On the Anthem and all is Wonderful!!

[skycomb]

I was a little nervous about going on the Anthem since I haven't been on a cruise since I was a kid, but all the nice comments are putting me at ease. Headed on the Anthem later in March.

[SportsFanatic]

We have been so pleasantly surprised so far!! There was a bit of a line pulling up to Cape Liberty but it moved fast and we were unloading in no time. Boarding was a breeze. Took the advice of everyone here and headed straight to two70. The line was crazy long so we re-routed to windjammer. There was a line for hand washing ( some were actually complaining about being forced to wash hands) but the line moved quickly. We proceeded all the way to the back and had no problem finding a seat. The food was great and as we were eating they announced that all rooms were ready. Perfect timing!ht.

 

Thanks for info. What time did you arrive at port?

[ryano]

So happy for you!

[Guest maddycat]

Could we all stop offering this up as a tip? lol

I told my family of 11 that we should head right to Two70 after we board as it will be less crowded.

Now I am going to have another game plan! I am taking this cruise with 6 first time cruisers and I don't want them to have a bad experience with lines the second they get on board. :)

 

I see that you'll be on the Anthem on June 30th. Since all of the area schools will be out for the summer, you can count on everything being crowed.

[sandi422]

My mom and two friends are on this sailing. They were worried because of the past problems. I am relieved to hear that the seas are fairly calm and things aboard are good. Enjoy your cruise! Looking forward to updates.

[Nhsaltshaker]

How refreshing to hear some positive comments for a change! Keep 'em coming.

 

 

Could we all stop offering this up as a tip? lol

I told my family of 11 that we should head right to Two70 after we board as it will be less crowded.

Now I am going to have another game plan! I am taking this cruise with 6 first time cruisers and I don't want them to have a bad experience with lines the second they get on board. :)

 

My thoughts exactly. :D Guess I'll go to plan B and do the 'Disney' thing. Start at the back of the park and work my way forward, or, ship-wise, start at the top deck and find who ever will serve me, then work my way down.

 

And, no, I'm not thinking food. :p

 

Hope you have an awesome trip!

[DaisyL]

Thanks for checking in... I'll be following. I have friends on board now and my cruise is in May.

 

I took a 'break' from cruise critic for a while.... Only so much I can take. Came back last week to get ready for our cruise. I have my show reservations set and DHs North Star and iFly too which are not for me but I'll take pix. We have Classic dining reserved, late seating for our group of 11.

 

Can't wait to hear the rest of your cruise.

[Merion_Mom]

Try heading up to the Solarium Bistro for a first lunch. (Deck 14 forward). Very likely to be less crowded. ;)

[Lady Luck T]

So glad that you are having a great time, I am just curious what time did you arrive at the port?

 

We arrived to the port at about 11:30 and after waiting I. The car line and checking in/security we were on the ship around 12ish. We planned to arrive after 11:00 to avoid waiting in the crowded terminal to board. I couldn't see rushing to leave home really early just to wait in the terminal.

[adjjb12]

Glad you're enjoying it!

 

I follow Alexa & Carlos PenaVega (Spykids movies/Big Time Rush/last season of DWTS) on twitter and they're on the cruise & have been posting pics on the ship too. They're loving it.

[nycglitter]

I see that you'll be on the Anthem on June 30th. Since all of the area schools will be out for the summer, you can count on everything being crowed.

 

I suppose so. We usually go out in May when we would imagine most kids would still be in school. We are always surprised as to how many parents pull their kids out of school for a cruise. ( we were guilty of this twice when our kids were small...lol)

I don't mind lines. What I do mind is when someone who is in line with me feels more entitled. Pushing past others, cutting etc. This isn't a NY thing. (we are from NY) We have experienced it everywhere.

If everyone would just realize that while it is "their vacation", it is also "my vacation" and everyone's vacation in a line.

Did't mean to go off topic, but if just one person reads this and has a revelation, then my job here is done....lol

Happy cruising all! My worst day on a cruise ship is the last, and that is still way better than my best day at work, and I like my job.

Mark

[dedosr]

Have a great time!

[robtulipe]

So glad that you are having a great time, I am just curious what time did you arrive at the port?

 

Thanks for info. What time did you arrive at port?

