Anthem of the Seas

Anthem of the Seas is the second-ever Quantum class ship, that started sailing in the Caribbean before being moved recently to Alaska and Oceania. It’s a ship with a lot going for it, and some really interesting and unique entertainment options, from bumper cars to an indoor sky-diving simulator, but I’m always on the fence about calling it a mega-resort at sea. This is a ship without waterparks or waterslides, that lacks some of that family-fun you can find on Oasis class and even the old Voyager class ships. Is it a good ship overall, though? Well, let’s dive right in to find out.

What we like about Anthem of the Seas

Quantum-Class ships are always an interesting case. They have some unique features going for them, like bumper cars, Bionic Bars, skydiving simulators, and an observation capsule, but they are also missing waterparks and any kind of slide. Anthem of the Seas used to sail the Caribbean, but it has since changed its itineraries to focus on Australia and Alaska, which is actually great news. This is a ship with activities that are slightly more geared toward teenagers and adults, and they are a great fit for some of the most beautiful places on Planet Earth. I mean, the observation capsule that takes you 300 feet above sea level does sound like a good idea when you are checking out Alaska and its stunning icy glaciers, right?

As you can probably tell by now, Anthem of the Seas focuses on a lot of unusual activities. Are you expecting carousels, waterparks, or slides? Nah. This is one of the few ships in the world with an indoor skydiving simulator that is a big hit with both adults and children. The RipCord by iFLY is available on just some Quantum-Class ships and is a really unique and popular attraction. I mean, where else can you try a skydiving simulation? The whole experience only takes about two minutes, but it’s fun and worth your time just so you can tell people you tried it once.

The RipCord iFLY is fun, but this is also a ship with an observation capsule that takes you sky-high for 360-degree views, the SeaPlex sports complex, the FlowRider, and bumper cars. Yes, it’s still crazy to think that someone decided to put bumper cars inside a cruise ship, but we do live in an era where Norwegian put go-kart racing tracks on their ships and Carnival installed roller coasters on theirs. Entertainment here is fun, even if children will probably have a better time on the Oasis Class ships, since those have waterparks, several slides, and even escape rooms.

The staff onboard Anthem of the Seas is also excellent and is among the highest rated across Royal Caribbean. They are 10/10 across the board, from the stateroom attendants to the waiters in the various restaurants. One example of staff going above and beyond is at the Wonderland restaurant, a dining venue based on Alice in Wonderland that combines storytelling and food. The food itself isn’t spectacular, honestly, but the waiters do their very best to make you feel welcome. 

Shows onboard are fun, but nothing mind-blowing in my opinion. You get a few original productions, and the big one is called We Will Rock You that, you guessed it, celebrates Queen. There is also a show called The Gift that mixes music and fantasy. They’re fun, but nothing spectacular.

What we don’t like about Anthem of the Seas

One of the problems with Anthem of the Seas that you often see reported online is that the quality of the complimentary food is really meh. The Main Dining Room can be disappointing, and the menu hardly changes. The food also often arrives cold or lukewarm, and while the staff is amazing and quick to replace any order, it’s still a bummer to wait a bit for it. The buffet is also just so-so, and some dishes repeat for several days in a row. If you still want to try the MDR or buffet and enjoy spicy food, go for the Indian dishes, as they are considered the best.

Conclusion

Anthem of the Seas is a fun way to explore Alaska and Australia, whether you’re traveling with your partner or your family. It doesn’t do anything spectacularly well: shows are average to good, dining options are okay, and entertainment is unique and fun. But maybe that’s exactly what you need: a modern, unique ship that sails to beautiful places without costing thousands of dollars.