Detailed & sometimes verbose review of Anthem August 25, 2016 sail

[nelblu]

Ahah! - I mentioned to DH we might not have access in October and he immediately suggested we should at least try our key. Guess that's a good idea!

 

You've got nothing to lose, but a rejection by automation and not a live person. lol We simply never tried or gave it any thoughts.

[hansolosmom]

Thanks for the review.i love that Canada itinerary and hope to do it in the next year or 2

[nelblu]

Thanks for the review.i love that Canada itinerary and hope to do it in the next year or 2

 

If it's the same itinerary, you'll enjoy it. I was impressed with Halifax and if we ever go north again, I'll try the Pink GOGO bus as it'll give us more opportunity to explore Halifax.

[Photofinish4]

Sorry for the detailed & lengthy review.

 

Anthem cruise that began on August 25 was my 2nd sail on a Quantum class ship and loved it as much as the previous one. This time around it was much easier as we did not have to battle sleet/snow conditions getting to the pier on a February day. We live in Monmouth County, NJ around Garden State exit 117. It took us approximately 2 hours door to door. A bit of back-up incurred on the turnpike and in dropping off our bags. Parking was a real breeze.

 

Embarkation: Easy as pie. Checking in done via Pads and took about 3-5 minutes to complete task, including our pictures and health information. A bit of foul up in the printing of the sea pass. Usually on other ships the printed sea pass includes all passengers. However, on the Anthem separate printouts are required. No big problem, were directed to a kiosk station inside the terminal and got the second sea pass. Once inside, as Diamond+ members, we avoided the lines and went directly up the ramp leading onto the ship. Cabins became available at approximately 1PM.

 

For lunch we headed to the Windjammer and it was crowded as it is customary on embarkation day on all of the RCL’s ships that we’ve sailed. Typical WJ offerings, except that I noticed a larger selection of fruits and salads, including an ice cream station. Offerings were okay, as buffets go. Got a big surprise on future visits to the WJ and it was the adding of a pasta station—this station was very popular with passengers.

 

After lunch, we explored the ship and a 2 PM went to our cabin and to our surprise our luggage was outside our cabin door. We unpacked our bags and later continued exploring the ship. We wound up by 2x70 when the ship left the pier at 4:15pm. It was a great place to see the ship leaving (add’l info in the tour section of this review.)

 

Cabin: We had #9250 which is the opposite of #9650 that we occupied on the Quantum. It’s a D7 cabin approximately 5 cabins from the elevators—very convenient. It was also what is called on CC a “hump cabin” which encompasses a larger balcony than the average. I don’t recall on other ships whether the balcony sliding doors are locked for both the inside & outside to maintain the air conditioning setting.

 

Dining: For dinner we selected Dynamic Classic with 5:30 seating. The Classic comprised of rotating each night within the 4 complementary restaurants. The wait staff and fellow diners rotated with you. Our 1st was Chic, followed by Grande (formal), Silk & American Icon. We did not know what to expect, but we found the concept quite easy and very accommodating. I had requested, via RCL dining, a table for 2, and were assigned table #125 by the window. The 1st night was the only night that we waited to be seated. On subsequent nights we simply walked in and went to our table.

 

Although subjective, we found the quality and variety to be quite good. Each night we basically began with an appetizer, followed by either salad and soup, main entrée and of course followed by the wonderful desserts. A surprise awaited us the 5th night when we left Bar Harbor, Maine. Our waiter Nemesh (who was fantastic and always a smiling) informed us that Lobster was available, although not on the menu. We thought that it was the usual lobster tail, but to our surprise it was a full lobster sliced in half and the head stuffed with tiny shrimps. Subsequently found out from the Captain that they spent $40k on the lobsters.

 

For breakfast we basically ate at the Windjammer (WJ), Main Dining Room (MDR) and once in the Diamond Lounge. We’re not large breakfast eaters and settled for an occasional omelet. Most of the time, it was coffee, water, fruit and pastries. The night before arriving in Boston we ordered room service for the following morning as we had an early tour. It was a wonderful presentation of fruit, continental breakfast, and a large pot of coffee. Rate this service an A+.

 

Lunch, we frequented the WJ and the MDR on sea days. The WJ had its usual buffet items. However, a welcome addition was the pasta station which was a hit with passengers as there was always a line. You had a choice of marinara, meat and cream sauces to go along with pasta of penne & spaghetti. In the mix was the availability of various vegetables.

 

Specialty restaurant: Had the opportunity to dine in Jamie’s on the 1st nite to take advantage of the D+ BOGO coupon. Began with the meat plank, comprised of mozzarella balls, parmesan cheese, prosciutto, salami, capicolla, caponata & flat bread. The caponata & flat bread was a meal unto itself. Followed by entrees of lamb chops (3) and prawns in marinara sauce over linguini. Had room for dessert. LOL

 

On the 7th nite, we dined at Chops Grille. Began with large shrimp cocktails, French onion soup and the 6oz filet. Enjoyed the filet as one could cut it with a fork. Also followed by dessert of 3 large cookies with vanilla ice cream.

 

To be continued,

What time did they open the diamond lounge? I'm on the Sept.22 cruise with early dining.

