Anthem of the Seas

The 2015-built Anthem of the Seas cruise ship is the 2nd Quantum-class Royal Caribbean liner, with sisterships Quantum OTS (2014) and Ovation OTS (2016). Similarly designed are the "Quantum Ultra-Class" Spectrum OTS (2019) and Odyssey OTS (2020). Next is shown a Quantum-class ship as looked from above.

History - construction and ownership

Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is a US company, trademarked brand and subsidiary owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL, shipowner). RCI was established in 1968 and currently has over 1/5 of the worldwide cruise market. RCI also has RCCL's largest fleet as both numbers of vessels and GT tonnage (ship sizes and capacities). All Royal Caribbean liners have names ending with "of the Seas".

The 5000-passenger ship Anthem OTS is a Quantum-Class vessel which by size is a significantly decreased (168000 GT-tons) version of RCI's Oasis-Class (225300 GT). However, with the new class RCI introduced several facilities and amenities (later implemented fleetwide) that made the brand more popular than ever.

Cruise itinerary program

Anthem of the Seas itinerary program is based on cruises in Europe with departures from homeport Southampton England, as well as on Caribbean voyages out of NYC (Port Cape Liberty, Bayonne, NJ).

Following the Coronavirus crisis, in late-March 2021 Royal Caribbean scheduled for Anthem OTS a summer season in the UK with 4-night cruises-to-nowhere (beginning July 7/first-time for RCI) and 5- to 8-night "British Isles" itineraries (beginning July 15) roundtrip from Southampton. The mini-cruises are without call ports, while the longer voyages visit the popular UK ports Liverpool, Kirkwall (Orkney Island, Scotland), Belfast (Ireland). Bookings opened on April 7, but for UK residents only

Decks and Cabins

Anthem of the Seas staterooms (2091 total, in 33 grades) include 129 Suites, 1436 Balcony, 148 Oceanview, 378 Inside (including Virtual Balcony), and also 28 Studios (Balcony and Interior). Most cabins are sized 180-200 ft2 / 17-19 m2. Most cabin balconies are sized 55 ft2 / 5 m2. The largest is the Royal Loft Suite (1660 ft2 / 152 m2 plus 620 ft2 / 58 m2 wraparound terrace). Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 22.

The boat has 16 decks, of which 15 are passenger-accessible and 9 with cabins.

The new “Royal Suite Class” booking category (suite accommodations only) provides the ship’s highest paying passengers with the ultimate all-inclusive cruise experience of Royal Caribbean, marked by Coastal Kitchen exclusive access, 24-hour personal butler service, included gratuities, all-inclusive drinks, free Internet and thermal suite unlimited access.

Anthem OTS also has RCI's Virtual Balcony Interior cabins (with floor-ceiling 4K UHD screens that receive real-time video streaming from the ship's outside cameras). Compared to the Oasis-class, Quantum-class liners have larger staterooms, more connected cabins (for families with kids) and Studios (designed for solo travelers).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Passengers on Anthem of the Seas are offered plenty of dining options to choose from (25 onboard dining options, of which 14 complimentary), with multiple choices for light bites as well. Reservations for all restaurants can be made online ahead of the cruise. Though not required, reservations are definitely recommended to ensure guests get to eat where they want, when they want. Food and service at the main restaurants, Silk, Chic, American Icon and The Grande, is varied and offers an array of experiences. Anthem provides 200 seats more than Quantum among its main dining rooms. Additionally, more waiters have been assigned to address complaints about service. Each of the four main restaurants already has two versions of the menu, with regional dishes also been added.

Follows the complete list of Anthem of the Seas restaurants and food bars.

