Just when I thought it couldn't get worse

Anthem of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 2
Helpful Votes: 31

Overall rating:

2 out of 5
Verified Review
Anthem of the Seas

12 Night Western Caribbean (Cape Liberty Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 25, 2016

Ship: Anthem of the Seas

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 9225

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

This was our 14th cruise.  The Friday before we were to leave on Monday I received an email that our cruise was postponed for one day leaving on Tuesday.  A storm was coming up the coast and I was concerned about parking at the pier.  I called the pier and left a message to have a return call to find out the parking situation not knowing it was a parking garage.  I received a call the next morning after leaving the hotel for the pier.  We were checked in by a man standing in a large room with chairs where we were directed to sit for 1 hour.  This is the point we found out from fellow travelers that we were not going to the western Caribbean but the eastern Caribbean. We were told from the travelers that they received an email with the notification.  I have no idea why we were not notified or given an option to cancel due to the change. We later received notification of the ports and the days.  Before leaving home we had made notification to credit cards and family for western Caribbean. My husband had to go to security on the boat to get his luggage .  They retrieved an iron which we got back when we disembarked.  All the shore excursions were cancelled and we had to rebook.. We were not told by our cruise planner that we had to make reservations for dinner at the various restaurants or to see any of the shows.  The boat is great for all that is computer smart but if your have difficulty with computers good luck. The first 2 days of travel we had to stand in long lines for the restaurants even though we had reservations.  The service was less than acceptable. I must say it did improve with time.  The shows were great.  There are many activities to do on board. Difficult to ride the bumper cars and their are limits on the number of people to roller skate. Again one must make reservations to do most activities.  Their is an adult area with hot tubs and pools but the childless restriction in not enforced.  Love my grandchildren but I don't take them on vacation.  You may think your Childs behavior is cute but not everyone will agree.  Bar Service is good if you go to the bar and pick it up.  Yes you will still pay the 18 % gratuity for this.  Our room was nice.  I love the virtual balcony. A wall size TV has video and audio from the deck makes it feel like a real outside balcony. Oh yes forgot we received a $100 onboard credit for our late departure.  It didn't cover the 1 day price for 2 people. Very disappointed no further compensation was offered.  I filed a former complaint with Royal Caribbean and  Cheap Cruises but no one will take ownership for lack of communication. The time we spent in San Juan was longer because of a medical emergency on a ship berthed beside us.  Passengers on our ship were locked out and not able to embark back on ship. Everyone on the ship was given free bar drinks for 2 hours.  That was great if you didn't have a bar package.  If you had a bar package there was no compensation again.  I guess we were lucky we got home safe and sound unlike the following cruise.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Onboard Activities

Good if you have a reservation

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Clean and I love the virtual balcony

Ship tip

Book all activities, restaurants and off shore excursions, Think twice about that insurance you buy to cover all the unexpected. They get out of all claims.

Ports of call

Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey Did not visit port

Parking garage at the pier is adequate. It is close to area where you will embark. Leave at least 2 hours to get there from the Newark airport area when driving. Can not comment of any these destinations because our itinerary was all changed without notification to us.

Labadee (Cruise Line Private Island)

5 out of 5
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9 Comments

kraglanddowell    8 years ago

next time cruiseonly.com the travel I used was awesome! i have used them 3 times even to book a all inclusive trip and she told me everything!!!

ajg0123    8 years ago

This is why I do not like taking cruises out of New York In the winter the weather is my only problem in the winter for a cruise... In New York at least....

TNTGreen    8 years ago

If this was your 14th cruise you should know by now No Irons. Also you booked via 3rd party Cheap Cruises who seems to be at fault. Not RC. Obviously they did not communicate the change of itinerary but as far as canceling and trying to obtain a refund due to change of itinerary that wouldn't happen which is stated in your cruise itinerary "Subject to Change". Next time read your contract.

ExpCruise    8 years ago

I was on the same cruise and have been on at least 9 cruises.  Bad weather played a big part here and threw everyone off their game a little bit. Got to be flexible in these situations.  If you read the cruise contract RC can change itinerary at any time.  IN this case since the cruise was a day late they had to scramble to find ports to dock at.  International ports are not like fast food drive thrus.  You have to book them in advance. Unfortunately that Noreaster that delayed the ship also cost us our western Caribbean itinerary.  I think RC did make an effort to make it right.  Although not perfect sometimes you gotta learn to roll with it a bit.

oandroplex700    8 years ago

Try the titanic, it's very low tech

FriendlyCruiser    8 years ago

You packed an iron like a newbie?

Kat18    8 years ago

Really appreciate an real serenity area. That's the reason I'm leaving them at home in the first place to have time with the hubby alone. But I do have to say that it's better to have an itinerary change than going into a storm. Sorry to hear your vacation was not as expected. Hopefully next time you'll have a better time!

Kat18    8 years ago

Is this your first cruise? They don't allow irons because some people forget to unplug them and that causes fire. Remember a ship rocks side to side so imagine an iron being left on and tips over. I do agree that all cruises need to reinforce the "no children" rule in adult areas. I have 3 and I don't allow them near there. My husband and I are traveling without the kids this time and I would

banaford    8 years ago

Unfortunately, if you look at the cruise contract, you would not have had an option to opt out of the cruise. I would also have to say I would blame cheap cruises, not RC. When you go through an agent, RC pays them to handle you, and all your notifications. Including reservations, parking and changes to your schedule, etc. It would be anger in the wrong direction to never go on RC again. Sorry it doesn't seem you could still have a fantastic vacation.

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