Live Review: Anthem of the Seas Transatlantic May 1st-12th, 2023

[CatLadyFemme]

Hello - it's time for another live review!

 

I'm CatLadyFemme, a professor at the University of Michigan, a cat lady , and a fairly experienced cruiser. I am disabled/live with chronic pain, and so walk with a cane, plus I am a vegetarian and have Celiac disease, so am super duper gluten free. My mother just passed away unexpectedly 4 weeks ago, so my whole world has been a bit discombobulated. We've taken in her cats (so my household now has 5, and the integration is NOT going well! Plus one of my partners, MrCatLady, and I also have another cat and a very sassy blue nose pittie). Our grad students are on strrike, and MxCatLady is recovering from their third round of COVID, so it's been quite a month. I absolutely cannot wait to get on board, and feel like I can finally breathe again...I hope.
 

In addition to things like photos of the rooms, pools, etc., I will post about finding vegetarian GF food (we've had some AMAZING luck like with Belic on the Explorer, and some not great experiences where I ate iceberg salad and berries for days), and access/ADA issues. Oh! I'm also queer and nonbinary (as is MxCatLady), so there may be some stuff about the LGBTQ meet up, etc. I like to stay in the shade/find a nice lounge and read, or enjoy the hot tubs. Yes, even when it is fairly chilly (see my May 2023 review of Voyager in the Baltic).

 

One of my partners, MxCatLady, will be joining me. They run a Starbucks on land (sadly, cannot use their discounts aboard), and this is their first time heading to Europe and third time on a cruise. We both will likely frequent the shows depending on how crowded they are, napkin folding/towel animals, observation decks, and the pools.  Any tips for a first time transatlantic cruiser to make sure we get the best experience? I absolutely adore British murder mysteries, and so the idea of cruising to England is a long time goal of mine. We'll be dressing up for dinner, and have the UDP, though also may do a fair amount of MDR, given the few restaurants on board.

 

 

We'll be staying in an accessible ocean view balcony. So stoked to be able to sit on the balcony with a soft blanket, listen to audio books, and enjoy the water.

 

We have early seating at dinner, like seeing most of the shows (though may skip if crowded), and are super excited to travel together overseas for the first time. We both have the 4 free Diamond drinks - I cannot drink alochol, and they don't drink much, so mostly mocktails for us! We also have internet packages. Currently scheduled to do a tour of the lake in the Azores, and no plans for either France stop other than to find a cheese shop, a cafe, and a place to stroll. This will be close to our one year anniversary of our commitment ceremony last summer (see below!)

 

 

 

I should note I am immuno compromised, and despite isolating for two years, I finally got COVID in January 2023 (MxCatLady just got their 3rd related infection earlier this month). We are both dealing with some pretty seriously long COVID syndrome. We also know getting it more than once can be additive, so at my HCP’s advice, we will be masking indoors or in crowded outdoor spaces. I also got my 6th shot (which is considered my booster) end of November and there is no updates on new boosters, so am a little anxious.  Please don’t argue COVID stuff with me, and I won’t spam you with peer reviewed studies, and we can all have a nice time.

 

Our trip starts Sunday April 30th, flying into Newark, figuring out how to get a cab to our Manhattan hotel, and perhaps walking around the city a little - it is MxCatLady's first time in NYC! Then we'll find a vegetarian/GF friendly place for dinner to deliver and head to the port on Monday for our 10am boarding time!

 

Let me know if you have any specific questions or requests; otherwise, I'll try to do regular updates (assuming the internet isn't wonky), post occasional pictures, and hopefully induce a small amount of envy.

 

Oh! And if you see us on board, come say hi 💜

68ECC770-C3B2-4C9B-ACC4-0CC46795E370.heic

[CatLadyFemme]

I forgot! We are only spending one full day in London, as MxCatLady only has certain time they can be off from work...but we are both having GF vegetarian afternoon tea on a red double decker bus AND going to the cheese conveyor belt place that MrCatLady and I went to last year (though not for all you can eat night, sadly). We cannot wait!

