Live blog From Anthem of the Seas Transatlantic

[Cruisin' Ya Ya]

Thanks so much for the fantastic photos and blog. It is a huge help for us when we cruise on Anthem 12/12/15.

[AndyT3]

Greatly appreciate all the photos! Very cool to see everything through the eyes of another new cruiser! Thank you!

[Overtyme]

At 12 noon we had covered 1581 nautical miles with 1590 to go.

 

The weather has improved slightly so they have started to refill the pool. However, as you will see from the video below there is a lot of movement in the water

 

 

We have just been advised that tonight's show The Gift has been cancelled due to safety concerns and there will now be singers on instead.

 

As one other poster has mentioned it is difficult to get seats at any of the inside venues as it is so busy with all the outside activities cancelled.

 

It would be good if there could be more things to do during the day to replace cancelled activities though.

 

By the way Happy Halloweeen

 

 

We decorated our door and will be dressing up tonight. We're in Wonderland for dinner tonight so that will work well and a Halloween event is going to be on in the Music Hall later.

 

 

With so many cancelled activities, is the cruise line offering discounts towards a future cruise, or some compensation?

I know they don't have to, but at some level, especially if this is your first cruise, you don't want this to be the experience that you walk away with.

Glad to see that you're making the most of it all.

Hope you're enjoying your time despite the weather and cancelled activities.

I'd probably broke by now, but no on drinks.

I would have gambled it all away in the casino.

[denatravels]

Ok, so further to my previous post we have checked. The premium package does not include alcoholic cocktails. The only package that includes these is the ultimate which we have.

 

However there would be nothing stopping you getting a coffee from one of the many free locations then getting a brandy etc. From the bar

 

 

How is following along with your cruise costing me so much $$$? Probably need to upgrade to ultimate AND really interested in the behind the scenes (which I had wanted to do but though maybe too expensive-- but now possibly seems worth it).

I do appreciate you taking the time to answer questions and posting your pics. Just wish it wasn't making MY cruise more expensive[emoji57]

[Tura Lura]

Any idea how much it is for a basic shot of say vodka or tequila? I'm not a huge drinker so wondering if it would work out to get the package for just non alcoholic drinks and coffee, then here and there get a shot to add in.

[trident one]

Thank you for this excellent blog! We are also currently on the Anthem. It is unfortunate that the outdoor and other motion-related activities (Cabaret show, bumper cars) have been canceled or postponed due to weather, but we knew this was a possibility when we booked this TA cruise, so we were prepared for it. We are having a great time! However, because of so many canceled activities, it is sometimes challenging to get a seat at the indoor events (trivia, music events, etc.). Again, it's not a surprise, just a bit frustrating. You have to arrive early to get a seat!

 

Someone asked about bringing your wine into the dining rooms. We brought our two allotted bottles on board along with a corkscrew. We've been carrying a glass into the dining room, and no one has seemed to have a problem with it.

 

Regarding lobster, we ate in the Grande (formal restaurant) on day two, and were served lobster tail (at no charge) with a light sauce (instead of butter). It was tasty. My favorite meal so far has been the Surf & Turf in American Icon. The beef was extremely tender, and in my opinion, cooked to perfection (which is sometimes tricky for me because I like it medium well).

 

We signed up for "classic" dining, which involves being rotated through the four dining rooms (which we will repeat as this is an 8-night cruise). Our rotation is Chic, Grande, Silk, then American Icon. I have reviewed the menus, and it appears that we will receive a slightly different menu than the one we received on the first night in each restaurant, although there are several items that are repeated.

 

Thanks again for blogging. It's been fun following along.

 

We have friends on the 12/12 sailing. Question on your "classic" dining. Do your waiters rotate with you and do you have an assigned table in each dining room. Do you just arrive at your stated time and wait to be seated.

[michigal]

We have friends on the 12/12 sailing. Question on your "classic" dining. Do your waiters rotate with you and do you have an assigned table in each dining room. Do you just arrive at your stated time and wait to be seated.

 

Hi,

Our wait staff is rotating with us. We have the same table number in each of the 4 dining rooms. At each dining room, there is one line for guests who do not have "classic dining". Guests with classic dining are directed to another line and are seated as soon as they arrive for dinner (at their allotted time).

