The excitement is unmistakable as the countdown begins! In just one week’s time, we’ll be stepping aboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas, and the anticipation is overwhelming. With the hustle and bustle of SAT tests for my eldest and washing following our recent two-night mini break, we’re more than ready for a proper holiday where we can truly switch off and unwind as a family.
Having sailed with Royal Caribbean numerous times, mostly outside of the Caribbean, I’m eager to experience sailing out of Southampton in the UK. I’ve come across a few reviews mentioning potential variations in the drinks menus, with hopes of including more gin options—a welcome change! Additionally, I’m intrigued by the mix of clientele, which will likely include both UK and US guests, promising an interesting blend of cultures and experiences.
Reflecting on our previous three-night taster cruise on the Quantum of the Seas from Southampton, it was our first encounter with a Quantum class ship. I recall it offering a unique experience compared to other Royal Caribbean ships, and I’m excited to immerse myself in a full week’s experience on a Quantum class vessel.
We decided to do a bit of shopping in our local town of Southampton, and we were treated to the sight of the Anthem of the Seas ready to set sail on its voyage, just a week before our own adventure begins. Watching the ship depart from Southampton has become a cherished family tradition for us—one that never fails to fill us with excitement and anticipation.
As we waved goodbye to Anthem of the seas we reminisced about our P&O Arvia holiday from the previous summer, as we were greeted by the familiar voice of Captain Camby giving his speech—a comforting reminder of the wonderful memories we’ve shared on board. There’s something truly heart-warming about witnessing the departure of ships we’ve previously sailed on, hearing the ship’s horn, and feeling the energy of the crowd as they bid farewell. It’s moments like these that remind us of the joy and happiness that family holidays bring, and we can’t wait to create more unforgettable memories aboard the Anthem of the Seas next week.
Preparing for the Anthem of the Seas
I’m thrilled to share that we were able to check in 45 days in advance of our sailing on the app, and we were allocated an 11:30 boarding time. We plan to be there right on time because we wouldn’t want to miss a second on board. We’ve secured a fixed dining time of 5:30, which is slightly earlier than we normally like to eat. However, I appreciate having a fixed dining time because on Royal Caribbean cruises, you get a designated table with the same waiter every evening. In my previous experiences on the Freedom of the Seas, I enjoyed that our waiter’s understood our preferred menu options and serving style, and this added a lot of value to our holiday experience.
In the past week, the activities have started to fill our cruise planner. I can see that we have the We Will Rock You theatre show available on the first and second nights, a magician joining us on board for a few nights, and I’ve already planned that we’ll be doing bumper cars at 2:30 on the very first day.
One thing I’ve learned from my previous experiences on Royal Caribbean is that while they do add in additional activities, it’s important to book them as soon as you see them available; otherwise, you might miss out.
Our Itinerary
We’re set to visit four ports on this cruise, with our first stop being La Rochelle in Bordeaux, France. This is a port we’ve never been to before, so I’m excited to explore the local area. While I’ve always wanted to visit Bordeaux, for this cruise, we plan to stay local to the ports and explore on our own.
Our next stops are Bilbao and La Coruña in Spain, and La Havre in France. I’ve been researching all the ports, and I’m especially looking forward to La Coruña in Spain. It’s very easy to walk off the boat and explore the port. We’ve sailed there before on a previous sailing, and we took our time visiting the beach, enjoying local shops, and having ice cream before heading back to the boat. I’m hoping to do the exact same thing on this sailing as well.
Packing
Packing for this cruise has turned into quite the challenge, especially with the unpredictable weather teasing us here in the UK. While we’ve been basking in a week of glorious sunshine, today decided to greet us with rain, and it seems like it’s planning to stick around for the foreseeable future. And here we are, gearing up for Spain and France where the weather can mirror what we’re experiencing now. It’s a puzzle trying to prep for every twist and turn, especially with little ones in tow.
Kids, bless them, seem impervious to chilly weather, jumping at any chance to splash in the pool. But for us grown-ups, the idea of shivering poolside wrapped in towels isn’t exactly thrilling. So, I find myself hesitating to dive into packing full-on, thanks to this uncertainty. I’m attempting to streamline based on the forecast, but it’s as changeable as a chameleon, promising rain one day and sunshine the next.
If you’ve been following along with my adventures, you know I’m a staunch supporter of packing cubes. My stash, all procured at wallet-friendly prices from Teemu, has served me well. Okay, I may have pushed my luck on our last voyage, cramming a couple of cubes to their breaking point on the trip home, resulting in a few casualties. But hey, considering their price tag, it’s a minor hiccup.
When it’s time to pack, I like to spread out all our outfit options to get a clear picture of what we’re working with. Yet, my little ones have their own ideas about packing, especially my youngest. She’s a budding princess, enamoured with all things frilly, pink, and regal. If it were up to her, she’d don a dress every single day, oblivious to the weather’s whims.
Then there’s my eldest, going through that tween stage where Mum’s fashion advice suddenly falls on deaf ears. She’s the T-shirt and leggings type of girl, which does simplify the layering game – just swap leggings for shorts as needed. Evenings pose a bit of a challenge for her, though. She relishes dressing up, yet can’t resist the call of the kids’ club, often darting off for a quick costume change halfway through the evening.
Our Plans
Weather permitting, I’ll be sure to pack the kids’ swim gear in my carry-on so we can hit the pool deck the moment we step onboard. Despite the unpredictable forecast, I’m not willing to miss out on any chance to soak up the sun and splash around with the girls. Since we’re aiming to board early and unfamiliar with the ship layout, a quick wander around to get our bearings sounds like the perfect introduction.
My excitement peaks at the thought of hitting the bumper cars at 2:30, a fun activity for all ages! After that, it’s back to the room to freshen up for dinner and catch the spectacular sail away. I have a soft spot for the Royal Caribbean sail away, with steel drums setting the beat and the DJ spinning tunes – it’s the ultimate kick-off to our cruise adventure.
My blog might be quiet for a few days whilst sailing however I will try to post some regular updates by my Instagram account, be sure to follow along if you want to be part of our adventure.
