Bitterly Disappointed and Furious

Anthem of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

richardjgordon2

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 52

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

12 Night Western Caribbean (Cape Liberty Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 25, 2016

Ship: Anthem of the Seas

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

We take 2 cruises a year, and this was our first (and possibly last) with Royal Caribbean. We are Manhattan residents, and the reason we decided to go out of our way and to spend close to $300 to take a car service to and from Bayonne, NJ to go on this cruise, was because we were apparently going to places that we have never been to.

On 1/22, we received an email from Royal Caribbean stating that due to Winter Storm Jonas, our cruise would be delayed by a day. We then called Royal Caribbean to inquire about our itinerary. We were told by a representative that everything would be delayed by a day, but that our itinerary would remain the same. However, during check in, we were informed that the itinerary was completely changed! We had purchased cancellation insurance, and if we had been given the correct information on -/22, we would have cancelled the cruise. We have never been to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Mexico, Honduras or Haiti. Then, to our extreme disappointment, we find out that we are instead going to places that we have already been to (with the exception of Haiti). St. Kitts and Nevis we have been to once before, butSt. Martin, St. Thomas and Puerto Rico we have already been to many times. We were especially looking forward to taking an excursion to the Mayan ruins in Honduras.

To add insult to injury, NBC doesn't pay me when I take time off. We believe that we should be refunded for this cruise, or be given credit to go on another cruise to the destinations that were on the original itinerary. That would give us an incentive to cruise again with Royal Caribbean.

Richard Gordon and Alice Fu

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Ports of call

Labadee (Cruise Line Private Island)

5 out of 5

13 Comments

Kat18 8 years ago

It's definitely in the contract. The itinerary can change without notice. I know it's disappointing but you still gotta make the best of it! Just make lemonade! 😊

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

dendoescruises 8 years ago

There are other ports in NY (Manhattan, Brooklyn ) with other cruise lines. Even those don't have many western itineraries, especially not in winter. I also picked Anthem specifically for this itinerary because I don't have to fly to the port. That said, weather happens. :-)

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

happytraveler69 8 years ago

I get it, but the OP stated that this was their first and possibly last cruise with RCCL. at 2 cruises per year wouldn't they had to have traveled to other ports to take the 2 cruises per year? may be its my unfamiliarity with NY/NJ cruises.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

dendoescruises 8 years ago

happytraveler69, to my knowledge those western Caribbean ports ( Jamacia, Cozumel, Gr Cayman, Costa maya) were not commonly available from the NYC area until Anthem.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

happytraveler69 8 years ago

all this back and forth with the 13yo doesn't negate the issue of the cruise contract. in this issue, "13yo" dillpillow is correct. every cruise line has this embedded in the contract. I'm not understanding what the issue is. in addition, I'm just a bit curious as to why, if taking 2 cruises a year, the poster hasn't been to Jamaica or grand Cayman. these are pretty standard ports.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Cruzthrulife 8 years ago

You won't have to worry about that because you will cancel your cruise 3 days before you leave. The only thing you have to worry about is the $1000 you just lost

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

mrstarr0415 8 years ago

Ok I will u won and watch those light poles and don't walk into any cabin doors

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

tfleming675 8 years ago

Excellent, more room for people that will appreciate the ship.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Cruzthrulife 8 years ago

Just because I'm 13, doesn't mean I'm an idiot walking into light poles, I know what I'm talking about. Nice going! Go tell your friends you got beat by a 13 year old

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

banaford 8 years ago

mrstarr...nope don't work for any cruise line. I assume I was y'all. So, can you just cancel a trip because of change in itinerary and get your money back according to the contract on your insurance? I know cruise line contract says they reserve the right to cancel or change itinerary with no refund. We have had this happen too, so I know it could be a bummer. However crap happens. I know I can not get a refund because of change. So my point is, crap happens, if you can not handle the possibility of crap happening, perhaps another form of vaca is best for you. And if Dill pillow is 13....really you are going to argue with a 13 yr old?

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

mrstarr0415 8 years ago

Do y'all work with Rcl because if they change and he have insurance I think he should be able to cancel and if ur 13 u need to go study and stop talking crap to people

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

Cruzthrulife 8 years ago

The $300 going to and from New Jersey have nothing to do with the ship and even if you wanted to, you wouldn't have been able to cancel the cruise on the 22nd. The ship left 3 days later and I don't care if it was delayed a day, you still wouldn't have been able to cancel it. Even I know that...... And I'm 13

Thumbs Up 7

Flag

banaford 8 years ago

Good Luck! Read your contract. So sad you couldn't have fun anyway.

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

Great ship and activities, poor food and dining room service!

ANTHEM OMG