Nice, Quick Getaway
Anthem of the Seas Cruise Review to Bermuda
5 Night Bermuda (Cape Liberty Roundtrip)
Sail date: April 28, 2018
Ship: Anthem of the Seas
Cabin type: Balcony
Cabin number: 8664
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 6 years ago
Review summary
Embarkation in Cape Liberty went so smoothly & the RCC Staff was WONDERFUL! There's SO much to do & SO many places to eat on-board that if you're bored or hungry, it's YOUR fault! Accessible Balcony Cabins on Royal Caribbean ships have been excellent ~ they're very spacious & accommodating! This being our 3rd trip to Bermuda, we sought out our own Excursions.....and saved A LOT of money doing so. We had a a really nice time on this cruise & would recommend it to anyone - especially newbies. It's a short enough trip, there's only 1 port to "worry" about about, & you'e there for more than just a few hours. You can't go wrong!Embarkation
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Windjammer Marketplace
HUGE variety of food, but it's often not kept at appropriate temperatures. Food here tends to be very dry, too. It can be difficult to find a seat, but the designated spots (on the outside perimeter of the dining area) for wheelchair users is GREATLY appreciated. The variety of offerings changes throughout the day, too. You CAN'T go hungry when eating here!
The Café@TWO70
Very good selection of food for breakfast & lunch, pretty fast service, & it's nice that it's more of a "to-go" kind of place.
Jamie's Italian
Jamie's is a really nice place to have a good dinner. There's something for everyone & the food is EXCELLENT! Order as much as you like of whatever you'd like to try....and if you don't like something, just let them know! They're happy to accommodate you & make recommendations!
Solarium Bistro
It USED to be a nice place with a nice (good!) menu, but it's changed. You have to get up to get part of your meal & there's server-served parts of it as well. It's weird. Also, the food tends to be drier & less flavorful than one would think, given it's Mediterranean theme. The previous version of Solarium Bistro was MUCH better.
Silk
It's no longer a separate dining experience with its' own unique menu - it's now just part of RCC's "Main Dining Room" experience (utilizing the same menu through all 4 formerly-distinct restaurants). The decor is Asian-inspired & stimulating.
Michael's Genuine Pub
Good snack food in a moody atmosphere. Though it's now called Brass & Bock, it's still the same dark & cozy decor. The menu has changed - an dis better than when it was Michael's Genuine Pub.
The Grande
It used to be a distinct dining experience - more "fancy", if you will. Now, it's just one part of RCC's "Main Dining Room" venues (sharing the same menu as the other 3). The menu used to have more upscale food choices with a somewhat more formal dress-code. Now it's just one of the places to go eat (breakfast, lunch, & dinner). The decor is still BEAUTIFUL though.
Seaplex Doghouse
Good "dogs", just wish they had a bigger variety of them & the toppings. Good place for a quick snack.
Schooner Bar
Nice atmosphere & good entertainment at the Schooner Bar!
Chops Grille
GREAT steakhouse & SO worth the extra cost!!! Get a Specialty Dinner Package & you WON'T be disappointed!! And try the Bacon appetizer - MMMMM!!!!
Café Promenade
Decent selection of snacks. Items sometimes tastes more "factory-made" than "fresh-made" though.
Boleros
Good live music at night, relaxing bar during the day.
Bionic Bar
Cool to watch......when it works. Seems like it's closed a lot for repairs.
American Icon Grill
Nice atmosphere, good food, & attentive Staff.
Onboard Activities
Shore Excursions
It's nice knowing that the ship will wait for you if you're booked through RCC, but their cruises are often overpriced. We paid about $20 less PER PERSON for the SAME EXACT excursion in Bermuda recently! We saw others with their RCC excursion "tickets", while we had our printed vouchers in hand while waiting in line (again, for the SAME excursion). They asked what we paid & were annoyed that they overpaid by so much. We were all on the SAME boat, at the SAME time, sitting mere feet apart - this was NOT like it was on different days or at different times, folks! A little research/footwork can save you LOTS of money!!
Pool
The Outdoor Pool is nicer because of the sunshine, but the indoor Pool is a nice alternative. Since it's inside, it's "warmer" & there also tends to be less kids running around & screaming in the Indoor Pool. I understand the need for Chlorine, but it can be suffocating breathing it in after a while.
Guest Services
The line can move slow, but it's because the Staff wants to make sure each person is well taken care of. They're pretty knowledgeable with most situations & are very willing to make you happy.
Port Merchants
They're OK. Just know that they PAY to be in the paperwork/map that you receive for that Port. Other stores may have better prices & selection though. I will admit that we DID get good service & prices at SOME of the recommended stores.
Vitality at Sea Spa
You DO get quality services/treatments, but it's expensive. The best deals are found one Day 1, or while in a Port. They push VERY overpriced products onto you though (I understand they get commissions) . The SAME products can be found elsewhere for MUCH cheaper than via RCC's Spa. It's still worth getting a massage on Day 1 to start the relaxation you so richly deserve!!
Next Cruise
It's GREAT being able to book future cruises at AWESOME prices before they're publicly announced!!! You get first pick of your cabin & get to hear all about the EXCITING places you'll be going next time!
Outdoor Pool
It's nice to be in the sunshine while in the Pool (vs Solariums' more "shaded" pools). Wish they'd have it open more though - we used to be able to swim even if the ocean was a little choppy - now they're TOO cautious & close it too often/early. I get that kids need a place to swim too, but it'd be nice to be able to swim in the Outdoor Pool *without* kids once in a while.
Casino Royale
It can get a little tight in there for those in wheelchairs, but they have a decent variety of games. Too bad a lot of table games only operate at certain (& short) times.
Loyalty Desk
They take their time when helping you & are happy to do it. They're usually a little more knowledgeable than the "regular" Guest Services, but it'd be nice if they were open more often/for longer times.
Entertainment
Music Hall
LOTS of fun stuff happens in the Music Hall!! There's Karaoke, live music, games, contests/competitions, a good bar with fun bartenders, & tons of other fun stuff to do there!! Be sure to check your Cruise Compass & plan your day to included at least 1 activity there!
North Star
It's AWESOME to go up SO high & get such GREAT views!! There's nothing to see while in North Star at sea, but it's INCREDIBLE when going up while in a port!! Just wish we could stay up there a little longer than the 9 minutes it's for.
The Royal Theater
Spacious, with good quality sound. There's not too many "bad" seats in the house (sans behind pillars). There are quality shows of different types performed there - musicals, dramas, live acts like Comedians, etc.
Two70
Very nice layout & decor! The "living" screens are AWESOME to watch & Spectra's Cabaret is PERFECT for this venue!! It's a great place to sit relax or to enjoy the food from Cafe270. It's a large, yet cozy space at the back of the ship.
Solarium
It's GREAT having an adults-only space on the ship! I just wish the overwhelming Chlorine smells didn't choke you after a while. The tiered, infinity Pools make them feel separate, yet together. It's nice that it's at the very front of the ship, too.
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
Wear comfortable shoes, elastic waistbands, & be prepared to stay up late for all the GOOD entertainment!
Ports of call
Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey