Anthem of the Seas at Liverpool Cruise Terminal.
Photo: Phil Nash (Rodhullandemu) | Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0; crop by CruisePing.
Anthem of the Seas is still the Quantum Class ship many British cruisers recognise most readily because it spent important seasons sailing from Southampton. That history can distort the current decision. Anthem’s present value lies in its Alaska and South Pacific deployment, not in offering a routine no-fly UK cruise.
The ship combines an indoor pool, Solarium, Two70 and SeaPlex with North Star, RipCord by iFLY and a broad entertainment programme. It is therefore unusually resilient when rain, wind or cool temperatures make an exposed resort deck less attractive. The compromise is an enclosed, technology-led environment that can feel busy around the Royal Esplanade and lifts.
This CruisePing guide looks beyond the familiar name. It explains where Anthem differs from Quantum and Ovation, whether the cabin base still feels competitive, how families should use SeaPlex, and when the flight and itinerary make the ship a better choice than a newer Quantum Ultra vessel.
The best Quantum Class option for passengers who value proven all-weather design and current Alaska or South Pacific itineraries, but its historic Southampton reputation should not be mistaken for a current no-fly UK programme.
Anthem of the Seas Cruise Ship at a Glance
| Cruise line | Royal Caribbean |
|---|---|
| Ship class or type | Quantum Class |
| Entered service | 2015 |
| Last major refurbishment | Routine dry-dock and maintenance updates; no full Royal Amplified rebuild |
| Gross tonnage | 168,666 GT |
| Length | 1,141 ft / 348 m |
| Guest capacity | about 4,180 guests |
| Crew | about 1,500 |
| Passenger decks | 14 passenger decks |
| Cabins or suites | 2,090 staterooms |
| Accessible cabins | Accessible staterooms are available in selected categories |
| Dining venues | Main dining, buffet and casual venues; Chops Grille, Izumi, Wonderland and other paid choices |
| Bars and lounges | Multiple bars and lounges, including Two70, Music Hall and Schooner Bar |
| Pools and hot tubs | Outdoor and indoor pools, adults’ Solarium, whirlpools and family water provision |
| Library | Small dedicated reading area rather than a large, destination library |
| Spa and fitness | Vitality Spa and fitness centre |
| Children's facilities | Adventure Ocean, teen spaces, SeaPlex bumper cars and sports, arcade and family shows |
| Adults-only facilities | Solarium adults-only pool and lounge area |
| Wi-Fi | VOOM Wi-Fi is available at extra cost unless included in the fare or package |
| UK departures or deployment | No regular Southampton season; Alaska and Australia / South Pacific programmes |
Anthem of the Seas shares many Quantum Class attractions with its sisters, but their regions, climate and cabin choices differ. Compare the Quantum Class ships and the full Royal Caribbean fleet, then use the official deck plans with the ship overview to choose the right location.
Best suited to
Families, couples and mixed-age groups wanting indoor attractions, strong evening entertainment and a ship that works in Alaska, Australia or the South Pacific when the weather is variable.
Think carefully if
You are choosing it because you remember Southampton sailings, want a newly redesigned ship, or dislike enclosed public spaces, reservation systems and busy lift lobbies.
Anthem’s real place in the fleet
Anthem sits between the original Quantum and later Ovation in age, but the three regular Quantum Class ships are close enough that itinerary and fare matter more than launch order. The ship’s strongest distinction is cultural familiarity for UK passengers, including a long association with Southampton and the full-scale production of We Will Rock You in earlier programme periods. Current entertainment should still be checked for the exact sailing.
The ship has not received the kind of publicised Royal Amplified rebuild that transforms an older vessel into a materially different product. That is not automatically a weakness. Anthem’s core spaces were designed for modern family use from the start. It becomes poor value only when priced close to Odyssey without a better route or cabin.
A layout built for uncertain weather
Anthem’s indoor pool, adults’ Solarium, Two70 and SeaPlex make it one of Royal Caribbean’s safer choices for Alaska and shoulder-season cruising. A wet sea day does not force the entire ship into one theatre or shopping corridor. The protected spaces are substantial, although they still have capacity limits when everyone reaches the same conclusion at once.
