I’ve sailed on Anthem of the Seas before and had an incredible time, so I know just how much this ship has to offer. Whether you’re a first-timer or you’ve cruised with Royal Caribbean before, it really helps to know what to expect so you can make the most of every moment onboard.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know – from what’s included in your fare and what costs extra, to key facts about the ship, guest capacity and recent refurbishments. You’ll also get a full rundown of the activities, entertainment and dining options so you can plan the perfect cruise and avoid any surprises once you step onboard.
Facts & Stats About Anthem of the Seas
Anthem of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class ships. Launched in 2015, she spent almost a decade as the only Royal Caribbean vessel sailing from the UK and was a firm favourite with British cruisers during the summer season. She has now relocated to Sydney, Australia, making way for Independence of the Seas to return to UK waters.
Anthem of the Seas is a groundbreaking ship with next-generation features that had never been seen before. Alongside Anthem of the Seas, the almost-identical Quantum-class ships are Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas.
Suggested read: Royal Caribbean Ships by Age
Anthem’s Size
Anthem of the Seas is considered to be a large cruise ship with a length of 1,141 feet and an internal volume of 168,666 gross tonnes. The ship has 16 passenger decks, and the Anthem of the Seas’ capacity is 4,180 guests at double occupancy plus 1,470 crew members.
As of mid-2024, Anthem of the Seas is the 28th largest cruise ship in the world and the 10th largest of the Royal Caribbean cruise ships. The biggest cruise ship in the world is Icon of the Seas, which is 40% larger than Anthem of the Seas.
Suggested read: Royal Caribbean Ships by Size
Anthem of the Seas is 1,141 feet long. This is equivalent to 348 metres. It takes five to ten minutes to walk from one end of the ship to the other, depending on how fast you walk.
On the top deck of Anthem of the Seas, there’s a running track. One lap of the track is 553 metres, so it takes just over 3 laps of the track to complete a mile.
Anthem of the Seas has 16 decks, of which 14 are accessible to guests. That’s quite a lot, but not as many as some ships like MSC Cruises’ new ship, MSC World Europa, which will have 22 decks.
Anthem of the Seas is able to fit under low bridges in Norway. Taller ships with more decks are not able to.
She Can Carry a Lot of Passengers!
Anthem of the Seas has a passenger capacity of 4,180 based on double occupancy and a maximum passenger capacity of 4,905. The maximum occupancy is how many passengers the ship could hold if every extra bed in every cabin were in use.
In reality, the number of passengers on board will depend on how many children are on board. The last time I cruised on her, in the school holidays in May 2022, there were 3862 guests on board. The ship had the potential to sail at full capacity, but there were some last-minute cancellations.
Anthem’s Captain and Senior Crew
The current captain of Anthem of the Seas is Captain Johan Hill, who now leads the ship following her relocation to Australia.
The current Cruise Director is Michelle Oliveira, who took over the role in July 2025 and oversees all onboard entertainment and activities.
She’s Not Had a Major Refurbishment (Yet)
Anthem of the Seas was due to undergo her first dry-dock refurbishment in April 2020, but this was cancelled due to the pandemic. While she has not yet received a full-scale refurbishment, she did enter dry-dock in March 2025 for scheduled maintenance and system inspections. The public spaces and guest-facing venues appear in excellent condition, which means you wouldn’t guess that she’s yet to receive a major upgrade.
The Lifeboat Situation
Anthem of the Seas has 16 lifeboats. This is enough to accommodate all guests on board, but not enough for all crew members. In the event of a full evacuation, crew members would be required to slide down chutes into life rafts. [Source].
You can read more facts and stats about Anthem of the Seas here.
What’s Included on Anthem of the Seas
A cruise on Anthem of the Seas includes your accommodation, meals in selected dining venues, selected soft drinks, activities and entertainment. Available for an extra charge are dining in speciality restaurants, drinks, spa services, gambling in the casino, selected activities and purchases in the onboard shops.
So She’s Not All-Inclusive
The standard cruise fare on Anthem of the Seas does not include drinks aside from the eight drinks that are free on Royal Caribbean ships. However, you can purchase a drink package to make your cruise all-inclusive.
