Help-Anthem of the Seas

[ariesknowbest]

Hello All.....my hubby's boss has given us a cruise, which I am very grateful (I have been on over 40 cruises).  However, he has chosen the Anthem of the Seas and I just can not get excited.  I loathe crowds, can't stand being herded like cattle, hate "organized" activities aka belly flop contests and the like.  I much prefer smaller ships with education speakers.  We have cruised many times on RCCL (Diamond Plus Member) however most of our sailings were prior to the mega ships.  

 

Please tell me something that is going to get me excited about this cruise.........The destination is Bermuda (which is where we got married) which I have been numerous times.  Please help....anything ....  thank you.  

[Biker19]

You can avoid most of the crowds if you want to - just go hang out in 270 or Solarium.

 

Edited November 15, 2018 by Biker19

[smplybcause]

I'm not a fan of the belly flop or some other things either. Luckily the handy dandy cruise compass lets me know when to run away from certain locations. As biker said, Solarium is always a good place to escape the noise and usually not too crowded.

[gerif]

13 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

You can avoid most of the crowds if you want to - just go hang out in 270 or Solarium.

 

Exactly. Heck, for a free cruise I’d be happy going anywhere on almost any ship. It is what you make of it. As I sit watching the snow come down. 

[fishbonz]

Sounds like you should call royal and see if you can trade down to the grandeur don't want you to ruin my belly flop contest as D+ members. Yes the crowds are big on the Anthem and there is always a wait for what ever you are doing.!!!!!!

[barbeyg]

We were on Anthem for nine nights, don't do poolside organized games, were all over the ship, and it only felt crowded (just like the other ships) when there was a sale going on.   We were never once herded, didn't feel like the ship was crowded, etc.

 

We hung out a lot in 270 because the viewing from there was awesome.  Best ever on a ship for us.  We were hesitant to go on the ship based on some reviews, and it has quickly become one of our favorites.  We are booked again for 9 nights NE/Canada next year, and will be sailing Ovation (same class) for Alaska 2020.

 

I think people can find a quiet spot, away from the masses of people if they want to.  Conversely, I also believe that if we go into an adventure thinking negatively about it, we will find what we are looking for.      

 

I hope you have a great cruise.  

[sh2738]

Free cruise sounds awesome. And if you don’t want to do the activities then don’t do them and just don’t go to those areas. Personally the big ships are completely awesome and I couldn’t do the smaller ones as the bigger ones have so much to offer to everyone and so much to do. 

 

Thanks 

[sdrocks]

Totally love the Anthem and all Oasis class ships.  Not a big fan of the smaller ships.  We never feel crowded

either except after shows, but get that on all ships it seems.  Like the greater variety of activities and if

I don't want to go where it's crowded go to a quiet place.  

[njkruzer]

Love the Anthem.  Solarium and 270 are really good.  As a D+ you can use the CL.  It does get crowded early but if you stay later or come in during the day it's perfect.  It's the entire back of the ship on deck 12 with windows.  Also agree I avoid the events we don't want.  Enjoy!

[Tee & Chilli]

I enjoy 270 also. You can get a snack at 270 cafe and take a seat and enjoy the view. If you have a balcony that's another option. Although you may not be a fan of large ships, I have never had trouble locating quiet places to read or check email. Join your roll call for small group activities.

[HBE4]

Check the cruise compass. It seems like there is always 12 things going on at one time. I'm sure you can find a dance class lesson, casino game lesson, trivia contest, art auction or some kind of educational /speaker thing going on.

[btregoning]

We just got off the Anthem on 11/10.  We cruised on a full ship during Jersey Week, with many children.

 

Honestly, the only time I felt crowded was after muster, but IMHO that is the worst time to be on any ship.

 

We didn't do a lot of planned activities, but still found ways to keep ourselves busy.  My only complaint about the Anthem was a lack of public space to sit out on deck that wasn't at a pool.

 

I enjoyed the ship.  The Oasis class is still my favorite, but the Anthem was nice.  Bermuda was beautiful and we enjoyed having 2 days at one location.  Due to the destruction of the pink sand beach of the resort we were going to spend the day at, we ended up taking the ferry and shopping in Hamilton one day and used a private taxi guide for a 6 hour tour on the second day.

[truckswain]

We sailed the Anthem for the first time 10/26.  The design of the ship is very unique and reminiscent of smaller RCCL ships.  Being big fans of the Oasis class we wondered if we would like it. We absolutely did. Very much enjoyed the Solarium and there are many places to sit and relax.

 

It does get crowded after muster and after shows but that is to be expected.  For the remainder of the time it was fine.

 

We booked again on Anthem for 11 days.  Can't wait.

