Anthem of the Seas, June 2-11, 2016

[rafinmd]

I’ll establish a thread now although it will be pretty much dormant for a couple of weeks. I leave home today for a string of 3 cruises:

 

Veendam, 7 days to Hamilton, Bermuda from Boston, May 14-21

NCL Breakaway, 7 days to Kings Wharf, Bermuda from New York, May 22-29

Anthem OTS, 9 days to Bermuda and Caribbean from Bayonne, June 2-11

 

I booked this cruise primarily to test the studio cabins but have since been upgraded to a regular cabin. I’m going to try to sneak a peed at a studio some time along the way but don;t know if it will happen.

 

Most of my pictures (along with menus and compasses) will be posted to my companion blog:

 

http://solocabinchalleneg.wordpress.com

 

In the meantime I will be posting to 2 Cruise Critic threads:

 

Holland America

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=

 

Maryland cruisers (the entire trip)

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=

 

Roy

[Clarea]

Hi Roy, those last two links are invalid, maybe you still have time to edit them.

[rafinmd]

Thanks for the heads up Bob. I missed the edit window so I'll try again adding one more:

 

Full trip: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2355059

Veendam: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2355060

Breakaway: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2355065

 

Roy

[jonj]

We will be sailing with you on Anthem

[Luv06012012]

Wow! You are so blessed! I can't wait to follow along...enjoy!

[Wildcatfish]

Have a great time!

 

I 'm anxious to hear what you think of Anthem of the Seas.

[rafinmd]

Thank you Luv06012012, Wildcatfish, and jonj.

 

No, I am not on the Anthem of the Seas yet. I’m still on the Veendam but today got my first in person look as we sailed into Hamilton. I thought I’d post some views of the Anthem from the decks of the Veendam.

 

It came into sight from quite a distance:

 

 

This is about as close as I got:

 

 

The Anthem was docked bow to bow with the Carnival Ecstasy:

 

 

Quite a contrast.

 

Roy

[rafinmd]

In a big departure from norm for me, I decided the best way to get to Bayonne was to drive. I packed up my truck and left Columbia about 10.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/packed.jpg

 

Soon before my current string of cruises began, the Carnival Pride had an accident and crashed into the boarding ramp in Baltimore. I hadn’t heard progress reports while at sea, but as I passed the Port of Baltimore the ramp appeared to have been either repaired or replaced. I had one other order of business. My first choice in cruises, Crystal has taken out an option to buy the SS United States, and I wanted to go by it’s berth in Philadelphia and have a look at it. I found the traffic in Philadelphia awful with very poorly timed lights, and had hoped to find a place to stop for a photograph of the ship but was unsuccessful. I did pass close by it, and it looks awfully worn.

 

I 95 through Philadelphia was one of the roughest and worst stretches of interstate highway I’ve seen, When I reached New Jersey, the best way to my hotel seemed to be along US1 but it was a very busy and rather slow highway. I reached the Comfort Inn Edison about 2:30 and had a couple hours to relax.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/comfort.jpg

 

Going out to dinner turned out to be frustrating. I had trouble finding the restaurant, but even worse, when I started back to the hotel my GPS stopped responding to commands and I was quickly quite lost. I must have driven about half an hour before finding a place to ask directions and had a very difficult time returning to the hotel. I have double checked google maps for my trip to the port tomorrow but am still a bit apprehensive about the trip.

 

Today’s parting shot is two-fold. When I was working I would sometimes fly to a cruise the same day of departure. I shudder at that now and do not travel the day of embarkation except when boarding in the Port of Baltimore. The second part is the importance of a good map. I have maps of Maryland and Pennsylvania in my truck but not of New Jersey. A mistake I hope never to make again.

 

Roy

[Wildcatfish]

Thanks for the update Roy! I appreciate the pics of Anthem in Bermuda.

 

Hopefully, you enjoyed your past two weeks at sea. I'm sure they were better than today's travels. I love Philly, but 95 leaves a bit to be desired.

 

Best wishes on your upcoming cruise! I look forward to hearing more.

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

I had one other order of business. My first choice in cruises, Crystal has taken out an option to buy the SS United States, and I wanted to go by it’s berth in Philadelphia and have a look at it. I found the traffic in Philadelphia awful with very poorly timed lights, and had hoped to find a place to stop for a photograph of the ship but was unsuccessful. I did pass close by it, and it looks awfully worn.