For more information on the cost of drink packages, check out my complete Guide to Royal Caribbean Drink Packages.
If you’re wondering whether a drink package is worth it on Anthem of the Seas, then the quickest and easiest way to find out is to use my free drink package calculator…
Included Food
On Anthem of the Seas, you can eat for free in these venues:
- Main Dining Rooms
- Windjammer Marketplace Buffet
- Cafe @ Two70
- Cafe Promenade
- SeaPlex Doghouse
- Sorrento’s Pizza
- Solarium Bistro
- Soft Serve Ice Cream Stand
- Coastal Kitchen (Suite guests only)
- Room Service (Continental breakfast is free, at other times there is a $7.95 delivery fee)
You’ll enjoy a wide range of included food from around the world as well as lots of snacks and ice creams.
For an extra charge, you can eat at:
- Chef’s Table
- Chops Grille
- Izumi Sushi
- Jamie’s Italian
- Johnny Rockets Express
- La Patisserie
- Vintages Wine Bar
- Wonderland
Activity Costs
Most of the activities on Anthem of the Seas are included in your cruise fare. The Ripcord by iFly skydiving simulator and the North Star observation pod are free on port days, with longer sessions available on sea days for a fee. The bionic bar is free if you have a drinks package; otherwise, you’ll be charged for the drink.
On Anthem of the Seas, the North Star is free on port days. This is a short ride that just goes up and back down, not out to the side of the ship. You can book your place from 8 pm the night before, and you can do it once during your cruise.
The Ripcord by iFly skydiving is free on port days, once per person on each cruise. This is a short, one-minute ride. You can book your place from 8 pm the night before.
Longer two-minute rides are available on sea days for $29.99-$49.99 per person; the price can vary.
WiFi (and Costs)
All Royal Caribbean ships, including Anthem of the Seas, have WiFi, which is available all over the ship. The internet service is called VOOM, and it’s the fastest at sea.
Royal Caribbean offers one WiFi package. The cost varies depending on a number of factors, but expect to pay between $20 and $26 per day on average for the package.
Suggested read: 3 ways to get free wifi on your Royal Caribbean cruise
Tips/Gratuities
On Anthem of the Seas, daily gratuities are $18.50 per person, per day. For guests staying in Grand Suites and above, gratuities are $21 per person, per day. An 18% gratuity is already included in the menu price of drinks, salon and spa services.
Gratuities are automatically charged to your onboard account. If you want to remove them, you can speak to someone at guest services, but this isn’t recommended as crew members rely on these tips as part of their wages.
If you want to tip extra to bartenders, you can write the amount of extra gratuity when you sign the receipt for each drink, or you can tip with dollar bills. At the end of your cruise, you’ll receive an envelope where you can leave extra cash tips if you wish.
If you have any more questions about tipping on Anthem of the Seas, check out my guide to Royal Caribbean Gratuities.
The Currency
The currency on Anthem of the Seas is US dollars. Everything is priced in US dollars, even on cruises that depart from the United Kingdom. Unlike other cruise lines like MSC Cruises, which use different currencies in different parts of the world, Royal Caribbean ships all use dollars on board.
If you have any more questions about what’s included in your cruise and what’s not, be sure to take a look at my guide to What’s Included in a Royal Caribbean Cruise.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
Don’t miss the latest Royal Caribbean offers…
There’s So Much to Do Onboard!
I promise it’s impossible to be bored on Anthem of the Seas. Some activities include:
- Skydive in the ‘Ripcord by iFly’ skydiving simulator
- Ride the bumper cars
- Admire the views from 300 feet up in the North Star observation pod
- See ‘We Will Rock You’ in the theatre
- Get a drink from the robot bartender
- Dance at the silent disco in Club two70
- Try surfing or bodyboarding on the FlowRider
- Climb the rock climbing wall
- Enter a basketball tournament
- Take a dip in one of the swimming pools or jacuzzis
- Relax in the adults-only solarium
Don’t Miss These!
On Anthem of the Seas, many of the activities are only available once or twice during each cruise, so it’s important to check your daily planner on the Royal Caribbean app to make sure you don’t miss them. Check the app throughout the cruise, as some events and activities are only added the day before.