[bermudadude54]

Before our trip on Anthem last June, all of our cruises have been on smaller ships (Song of America, Grandeur of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, and one trip on Navigator of the Seas).  Like you, we had concerns.  But I must admit, it was one of the best cruises that we have had.  Never felt crowded.  Now expect crowds at the busy times for eating and shortly before and after major scheduled events on the ship.  Even then we always found a place to sit and enjoy the event.  Loved the Solarium!  In fact, we are joining our family in late May 2019 for another cruise!  Enjoy.

[lovescats5]

barbeyg-when in 2020 will you be on the Ovation?  We just booked Sept. 4 2020 and are very excited to be on that ship.

ariesknowbest we did not think the Anthem seemed crowded but if you are worried about that upgrade to a balcony and spend the cruise watching the water.  A cruise is what you make of it and for us any day on a ship is better than a day of work.

[Wine-O]

We just got off Anthem.  Never felt crowded except on the Royal Esplanade when they had their "flea market" where people were pushing and shoving to get their $10 t-shirt.  It was a mad house.  I had to go up to Deck 5 to go forward to the Diamond Lounge to get a coffee.

 

Fortunately, because of the timeframe, there were few children on the cruise.  We tend to cruise when children are in school.

[boscobeans]

You will still find empty elevators, hallways and staircases aside from boarding, shows and dinner times when there have always been crowds.

 

Sales and special events both inside the ship and at places like the pool always draw crowds and can be easily avoided. 

 

If you are looking for small ship experiences you will be able to find them, we always have even on the Mega-ships.

 

Relax and enjoy your cruise.

 

bosco

 

 

[EeyoreRN]

We did the 5-day Anthem cruise to Bermuda last year and LOVED it!  The ship is gorgeous and never felt crowded to us.  Only thing we weren't crazy about was the MDR situation. They were fine, nothing wrong...just not the same as the 3-story large MDR you get on other ships.  Smaller and darker.  As others have mentioned, Two70 and solarium are awesome.  We also loved Boleros and Music Hall. Don't miss Wonderland.  We booked the BOGO dining special and did Wonderland and Jaime's.  Delicious with amazing service.  Northstar was cool, do it on port days for the best view.  

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[voyager70]

Shaking my head about complaining about a free cruise.  And Anthem.  Gorgeous ship.  I'll gladly take your place..

 

[barbeyg]

23 hours ago, lovescats5 said:

barbeyg-when in 2020 will you be on the Ovation?  We just booked Sept. 4 2020 and are very excited to be on that ship.

ariesknowbest we did not think the Anthem seemed crowded but if you are worried about that upgrade to a balcony and spend the cruise watching the water.  A cruise is what you make of it and for us any day on a ship is better than a day of work.

 

We are sailing on 5/22, early in the AK season. 🙂 We are excited too. Have a great cruise! 

[rcclmiami]

On 11/15/2018 at 6:25 PM, njkruzer said:

Love the Anthem.  Solarium and 270 are really good.  As a D+ you can use the CL.  It does get crowded early but if you stay later or come in during the day it's perfect.  It's the entire back of the ship on deck 12 with windows.  Also agree I avoid the events we don't want.  Enjoy!

Concierge lounge is in the worst location of any RCCL ships. You have to walk down a long passenger hallway to get there. We went once. Not worth the inconvenience. Use your three free drinks instead.

[njkruzer]

21 minutes ago, rcclmiami said:

Concierge lounge is in the worst location of any RCCL ships. You have to walk down a long passenger hallway to get there. We went once. Not worth the inconvenience. Use your three free drinks instead.

 

Dh booked the cabin right next to the CL!  It is beautiful place.  If you don't want to walk there then go to the Diamond lounge.  

[Cigar King]

I believe this is the essence of a first world problem.

 

[BermudaBound2014]

Like all ships, the Anthem has some pros and cons. I'm not a fan of the lay out of the Royal Esplanade as it becomes very crowded. I also prefer promenade decks that aren't obstructed for walking.

 

With that said, 270 is a fantastic use of space and the adult only solarium is a beautiful peaceful retreat. The windjammer has aft facing tables outside. Music hall with tribute bands is also a terrific venue.  I'm not aware of any other ship offering I-fly (just do it, super fun). So much to do on Anthem. High energy (flow rider, I fly, Rock wall, roller skating, trapeze). Low energy (north star, bumper cars, bionic bar, a fantastic winery, etc...).  I'll be sailing on her a second time in 2019 so obviously the pros far outweigh the cons for me.

Edited November 17, 2018 by BermudaBound2014

[watson50]

Just got off the Anthem last week after doing a back to back sailing. This is an absolutely awesome ship. There was so much we didn't get to do.  Never felt crowded and we went during Jersey week. This very beautiful ship absorbs the crowds very well. Have a wonderful cruise.