Disapointing in many ways !

Item: Anthem of the Seas
Rating: 4.3
Author: MEADOWPOINT

Anthem of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Southern

MEADOWPOINT

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 32

Overall rating:

4.3 out of 5

Verified Review

11 Night Southern Caribbean (Cape Liberty Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 18, 2024

Ship: Anthem of the Seas

Cabin number: 13566

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 9 months ago

Review summary

The very is beautiful. We love the Solarium and book our room to be just under the same area so ease of elevators is helpful. There is a cafe that serves breakfast, lunch & dinner in the Solarium, BUT IT WAS CLOSED FOR A PRIVATE GROUP! This meant that for any food you had to go to the far end of the ship, then walk all the way to the front !! People were very verbal about their dissatisfaction. Nothing could change that but on the 8th day they finally started to come around with some small sandwiches etc. Helped, but not much. The ship knew a year in advance about the booking, but didn't put them in a ballroom or private conference room - they closed a public cafe just for them while hundreds of people were displaced! NOT ACCEPTABLE EVER! Children were not contained and ran around screaming. The main pools were filled with unruly children, so were the hot tubs. All food was excellent. Service in the main dining room Table 527 early seating was superior! Clemente & his helper were efficient, attentive and always did a superior job going the extra mile for their passengers. I have a peanut allergy & the" Matri de" made sure I was okay with all the food! Our room steward, Harold, was very attentive to our needs & got to know us. Most passengers felt their room stewards were overworked and had too many rooms (25) for lack of staff!! They still did an awesome job! Overall, Royal Caribbean isn't up to par like they were years ago. They lack staff & have trouble getting staff since they do not pay well, overwork the staff by using them for several jobs other than what they were hired to do, lack help for the handicap, keeping children in line in public areas allowing them to use adult areas & the attention to the overall passengers. The Royal Caribbean name use to be one of the top cruise lines for service. Not anymore.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Ship tip

Make sure that there isn't a big group that has it booked & public areas closed just for their use.

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Ports of call

San Juan, Puerto Rico

3 out of 5

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

5 out of 5

We were docked in the smaller dockyard on the West side - it was easier to access vendors & shops. Not as much variety, but the ease of getting off and shopping was great.

Thumbs Up 0

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

3 out of 5

The shuttles were not running well and not on any schedule. Walking to ferry was long and very hard for me with limited mobility. The ship provides no assistance for handicap passengers. Upon returning to shore, again, NO SHUTTLES! It was very hot, but had to walk the mile or so back to the ship. I was exhausted and then told to go to last gangway - NO SORRY, I physically can't make it. Please get me a wheelchair or let me on here. They finally let me board at the first gangway rather than walk 3 football fields to the next one. Horrible experience & ship does not help.

Thumbs Up 0

Castries, St. Lucia

5 out of 5

Dock at shops which is great ! LONG walk to the tour buses. Pouring rain but overall, good port with shop just off the gangways.

Thumbs Up 0

Basseterre, St. Kitts

3 out of 5

Again, a good port but very long walk to the shops. Shuttles only hold 6 people and do run back and forth but waits are long. Again, ship does not help the handicap.

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

We were off the ship in 5 minutes - long walk to luggage but managable.

9 Comments

Tony131065 9 months ago

Thanks for your review

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Gwbigdog 9 months ago

Thanks for sharing

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kef2016 9 months ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise experience. Sorry it didn’t meet many of your expectations. The Solarium Bistro was closed for two sailings on Anthem and two sailings on Wonder of the Seas for Yeshiva week celebrations. Orthodox guests pay extra for a Kosher dining package for the week. The Solarium Bistro and its kitchen was used to make sure that breakfast, lunch and dinner food is freshly prepared kosher under the supervision of a Rabbi. It’s my understanding that this occurred last year in January as well (not sure if it was on the same ships). The rest of the year, kosher food is prepackaged for guests. Although some may be disappointed that the Bistro was not available, there are many other food venues that are included in the cruise fare.

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karlgrgurich 9 months ago

I can understand your frustration!

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javawoody 9 months ago

Appreciate the review

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Ruby13 9 months ago

Thank you for sharing

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Bertfish 9 months ago

You’re the second review that’s complained about the solarium bistro being closed. Honestly I don’t blame you in that Royal should have made that known pre sailing or booking. It seems mobility is an issue for you. Would it be prudent to rent a scooter for cruises? Might make your life easier. Not sure why so many kids but honestly kids behavior is something the parents should be keeping in line, but unfortunately in this day and age most don’t. Sadly.

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cruising2004 9 months ago

Could be possible that the private party chose that specific spot? Sorry this put a damper on your cruise.

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Niavlys 9 months ago

Tks for sharing

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