LIVE from Anthem of the Seas Transatlantic October 2022

[laurieal]

Day 3 Compass

 

 

 

 

[FionaMG]

37 minutes ago, laurieal said:

Day 3 Compass

How are you getting the Compasses to look so pristine? The pics I posted of mine were always a mess! Are you posting screenshots of the digital version or something like that?

[BND]

1 hour ago, FionaMG said:

How are you getting the Compasses to look so pristine? The pics I posted of mine were always a mess! Are you posting screenshots of the digital version or something like that?

If you use a scanner it should be just as crisp and clean.  You can scan from your phone if you don't have access to a full size one.

[Sarah1974]

 

@laurieal   I loved your previous review and loving this one too.  I'm going to book Anthem for next year so your photos are bringing it to life for me now.  Have a fabulous time

[tld723]

@laurieal Loving your review! I have MS and use a wheelchair as well.  We booked late so the only accessible room left was an ocean view on deck 3 😬 I am going to try to see if we can get on a waitlist if anything else opens up.  I will be traveling with my service dog, Splash, a lab.  This will be his first cruise, hopefully of many.  I would definitely be interested in hearing about the accessible features aboard. On my last cruise I ran into someone with a portable power wheelchair that folded to the size of about a small suitcase and weighed under 50 lbs (22.68kg, I had to ask Siri) perfect for traveling on carpet.

Thanks and have a great voyage!

Tami & Splash

[davy jones]

22 hours ago, ValerieJo said:

   Another question I have is in regard to indoor space.   Since we will be sailing from New Jersey toward the end of November, I'm guessing we won't be spending a ton of time out on the pool deck for the first day or two.  Do you feel there is enough indoor spaces around the ship to not feel overcrowded?  Thanks again.  Looking forward to more of your review.  Have a wonderful time!

Quantum and Anthem were initially designed for year round sailings from Cape Liberty.  We have only sailed once, but it did seem ok.  There is a large indoor pool area and the Solarium is very large and indoors.  270 is huge and can be used for relaxing on sea days.  Seaplex is indoors and can handle a lot of things to keep teens active all day.  We'll be sailing her soon and will relearn the ship.

[laurieal]

5 hours ago, FionaMG said:

How are you getting the Compasses to look so pristine? The pics I posted of mine were always a mess! Are you posting screenshots of the digital version or something like that?

If the image is yellow-ish, then I scanned the paper compass (like Day 2) with the iScanner app on my phone. For the non-yellow compasses I took a screen capture of the digital compass. 

[laurieal]

Day 3

 

Hello from a very busy Schooner Bar. I am trying to split my day in several posts, so let me know if you have any feedback on that format. 

 

The ship was still moving a lot when I woke up, but I could see blue skies on my virtual balcony. I wobbled down to the Diamond Lounge where I got myself a latté and then I went up to the Solarium for some breakfast. I was feeling sweet this morning and went for the pancakes. 
 

 

 

 

It was the Crown and Anchor event that morning  at 10:30 and when I arrived at Two70 the place was packed. They showed a short movie to showcase what the robot screens can do, which was neat. Then, the Captain had some jokes for us and they honoured the C&A members who were reaching milestones. After that, they showed another short movie on the robot screens and it was over. 

 

 

 

[laurieal]

Day 3 - continued 

It was so beautiful outside that I wanted to take advantage of it. Deck 15 was closed because of the wind, but I found a nice spot in the sun on Deck 14 close to the outdoor pool, which they were repainting. I got a Goombay Smash and I enjoyed the sunshine while I worked on my review. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

[laurieal]

Day 3 - continued

 

On my way to the restroom, I spotted Johnny Rockets. Because I had Jamie’s Italian booked for that evening, I didn’t really want to have lunch, but I figured that an adult milkshake was a light enough lunch and I went for that. The person manning the counter said the safe option was to go for vanilla and Malibu rhum, but if I felt wild I should have the chocolate with Captain Morgan. 
 

 

 

One look at my hair after spending a couple of hours in the wind should have told him everything. I was feeling wild!

 

 

While I was waiting for my milkshake, the captain made an announcement to update us on the weather. They had to divert to the south more than anticipated to avoid the storm between Southampton and the Azores, so it’s uncertain if we’ll be able to make our stop over there. Either way, I know some people on our roll call are really suffering from sea sickness, so hopefully we get calmer waters soon. 

