LOVE Anthem. Based on all of the reviews and research I have done, the ship isn't for everyone. There are a lot of people so if you prefer smaller ships, you may not like it. If you want to try something different than a typical Royal Caribbean ship, this may be the one for you. We already have two more booked!
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Cape Liberty was so easy! We pulled in at 10:30, drove up to the porters who took our luggage and drove into the garage to park. Arrived in terminal where there was no line and were going up the escalator to get on the boat by 10:45. Easiest port ever!
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
We didn't eat in the main dining room but was very happy with the food at Chops (service a little slow) and really enjoyed the different themed nights at the buffet for dinner. One night they had piles of jumbo shrimp cocktail, another night Prime Rib and really enjoyed Caribbean night with shrimp and Jerk chicken!
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
This was our second time on a Quantum class ship so we didn't do iFly this time but we did do North Star and Escape from the Future. I recommend them both. We did North Star in port this time and enjoyed it much better than at sea because you could see other sights besides just the boat. If you can't get reservations before you board, download the Royal IQ app and book as soon as you get on the ship or go to the Royal Theater to book (lines were long so we did it from the app).
Everyone raved about the cover bands on the ship but we were always off doing something else. We are going back in September so I can report on the bands then.
My only complaint is during the day we like to be doing things on sea days (we don't like to sit in the sun all day) and there wasn't much going on besides Trivia, Bingo or Shopping sales. I would have liked to see more activities throughout the day rather than just one (ie - Hairy Chest, Belly Flop, etc) a day.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Our room steward Jean Louis (deck 11 mid ship) was the best! He always had a smile, knew when we were usually at breakfast or dinner to make up our room and was interested in what we had done during the day. Great guy!
Loved Jaime at the casino bar (hope he is still there for September cruise). The guitar player in the buffet at dinner was awesome and brought a lot of energy and fun to the buffet (for those of us who don't like main dining because I can't sit for 2 hours for dinner).
Some people have complained about not enough staff on this ship and I will agree to an extent. There should be more than 2 bartenders at the pool bar during the day. The North Star bar actually has 3 or 4 so if you want a drink - go up there. I will say that if you give an extra $1 or $2 of cash when you order a drink, your next one does come quicker : - )
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
LOVE the cleanliness and design of the ship. There is so much art and sculptures around. We made it our goal to get as many pictures as possible from the stairways and around the ship.
As others have said, there is no Royal Promanade so it isn't as open as some of the other ships that do. Deck 4 does get a little crowded during sales if you just want to walk through but I love the look of everything in the ship.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Great room. Loved the storage and how the table moved under the mirror so you could eat at the couch on a table. Liked out the bed was by the balcony door as it made it feel bigger. The extra large balcony was very nice as well.
Ship tip
A few tips regarding Anthem. 1) It is very important to book things through the cruise planner as they become available. It will avoid frustration or disappointment if you can't do something because it wasn't planned ahead. 2) If you can't book something before, either download Royal IQ app and book once on board or get on the ship early and go directly to the Royal Theater 3) Do bumper cars on embarkation day - the lines weren't that long 4) Don't try to get an elevator as soon as a show or activity lets out - you will wait a long time. Instead, go find something to do on that floor for 15 minutes or go to the other set of elevators away from where the activity it. 5) Book Escape from the Future (Puzzle Break). So much fun! It only happens on Sea Days and can't be booked before so do it at Theater or through App. 6) Take a look around at all of the interactive art - really spectacular (I am not an art lover but there are a lot of cool things) 6) Check out 270 when you board for lunch. They were doing a little exhibition of all of the things the Robot screens can do which was really neat. 7) Get the WOW band in Bolleros for $5 (Junior Suite and above is free and it will be in your room). It gets you into your room, you can buy drinks or souvenirs with it too! Some people complained that they had to take it off when getting a drink - you will if you aren't near the register for them to scan it. YOU CAN'T USE IT TO GET OFF THE SHIP - YOU STILL NEED YOUR SEA PASS FOR THAT 8) Most importantly, have fun!
Not much to do right at the port (only a few restaurants/bars) but get an Uber or Taxi to take you to Cocoa Beach. Someone did say there was a beach that you could walk to right from where Anthem docks (you see it on port side as Anthem is comes into the channel in Port Canaveral). I wouldn't recommend Disney or Orlando excursion - not enough time by the time you drive there and waiting in lines for things. There was an excursion that we did a few years ago that was an alligator boat tour that was awesome!!
LOVE this Island. So beautiful! We rented a Clam Shell for $45 for the 2 of us. It was WELL worth it. No one was allowed to sit within our roped in area or in front of us. We were also right next to the floating bar and the hot dog stand and bathrooms were close. The main benefit for us is we didn't have to wait in line to get tender tickets (Anthem is so big you have to go down early in the morning to get a tender boarding number). Instead, our tickets for the clam shell rental had us wait in the theater at 9 and we were the 2nd or 3rd tender off (Cabanas, early excursions and bungalows were before us).
Right at the port there is shopping and a Pirate Museum. We have done Atlantis the other two times so we did shopping and ate lunch out. The locals in the shops weren't pushy but as soon as you get off the ship, all of the people trying to sell you excursions are annoying.
Overall, there are things to do right at the port (shopping/getting something to eat) but in order to go to a beach I would recommend booking an excursion. Personally, I would do it through the ship because Nassau isn't the safest island so I feel an organized excursion through the ship would be safer.
Disembarkation was great. We had one of the earlier times (Platinum) so we were scheduled to meet in Cafe 270 at 7:30. We walked down at 7 and we were told there was no line so we could get right off. I could see how the later the group number you were the longer the wait.
for family and friends are popping up everywhere you get an hour to go in this room and there's Clues and combinations and things you have to figure out and if you get out before the hour then you one
I have sailed Anthem 3 times since October 2016! Absolutely love the ship, crew, entertainment, suites are awesome and the activities are fantastic! The escape room was a favorite!!
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