[nelblu]

What time did they open the diamond lounge? I'm on the Sept.22 cruise with early dining.

 

The D lounge is always available for coffee. & tea. However, opens at 5PM for snacks & drinks. We had a 5:30 dining time and usually got a quick beer & diet coke. We're not big drinkers.

[Photofinish4]

The D lounge is always available for coffee. & tea. However, opens at 5PM for snacks & drinks. We had a 5:30 dining time and usually got a quick beer & diet coke. We're not big drinkers.

 

thanks form the quick reply

[Addictedtocruising]

Thanks for your great review! I'll be on in October and am D+ also. Did you mean D+'s weren't allowed in the Concierge Lounge? Just want to be prepared and not surprised if that's the case. If so, I wonder if your sailing just had a lot more D's and D+'s than "normal", whatever that is. :D

 

We were also on this sailing and D+, there was no mention of being invited to the CL. I went the first day to grab a cappuccino and had no problem geting in.

It was too far of a walk so I didn't bother going back.

 

When were on in March we did have a letter from the Concierge, this time no.

If I needed anything I always went to William Ramos, the Loyalty Ambassador on deck 4 and had it all taken care of :)

[Yorkvillain]

Loved the review Nelblu. Thanks.

[3dogmom]

Did you use any private guides for tours?

[nelblu]

Did you use any private guides for tours?

 

Used RCL's for Boston to Cape Cod, Portland & Kenebunkport, Titanic & Peggy's Cove (Halifax). For the other ports we explored on our own. Disappointed in St. John's Pink bus GOGO and enjoyed walking in Bar Harbor. As mentioned in my review, next time if we make to Halifax, we'll use the Pink GOGO to explore the city itself.

 

Ps. The Pink buses are US$49.99 per for the entire day or as long as you want it.

[Last Mate]

Boston to Cape Cod: A 9 hour tour and stopped at Sandwich , Hyannis & Chatham. Sandwich is named after the” Earl of Sandwich” which of course the sandwich is named after. Not much to see other than the Grist Mill and as a bathroom break. Next was Hyannis & Hyannisport. A nice and pleasant stop, which included a 1 hour boat ride and the primary attraction was not only the beautiful port, but the Kennedy Compound and identification of each of the homes & occupants. Next on the stop was Chatham for lunch and shopping. Chatham is a beautiful small resort filled with restaurants, hotels and variety of shops. Had an opportunity to have lunch with my old boss and his spouse who live in NJ and have a place in Brewster. They recommended Wild Goose Inn, but we were disappointed as it was noon time but had no vanilla ice cream to go along with the apple torte. On the way back to the ship we stopped at a beach(?) where the Mayflower folks wound up. It was fascinating reading the plaque and admiring the lighthouse overlooking the beach area. Thankfully, traffic was light going & coming. Our tour guide mentioned that on Memorial & Independence Days it takes some 4 hours to get to Cape Cod from Boston and its vicinity.

 

 

Love the review thank you so much!

 

My wife and I will be doing this same excursion soon, we were thinking of having lunch at the Wild Goose Inn. Could you please tell me where the bus parks in Chatham? And if the Wild Goose is within reasonable walking distance from where the bus parks, or is a cab the best way to get there?

 

Thank you again

[nelblu]

Love the review thank you so much!

 

My wife and I will be doing this same excursion soon, we were thinking of having lunch at the Wild Goose Inn. Could you please tell me where the bus parks in Chatham? And if the Wild Goose is within reasonable walking distance from where the bus parks, or is a cab the best way to get there?

 

Thank you again

 

Sorry, for the late reply, as I'm having problems with my internet connections.

The Wild Goose Inn was only a couple of blocks from the drop off point. From my point of view, I was disappointed in the limited luncheon menu, was hoping to grab a lobster roll there or something that resembles NE. Plus, they ran out of vanilla ice-cream for my tart. Go figure, only chocolate and it was only 1+PM.

[Last Mate]

Sorry, for the late reply, as I'm having problems with my internet connections.

The Wild Goose Inn was only a couple of blocks from the drop off point. From my point of view, I was disappointed in the limited luncheon menu, was hoping to grab a lobster roll there or something that resembles NE. Plus, they ran out of vanilla ice-cream for my tart. Go figure, only chocolate and it was only 1+PM.

 

Thank you.

 

My wife looked at their menu on line (before your review) and noticed they serve lobster roll for lunch. That's the reason we decided to give them a try.

 

Hmm, maybe they ran out?

 

Thank you again for the info.

[nelblu]

Thank you.

 

My wife looked at their menu on line (before your review) and noticed they serve lobster roll for lunch. That's the reason we decided to give them a try.

 

Hmm, maybe they ran out?

 

Thank you again for the info.

 

Maybe, just like the vanilla ice cream. lol

[framboesa]

I left my sea pass card in the power slot to maintain the air conditioning setting. Once you removed the sea pass the power went out. .

 

Thank you very much for your fantastic review!I'm starting to dream :D

 

Just one little note: you can use any card to keep the AC "on"; when we travel we always carry a card that we don't need (any card) to keep the power on in cruises or hotels :)

Edited October 11, 2016 by framboesa