Anthem Spring Break Cruise 4/9-4/17

[de13]

Overall a very fun cruise. Not my favorite, but we had a good time.. How can anyone not when you're on vacation and not at work!

 

 

I have to forewarn you that I am not a writer and my review is really written like my notes. I am rushing to do this, since I will again get busy at work and if I don't do it now, I never will! So I apologize in advance for all my typos, grammar errors, and wrong titles of places on the ship.

 

 

 

Background- There was just two of us, myself and my 18 year old daughter. We are from NJ. We both have cruised a lot, least over 20 times, from 5 days to about six 14-16 day cruises. Most have been longer than 7 days. We have sailed RCCL, Celebrity, Princess, NCL and Carnival. Celebrity is still our favorite. We don't cruise every vacation, but mix it up with other land trips, international, Disney, US, etc.

 

 

 

 

Easter week was very busy and my daughter was also on spring break from HS, but still didn't expect it to be as busy as it was for a huge ship. To give you an idea, multiple RCCL staff told us this was the most children (3-17) they ever had on the Anthem and was the max number of children it could handle. This sailing was even higher children counts than Xmas and # doesn't include all the babies on-board. This was very evident in the lines, crowds, etc. but also places that we didn't anticipate. We were unable to dine with any others at any sharing tables since we were told each night, they were too many large groups, and all large tables were always booked up. At least we never had to wait for dining, as we timed it right and also were only 2 people. Each time, as we left dinner, we noticed long lines at both queues for reservations and no reservations. We typically ate around 7:00 pm.

 

 

 

Stateroom- Very nice and spacious. We had a balcony on Deck 7- liked the layout and the sofa area. Minor detail -wish there was plugs on both sides of beds for charging phones. Only 1 side had it.. small issue. Attendant was adequate. Again, just average- he cleaned each day and left towels, but by day 5 I needed to ask for more soap. Had a few days of towel animals.

 

Despite crowds, ship kept very clean. Also, saw they were wiping down railings frequently

 

Highlights First:

Activities -

 

there is truly something for everyone. While we didn't get to make use much of seaplex because of crowds- I thought of how much my kids would have loved this when they were younger or my son as a teenager. Bumper cars looked fun, but again long lines. Also, never got to play ping pong as tables always had people coupel deep waiting. If you have children, they will love it here.

 

Great Ripcord experience - we LOVED this! We had done this few years back at one of the indoor skydiving places and were hesitant it could be fun in a smaller tunnel, but it was a blast! The crew working it are all fun. First you watch a short video, then put on the windsuits and upstairs to the tunnel area. It worked out great as we booked during a cooler sea day. It was very exciting and fun watching others in the same session, and really a lot of fun watching the instructors. I thought, this has to be the best job on the ship! We both would have loved to try again, but with crowds and bookings, that was not possible.

Me

 

My daughter

 

 

Northstar - Fun going up north star- we did this twice. Once as standby when we saw others do it while we were sitting nearby and again with our reservation. Fun to do both by port and at sea. They did tell us that it couldn't swing over side as the trip then takes too long and too many people on the ship.

 

Puzzlebreak- we lucked out and finally got in this as standby since all slots were completely booked. We enjoyed it and funny to see how some people really take this so seriously! They said it was being refreshed soon.

 

Fitness Center- liked the new equipment, treadmills, and we did yoga classes and also yoga on the beach. I just wished they had a better location for yoga, other than right next to the rows of lounges. TIP- if you do beach yoga- you get off the ship ahead of the crowds and no tender pass required since you go with the instructor.

 

Spa- first cruise we didn't get chance to do massages. Never had any good deals and the spa didn't seem that special.

 

Entertainment- this was a big hit. We really enjoyed the diverse type of entertainment. The shows, singers and dancers were all great. We loved We will rock you and Spectra. The Gift was very strange, but we appreciated the good singing. I think RCCL just used it too much to show off its capabilities and special effects. It would have been more fun and enjoyable with different choreography. We really liked the singers. The dancers in Spectra's cabaret and the final night of the red party were great! Also, the comedian was funny as was Greg London impressionist musician. Also, I enjoy Dru, Cruise Director and have sailed with him before. The staff were all fun and I liked the activities we participated in.