Examples of some things that you won’t want to miss are:
- We Will Rock You in the theatre
- The Bellyflop and World’s Sexiest Man competitions
- The art auction
- The silent disco
- The interview with the captain
- The towel folding demonstration
- Gameshows like Perfect Couple or Love & Marriage
- Sports tournaments like Pickleball or Shuffleboard
Plenty of Pool Space
Anthem of the Seas has two main swimming pools – one large indoor pool with a retractable roof and one large outdoor pool. There’s also an outdoor splash area with ankle-deep water where swimming nappies are permitted, a small lazy river, a shallow indoor pool and a large adults-only plunge pool in the solarium.
There are two large indoor hot tubs, two large outdoor hot tubs and a further four hot tubs in the adults-only solarium.
And They’re Heated Too!
All of the pools are heated on Anthem of the Seas, making it enjoyable to swim indoors or outdoors, even on cold-weather cruises. The coldest pool is the plunge pool in the solarium, but this is still pleasant. The jacuzzis are warm enough to enjoy even in the snow and rain.
The Retractable Roof Also Helps
The indoor pool area on Anthem of the Seas has a retractable glass roof that can be opened in warm weather. On cold-weather cruises such as from the UK to Norway or transatlantic voyages, the roof will remain closed for the duration of the cruise.
Unlike some other Royal Caribbean ships, Anthem of the Seas doesn’t have any water slides. However, the lazy river is a fun place for kids to enjoy spinning round and round.
FlowRider Surf Simulator
Anthem of the Seas has a FlowRider surfing simulator on the back. Here, you can enjoy boogie boarding and stand-up surfing. Private lessons are also available for an extra charge.
Read more about the FlowRider.
Shuffleboard Too!
Anthem of the Seas has one shuffleboard court on Deck 15. You can use it whenever you like or join an organised shuffleboard tournament during selected times.
And There’s Bumper Cars…
Anthem of the Seas has bumper cars with sessions lasting around two hours each day. On port days, you can just turn up and join the queue, but on sea days, you must book your place via the Royal Caribbean app. There are also dedicated hours only for teenagers.
She Doesn’t Have Everything Though…
Anthem of the Seas does not have an ice rink, so it’s not possible to go ice skating during your cruise. You can, however, ice skate on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class, Freedom-class and Voyager-class ships.
And unlike some other Royal Caribbean ships, Anthem of the Seas doesn’t have mini golf.
Anthem Doesn’t Have a Central Park
Central Park is an onboard neighbourhood with walkways which wind through over 10,000 live plants. It’s just like a real park with benches, sculptures, cafes, bars and even the sound of birds and frogs croaking via speakers hidden in the plants.
Anthem of the Seas does not have Central Park on board as this is only found on-board Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class and Oasis-class ships – Icon of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas.
You Can Gamble, of Course!
Like all Royal Caribbean ships, Anthem of the Seas has a casino on board. Here you’ll find lots of games like roulette, blackjack, three-card poker and slot machines.
Other Missing Features
Anthem of the Seas used to have a basic pop-up escape room called Puzzle Break, which was located in the Living Room teen club at certain times. However, the escape room isn’t available on all cruises, and it isn’t currently offered.
Royal Caribbean’s Boardwalk is only found on Oasis-class cruise ships, so you won’t find a carousel or any of the boardwalk attractions on Anthem of the Seas. However, there is a promenade on Deck 4 lined with shops, bars and cafes.
Quantum-class ships like Anthem of the Seas do not have ziplines, as these are only found on Oasis-class ships. However, you do instead have the Ripcord by iFly skydiving simulator, which is probably better for most people.
But There Is More…
Anthem of the Seas has several table tennis tables located above the Seaplex on Deck 16. These are free of charge. Here, you’ll also find air hockey (for $2 per game) and table football (for free), along with several Xboxes.
The ship also offers roller skating, but not on every cruise. If it’s on, then skates are provided, or you can bring your own. There was no roller skating on offer on my cruise on Anthem of the Seas, which was a shame as that’s one thing that we were really looking forward to.
