Not good

Item: Anthem of the Seas
Rating: 3.3
Author: glennmar

Anthem of the Seas Cruise Review to Canada, New England, New York

glennmar

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 32

Overall rating:

3.3 out of 5

9 Night Canada & New England (Cape Liberty Roundtrip)

Sail date: September 14, 2017

Ship: Anthem of the Seas

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 11523

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

Ship too big, too many people, apparently food and clean sheets and towels are what is included in the original cost of the trip. Everything is an additional cost. Constantly be barraged by staff to eat at a specialty dining room, even while we were eating dinner. Internet was an extra cost, which is ridiculous. Guest services was lackluster at best, not friendly at all. The " bargain" shopping area was ridiculous and only added to the crowding on the ship. Being herded like cattle into every show was horrible. The dining staff and entertainment were terrific but not much else.

Embarkation

2 out of 5

Terrible

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Drinks were too expensive and the drink package was outrageously priced The food was very good however didn't like constantly being hounded to try a specialty dining room

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

The shows were top notch

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

The dining staff should have 10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Guest services were not friendly and had to return numerous times, standing on long lines, to get problems with charges resolved.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Too big

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Wonderful

Ship tip

Don't! Too many people. Every activity, including shows that you had reservations for, were mobbed ; had to line up like cattle, at the doors at least an hour before showtime.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Boston, Massachusetts

5 out of 5

Portland, Maine

1 out of 5

Took Lighthouses of Maine tour. Our guide told us immediately that there were too many Lighthouses in Maine so we would only visit 3, and be able to see a 4th from afar. The day was totally fogged in. We were driven up and down the streets of Portland, which was not what the tour was for and then visited 2 Lighthouses that were barely visible. The tour should have been cancelled but that's not what this money grubbing cruise was about!!!

Thumbs Up 0

Bar Harbor, Maine

1 out of 5

Again, another completely fogged in day. Our tour was Acadia National Park and it was totally fogged in. Could see nothing beyond the trees directly along the road. Ironically, the bus stopped at the gift shop and it was closed. Again, should have been cancelled.

Thumbs Up 0

Halifax, Nova Scotia

5 out of 5

The tour of Peggy's Cove was very nice, however, it was a bit confusing by the tour buses as there was no signage.

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

1 out of 5

Herded like cattle.only 5 out of 20 immigration lines open for 4000 people!

8 Comments

lenni819 7 years ago

That's like going sky diving and giving the instructor 3 stars because you didn't "like" sky diving. Rate the service, not your likability of a cruise overall. Ship too big? It's a cruise! What'd you think you were going on the Santa Maria?

Thumbs Up 2

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ciannone 7 years ago

Point taken, agree to disagree, but....you clearly made it sound like a bad time... when the reality is that cruising isn't for you, and that is just fine. Hopefully you'll find the type of vacation that you do enjoy! Happy travels and best wishes.

Thumbs Up 0

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glennmar 7 years ago

First of all, I spent the whole 10 days saying" no thank you" Secondly, hard to avoid the promenade when I had to pass thru to and from dining, going to guest services (far too many times) Thirdly, the reason there were 3 stars is because the entertainment and dining staff were wonderful so bad vs excellent averaged 3 I never stated drinks or photos were " pushed" on us; specialty dining .... absolutely! I stated the drink package AND the price of drinks on the ship were outrageously high. Bottom line, which I also stated, is that I enjoy resort vacations. I gave cruising a second try and was not happy. I'm know many of my friends and family enjoy cruising but I don't. PS- I also like to look at the positives, especially when on vacation; unfortunately they were few and far between. Agree to disagree

Thumbs Up 0

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lenni819 7 years ago

3 stars, couldn't of been that bad

Thumbs Up 0

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kodak7 7 years ago

great advice ciannone. unlike CCL, I never found too many if the crew pushing drinks and photos. CCL is much more on this. Still a friendly "no thank you", works wonders.

Thumbs Up 1

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ciannone 7 years ago

No matter WHAT the staff asks you to buy a polite "no thank you" and a smile will make you AND the staff member feel better. The sales on the Promenade......just don't go if you're not intetested! This ship is so beautiful and had so many relaxing venus to choose from.....but, I guess I like to look at the positives.....I AM on vacation after all.

Thumbs Up 0

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bladelady99 7 years ago

Sorry you didn't enjoy your cruise. I went on Anthem in August and had the best vacation! We are already planning our next cruise on Anthem!

Thumbs Up 3

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kodak7 7 years ago

Lol. so true about the shop's. unless your buying booze or cigarettes. EVERTHING is way overpriced and unless you need to spend extra OBC window shopping is the best.

Thumbs Up 2

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Other reviews of this sailing

September 2017

Fall Foliage cruise - but never saw any fall colors! It was too early for the leaves to turn and too foggy in some ports to see anything! 9 days is too long on this ship

Foggy, Fun, Fantastic Voyage