[MLAW]

I always enjoy your reviews so I am excited to follow along.  You always wear the cutest dresses!  I sailed on the Anthem last summer out of Southampton so this will be extra fun to follow.  Safe travels!

[allyfree]

Looking forward to following your new adventure, especially as we're heading off to Norway on Anthem once it gets to Southampton ! Very sorry to hear about your mother ... I'm sure you're more than ready for your trip after all your trials ... bon voyage !

[StanleyandGus]

@CatLadyFemme Very sorry about your mother- no matter how old we are when lose them, it’s hard.

 

I think you’re on the right track for a first TA . We have done precisely one, and kept busy on board with pretty much everything, including towel folding! We had a blast and I really want to do another. Sea days are the best!
 

I am looking forward to your review. You are an excellent reviewer!

[Yinster]

Looking forward to your fridge magnet exchange. I will be popping in at the end. 

 

See you on board 

[kernow]

Looking forward to reading, I always enjoy your reviews. 

We love TAs, all the sea days are so relaxing, they seem to pass so quickly.

So sorry about your mother, I lost mine last summer and know how hard it is, have a fab time.

[mrchips14]

Hi CatLady

 

Thanks for doing this. I am sailing on the return cruise Southampton to NJ in Oct. 15 nights.

Can you check what they do with main dinner? Are menus different each night or do they repeat one week to the next. 

Thank you,

Smooth sailing.

[CatLadyFemme]

On 4/28/2023 at 3:13 PM, mrchips14 said:

Hi CatLady

 

Thanks for doing this. I am sailing on the return cruise Southampton to NJ in Oct. 15 nights.

Can you check what they do with main dinner? Are menus different each night or do they repeat one week to the next. 

Thank you,

Smooth sailing.

Will do!

[CatLadyFemme]

We are at the airport, finally! MrCatLady was kind enough to wake up early and drop me and MxCatLady off.

 

Usually I am packed a week or so in advance, but due to all the chaos, we were finishing packing yesterday😬…and then realized that one of the suitcases I had inherited from my mother had a broken wheel, but not until we had fully packed it 🤦🏻‍♀️.

 

It has been pouring rain here, and I have heard reports that NYC is the same. Hoping for a smooth flight and no delays. McCatLady has never been to NJ or NY, so excited to get some some pizza, bagels, and Chinese. I am looking forward to getting some GF veggie food delivered to the hotel as well.

[Sea Dog]

On 4/27/2023 at 4:47 PM, CatLadyFemme said:

My mother just passed away unexpectedly 4 weeks ago

 

I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you have a great cruise and can reflect on the great memories you have of her.

[cruiselover04]

So sorry for the loss of your mother. As previous posters have said I hope you able to enjoy the cruise reflecting on precious memories you hold close to your heart.  
 

Looking forward to your review. We are doing the Anthem TA next April. I also eat a gluten free, low carb and sugar free diet by choice so will be interested to see what you find for food choices. 
 

Jenni 

[FionaMG]

Sorry to hear about your mother @CatLadyFemme.

 

We have finished up our packing and are just bemoaning the fact that we'll have to get off the ship in the morning. Wishing you a great trip. 😊

[JamesEM]

Following along once again, have a great cruise.

[perfect match]

@CatLadyFemme, I’m sorry to hear of the unexpected loss of your mother. My sympathy to you and your family.

 

 I’m looking forward to hearing both about your time in NY as well as your transatlantic cruise. Can’t wait to sail along with you!

[Ocean Boy]

Have a great first TA cruise!

[CatLadyFemme]

Catching up!

 

We made it to NYC via Newark yesterday. I have to say, that was the most efficient way I have ever gotten from a gate, into a wheelchair, to the baggage claim, grabbed our luggage, and out to the curb for a Lyft maybe ever. We took a Lyft as it was significantly cheaper than a cab, even with springing for the XL to make sure it could fit all of our bags.

