Anthem of the Seas

Anthem of the Seas was designed to answer a specific question: what would convince someone who has never considered cruising to come onboard? The answer turned out to be skydiving, bumper cars, and a glass capsule that lifts you 300 feet above the ocean. Those amenities still deliver a first impression that's hard to match, but the ship has matured into something broader — a platform that works for families, couples, and solo travelers who want the comfort of a large ship without sacrificing novelty.

The dining landscape spans over a dozen venues, from the complimentary Main Dining Room to specialty restaurants including Jamie's Italian, Chops Grille, and Duck & Waffle. Two70 — the multistory entertainment venue at the stern — transforms between a casual lounge and an immersive performance space using a robotic screen system that's still unlike anything else at sea. The SeaPlex, which houses the bumper cars and roller skating rink, converts to a circus school on certain evenings.

Studio cabins are thoughtfully designed for solo travelers who don't want to pay the solo supplement — a thoughtful feature on a ship of this size. Balcony and sea-view cabins on the higher decks are bright and well-finished; the Royal Suite class provides access to a private lounge and Coastal Kitchen restaurant. Cabin corridors are quieter than you'd expect for a 4,100-guest ship, thanks to the layout distributing guests across eighteen decks.

Anthem was the first Quantum-class ship to homeport outside the Caribbean, spending seasons in China, Australia, and the UK — giving her a global catalog of itineraries unusual for a ship of her size. Her Singapore-based seasons introduced Asia-Pacific cruising to a generation of Southeast Asian first-timers, establishing her as one of the most internationally traveled ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet.

With four thousand guests, some elements require planning. The North Star observation capsule runs on a schedule rather than a drop-in basis, and FlowRider surf simulator queues build on sea days. Specialty restaurants book out early on longer sailings. The ship rewards guests who treat the reservation system as a planning tool. Travelers who want everything available on demand will find a ship this size requires more advance thought than they're used to.