My Review of Anthem of the Seas – Is She Coming Back To Southampton??

Anthem of the Seas belongs to the Royal Caribbean Quantum Class of ships. She is the second in this class, and launched in 2015. I was lucky enough to sail on her in August 2015 on her one and only season out of Southampton. She is similar in size to Independence, but very different in style. For starters, the Royal Promenade is replaced with the Royal Esplanade, a 2 deck area that runs through the centre of the ship lined with (expensive) shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Onto these later.

Cabins are well appointed with contemporary furnishings and large comfy beds which can be twin or king size. This class were the first to have inside cabins with virtual balconies, a floor to ceiling flat screen beaming in live images and sounds from the outside of the ship. You can choose to have this on or off. We had an ocean view which was a treat as we normally go inside, and it was great to sit on the window seat watching dolphins frolicking.

Anthem has some of RC’s favourites, rock climbing wall, Flowrider surf simulator, Chops Grill, Giovanni’s Table, Sorrento’s Pizza,  Johnny Rockets and of course Windjammer Cafe, but also a host of brand new firsts at sea. Seaplex, a massive multi purpose area, with bumper cars, trapeze equipment, roller skating, video gaming and sports court. RipCord by iFly, a skydiving simulator, The North Star, a glass pod that lifts you 300 feet above sea level giving fantastic 360 degree views from high above the ship. Robotic Bar, where robot bartenders prepare cocktails ordered on an ipad. Wonderland, a speciality pay extra restaurant, based on Alice in Wonderland, a foray into molecular gastronomy. They also have Jamies Italian on board and Izumu asian fusion.

Entertainment is spectacular with a fantastic version of We Will Rock you, along with a contempory show called The Gift, not to everyone’s taste. There is a fantastic venue at the rear of the ship Two70 where Spectra’s Cabaret is staged. There’s no real storyline or acting; it’s really a vehicle to show off the amazing technology in Two70 and is a visual feast for the eyes and ears. All this along with the usual guest entertainers meant nights were never boring, and in the Music Hall, more reminiscent of a nightclub, great live bands and tribute acts played with a DJ afterwards.

Lots of quirky stuff, like pictures of different animals wearing clothes in each lift, an enormous chandelier with a touchpad which measures your heartbeat and twinkles the lights in time to the beat, a huge giraffe wearing a bikini sculpture on top deck and lots more.

This was a real step for Royal Caribbean to get the edge by trying new and innovative twists. Not all went down well. The traditional main dining rooms went out the window replaced by 4 themed restaurants that you booked at a time to suit and no formal nights. The menus were different in each restaurant, but the same each night and guests were finding it hard to get reservations in the venue and time they wanted and caused lots of complaints. They have now reverted back to more traditional dining.

Personally I loved the ship, it had a bit of a Celebrity feel to it and was quite classy. Regular cruisers from Southampton missed Independence, so we got her back and Anthem is now in New York. But it is rumoured that she might be coming back to Southampton for Summer 2020. Would you welcome giving her a second chance? Have you sailed on her? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Until next time..

Dee x