Adriana

@Pattycruise, are they still only using the canned water? I hope they ran out and switched to bottles. That stuff was so weird!

I am sorry to hear it! At least you have time to plan a different intinerary that you will love even more. I know it is disappointing, though.

I wonder, and super long shot, but I wonder if the price is less maybe they will give you on board credit? A travel agent may be too late, but can’t hurt to try. I am sorry you are going through this.

@CruiseGus, God willing, yesss! Def was memorable! I will laugh at it one day. Not until the food poisoning completely goes away, but one day!

Great question, thank you! It does sound like Barcelona is the less stressful choice. That is a winner!

O M G! That is all I can even say!! I am so stressed just reading all of this! God willing, you will have some quiet time, yummy food and no more horrible odors…or fam hijacking your plans!!

I am so sorry to hear about your family member. I pray for their ease and comfort. Unfortunately, Royal does not really do refunds like that unless it was a refundable rate. You can change it, but there will be a change fee of $100 for it, much better than losing everything, though. I totally understand why this would leave a bad taste in your mouth. Try to chalk it up to the business end of Royal. Once on board, you will see a whole new light and typically, they have great guest services. Even beforehand, you will get excited looking at all the possibilities that await you. I would imagine that with what you are going through, a positive adventure in the future may be helpful. Most cruise lines are like this, just business, annoying, I get it, but as a whole, you probably will have a wonderful time!

Oh gosh, I am sorry to hear about all the issues! I pray you guys are well and things go more smoothly. It just was not your time for this cruise. All good, the right and better time & cruise will come! To try to help with costs (and stress), you may want to search for cruises within driving distance. You will still have to pay for gas, tolls and parking, but I prefer the freedom of driving and not worrying about luggage. Just do a search from any closer ports with no other restrictions. Take a look to see what is less expensive and tickles your fancy. You can often get better deals on some of the older and smaller ships, like those sailing from Baltimore. I hope things get better, that you heal well and find the perfect get away for you guys. Happy Birthday to your wife!

@CruisinMikeD, Bwahaha!! You totally nailed it! Sooo worth every penny!

My dear sailing on Anthem (October 29th) was the first back in the States. It was all canned water. So weird!!

I agree with everyone, stay put!! Great location and it is not noisy. It is not like being by any elevator in a hotel. You won the location lottery!

@EnSeven, awww, thank you!! Trying to handle things calmly and seeing the good is what got me through. Otherwise, I would just have been holding on to anger and made things worse. Just feel the sadness/aggravation for the moment, process it, put into perspective then let it go and move on. If you can do something about it, especially if it helps others, great!

@Mike n Ky, I do hope I receive a survey and will fill it out accurately. I don’t think it will mean much, but will do it. I hope you have a great cruise!!

Thank you!! I have to look at the positive and be grateful for the mere fact that I am blessed enough to afford a cruise and physically being able to be on it. Plus, was able to work on patience and grace under distress. I really do not want to ever discourage anyone from Royal or cruising; I just had the icky luck and icky luck. … @FireFishII, thank you! I was quite happy about the ease of debarkation today! And thank you, God willing, I get over this soon. I can handle things relatively well, but food poisoning is sooo not fun! … @PPPJJ-GCVAB, thank you!! I hope so, too! Faith is such a blessing and help!

Hi all! I just got off Anthem today. The absolute worst cruise ever, but that was my own experience. Anthem and Royal are wonderful, I am a new Diamond level and one day, will go back. Having said that, the best part of the cruise was The Key!! For one, if you plan on getting the Surf and Stream package, most def get The Key. Keep checking prices, for me, it was only a few dollars more to get The Key than just the internet package. Now, as I said, I had a challenging cruise, but had things gone differently, The Key would have rocked even more. Upon arrival, you have a nice, short line to check in/board. It so happened that 90% of those on line were Key and in wheelchairs and did not have their documents out, so it took muuuch longer. If you see the short Key line, first take a gander to see who is on line. If you see many wheelchairs and walkers, go to the regular lines. They went so quickly. Once inside, go to the designated dining room and they will take your carryon luggage and you have lunch from the Chops menu. They took a bit of time to take my luggage, so I took it myself so I could begin to unpack. If you are not as unpacking anxious as me, you get it brought right up. Once I got to my cabin, there was a family there, so my carry on and I spent the day until 9pm at Guest Services. Most people do get their carry on quickly and you do not have to lug anything around. Big plus! You also get priority seating. All my issues stopped me from getting to the shows, but if you get there early, you get a cool seat! I did get to make it to Spectra Cabernet, awesome seat, but after stopping it three times due to tech issues, they cancelled it. But, great seat if you have The Key! Now, my absolute fave part was today. There is nothing better than knowing you can get off whether you want during the de-embarkation process! You get a great breakfast just for you from about 7-8am. I had to miss it since I got food poisoning yesterday, but a great benefit. When I was ready to leave, I just walked down to Boleros and a gentleman escorted me right to the gangway, bypassed that line that wraps around the ship and was able to show my Sea Pass card and get off the ship. My luggage was happily waiting for me in a little Key area right by the exit door. The benefits for today alone made it worth the price! I am def going to go for it again. If you are on the fence, check prices and see when it goes down, especially if you are getting internet. So worth it when you bypass that long line!!

