Anthem of the Seas 3

 

Day 3 – Le Havre

Today breakfast was in Divinly Decadent (yes – it is spelled that way). This is a healthy options self-service restaurant next to the Solarium.

 

Again, since our main aim had been to see the ship, we didn’t want to do an excursion to Paris so wandered ashore on arrival in Le Havre. Like Zeebrugge, I have been here several times but never looked around the city itself. All I knew about Le Havre was that it was heavily bombed and the resulting 1940-50s city was a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We decided to start with the hop-on, hop-off Noddy Train.

 

I am not sure what I expected but there was elegance and thought in the developments and even though many were blocks of flats, they overlooked green areas and the roads were wide avenues. When we got to the main shopping centre we got off to explore the immediate area. As it was Sunday, most shops were closed but we found a few, including a market where we were able to stock up on wine and Calvados. 

 

The fountains and gardens around the city hall were beautiful. There was confusion over what time the train would be back – we thought they ran every half an hour, but it seems they were hourly and as it began to drizzle with rain, we popped to a small café for a coffee while we waited.

 

 

 

 

 

Back on board we had a snack in Two70 and then a last exploration. The ‘library’ is three bookcases on the upper level of Two70 – bring your own reading matter on this ship. The Solarium is adult only but I can not quite see the point of it. OK, the pools and décor is lovely but it is exactly like a greenhouse and since the roof is fixed, it is similarly hot and humid and echoey.

 

After pre-dinner drinks in The Schooner Bar, dinner that evening was in American Icon. We had to have a table for two – not our choice at all, but sufficiently close to another table for two to start up a conversation. Again, excellent food but, like most US ships, far too much meat (half a chicken), and too few vegetables to find on the plate!

 

We had opted for self-disembarkation so had packed earlier and could relax on this last evening on board. The following morning we rose early – cabins had to be vacated by 8am and had breakfast in the Windjammer before collecting our luggage and disembarking.

So – impressions:

I am very glad I tried this ship. It was my first taste of Royal Caribbean. I had always considered that this line wasn’t for me, and judging from Anthem, I was right. That is not to say I didn’t enjoy the cruise or love the ship, but it is not my style of cruising. There was lots to do if you are active – dodgem cars, climbing walls, flow riders, ripcord iFly, swimming, roller skating etc. but not many places to chill and relax in the open air watching the ocean. The ship is designed in my opinion, to fool you that you are not at sea and to provide all you need without disembarking or even realising there is a sea out there. Most of the included eateries (and even some of the extra charge ones like the Patisserie) are self-service or like a shop in a high street. I got none of the feeling of being looked after or pampered that I love on a cruise. Even the Guest reception area was designed as stations where staff stood with tablets. Photos were ordered via touch screens, although that is becoming standard everywhere.

Having said that the food was of good quality, the décor beautiful and the evening entertainment outstanding.