I live and travel in Asia but found this cruise challenging. Very crowded with families and small (screaming/squealing) children everywhere. Everywhere was crowded except the pool bars after 6pm. But I found my space and enjoyed my 3 B2Bs but am unlikely to sail on the Spectrum again. Back to the Anthem.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Pretty straightforward and very quick. Despite having the mobile sea pass they printed off one which was checked and scanned a few times.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
Windjammer was extremely crowded at all times. Families continued to occupy tables long after meals finished. Chatting, on their mobiles or just hanging out . Very difficult if not impossible to get a seat never mind a table.
MDR again was very busy with queues of over a hundred for reserved My Time seating.
Silver Dining was 5 *****. Loved it there with attentive staff and a great team led by THE who was a wonderful lady.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
With so many families the pools were full of splashing children so did not use.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
The 270 show the Silk Road was ok but very limited in use of technology.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Great staff service, friendly, helpful and pleasant, if not fun, to talk to.
Especially the Bar staff at the indoor Pool Bar.
Alex, Mario, Jennie and Rex.
They made the cruise for me.
Ship Quality
3 out of 5
A completely unique layout especially for the Asian market. Nothing like the sister ship Anthem OTS.
Gents toilets were some time messy and did not appear to be cleaned as regular as they needed to be.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Pretty standard balcony stateroom 11274 with nothing more or less than I was used to. Port and aft but reasonable walk to the Elevator.
Ship tip
Be prepared for 95%asians who are culturally different from European/Americans. Do not expect ‘excuse me’ or ‘sorry’ in the lifts or crowded areas. Do not expect ‘thank you’ for holding doors open. Do not expect people to move when they are walking 5 abreast or they are blocking doors or corridors etc.
Singapore:N/A
Port Klang: nothing to see or do. Tours to Kuala Lumpur are 7 hours of which 4 are on the coach.
Penang: easy walk of the ship but lots of small businesses are now closed. Walk around Little India and Chinatown about 2 hours. No bars or decent restaurants.
Mine went well on 26 September as I carried my own case at 7am. But the previous cruise on 22 September they were queuing until gone 10 o clock to get off.
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