Anthem review - June 11-16 to Bermuda

[Bally01]

 

 

 

 

[erby2283]

Bermuda:

 

We then went to the Snorkel Beach area that we had no clue was so close to the ship. We only saw it from the naval yard and decided to go. This was our spot. Beach, bars, chairs to sit, mini golf, volleyball,entertainment and food. We had a few drinks, ate some lunch and hung out a bit before heading to the ship for our North Star reservation. If you order anything for food......expect to wait 45 minutes. But everything was very good.

 

Really wish we knew about that spot sooner.

 

 

 

How do you get to said beach? Sounds perfect!

[JimAOk1945]

Your review is off to a great start. I'm looking forward to reading more. Thanks for posting pictures as well.

[Bally01]

Other stuff....

 

We had the internet package. Service was very good. We were able to I message and Facetime with our kids without any issue. Wife was able to browse and post to the F social media site without issue.

 

 

Guest Services is always packed. Lines are long and slow. Luckily we only went once.

 

 

Random places to stop and get food, pastries and coffees: Sorentos pizza, La Patteserie and the shop. All very good.

 

 

Motion of the boat:

 

Night one, we were rocking while most people were asleep. I wake up every hour for some unknown reason so when I did wake up....we were really rocking. Luckily, wife was sleeping cause she would of been sick from it I'm sure. Rest of the trip was super smooth. Keep in mind it was really windy that first night.

 

 

We actually played some trivia while at one of the bars, and won two RC backpacks. Fun to win.....not sure we will ever use the backpacks though.

 

 

We missed our meet up from CC. We got into some drinks and conversations and unfortunately missed the planned sail away with them. Regret that.

 

 

Solarium:

 

Loved this place. Although 18 and up....quite a few times we saw kids in there. Never in pools or hot tubs. Always well behaved. By the end of the trip, didn't see any kids in there.

 

 

Drinks:

 

So many great drinks. Schooner bar try the Tom Collins. tastes like lemonade. made with Vodka. Music Hall try the Big red. Yup, tastes like the gum. We tried a ton of different drinks. Most very delicious.

 

 

Bionic Bar:

 

Zzzzzz. We got one drink there. Worst tasting on the whole trip. Took awhile to get. I pads weren't working quite often. Never went back.

Edited June 17, 2016 by Bally01
typo

[Bally01]

How do you get to said beach? Sounds perfect!

 

 

 

Get off the ship....walk on the sidewalk to the right once you get past Calico Jacks. Walk past the Naval Yard and you will see a kids splash pad. To the left of the splash pad there is a opening in the stone wall. Its in there.

 

Takes about 7 minutes to get there if you walk slow and look at the scenery.

[LadyLion_AP]

If you haven't already subscribe to roll call too

 

 

Subscribed there as well.

[shonandsuzie]

Cool review. Thanks!

I am wondering, what is the picture you posted of the glass floor? It looks interesting.

[Bally01]

The breakdown:

 

I am not one who usually does reviews.....can ya tell? But I read so many and wanted to post some info in hopes that it helps a bit.

 

We loved our cruise. We loved the ship, the crew, the food, the entertainment, the port of Bermuda. On a scale of 1-10.....we give it a 9. We have cruised once on Carnival and once on Disney. The only reason this one got a 9 is because although great, the Disney cruise is still untouchable.

 

 

Well...how super slow the elevators are on Anthem also drops it to the 9. Insanely slow. We used stairs most of the time, but going from deck 3 to deck 14.....yeah, we waited for the elevators. They are super slow.

 

 

I will look for Compasses soon and put up as long as I still have them. I will also answer questions if you have them.

 

 

But all and all...a great ship and a great time.

[Bally01]

Cool review. Thanks!

I am wondering, what is the picture you posted of the glass floor? It looks interesting.

 

It is a glass bottom landing on the staircase from deck 14. Looking all the way down. Looks much better in person, pic is kinda lousy.

 

If memory is right, front of ship by glass elevators and by Windjammer and Johnny Rockets. If you turn around from that landing, you will see windows to the outdoor pool.

[scottygirl]

Thank you for your review. We have been on the Disney Magic and Fantasy and I have to agree with you those cruise experiences were untouchable! I hope the Anthem comes close.

[shonandsuzie]

It is a glass bottom landing on the staircase from deck 14. Looking all the way down. Looks much better in person, pic is kinda lousy.If memory is right, front of ship by glass elevators and by Windjammer and Johnny Rockets. If you turn around from that landing, you will see windows to the outdoor pool.

Sweet thanks!

[golf43]

Other stuff....

 

We had the internet package. Service was very good. We were able to I message and Facetime with our kids without any issue. Wife was able to browse and post to the F social media site without issue.

 

 

Guest Services is always packed. Lines are long and slow. Luckily we only went once.

 

 

Random places to stop and get food, pastries and coffees: Sorentos pizza, La Patteserie and the shop. All very good.

 

 

Motion of the boat:

 

Night one, we were rocking while most people were asleep. I wake up every hour for some unknown reason so when I did wake up....we were really rocking. Luckily, wife was sleeping cause she would of been sick from it I'm sure. Rest of the trip was super smooth. Keep in mind it was really windy that first night.