Anthem of the Seas has a trapeze school where guests can enjoy trapeze lessons. However, this isn’t available on every cruise. On our cruise, there was no trapeze school and also no aerial performances in the Two70 lounge.
The kids’ Club Spaces
Adventure Ocean is Royal Caribbean’s award-winning youth programme, which includes complimentary kids’ clubs for children aged three to eleven. It is typically open from 9 am until 12 pm, 2 pm until 5 pm and 7 pm until 10 pm on sea days. On port days, it doesn’t close when the ship is in port.
The Living Room is a dedicated teen-only space on Anthem of the Seas. Here, teens aged 13 to 17 can hang out with their friends or enjoy dedicated activities like scavenger hunts or pizza parties.
Live Shows
The headliner show on Anthem of the Seas is We Will Rock You. This West End hit was written by Ben Elton and features 24 songs from the rock band, Queen. There’s also a show called The Gift which is a mystical journey of fantasy and illusion using high-tech special effects and props.
You’ll also find other shows like the Welcome Aboard Show, the Farewell Variety Show and shows with music from the Four Seasons tribute band and the Anthem of the Seas orchestra.
The shows on Anthem of the Seas are usually on twice each evening at around 7 pm and around 9 pm. This is to allow early diners to eat before a show and late diners to eat after a show. There’s also a matinee performance of We Will Rock You at 2 pm.
You cannot book seats for the shows, so it’s advisable to get there at least 20 to 30 minutes early, as many people are turned away once the venue reaches capacity.
You Can Smoke In Certain Areas
On Anthem of the Seas, you can smoke in the poolside smoking area on Deck 14 Port Side and also on the outdoor Promenade on Deck 5 Starboard Side.
Food & drink Onboard the Ship
Anthem of the Seas has four main dining rooms, a buffet restaurant and five casual cafe-style eateries. For an extra charge, there are four speciality restaurants, plus the Chef’s Table fine dining experience.
My Time Dining Explained
My Time Dining offers guests the choice to eat in the Main Dining Room at whatever time they like in the evening, rather than being assigned a set dining time as with traditional dining. You can make a reservation for a time of your choosing, or just turn up when you’re ready to eat.
Read more: Royal Caribbean My Time Dining: – What You Must Know!
Your Free Restaurant Options
Anthem of the Seas offers several complimentary dining options:
- The Main Dining Room – Serving multi-course menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner across four venues – Silk, Chic, Grande and American Icon Grill
- Windjammer Café – Royal Caribbean’s buffet restaurant is open around the clock
- Solarium Bistro – Serving hearty but healthy options for breakfast and lunch in the adult-only area
- Two70 Café – Here you can enjoy toasted sandwiches, soups and salads
- Café Promenade – Open 24 hours a day serving snacks, pastries, sandwiches and coffee
- Sorrento’s – Grab a slice from the authentic New York-style pizzeria
- Dog House – Choose from a selection of poolside hot dogs with toppings
- Room service – Complimentary room service is available, you just pay the delivery fee and gratuity
- Coastal Kitchen – A fusion restaurant reserved exclusively for suite guests and Pinnacle members
In addition to the complimentary dining options above, Anthem of the Seas also features the following speciality restaurants which are available for a supplement:
- Chef’s Table – Enjoy a five-course wine pairing dinner at a 14-seat table hosted by an Executive Chef and Sommelier
- Wonderland – This fantasy Alice in Wonderland-themed gourmet restaurant offers surprising dishes you’ve never seen before
- Jamie’s Italian – Enjoy a menu of rustic Italian favourites designed by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver
- Chops Grille – Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse offers steaks, seafood and sumptuous desserts
- Izumi – Enjoy traditional Asian cuisine including sushi, sashimi and ishi-yaki
- Vintages Wine Bar – Relax with a glass of wine paired with a satisfying yet light snack
- Johnny Rockets – This 1950s-themed diner offers all-American favourites like burgers, fries and shakes
- La Patisserie – A café-style eatery offering pastries and speciality coffees
There’s No Starbucks!
Anthem of the Seas doesn’t have a Starbucks on board. However, the ship has a cafe called La Patisserie which serves espresso-based speciality coffees made with Starbucks beans.
