An expert’s guide to Anthem of the Seas for you and your crew

Making the most of Anthem of the Seas comes down to who you’re sailing with, writes Tiana Templeman.

New and familiar fun 

When Royal Caribbean‘s Anthem of the Seas came to our region for the first time during the 2025/26 cruise season, it was the hottest ticket in town for local cruisers keen to try something new. Everyone from millennials to grandparents couldn’t resist the lure of all that onboard fun and entertainment, and innovative technology like robot bartenders. 

Like Royal Caribbean’s other Quantum class ships, Anthem of the Seas has more than 15 dining options, myriad bars (including the one staffed by dancing robots), multiple live performance venues and activities such as roller skating, flying trapeze, dodgem cars, and a skydiving simulator at sea. Many of these are included in the fare. 

However, it also includes a few new experiences for local cruisers. It’s the only Royal Caribbean ship in our region with a full-scale Royal Caribbean stage production, “We Will Rock You”, and the only one with a Johnny Rockets burger bar. Put these new and familiar things together, and you’ve got a fabulous cruise holiday. 

Anthem of the Seas practically guarantees no one will have trouble finding something to do. However, you need a game plan to get the most out of this action-packed mega-ship. This all comes down to who you’re travelling with. Here’s our guide to this crowd-pleasing Royal Caribbean ship for every type of traveller.

Multigenerational families creating shared memories

A megaship like Anthem of the Seas is ideal for multigenerational families because there are activities and accommodation options to suit different ages and budgets. Fill your sea days with everything from bumper car rides to roller skating, waterslides, and indoor skydiving, and your nights with great dining, live music and Broadway-style productions. And when it comes to trivia, family members with different ages and expertise can be impossible to beat!

Anthem of the Seas’ activities such as the FlowRider, iFly and bumper cars are suitable for most ages and abilities. Why should your kids (or grandkids) have all the fun?  For something less energetic, everyone in your crew can ride the ship’s North Star viewing capsule and enjoy 360-degree views of the ocean or whatever port you’re in. 

Even fussy eaters won’t go hungry on this ship, with 15-plus dining options, including terrific hotdogs at the Boardwalk Dog House. If you’re travelling with older kids and want to enjoy a memorable meal together, the interactive dining restaurant, Wonderland, combines the whimsy of Alice in Wonderland with dishes that are quirky, imaginative and fun. 

For those travelling with toddlers, a Wiggly theme cruise will see you doing the “Hot Potato” at Wiggly dance parties and hanging out with favourite Wiggles characters. Take advantage of the kids club if you’re travelling with little ones, or any kids under 12, if you want to fully enjoy “We Will Rock You”. The show on Anthem of the Seas is the same length as the Broadway production and has too much dialogue for most young kids to sit through.

Romance for young-at-heart couples 

Anthem of the Seas isn’t just great for families, it’s also perfect for couples seeking a romantic escape that’s a lot more fun than gazing into each other’s eyes. When it comes to choosing an itinerary, you can’t go wrong with this ship. There’s plenty to keep couples entertained on longer cruises, and a fun party vibe on shorter ones. 

Choose your sailing based on what floats your boat, and allow a little extra spending money. Anthem of the Seas has loads of complimentary dining options included in the fare, but if you want a romantic night out, a for-a-fee specialty restaurant like Chops Grille or Wonderland shouldn’t be missed.

What accommodation you choose will likely come down to your holiday budget, but a balcony cabin is worth the cost. Nothing beats sipping a glass of wine or Champagne with your sweetheart as you glide past the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. If you don’t have a drinks package, Royal Caribbean lets you BYO two bottles onboard in your carryon. 

When it comes to itineraries, couples are spoiled for choice. Head to the South Pacific or pack your bags, not your passport, for a round-trip cruise from Sydney to Hobart. The ship docks in the heart of the Tassie capital so you can browse the galleries, gift shops and boutiques at Salamanca Place, take a ferry to the cutting-edge Museum of Old and New Art, eat freshly caught seafood on the docks or stroll the historic streets around Battery Point. 

