Bubbis3]

Any chance that they serve Heineken Light or Amstel Light on tap in the Solarium. Looking forward to be onboard the Anthem of the Seas next week.

 

Thanks for taking the time to go live.

 

I don’t know about Heineken Light but they do serve Amstel Light. I usually get it in a bottle however.

[Bubbis3]

No beer on tap at the Solarium bar

 

Maybe this was a one off for me?

[Bubbis3]

That's a good deal, many days to use the card. Sometimes on a 7-day cruise, the cards don't become available until day 5, and there may be two port days left.

 

Bob, here is the direct quote from Day 6 of the cruise compass:

 

Beverage Special - 10 drinks for only $85 Save on your favorite drinks during this sailing with our special onboard promotion. Pay one low price and enjoy 10 drinks at your choice of onboard bars, Restraunts and lounges. Your discount card is valid for purchase of most beers, glasses of wine and cocktails up to $12. You may use the card to purchase multiple drinks at once - so treat yourself, your family or new friends and raise a glass to savings. Visit any bar onboard to purchase. 18% service charge will be added.

 

Bob (the other Bob)