 

For our one night, we stayed at the Artezen Hotel in Manhattan, near ish to the World Trade Center. MrCatLady has never been to either NJ or NY, and of the two, I thought it would be nice for them to get to have a little of the real NYC experience.

 

We are also both foodies, so spent our rainy day thankful that we had made it in safely (some members of our cruise group from the site of faces had not! Lots of canceled flights) and trying a variety of different foods. Since we were at the hotel just after 1pm (and so thankful they let us into our room two hours early), we did a late bagel brunch, and they even had a GF bagel, and prepared it separately, so I could eat it and my truffle cream cheese safely. MxCatLady had a garlic bagel sandwich and a latke (though kindly said mine are much better 😂). My mother had sent both of my partners NYC bagels before, so not totally new, but definitely better fresh.

 

They wandered out for a slice or two of NY pizza later, and were quite pleased.

 

 

For a late lunch/dinner, I found Buddha Bodahi, an all kosher all vegetarian dim sum restaurant that also had tons of GF options. I ordered a TON and still had many more things I didn’t get to order. Dumplings! Rice rolls! Pumpkin soup! Pepper mock chicken! Tapioca balls! Sesame balls! Everything I ate was so good. I was in total heaven. Cannot recommend highly enough.

 

For their dinner, MxCatLady got hand pulled pan fried chicken fat noodles, and was over the moon about how good they were. Favorite dish of the day for them. 
 

 

Then we just opened the window to listen to the rain, including a few huge, echoing booms of thunder, rested a bit, and packed our boarding bags.

[jeh10641]

11 minutes ago, CatLadyFemme said:

Catching up!

 

We made it to NYC via Newark yesterday. I have to say, that was the most efficient way I have ever gotten from a gate, into a wheelchair, to the baggage claim, grabbed our luggage, and out to the curb for a Lyft maybe ever. We took a Lyft as it was significantly cheaper than a cab, even with springing for the XL to make sure it could fit all of our bags.

 

For our one night, we stayed at the Artezen Hotel in Manhattan, near ish to the World Trade Center. MrCatLady has never been to either NJ or NY, and of the two, I thought it would be nice for them to get to have a little of the real NYC experience.

 

We are also both foodies, so spent our rainy day thankful that we had made it in safely (some members of our cruise group from the site of faces had not! Lots of canceled flights) and trying a variety of different foods. Since we were at the hotel just after 1pm (and so thankful they let us into our room two hours early), we did a late bagel brunch, and they even had a GF bagel, and prepared it separately, so I could eat it and my truffle cream cheese safely. MxCatLady had a garlic bagel sandwich and a latke (though kindly said mine are much better 😂). My mother had sent both of my partners NYC bagels before, so not totally new, but definitely better fresh.

 

They wandered out for a slice or two of NY pizza later, and were quite pleased.

 

 

For a late lunch/dinner, I found Buddha Bodahi, an all kosher all vegetarian dim sum restaurant that also had tons of GF options. I ordered a TON and still had many more things I didn’t get to order. Dumplings! Rice rolls! Pumpkin soup! Pepper mock chicken! Tapioca balls! Sesame balls! Everything I ate was so good. I was in total heaven. Cannot recommend highly enough.

 

For their dinner, MxCatLady got hand pulled pan fried chicken fat noodles, and was over the moon about how good they were. Favorite dish of the day for them. 
 

 

Then we just opened the window to listen to the rain, including a few huge, echoing booms of thunder, rested a bit, and packed our boarding bags.

I, too, would like to offer my condolences on the loss of your mom. both of my parents are deceased (Father 1994, Mother 2007) and I talk to them daily. I am 81+. We are on Anthem in October (like MrChips) so will really pay attention to your comments.

[CatLadyFemme]

Boarding day!

 

Last night, I set up a Lyft XL to pick us up from the hotel between 9:30am and 9:40am. We called the wonderful Carmelo to come grab our bags, checked out, and then hopped in the fancy schmancy Escalade (with tip, about half the price of a cab) to take us to the port. It’s really nice to be somewhere with only one cruise ship, compared to how hectic say Miami or Ft Lauderdale is.