Dress Code
The dress code on Anthem of the Seas is casual in the daytime and smart casual in the evening. You can also dress up on selected formal nights during your cruise, but you don’t have to.
When I’ve cruised on Royal Caribbean ships from the US, nobody seemed to dress up very much at all, even on the formal nights, or ‘Dress to Impress’ nights as they’re known. But on Anthem of the Seas from Southampton, the Brits did dress up more. Lots of men wore suits, and many women wore sparkly cocktail dresses or long evening gowns.
The number of formal nights varies depending on the length of the cruise:
- 5 nights and under – One formal night
- 6 to 10 nights – Two formal nights
- 11 to 14 nights – Three formal nights
- 15+ nights – Three or four formal nights
The formal nights are usually on day 2 and day 5 or 6 of the cruise. Check the Royal Caribbean app on board for the exact dates.
Tips on What to Wear
On a cruise, it’s important to dress for the weather, so pack shorts, vests and sundresses for warm-weather cruises and coats, boots, hats and scarves for cold-weather cruises. In the evening, the air conditioning can be strong, so you may wish to wear a cardigan or jacket, even in summer.
On Anthem of the Seas, you can wear whatever you want, but a few exceptions. Swimwear is only to be worn on the pool deck, and shorts and vests aren’t recommended for dinner in the main dining room or speciality restaurants.
This video explains what to wear on formal nights and in the different dining venues on-board
Accommodation
Anthem of the Seas has 2,090 staterooms. These are the various types you can choose from:
- Interior
- Interior with Virtual Balcony
- Large Interior
- Studio Interior
- Ocean View
- Spacious Ocean View
- Superior Ocean View
- Balcony
- Large Balcony
- Balcony with Obstructed View
- Studio Balcony
- Spa Balcony
- Large Spa Balcony
- Spa Junior Suite
- Junior Suite
- Family Junior Suite
- Grand Suite (1 Bedroom)
- Grand Suite (2 Bedrooms)
- Owner’s Suite
- Grand Loft Suite
- Owner’s Loft Suite
- Royal Loft Suite
Before you choose one, I recommend that you take a look at this guide: Anthem of the Seas Cabins to Avoid.
I usually choose an inside cabin, but as we didn’t want to miss any of the stunning scenery of the Norwegian Fjords, we opted for a balcony room for our cruise.
It had a huge king-size bed and a sofa that converted into a double bed for the kids.
Family Rooms Are Available (But Book Early)
Most staterooms on Anthem of the Seas sleep up to four guests, and some of them have connecting doors to accommodate families of up to eight. Family Junior Suites sleep up to five, the Royal Loft Suite sleeps up to six, and the Family Royal Suite and the 2-Bedroom Grand Suite can each accommodate eight guests.
Virtual Balcony Cabins Explained
Anthem of the Seas has a special category of inside staterooms called ‘virtual balcony staterooms’. These cabins have an 80-inch floor-to-ceiling high-definition screen, which offers real-time views of the outside. A camera outside the ship is linked to the screen to display the view, and there are options to turn sound effects on and off or to close a curtain across it.
No Interior Balconies
Anthem of the Seas does not have any interior balconies – all balconies look out over the ocean. On other Royal Caribbean ships, some balconies look over indoor areas such as Central Park, the Boardwalk or the Royal Promenade.
Junior Suites – Are they Any Good?
A Junior Suite is the smallest and cheapest of all the suites on Anthem of the Seas. It’s best thought of as a type of accommodation that’s in between a Deluxe Balcony Stateroom and a Grand Suite.
Family Junior Suites can be a good option for families of five, as this will usually work out to be cheaper than booking two balcony staterooms.
As well as the extra space, Junior Suites come with some extra perks, but not as many perks as you get with a full suite. You can see exactly what’s included here: Junior Suite Perks.
The pictures below show Junior Suite 11638 on Anthem of the Seas. They were taken by Jason Morris in March 2020.
There Are Perks Too
When you book a suite on Anthem of the Seas, you’ll get a number of perks like priority boarding, luxury bathroom amenities, a Royal Caribbean bathrobe (for onboard use only) and an espresso coffee machine.
