Anthem 3 day. First impressions.

[MattInFLL]

My cabin attendant confirmed. TVs in "his" suites do not move away from the wall. So that would be the suites near me on the deck 9 hump. He said they do in the regular cabins. I have a Spa JS.

 

It's bright and sunny but 43 degrees. The movement from last night is pretty much gone. Just a swell once in a while.

 

Dinner last night in Coastal Kitchen:

 

It was just OK for me. I had Steak Tartare followed by a pappardelle pasta with a thick veal ragout. The tartare was fine but there was a lot of it. The pasta was fine too, but a bit on the bland side. But I have no doubt my server would have done anything I asked to make me happier. She was great. I just wasn't that invested in the meal.

 

My favorite part of the meal was the bread and "toppings". Olive tapenade, a garlic butter and a roasted red pepper hummus. All tasty.

 

 

Just like the regular MDR menus they have the "classics" every night - Caesar, escargot, chicken, beef, etc.

 

----

Danp - I'm not a big casino guy. So I can't tell you what tables they have. I was just doing well at slots and made myself leave before I gave it all back :)

[MattInFLL]

North Star - line on left is for reservations. Line on the the right is standby. Standbys will wait about an hour and a half.

 

The reason they weigh you is to make sure no one is over 300 pounds which has to do with emergency procedures.

 

Ted our operator was very informative. There are about 7 back up systems in case of an emergency if it gets stuck up there. The last resort is the harness straight down. In the floor of the gondola are the harnesses and the hook ups are outside the door. The harnesses only hold 300 pounds.

 

The computer shuts the North Star down if winds are over 52 knots. Presumably before anyone gets in :)

 

It was worth it to go.

 

[champagne123]

You have the most INSANE pics Matt.

[MattInFLL]

Thanks ! Didn't expect this to become a travelogue but here we are :) forgot the pic of the harness hookups for the last resort escape. Also Ted told us each North Star costs Royal $25 million. The inventor comes onboard every 2 months to inspect.

 

First meal in windjammer. Tried the pasta station - they make it up fresh for you with a selection of ingredients topped by either a marinara, beef sauce, or Alfredo. I had Alfredo mixed with peppers, zucchini and corn on top of fresh penne. Yum.

 

It's almost time for our CC pub crawl. Posts may get interesting. :)

 

[gaylemh]

I'll be boarding tomorrow. Are they allowing you to serve yourself in the WJ, or are there Noro precautions still in effect?

[pearlie]

Matt, it's Captain Henrik Loy who was on vacation from the Quantum and asked to fill in for 3 weeks until Captain Claus returns on March 19.

S

This was posted on the Current Captain's Thread today by someone who is also on your cruise http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=49300320&postcount=3331

 

Captain Anders Inge something was our captain

[MattInFLL]

Most things in WJ are self serve. But you must wash your hands in the special station before entering. And there is a permanent attendant by the bathrooms to open the door and clean every 5 minutes or so.

Edited March 6, 2016 by MattInFLL

[leaveitallbehind]

Thanks ! Didn't expect this to become a travelogue but here we are :) forgot the pic of the harness hookups for the last resort escape. Also Ted told us each North Star costs Royal $25 million. The inventor comes onboard every 2 months to inspect.

 

First meal in windjammer. Tried the pasta station - they make it up fresh for you with a selection of ingredients topped by either a marinara, beef sauce, or Alfredo. I had Alfredo mixed with peppers, zucchini and corn on top of fresh penne. Yum.

 

It's almost time for our CC pub crawl. Posts may get interesting. :)

 

 

Very glad that it did, Matt! It has been a very interesting thread.

 

Enjoy the pub crawl - we'll be "monitoring" the posts...;)

Edited March 6, 2016 by leaveitallbehind

[Merion_Mom]

My cabin attendant confirmed. TVs in "his" suites do not move away from the wall. So that would be the suites near me on the deck 9 hump. He said they do in the regular cabins. I have a Spa JS.

 

It's bright and sunny but 43 degrees. The movement from last night is pretty much gone. Just a swell once in a while.

 

Dinner last night in Coastal Kitchen:

 

It was just OK for me. I had Steak Tartare followed by a pappardelle pasta with a thick veal ragout. The tartare was fine but there was a lot of it. The pasta was fine too, but a bit on the bland side. But I have no doubt my server would have done anything I asked to make me happier. She was great. I just wasn't that invested in the meal.

 

My favorite part of the meal was the bread and "toppings". Olive tapenade, a garlic butter and a roasted red pepper hummus. All tasty.

 

 

Just like the regular MDR menus they have the "classics" every night - Caesar, escargot, chicken, beef, etc.