 

 

We got dropped off at 10:14, and were on board by 10:36. Checked into our muster station near Vintages (cannot overstate enough how much better this is than the old mister drills!), and went to Cafe270.
 

 

For MxCatLady, they tried the famous Kummelweck sandwich for the first time, with a crème brûlée, while I was delighted to see they had a GF tomato/provolone/arugula pre made, along with a GF no sugar cake. MxCatLady reported the sandwich (they had the first one of the whole cruise!) was delicious though perhaps overdone on horseradish and the crème brûlée was ok but oddly textured. My bread fell apart before it made it to my mouth (so dry and crumbly), but the GF/SF cake wasn’t bad. After relaxing in 270 a bit (along with air filter and our ARANET CO2 meter) we went to the MDR to see our table.

 

 

 

Eventually, went ended up heading to Jamie’s for lunch for our first UDP meal. Really excellent food; I had the burrata, a chef created GF pasta, and the eggplant parmigiana, while MxCatLady had the fancy garlic bread, the truffle arianchini,  also the burrata (not GF), the garlic prawns (at our server’s insistence), and a small order of the truffle pasta. They said everything was super tasty, there was just too much of it 😂

 

 

During lunch, we booked some of our other food stops for the trip using the app, rather than standing on a long line at one of the restaurants to do so. I don’t know if I’d get the UDP again on this class; it made a lot more sense to us on Allure, where we could eat at Sabor’s and 150 Central Park in addition to Chops (where I cannot really eat), an Italian place, and Izumi, but we found it for SUCH a good deal on this trip that we decided to go for it.

 

Staterooms were open by 1pmish, so we explored a little, and then headed up to our room. Luggage was already delivered, albeit much further down the hall; too far for me to do on my own. Now we are unpacking and taking a little siesta before sail away.

 

[steve ch]

2 hours ago, CatLadyFemme said:

During lunch, we booked some of our other food stops for the trip using the app, rather than standing on a long line at one of the restaurants to do so.

 

 

I didn't know you could book the restaurants for the UDP on the app. Don't they treat it as a stand alone booking and charge you?

[CatLadyFemme]

20 hours ago, steve ch said:

I didn't know you could book the restaurants for the UDP on the app. Don't they treat it as a stand alone booking and charge you?

Once you get on the ship, you can do it. You just book them as you’d like, and then when you check in at the restaurant, you tell them you have UDP.

[CatLadyFemme]

We did sail away on our own balcony, but there was a diamond and up sail away party in the Solarium that we missed. 
 

really a beautiful day to take pictures, and we appreciated the 360 at the Statue of Liberty. I don’t love the way patriotism has been adulterated to be so exclusionary, but I still felt something in my heart seeing lady Liberty, almost 80 years after my grandfather, grandmother, and father came through Ellis Island from a refugee camp in Sweden after being liberated from concentration camps in Poland.

 

 

Then we headed to our early MDR slot. We figured we would not be there every night, but nice to connect with our sever team, given my GF/veggie needs.

 

Our server Jeet and assistant Andy were great (he even brought me GF bread, though is was cold and tasteless/crumbly), but am not sure yet about the head waiter. After telling him my needs, he recommended prime ribs escargot, and key lime pie…none of which fit my needs. Luckily, I am pretty good at this by now, and so ended with the tomato soup without croutons (this was tasty on the Freedom, but here is tasted like warm tomato juice 😬), a veggie curry, and ice cream with a shot of espresso for dessert (affogato). MxCatLady went with spinach artichoke dip (“meh”), prime rib (“quite yummy!”), and key lime pie (one of their fav items). We had our Diamond drinks; I did a virgin blueberry mojito (pretty good, but too much blueberry I think), and had MxCatLady try a Negroni (which is MrCatLady’s favorite drink),…which they oddly served in a martini glass and with a chunk of orange instead of a twist. It was fine but not great, which I think sums up our MDR experience so far. We are going to skip them day 2, but our head waiter gave me his card so I can call tonight and pre order for day 3.

