Live blog From Anthem of the Seas Transatlantic

[rmurray847]

When you posted your cruise compass photos, you expressed something like "if you're interested." I think I speak for a number of folks...yes, we are VERY interested.

 

Thank you so much for posting all these great photos of menus, etc. Very, very helpful. It's hard to believe you're a novice...you're covering so many of the things we folks with some experience always seem to ask for.

 

Great stuff!!!

[BourkeBlogs]

When you posted your cruise compass photos, you expressed something like "if you're interested." I think I speak for a number of folks...yes, we are VERY interested.

 

 

 

Thank you so much for posting all these great photos of menus, etc. Very, very helpful. It's hard to believe you're a novice...you're covering so many of the things we folks with some experience always seem to ask for.

 

 

 

Great stuff!!!

 

 

Hi, thanks for the feedback.

 

I want sure if the cruise compass was something people would like as it is specific to this cruise. However, I'm happy to upload these every day once we get them.

 

We might be a cruise newbie but we have traveled a fair amount in the past and are posting things we would find useful, especially as a new cruiser.

 

By the way we are absolutely loving our cruise so far. It really is a great ship :-)

[slyster]

Wow loving the review and photos! Thank you! :)

[BourkeBlogs]

Looking forward to this so much! Thank you!

 

 

 

If you have a chance to take a photo of the coffee shop drink menu, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'd also be curious to know what beers are excluded from beverage package at Michaels Pub

 

 

Hi conandrob, we are in Michael's pub now and I asked which beers are excluded. All beers are included in the drinks packages apart from Fuller's Vintage Ale which is $15 a bottle.

 

I've taken some pictures of the menu although not all beers are listed. There is also a $2 difference in the price of spirit flights on the different pages so not sure which cost is right, as they are the same flights.

 

Also one thing to note is service is very slow in here, yesterday took about 10 minutes which we thought may have been a one off but when we came today only one person serving so it took over 10 minutes. There were also a couple of people shouting from the back to order their drinks and the staff served them. Firstly I thought it was extremely rude that people are doing that and it was disappointing the staff did not ask them to wait as this only encourages that behaviour.

 

 

 

 

 

[vrock]

I love that you included photos of the cruise compass. I have one question in Sorrento pizza on the freedom they had a few desserts do they have them on the anthem as well? We board in 33 days. I appreciate you taking the time to post answers to our questions and the beautiful photos. Have a great cruise.:)

[Mott1086]

CruisenovicesUK--- have you seen any of the hard root beer drinks on board.

 

They are all the rage here in parts of the US, and I wasn't sure if they were on board yet

 

Thank you!

 

-Michael

[CantwaittocruiseCarribean]

Hi, will be following eagerly I was on the 3 day cruise and came off the ship on the 27th

 

So Jealous wished so much i was going on the transatlantic

 

Have fun

 

I found internet great even streamed netflix on my phone

[BourkeBlogs]

I love that you included photos of the cruise compass. I have one question in Sorrento pizza on the freedom they had a few desserts do they have them on the anthem as well? We board in 33 days. I appreciate you taking the time to post answers to our questions and the beautiful photos. Have a great cruise.:)

 

 

Hi vrock, no desserts in Sorrentos but there are a few in the coffee shop next door

[BourkeBlogs]

CruisenovicesUK--- have you seen any of the hard root beer drinks on board.

 

They are all the rage here in parts of the US, and I wasn't sure if they were on board yet

 

Thank you!

 

-Michael

 

 

Hi Michael, I'm not sure what root beer is, it's not a UK thing. I assume it's an alcopop of some description?

 

If you let me know what this is, I will have a look in the bars.

[jonj]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root_beer

 

I think the previous poster was thinking of http://smalltownbrewery.com/our-beers/

[BourkeBlogs]

We didn't do much this afternoon but have a sleep, why not, what else are holidays for but having a nice relaxing time?

 

Tonight we went to American Icon for dinner. Our booking was for 18:30 to allow time before the show. When we arrived there was no queue and we were quickly seated, however, I was surprised by how busy the restaurant was with virtually all tables full even at this time.

 

The food quality was great with us both opting for a prawn cocktail starter and we also shared Calamari. You could tell the prawn cocktail had been made in advance though and kept chilled as it was very cold. The Calamari was crisp and not chewy.