 

Solarium - was beautiful area....the one day we could find a seat there- see below about finding lounge chairs.

Solarium Bistro- we did this couple times for breakfast with smaller crowds

 

Dining - in general, this was a disappointment. This is now the 2nd time in 18 months I was disappointed with RCCL food. It wasn't terrible, just nothing special. We had a couple decent dishes (beef wellington) but overall nothing any different than we typically can go out to eat back home. Some dishes were big disappointments and actually tasted bad and were very salty. The chicken parm last night was terrible, as the steak I ordered one night was tough and well done (ordered med rare). We tried to get various items and also share so we could try more options. The one dish in main dining room I enjoyed was the butternut squash risotto. Even the desserts were not special. I had chocolate souffle (usually a favorite) one night and it was fairly tasteless. I will say, we did 2 nights of specialty, and 1 being a formal night, so we may have missed some of the better options.

 

Wonderland- We enjoyed our experience here. First, we did the BOGO offer and when we arrived on board, at the reception area for restaurants we were told we could not use it for Wonderland. We proceeded to the restaurant directly and they changed the assigned specialty restaurant and booked us for 1st night. It was fun and nice for a night. I will say, if we paid full price, we would have been a little disappointed. The service was incredible, as was atmosphere. There were a couple courses that were really delicious, rest were fun presentation, but not incredibly tasting food. The first course, a shooter was very good as was the crab cones with wasabi.The vegetable course/salad looked good but not tasty at all. The lobster on spoon with caviar was good too. We both didn't like the eggs. The shrimp with type of noodles fried or baked on it was good and very different:

The best course was the tuna on cracker with a Japanese citrus fruit:

 

 

This was delicious! The main course of short rib was not tasty at all but the halibut was better. We really enjoyed 2 of the desserts- the chocolate bowl and the meringue were very good. A good first night and fun, but not sure it would have been worth the money full price. Maybe if the main courses were better.

 

Jamie's was good. Lots of food and all very tasty. Pastas were very good as was plank of meat and veggies appetizer. Service was good, but not outstanding. Again since it was so packed, waiters were always rushing around. Our waiter asked us to do a tasting menu and he would just bring us lots of all, which sounded good to us. Try the various pastas with truffle and the penne, think it was carbonara. The brushetta app was excellent: .

The risotto was only dish I really didn't like at all.

 

My Time Dining-

I think part of the overall dining let down was that we had my time dining. With this comes no special service, and most times, we were done with dinner in 1 hour for 2 people. There was no relaxing between courses, or much interaction with staff, etc. and it took forever to get any drinks other than water. I had to keep asking for water refills. Also, we miss other cruise lines bring fresh hot rolls, walking around refilling your bread plate. The rolls were preset on table and never warm. Good thing I don't drink coffee, since typically if this was even offered, it was after dessert was finished

 

 

 

These are things we enjoy and since traditional dining had been booked up, we had no choice. Others recommended to make reservations with a specific person or time, which we never encountered anyone special to do so. We were also in line behind someone who had done so and was still informed because of the large crowds, they could not accommodate them for requests.

 

I thought Silk and American Icon felt like they were in the basement. Silk was decorated a little nicer, but with regular ceilings, it didn't seem special. I miss the large grand dining rooms.

 

We ate lunch in Grande one day and again nothing special. Also the salad bar was much smaller than one I had on Liberty last year.

 

Cafe 270 - enjoyed eating here when we could. Did have the roast beef sandwich on embarkation- waiting in long line but worth it. Also the shrimp cocktail here is good and much better than main dinning room

.

 

Downsides- Basically the sheer crowds everywhere and the low quality of food and average service.

 

Few times things were not working- the ice cream machine on deck 14 (not sure if exists anywhere else) wasn't working a couple days on and off. Seemed like wasn't freezing up and liquid coming out. Common to find long lines.