 

I 95 through Philadelphia was one of the roughest and worst stretches of interstate highway I’ve seen...

 

Close your eyes and pretend you're there... I took this a few weeks ago for a painting I'm doing. Columbus Blvd was not crowded at the time. Hope you don't mind me attaching.

 

And you mean to tell me you didn't love the construction and traffic on 95?! It's wonderful. :rolleyes:

 

Thanks for a good review so far!

[rafinmd]

Thank you Luke for the lovely (or at least informative) picture.

 

Roy

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

Thank you Luke for the lovely (or at least informative) picture.

 

Roy

 

No problem. It's a shame how busy the road can get, and how many obstructions there are between it and the ship.

[erby2283]

Looking forward to hearing how you compare the three cruises. Have an awesome time!

[rafinmd]

Thank you erby228 and my apologies for being so late posting. OfTheSeasCruiser, I've pretty much decided to take I78 home.

 

When I woke at 5:50 the Anthem was just passing under the Verizzano Bridge. I considered a walk but the area around the hotel was incompatible with pedestrian activity. I did some computer work, got breakfast, and did a careful reshuffling of my stuff to have just a small 16-pound carryon while the other 2 bags, 65 and 18 pounds could be left with the porters.

 

I left the hotel about 9, stopping at the NJ Turnpike service area and buying a NJ map. I found the directional signs to the port very clear and had no problems with traffic or navigation, although the road into the port could use a resurfacing. With bags dropped off at the porters I was parked in the garage a little after 10.

 

My checkin “appointment” was almost an hour away but I was happy to have some time to kill. First came a walk around Bayonne’s 9-11 memorial. The primary feature is a big teardrop tower donated by Russia. Also on the site were a piece of steel from the WTC, and a set of 13 pillars representing the 9-11 victims from Bayonne (2 from UA93 and 11 from the WTC). I then walked past the cruise terminal and by the old cruise terminal. What an improvement the new terminal must be!

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/tear2.jpg

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/tear3.jpg

 

I returned to my truck at 11 and picked up my carryon bag. Checkin was a mixed bag. The lines were short but not particularly well organized. Despite checking in on line, I was directed to a line for people who had not done so. With just one other party ahead of me, it was still a 5-minute wait until we were called. I usually cruise with a passport card. I have a book, but like to take it out only when I really need it. On both the Veendam and Breakaway I was required to sign a waiver that I could not fly home. That was not required on the Anthem. When I checked in on line, I had to upload a security photo. I tried it with a scan of my passport photo. The system accepted it but it was not accepted at checkin and a new photo was taken. Despite the checkin being a bit disorganized it went quickly and I was on board before 11:30.

 

I believe one of Royal’s weaknesses is what happens on boarding. On the Veendam before noon my stateroom was ready and after dropping off my carryon I went to the MDR for a civilized lunch. On the Breakaway at noon I was able to drop my carryon in my room (but not yet occupy) and the Garden Café was the place for lunch with ample seating. On the Anthem there was NO access to my room until 1 and despite urging of the staff the WJ was jammed with people occupying tables with their gear until the rooms were ready. When I went in there was a long line of people waiting for clearance for a table. The staff did not want to let me in but when I said I planned to get food and take it elsewhere they allowed me access. I got my plate and walked forward to the Solarium, where the seating was uncrowded but the food choice was much more limited.

 

I had purchased an internet package before leaving home. While waiting on the pool deck I tried the wifi. I could apparently buy a package but could not access the one I had already bought. I went down to the help desk on 4 and was told there would be a letter in my room with an access code which would get me online (but of course not till 1:00). The pre-cruise price was very nice but it would have been nice to have immediate access.

 

When 1:00 came I was very pleased with the room. It seems narrow, but I think that’s an impression given because the room is quite deep; I think it’s pretty much standard width. Storage is generous with 2 large dressers and 7 ample drawers. Power is also good with 1 euro outlet, 2 US outlets and 2 USB outlets at the desk and another US outlet by the bed. The obstructed balcony is quite nice, almost triangular with standard width aft and extending about 10 feet out forward. It looks straight out on a lifeboat attachment with just a minor view of the top of the lifeboat behind the structure.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/balcony.jpg

 

While the stateroom itself was nice, the letter inside was not. I had been cleared for early Dynamic Classic dining and was expecting a letter giving me the dining rotation of my restaurants. Per the letter “Thank you for choosing the Classic 5:30PM Dining Option....Your restaurant reservations, dining time and table number are listed below” Then NOTHING!