 

I'm not the OP but here's our experience. We arrived at port on a shuttle from Ramada Plaza Liberty Newark airport which is 8 miles away. It took about 20 minutes to get to Port Liberty cruise terminal. Arrived at about 10:45am, had our luggage dropped off and we were checked by 11am. About 10 minutes later they started boarding the suites guest and pinnacles. We, being D+, were the next group about 5 minutes later. IMO general boarding wasn't long after but we were already on Anthem before 11:30am.

[Artemis908]

I'm not the OP but here's our experience. We arrived at port on a shuttle from Ramada Plaza Liberty Newark airport which is 8 miles away. It took about 20 minutes to get to Port Liberty cruise terminal. Arrived at about 10:45am, had our luggage dropped off and we were checked by 11am. About 10 minutes later they started boarding the suites guest and pinnacles. We, being D+, were the next group about 5 minutes later. IMO general boarding wasn't long after but we were already on Anthem before 11:30am.

 

Thank you! I have been researching how early to show up. We are getting a ride from my father and are suite guests. I remember the last time we were at Cape Liberty the line was pretty long for drop off and we had to wait about 30-60 minutes to board.

[robtulipe]

Thank you! I have been researching how early to show up. We are getting a ride from my father and are suite guests. I remember the last time we were at Cape Liberty the line was pretty long for drop off and we had to wait about 30-60 minutes to board.

 

There was a different line once at the cruise terminal for shuttles, limos and taxis so these got in a little quicker as there were fewer of these than passenger cars, IMO that is. ;)

[joand452]

Could we all stop offering this up as a tip? lol

 

I told my family of 11 that we should head right to Two70 after we board as it will be less crowded.

 

Now I am going to have another game plan! I am taking this cruise with 6 first time cruisers and I don't want them to have a bad experience with lines the second they get on board. :)

 

 

We cruised on the first full length cruise on Quantum in November 2014. We were with a woman who had been on one of the two-day cruises. Because she had been on before she rushed us to Cafe 270* as soon as we boarded. It was crowded, and we didn't get the WOW feeling we wanted on boarding.

 

When we board Anthem in a couple of weeks, it'll be just the two of us. We'll be able to slow down to take it all in this time! And we'll have plenty of time for roast-beef sandwiches!! [emoji6]

 

 

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[Seaworthy01]

roast-beef sandwiches?

[joand452]

Yes! Thick cut real roast beast on delicious salted rolls (beef on weck). Served with au jus and stone-ground mustard and/or horseradish sauce.

 

Made famous at Park Cafe on Allure and Oasis!

 

 

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[Seaworthy01]

Yes! Thick cut real roast beast on delicious salted rolls (beef on weck). Served with au jus and stone-ground mustard and/or horseradish sauce.

 

Made famous at Park Cafe on Allure and Oasis!

 

 

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Ok, you have my attention, where on the ship can one find these roast-beef sandwiches? That will be my first stop.

Edited March 10, 2016 by Seaworthy01

[Nhsaltshaker]

Ok, you have my attention, where on the ship can one find these roast-beef sandwiches?

Cafe 270 day 1

 

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[Seaworthy01]

Cafe 270 day 1

 

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TY, i guess it will have to wait being everyone seems to run to the 270 rite off the gangway. :(

[Nhsaltshaker]

TY, i guess it will have to wait being everyone seems to run to the 270 rite off the gangway. :(

I think you board early enough to make it.

 

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[Seaworthy01]

I think you board early enough to make it.

 

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I certainly will give it a shot.

[Lady Luck T]

Our last two days have been really good. We have seen We Will Rock You, rode in the North Star, played in the casino, napped on the balcony.... We Will Rock You was ok. The story is kind of dumb but I love queen and enjoyed the music. It's not Broadway but the performers were good.

 

The food situation has been inconsistent. After our wonderful dinner the first night we ate at American Icon the second night and the food was not very good. Service was off too. I can't blame the sever because he worked his butt off with no help serving 5 tables that came in all at once. We never got drinks at all. I do t know where the assistant waiter was but we never saw him. We ate at Chic tonight and the food was better. We have eaten lunch in the windjammer everyday and the food has been very good every time.

 

We are having a great time and are looking forward to our 1st stop at Labadee tomorrow morning.

 

 

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[Lady Luck T]

I forgot I wanted to mention that the ship is spotless and every where you go you must either wash your hands or Purell them. Everyone seems to be doing their part to prevent any virus outbreaks.

 

 

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