 

Main courses were excellent, I chose the surf and turf and the meat was extremely tender and the asparagus and carrots nice and crisp. One thing that would have been nice is some carbs with the dish. My OH had the short rib which she said was excellent on a bed of mash and root vegetables.

 

For desserts we both opted for the apple pie and ice cream which was again very good. The pastry tasted freshly made, which I would assume is baked onboard, although we would have liked the pie hotter but again just personal preference.

 

There was a good selection of drinks on the menu and my first choice was the sazerac cocktail although the waitress came back and advised this along with one of the other cocktails was unavailable. Only 3 out of the 5 cocktails was available which is disappointing on day 2 of the cruise.

 

Ultimately we ordered the New Fashioned and Old Fashioned cocktails although these were extremely strong, so we only drunk half of these.

 

We chose a Chardonnay and a Merlot with the meal, we hadn't specified which ones but the ones served were very good.

 

On the dessert menus there were also dessert cocktails so to accompany our apple pie we had he apple pie cocktails which were very strong but also very tasty.

 

Here are some pictures from this evening.

 

The prawn cocktail

 

Surf and turf

 

The short rib

 

Apple pie

 

New fashioned an old fashioned cocktail

 

Apple pie cocktails

[BourkeBlogs]

Here is the menu:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BourkeBlogs]

Menu continued:

 

 

 

 

Additional menu as Royal Night

 

 

Oh and here is a random shot for you all. Whilst walking to dinner there was a character which we believe is Princess Fiona, although I stand to be corrected on that one, and my other half had a picture. There were none of the photo team there so you could use your own cameras.

 

[jonj]

Loving your review, thank you so much for posting all the photos, menus, compass, etc.

[Overtyme]

Fantastic Review! It's refreshing to see a review from someone that hasn't cruised before. It gives us a different perspective.

[Setting sail for fun]

Looks like a great time!

[Submariner]

I understand that you can bring two bottles of your own wine onboard with you. Have you noticed if people are bringing their own to the dining room? Just wanted to know if that is frowned upon. Thanks

[Hoopster95]

Superb review so far!!! Thank you so much :D

[conandrob240]

This is so awesome! And your other half is adorable!

 

I take it from these menu photos that the "taste of anthem" menu is offered "in addition to" not instead of the restaurant's regular menu?

[BourkeBlogs]

I understand that you can bring two bottles of your own wine onboard with you. Have you noticed if people are bringing their own to the dining room? Just wanted to know if that is frowned upon. Thanks

 

 

Hi thanks for your question. Yes I believe you can bring 2 bottles on but we have not yet seen anyone take to the dining room. Most people seem to be on a package and drinking glasses.

 

However, we will ask and see if it's OK

tomorrow

[BourkeBlogs]

This is so awesome! And your other half is adorable!

 

 

 

I take it from these menu photos that the "taste of anthem" menu is offered "in addition to" not instead of the restaurant's regular menu?

 

 

Thanks for your comments, she is smiling at this!

 

Yes the menu is in addition rather than instead of.

[BourkeBlogs]

Ok so quick update we saw We Will Rock You earlier which was on par with the west end version we have seen. Audience participation was low compared to west end and volume and bass was turned down significantly.

 

Currently in the Music Hall which until about 11:30 we would describe as bad wedding music but since then, now 01:55 music has been quite mainstream / chart. The demographic has also significantly changed to around 40ish average.

 

We are having a great time, drinks package definitely a good idea especially with Grey Goose and Red Bull and Kir Royale. I will update some exact stats tomorrow.

[BourkeBlogs]

Here is a quick selfie of who we are:

 

 

If you are onboard, come and say Hello, our names are Jamie & Diane

Edited October 29, 2015 by CruisenovicesUK

[springaussie]

Please keep the good review up.

Enjoying.

Have fun on board.

[conandrob240]

Ok so quick update we saw We Will Rock You earlier which was on par with the west end version we have seen. Audience participation was low compared to west end and volume and bass was turned down significantly.

 

Currently in the Music Hall which until about 11:30 we would describe as bad wedding music but since then, now 01:55 music has been quite mainstream / chart. The demographic has also significantly changed to around 40ish average.

 

We are having a great time, drinks package definitely a good idea especially with Grey Goose and Red Bull and Kir Royale. I will update some exact stats tomorrow.

 

I assume by this you mean age demographic decreases as time of night increases? Is there a live houseband playing? Looking forward to this venue so hoping the house bands who I assume will get on in NJ will be awesome.