The ship has many good qualities, it was just our particular cruise that was a really bad experience. While it would take too long to explain it all, it was over booked. The ship was also not prepared to host 1600+ Jewish families that require kosher food as told to us from the maitre'd. Also, one of the staff told me that there were 300 infants onboard under the age of 12 months and there were 1200 kids that were under the age of 14. RCCL either didn't care or they didn't think this one out. I have a TON of things that happened on this cruise that would make you say WTF but I'll save them for RCCL. As far as sailings go, this one is at the bottom.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
The embarkation experience was super easy and the people did a great job directing cars, parking, security and check in lines.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
2 out of 5
The main dining room food was subpar food compared to NCL and Carnival that we've been on before. The dining rooms aren't grand and the 'My Time' dining was terrible. The first night, people waited 5 hours, 3 hours in line and 2 more to eat. The staff were friendly and dong what they could but RCCL booked over 1600 Jewish families and weren't prepared to cook kosher food from what I was told. The Maitre'd said he has never seen it this bad in all his time cruising. Sooooo disorganized.
Pool Bar
5 out of 5
The outdoor pool bar was worked by three guys mainly, Pankah, Roberto & Diego. These guys were fantastic and were always laughing, even with all the rude behaviour and chaos going on around them.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
The flo-rider was an awesome experience, along with sky diving sim. You only have one minute in the sky diving sim and are only allowed once per sailing which is way too quick. The arcade was disappointing for my kids as quite a few games weren't working.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Compared to other ship's and cruise lines, we found the stage shows to be just ok. The singing was fantastic and the performers were bang on, it was just poor story lines. The musicians were very good...ie; The Royal Swedes, Aerosmith tribute band and some other latino performers. The comedians were really good as well.
Music Hall
5 out of 5
This was a great place to hang out with excellent bar staff.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
We found most of the staff to be very pleasant even though they were clearly stressed out with the people onboard. They held it together and still managed to provide service with a smile.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
The overall ship design is great with things being easy to get to. In designing this particular ship, I think they sacrificed elegant dining rooms for smaller underwhelming main dining and added too many $$$ a la carte dining.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
I found the rooms to be of standard size, they were clean and functionable.
Ship tip
Everything worth doing needs to be pre-booked. We booked this cruise 7 months prior to sailing and it wouldn't let us book some things even then. As soon as you get on the ship, head to Boleros on Deck 5 and see the staff and book the Northstar, the skydiving, your show timings, etc...
No excursion, again too expensive. The city is big and lots to see. Lots of tours you can do, Dolphin mall for shopping. We had lots of time in ports so you can do a lot.
I cruised with the same group a few years ago on NCL, it’s not the cruiseline it’s the group. I will never sail from the NY area the last two weeks of January again.
I was on this cruise as well . Never again at this time of the year. I love children but these kids were out of control. Climbing on the art sculptures, running up and down hallways at 1-2 in the morning. Unbelievable! Shame on RCCL!
I was on this sailing too. The amount of children was unexplainable. Like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Image every middle school and elementary school in every town near where you live sending every child to board this ship. That is what I felt like. It was the worst cruise I’ve ever been on.
I have cruised on both carnival and RCCL. RCCL is by far my favorite. Their ships are always clean and the staff very accommodating and friendly. Carnival is in my opinion just ok...the service of their staff varies...some days good others poor. The dining rooms were often not cleaned well with leftover food stuck on the table. The entertainment is at best in my opinion mediocre to fair. Activities were ok and I wish they would figure out something better than the hairy chest contest...smh. The larger the ship on any cruise line the more crowded and there will be lines to stand in. To sum up everything is always a matter of preference.
Yeah I feel the same way- I’ve considered trying carnival but it really seems that once you get hooked on a particular line, it takes away from the enjoyment of the new ones! I read lots & lots of reviews on here and I try to go look at profiles- when I see a negative review on carnival I’ll look at the history and see they’ve always cruised Norwegian, then I’ll see a negative review on Royal and look to see they’ve always done carnival, etc etc
It really seems to be a trend/theme
Thank you cruisongGs. I took notes. I like to be prepared and have my main things scheduled. I appreciate your input and the tips to help my ceuose be that much better. Its appreciated
I hear ya lovcruisinlife
Not sure if the quantum or oasis class ships will be a good RCCL choice for you :( they are very big with 5-6000 people on board
Very busy with tons & tons of activities, people, noise etc
I think they do a great job of spreading out venues & people but with that many on board it’s hard not to notice
Now because of the reservations I never had to wait for a meal or a show or an activity and you can find some quiet places to relax and talk or read a book
Love me the solarium or the big overstuffed couched they have in these little inlets near vintages wine bar
You can eat at places like the sandwich/salad type shop at club 270 for lunch and avoid some of the hustle & bustle or eat breakfast at the solarium bistro
Actually itching they do lunch and dinner too!
All mentioned are free
And it’s fcourse if you pay for specialty dining that doesn’t feel rushed or crowded
Maybe some tips like these will help you find what you are looking for- anthem is gorgeous!!!!
Anthem is a large ship so crowding is an issue. Be prepared for lines and lots of kids. That is the risk and price of going on a large ship with all the fun amenities.
CruisingGs I dont mind trying new ships and companies it makes it exciting. My biggest worry is the over crowding. I cruise to get away from the hustle and bustle. That has been great on the smaller ships. I hope that will be the case on this as well
Not my experience in this ship in any way shape or form- almost the exact opposite on all points
Other than the shows- I was dissatisfied with the shows but the excellence in every other area more than makes up for it
It seems like I notice when people have experienced other cruise lines and liked them when other lines work differently it doesn’t end up well
The “procedures” on carnival & royal are VERY different so make sure you plan and do everything you can before your trip
Reservations for everything!!!!
So I should be prepared to be disappointed with this ship and the amount of people on it? Ive only cruised with Carnival. RCCL is new to me and a ship this size will also be a first
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