Anthem of the Seas 22-29 May, our roundup

[Fabulous97]

Just back off Anthem of the Seas 22-29 May from Southampton to La Rochelle, Bilbao, La Corona and Le Harve and back to Southampton. I can’t answer and questions regarding ports as we didn’t get off the ship, It’s been a very busy work time and we needed a break!

Here are some of our observations.

 

We used the app to check in etc had our tests done two days before and arrived at Southampton at 10.40, we are lucky it’s about an hours drive for us. We had a boarding time at 12 but our plan was to sit outside and get on the ships Wi-Fi to book our dining. We were told no problem please come on in, check in staff were happy and welcoming. Checked our passports and covid test paperwork and waved on board. So from parking the car to being onboard took less than 20 minutes, no queues at all.

 

We got a drink (they scan the seapass on your phone until you get your card), went for a wander and some lunch. Watched the safety video on the phone and checked into our muster station. Cabins were ready at one o’clock and our bags were already there. So unpacked got our cossies on and off to a peaceful solarium.

 

Plenty of bar staff all week and no problem getting service.

 

We had the UBP and had got it on sale at £39 each per day (approx $48), we made good use of it both with alcohol, fresh juice and coffees.

Spirits were a bit haphazard for example you could get Gentlemens Jack and Buffalo Trace in the solarium bar but only No7 (yeuk) in the Schooner bar.

 

Windjammer bit uninspiring and often running out of items.

 

Very little waiting for lifts.

 

MDR ok, they did have lobster tail on one night and I got given two even though I didn’t ask for two.

 

Speciality we attended:

Wonderland – excellent and had lots of starters (my favourite bit of dinner)
Chops x 2 – I don’t eat meat however my dining companions said the steak (bone in rib eye) was absolutely excellent
Chefs Table – they were only doing a 17.30 sitting, there were only 11 of us and we finished gone 21.00. We had fun and met some interesting people.

 

Entertainment

We Will Rock You – must see
Spectra – must see
Frankie Valley – excellent really lively
The Gift – bit odd, who makes a story about a dead wife and mother!
Lots of other music around the ship

 

Sun Loungers

They were enforcing the 30 minute rule and removing peoples belongings and towels on a number of days especially in the Solarium.

 

Formal nights

Everything from shorts to black tie, lots of Scotsmen in kilts. Ladies in sparkly numbers, some families had all dressed up to get family photos. There were some very smart little boys in dress shorts, shirt, bowtie and jackets!

 

We had an inside virtual balcony cabin, roomy and comfortable. We only use our cabin to sleep, shower and get dressed in.

 

The guests were mostly British, lots of Scots and Northerners who had travelled miles to get to Southampton. Some other Europeans and quite a few Americans. The ship was not 100% full.

 

We put our bags out the evening before with their tags on, duty free delivered earlier and put in our luggage. Out of the cabin at 7.45 bit of breakfast in the WJ which was open until 8.30. Off the ship nice and easy seapass blipped out. Picked up our bags walked across the carpark and loaded the car. No passport checks, no customs. From leaving the WJ to driving out of the carpark just over 10 minutes! Home by 9:30, bags unpacked and washing on!

 

Hope this is of some use. Some people were wearing masks, 90% were not, it did not feel covid unsafe. Lots of hand washing and sanitiser plus people seemed to respect personal space. All staff had KN95 masks on.

 

If you have any questions, I will try to answer them.

We are RC and NCL cruisers and like the big ships.

[sgmn]

Thanks for your blog, sounds like you had a great time. Love the entertainment on Royals big ships. 