[Tura Lura]

Looking at the daily, there were 3 solo meet ups in one day! Are there that many solo travelers? I'll be on my own when I go, glad to know they have meet ups!

[Seaworthy01]

Really enjoying your photos, Keep sharing.

[denatravels]

Looking at the daily, there were 3 solo meet ups in one day! Are there that many solo travelers? I'll be on my own when I go, glad to know they have meet ups!

 

 

They aren't hosted, as they are on NCL. I've heard that on other Royal ships, often nobody shows up. But it is a nice option to meet people when going solo.

[BourkeBlogs]

As it's Halloween we have dressed up.

 

On our way up the stairs tonight, we were quite amused. A little boy asked his mum what she was wearing for Halloween and she said its only kids who dress up. Don't think she was expecting my Mrs to come round the corner of the stairs and say no it's not with her red wig and spider on her head.

 

 

[Tura Lura]

They aren't hosted, as they are on NCL. I've heard that on other Royal ships, often nobody shows up. But it is a nice option to meet people when going solo.

 

I hope someone shows up. If not, I'll meet folks other ways or just get a lot of reading done :). I'm fine on my own, but nice to have folks to chat with now and again. Seems there's a whiteboard as well so I can leave a note to fellow solos there too.

[michigal]

As it's Halloween we have dressed up.

 

On our way up the stairs tonight, we were quite amused. A little boy asked his mum what she was wearing for Halloween and she said its only kids who dress up. Don't think she was expecting my Mrs to come round the corner of the stairs and say no it's not with her red wig and spider on her head.

 

 

 

We are dressed up too! I don't have a photo to post, but look for the sailor girl and a "Blues Brother"!!

[Setting sail for fun]

Happy Haloween! Looks like great fun!

[denatravels]

I hope someone shows up. If not, I'll meet folks other ways or just get a lot of reading done :). I'm fine on my own, but nice to have folks to chat with now and again. Seems there's a whiteboard as well so I can leave a note to fellow solos there too.

 

 

Hope it works out for you!

[Angelsea57]

Thanks the great posting.

Really enjoying all the photos and review!

[BourkeBlogs]

We are dressed up too! I don't have a photo to post, but look for the sailor girl and a "Blues Brother"!!

 

 

It was great to meet you both tonight, sorry we didn't get chance to speak to you much.

 

It was great to meet a blog follower and I hope you had luck in the casino.

 

Here's your picture

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited November 1, 2015 by CruisenovicesUK

[BourkeBlogs]

Sorry this post is off topic, but promise it's the only one and normal blogging will be resumed tomorrow with pics from Wonderland tonight and the rest of the behind he scene tour.

 

As we ended up talking about dogs tonight we realised how much we are missing our little man Stanley.

 

Although he's being looked after well and with his doggy mates it will be good to get him back

 

If you want to follow Stanley The Schnauzer you can do so at http://www.Facebook.com/StanleyTheSchnauzer

 

 

Edited November 1, 2015 by CruisenovicesUK

[Photofinish4]

Sorry this post is off topic, but promise it's the only one and normal blogging will be resumed tomorrow with pics from Wonderland tonight and the rest of the behind he scene tour.

 

As we ended up talking about dogs tonight we realised how much we are missing our little man Stanley.

 

Although he's being looked after well and with his doggy mates it will be good to get him back

 

If you want to follow Stanley The Schnauzer you can do so at http://www.Facebook.com/StanleyTheSchnauzer

 

 

He is a cutie. That's what I hate about cruising leaving my dogs behind

[BourkeBlogs]

Any idea how much it is for a basic shot of say vodka or tequila? I'm not a huge drinker so wondering if it would work out to get the package for just non alcoholic drinks and coffee, then here and there get a shot to add in.

 

 

Hi Tura Lura

 

We will check today for you

[BourkeBlogs]

With so many cancelled activities, is the cruise line offering discounts towards a future cruise, or some compensation?

I know they don't have to, but at some level, especially if this is your first cruise, you don't want this to be the experience that you walk away with.

Glad to see that you're making the most of it all.

Hope you're enjoying your time despite the weather and cancelled activities.

I'd probably broke by now, but no on drinks.

I would have gambled it all away in the casino.

