Anthem of the Sea - cruise to Nowhere - a No Show

The New Jersey based cruise ship Anthem of the Seas has been running cruises out of Cape Liberty (Bayonne) all winter, but has run into bad weather on two trips, one resulting in superficial damage, a lot of loose objects thrown around, terrified passengers and some injuries. The other trip was cut short due to weather. Although Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd was heavily criticized for sending a ship out into near hurricane conditions, others credited the ship's master with guiding them safely back to port. What fun!

The latest cruise, departing Cape Liberty Friday March 4, saw the ship heading out into another intense storm, but skirting it somewhat by doing what is billed as a three day cruise to Nova Scotia. Since the ship would not be tying up in any Nova Scotia port, all the passengers would experience would be some Nova Scotia weather, and perhaps a glimpse of Halifax as it sailed in and out of the port.

At least that was the plan as of Friday. The ship would enter Halifax Sunday morning- but not berth - then sail again for home. Instead the captain took the saner option of NOT sailing across the Gulf of Maine in a real nor'easter with high winds and heavy snow (all day) in Halifax on Saturday.
It seems that the ship sailed south and loitered off Nova Joisey instead. It will return to Caper Liberty on Monday.

The ship is due to make its inaugural call in Halifax in September, when it will actually tie up and allow passengers some shore time. The ship was built in 2015 by Meyerwerft in Papenburg, Germany, measures 168,666 grt and at maximum capacity carries 4,905 passengers.

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