The exact perks you get depend on whether your suite is Sea Class, Sky Class or Star Class. You can read a full explanation of this here: Royal Caribbean Suite Perks.
Itineraries
Anthem of the Seas now splits her time between two homeports: she sails Alaska itineraries from Seattle in the summer, then relocates to Sydney for the winter season, offering cruises around Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
Boarding Time
You will be assigned a boarding time for your cruise that’s usually between 10 am and 4 pm. It’s important to stick to your boarding time, as if you arrive too early and the port is busy, you may be turned away.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
Don’t miss the latest Royal Caribbean offers…
Final Word
If you’re cruising from Sydney, Anthem of the Seas is an absolute treat. She brings all the big-ship favourites – bumper cars, North Star, skydiving, amazing dining – but with that relaxed Aussie vibe the moment you step onboard. Whether you’re chasing sunshine in the South Pacific or exploring New Zealand’s jaw-dropping fjords, she’s one of the most exciting ships sailing from Australia right now.
If you want space, variety and loads to do without ever feeling overwhelmed, Anthem hits the sweet spot. It’s a brilliant choice for families, couples, first-timers and cruise addicts alike.
Related posts:
- The Best Royal Caribbean Ships for Kids
- 4 Ways That People Cheat The Royal Caribbean Drink Package
- 15 Ways To Use Your Royal Caribbean Onboard Credit Like A Pro
great blog thankyou, I’m looking to cruise in oct from Southampton with my partner and 3 (just turned) year old. our options are the anthem of the seas or the Iona do you have any preference ? advice much appreciated….
Hi Helen, I’ve been on both and they’re both great options. I would suggest that Iona is a little more suited to children of that age. I would save Anthem until he or she is old enough to take part in the activities. Plus, Iona has a night nursery so you can enjoy some romantic evenings while the little one sleeps if you wish! Jenni
that’s great thank you, i was thinking that seems a great option will seem strange being child free, but its much needed…… not sure about the romance …never say never.
I love Anthem of the Seas and will embark on my fourth cruise next week. I am certain there are many repeat passengers from the NY Metro area because it saves the the hassle of flying.
So I am left wondering why the ship continues to offer We Will Rock You and The Gift.
Would love to see CATS, Mama Mia, Grease or a number of other shows.
Anthem passengers deserve a change.
Thanks for all the info. I am excited for my 1st time cruise in less than 2 weeks 🙂 Was wondering whether balcony rooms have blackout curtains since im worried my 2.5yr old son will find it difficult to slp. Tnks
Yes they do, it’s very dark. Enjoy your cruise!
Great blog! Thank you.
We sail in 30 days to Norway… (not counting/excited).
What is best/acceptable covid to test get, prior to embarkation, please?
Hi Stuart. I can’t help with this sorry as the rules change all the time and I don’t want to give you the wrong answer. Best to ask Royal Caribbean, they’re pretty responsive on the live chat. Enjoy your cruise! Jenni
Thanks for the write up. We set sail from Southampton this weekend. Just wondering what currency is used to make transactions on board?
Hi Richard, we’ll be on the same cruise! Everything onboard is priced in US dollars. Jenni
You mentioned roller skating. Where is this please?
Hi Kate. It will be in the Seaplex. Jenni
Hi
Going in october on anthem of the seas and a couple of questions.
Can you pick any seats to watch the shows and at when can you book the seats for the shows
Hi. This tends to change depending on the restrictions at the time. You may be able to book or just turn up. Best to check nearer the time what the current situation is.
Very good info.
Is there laundry on the ship? Is there any form of childcare for children under 3? (specifically a 2 year old)
Hi Ida. There’s no self-service laundry on Royal Caribbean ships, but there is a laundry service. More into on that here: https://www.cruisemummy.co.uk/cruise-ship-laundry-guide/#49-royal-caribbean And yes, there’s the Royal Babies & Tots nursery for under 3s. Jenni
Can you take a 9month year old on a 7 nights cruise
Yes, you can! I’ve cruised with a 6-month-old and it was fab.
Do You Have Bingo on the ship??
