RareBird

I am glad you put it out there. We were on anthem back in May of this year and I came off the ship fuming. In fact as soon as I was off I booked Norwegian suite for December. Royal Caribbean completely lost me after all the issues I had on the ship.

I don't think I will book another cruise with Royal for very long time - and we cruise 2x a year! I couldn't wait to give Norwegian my money.

For four nights in a row we could not book a free restaurant, none of their free restaurants where available to be booked which is a shame. If you think it's better with Paid restaurants it's the same. The steakhouse was booked up for five nights in a row. Meanwhile, the huge restaurant they have set aside for the suite guests was always empty. And the food was never hot, warm but not hot.

North Star was booked up from the first day. We finally got a tip from another passenger to just go "stand by" hoping people didn't show up. That worked on first try and we were able to ride it.

We were in the balcony cabin. I honestly hated the beds, they are very hard. The pillows tiny. The cabinet layout is ridiculous. If the beds are separated, the cabinets next to the beds cannot be opened as they hit the beds and linens. And because of these huge cabinets next to the bed, you absolutely did not get a Waterview if lying down. What is the point of a balcony cabin if you can't see the water? I feel like the designers didn't think about where this room will be they were just designing for a hotel not cruise ship.

We also had same issues with reservations on the mobile app versus customer service versus the big screens on the ship nothing matched. And because they had so many automated reservation options, they had few real people to address concerns.

The big positives were shows and entertainment. The new theater in the back of the ship is fantastic. I loved the shows, all of them. The entertainment was really much better than NCL. I wish Norwegian would put more money into their shows and organizing events.

In the end, even though I am a very active member of this forum I did not write a bad review. To be honest, I always think people exaggerate when I read they had a bad cruise. But in the case of anthem what you read is actually true.

Wow sad.

We always bring a case of 24 Poland Spring bottles with us on the ship. This policy change it is very inconvenient I love having bottles of water in my cabin.

It's interesting because we just sailed anthem of the seas on the Royal Caribbean line, and we were able to bring our 24 water pack on at the liberty Seaport no problem.

I am picky about my soap so I bring my own.

 

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I do it too! I thought it was the only one.

suite 'dumping' was definitely revamped and no longer happens. They seem to upsel them before the dumping clock starts ticking. I know.... I've sailed in discounted suites purchased weeks before cruise [live in port city]

NCL suites are the best experience on the ocean - amazing - you have to do it! we're sailing in H6 this December, full price.

Amazing post! thank you so much, I wish more CC members would post great detailed reviews of the cabins.

We just booked 11908 for December... so excited!! It really looks more like a 2-bedroom suite on Gem-type ships than a penthouse.

We were in 13250 and had no noise issues, and bonus extra large balcony. I would rebook that room in a heartbeat and I am a light sleeper.

if you really mean 13250, you were on the hump of the ship in completely different location.. can you confirm?

We were in 13250 and had no noise issues, and bonus extra large balcony. I would rebook that room in a heartbeat and I am a light sleeper.

thanks fellow NJ cruiser! awesome news.

we just got assigned 13520 under guarantee, any experiences with that room?

interesting, i guess royal assigns this room a lot when you book a guarantee. we just got 13520 with a guarantee booking on anthem.

Sunday Monday Thursday games were on cabin TVs and atrium. Then day games were shown as well.

Been on both, and many other ships. I love Gem and just ok with Breakaway. We're going on Gem again in 3 weeks. I'd never sail Breakaway again unless it was The only ship going to a destination I just had to visit.

We prepay. One less thing to have on your bill at end of cruise.

I think you need a new TA, but I can maybe help you understand the room price thing.

 

Your wife booked ov. You can not downgrade to insides. You can upgrade which is why ov to balcony wss no problem.

 

To go ov to inside, as that is not allowed, you need to cancel and pay any cancel penalties to do that.

 

I am very surprised your TA could not explain that to you.

 

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This is the right answer.

Your TA should have known and explained it. NCL should have explained it. Odd they could not get through to you this simple concept.

Next time, call your friendly NCL consultant.

Yes, if you are high enough you will hear a noise. See my comment in my signature about us having to switch rooms middle of the cruise because of noise on breakaway aft

Amazing pictures, please post more.

Any update on whether the forward penthouse suites getting a remodel?

OK, here are the dailies for the first 5 days. Hope the pdf format is good for everyone.

 

[ATTACH]366574[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]366575[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]366576[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]366577[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]366578[/ATTACH]

OMG thank you!!!!

I was just on the Gem 10/10 - 10/20. The welcome aboard show was at 7:00, one show only. The rest of the shows were at 7:00 and 9:00.

did you keep dailies? if yes, could you please post!

me too! we're on a 10 day in just over a month.

we are on Gem in middle of December... very excited, as we sailed her many times before and would love to see a big remodel. We're in a suite too!

as you can see from my sig, we sailed on Gem and sister ships many times, and just booked again for this december for 10 days. I particularly love the Gem, and we've sailed on many different ships: new and old, big and small. Gem's layout is probably one of the best out there, the staff is always great and variety is very good. Yes, you will not have quality broadway shows, but honestly on a cruise, you can find so many other ways to entertain your self at night - casino, music, bars.

We too sailed on Gem so many times! ... but the ship is wonderful. We're probably going again this year too.

on Gem this past week, we were able to see ALL NFL games in our stateroom TV on ESPN and also in atrium and they also showed them in Bliss lounge.

ESPN was advertising superbowl broadcast, so I would assume they will be showing it! :)

- SNF game

- sunday games

- MNF game

With NCL you have to be certain you want to book early for price/room otherwise you are sure to be disappointed if you are going in off-season [january].

We live close to our port, NYC, and love to cruise with NCL. Even if I know I will cruise in May 2016 to Bermuda for example, I will not book that cruise until about 6 weeks out for best prices... that's the way this cruise line treats their off-season. May will not sell out so they will discount it after final payment, so there is absolutely no reason to buy ahead of time.

I'll be back for more too! Planning on Hawaii one day.

You have an easy laid back writing style and great pictures! :)

Just off the Gem on Monday. Had done a back to back. There was work being done during both cruises and though it could be a little annoying there was nothing that should stop you from having a good cruise. The second cruise (Nov 22) had O'Sheehan's completed and open. There were a few hiccups in the food and service which can be expected from any new restaurant. Having only experienced an O'Sheehan's on the Getaway I can say that the Gem version is not as extensive but should suffice for an onboard pub. It certainly attracted a decent crowd for Sunday football that could be viewed on the big screen in the atrium. I went to Moderno's the second night it was open and the food was excellent.

 

As for the UDP, all restaurants up and running and you should have no issues due to renovations.

 

 

Rochelle

Thanks, great news. We love Moderno.