Anthem of the Seas - Review - Bermuda - August 10, 2019 - August 15, 2019

[Another_Critic]

4 hours ago, Noreen411 said:

We picked up beach towels for tomorrow.  [...]  When it was my turn I held my card to the reader and asked for towels.  He told me I don’t need to scan since I’m in a suite.  I was surprised that applied to Junior Suites.  I know Grand Suite and higher you could just get towels on the suite sun deck and they don’t scan there, but this was a surprise to me.  

 

So Royal thinks people that spend more money are more honest or less careless?  😀

 

[LuCruise]

8 hours ago, Noreen411 said:

Hi

 

Yes - great memory - we were on Anthem twice this year before this trip.  In June and in February.  I wrote reviews for those as well.  With the changes to the way the signature line works now, I haven’t updated my signature to include links but they are here on cruise critic.

 

I started texting myself a few cruises ago.  I rarely took the time to write notes each night on what we did during the day and even when I did, it was hard to remember the whole days worth of activities.  Sometimes a quick text works great to remind me.

 

You will love Anthem - if you have any questions let me know and I’ll do my best to answer.

 

Noreen

I know...it's a shame how the site now only allows you to include 3 links and has maximum lines.

I'll write reviews after the cruise as well, but rely and cruise compass and timestamps on pictures.  Texting yourself is brilliant if you have internet plan.  

 

Nice how you've been able to have a few Anthem cruises this year.  Pretty sure I read them both. 😊 Love how the various crew members remember you.

 

One question...do you remember how far in advance the shows, iFly and North Star reservations open up?  And do you recommend a sea day or port day for North Star?  

 

Loving your review so far.

[Noreen411]

21 hours ago, Another_Critic said:

 

So Royal thinks people that spend more money are more honest or less careless?  😀

 

I would guess it’s to keep the trip more stress free.

[Noreen411]

18 hours ago, LuCruise said:

I know...it's a shame how the site now only allows you to include 3 links and has maximum lines.

I'll write reviews after the cruise as well, but rely and cruise compass and timestamps on pictures.  Texting yourself is brilliant if you have internet plan.  

 

Nice how you've been able to have a few Anthem cruises this year.  Pretty sure I read them both. 😊 Love how the various crew members remember you.

 

One question...do you remember how far in advance the shows, iFly and North Star reservations open up?  And do you recommend a sea day or port day for North Star?  

 

Loving your review so far.

Hi.

 

The shows appeared randomly in the cruise planner a few months before the trip.  But they didn’t all appear at once.  I think two showed up first then the 3rd a few days later.  In the past IFly and North Star also showed up randomly probably a few months before the trip, but for this sailing I never saw them available in the cruise planner.  I wasn’t checking daily since it wasn’t a priority for us.  But my friend and travel agent, Brenda, who sailed on Anthem around July 4, also wasn’t able to book IFly or Northstar in advance. She even called to find out why it never appeared as she was traveling with a group including some first timers.  She was told she would have to book them onboard so I’m wondering if maybe they limit online booking during summer months or when it will be more crowded (Just my guess here).

 

I wouldn’t worry about Sea Day vs Port Day for NorthStar - I would do it when it works best for your schedule.  Either way you’ll have a nice view of the ship and what’s around it.  I’ve done it both ways.  The one thing to be careful of with sea days especially in the winter is if it’s windy and/or rainy they often close NorthStar.

 

Noreen

[Noreen411]

Day 3 Compass and Planner

 

 

 

Bermuda Map

 

 

Edited September 2, 2019 by Noreen411

[Noreen411]

Monday 8/12/19 - Bermuda

 

We went to the gym at 6am.

 

After our workout we stopped at the Patisserie.  I had iced white chocolate mocha and water.  Scott had cappuccino and water.

 

Back in the cabin we showered and changed.

 

We had breakfast at the Windjammer.  Scott found this funny thing that looked like an egg cupcake.   There is a nice selection of choices in the buffet for breakfast.

 

 

 

When we got off the ship we posed under this arch.  We asked someone to take a picture for us.  In an earlier review I wrote where we posed under the arch, I was advised that we’re supposed to kiss under the arch for good luck.  So we did.  Then we just posed normally too.  The man taking the pictures very nice and patiently took several pictures for us.

 

We took the shuttle bus to Horseshoe Bay.

 

It was cloudy and windy so they were not renting umbrellas.  We rented two lounge chairs.  We had them set up a little further down the beach.  It was crowded right near where you enter the beach but further down it wasn’t too crowded.

 

Scott is looking for the perfect spot while the employee is dragging the lounge chairs behind him.