Hi Diana. Yes, you’ll find bingo on Anthem of the Seas and all Royal Caribbean cruises. In my experience, it’s pretty expensive to play though. Jenni
Is roller skating still available on the ship? I do not see it listed on the activities after the remodeling. I would like to bring my own skates if possible
Yes it is!
Hi!
I wonder witch days are formal night on a 12 day cruise leaving 12 dec 2021 from Cape Liberty with Anthem of the Seas
You mention all activities being free, but the Royal Caribbean website suggests that RipCord and North Star are paid for activities?
Hi Rebecca, thanks for your comment. They always used to be free except in China. This summer, Royal Caribbean started charging for these activities in other regions too including cruises from the UK and in the Caribbean. I’ve now updated the article to reflect this. Jenni
Sailing Feb 22 and we can’t wait! NJ in February is brutally cold – I imagine the indoor pool gets a lot of use. When will the outdoor pools be comfortable to swim?
I believe the outdoor pools are heated, although you may be more comfortable in a hot tub or inside as you say. Jenni
Great read, in Feb I’ll have gone on NCL but in 2023 I’ll be going on anthem of the seas with my sister super excited to check this ship out. Thank you for all this info. I don’t have insta gram are you on YouTube or Facebook to follow you?
Yes! You can follow me on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/cruisemummy
I’m cruising on anthem in may 2022. I’m wondering if I should pay an extra $500 and let the ship choose a balcony room for us so we can upgrade a bit.
Hi Pam. Is the $500 the difference between an inside and a balcony, or just to pick your cabin number? Jenni
It’s curious the Anthem will arrive in Cape Liberty, NJ on Oct 30, 2021 but it doesn’t sail again till Nov 7. Where will it be from Oct 30-November 7? Doesn’t seem long enough for a refurbishment period.
It is always difficult to find the BERTH of each ship in Southampton. This is required for taxi bookings or parking in the right place. I am assuming Ocean terminal for Anthem, but unless I’ve missed it…it does not appear in any information sent out.
Hi Christopher. The terminals are managed by Southampton Port Authority and they decide which ships docks where. While a ship will often use the same berth each time, it doesn’t always. So cruise lines can’t send out the info as it can change and that’s out of their control. To find the latest info about which berth Anthem is docking, you can check here: https://www.southamptonvts.co.uk//Live_Information/Shipping_Movements_and_Cruise_Ship_Schedule/Cruise_Ship_Schedule/ I hope that helps. Jenni
We sailed in Anthem in July of 2019 for our 10 year anniversary. It was our first time ever in a cruise and we were instantly hooked! Anthem of the Seas is a beautiful ship and we loved everything about it!
Thanks for all the information, we sail on 28th November 2020, celebrating my 60th birthday, reading your article has made me so much more excited
Yay! Hope you have a great birthday on-board!
Is there a basketball court?
Hi Kari. Anthem doesn’t have an outdoor basketball court as many Rotal Caribbean ships do. However, it is possible to play basketball in the Seaplex when it’s not being used for other things. Jenni
Thank you for this. We’ve never cruised Royal Caribbean before, so found your blog very interesting. We are booked for 28th May 2021. Will we see you onboard?
I’m so pleased that you’ve enjoyed the blog. We cruise on May 14th so be sure to follow me on Insta for lots of photos from the ship! https://www.instagram.com/cruisemummy/
Just wondering about the Formal Nights? As I’ve read she doesn’t have them as such anymore? Bit confused. I thought it was now called “Wear your best!” Instead which is probably less restrictive compared to a formal night.
That’s right, formal nights on Royal Caribbean cruises are called ‘wear your best’. You’ll see people wearing all kinds of things really – some in ball gowns and some a lot more casual. You can wear whatever you’re most comfortable in and won’t be turned away from venues.
Thanks for the blog. Very well put together. We sail on her April 2021 out of Jersey..
I am taking my grandchildren 7 and 9 on the ship on 23rd May, do you know if they have to bring their roller skates or can you get them on board?
Very interesting read of your article.
Roller skates are provided on the ship 🙂
Booked!! 28th of June 2020 and back to back – August/September 2021
Great read!
Amazing! Enjoy your cruises!