 

 

Hi

 

No, nothing has been offered, although we don't expect it as it's not their fault the weather has been bad.

 

Hopefully nothing else gets cancelled today as 2 showings of Spectra's and one of the Gift was cancelled last night so they are running out of times to reschedule to.

 

I would have thought they would have had more contingency plans in for this sailing as we expected a rough crossing so I would have thought they could have thought of alternate schedules for this type of situation.

[BourkeBlogs]

Here is the day 6 cruise compass.

We are very much keeping our fingers crossed that nothing is cancelled today, as we are now getting a bit bored.

 

 

 

Again the day was wrong, the time change was actually 4am today (Sunday)

Edited November 1, 2015 by CruisenovicesUK

[BourkeBlogs]

So back to yesterday, after the tour we went to Johnny Rockets for lunch which was very good.

 

As the restaurant is on deck 14 it is very much exposed to the elements so most tables were not out. We had gone prepared with thick jackets to keep warm so could sit at one of the tables inside the doorway.

 

The food at Johnny Rockets is chargeable with burgers costing $2.50 and fries / onion rings cost $1.50. A meal deal with a soda was available for $5. We went for a shake each which was fantastic but cost $4.50 each so burger fries and a shake each was $17 in total. Regardless of what drinks package you are on, drinks are chargeable here which doesn't seem wholly right. We did know in advance this was the case, so expected it, but when you have paid £700 for a drinks package charging $4.50 each for a shake seems ridiculous.

 

The food was cooked fresh and was excellent, much better than the burgers elsewhere on the ship so definitely worth doing. We may even have another one before we leave the boat.

 

 

 

Apologies for the reflection on this one, I tried a few times and angles but couldn't get a great shot of the board.

 

 

 

 

One other thing to note was despite the cold and the charge it was really busy and there was a queue all the time we were there.

Edited November 1, 2015 by CruisenovicesUK

[Overtyme]

The weather here in NY has been really nice, so you should have some relatively calm seas going forward.

I really hope that you get some of these activities in that you wanted to.

Have you tried the Puzzle Break Escape Room?

I wonder if they also have one of those murder mysteries.

I wish they offered some sort of course under the nighttime sky like navigating using the stars or astronomy or something like that.

It seems that's an unusually long stretch of time to have bad weather, even on a TA.

I hope it doesn't change your mind about cruising.

 

Thank you so much for the daily updates.

[BourkeBlogs]

So yesterday afternoon there wasn't much to do. We went to the Popular Opinion game show in 270. It was extremely busy and very hard to find a seat.

 

It passed some time but wasn't great so we went to Vintages for a wine which was much more relaxed.

 

Again as there wasn't much to do we went for a sleep before dinner at Wonderland.

 

We were booked into Wonderland at 6pm, we were seated quickly and given the menus which you paint with water to reveal them

 

 

After being given the menu no waiter came over for 15 minutes. When they did they asked us what we wanted to drink but we hadn't been given a drinks menu so after another 5 minutes he brought this over.

 

 

The waiter explained the concept in that you don't choose from the menu but they recommend and bring items over. We were asked about any allergies and for main the course asked out preference of beef, chicken pork, halibut and another fish similar to sea bass. He recommend we picked 3 mains to share so we opted for beef, chicken and halibut.

 

Before the starters arrived the poor level of service continued with some time before our drinks were served. We also kept having to ask for our small water glasses to be refilled as this was not done automatically and we had asked for the water carafe to be left on the table but this wasn't possible.

 

When the starters arrived the contents were explained and we were advised what order to have them in.

 

Here are the starters

 

Shall we say the taste of some of the starters was interesting to say the least. We pretty much eat anything but it was definitely style over substance with the starters. At this point we weren't expecting anything great for the mains.

 

However, the experience was very much saved by the beef. When the mains arrived the meal took a turn for the better

 

This was a 12 hour slow cooked short rib of beef. It was huge and this was just for the 2 of us! A sauce was poured over this by the waiter to add additional flavour. The beef was excellent and without doubt the best meat we have had whilst being on the boat. It was so tender and tasty but just too big, we just couldn't eat the full joint.

 

The second main was chicken which again was very good.

 

The final main was Halibut which arrived sealed in the plastic cooking bag. The waiter cut this open at the table. The fish again was very good