 

I’m trying to get a picture of the pink sand - it’s more a pink hue than actually pink.  It would have looked more pink if the sun was out.

Edited September 2, 2019 by Noreen411

[Noreen411]

Monday 8/12/19 - Continued

 

Scott already had his bathing suit on but before I changed we took a walk down the beach to some coves and took pictures.  I should have changed first since Scott was able to play in the water in the coves and I couldn’t.

 

 

[Noreen411]

Monday 8/12/19 - Continued

 

When we got back to our lounge chairs I quickly went to get changed.  They have decent facilities.  There are separate changing rooms, shower rooms, and bathroom stalls.  It is kept pretty clean with a schedule posted of when it’s closed for cleaning.  I didn’t take a picture but it was closed for maybe 15 minutes every 2 hours or so.

 

We swam for a while.   It was a little cold getting in at first but once in the water you quickly got used to it.  There were waves we had a good time playing in.

 

I floated on my papasan and Scott would grab it and pull it back since the waves kept pulling me out deeper.  The papasan was a great idea.  I read about it on cruise critic and saw it on Amazon.  It folds flat into a circle.  When you want to use it, just the outer edge has to be blown up.

 

Scott brought the papasan back to our lounge chairs and we continued playing in the water.  Scott snorkeled.

 

We sat on our lounge chairs for a bit.  There were dark clouds looming and we expected it to start raining so we decided to head back.

 

We took turns changing with Scott going first (he’s quicker).  

 

When I went in the shower area only two were working so I waited for one to rinse some of the sand off me.  The sand is so fine it sticks to you.  I took my stuff into one of the changing rooms to dry off and change back into my dry clothes.

 

We took a shuttle back to the ship.  They really fill these shuttles up including little jump seats in the aisle which I don’t think is very safe, but that’s the way they do it.  It rained during our ride back.

 

Back on the ship we rinsed out our bathing suits, snorkel gear, and the papasan.  The bathtub came in handy for rinsing the snorkel gear and papasan.  We hung the bathing suits on the balcony on the chairs.  I bring binder clips to clip them on so they won’t blow off.  We also laid out the snorkel gear and papasan to dry on the balcony.

 

We stopped at the Patisserie since Scott wanted a cappuccino with a shot of vanilla. I had water.  We also got macaroons; chocolate and vanilla.  These are really good.  Probably some of the best macaroons I’ve had.

 

 

 

I know it’s not a full service Starbucks but they serve Starbucks products.  I was hoping they would have some of the fruity flavored iced teas I’ve been getting at Starbucks at home but they didn’t have them on the ship.  I think they are summer items.  My favorite is the Iced Blueberry Black Tea Lemonade.  The others that I also like are Iced Peach Green Tea Lemonade or Iced Guava White Tea Lemonade.  They are all very refreshing.  You can get them without the lemonade if you prefer.  

 

We went back out and walked around the dockyard.  We bought an ornament and T shirts for Scott.  We also found a shirt for our sister in law who asked for one during our last trip but she asked after we already left Bermuda.

 

 

Edited September 2, 2019 by Noreen411

[crilski]

MINOR DETAIL - you are actually eating macarons - and they look fabulous!!!

[Noreen411]

6 minutes ago, crilski said:

MINOR DETAIL - you are actually eating macarons - and they look fabulous!!!

Thank you for the correction - that extra O makes a difference.

The ones we had on Anthem with one O are the light flaky ones.

The ones with OO are the coconut dense treat that you often see in supermarkets.

 

These macarons are really good.  We asked if they are made on board or where they come from.  We were told they are ordered from somewhere in Florida and delivered then they just bake them (I’m guessing they come frozen).

[Noreen411]

Monday 8/12/19 - Continued

 

Our original plans were to spend the morning/afternoon at Horseshoe Bay Beach, come back to the ship to shower and change, then head out later and go to a nice bar/restaurant on a beach where we could watch the sunset while hanging out having a drink and maybe dinner.  Since we are staying in Bermuda overnight there was no reason not to stay out later.  

 

With the weather turning not that nice we changed our plans, were back at the Dockyard earlier than expected, and decided to have a drink and some appetizers at the Bonefish Bar and Grill.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had a Rum Swizzle which they called a “FishSwizzle” and it came in a souvenir glass to keep.   Scott had bear and a shot of Goslings Rum.

 

 

 

 

We shared two appetizers.  The Blue crab and prawn cocktail.  And the island grilled shrimp.  The food was very good.

 

 

 

 

 

I totally have a sweet tooth so had to look at the dessert menu when it was offered.  We ended up sharing the rum cake.  It was pretty good.

