Thursday, April 30, 2015

Day 1 - Southampton

Anthem of the Seas is truly a sister ship to the Quantum of the Seas - it is a true copy.
The only immediate difference is the decoration. Therefore, the VIA also is the place, where I have experienced the most visible difference so far.

Our first day at Anthem cruise started when the alarm clock rang at home at 4:30am. At 05:30am we took the bus and train to Copenhagen Airport and then by Scandinavian Airlines flight from Copenhagen to London Heathrow.

From Heathrow we took National Express bus to Southampton, a trip of a few hours. We arrived at the cruise terminal in Southampton and Anthem at lunch time.

Check-in and boarding went smoothly, and at 1pm we got our cabin 8282.
No difference from the corresponding cabin at Quantum.

We had only carry-on suitcases for our
three-day cruise, so we un-packed immediatelyfollowed by lunch in the Windjammer.

The first challenge was to get the internet to work. There were problems with making an internet account, and we had to visit customer service twice to get the problem solved, but then
Internet worked fine at our four devices.

We had Dynamic Dining Choice, and not booked any restaurants in advance.

We booked a table in  Chops Grill for tonight.
Then we started to find the differences from Quantum. So far only in the VIA (picture below).
The only change I have seen for restaurants until now to Jamie's Italy is now A la Carte restaurant.


Muster drill at 4:00 pm and then we followed the departure from Southampton from our balcony (picture above) from 5 to 6 pm.
A glas of wine Vintage bar before dinner in Chops. Here we had a Goat Cheese salad starter, a steak for main course and a dessert cake. A really nice menu.
After dinner a glass of wine in Vintage before bedtime.
Tomorrow I will use the day to find more differences.


Friday, April 24, 2015

3 Nt. Royal Experience, Paris & Bruges

I'm booked at the Anthem of the Seas 3 Nt. Royal Experience, Paris & Bruges April 30, 2015 to Le Havre and Zeebrugge. 

I have previously been on two Quantum Cruises. Read review from these cruises. Link at the menu bar.

At this blog you will find a review of the cruise and Anthem of the Seas.
Link to full review.

Anthem of the Seas was delivered to Royal Caribbean on April 10, 2015, and christened on April 20, 2015.
The maiden voyage was April 22, 2015. 


Anthem of the Seas

Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas was floated out at Meyer Werft from the dock in in Papenburg Saturday evening February 21, 2015.
She is the second ship of the Quantum class.

Anthem of the Seas was delivered to Royal Caribbean on April 10, 2015, and christened on April 20, 2015


March 10, from about 14:00 The Anthem of the Seas was ready for the Ems conveyance with arrival in Eemshaven (NL) Wednesday morning. 

River Ems Conveyance
Due to its upstream location on the river Ems, the giant ships to be delivered have to make a 36 km voyage to the Dollart bay. The ships does make this voyage sailing backwards. It is easier to manoeuvre a ship backwards. The pods on the ship’s stern “shovel” water below the hull, which makes the river conveyance easier.