Love also that at Southampton you can park right outside the ship and get your bags picked up from your car , so convenient 

Should of been on her in September but due to a happy family event we've cancelled. Maybe sneak in a quickie before she goes back to her other home

Edited May 30, 2022 by sgmn

[chmusar]

I was also on that cruise , some of my observations

 

 

• Check In super fast just have relevant documentation ready
• we booked all dining on the cruise planner at home
• bar service I found generally quite slow and not as many staff walking round offering drinks
• They need to stock the same drinks in every bar i.e. bottle Peroni only in casino , sierra Nevada pale ale only in the britsh pub
• cocktails normally have tom Collins, planters punch, mojito every one tasted different different in every bar especially the mojito
• only on one day did I see items been removed form sun loungers , in solarium there where towels already on loungers at 7.30am !!!!
• MDR was great enjoyed the food we always ate late 8.30pm so never seemed rushed
• room was great had junior suite very clean and room attendant was amazing
• only delay in lifts was disembarkation where people waited over 20 minutes 
• Windjammer only had breakfast usual standard
• shows great and as said did not get The Gift , The Beatles tribute band was well worth watching
• Looking at Facebook posts a lot of passengers have tested positive for Covid now at home
• The ifly and northstar you can only go on once in your trip anymore you have to pay for
• Bumper cars where a good laugh 

 

we normally go on radiance or vision class ships and I found the Anthem to big for me and every where was noisy , even the library all the sounds come up from The 270 .

 

[Fabulous97]

11 minutes ago, chmusar said:

I was also on that cruise , some of my observations

 

 

• Check In super fast just have relevant documentation ready
• we booked all dining on the cruise planner at home
• bar service I found generally quite slow and not as many staff walking round offering drinks
• They need to stock the same drinks in every bar i.e. bottle Peroni only in casino , sierra Nevada pale ale only in the britsh pub
• cocktails normally have tom Collins, planters punch, mojito every one tasted different different in every bar especially the mojito
• only on one day did I see items been removed form sun loungers , in solarium there where towels already on loungers at 7.30am !!!!
• MDR was great enjoyed the food we always ate late 8.30pm so never seemed rushed
• room was great had junior suite very clean and room attendant was amazing
• only delay in lifts was disembarkation where people waited over 20 minutes 
• Windjammer only had breakfast usual standard
• shows great and as said did not get The Gift , The Beatles tribute band was well worth watching
• Looking at Facebook posts a lot of passengers have tested positive for Covid now at home
• The ifly and northstar you can only go on once in your trip anymore you have to pay for
• Bumper cars where a good laugh 

 

we normally go on radiance or vision class ships and I found the Anthem to big for me and every where was noisy , even the library all the sounds come up from The 270 .

We couldn't book speciality dining at home only the MDR.

I agree that the drinks varied, we spent our time in the solarium as we don't have children and spent it reading and podcasts. It was mainly the last sea day they were removing items, I nipped to get a coffee downstairs and nearly lost my stuff which was a bit overzealous as I was gone 10 minutes.

Missed The Beatles, the comedian was good (can't remember his name) not my usual choice. I don't think the Americans understood what he was talking about as we had some very confused ones behind us.

We must have been lucky with bar service.

Interesting that people are testing positive, I tested myself earlier and all clear. 

I would agree the bars were noisy in the evening, difficult to hold a conversation.

11 minutes ago, chmusar said:

 

 

[Fabulous97]

22 minutes ago, sgmn said:

 

Love also that at Southampton you can park right outside the ship and get your bags picked up from your car , so convenient 

That makes it so easy! Straight down the M3 for us, bags out and cross the road!

[skyking]

Outstanding post, can't wait to board Anthem on June 17th. 

 

How many passengers on your sailing? 

 

Thanks again!

 

[Fabulous97]

9 minutes ago, skyking said:

Outstanding post, can't wait to board Anthem on June 17th. 

 

How many passengers on your sailing? 

 

Thanks again!

 

Just lovely to be on holiday and have a break.

 

I don't know the exact numbers, I think I heard just under 4K. Some children who must have been taken out of school as it is term time but didn't see huge amounts. Bit chilly in the main area as we had some mixed weather. The other family pool has a glass ceiling so busier in there.

 

Always nice and toasty in the solarium, I really like the stepped pools in there.

[vjmatty]

Thank you both, Fabulous and chmusar, for your reviews. I'll be on Anthem for the TA in October from Southampton to Bayonne.

 

A few questions if you don't mind....Is Anthem one of the ships that has breakfast at Johnny Rockets?  Also, was the bottled water actually in bottles or have they already switched to cans? As a vegetarian what did they provide you in Chops as a substitute? How was the food at the Solarium Bistro and did you notice if they were open for dinner?

