The 4,180-passenger Anthem of the Seas is the second ship to debut in Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class series. Anthem is a ship that is big, bold, and beautiful, with a touch of whimsy. Reminiscent of a Las Vegas hotel, the general atmosphere on board is a perfect balance between modern sophistication and straight-up fun. Anthem holds an extensive selection of dining choices (18 in all, three of which are tied to celebrity chefs), bars, and quality entertainment, but it is in technological innovation where the ship sets the bar for the whole cruise industry. Some of the headliners found on board are cabins with virtual balconies (floor-to-ceiling ultra-HD screens showing views of the ocean and destinations reached in real-time), a skydiving simulator, RFID bracelets, and robot bartenders. For dress codes, anything goes during daytime, and casual resort wear is implemented at night. There are no formal nights aboard Anthem, but guests dining at the Grande must wear formal attire.

[fa type=”bed”] Accommodation

Anthem boasts of over 2,090 cabins, with 1,570 of them having balconies. A cool and unique innovation is the virtual balconies outfitted in all the ship’s interior staterooms; essentially, they’re floor-to-ceiling HD screens which give guests real-time views of the ocean and destinations visited. Cabins are outfitted with standard amenities like desks, vanities, flat-screen TVs, digital safes, mini-bars, and the like. The ship was designed to be environmentally efficient, so rooms also have digital thermostats and energy-saving electricity activated by the guests’ keycard. A standout is that rooms are also outfitted with more outlets (three over each desk, one near the bedside, and two additional USB ports, a rarity in the cruise industry). All cabins are also spacious, with most larger than standard size; the bathrooms are roomy and comfy, and storage space is ample. Guests who book higher category rooms and suites get more luxurious amenities, along with certain perks (for suite passengers) like access to the Concierge Lounge, Coastal Kitchen, and reserved seating at the theatre. There are seven categories of suites on board. The studios cater to solo travelers, tailored to be more comfortable yet more affordable, another rarity in the cruise industry.

[fa type=”cutlery”] Food

Anthem of the Seas has plenty of dining options to choose from, each with its own personality to cater to different culinary tastes, or whether guests are in the mood for light bites or a sit-down meal. Reservations for all fee and for-fee restaurants can be made before sailing, and can also be booked at the ship’s Guest Services or via the ship’s free app, Royal IQ. The ship features the Dynamic Dining concept, where guests can dine anytime between 5.30-9pm, either by reservations or walk-in. It also has the Dynamic Dining Classic which has a fixed-time seating (6pm and 8.30pm), and guests rotate among the ship’s four main restaurants, each of which has two versions of the menu in case guests dine at the same place twice. The main dining rooms feature different cuisines and themes: for a formal night, head to the luxe Grande Restaurant; Chic is the modern counterpart of Grande, with a contemporary, cosmopolitan feel and menu; Silk is destination for Pan-Asian specialties; and American Icon serves purely American comfort cuisine. In total, the ship has 18 restaurants, but special mention is due to three – Jamie’s Italian, Michael’s Genuine Pub and Devinly Decadence – created in association with celebrity chefs. Room service is offered 24 hours daily.

[fa type=”ticket”] Activities

Located on deck 15, Vitality Spa is equipped with over 19 treatment rooms (two of which are couples’ massage rooms), a thermal suite, a rain shower, six heated tiled chairs, and a sauna. Guests can chill pre- and post-treatment at the relaxation suite, which offers a variety of healthy beverages and specialty teas. Treatments range from facials to a selection of massages, and grooming and beauty services can be done at the nearby salon and nail bar. The spa is open from 8am until 10pm. Anthem boasts a massive fitness facility on deck 16, and is one of the best-equipped gyms with its multi-tiered design stocked with several machines and weights for both gym-curious beginners and the long-time fitness buffs. The spacious aerobics studio offers a selection of fitness classes, some free and some come with a cost, and personal training and nutrition consultations are also available at an extra cost. A jogging track can be found on deck 15.

[fa type=”group”] Families

You will be very hard-pressed to find another cruise liner more family-centric than Anthem of the Seas. The ship offers everything from kiddie deck chairs to three family pools, a wide array of family and interconnecting cabins, and even family bathrooms. The ship also has specific shore excursions that are family-friendly. Aside from the ship’s youth program Adventure Ocean, which caters to children aged from six months to 17 years, Anthem has also partnered with DreamWorks, and offers character appearances, 3D movie screenings, and themed breakfasts. Adventure Ocean is a huge kids’ club divided into six areas depending on age group. Half is a space for kids six months to 11 years old, while the other is for 12-17 years old. Organised activities for youngsters are scheduled throughout the day, full of educational and fun games and challenges. Three spaces: the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery (six months to three years), and the Aquanauts (potty-trained three to five year olds) are found on deck 11. There are also themed rooms like the Explorers, Voyagers and the Science Lab. Teens have their own hangout space on deck 14 in the Living Room, and can also enjoy the teens-only disco Fuel. In-cabin babysitting is offered at $19 per hour, for up to three kids.

Verdict

Anthem of the Seas attracts a diverse mix of families, lively couples and groups of friends of all ages with its many amusement park-type attractions and vaste dining options.

– Cruise Passenger

– Cruise Critic

n/a

– Berlitz