Back on dry land!! I never thought I would be relieved to be done with a cruise! Just when I thought I got through the worst of it, I got food poisoning. Ugh! I spent most of the day in my cabin yesterday and had a really nasty night. At one point, the cabin steward came in, saw I was in bed and left. His cologne got me all the sicker. At around 9pm, I took out my luggage, he saw me and told me I have been sleeping. Yes, thank you, I know. He said I told him to make up my room but I was sleeping (I don’t recall that, but all good). “Yes, I have been in bed, I feel very sick after lunch.” His response? You gotta laugh! “Oh, okay, but you like me service?” Yes, it is fine. “Then, you are fine? Have a great night.” No, I am really sick, but thank you, you have a peaceful night. The door then closed and locked me out of my cabin. Siiigh. @asquared17, nope, no tasty breakfast. I don’t think I ever want to eat again. Still feeling the food poisoning effects, so being a bit dramatic now. After the cruise, I drove up to MA to visit the Shrine of Divine Mercy. A couple days here should heal that cruise! At least ask for forgiveness for whatever I did to deserve that comedy of errors!!

I got off today. No masks required. Not many at all were wearing them. Some guests, but maybe like a handful of crew.

Oh wow, really?! That stinks!! I am sorry to hear it. You now also have an extra sea day?

@VACruiser, Thank you! While he did make me feel badly about being there, I also got rather upset. It did take a bit to keep graceful and politely smile and wish him a nice evening. @karl_nj, yup, def not going to feel too guilty at this point.

@fireclan, thank you! No point in wallowing in the challenges. Not always easy, but best to make the best of it and be grateful for the positive. God bless you as well!

Oh my. So, I stepped out of my comfort zone and went to explain some of the issues with the Diamond concierge. I started simply by asking about the Key luggage tags, that I received a letter about the tags, but not the tags and if I need to pick them up somewhere. He brusquely told me to just wait and I will get them. Okay, so they will they be in my room? “ Wait. You will get them.” Okay, thank you. I then began to explain what happened with my cabin and that since is my first time as Diamond, I was so excited to see the paperwork and the other things that we get. He told me it was in my cabin. I explained again that a family was in my cabin and I had to be moved (he did not care about that issue) and received nothing, was only able to go find my luggage, did not get anything. He was not phased. He took out a letter explaining the benefits and said as I was so late, no point in giving me the invitations to the top tier events as I missed it. I apologized for not coming sooner ( I actually felt bad at this point). I asked if that was it, nothing else with starting Diamond? I thought there was a pin or chef gift (just excited about the little things, I am a dork that way), so asked if there was anything else. He said just the letter at this point. At this point I felt bad for going, his tone seemed like I was bothering him, so I just thanked him and left. @WAAAYTOOO, @karl_nj, @Ampurp85, @Allen2 @sk8erguy1978@SimGuy @Pattycruise And everyone, thank you for the encouragement! I tried, but doesn’t seem to be my cruise. All good, grateful for the positive parts.

@need2cruz, all were given the OBC, even if they went on excursion. I believe that the final few who were refusing to leave actually were escorted off with luggage and not allowed back. Not sure about the other stragglers.

Thank you all again! I did not want to make a big deal of things, I know Alina was trying to fix it as best she knew how or could. She went to the manager right away and was making calls, but not getting resolutions except they did not know how to handle it. @PPPJJ-GCVAB, I went from a balcony room to another balcony room. @SimGuy @sk8erguy1978, no I did not call security or get aggressive. I truly believe it was an honest mistake. They were not English speakers and also looked a bit confused. I also think Alina did what she could; manager not so much. It really has been issue after issue this cruise, but still trying to stay positive. Lessons in patience and gratitude for all else. @Allen2, you are right. I did mean to go to the Diamond concierge today but totally forgot. I don’t want to complain, but more explain what happened.

@smokeybandit, during this cruise, I was informed it was still $13, so perhaps not official or word not out. The welcome letter also still says $13/drink.

I have to add some positivity. While they have yet to get my orders correctly or in normal timely manner in other restaurants, it has been a pleasure at Chops. Except for a tiny order mistake (absolutely no biggie), they have been perfect. They have been hospitable, treated me like a lady, checked in on me, made sure I had all I needed, etc. It has been a pleasure and the crew there have been absolute gems and gentlemen. They also have on board credit (amount depending on cabin) for the issues today. That was quite nice!