[chmusar]

4 minutes ago, vjmatty said:

Thank you both, Fabulous and chmusar, for your reviews. I'll be on Anthem for the TA in October from Southampton to Bayonne.

 

A few questions if you don't mind....Is Anthem one of the ships that has breakfast at Johnny Rockets?  Also, was the bottled water actually in bottles or have they already switched to cans? As a vegetarian what did they provide you in Chops as a substitute? How was the food at the Solarium Bistro and did you notice if they were open for dinner?

water now in cans

Sorry did not eat in chops 

food in solarium is same as windjammer they are open at night but for a shorter time period 

I did not notice breakfast being served in johnny rockets but if you have drinks package order fries at 1.99 and you can get a milkshake included

[vjmatty]

2 minutes ago, chmusar said:

water now in cans

Sorry did not eat in chops 

food in solarium is same as windjammer they are open at night but for a shorter time period 

I did not notice breakfast being served in johnny rockets but if you have drinks package order fries at 1.99 and you can get a milkshake included

Thanks! I didn't know you had to buy food to get a milkshake with the package, but it works...fries and milkshake is my standard order when people make a McD run since there's nothing else I can eat there lol. 

 

[Fabulous97]

13 minutes ago, vjmatty said:

Thank you both, Fabulous and chmusar, for your reviews. I'll be on Anthem for the TA in October from Southampton to Bayonne.

 

A few questions if you don't mind....Is Anthem one of the ships that has breakfast at Johnny Rockets?  Also, was the bottled water actually in bottles or have they already switched to cans? As a vegetarian what did they provide you in Chops as a substitute? How was the food at the Solarium Bistro and did you notice if they were open for dinner?

I didn't notice breakfast at Johnny Rockets it didn't seem to have many customers when I went past.

Water is in cans, we always picked up a couple on the way back to the cabin for night time.

Sorry I eat fish so I didn't have the vegetarian option.

Solarium Bistro was same as WJ but much quieter, they were open some nights for dinner but closed at 8pm I think!

The sandwich place near 270 was lacking some items and I couldn't get a tuna sandwich. They also hide the crisps (potato chips)  and you have to ask for them 🙂

[vjmatty]

1 minute ago, Fabulous97 said:

I didn't notice breakfast at Johnny Rockets it didn't seem to have many customers when I went past.

Water is in cans, we always picked up a couple on the way back to the cabin for night time.

Sorry I eat fish so I didn't have the vegetarian option.

Solarium Bistro was same as WJ but much quieter, they were open some nights for dinner but closed at 8pm I think!

The sandwich place near 270 was lacking some items and I couldn't get a tuna sandwich. They also hide the crisps (potato chips)  and you have to ask for them 🙂

Thank you.....I've occasionally gone pescatarian on a cruise, or in France where vegetarian options are limited.

 

Did they give you the tumbler with the drink package? Might be more convenient for water than carrying around  open cans but I guess I could bring my own. 

[Fabulous97]

33 minutes ago, vjmatty said:

Thank you.....I've occasionally gone pescatarian on a cruise, or in France where vegetarian options are limited.

 

Did they give you the tumbler with the drink package? Might be more convenient for water than carrying around  open cans but I guess I could bring my own. 

They did have vegetarian and vegan options. No they didn't provide the tumbler however I saw people with them but I think that is for the soft drinks package. The water cans are not huge I think 33cl.

[_linda_]

Nice review, thanks.

Was there a band aboard? Years ago it was Rock the Boat, and they rocked!

 

[gumshoe958]

8 minutes ago, _linda_ said:

Nice review, thanks.

Was there a band aboard? Years ago it was Rock the Boat, and they rocked!

 

It’s The Dukes again, same as last summer.

[DJTowls]

Thanks for the review - looking forward to boarding on the 17th June. One quick question - are there kettles in the room (for that all important morning cuppa on the balcony)?