 

----

Danp - I'm not a big casino guy. So I can't tell you what tables they have. I was just doing well at slots and made myself leave before I gave it all back :)

 

Matt, was your server Chrystelle???

[Merion_Mom]

Captain Anders Inge something was our captain

 

Ingebritsen

[MattInFLL]

Matt, was your server Chrystelle???

 

 

Don't know! I was bad and forgot to confirm like I usually do. She was from the Philippines.

 

We are on deck 3 in our pub crawl. We started on 14. Hmmm.

 

I have pics of the drink menus from Pool Bar, 270 and Music Hall. Those will come later when I'm less "happy". But I know that tonight I'm having the cotton candy martini in wonderland. I watched them being made for our group at 270. Only on a cruise.

[jsswish]

Any chance you could post the beer selection as you enjoy your pub crawl? Will be there March 27th, can't wait!

[cocod08]

Don't know! I was bad and forgot to confirm like I usually do. She was from the Philippines.

 

We are on deck 3 in our pub crawl. We started on 14. Hmmm.

 

I have pics of the drink menus from Pool Bar, 270 and Music Hall. Those will come later when I'm less "happy". But I know that tonight I'm having the cotton candy martini in wonderland. I watched them being made for our group at 270. Only on a cruise.

 

 

Can you get the cotton candy martini any where on the ship or just Wonderland?

 

 

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[CasinoCruzGirl]

On this cruise as well. Will do a review tomorrow I normally cruise ncl so will be a comparison

 

 

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[bob brown]

Look out the port side...you should be passing the southbound Breakaway....:)

[bob brown]

Great shots from the Northstar!

I did notice that the forwardmost satellite dish on the starboard side was missing...I suppose a result of the big storm...

I wonder what if any impact that has on satellite service?

[grouchomarx]

Can you get the cotton candy martini any where on the ship or just Wonderland?

 

 

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It is one of the featured drinks at the 270 bar.

[LilBlackDress]

Thank you for all the photos!! I really don't like heights but was considering going up in the North Star... I got queasy just looking at the photos!! They have a few months to talk me into it :eek:

[Roce48]

They are doing the sampler menu in the complimentary restaurants - silk, chic, American icon, grande - all have same menu.

 

Food was very good.

 

The Grande had Lobster Tails when we went there on our first night, did they offer Lobster Tails in Silk, Chic, and the Icon the first night?

[Kathie13]

Thank you for all the photos!! I really don't like heights but was considering going up in the North Star... I got queasy just looking at the photos!! They have a few months to talk me into it :eek:

 

 

I don't like heights either, but went up on the Quantum and it was amazing. Please try and do it, I bet you'll like it. It goes slow and easy, no bumps. Have fun!!

 

 

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[MattInFLL]

I did not eat in the four "classic" restaurants so don't know about their menus.

 

Tonight was Wonderland. Now that is an eating experience. (Thank you Carol - even tried the crab cones). I'm not a foodie and I would tell anyone you must try it. It's the most special Royal Caribbean dining experience ever. For me, it blows 150 Central Park out of the water.

 

I will post more pics and thoughts once we hit dry land. Time for bed.

 

Oh and there were a number of people in the North Star capsule who were afraid of heights. They still enjoyed it.

 

Now the "secret" stairway from deck 14 to 13 at the aft elevators with the glass floor landing looking straight down to deck 5 - that freaked a lot of people out. :)

 

Edited March 7, 2016 by MattInFLL

[cocod08]

I did not eat in the four "classic" restaurants so don't know about their menus.

 

Tonight was Wonderland. Now that is an eating experience. (Thank you Carol - even tried the crab cones). I'm not a foodie and I would tell anyone you must try it. It's the most special Royal Caribbean dining experience ever. For me, it blows 150 Central Park out of the water.

 

I will post more pics and thoughts once we hit dry land. Time for bed.

 

Oh and there were a number of people in the North Star capsule who were afraid of heights. They still enjoyed it.

 

Now the "secret" stairway from deck 14 to 13 at the aft elevators with the glass floor landing looking straight down to deck 5 - that freaked a lot of people out. :)

 

 

 

So true I went to check out that staircase today and there was a family coming down and a few of them wouldn't even step on it gave me a chuckle as there were a few of us standing on it.

 

 

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[MattInFLL]

[champagne123]

Wake up MATT!!!! You will be coming under the Verazano Bridge momentarily. Watching you on the webcam. WELCOME HOME

[Alter Ego]

 

Now the "secret" stairway from deck 14 to 13 at the aft elevators with the glass floor landing looking straight down to deck 5 - that freaked a lot of people out. :)

 

 

I can honestly say that I don't recall hearing about a "glass" stairway! I suppose I could have, and it got lost in between giraffes, Puzzle Rooms, and North Stars. Regardless, I will definitely search this out now!