As you sail back to Sydney, book a sunset ride on the North Star and hold each other close as you watch the sky change colour and the clouds light up with a golden glow. This activity isn’t as energetic as some of the others onboard, but it’s one of the most romantic.

Millennials can maximise their fun

Anthem of the Seas is also a hit with millennials. The onboard atmosphere is lively, upbeat, and full of energy, with partygoers filling the bars and the dance floors until the early hours. Come with some friends and you’ll never be short of company, plus you might leave with a few new ones as well. This ship is big on socialising and having fun.

Shorter cruises are perfect for millennials looking for a quick getaway without spending too much time or money. You can choose a “cruise to nowhere” for nonstop onboard fun, or travel north along the Queensland coast. Stops like Cairns and Airlie Beach offer plenty of exciting activities, including jet ski safaris, snorkelling trips and kayak adventures.

If you enjoy having a few drinks with friends, the ship’s US dollar onboard currency can make a Deluxe Beverage Package or non-alcoholic Refreshment Package worth the spend. Head to the adults-only Solarium pool, grab your beverage of choice and enjoy the three-tier pools or hot tubs with ocean views. On the lower level, there are half-submerged sun loungers if you want to take a dip and a selfie without messing up your hair.

Affordable flexibility for solo sailors

Anthem of the Seas is a standout choice for solo travellers looking for flexibility and fun. Avoid the dreaded single supplement and book a dedicated solo cabin with choices including oceanview, balcony and virtual balcony staterooms. The latter are affordable inside cabins with a large screen showing real time views from outside the ship. Just make sure you get in quick and book your solo cabin early as these staterooms sell out fast. 

When it comes to dinner, an assigned table in the main dining room is the cruising equivalent of Russian Roulette when you’re a solo sailor. Fortunately, you don’t have to hope the odds are in your favour on Anthem of the Seas. Choose Anytime Dining when you book, show up whenever you’re hungry, and choose whether you want to share a table (or not) each day. 

For a premium dining experience, the Chef’s Table dishes up a wine-matched five-course meal that is a great way to socialise and make new friends. The buffet is also a hit with plenty of variety and live cooking stations serving made-to-order dishes like stir fries and pasta.

Anthem of the Seas’ daily program is filled with complimentary activities like trivia games, ping pong tournaments, Zumba classes, and boogie boarding on the FlowRider. Even if you wouldn’t normally do these things on land, go along and give it a try. Not only is this a great way to meet people, you could be surprised by how much fun you have.

Something for everyone

Whether you want to chill by the pool, dance until the wee hours, hang 10 on a surfboard, enjoy a romantic night out or go skydiving before breakfast, Anthem of the Seas delivers. This crowd-pleasing mega-ship is big on fun and caters to different types of travellers with ease. Add spacious, well-appointed cabins for every type of cruiser and tempting local itineraries, and you’ve got plenty of reasons to get onboard for the upcoming 2026/27 season. 

Disclosure: The writer sailed as a guest of Royal Caribbean. 

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Expert tips

Favourite Meal: Chops Grille has an old-style, traditional ambience with low lighting, terrific food and excellent service. It was our favourite restaurant onboard Anthem of the Seas, with deliciously juicy and perfectly cooked filet mignon and sides like grilled asparagus and truffle-coated fries that were worth coming back for. 

What to Pack: Anthem of the Seas offers a relaxed cruise experience with no pressure to dress up unless you want to. Pack smart casual clothes, plus closed-toe shoes for the iFly, long socks for roller skating, and a pair of swimmers. For formal nights, a cocktail dress or pretty frock for women, and long pants and a collared shirt for men is fine. Add a white outfit and some 70s or 80s gear for the ship’s theme nights. 

Secret Tip: Complimentary sessions for the North Star viewing capsule and iFly skydiving simulator are available on boarding day. Use the Royal Caribbean app to lock these in the moment you get onboard and try them out for free. With the ship departing from Circular Quay, the Sydney Harbour views from the North Star are incredible.