movierunner

There was someone doing a live post from end of March. Sorry don't know link but if you look under the Anthem ship link to the right you will see it.

Hope that helps.

NO only ones that want it.

Just home from Anthem. Super LONG post - hope it will help someone on her today.

 

App - If you don't have it, consider adding the royal IQ FREE app to your phone. It has the hour by hour things to do list, the compass online, you can access your bill, etc. SUPER.

 

Emarking - take a photo of the parking lot level and location you're on in Bayonne. It helps to remember where you are after a week of fun in the sun.

 

Embarking was easy and efficient. We were on by 11 am.

 

Day One lunch - hit 270 for a "kummel weck" which is a really tasty roast beef sandwich with or without horseradish sauce. If you like soup, wraps, sandwiches this is a great place for lunch.

You can hit the Windjammer if you have kids - lots of buffet style food to choose from.

 

Finding your room - Once you have a bite to eat, head to your room after 1:00. We met our cabin steward who was great. Unpacked, headed to the pool and hung out a bit.

 

Free food choices are Main Dining (you're assigned to one of 4 but each has the same menu so you won't miss menu items), Windjammer, 270, Seaplex (hot dogs), Solarium Bistro (brunch/dinner/breakfast).

 

In Windjammer try the salads, fresh carving board, cupcakes.

In 270 the Kummel Weck, the French Dip and the pesto pasta salad are good.

In the Solarium, breakfast items like eggs/bacon are good in a pinch.

At Seaplex sausage and peppers is good.

 

In the main Dining Room the food is wonderful - too much to list but crab cakes, lobster, seafood risotto are all great as is the NY strip.

 

Entertainment - do not miss the Journey Tribute band.

Synergy band in the Music Hall is fun and will get you moving.

If there is a headliner, don't miss them in the Royal Theatre. Great talent.

We will rock you is a queen trbute and really good fun.

Spectras Cabaret is funky but like a cirque de soleil - very talented people.

 

Fun places after hours to grab a drink - Boleros makes good exotic drinks. The Music Hall has standards and some exotics.

Poolside - try a mango tango (half mango/half pina colada) or a Miami Vice (half strawberry dack, half pina colada). YUM

 

Pluses - service from waiters to bartenders to room steward everyone was super. Dondi in Chops was absolutely awesome.

 

Rooms were spotless, bathrooms were replenished in our cabin. Each night we had a turndown service and found a different towel critter on our bed every day.

 

Hallways were clean, dining rooms are beautiful.

Common bathroom areas were spotless.

 

Food was wonderful with a few I would have done without - the bread puddings were so-so. The mushroom ravioli was gummy and I'm just not fond of the Windjammer but I don't like buffet so it's just my opinion.

 

Minuses - we must have caught spring break coz there were a LOT of kids. Pools were clogged with too many whose parents dropped them off to play and did little to control them.

 

Guest Services - a few were really apathetic to the inconveniences caused by the itinerary change due to propulsion problems. As a result, the lines were awful.

 

Coordination of info regarding our extended onboarding in Port Canavarel was non existent. Three hour wait to get back on the ship basically killed any chance of us doing anything meaningful in Fla.

 

Do this in Bahamas - visit Fort Findcastle, Fort Charlotte, the Government House, see the country, not just the straw market. You're there for that anyway right?

 

At Coco Cay, get there early. It fills up quickly with people.

 

I had a great time despite a lot of inconvenience caused by a change of itinerary.

 

If you have questions about anything just drop a line :)

Thanks for the review. We were on our 1st cruise in March on the Freedom & loved it so now have booked this one for March 17th 2018. Ya it's a long way off but checking for info will help pass the time as will our summer camping ;-)

We are now booked on deck 11 mid ship & NOT 13 anymore.

Hello all just did our 1st cruise and was on the Freedom March 18th, now looking to book Anthem in March 2018. TA has a hold on 2 rooms for us. 13252 & 13254 and I see these are near the front of the ship and below the pools. Can someone tell me if it would be noisy being under the pool area and music from there?

Thanks

Thanks for the reviews. Now if we don't get caught in too much snow on our way will be in hotel near port Friday mid after noon. But from I'm seeing leaving from the Toronto area on Wednesday 4 AM and driving down I-79, US 19, I-77, I-26 and finally onto I-95 could be caught in the BIG storm :-(. Up by Toronto storm should end overnight Tuesday but looks like PA will still be getting some. Oh well as long as the highways don't get closed down we will be fine.

OK, Thanks for the info.

Wear strong repellent?

We are on the Mar. 18th Freedom cruise and today was at my doctor for repeat of pills, ha again asked where we sop & only said use strong repellent and reapply after out of the water. And yes says biggest risk is night time & ya we will not be there.

Can't wait, now COLD, Windy & snowing here :-(

molsonschooner - what date are you cruising?

there were enough hangers for us. How far east of Toronto are you

Whitby. Leaving around 4am on the 15th, 3 days to get there.

OK we are going to be on this ship on the 18th and my wife asks if there are hangers in the cupboards, or do we need to bring some.

Starting to pack a bit & driving down taking 3 days to get there from east of Toronto.

Thanks

Depending on which ship you are sailing your room service menu may also be on the TV, instead of a book...

That's my understanding on the FREEDOM that a friends was on 2 years ago.

Use the TV, but I'm guessing that coffee & tea with some pastries would be go & if ordered eggs &&& if available would be cold by the time you get them.

Come on 18th!!!:D

I have a Ram pickup and wasn't sure if they call it over sized, but now booked like others at Park N Go for 1/2 the cost. But I hope I can self park due to larger tow mirrors on my truck, I guess I could show them that they fold in.

One week from today we start are drive down to Florida.

Thanks for the update as this will be our 1st cruise and was not happy about food reviews we were seeing before.

Come on March 18th !!!! Even thou we are retired now still need a break from this cold weather up here.

Thanks for the review, our cruise coming up on the 18th and our 1st. one.

Springhill Suites, Dania Beach. Free airport shuttle. Free shuttle to the cruise port.

We are booked at the Super8 in Dania Beach, they did say had some spots if you want to leave car (at a cost) and shuttle to the port.

We are driving from outside of Toronto & taking 3 days to drive down. Until I see the area the motel is in not sure if we leave car there. It's only a 4 minute drive to Park N Go.

We are on 8th deck with a balcony mid ship. Looking forward to this & our 1st cruise.

We are on 8th deck with a balcony mid ship. Looking forward to this & our 1st cruise.

Thank you so much for all of this. You have helped calm some of my fears as this is our first time on a cruise. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Yes thanks you from another 1st. timer & it's coming soon :D

OK, so this will be out 1st. cruise and have MDR for 5:30 booked. So is this something we should look at doing? If so where would be an area to ask for? And do you ask for a table for just yourself or with others?

Think it would be great to have other at the dinner table.

Oh should say on FOS.

Thanks

Great reviews and pictures, Thanks

Can't wait for our cruise in March.

So from what I'm see it depends on terminal your ship is at. We are on FOS March 18th, but don't know where she will be docked at this time. From what the port sites says you park in diff. lots for some terminals. So if #29 then thinking Park-N-Go would be best for us and we are staying 5 min. south of that lot.

Awesome! I hope you have a great time on your first cruise 😄 What ship will you be traveling on?

We will be on FOS

Watching, thanks for the question from another 1st. timer.

Roce48,

OK it is Traditional Dining we have and 5:30pm seating.