[chmusar]

1 hour ago, DJTowls said:

Thanks for the review - looking forward to boarding on the 17th June. One quick question - are there kettles in the room (for that all important morning cuppa on the balcony)?

if departing from Southampton there should be kettles in room if not ask your steward

[Another_Critic]

As mentioned in other threads, Anthem has had kettles (even while in the US) since the restart last summer.

 

I was on her early and late Dec 2021, and the May 2022 TA.

 

Edited May 30, 2022 by Another_Critic

[Markanddonna]

3 hours ago, gumshoe958 said:

It’s The Dukes again, same as last summer.

The Dukes are a rather tired group. The Caribbean band was good. The latin group's lead seemed bored or angry. 

[zap99]

3 hours ago, _linda_ said:

Nice review, thanks.

Was there a band aboard? Years ago it was Rock the Boat, and they rocked!

 

We were on a couple of Indy cruises where Rock the boat were in ( I think ) the pyramid lounge. Superb band .Sadly I can't see if they are back on Anthem. Anybody know what, if anything they are doing!🤔

[Fabulous97]

Dukes onboard they were ok. Kettles yes, there was a shortage of tea bags. People were getting them from the WJ.

 

The band onboard last July was much better. I felt they used the Music Hall too much for competitions and quizzes rather than concentrating on music. 

[Markanddonna]

26 minutes ago, Fabulous97 said:

Dukes onboard they were ok. Kettles yes, there was a shortage of tea bags. People were getting them from the WJ.

 

The band onboard last July was much better. I felt they used the Music Hall too much for competitions and quizzes rather than concentrating on music. 

The two big venues seem to alternate between music and competitions/quizzes. I guess the ship has to accommodate both. 

[nelblu]

On 5/30/2022 at 7:41 AM, Fabulous97 said:

 

 

Entertainment

We Will Rock You – must see
Spectra – must see
Frankie Valley – excellent really lively
The Gift – bit odd, who makes a story about a dead wife and mother!
Lots of other music around 

On our Easter week, they did not show "we will rock you" the excuse was due to the ship's movement, but our intuition was Covid related.

 

We really enjoyed the Jersey Boys/Frankie Valli & the 4 Seasons show.  The lead who was in both the Broadway & London version and was very energetic and full of fun.  They were so well received (maybe because Frankie Valli is from NJ) that they performed at the final show.  The final show was missing one of the Season's and again the suspicion was Covid.

 

In addition, they also had a "Beatles Extravaganza" and they really put on a delightful show.  The wigs looked a bit odd.

 

Both performances brought back some very fond memories.

 

[CaroleC]

On 5/30/2022 at 12:41 PM, Fabulous97 said:

Sun Loungers

They were enforcing the 30 minute rule and removing peoples belongings and towels on a number of days especially in the Solarium

This is so good to hear!

[hal2008]

On 5/30/2022 at 8:11 AM, chmusar said:

I was also on that cruise , some of my observations

 

 

• Check In super fast just have relevant documentation ready
• we booked all dining on the cruise planner at home
• bar service I found generally quite slow and not as many staff walking round offering drinks
• They need to stock the same drinks in every bar i.e. bottle Peroni only in casino , sierra Nevada pale ale only in the britsh pub
• cocktails normally have tom Collins, planters punch, mojito every one tasted different different in every bar especially the mojito
• only on one day did I see items been removed form sun loungers , in solarium there where towels already on loungers at 7.30am !!!!
• MDR was great enjoyed the food we always ate late 8.30pm so never seemed rushed
• room was great had junior suite very clean and room attendant was amazing
• only delay in lifts was disembarkation where people waited over 20 minutes 
• Windjammer only had breakfast usual standard
• shows great and as said did not get The Gift , The Beatles tribute band was well worth watching
• Looking at Facebook posts a lot of passengers have tested positive for Covid now at home
• The ifly and northstar you can only go on once in your trip anymore you have to pay for
• Bumper cars where a good laugh 

 

we normally go on radiance or vision class ships and I found the Anthem to big for me and every where was noisy , even the library all the sounds come up from The 270 .

 

 

Thank you for a great summary.

 

Great timing. Was about to book an upcoming cruise.  Your pointing to that social media site was extremely helpful in making decision 

 

Thank you again for the timely heads up.