Royal Caribbean
A high-tech, high-energy, gizmo-filled family-friendly floating resort
The Ship. Anthem of the Seas is the sister ship to Ovation of the Seas (2016) and Quantum of the Seas (2014). It incorporates all of the latest tech-intensive bling and entertaining features, and then some. The ship’s exterior design (built in several huge sections and joined together) looks somewhat like a ‘stretched’ version of the slender Celebrity Reflection and employs the latest in hydrodynamics, hull shape, low emissions, and, importantly, low fuel consumption, and technology. The stern slopes nicely – it looks like it could be the front!
Aft is Two70 – an innovative multi-level venue that is a casual living area by day, and a stunning, high-energy entertainment venue by night, with dynamic robotic screens complementing its huge video wall.
Several novel attractions have been incorporated. North Star – quite the engineering marvel – is a 14-person (including an operator) glass capsule that lifts you off from the ship’s uppermost deck for a bird’s-eye view of all below you, as it moves around. It’s like a posh giant ‘cherry picker,’ and, with an outreach of almost 135ft (41m), is quite a ride! Located in the front section, just behind the ship’s mast, it is complimentary (and wheelchair-accessible), but only operates at sea. A charge applies for booking for weddings and other romantic occasions.
The second stunner is RipCord by iFly – a simulated skydiving experience in a two-storey vertical wind tunnel that lets you experience the thrill of skydiving in a safe, controlled environment. The unit uses a powerful air flow to keep you up – like a giant hairdryer underneath you! It is located aft of the ship’s funnel housing, and accommodates 13 persons for each 75-minute class, including two ‘hovering in the air’ experiences, instruction, and gear. You can book both attractions with interactive digital kiosks (adjacent to elevators) and tablets in public areas.
A brain-teasing team challenge can be had in a special puzzle room called Escape from the Future; collectively, the team will need to solve brainteasers within an hour in order to ‘get out’ – and you thought this was a vacation!
Meanwhile, a SeaPlex complex – located between the two funnels under the North Star – features adrenalin-boosting bumper-car rides, and alternatively acts as a roller-skating rink and basketball court. It’s a veritable interactive sporting venue that replaces the ice rinks of most other RCI ships. Other facilities include a rock-climbing wall, and a FlowRider surfing simulator.
Inside, the decor is contemporary, rainbow colorful, and jazzy. The interior focal point is the three-storey-high Royal Esplanade, which includes Michael’s Genuine Pub, Sorrento’s pizza outlet, a Bionic Bar (no creative mixology – just ice, standard drinks, and no conversation – but it’s really a neat feature), Music Hall (a two-deck-high entertainment venue), plus several shops, the Schooner Bar, Boleros (Latin bar), Chops Grille, Izumi (for Japanese-style cuisine), and Wonderland.
This ship will provide a great cruise experience for the whole family, but, be warned: it’s all about forward planning and making reservations – lots of them – if you want the best cruise experience. Do look out for ‘Gigi’ the pink giraffe outside on the starboard side of Deck 15 – you can’t miss it – it’s 33ft (10m) high.
What this fine resort ship does superbly well is entertain you, and I highly recommended it for a first cruise, because of the excellent range of activities, the entertainment and some good dining and eatery experiences.
Niggles include the high cost for fast Wi-Fi connectivity and for the double bed day ‘cabanas’ atop the pool deck.
Accommodation. There are many different accommodation price grades and categories, with the price dependent on size and location. Every cabin has a view, whether real or virtual. ‘Virtual’ balconies – first introduced aboard Navigator of the Seas in 2013 – are a neat feature of the interior cabins; they can provide real-time ocean views, but you can turn them off. Optional wristbands (with RFID technology) provide access to your cabin and act as your charge card (you have to take them off in order to give them to the bartender); unfortunately, they are rather uncomfortable to wear.
Several new accommodation categories and types have been introduced aboard this ship. Standard cabins are about 9 percent larger than those aboard the Oasis-class ships. Note that suite-grade accommodation occupants can take all their meals in the exclusive Coastal Kitchen.
Loft cabins (including a 975 sq ft/90.5 sq m Owner’s Loft) vary in size, but measure about 502 sq ft (46.6 sq m) and are located at the ship’s stern.
Inter-connecting family cabins are great for multi-generational groups. The 15 units consist of a junior suite, balcony cabin, and interior studio connected through a shared vestibule. Together they can create 575.8 sq ft (53.5 sq m) of living space with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a 216-sq-ft (20-sq-m) balcony.
There are 34 ‘studio’ cabins (12 have real balconies; all have wall beds) for solo occupancy, a first for RCI. As there’s no supplement for solo travelers, they have their own price category.
Even the smallest bathroom is well designed, with touches such as a night light, and shower and vanity hooks, while cabins have bedside power outlets, ample storage space, and a USB socket.
Negatives include the fact that tablet-based infotainment systems don’t answer questions, and the room service menu for breakfast is poor.
Dining. There are 18 restaurant and eatery choices (there’s no single main dining room as such). There are two seatings for dinner (first and second seating), or you can opt for ‘My Time Dining’ for more flexibility. Overall, meals are rather hit and miss. However, you can have items such as lobster or filet mignon (steak) at an extra cost – and at least they will be cooked individually for you.
Some extra-cost restaurants require reservations, which can prove frustrating; the menus are the same each night, and service can be slow (there are no assistant waiters).
The following are complimentary (with tablecloths for dinner):
The Grande: with 432 seats, the ship’s most elegant restaurant (think Southern mansion hospitality) features classic dishes reminiscent of the days of grand ocean liners.
Chic: this 434-seat restaurant features ‘contemporary’ cuisine and sauces made from scratch.
Silk: this 434-seat restaurant offers pan-Asian cuisine.
American Icon Grill: this 430-seat restaurant serves many of America’s favorite ‘comfort-food’ dishes.’
Extra-cost venues:
Wonderland: based on the real and imagined elements of Fire, Ice, Water, Earth, and Dreams, this surreal 62-seat Alice in Wonderland-inspired venue offers food with a quirky touch, including several superb dishes using liquid nitrogen for smoke-infused specialties. It’s really worth paying extra for.
Jamie’s Italian: it’s a 132-seat reservations-required tablecloth-free Euro-Italian bistro – and British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s first restaurant at sea.
Chops Grille: for premium-quality steaks and grilled seafood.
Chef’s Table: this exclusive 16-seat venue (located within Chops Grille) is good for private parties, with wine-and-food pairing the specialty.
Izumi: a 44-seat Japanese-Asian fusion cuisine venue including hot-rock tableside cooking, sashimi, sushi, and sake.
Johnny Rockets: a retro 1950s all-day, all-night diner-style eatery (near the main pool) for hamburgers, extra-cost malt shakes, and jukebox hits (all tables feature a mini-jukebox). A-la-carte pricing applies.
For really casual meals at no extra cost, there’s the 860-seat Windjammer Marketplace self-serve, buffet-style eatery. Other casual spots at no extra cost include: The Café at Two70º; SeaPlex Dog House, Sorrento’s – for pizza slices and calzones – and Café Promenade.
Entertainment. The Royal Theater spans three decks and is the place for ‘book’ shows and large-scale production shows by a resident troupe of singers and dancers (reservations advised).
There’s also entertainment by night at Two70º and in the Music Hall (DJs and theme nights).
Spa/Fitness. Vitality at Sea Spa facilities include a thermal suite (definitely not worth the extra cost), beauty salon, barber shop, and gymnasium with Technogym equipment. Massage and other body-pampering treatments take place in 19 treatment rooms.