 

For this cruise, I had a cute banner made for us that we can use in the future as well. I thought we were being extra but holy cow! So many people really did up their doors! It’s been fun to walk down hallways and see what folks have come up with. Will post my favs later, but here is ours.

 

 

We explored the ship a bit more. Very similar to Quantum, obviously, but with some different art and tech. Stopped by Wonderland to prepare them for my food needs for Day 2 dinner.

We also found our first duck! Need to go hide more of ours.

 

Then we went to late dinner/snack at 9pm at Izumi. They now give half rolls instead of full rolls as part of the Prix Fix menu…which worked perfectly for us as a later snack, but might have been more frustrating if we were using it as a full meal. We got Edamame, and then MxCatLady got miso soup in a huge bowl, a California roll with real crab, and then got their Futomaki roll to go. I got vegan GF fried rice to start, an avocado roll, and a GF veggie roll, and then we both shared Mochi for dessert.

 

 

After this, we dropped by the Patisserie to grab hot chocolate and some water bottles, and then headed back to our cabin. Our cabin attendant had maybe been there because our ice was, But the evening lights were not on, the curtain was open, and the bed still mussed , so not sure what is included in evening service now. We spent some time listening to the waves, then popped on an audiobook, and slept beautifully as the ship, which was now rocking daily heavily (compared to a Caribbean or Alaska itinerary) lulled us to sleep.

[jencruzin]

Solid, very comprehensive review on AOS. We'll be on there 1st week this June! Thanks!

[CatLadyFemme]

Starting Day 3, we woke up and popped over the the conference room (so fancy! Have never been to one on board. Thanks @Yinster for setting that up!) to host the magnet exchange. I usually do this on all the ships I sail, and this sailing was without a doubt the most participatory with almost 50 people bringing magnets (some bringing 6+!)To trade. So lovely to get to meet so many folks.

 

After this, we headed to the Diamond Lounge to hydrate and cool down (me and my POTS were struggling after the warm conference room) and caffeinate (MxCatLady), and we just vibes there for a while before heading to our Chops reservation. 
 

Chops has the most comfy seating so far of all the places we’ve eaten, and while they didn’t have the beet salad from their dinner menu available at lunch, I was able to get both the wedge and the steak salad made GF and vegetarian. We were really there for the soup for MxCatLady, who says it is their favorite thing they’ve had on a cruise so far. They also got a steak Caesar salad (tasty), Mac and cheese (also a “Meh” for it, just as in Allure), tater tots (good, but not amazing) and for dessert, key lime meringue pie.

 

However, we wound up taking it to go, as two men (in truth, I cannot call them gentlemen) were sat next to us who were SO rude to their waiter, and then continue to spew homophobic and transphobic things (as well as misogynistic and fatphobic) from their mouth as they are and bad mouthed the waiter. Even with my Loops in, I couldn’t completely block them out, and I was reaching my limit of keeping my moth shut and not starting an educational lesson correcting their vastly incorrect statements…and/or having a full blown panic attack (welcome to being autistic), so MxCatLady took dessert to go and bundled me back up to our room to help me regulate. Honestly, it was the worst interaction I ever had with other passengers in 20+ years of cruising and I am still shaken. They also mentions our group on the book of fac€s, so now I don’t know who I can trust in that group, and am hesitant to connect with new people.

 

You never know who you are sitting next to. Perhaps don’t be an jerk? If I had been by myself, this could have ruined the whole cruise. Please be kind to your fellow cruisers. We are literally all in this together.

Edited May 2, 2023 by CatLadyFemme
Changing language

[CatLadyFemme]

22 minutes ago, jencruzin said:

Solid, very comprehensive review on AOS. We'll be on there 1st week this June! Thanks!

You’re so welcome! Please let me know if you have any questions about things I can find out for you 💜