A very different cruise.

Item: Anthem of the Seas
Rating: 4.4
Author: JohnGLewis

Anthem of the Seas Cruise Review

JohnGLewis

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 18

Overall rating:

4.4 out of 5

11 Night Southern Caribbean (Cape Liberty Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 20, 2022

Ship: Anthem of the Seas

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

The cruise could not guarantee any of the ports listed in the itenary but we knew this before boarding. However we did manage to visit 4 ports and enjoy their beaches during the pandemic.

Embarkation

2 out of 5

Made to wait outside in the freezing weather. An official talking through a mask into a loud speaker however because the words were muffled, we moved closer and then were all told to get back in line as no-one would be moving. Don't bother with the Key as it made very little difference. Queues made worse by the fact that porters were not taking suitcases when they should have. Also when going though security, they only had a few officials checking and of course we and many others had big suitcases that would only just fit through the scanners. Other port officials were sending customers in the wrong direction, when quizzed, were told "do you want to stand here arguing with me, or do you want to get on board". Even when we corrected them, they were very rude. When we eventually boarded, there was no one representing the Key to point us to the right Deck etc. The Chops Grill meal was very mediocre.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Food was OK however spoilt by staff in the Wind Jammer constantly trying to upsell speciality dining. The main dining room menu selection is shrinking every year we cruise. Otherwise the staff were fantastic.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Very clean and tidy. Bed was very comfortable.

Ship tip

Don't bother with the Key. Absolute waste of money. Book everything that you can before you board eg drinks packages. WiFi can be shared between devices and so don't buy WiFi for 2 x devices etc. Have all your documentation printed out. Try and do as much on the RCL app but a printed copy of boarding passes etc will help. If you purchase any high coat jewelry ensure that you won't have to pay and further tax when you leave the ship. We were denied disembarkation and were escorted (with others) to immigration and quizzed about our purchases. Organise your own trips. Local taxi drivers are fantastic and you will save a lot of money and still get back in time. RCL are very good at scaring you into purchasing their trips because if you are late they will leave without you. Just ensure that you keep an eye on time and keep the ships time on your watch,not local time. Taxis will ensure you are back in plenty of time.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

4 out of 5

Port is getting better as there are now shops plus taxis available to take you to the main shopping area or to beaches. However there isn't much else in this port.

Thumbs Up 0

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

4 out of 5

$4 water taxi to the local beach or $7 round trip.

Thumbs Up 0

Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey

3 out of 5

You will have to take a taxi to New York City as there is nothing around this area. Use an Uber.

Thumbs Up 0

St. John's, Antigua

5 out of 5

Basseterre, St. Kitts