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/dining.pdf

 

I took the letter down to the dining room. “You were denied for Dynamic Classic”. You have no reservations but I’ll make a reservation for the first 4 nights.” No apology and not a very helpful letter. Also not a very good start to a cruise.

 

The muster drill was at 3:30. My station was the Music Hall. Life jackets are demonstrated but kept at the muster areas and not used. Our seapass cards were scanned as we entered the area. After the drill I went up to deck 15 for sailaway. The lines came in at 4:15 and I stayed on deck as we passed Staten Island and passed under the Verizzano Bridge (about 4:45).

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/bridge3.jpg

 

When I returned to my room my big bag was outside the door. I pack mostly with packing cubes and quickly put all the cubes in drawers, and headed down to the American Icon restaurant at 5:30. Dining as a solo service was pretty quick and I was in the theater for the welcome aboard show about 6:45. The show was introductory samples of DSB, a Journey tribute band and comedienne Jessica Kirson, with introductory remarks by Cruise Director Dru Pavlov.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/dru.jpg

 

I pretty much crashed after the show and did not get to writing until later Saturday morning. As a parting shot I was distressed to hear about continuing floods in Texas. May the rains stop soon.

 

Roy

[erby2283]

Yay! Thanks for the update. Hope your cruising goes more smoothly!

[dedosr]

Enjoy your cruise. Love your reports.

[SDA1125]

Great review look forward to more of it :)

[Project-College]

with all those sailings... you definitely can speak to Anthem!

 

We went on the Breakaway last July and trying Anthem July 28th on the same 9 day a you are on.

 

Keep the stories coming, much appreciated, and any scanned Dailies would be much appreciated as they too give us an idea if the activities available (we are a foursome with two teen!)

[rafinmd]

with all those sailings... you definitely can speak to Anthem!

 

We went on the Breakaway last July and trying Anthem July 28th on the same 9 day a you are on.

 

Keep the stories coming, much appreciated, and any scanned Dailies would be much appreciated as they too give us an idea if the activities available (we are a foursome with two teen!)

 

Thank you. I've posted the first 3 Compasses to my blog. Here's a link to the appropriate page:

 

https://solocabinchallenge.wordpress.com/programs/anthemcompasses/

 

Would you like me to try to track down a teen compass?

 

By the way, I've attached a picture of my "office". The long thin black thing on the corner of the bureau is my scanner.

 

Roy

[Mom2B&Z]

Thanks for taking us along!

I'd love for you to make some comparisons between Anthem and Breakaway, we've sailed Breakaway twice and have Anthem booked for our next cruise. I'm hoping Anthem does a better job of dealing with crowds than Breakaway, I've sworn only to sail her if we get a Haven cabin again...

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[DaniDanielle]

Anthem was much better than Breakaway

[Bally01]

Following along. Thanks for all the details.

[rafinmd]

A cabin crawl was held after the Cruise Critic Meet and Mingle. Several people had volunteered to display their cabins and we worked our way up from deck 6 to deck 12.

 

My cabin 6162 was first, an obstructed balcony. It is long and narrow. I'll start with views looking from the door and from the window.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/6162in.jpg

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/6162out.jpg

 

There are 2 nice cabinets:

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/closet1.jpg

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/closet2.jpg

 

There is ample power at the desk with 2 US, 1 Euro, and 2 USB outlets.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/deskpower.jpg

 

The toilet is standard.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/thebath.jpg

 

The balcony is a large near triangle with a big obstruction but room to see around it.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/balcony.jpg

 

Down the hall we visited 6182, similar to mine but a narrower balcony with just the bottom of the view obstructed by the lifeboat roof.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/6182view.jpg

 

We went up to deck 7 and saw a Spa Junior Suite. Very nice and also with a very nice balcony.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/spajrsuite.jpg

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/spabalcon.jpg

 