 

It was very nice hanging out there.

Edited September 2, 2019 by Noreen411

[Noreen411]

Monday 8/12/19 - Continued

 

We walked around the dockyard.  We went through the Clocktower Mall and then to the Glass Blowing Factory.

 

In one of the stores they had candy and I was looking for a chocolate bar I got last time I was here but did not remember the name of it.  I described it to the woman working there and she knew what I meant; it’s called Flake.  Unfortunately, they were out of it.  She suggested another one called Twirl (I think) that was like Flake but dipped in chocolate so I got one of those.  The candy bar ended up coming home with us and I ate it once we were home.  It was good but I prefer the regular flake.  I’m going to look on Amazon (since they have everything) and see if I can order Flake.

 

We went back to the ship and hung out on the balcony.  Scott took a nap on the balcony.

 

 

Edited September 2, 2019 by Noreen411

[Noreen411]

Monday 8/12/19 - Continued

 

We showered and changed for the evening.

 

We went to dinner in Coastal Kitchen.  The wall we are sitting near looks like it’s made out of wine bottles.  It has been pretty empty in Coastal Kitchen each night so far.

 

 

 

For appetizers we both had the crab cake without the sauce.  It’s too spicy for me.  The crab cake itself is a little spicy.  Scott also had a shrimp cocktail.

 

For our entree I had the Barramundi and Scott had the lamb.

 

For dessert I had the Vacherin which is a light dessert but still sweet.  I always like something sweet after dinner.  Scott didn’t order dessert tonight.

 

We went to the headliner show in the theater at 9 - Ronn Lucas.  He did a ventriloquist show and was very funny.  We really enjoyed the show.

 

We went to the casino until a little after 1 then went up to our cabin and tried watching some more of Race to Witch Mountain on the laptop but fell asleep during it.

Edited September 2, 2019 by Noreen411

[dreamer976]

Enjoying yet another great trip report, Noreen. Too bad you didn’t have better weather at Horseshoe Bay; better luck next time, huh?  A very good reason to return. 

 

Patiently waiting for more 😉😊😊😊

[Luckynana]

I've been enjoying your review of the Anthem and of Bermuda.  My DH and I will be sailing out of Southampton on our first Transatlantic in November, 2020, fulfilling 2 things on our bucket list....finally getting to London, as well as a Transatlantic cruise.  This will also be our first time on the Anthem of the Seas.  It looks like an awesome ship.  Stopping in Bermuda for an overnighter is a bonus, since we've been wanting to get back there also.😊  Love all of your pictures!!!

[Terry in NJ]

Thank you so much Noreen for taking the time to post your great pictures and the wonderful review!

Edited September 2, 2019 by Terry in NJ
make type larger

[LuCruise]

6 hours ago, Noreen411 said:

Hi.

 

The shows appeared randomly in the cruise planner a few months before the trip.  But they didn’t all appear at once.  I think two showed up first then the 3rd a few days later.  In the past IFly and North Star also showed up randomly probably a few months before the trip, but for this sailing I never saw them available in the cruise planner.  I wasn’t checking daily since it wasn’t a priority for us.  But my friend and travel agent, Brenda, who sailed on Anthem around July 4, also wasn’t able to book IFly or Northstar in advance. She even called to find out why it never appeared as she was traveling with a group including some first timers.  She was told she would have to book them onboard so I’m wondering if maybe they limit online booking during summer months or when it will be more crowded (Just my guess here).

 

I wouldn’t worry about Sea Day vs Port Day for NorthStar - I would do it when it works best for your schedule.  Either way you’ll have a nice view of the ship and what’s around it.  I’ve done it both ways.  The one thing to be careful of with sea days especially in the winter is if it’s windy and/or rainy they often close NorthStar.

 

Noreen

Thanks so much for getting back to me.  Sounds like there is no specific timing then, and most likely we won't even be able to book the NorthStar or iFly.  Will look out for it then, but won't be worried if it never shows.  Thanks for letting me know.  We're travelling in March out of NY...so can still be winter weather on first and last sea day.  Will keep that in mind...so mid trip may be best.

Also really looking forward to the shows, esp We Will Rock You.

[BeagleAgility]

Thanks for the review. I am traveling in February out of Bayonne. Really looking forward to it.

 

Two quick questions.

1. I plan on parking in the garage. I am going with me, myself and I. Should I just park the car and then walk down with my luggage or should I drop the luggage (at least the big bag) off first?

2. Did you try Vintages? I loved it on the Allure but was wondering how it was on Anthem?

 

Again - thanks for the great review.

