onlyonetrevorfrancis

We are just off the Anthem and had no problem getting a sun bed for the three of us most of the time in the sun.

Its really strange though with Anthem as I think more than any other ship we have been on with Royal it is possible to have very different experiences to your fellow passengers. I think this must be the reason it gets such wildly varying good and bad reviews.

Regarding the common complaints you read on these forums concerning the ship, personally we never waited long for a drink around the pool and we found the bar staff were extremely friendly. We also thought the food along with the service was excellent. Even when we went to 'We Will Rock You' which was extremely busy we were asked three times for cocktail service. I spoke to some other passengers who gave up waiting and had to go to the schooner bar.

Perhaps we have differing standards to more experienced cruisers or my own view is that the Anthem is not currently consistent in what it delivers. Perhaps our experience is more luck than anything else but we really enjoyed the ship and cruise.

We did however meet a lot of people during our trip who were experiencing very different things to us and were not having a good time, way more than on any of our previous cruises.

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Those in the UK are not the concern of your state AG.

 

And if the current literature doesn't show it, then they're not responsible.

 

Here's the wording from the RCCL cruise contract. Read it and tell me what your AG is going to be able to get them on.

 

6. CANCELLATION, DEVIATION OR SUBSTITUTION BY CARRIER:

Carrier may for any reason at any time and without prior notice, cancel, advance, postpone or deviate from any scheduled sailing, port of call, destination, lodging or any activity on or off the Vessel, or substitute another vessel or port of call, destination, lodging or activity. Carrier shall not be liable for any claim whatsoever by Passenger, including but not limited to loss, compensation or refund, by reason of such cancellation, advancement, postponement, substitution or deviation.

The cruise though has to be accurately sold.

The clause above deals with the risk we bear as consumers that things may change once we book.

It doesn't though in my opinion waive the obligation of RCI to accurately describe and advertise the products they sell (I'm not necessarily saying that they haven't on this occasion).

I am frankly astounded at what is developing here, it is an utter shambles.

This is now the second biggest thread on this separate board and things are clearly starting to unravel.

I can only assume that UK Managing Director Stuart Leven is fully aware that in a few weeks time when the UK schools start to break for summer the first of many hundreds (thousands probably?) of families with children are going to be starting holidays on Anthem.

If the anger of all these families is proportional with the upset here (mine included) then the potential fall out to RCI could be huge this summer. He's a brave man in my opinion sticking to the stock UK office response of "we have never advertised DreamWorks".

I don't think this will end well.

So they admit they did market it on Anthem?

I really don't know what to make of all this.

8no pages of Royal Caribbean brochure and website scans advertising Dreamworks and the official line from UK Managing Director Mr Levens office is that they never advertised Dreamworks :confused:

Whatever has happened my son has been told, his upset will pass and as a family we still enjoy and are looking forward to the product that RCI provides (I do appreciate for others its non inclusion is more significant). Its all a bit of a sorry affair and not what I have come to expect from Royal but we are where we are.

However, it is one thing for UK RCI to be swerving this issue on a forum with a largely partisan pro Royal crowd and fending off a few emails. It might be a different scenario altogether come Southampton in the summer when 1000+ children are on board and staff members are dealing with the fall out face to face.

I dread to think of how many people for whom Dreamworks is important not being aware that it is now not included :(

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Thank you, I've forwarded that as well, but it seems I'm being ignored :(

My emails are being sent today, I expect the same - stock answer and the burying of heads in the sand.

I remember though a thread from last year about the Independence of the Seas sailing from Southampton during the UK summer school holidays and there was 1000+ children on board.

If they think we are being a bit of a nuisance now just wanting an honest explanation of what has gone on, imagine if the same numbers of children and families are on board Anthem this year and what could develop if only a small percentage are expecting Dreamworks.

I am very surprised at this "if we pretend it was never advertised it will go away" attitude by senior people at Royal, very surprised indeed.

Great review so far, we were on Adventure for 12 nights last summer and loved it.

UK guests have gone to the MD of RCCL UK and his team basically called them liars...so if guests want someone higher to go to then now they have the email addresses of those to contact.

Its Mr Levens response via his representative that really surprises me.

Either the UK MD and his team have no idea that incorrect information has been previously marketed (surprising given the number of travel agents still advertising Dreamworks on Anthem) or there has been a change of plan and they are trying to brush it under the carpet.

Either scenario is not ideal from the UK team and not what I have come to expect from previous very professional dealings with Royal Caribbean.

I'll contact Stuart Leven first of all and then try the US contacts. I'm booked on three future cruises, love the product so I'm not on any vendetta but it would just be good to have some proper clarification on what has gone on.

Ok I got the following reply after emailing Stuart Leven, thanks to Elizanessie kindly providing the address;

 

''Thank you for your email received and reviewed by Stuart Leven, Managing Director, who has passed it to me for reply.