The Royal Esplanade is narrower than the Royal Promenade on larger classes. Retail events and evening transitions can create a compressed feeling. Learn alternative routes through the upper decks and use Two70 as a genuine daytime room, not merely a show venue. A central cabin reduces repeated walks between the forward theatre and aft entertainment areas.
Cabin choices that deserve closer inspection
Anthem has 2,090 staterooms, including inside rooms with Virtual Balconies, conventional ocean-view balconies, larger family configurations and suites. Standard rooms remain practical, but photographs from the exact category are more useful than launch brochures. Soft furnishings and bathroom condition can vary after years of continuous service even when the underlying design is sound.
Obstructed balconies can save money, but the degree of obstruction matters. Some passengers accept a lifeboat across the lower view; others feel they have paid for the wrong product. Connecting doors may transmit noise, and cabins below the pool, gym or late-night venues need scrutiny. Families should price two connecting rooms before assuming a suite is the only way to gain space.
Two70, theatre and Music Hall
Two70 changes character across the day. Its aft windows are excellent for scenery and a quiet drink, then projection and moving screens create a performance environment at night. Alaska gives the room a particularly logical role because passengers can stay warm while watching the wake and coastline. Seat choice affects the show more than in a conventional theatre.
Anthem’s evening strength is variety rather than one headline. Theatre productions, Music Hall, live bands, quizzes, comedy and smaller events allow different generations to separate and regroup. Reserve major shows when required, but leave one or two nights unplanned. The temptation to fill every slot is strongest on technology-led ships and often produces the least relaxed holiday.
SeaPlex and family independence
SeaPlex is more than a bumper-car hall. It functions as a weather-proof sports and social space where schedules rotate through games, organised sessions and family activities. Teenagers can gain a recognisable meeting place, while younger children use Adventure Ocean. The result is less pressure for a family to move through the ship as a single unit.
Activity times and age rules matter. Bumper cars are not permanently available and queues can build quickly after breakfast or on a wet sea day. Check the planner, choose one priority session and let the rest remain optional. Parents should also confirm nursery arrangements and any charges rather than assuming all childcare is included in the fare.
North Star and RipCord by iFLY
North Star provides the clearest return on an Alaska route, where height reveals coastline and glacial scenery. On a grey sea day with little surrounding interest, the same ride can feel more like a technical demonstration. Reservation and charging rules may vary, particularly in port or on premium experiences, so the live cruise planner is the reliable source.
RipCord by iFLY remains one of Anthem’s strongest differentiators from classes without a skydiving simulator. It also has strict clothing, health, age and capacity requirements. Confirm operation before sailing and do not promise a child the experience without checking eligibility. Weather or technical issues can remove access even when the attraction appears in the brochure.
Dining without unnecessary package pressure
The included network can support the entire cruise: main dining for predictable evenings, Windjammer for range, Cafe Two70 for a lighter meal and promenade options for quick food. Use the smaller venues strategically, especially at breakfast. A ship with several included choices should not funnel every passenger into the buffet simply because it is familiar.
Wonderland is the most theatrical speciality option, Jamie’s Italian provides family-friendly familiarity and Chops offers the conventional steakhouse experience. A large dining package is less useful on an itinerary with late port returns. Choose restaurants because they add a distinct meal, not because the package discount creates an obligation to eat more paid food.
Pool deck, Solarium and seasonal use
Anthem’s protected pool infrastructure is a major reason to consider it for cool regions. Families can swim when an exposed deck would be uncomfortable, while the Solarium gives adults a sheltered retreat. This advantage attracts demand, so the indoor zones can feel crowded on the very days they prove their value.
When weather improves, use the outdoor areas promptly rather than waiting until every passenger has noticed. Lounger disputes and noise are most likely on rare warm sea days. Adults should check any family access periods in the Solarium, especially on cold itineraries where Royal Caribbean may adjust arrangements.
Library, reading and adult quiet
The library is small and should not be treated as an onboard book supply for a long voyage. Bring your own reading material. Two70 during non-event periods, the Solarium and selected lounge corners are more useful for sustained quiet, although rehearsals and activities can alter the atmosphere without warning.
Anthem works for adults who enjoy modern design, live music and flexible dining but do not need a child-free environment. It is less suitable for passengers who associate cruising with formal nights, lectures, ballroom space and a large library. The ship’s adult experience exists within a family resort rather than apart from it.
