Cruising was always my wife's thing and I was pretty well cruised out until this one. Anthem is worth a try, but read up before or you will be totally confused, and worse, you will miss all the best activities.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
A bit bland, no area for upper level C&A members. Friendly staff, A bit tricky to find, but very easy once there. Nice.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Better than average but little for Gluten allergic guests despite claims of a gluten free area in Windjammer. It was open for breakfast only, leaving my wife with little choice for lunch & dinner. Thank God for Sorrentos Gluten Free Pizza!
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
Fantastic. Something for everyone everywhere. iFly, North Star, Trapeze school, Bumper cars, and all the usual. Non stop fun.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Spectacular! This is the ship all others must be measured against. Nationally known comics, spectacular Broadway quality shows, incredible music for all tastes all around the ship. WOW!
Children's Programs
5 out of 5
Adventure Ocean is the still the best. 1,100 kids on board (!) and they were virtually invisible because of the age appropriate programs & games.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
It is pretty obvious the new owners are mistreating the staff, but they are keeping their spirits up and making us feel like family. Reinstate your old worker benefits before it is too late RCI!
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Beautiful new design. A little off putting at first, by the end of the cruise, we did not want to sail on any other ship. Totally new while retaining (and improving) all the old favorites. Fantastic.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Anthem is a unique ship unlike any other Royal Caribbean ship in U.S. service and it is incredible. These cabins are beautiful and (seem) huge because of an amazing redesign. We had taken to bringing our own decorations to brighten up the dull interiors of other RCI cabins, but they weren't needed on Anthem. Bored with the same old same old?, Sail on this ship!
Ship tip
Book all the special activities on line as soon as possible (the 3 big production shows), and arrive early & book on board the activities that cannot be prebooked (iFly, North Star, Puzzle Break Escape Room), or else you won't get to see them! The ship is very different (and better) than other classes of Royal Caribbean ships, so read up on the ship and activities before the trip so you are prepared. Cruise Critic is invaluable.
Easy to get around on your own (no excursions necessary). But a pass at the info center and hop on the ferry to Hamilton, a #7 bus to the beaches and then back to the port. A great day at little cost!
Our favorite. There are some great excursions, but if you want the beach, grab a van to Orient Beach ($7. each way per person). A fantastic beach with friendly & beautiful fish, the best restaurants in the world (you are in France after all), and a gorgeous island protecting the beach form the full effects of the Atlantic ocean.
Fun & beautiful. Take the FREE shuttle to tour the town, then get off at the Castillo fort (a must). At the highest point in Old San Juan, it is an easy stroll downhill thru the picturesque streets past all the sights, back to the ship. As long as you are going down hilll, it doesn't matter which way you go, you will end up at the port.
Vastly improved. You can actually get something eat and drink there now (although the food shuts down early so eat early). The Ocean beach is coral covered in sand, so be VERY careful. The lagoon beach is much better. The pay activities are all overpriced so skip them and the vendors, while now licensed, so better behaved, are still a pain. There crafts are great, if you can ignore there pleas and always cut the first offer price by at least half. Walk away and they will do it for you.
The smoothest ever. It is worth the price of hiring a porter. These re union longshoremen who take pride in there ability to skip the endless Customs line and get you to you car or ride. They are fun too!
Great advice to read and research before a cruise. Others have posted their lessons learned, for us to elevate our own cruise experience. Read and heed, or ignore and repeat.
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