DragonOfTheSeas

Join DH, our DD and me on our journey on the beautiful Anthem of the Seas from Bayonne, NJ to Port Canaveral, Coco Cay and Nassau. The Anthem is part of a class of ship we have not sailed. I have seen pictures of the ship, and I can ’t wait to get aboard. . . . but, mostly I want to get away from the cold and rainy weather on the east coast today. 😞 It was a wet start as we boarded Amtrak train 88 at the BWI airport Station this morning headed to Newark Penn Station. It was raining cats, dogs, and anything else that could come from the sky. Our Uber XL driver was a Prince. After playing Tetris with four suitcases, a walker and a bookbag we were off. This will be our third time taking Amtrak to Bayonne. We drove the first time we sailed from here, but we did not love the traffic. With the tolls and $30/day parking at the pier the train pays for itself. JMHO We are Alan [DH], Agnes [Me], and our adult DD [Heather]. DH and I are veteran cruisers; this will be our 40th. However, DD is cruising for the first time. She is a teacher, so we are taking a spring break cruise. We typically avoid school holidays. We were not sure we would ever get to take this cruise. DH fell in our cabin on the first part of our B2B cruise last fall. So, we left the ship in Portland, ME. He has fully recovered. However, he still has some mobility issues and I will share a few of our experiences as they relate to that. On Amtrak you can request assistance getting your luggage on and off the train at manned stations. This was a huge help today. Also, the conductor phoned ahead and had a porter waiting by our rail car to get our luggage from there. They also provide wheelchair assistance--but we did not need that.

I took this picture from the balloon in 2022. I wish I had taken a few more of this side. There is a very clear demarcation between the public and the workers side of the island. Since I have seen a few of the pictures of Hideaway Beach it seems the lagoon you see at the top looks like the lagoon I see in those pictures. JMHO

I have been looking for a cruise with something different. 😜

We sail on Anthem this weekend. I plan to do a live thread.

I think this is the more up to date list.cas-amenities-jan-2024-final for D+.pdf

I enjoyed the balloon ride. It has a large circular basket. We had to stay still while the balloon rose. However, after that we could move around in the basket. We enjoyed looking at all the venues on the island and seeing the parts of the island you never see. YMMV

We occasionally book a JS. It depends on the itinerary, ship and price. We booked this one for the unique set up with the solo cabin and JS with the small-internal hallway and the large balcony. We have not sailed this class of ship--but, it seems like a small apartment. So, eating in CK did not enter into the reasoning for booking a JS. But, I am curious. Since JS are allowed in CK on a space available basis for dinner, is there a reason you did not even check into it. . . . I wondered if you felt it was not a great experience when you tried it.

OK, I have on my most protective jacket--because I expect to be flamed. We are in a spacious balcony JS on Anthem of the seas. Our DD is sailing with us in the solo cabin. It is part of a two room set up on a hallway. [8630 and 8632] We have never been on a ship with CK when we had any type of suite. [ We would like to try it --but, would only do it is adult DD could be included] What do you think are the chances we can get one dinner in CK to include DD? DH's b-day is one of the days. That would be my first choice or the first night which is always a train wreck. OK flame away!

The sky is even bluer than the ocean in your pictures.

Thank you for your posts. We are living vicariously thorough you.

It depends on the port of embarkation. US ports require 21. Europe, Asia South America and Australia it is 18. I have never heard of a parent waiver.

Wow--that is one of the best video or picture of the pilot.

Have you checked it today? I just got an email about a leap day sale. Yes, I know their sales are often not sales. But, my Hideaway went down to $22.99 +tax. I cancelled and repurchased. Also, In Nassau I saw several excursions listed with a Diamond and above sale. I had never seen that before. I mentioned this on the FB group and a non-diamond guest said she could not see that sale price. It was 30%.

We are going at the end of March. Please don't lower the heat before then. I am looking forward to it. That is one of the main reasons we booked this.

Ha Ha --we are likely in your same age bracket. DH and I both enjoyed it on the Harmony. We rode it a few times.

I love the crystal-clear blue water!! Love, Love, Love your pictures.

That is good to know. We are older than you but would be glad to enjoy our time there. We are not so set in our ways that a little bit of music from another era would be an issue.

I was going to say the same thing. YMMV We were on a Mardi Gras cruise to New Orleans a few years ago. We purchased tickets to a restaurant on the parade route for dinner, drinks and grandstand seating. They did not deliver. I submitted my receipt, the advertisement for the experience and even a picture of the space where the grandstand should have been with the grandstands for the adjacent restaurants. We had paid way in advance but got all of our money back. It is worth a try.

I have been on both of these in the last year. They both could use a refresh, but they each have their own positives. I would sail each again. However, for a Bermuda cruise it would be Liberty all day. The Vision cruises have VERY poor port times.

For me 7 days is always better than 5--no matter which ship it is. 😁

Thank you. That is very helpful. That is good to know. Thank you! Yes, he is mostly back to where he was before his fall. This will be our first cruise back. On a positive note our adult daughter will be with us on this cruise. 😁

OK--this may be too specific a question. 🤣 TIA Where are the bathrooms located. I noticed on the map there is a building near building 8 that looks like a bath house [not labeled on map]. Also, I would assume they are near the food venue by the pool. DH has some mobility issues and it makes life easier if we are within a reasonable distance of the facilities. [food, restrooms] He uses a walking stick and as you can imagine sand is not his friend. However, we have always been beach people--and a little planning makes for a good experience.

Sorry--reading is fundamental.😁

What type of music was it? a good mix? edit: Thanks for this. It makes me feel a little better about booking this. We got it for the same price you did. Since there seem to be lots of kids on our cruise we wanted an adults- only experience. . . . but, were worried the music would get to us after a while.

JMHO--I would pick #1 This is an impressive array of countries. Africa has way too many countries to "touch" the continent. However, this itinerary does a much better job that the original route. [I would be bummed about missing the Red Sea, Jordon and the Egyptian ports, too] But, it does seem like Royal put a lot of thought into this and wants it to be a unique experience. Cruisers knew there was a strong chance this segment of the cruise would need to be changed due to world events before they ever boarded. I have not heard the full WC cruisers or full segments complaining. The mini segment cruisers have voiced the complaints and I feel they have a right to be upset.