Anthem of the Seas to Canada and New England

Ship and Staff, Generally: Having sailed on the Adventure of the Seas in April to the Caribbeans with a terrific staff and delicious foods, Anthem of the Seas was a disappointment, although the ship is newer than the former, it lacked imagination and elegance. The staff is also not helpful, and at times, almost to the point of being rude. Extremely disorganized (you ask 3 different staff members and you get 3 different answers), to the extent that other passengers had made the same comments. Cabin: Although our cabin steward straightened our room, I'm not really sure he truly clean or change our sheets. By the way, the bed was rather bumpy and uncomfortable. He changed our towels because I left the old ones on the floor. Frankly, I had only saw him twice in those 9-days and that's because either my husband went looking for him or we bumped into him in the hallway. The cleaning lady on the other side of the hallway was a lovely lady who is more friendly and personable. Always with a smile and a greeting (sorry, should've gotten her name). Restaurant and Food: The dishes offered in the restaurants are passable but overly salted, to my surprise. With so many seniors on the ship, I would've thought the chef should have been more conscientious about their sodium intake and health. I actually have to return a dish or two one night, and once the [head waiter], Dinesh Anchan, is aware of my medical issue, he asked our waiter, Kelson Cole and his assistant, Aaron Bundalain, to make sure I get the next day's menu the night before so that I may pick out my preference and not struck with an overly salted dish that I couldn't eat. By the way, both Kelson and Aaron are exceptional wait staff (we should know, we've been in the restaurant business for more than 40 years). The two gentlemen are well manner, thoughtful and caring. Royal Caribbeans should be proud to have these exemplary people as your employees. I also want to command one of your staff, Nuur Armadani, who greets us every morning by the door of the Windjammer with a big smile and put on a cute little act when we walk out. He put a smile on my husband's and my face each and every time. What a wonderful way to start our morning. Tours: We are extremely disappointed with the 4-tours we booked. To me, they were not worth the fees we paid and almost a totally waste of time, Portland, ME, Bar Harbor, ME, Halifax, Nova Scotia and St. Johns, New Brunswick. None of the tour guides were interesting and marginally informative. Do you want to pay for a tour and being pointed to a hospital? Not only waste of monies but a waste of time. We would've like to take another cruise next year to Alaska, though at this time, I'm not sure I would book Royal Caribbeans again.

Since my husband and I enjoyed the specialty restaurants on our last cruise on the Adventures of the Seas, we wanted to book a couple night's dinner on the Anthem of the Seas, though the days and times were always later than we like, we ended up having our dinner at the American Icon Grill each evening during our cruise. We had one breakfast and one dinner at the Solarium Bistro, and a breakfast at Grande. Each restaurants foods and buffets were fine but nothing exceptional or outstanding, including the lobster tails that were overcooked. Desserts were good most of the time, though once or twice, it was much too sweet for my taste.

Since it was late fall, it was too cold to use the outdoor pool though I believe some of the other passengers enjoyed it. We wanted to try the bumper car but never got the opportunity, though we were up in the North Star and it was fun. The most amazing sunset I have ever saw; feel as though you can simply reach out and touch it.

My husband and I enjoyed Spectra's Cabaret; twice. We also watched the Gift but was marginally impressed. Although I did go, my husband and our neighbors (that join us on the cruise on our recommendation) walked out less than half way. I walked out on We Will Rock You since I couldn't handle the flashing light going every which way.

As I previous indicated, Dinesh Anchan, Kelson Cole, Aaron Bundalian from The American Icon Grill were exceptional restaurant personnel. Most attentive and thoughtful. Our room stewards, barely saw him. Guest Services was almost a joke since they seem to know less than I do, and at time, with their nose up in the air, except Jiang Zhong, who was patience and helpful.

The layout of the ship was fine, though it took us days to figure out which way to go, and the design was so so; not impressive.

Our interior cabin was big and comfortable, bigger than our balcony suite on the Adventure of the Seas, though the king sized bed was lumpy and not comfortable. I'm not sure they clean it every day and by the last day, my asthma was acting up so I would think it's not as clean as it should be.

Disorganize is the word for this trip as a whole!