 

Firstly, I am very concerned to learn that you have expected the Dreamworks Experience to be present on Anthem of the Seas, whilst this service is provided on a number of ships in our fleet, it is not available on Anthem of the Seas.

 

It is certainly never out intention to mislead any of our guests and as such I have immediately reviewed this matter with our Marketing Team. Following this I can confirm that Royal Caribbean have at no time advertised the Dreamwork Experience to be present on Anthem of the Seas. We have also worked very closely with out trade partners to ensure that the correct facilities are advertised on their respective sites, it is therefore concerning to learn otherwise.

 

Whilst I understand and appreciate you are disappointed that this particular service is not available, I would like to assure you that the ship does provide fantastic facilities and services the entire family, and you will certainly have an amazing holiday onboard.''

 

In closing, I certainly regret any misunderstanding, however I would like to assure you that the crew are looking forward to welcoming you onboard in May

 

I have responded quoting TA websites that still are showing dreamworks on AOS both UK & US.

Also if RCCL have not said dreamworks was on it why was I told by Customer services that it was. I also posted links to webcached RCCL sites that are not as efficient as the UK & US websites at redacting info. Also had a couple of pdf files attached, we'll see what bs I get back.

Interesting comments by the Managing Director Stuart Levens representative.

If you google "way back machine" you find a website that stores copies of websites older versions. I had a look at royalcaribbean.co.uk on 17th February 2014. If you follow the links on the site Ships- Anthem of the seas- kids activities there it is in all its glory. You get a web page from 25th March 2014 with Dreamwork advertised as being present.

I'm not very IT savy so can't post photos but under a shrek and donkey is the page title "Kids Activities on Anthem of The Seas" and further down the page -

Discover the magic of DreamWorks

Our DreamWorks experience is one your children are bound never to forget. See their faces light up as they meet their favourite DreamWorks movie characters.

Have a family photograph taken with Shrek and Fiona or the penguins from Madagascar, then join them for a colourful parade around deck. You can even call them over to your dinner table at night!

When RCI have issued early additions of their holiday brochures advertising dreamworks, their website at one stage advertised Dreamwork and some travel agents are still advertising Dreamworks I really don't know what to make of his comment that Royal have never advertised it.

I would also suggest that all this is more of a "misunderstanding" than Mr Levens representative would have us believe.

I have a disappointed 5 year old but it won't spoil our holiday, I'm not looking to cancel and I'm not after OBC. I think though we deserve a proper explanation and not this perceived brushing under the carpet, things happen I know that but pretending it was never on the ship in the first place is not what I have come to expect from Royal Caribbean.

Sorry this is a bit 'on my soapbox' and its not the end of the world but its just disappointing for my family.

Keep smiling all :(

Looking forward to this, we are cruising from Dubai next year :)

We were in Helsinki last year on Adventure and as Ashland stated a shuttle was put on to take you into town for I think about $10.

There is lots to see and do nearby where you are dropped off, the Church of the Rock is worth visiting and then we headed to the harbour area for the market and some lunch. Its a great place you'll really enjoy it :)

Thanks for the info, have to say RCCL giving a vague ''in the future'' is of no use to me. We sail next month & august having booked both cruises primarily for the Dreamworks experience as was advertised at the time & is still being on various sites. incidently it is not a license issue as we sailed out of UK on Liberty and loved the Dreamworks parades etc.

 

 

 

I sent emails to various RCCL offices & received no reply & spoke to customer (dis)services who assured me Dreamworks was on the ship. Really don't know who else to contact to express my dissatisfaction with the whole set up.

 

 

 

Without going into details Anthem having plenty of entertainment options is of no value to us. I won't say our cruises are ruined but me & the missus have very little enthusiasm for them now.

 

 

 

Wish we'd booked a Disney cruise now, at least you don't get told Mickey won't be on board.

I feel your pain here, we have a 5 year old who is going to be very disappointed in July.

The ship was definitely advertised as having Dreamworks in brochures when we booked, it has since disappeared from any RCI literature.

Not sure what happened and why it no longer has it.

I never heard of him

Gordon Ramsey I understand is quite big in the States and Jamie Oliver not so much.

If you know Gordon Ramsey then the easiest way to describe Jamie is he's the COMPLETE opposite.

We ate in Jamie's tonight on the anthem. I can confirm we were asked if we booked before we sailed, on confirming we had booked weeks ago, our pre paid booking was honoured and we did not have to pay any more. It was excellent food. It was also quiet, I assume due to all the cancellations and nobody wanting to go a la carte.

Thats good to hear, I have just called Royal and was told I had two options either cancel or have what we have paid already as a deposit to take off what we spend on the A La Carte menu :confused:

I can't understand why there is nothing official from Royal on this.

I had the same query after I booked online and the invoice showed the gratuities still there and paid for and no mention of the drinks package.

