We would not cruise with RCL ever again. We were disappointed as the ship is far too large with so many passengers. Chaotic, long lines, misinformation, guest services staff were useless, except for Ms. Sterling, MGR of a Guest Relations. Too many staff members from 65 different countries. Just for not us. Enjoy your cruise!
Embarkation
2 out of 5
This part of the trip was disorganized. I had documents that stated I was a Diamond member, but of course there was an error when I was told I was not a Diamond member. Hence chaotic and disorganized.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
2 out of 5
We dined at Chic, a main dining room. The staff were nice and cordial. The food was good. A different menu every night for the most part. It was a bit rushed as we had the 5:30 pm seating and then there was another seating at 8:30 pm. There were long lines to enter the Chic dining room, because for some stupid reason, a photography station was set up at the entrance to the restaurant. Really! All about the money. Then during dinner, the staff would parade around the dining room. It was often mentioned no matter where we dined, how awesome the staff was. I get it, looking for tips at the end of the cruise. I do not need to be reminded constantly, I am there for dinner and a nice time, not all the parade nonsense and loud music. When this occurred, the staff were gone. Who is the customer? The Grande for breakfast was Always a chaotic nightmare with long lines...again. And the venue is open for just 90 minutes, from 8am to 9:30 am. Given the number of passengers on the cruise, it was severely understaffed. Just far too many passengers. No wonder there were so many cases of the GI stuff. The Windjammer buffet on deck 14 was also understaffed. Tables were not bused, guests were eating at an unbussed and not cleaned table. When the table was bused, it was wiped with the same dirty pink cloth. What happened to disposable wipes? Use it once and discard it. So much Purell around the boat, but washing your hands with warm soapy water is better. Purell is just a bandaid-it looks good! Cafe Promenade, how about a Hot Beverage in a ceramic mug that is not covered! Another health and safety issue, passengers walking about the boat with an open hot beverage. Royal Caribbean does not get it. I was burned in the elevator when a another guest accidentally spilled her coffee on my leg. Cup was not covered. At least Starbucks uses covered cardboard cups. Also there are no cardboard cup holders. Makes sense that health and safety should be 1st!
Onboard Activities
2 out of 5
The pools were far to crowded, elbow to elbow, not for us. It was an incredible scene. The Queen show, there was a mixup with the time and say. We had reserved months in advance, only to be informed that we DIDNOT have tickets. By the way, we waited in lines for hours to get tender tickets for Coco Cay, only to find out that a ticket to leave the ship was not necessary. Just an incredible waste of our time while we were on this so called vacation. Just chaotic again.
Entertainment
Our reservation was lost. Possibly RCL had an explanation. Who knows. Guest services was severely understaffed, with people in a role, that were not happy.
Children's Programs
We did not have children with us!
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
Our room attendant was good. Bed linens were never changed. Not sure how they clean 2,000 plus cabins when we arrived back at port in 3 hours....I guess they missed the soiled panties on the floor. It has to make you wonder. Our room was comfortable, nice balcony, comfortable bed. The bathroom was also great, plenty of hot water, great water pressure. There were some issues with the toilet flushing, it was fixed. If you use the phone in your room, be prepared, no one answers at guest services. Try housekeeping or maintenance during business hours. The dinner reservation extension, no one answered, ever. Poor service again which was rampant.
Ship Quality
2 out of 5
It is a huge boat, too big with far too many people. The common areas were clean, with the exception of spilled hot beverages throughout the ship.
The ship was well maintained.
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
Our cabin was good, actually pleasantly surprised. The bath products are from PRC, China. Facial tissues, also China. Really? We did not use the bath products. Bed linens were not changed. There were plenty of towels. TV was nice, Voom worked well. There were some outages though with the tv and voom. Oh well. Cabin was clean it appeared.
Ship tip
Ship is too large, with too many passengers. Chaotic, misinformation, long lines, language barriers, and the excursions are too short in time. Costly also, too rushed. Ask question, the staff are not forthcoming. Pearl Island, the beach was lost pretty much, not worth the excursion. The Hilton in a Nassau has a great resort pass for a day....we decided to hangout, gave lunch, be st a pool that was not crowded, and it was great. I urge you to check it out. Very relaxing and great fresh seafood! OMG!
We would not cruise with RCL ever again based upon our personal experiences.
Tour was too rushed, not enough time. Need to be there where the Space Center opens. Not at 1:30pm in the afternoon. Too much to see. Not worth almost $200 for two adults.
Too many people once again. You donot need a tender ticket, so donot waste your valuable time waiting in chaotic lines for tickets that were never surrendered...craziness. Umbrella rentals are $25 and a water mat was $18. Beach was too small given the number of passengers. It was just okay.
We did our own excursion, to the Hilton a Hotel in Nassau within walking distance of the port. We got a resort daily pass from Hilton, and it was great...it is the British Colonial. Lunch was great, fresh grilled seafood and a great drink. I strongly recommend this option.
I think you should choose another cruiseline one that likes negative aholes!Who needs more then 3 hours to eat dinner?And 99 percent of cruisers enjoy the music and festivities in the dining room,maybe you should have gone to the specialty restaurants,probably too cheap.It figured YOU are the one that got burnt,are you going to sue? I also find it hard to believe your bed wasn't changed.I bet you're children were glad they weren't with you!PLEASE go on another cruiseline so I never have to be on same ship!
Don't give up on RCI, they are amazing. Please try the Oasis class, or freedom class! You will love it!!!
I did Anthem in March and it was my least favourite RCI ship. Very disappointed, a lot of the same reasons you mentioned above
@pineapplepants- we could not agree more with your review. So much disorganization. Dining room was a disappointment. Long lines every single place we went. We didn’t talk to a single satisfied person on the ship.
Thank you ciannone we will be Shore to try and book. The ship looks beautiful and new on beyond ships photos and much to do. We are looking to eat at Wonderland one night during our 7 night cruise, is it better to make reservations way in advance and what is best night cause I️ don’t want to miss out on Lobster night
You WILL have a spectacular trip! We are sailing on anthem for the fourth time on December 14th! Every cruise on her so far has been amazing. The shows are fabulous the meals were great, the activities are very well run and exciting! From the Dancehall to the theater and from the iFly to the rock climbing wall there's always something to do on Anthem! Don't forget to book the escape room also! We had a blast!
I’ve been on a few RC cruises and RC only because I️ love the ships and treatment. Never on Anthem till 2018 and I’m sure it will be spectacular trip. Sorry you were disappointed especially with the coffee mugs.
I cannot believe how many negative reviews this person wrote. Clearly cruising is not for you. The things you are complaining about are truly absurd and you honestly sound ignorant. Instead of getting caught up in all of the petty nonsense that upsets you, maybe try to focus more on the fact that you were on a beautiful cruise ship on vacation. So sad.
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