• The Grande (one of the four dining rooms; offers DreamWorks themed breakfast, two fixed dinner seatings and "My Time Dining")
• Chic Restaurant (one of the four dining rooms)
• American Icon Grill (one of the four dining rooms)
• The Silk (Asian cuisine, one of the four dining rooms)
• La Patisserie (speciality coffee and teas bar; offers fresh-made pastries and sweets)
• Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine
• Johnny Rockets (fast food restaurant, complimentary)
• Windjammer Marketplace buffet restaurant (offers Early Breakfast at 6:30 a.m., Breakfast between 7:00-11:30 a.m., Lunch 11.30-3:30 p.m. and Dinner 6.30-9:00 p.m.)
• Chops Grille (steakhouse/seafood)
• Chef’s Table (14-guest capacity, gourmet private dining package)
• Sorrento’s (Italian restaurant)
• Jamie's Italian Restaurant (menu, deck 5) is a 132-seat speciality trattoria restaurant (at surcharge USD 30 pp dinner, USD 20 pp lunch/sea days only) via a partnership with British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver,
• Izumi (73-seat Asian/Japanese restaurant)
• The Cafe @ Two70° (casual dining marketplace)
• Coastal Kitchen (Suite passengers only restaurant)
• Solarium Bistro (healthy dining menu, ex-“Devinly Decadence”)
• SeaPlex Dog House (complimentary)
• Anthem was the first Quantum-class ship on which in 2017 was introduced the new Royal Caribbean speciality dining package.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Anthem OTS (and all Quantum-Class liners) feature as unique facilities "iFly by RipCord" (skydiving simulator at a fee, reservations are required) and "North Star" (jewel-shaped glass capsule) rising 300 ft (92 m) above sea level for 360-degree views above the ship. North Star is at a fee and also can be privately booked (for special events). At "iFly by RipCord", each passenger is fitted with goggles, helmet and jumpsuit before jumping into the chamber (1-min sessions). These vessels also have Bionic Bar where "bartending robots" mix up cocktails ordered via a tablet.

The Royal Theater hosts the major production show onboard the Anthem, "We Will Rock You", a 90-minute musical which sets Queen's greatest hits to a story set in the future. The result is an exceptional show and spectacular event that makes everyone want to sing and dance along. The Anthem cruise ship boasts with the DreamWorks Experience - themed programming via a partnership with Walt Disney Company. This new entertainment program is aimed at families and offers movies-themed DreamWorks activities on select RCI ships within the fleet. The list of special activities includes characters meet and greets (of course, plus photo ops).

Additional amenities include: Complimentary 24-hour Room-Service, Supervised Youth programs (Adventure Ocean, Royal Babies, Royal Tots, Dream Works experience), Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry.

Follows the complete list of Anthem of the Seas lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Royal Theater (1299-seat, features 3D Movies, aerial acrobatic performances and Broadway-style productions)
• Music Hall (2-deck high live entertainment venue)
• Two70° Lounge (3-deck high relaxation observation lounge with live entertainment)
• Photo Gallery and Shop; SeaTrek Shop (diving equipment)
• Diamond Club Lounge and Bar (past guests only); Concierge Club and Lounge (suite- and past guests only); Card Room
• Brass and Bock Pub (former Michael’s Genuine Pub), Bionic Bar, NorthStar Bar
• The Via (an area between the boutique shops and restaurants on deck 5; with the Vintages wine bar, Port Merchants and Jamie’s)
• Casino Royale
• Outdoor Movie Screen
• Cafe Promenade (24-hour; serves snacks and drinks, as well as Starbucks speciality coffee)
• Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center; 10 jacuzzis (2 are cantilevered); 4 pools
• Solarium lounge (includes Solarium Cafe, pool bar and adults-only pool area); Solarium Bar
• Video Games Arcade; The Living Room and Night Club teen areas; Royal Babies and Tots Nursery; Adventure Ocean kids lounge area; Workshop (family venue); H2O Zone family and kids area
• SeaPlex (sports complex, with roller-skating, bumper cars, circus school, full-sized basketball court); North Star; FlowRider (surf simulator); RipCord by iFly; Jogging Track; Rock-climbing Wall.

Anthem is RCI's second Quantum-class vessel, with sisterships Quantum of the Seas (2014) and Ovation of the Seas (2016). On February 11, 2011, vessel’s order (coded “Project Sunshine”) was announced by the shipowner Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL). The liner represents a new passenger ship class of all three units, the first of which (Quantum) was delivered in October 2014, and the third (Ovation) in April 2016. On February 29, 2012, RCCL announced Anthem’s order. On January 31, 2013, the new ship class was officially named “Quantum Class”. On this day were also officially announced the names of the first two vessels – Quantum and Anthem.