After a phone call it was confirmed I had the 'all inclusive' but that the booking had to now be manually adjusted by the revenue department to remove gratuity cost and add the drinks package. I had this confirmed in an email as well.

It all seems a bit bizarre to me, I guess the website can't cope with the promotion.

I agree fully with previous posters comments, the mini train at the port in Le Havre is fun to travel in to town. We got off at the half way point for a quick look round and a beer and a sandwich.

We have done Bruges twice from the port. You can do it on your own quite easily but it's a bit of a faff and the station is a bit of a walk to the nice squares in bruges. Last time we did the 'Bruges on your own' excursion with Royal Caribbean, a lot easier and convenient but you pay for the privilege, $35 dollars from memory.

Greg

Funny, I've been on many cruises and have NEVER heard this type of conversation. I've spoken with many lovely people in both the concierge and diamond lounges and have no idea of their C&A status or their particular accommodations.

 

Strangely, in contrast to the original post, we went to the CL two nights on a recent Freedom cruise. The first night there was a nice size crowd, but still a few seats. The second time, we were the only people in there .

 

These Diamond-Pinaccle bashing posts seem to surface every few weeks or months. I don't know why.

M

I'm hopefully not bashing Diamond or Pinnacle, I'm very close to reaching Diamond so I'm looking forward to joining the ranks.

Equally though just because the guests I refer to in my post were D+ I don't think it is an excuse for boorish behaviour.

In my experience in some guests, a small minority I'm sure, the higher levels of the C & A does go to people heads and it brings out the worst in them.

I not only see this in the CL but the DL too...we're D+ but keep a low profile and quietly to ourselves in the lounges.

 

On one recent cruise we made the mistake of getting to the lounge early one night and sat in one of their seats/area...We overheard (easily) that some weren't happy.

 

So, we made a point of getting there early a few more nights :D.

Same here, If we were early enough I deliberately sat my family right in the middle of where our 'pin wearers' liked to sit :)

The 'Pin Wearers' took over the central area of the CL on our Adventure Baltic cruise.

I can live with a bit of superiority if you have made D+ but it was the goading of other mainly suite guests that they were in there on the cheapest inside cabin and we'd paid for suites etc etc that irritated me.

The higher levels of C & A really seems to bring out the worst in some people....

This is the second time RCI have introduced the "all inclusive" offer (it isn't all inclusive but that's another story) for cruises in 2015.

Our Anthem cruise which we booked outside of these offers like yourself went up in price instantly both times the offer was announced. It may be something to check.

I'm Diamond and when I was last on on Liberty, I ventured from the Concierge Lounge to the Diamond Lounge. Both Lounges gave me drinks "to go" as well. :D

My GS gold card worked in the Diamond Lounge on Adventure as well, quite often went in for coffee. Never brave enough to venture in there for cocktails though, there is something about Diamonds and above especially in a group that can spot an imposter at 30 paces :D

Agreed, no view at all. I'd rather have one of the inside cabins with the video window.

A lot of people think the same way which made the insides and oceans views on our Anthem cruise significantly more than the obstructed balconies.

The obstructed balconies were then the first to sell out though :confused:

I've only recently started to get into cruising again but my thinking was that sitting outside with whatever view I got and fresh air with a book/food/drink would be more enjoyable than sitting inside with the screen.

Who knows though, I took the saving on the OB and a cruise is a cruise at the end of the day and beats work :)

Greg

We did it recently on Independance.

It was fun and informative, if your a real connoisseur of wine I don't think you'd get much from it but we really enjoyed.

The cheeses that accompany it are to die for!

Thanks, enjoyed your blog.

Made me smile as we were on Adventure about 10 weeks ago and we 'had' to book a half term cruise on Independent to get over the cruise blues :)

I asked Royal Caribbean if we could have the free drinks and gratuities package retrospectively. They said no.

 

The package is worth about £800 to our family, so it looked like it would be worth cancelling the booking, losing our £450 deposit, and rebooking as a new customer. Just like Mim above.

 

I rang to sort this out, expecting them to say "Yes, it's one of those things, let's save all the paperwork and just give you the drinks package for £450".

 

But of course

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So I asked them to cancel the booking and re-book the entire cruise. It wasted 40 minutes of Royal Caribbean's time, and my time. Well worth it for me, but a crazy amount of unnecessary bureaucracy for the company.

 

And the nice postscript? The new holiday price is £250 less than I'd been charged the first time around! So a total saving of £600.

 

I guess that's the last time I'll be booking early with Royal Caribbean again. Next year I'll stop being so organised, and wait for the special offer season.

Glad it worked for you, that's great news :)

Every cruise that I was looking at including our Anthem cruise already booked for 2015 went up significantly the very day each time this promotion has been run.

There are big winners and losers with this so people need to be a bit cautious.

There was an adults archery competition held in the Labyrinth night club one lunchtime on our recent IOS cruise.

It was a port day so no ship movement and no injuries reported :)

Greg