Continuing to deck 8 we looked at a Virtual Balcony, an interior cabin with a large video screen showing what is happening outside the ship. The screen even has a little emblem of a railing.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/virtual1.jpg

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/virtual2.jpg

 

On deck 10 we saw a couple of additional balcony cabins with unobstructed views. The wall between cabins has a little bit of an offset in the wall where one cabin is a bit wider(with the bed) at the outside while the next one has the wider section and bed at the door end. I had both types on the Allure and found that there if the bed was toward the door there was very little clearance between the bed and the closet. The design works a lot better on the Anthem with it's 2 smaller closets.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/bedinside.jpg

 

It wasn't an official part of the tour but the neighbors of the last cabin we saw on deck 10 showed us their loft suite. What can I say?

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/loft1.jpg

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/loft2.jpg

 

The crawl ended at an Owners Suite on Deck 12. Another awesome room with a view directly forward from the balcony.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/ownerview.jpg

 

The crawl was fun. It could have been a bit better organized, but hey, it was my first try at it.

 

Roy

[rafinmd]

I was up at 5 but worked in my room until about 6 when I went up to deck 14 for the sunrise. It was not much but did show through a couple of cracks in the clouds. I walked one lap on the jogging track but then got caught in rain (or perhaps spray from crew washing something) and walked for a while on the ships inside corridors. I was also a bit surprised to learn there is no coffee on deck 14 until 7AM, for that I must go down to deck 4.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/dawn0603.jpg

 

The Cruise Critic Meet and Mingle was held at 9:30 in the Music Hall. Activities Manager Chris Hopkins hosted it initially, later joined by Cruise Director Dru Pavlov. There were probably 70 people present, apparently a relatively small group for the Anthem. I won a bottle of Champagne in the raffle.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/mingle.jpg

 

After the Meet and Mingle about 20 of us spent the next hour in a Cabin Crawl (see separate post)

 

I am not really a fan of the long musical productions but that seems to be the trend on mega ships. One way the Anthem has stood out over the Breakaway has been in the accessibility of the shows. On the Breakaway once on board I really only had one opportunity to see a show, I’ve already had better luck on the Anthem. Today’s show was “We Will Rock You”. I hadn’t made any advance reservations but saw today’s schedule and thought the matinee would fit me better than a late evening show. I made my decision about 11:30 and had no trouble booking the 2:30 show. I had a choice of several time slots on several days. I may or may not see any more shows on the Anthem but the choice I had exceeds anything available on the Breakaway.

 

Some patterns repeat themselves. On the Breakaway I had Pizza on boarding day and said I wouldn’t repeat the next day but changed my mind when I saw Hawaiian Pizza the first sea day. Exactly the same scenario here.

 

We Will Rock You is not exactly my cup of tea but was better than I expected. There were quite a few empty seats. I had come pretty much prepared for a deafening sound track but the volume was just a bit on the high side of reasonable. The performance was about an hour and 50 minutes with no intermission, letting out about 4:20.

 

Dinner tonight was 5:30 in the Chic restaurant. I enjoyed the Fruit Medley, Chicken Parmigiana, and Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Service was very quick and I was able to visit the Schooner Par for a little bit of Sasha at the Piano before his session ended at 6:30.

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/fruitmedley.jpg

 

https://solocabinchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/upsidedown.jpg

 

I think I am finally about caught up on my writing. As a parting shot, I’ve had a couple of requests for a comparison of my ships. I think I’ll hold off on that until at least later in the cruise, but both the Breakaway and Anthem have some good points and some things I don’t really like. I need a bit of time for reflection on 2 quite different experiences.

 

Roy

[Project-College]

Thank you. I've posted the first 3 Compasses to my blog. Here's a link to the appropriate page:

 

https://solocabinchallenge.wordpress.com/programs/anthemcompasses/

 

Would you like me to try to track down a teen compass?

 

By the way, I've attached a picture of my "office". The long thin black thing on the corner of the bureau is my scanner.

 

Roy

 

FANTASTIC... Thanks!!!!!

 

What is a 'Teen Compass'.... a version of the compass designed for Teens???

 

Love the office shot.... your giving me some ideas and my wife is already ordering me not to get internet on the ship.

 

I continue to read and learn from you sensei!