Anthem of the Seas Review
Rating by category
Additional details
We enjoy going out of local ports. Bayonne is 1.5 hours from home. We also enjoyed the Anthem last year.
Service in the main dining room could not have been better. The food was as to be expected, good restaurant quality but not outstanding. The desserts have fallen in quality over the years. Many of the items with a filling or cream inside were more like jello or foamy. It was hard to find much fruit in most of the fruit desserts. The lobsters were small and chewy and difficult to remove completely from the shell, even by the waiter. All the steak meals eaten were cooked as ordered and very good. The fish meals were also excellent. Since we had a handicapped person at our table, the head waiter always brought his food out right away so he did not have to wait as the rest of the table were served. I have taste difficulties due to medical reasons and they accommodated my request for different things right away.
I had one very disappointing occurrence with the dining room staff. I always check for where our table is on boarding day, and this was especially important this time as we had a wheelchair bound person in our party. We needed to make sure it would not hinder the paths of servers or patrons. Our table was perfect, however, when I was waiting in line to inquire about it, a man butted in front of me and the head waiter totally ignored me when I said that he had jumped the line and I should have been served next. It was obvious he did not want to make a scene with the "overly large" man and instead chose to dismiss me, the little lady. It definitely left me with a very sour taste for the rest of the day. I decided to not let it color the rest of my cruise.
Cabin Review
Ocean View Balcony
Cabin was great. It was an exact replica of the cabin we had last year on Anthem, just on the other side of the ship. Ample storage for all we packed, room to move, and great lighting. However, the bed was too hard and my hips hurt every morning because of it. I had requested extra padding of whatever they use, but I don't think it was provided. The bathroom was great for us, plenty of towels (we always request extra) and always clean.
Port Reviews
Bayonne (Cape Liberty)
They need to improve the drop off configuration at that port. The drop off line was long and slow.
Port Canaveral (Orlando)
It was Spring Break in Orlando, and most of Florida, that week. We know going to a park or beach would be a waste of time.
Miami
Again, Spring Break in Miami and the Miami Open was going on as well. Bad choice on the cruise company to replace not going to CoCo Cay. Weather was lousy anyway. The free shuttle was absolutely of no use to use and the wheelchair would not fit.
Nassau
We hate Nassau. We went on this cruise for 3 reasons: going with family members we had not cruised with before, we like the Anthem and using a local port, and CoCo Cay. Unfortunately, the last reason for the cruise did not happen. We did walk into the town and purchase a few gifts to take back home. We do not feel safe in Nassau and most of the excursions are ridiculously priced for the value the return (which is not great). We have stopped in Nassau many times and unless there is something really outstanding offered, we stay on the ship.