LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT

Anthem of the Seas Cruise Review to Europe - Western Mediterranean

nmmatsin

Contributor Level: Second Mate

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 77

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

14 Night Italian Mediterranean (Southampton Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 18, 2015

Ship: Anthem of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 13170

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 9 years ago

Review summary

My first disappointment was the smoking on the balconies. I have asthma and had to endure smoke in my cabin several times a day & especially at night. My complaints fell on deaf ears.I was told my asthma is not a top priority the concern is fire. I was also told you do not want to be sued for false accusation..Why wasn't there more emphasis on the no smoking rules thru reminders by the Captain and in print in the daily brochures. Your extra charges for water out of the room frig-- charges for room service- charge for a can of coke-despite having purchased a premium package for drinks. Prices on wine list not consistent with charges incurred..

The general consensus among many passengers was the ship was only about extra charges. Impression of the ship when we boarded--it looked like a mall with shops on 4th-5th floor. The high cost on additional restaurants on the ship was also an issue with many people.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Very repetitive.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Enjoyed violinist--The Gift was a mystery to everyone .

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Darvy was outstanding!! Made our dinner a fun time.Wished he served us every night. A bartender in Balleros who wears a cream shirt was very unpleasant. Some employees appeared to be unhappy with serving. Our stateroom attendant was very accommodating

Ship Quality

First impression--looks like a mall

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Cabin was very satisfactory.

Ship tip

Pool area --very limited for adults.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Southampton (London), England

3 out of 5

Gibraltar (U.K.)

3 out of 5

Cartagena, Spain

3 out of 5

La Spezia, Italy

3 out of 5

Marseille (Provence), France

5 out of 5

Cadiz (Seville), Spain

3 out of 5

Lisbon, Portugal

5 out of 5

Vigo, Spain

3 out of 5

13 Comments

Gibbsmc2209 9 years ago

Just to let you know, cans are not included in the drinks packages, you can only get drinks in glasses when bought a with drinks package

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CrusinTim 9 years ago

Fines are also implemented on Princess ships for those caught smoking on their balconies. We had a passenger on our Caribbean Princess sailing this last April that was caught smoking on his balcony and was fined $250 to his onboard folio. The funny thing was he thought the fine was a "permit" for him to continue to smoke on his balcony. Needless to say, he was fined ANOTHER $250 two day's later and was told if he was caught again, he would be ordered off the vessel at the next port. I am a smoker too yet one that respects others rights and the rules governing onboard the ship. I am also a smoker that knows better than to put themselves in a position to be fined $250 for having a smoke! If we wanted a smoke, we went ondeck to one of the designated smoking areas.

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MisterBill99 9 years ago

I don't understand the comment about the staff not caring about balcony smoking. From what I've read elsewhere, if you call them when it's happening, they will send someone right over. Now, maybe if you were complaining at guest services after the fact, you might have gotten that response. And it's true, their concern with smoking is fire.

Not sure how you could say that food was repetitive unless you chose to eat at the same restaurant and not rotate. There are supposedly 2 menus in eat of the 4 free restaurants and they alternate every 4 days.

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naomibling 9 years ago

smoking is banned on all Rcl ships on balconies, if caught a fine will be issued, the guests must have been doing it on the sly

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barbif 9 years ago

Do you think the smoking is because the ship is in Europe? When it comes to US, I wonder if it will be the same issue. I hope not. I am thinking of booking but do not want to smell the smoke when on my balcony.

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DawnNYC 9 years ago

I thought a law was passed that smoking was prohibited on balconies 10/14. At least that is in effect in carnival

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WeCruiseToo 9 years ago

Thanks for the review and thank you to everyone for their comments! We’ll be sailing Anthem of the Seas later this year and are keeping an eye on the reviews for tips and hints.

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martinrb1 9 years ago

I'm a regular RC cruiser There are some isdue on the ship which RC are aware off and are working hard to resolve like putting on more staff But they won't change the pool deck and the lack of outdoor space now it built I spoke with RC this week and they are fully aware of the issues being brought up as it's the same issues over and over again and they are working to resolve them

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zoie25 9 years ago

I'm on this ship right now and it's absolutely fantastic !!!! The ship is amazing and the shows are the best I've seen. With any reviews you have to take into account most people only comment about what's wrong with the ships instead of all the good things that they experience. Anyone going on this ship and are regular RC cruisers will love it xx

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martinrb1 9 years ago

We were on the ship and did find the smoking areas a problem and did find people smoking on there balconies But it is s large ship with plenty of balconies I found it unpleasant that a smoking are was close to the out door pool in an area where we had to walk threw with our children at times if we didn't remember to walk the other side to avoid it

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Jillmarshall 9 years ago

I I think you were on a different ship to the one I went on it is amazing food entertainment staff we did not have probs with smoke so can't comment but thort every one new you can't smoke on balcony s now on any cruise line now we als o had drinks package but new it did not include minibar only free from soda fountains service charge was only charges early hours of morning ,

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Cruiser24 9 years ago

Hubby and I are going on Anthem early December and getting a bit worried as well. Having paid a lot of money we are starting to doubt if we have made the right choice.

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glomarrone 9 years ago

Thanks for posting your first review on this website. I was sorry to read that all the extra charges ruined your trip for you. I suggest you go on the website before you take your next cruise to find out exactly what is and is not included.

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BIG, beautiful ship!