 

In the afternoon, I went to the Love and Marriage show in the Royal Theatre. It wasn’t very well attended and the activities manager struggled to find three couples who wished to participate. It ended up being a fun show with a few good laughs, but my favourite part had to be the uncontrollable giggles of the ladies sitting in front of me. 

 

 

 

 

After the show, I went to the Schooner Bar for Game of Thrones trivia. They were still doing the afternoon trivia when I arrived and it was extremely well attended with some participants having to sit on the floor. Having won the Game of Thrones trivia on the Wonder, I felt pretty confident, but I did terrible. Clearly it’s time for not only a rematch, but also a re-read as some of those questions were specific to the books. 

 

 

Head bowed down in shame, I went back to my stateroom while the other passengers assembled around me and yelled SHAME!!

 

At least in my head they did. 

[DaniDanielle]

Your review is great!  We have been on Anthem 11 times and you are showing me new things😁

Thanks.

[laurieal]

Day 3 - continued 

 

I haven’t commented on my Voom Surf and Stream package yet, but I think it’s quite good. Good enough to stream some Netflix from my stateroom as I was getting ready for dinner. The videos take longer to open, but once they start I get no interruptions at all. Now if only my VPN could get its act together and let me watch the latest episode of House of the Dragon on Crave, I would be a very happy cruiser. 

 

As I was heading out to dinner, there was an announcement to say that this evening’s representations of Spectra’s Cabaret had been cancelled because of the weather. I can barely stay still in an elevator, so I can’t imagine dancing while the ship is moving that much. They should be moving those shows to another date. 

 

I was hoping to sit in Two70 and watch the ocean before dinner, but the venue was closed, so I went to Jamie’s and asked if they could sit me a bit earlier than my reservation time. They still had several open tables and it was no problem accommodating my party of one. 

 

I started with a Bellini. Then, I went with my waitress’ recommendations and had the Garlicky Prawns and the Truffle Tagliatelle. If you don’t have a big appetite and usually struggle to make it to dessert, you can ask for a half portion of the pasta, which I did. I also had some Posh Fries. For dessert, I had the Amalfi Lemon Meringue Cheesecake. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My favourite thing I ate was the pasta. Those flavours really hit the spot for me and the half portion was very manageable for me. I also really enjoyed the cheesecake, particularly the blackcurrant coulis. The prawns were nothing to write home about, a bit more chewy than I would have liked, but I love prawns and I still ate the whole thing. 

 

I finished dinner just in time to catch the headliner show starring comedian Josh Daniels. It was a fun show and a good way to spend part of the evening. After the show, cruise director Mario announced that the next day they would be having an iconic celebration in the Esplanade for the Icon of the Seas. Like many people, I’ve been following the Icon’s construction since it started, so I’m pretty excited for all the Icon announcements happening right now. 

 

After the show, I went for one last drink in the Music Hall. I tried the Tribute, which was nice, but not as nice as the Strawberry Fields from the night before. 

 

 

And that was drink voucher number four! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I did it! I decided to end the night on a victory and I took myself to bed where I was violently pushed around to sleep. 

[laurieal]

Just now, DaniDanielle said:

Your review is great!  We have been on Anthem 11 times and you are showing me new things😁

Thanks.

Wow, 11 times! You must be a real Anthem connaisseur. What’s your favourite thing to do and favourite thing to eat on Anthem?

[DaniDanielle]

I enjoy 270, it’s a nice place to sit and watch the ocean.  Naturally, the roast beef sandwich is a favorite.  I have seen We Will Rock You ten times.  I only missed once because I had a hip replacement and was knocked out early a lot!!! We live close to Bayonne, so no flying involved which is a plus.  Solarium is peaceful, great place to relax.  Enjoy

[VTSKIandCRUISEGUY]

I'd love to know if Perry Grant is staying on the Anthem for the U.S. cruises. We're on the Nov 13 sailing.

We saw him back in 2009 or 2010 on a Celebrity ship.

[FionaMG]

29 minutes ago, VTSKIandCRUISEGUY said:

I'd love to know if Perry Grant is staying on the Anthem for the U.S. cruises. We're on the Nov 13 sailing.

We saw him back in 2009 or 2010 on a Celebrity ship.