Accessibility and fatigue management
Accessible cabin details should be confirmed directly, including door width, shower arrangement, bed transfer space and equipment storage. The ship’s overall dimensions mean that a technically accessible room can still be impractical if it sits far from the venues used most often. Midship near a lift bank usually offers the best fatigue management.
SeaPlex, North Star, iFLY, pools and tenders each have their own access conditions. Ask about the exact activity rather than assuming the ship’s general accessibility policy covers every transfer. Passengers who cannot use stairs should allow extra time after theatre shows because lifts absorb a large crowd at once.
Alaska, Australia and South Pacific fit
Anthem’s current deployment makes it a fly-cruise for most UK passengers. In Alaska, its protected spaces and Two70 views are an excellent match. In Australia and the South Pacific, the same indoor design provides insurance against wind and rain, although passengers may value a more extensive outdoor deck on consistently hot routes.
The itinerary should lead the decision. A strong Alaska route with appropriate port times is more important than choosing Anthem over Ovation by age. For Australia, compare embarkation city, flights and pre-cruise hotel costs. Long-haul disruption makes at least one night before sailing sensible, and two may be worthwhile when the trip is a major holiday.
Packages, gratuities and real total cost
Anthem’s fare covers the cabin, core dining, much of the entertainment, pools and many activities. Daily gratuities, Wi-Fi, drinks, speciality restaurants, excursions, spa, casino, photographs, arcade and some experiences are additional. The apparent value of a package changes with itinerary because port days reduce the hours available to use it.
UK passengers should compare the complete fly-cruise cost with a Southampton alternative, not the cruise line’s headline price. Flights, luggage, transfers, hotels and travel insurance can exceed the difference between two ships. Anthem is worth the journey when its route and all-weather spaces are central to the holiday, not when nostalgia for earlier UK seasons is doing the work.
How Anthem compares with its sisters
Choose Quantum when the West Coast route is better, Ovation when Australia or Alaska pricing wins, Spectrum for an Asia-first product and suite enclave, and Odyssey for the newest Western-market Quantum Ultra interpretation. Anthem does not dominate one category as clearly as Odyssey or Spectrum, but it is a balanced and familiar all-weather ship.
The best Anthem booking usually combines a sensible balcony or connecting cabin, a cool-climate itinerary and enough sea time to use Two70 and SeaPlex. The worst booking pays a near-new-ship premium, assumes Southampton convenience and treats every attraction as guaranteed. Compare facts, not memories.
A practical wet-weather day
Anthem is particularly valuable when weather limits the open decks. Start with breakfast away from the busiest Windjammer period, then use Two70, SeaPlex and the indoor pool rather than waiting for sunshine that may not arrive. Reserve one headline activity and one production, but keep enough flexibility for a port lecture, live music or an unexpected opening of North Star. The ship is designed to absorb passengers indoors, yet the most obvious venues still become crowded when everyone follows the same schedule.
Families should divide rather than move as one group all day. Teenagers can use SeaPlex and youth spaces while adults take the Solarium, a lounge or a slower lunch. A well-positioned cabin becomes more important on a wet sailing because it serves as a genuine retreat between activities. Bring an e-reader or downloaded reading because the library provision is modest. The ship can turn poor weather into a good day, but only when passengers stop treating every indoor attraction as compulsory.
Booking checklist
- On Alaska, Australia or South Pacific itineraries, value Anthem’s enclosed pool, Solarium and SeaPlex against the climate rather than comparing fares on ship age alone.
- Check the exact balcony position and obstruction on the deck plan. Some Quantum Class cabins sit close to lifeboats or busy circulation areas.
- Treat North Star and iFLY as sailing-dependent extras. Weather, maintenance, capacity and charging arrangements can affect how much use they add.
CruisePing final verdict
Anthem of the Seas remains one of Royal Caribbean’s best all-weather family designs. Its indoor pool, Two70 and SeaPlex make practical sense in Alaska and the South Pacific, while the cabin base is still competitive when the exact room is chosen carefully.
Its UK familiarity is now a potential trap. Price the long-haul journey, verify current entertainment and attraction operation, and compare Ovation and Odyssey. Anthem is a strong choice when the itinerary fits, not simply because British passengers already know the name.