We cruised with Royal Caribbean in the past and were always very satisfied, so we decided we'd like to experience their new ship Anthem of the Seas. After leaving for several cruises from the piers in Manhattan, we find the embarkation at Cape Liberty is far more convenient. With so much of the documentation being done online beforehand, we were through security and on the ship with little delay.

This is an absolutely beautiful ship, brand new and well maintained. We had a balcony cabin that was very comfortable and always immaculate, thanks to our attendant Ingrid. Room service brought coffee each morning, just at the time requested, so we could relax with a cup on the balcony before starting our day.

Though the ship is tremendous, the layout is simple, so I found getting around very easy. It carries thousands of passengers, but it never seemed crowded except for the main pool area and the Marketplace Buffet at breakfast. But, I've encountered the same situation on other cruise lines, - it seems to be unavoidable. We enjoyed dynamic dining, visiting a different restaurant each night. Each was unique and decorated beautifully, with a menu reflecting it's theme. Our dinner reservations were all made online before the cruise, so we were seated on time in each venue. I thought the food was very good and had nice variety. I wouldn't compare the quality with a five star restaurant in Manhattan, but I enjoyed the meals and I thought the service was great. My favorite restaurant was The Grande, the most elegant, and the menu offered some great choices. Read more