We caught a little bit of a couple of his performances in the Schooner bar on our recent Anthem cruise and thought he was very entertaining. He also did an afternoon show in the main theatre on the last sea day. I would have gone to see it but it clashed with the one and only time on our 12-night cruise that we managed to get comfy, front-row loungers in the solarium! 

[Another_Critic]

2 hours ago, laurieal said:

While I was waiting for my milkshake, the captain made an announcement to update us on the weather. They had to divert to the south more than anticipated to avoid the storm between Southampton and the Azores, so it’s uncertain if we’ll be able to make our stop over there.

 

Based on your current position, you are heading on a direct path to the Azores, so unless the port closes, you should make your stop tomorrow.

[ecslady]

Loving your review.  I was wondering if at some point you can post a few pics of different views/times (the seas/in port/day/evening etc.) of the virtual balcony. I have never stayed in one, but was wondering if it truly looks like what you would see if in a real balcony. Sometimes I cruise solo and always thought it might be a good option to save some money. Thank you.

Edited October 21, 2022 by ecslady

[Lady Hudson]

Thank you for your review.  Great job.  We are on Anthem for 14 days starting on 11/6 so I am enjoying reading and looking for any Anthem changes.  I see none — which is good.  Anthem is a great ship.  Katherine 

[laurieal]

18 hours ago, VTSKIandCRUISEGUY said:

I'd love to know if Perry Grant is staying on the Anthem for the U.S. cruises. We're on the Nov 13 sailing.

We saw him back in 2009 or 2010 on a Celebrity ship.

I saw someone ask this on the group for this sailing (if it was you, sorry for repeating the info). Apparently Perry Grant will be leaving the ship after this cruise. 

[laurieal]

17 hours ago, Another_Critic said:

Based on your current position, you are heading on a direct path to the Azores, so unless the port closes, you should make your stop tomorrow.

Yes, we made it! The captain had announced that we would be arriving around 11:00, but we were early 😊 

[laurieal]

2 hours ago, ecslady said:

Loving your review.  I was wondering if at some point you can post a few pics of different views/times (the seas/in port/day/evening etc.) of the virtual balcony. I have never stayed in one, but was wondering if it truly looks like what you would see if in a real balcony. Sometimes I cruise solo and always thought it might be a good option to save some money. Thank you.

Good idea, I will absolutely do that! 

[laurieal]

Day 4 Compass

 

 

 

 

[laurieal]

Day 4

 

Hello from the North Star Bar where they will make you a Lime & Coconut (or two) if you ask nicely. 

 

I woke up with a mission: not eat too much during the day to make sure I would be extra hungry that evening for Chef’s Table. With that in mid, I got a latté from the Diamond Lounge and headed up to the Solarium for some yogurt. 
 

 

They were having a lecture on ship navigation in Two70, which was very well attended. I stayed in Two70 for a while reading and watching the ocean line go up and down in those big windows. Yes, we were still moving quite a bit. 
 

 

That day, they were unveiling the Icon of the Seas and there was a presentation in the theatre where they showed the three episodes of Making an Icon. They also had some mimosas and bites, but I stayed away from the latter because of Chef’s Table. 

 

 

 

 

While I was investigating the snacks, I took a moment to take some pictures of the elevator that can take you down to the very front of the theatre if you have mobility issues and would like to see the shows from up close. When at the back of the theatre and facing the stage, it’s on the left side. 

 

 

 

What does everyone think of Icon? I think it looks spectacular and despite not being able to go on some of the new shiny things, I would love to sail this new class of ship. Originally, they had announced the Icon would be sailing out of Southampton in late 2023 before moving to Miami, so I was hoping to book a crossing. However, it has now been confirmed that it will debut in Miami in 2024. I still made an appointment with NextCruise on October 25th to see what my options are. 

[laurieal]

Day 4 - continued

 

After the Icon presentation, I returned to my stateroom where I attempted to make an effort and look nice-ish for dinner. No plaid shirt and no Stat Wars characters…I could barely recognize myself!

 

I had some time before our 18:15 meeting at the Schooner Bar, so I decided to go to the Shore Excursion desk to inquire about a transfer I had booked from the Ship to Manhattan. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They had no record of my transfer, so they sent me to Guest Service where they took a picture of my confirmation and said they would investigate. Hopefully my transfer isn’t lost, because right now I don’t really have a plan B. I’m glad I checked early.