 

Soda refill machines- again sometimes they were out, not working etc. Think it was just hard to keep up with all the families an

 

Port days- you return to ship and no towel or water greeting you or towel return bins. Missed that nice refreshing towel after a day off the ship. Did even see NCL ship next door offering this! Also, they didn't' have any water bottles as you exit the ship and no towel checkout at gangway that we saw. Buffet too basic - not much special and again only average food, like those buffet chains. Even the guacamole disappointed me when I took a heaping tablespoon, to only find it frozen in middle. I did find a couple cupcakes that were tasty. The burgers were terrible. Biggest complaint was trying to find a seat anywhere and we were only 2 people. Towel stations - typically only 1 opened by poll area. Sea days had a 2nd, but again who wants to wait in line to return towels. Knowing cruise was sold out, why not open the 2nd one?

Chair hogs and just sheer number of people- Last day walked around for about 40 minutes and not a chair anywhere either deck 14 inside or outside or 15. Solarium packed. Only place we could sit to read was at very back of buffet.

 

I know there are over 4,000 people on this ship, but I still don't want to go on vacation and deal with crowds all the time. I have been on large ships before but never felt like it was packed. Anthem felt packed in everything we did, You need to get to the theater least 30 mins early to get a seat, need to go early to find lounges, need to strategize time for dinner to avoid lines for My time dining, etc. I am not being inpatient, as I am a person who can plan and does so with trips to Disney, but I don't like to have crowds and plan every little detail when on a cruise. Cruising for me is typically the one vacation I may actually slow down, but this was not the relaxing type of cruise.

 

Overall, we had a blast, so don't want to sound too negative. I just think I would try another ship next time, especially since Anthem is typically higher fares and I feel like there is better value and experiences out there on other ships.

 

I would like to sail Celebrity again and haven't in couple years. For my future booking, I did do Celebrity. I typically choose the cruise based upon dates, who else is going, and then ship and itinerary. Dates are limited with work schedule and school breaks, but soon I will have more flexibility!

 

[jessed]

Thanks for the review. We will be going on the Anthem soon.

[de13]

Thanks for the review. We will be going on the Anthem soon.

 

 

You will have a good time!

[CarolRoy]

We were on the Anthem the week of Dec. 9, 2016. Ship was filled to capacity. We had some 711 children - all under 5 years. Dinner was a nightmare and very, very loud. So you never know when the ship would be crowded. It doesn't have to be a holiday week.

[riclop]

Thanks for your thoughts.

[de13]

We were on the Anthem the week of Dec. 9, 2016. Ship was filled to capacity. We had some 711 children - all under 5 years. Dinner was a nightmare and very, very loud. So you never know when the ship would be crowded. It doesn't have to be a holiday week.

 

This ship is definitely a hit with kids. SO just imagine more than double the children you had on the sailing lol. I think my son would have loved it during his teen years, especially with seaplex and all the basketball games. Though I wonder if it would have been to crazy when kids are preschool- 8, for the camp. I remember a time when my children were young and walked into the kids club and it was crazy busy and my daughter did not want to stay. She always like it with enough children to make friends, but not packed and crazy.

[Jerseygirl1416]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

We did an AI in Punta Cana this Holy Week and it was packed with kids too. I haven't seen that many babies in a long time. Which is a good thing though because I love babies but the crowds are overwhelming.

 

We usually don't go away during spring break because all our sons were spring sports kids and now I'm glad! It's just too many people from the airports to the resorts for my taste. I'll avoid that week from now on.

[hunt182644]

Enjoyed your review we usually sail on other lines and smaller ships. Am curious you mentioned large crowds , sheer numbers of people. Anthem is designed for approx. 4000 passengers are you saying she usually does not sail full. A large ship like this sounds like a real cluster, I'll stick to the smaller ships.

[CarolRoy]

It's me again. We were on the Dec.9, 2016 sailing on the Anthem out of Bayonne. Per RC site, the Anthem has a guest capacity of 4180 pax. I asked at guest relations what was the pax count on our sailing. Total 4661 pax that included 711 children. Ship was way too crowded. Will be going on the Adventure of the Seas in a few weeks out of San Juan. Hope we don't run into this many pax then.