[Noreen411]

On 9/2/2019 at 4:48 PM, dreamer976 said:

Enjoying yet another great trip report, Noreen. Too bad you didn’t have better weather at Horseshoe Bay; better luck next time, huh?  A very good reason to return. 

 

Patiently waiting for more 😉😊😊😊

Thank you.

 

The weather could have been better but it wasn’t a total washout.  We still got to spend some quality time at Horseshoe and maybe the cloudy weather saved us from getting sunburned.  Have to look on the positive side - we’re on vacation, I can’t complain.

 

I’ll post more of the report over the weekend.  It’s hard to find time to do it during the week.

 

Noreen

[Noreen411]

On 9/2/2019 at 5:40 PM, Luckynana said:

I've been enjoying your review of the Anthem and of Bermuda.  My DH and I will be sailing out of Southampton on our first Transatlantic in November, 2020, fulfilling 2 things on our bucket list....finally getting to London, as well as a Transatlantic cruise.  This will also be our first time on the Anthem of the Seas.  It looks like an awesome ship.  Stopping in Bermuda for an overnighter is a bonus, since we've been wanting to get back there also.😊  Love all of your pictures!!!

You will have a great time.  We really enjoy Anthem.

If you have any Anthem questions let me know and I’ll do my best to answer

 

Noreen

[Noreen411]

On 9/2/2019 at 7:03 PM, Terry in NJ said:

Thank you so much Noreen for taking the time to post your great pictures and the wonderful review!

Thank you for the kind words

 

OMG Toodles - that brings back so many memories.

We used to say “Tootles”

[Noreen411]

On 9/2/2019 at 9:00 PM, LuCruise said:

Thanks so much for getting back to me.  Sounds like there is no specific timing then, and most likely we won't even be able to book the NorthStar or iFly.  Will look out for it then, but won't be worried if it never shows.  Thanks for letting me know.  We're travelling in March out of NY...so can still be winter weather on first and last sea day.  Will keep that in mind...so mid trip may be best.

Also really looking forward to the shows, esp We Will Rock You.

Hi

 

Keep checking - you may see Northstar and Ifly appear in the planner too.  

We Will Rock You is my favorite of the shows you need to book.  

 

Any Anthem questions just let me know and I’ll do my best to answer

 

Noreen

[Noreen411]

15 hours ago, BeagleAgility said:

Thanks for the review. I am traveling in February out of Bayonne. Really looking forward to it.

 

Two quick questions.

1. I plan on parking in the garage. I am going with me, myself and I. Should I just park the car and then walk down with my luggage or should I drop the luggage (at least the big bag) off first?

2. Did you try Vintages? I loved it on the Allure but was wondering how it was on Anthem?

 

Again - thanks for the great review.

Hi

 

I would drop the luggage first.  It’s very easy.  When you pull in everyone is kind of following the same line.  They show you where to pull in to drop luggage (it’s very orderly), give the porter your bag(s) and a tip, then you just drive right down the same little row and pull into the garage.  They direct you to the next available spot, kind of like when you park at Disney World.  Then you just walk over with your carryon to check in and get off the ship.

 

One thing to keep in mind when you get off the ship and have your luggage, before you go to your car, you need to stop at the little kiosk to pay for parking.  Then you go to your car and drive out giving them the little ticket.  We overpack and usually use a porter at the end of the trip who brings us past all the lines and right to an area near the kiosks (to pay for parking).  I wait with the luggage while Scott gets the car.  Being solo I’m not sure if the porter will take you all the way to your car with the luggage or maybe he waits with it while you get your car.  If you can handle taking it up the elevator in the garage to the car that may be your best bet.

 

I can’t help you with Vintages.  I’m not a wine drinker so we didn’t go there.  Maybe I just haven’t tried the right one yet but I do try them occasionally.  The closest I’ve gotten to a wine type drink I like is sangria (preferable white peach sangria).  I tried Mer Soleil which Scott likes and it was OK.  If you have a recommendation I’m interested.  Something light and sweet.

 

Happy to help if you think of any other questions.  You will have a great time.  

 

Noreen

[LuCruise]

5 hours ago, Noreen411 said:

Hi

 

Keep checking - you may see Northstar and Ifly appear in the planner too.  

We Will Rock You is my favorite of the shows you need to book.  

 

Any Anthem questions just let me know and I’ll do my best to answer

 

Noreen

Thanks so much.  Will let you know if I think of any other questions.

[tcmagnum]

Love the review...
Still haven't made it to Bermuda, but it's on the list...