On February 10, 2014, Royal Caribbean announced that Anthem's itinerary program will feature a total of 19 European cruises (in the Mediterranean Sea) visiting the Riviera regions of Spain, France and Italy, and also the Canaries.

On February 21, 2015, the vessel was launched (floated out from drydock) at Meyer Weft shipyard. Followed outfitting and the conveyance on River Ems to the North Sea / Baltic Sea for sea trials. On April 20, 2015, was ship's christening ceremony in port Southampton, England. Ship's godmother is Emma Wilby - a UK cruise travel agent working for Thomson UK (Marella). She was chosen via an RCI-held competition.

Anthem's "Inaugural Cruise" started on April 22, 2015. The 8-day roundtrip itinerary from Southampton visited ports in France and Spain, with feature call on Le Havre-Paris. On April 18, started the "Pre-Inaugural" 2-day cruise to nowhere from Southampton (roundtrip itinerary without any ports of call).

In May 2017, Philippa Charlotte Middleton (younger sister of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge / wife of Prince William) was given her own Suite on the ship for her honeymoon with James Matthews. The couple married on May 20, 2017. Royal Caribbean specifically designed the themed "Pippa Suite" (adjacent to the ship's Royal Loft Suite (deck 9). Pipa Suite had blue plush furnishings, with lilac throws and cushions. The suite as amenities offered a sunrise yoga station, smoothie machine, golden goose ornaments, Royal Genie butler service (dedicated Principal of British Butler Institute-trained staff). The royal couple was on a Southern Caribbean itinerary roundtrip from NYC to St Lucia Island, Barbados and Antigua. After the Anthem cruise, the couple flew to St Bart's on James' private jet.

The list of the Quantum-class new features includes:

• "virtual balcony cabins" - Inside cabins with floor-to-ceiling high-definition TVscreen for a real-time oceanview
• Bionic Bar (capacity 2 drinks per minute) uses 2 robotic arms to prepare mixed beverages (muddled, stirred, shaken and strained). Those can be ordered via an app (tablets or smartphones). Orders are displayed on large LED screens around the bar. The robotic bartenders use 30 different spirits and 21 mixers (8 sodas, 6 juices, 3 syrups, sugar, mint, limes, lemons).
• Two70° 3-decks high lounge (with a cafe, ice bar, used for Cirque productions and as disco club at night)
• SeaPlex (full-size basketball court, roller-skating arena, bumper cars)
• "RipCord by iFLY" (skydiving simulator) - height 23 ft / 7 m
• "NorthStar" - complimentary observation capsule on a rotating arm.

Ship Facts

• vessel width: 162 ft (49 m), waterline width 136 ft (41 m)
• virtual balcony's LED screen is 80-inch 4K (ultra high-definition)
• jogging track length 436 ft (133 m)
• North Star's height is 300 ft (92 m) and turns every 15 min.
• SeaPlex' bumper cars are 15
• On each voyage, the ship is loaded with fresh fruit (25 tons), fresh vegetables (36 tons), fish (10 tons), eggs (79,000), still water (22,200 L), sparkling water (12,000 L).
• In the vessel's construction were used 37,000 tons of steel, 346 tons of glass. It took 41,600 man hours to build it.
• Engines/power: two Wartsila diesel (type 12V46F, power output 14400 kW each), two Wartsila diesel (type 16V46F, power output 19200 kW each), two Caterpillar engines (type 3516C HD (power output 2500 kW each)
• Diesel-electric propulsion: two ABB thrusters (type Azipod XO, power output 20,5 MW each), plus four Brunvoll bow thrusters (type FU115, power output 3500 kW each)
• A signature feature of the vessel is the top-deck located giant Giraffe statue (named Gigi) with weight 4 tons.
• Ship's first Captain was Srecko Ban.

All Quantum-class ships don't have the top-deck Viking Crown observation lounge and the ice skating rink. There are also differences in the Royal Promenade (shopping mall area). Entertainment options are brand new, with many "firsts at sea" present in the line's brochures.