 

 

We actually played some trivia while at one of the bars, and won two RC backpacks. Fun to win.....not sure we will ever use the backpacks though.

 

 

We missed our meet up from CC. We got into some drinks and conversations and unfortunately missed the planned sail away with them. Regret that.

 

 

Solarium:

 

Loved this place. Although 18 and up....quite a few times we saw kids in there. Never in pools or hot tubs. Always well behaved. By the end of the trip, didn't see any kids in there.

 

 

Drinks:

 

So many great drinks. Schooner bar try the Tom Collins. tastes like lemonade. made with Vodka. Music Hall try the Big red. Yup, tastes like the gum. We tried a ton of different drinks. Most very delicious.

 

 

Bionic Bar:

 

Zzzzzz. We got one drink there. Worst tasting on the whole trip. Took awhile to get. I pads weren't working quite often. Never went back.

 

Bally01, I was on this cruise also. Glad your internet package worked well. We were on deck 10 and our internet was horrible. Guess it just depends where you are on the ship to make it work right.

[HoundMom4]

Did the Coke Freestyle machines work? I hope so - my family is so excited to use them.

[Pandabear90]

Hey Bally, great review. I just booked one for next year, 5 night to Bermuda as well.

 

Did you think the 5 night was enough time to experience everything on the ship? (shows, complimentary dining, activities, etc...)

How far out did you book the different features of the ship online: dining, Ifly, north star?

What other things would you recommend booking pre-cruise?

[BEENSAILING]

Entertainment:

 

We found the best bars to be at were Schooner bar on floor 5 and The Music Hall on decks 4 and 5. There was always things going on here.

 

 

The ship has it all really, singing, dancing, trivia, game shows, parties, karaoke..... you name it...its there.

 

Shows:

 

The Gift. (in 270) We heard it was weird and hard to follow, but it ended up being my wife's favorite show RC put on. It all comes together at the end if you pay attention.

 

We Will Rock You. (in Grand Theater) We stayed for about half of it. I liked it, wife did not. But we left for another reason....(See below)

 

Spectra's Cabaret. (in 270) We both liked this show. Entertaining music and dancing. They are right on top of the audience for a lot of it. Which made it really interesting.

 

The Quest game show. (in 270) Oh my.....what can I say about this show, game......its audience participation if you sit in lower level. Top level you are safe. I haven't laughed that hard in years. So funny. People are crazy. Don't go if you are easily offended, politically correct or are not ok with some people stripping their clothes down a bit. An awesome show hosted by the cruise director Dru Pavlov. (by the way, Dru is everywhere and a great Cruise Director)

 

Love and Marriage game show. (in Grand Theater) They picked three couples from audience. It basically the newlywed game. Very funny and again hosted by Dru.

 

60 Seconds or less game show. (in Music Hall) Not great. Boring really. We left.

 

 

Best thing the ship had to offer.......Mo5aic. This was a 5 man group brought on for our trip. They were simply amazing. Filled the Grand Theater and left to a standing ovation. I can't explain them much more than saying wow. Maybe search youtube for them.

 

The next night they did a more intimate show in the music hall. This is when we left We Will Rock You in time to see them again. Yes they were that good. Unfortunately, the Music Hall which is huge and has two levels....was beyond capacity. We were forced to stand on a staircase with obstructed view. People were everywhere...it was insane.

 

The casino:

 

We are not gamblers. We live 20 minutes from two of the largest casinos in the world here in CT and never gamble. When we go it is always for food, drinks and dancing. That being said, we ventured to the casino one night and gambled. Wife blew $20 in slots in about 20 minutes. I played a few hands of blackjack at $10 minimum bet and walked away up by $60. Nice place, but people can smoke there and it is oddly in an area at the bottom of the ship kinda by itself.

 

Anthem Rocks:

 

Party in Music Hall the last night. I really liked it, wife didn't. Lip sync by staff, dancing, party atmosphere.

 

 

Wear white party:

 

A bust. Everyone was to wear white in Solarium one night starting at 10pm. Not may people came.

 

70's party:

 

We missed it. Not sure how it ended up.

 

 

Seaplex:

 

Cool place. We did bumper cars once. Had to wait about 5 mins. Warning....the cars are probably the hardest hitting bumper cars I have ever been on. When you get hit...you get hit. But we had fun, laughing the whole time.

 

Table tennis, video games, basketball, volleyball, roller skating...its all there.

 

We did not do, but watched/saw:

 

I-Fly (Not as easy at it looks on videos)

Surfing (ditto)

Rock wall climbing

 

People had a good time on these.

 

 

Pools:

 

We used the pools and hot tubs in Solarium mostly. Very nice. One hot tub was kinda cold, but rest were very nice. Main action was at outdoor pool.

 

 

I did participate in a staff vs. guests pool volleyball competition. They claim to have never lost, but they lost the first match. They are average at best! Fun event.

 

We did the North Star while in port in Bermuda. Very cool. See pics below.

 

 

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The Gift was not in 270 when we were on in December we are going again in August. Isn't The Gift in the Theatre?

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.