Executive Summary

The Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas (AOTS) has recently begun sailing from Singapore, generating considerable discussion on the HardwareZone forums. Early feedback is mixed, with some users praising the ship’s technology and activities, while others express disappointment with the food quality and overall experience compared to other Royal Caribbean vessels like Quantum and Spectrum. The discussion highlights a significant range of opinions regarding the dining options, particularly Windjammer, and the value of suite perks. Initial voyages have seen the introduction of laser tag, and the Coastal Kitchen as a dining alternative for suite guests has been a point of interest. There’s also been discussion around the newly launched Phuket and Penang routes.

Key points include varied opinions on food quality, a focus on maximizing suite benefits, and concerns about crowd management in popular dining venues. A notable statistic is that some users spent *SGD 2.8*k for a 2-person balcony cabin, reflecting the cost of these cruises. User feedback suggests a potential split in experiences, with suite guests generally reporting better dining experiences compared to those relying on the main dining room or Windjammer.

Key Developments

New Facilities and Activities

The Anthem of the Seas, while similar to Quantum of the Seas, introduces some new features for Singaporean cruisers. Specifically, laser tag has been introduced at the Seaplex, a change from the free offerings on Voyager. >”Heard there is laser tag game at seaplex during the 1st Phuket trip on 21 Nov.” This addition, however, is a paid activity, as confirmed by a user, >”paid laser tag I rem its free onboard Voyager right”. This differs from previous experiences on other Royal Caribbean ships. The ship also offers standard features like bumper cars, swimming pools, and a gym.

Dining Options and Experiences

Coastal Kitchen, a dining option for suite guests, has become a focal point of discussion. It’s perceived as a significant upgrade from the main dining room (MDR) and Windjammer buffet. >”have all your meals at CK if you’re not doing any Specialty Dining. Quality is a lot better than MDR, that i can guarantee.” The menu rotation in Coastal Kitchen is noted as an advantage over the fixed menus in the Gold dining rooms on other ships. However, there are mixed reviews about the quality of food in other restaurants, with Windjammer receiving particular criticism. One user stated, >”Food is bad. Level 3, 4 and 14th restaurants. Worst Royal cruise food I ever eaten.”

Itinerary and Port of Calls

Anthem of the Seas has commenced voyages to Phuket and Penang, with some passengers opting to explore independently rather than participate in the ship’s shore excursions. > “Yeah, both Penang and Phuket can just go explore on your own. Don’t waste money on the RC tours – I regretted signing up for them.” There is discussion about using Grab taxis at both ports and recommendations for shopping and dining locations, such as Gurney Plaza in Penang and Central Mall/Jungceylon in Phuket. The ship is reported to tender near Patong in Phuket. The flexibility to return to the ship after excursions is also a key concern for many.

Community Insights

User Experiences

Many users have shared their first-hand experiences, ranging from positive to negative. One user, after a 3-night Penang cruise, reported, >”I enjoyed it though. Food was decent. Alot of options in windjammer, although it could get crowded.” This contrasts sharply with others who reported negative experiences, such as one who stated, >”I just back from this lousy cruise. Food is bad… Windjammer offers very limited food, quality is bad too. I have diahorea everytime I ate there.” There are also observations about the diversity of the crew, with one user noting, >”Quite many South Americans, and definitely more diverse compared to Spectrum”. The location of loft suites at the back of the ship, leading to soot issues on balconies, is also a noteworthy negative experience.

Tips and Recommendations

Several practical tips have emerged from the discussions. To avoid the chaos at Windjammer, users suggest queuing 10-15 minutes before opening time or going closer to closing time. Suite guests are advised to secure dining reservations at Coastal Kitchen early. For port excursions, users recommend exploring independently using Grab taxis, rather than relying on the ship’s expensive tours. Users also advise that bringing alcohol onboard is limited to one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne per adult on embarkation day. A final tip: >”Can go online or download their app to do check-in and select check-in timing.” to manage boarding.

Important Considerations

Potential cruisers should be aware of the mixed reviews regarding food quality, particularly in the Windjammer buffet. Crowd management at peak dining hours in Windjammer is a common complaint. There’s also been discussion around the cost of specialty dining packages and shore excursions. The location of loft suites at the back of the ship may cause soot issues on balconies, potentially impacting the enjoyment of that amenity. Furthermore, it’s important to note that laser tag is a paid activity, unlike on some other Royal Caribbean ships. It is also important to check the latest Royal Caribbean policies, especially regarding bringing alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages onboard.

Looking Ahead

The community is closely watching how Royal Caribbean will address the concerns raised about the Anthem of the Seas, particularly regarding food quality and crowd management. There is also anticipation about future itineraries and any potential changes or improvements to the onboard offerings. Some users are already considering future cruises on Ovation of the Seas instead, based on the mixed reviews of Anthem. The ongoing discussion on the HardwareZone forums indicates a strong interest in seeing how the Anthem of the Seas experience will evolve over time, and any potential changes that may be made to address the initial complaints.