Anthem of the Seas Cruise Guide: What to Know

What do you actually need to know before you sail on Anthem of the Seas? In short: she is one of Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-Class ships, a mid-size megaship built around an unusual amount of indoor space, and in her Australia and New Zealand season she sails round-trip from Sydney to the South Pacific and New Zealand. That indoor-heavy design is the single most important thing to understand, because it is what makes her so well suited to a part of the world where a warm island beach day and a cool, drizzly fjord morning can happen on the same voyage. This guide walks through the ship at a glance, what makes Quantum-Class different, how to get around, where she goes, when to sail, what to book ahead, and who she suits best.

The ship at a glance

Anthem of the Seas is a Quantum-Class ship, which places her in the middle of Royal Caribbean’s size range. At around 168,000 gross tons, with roughly 16 guest decks and about 4,180 guests at double occupancy (closer to 4,900 when every berth is full), she is genuinely large, but she is not one of the enormous Oasis-Class resorts. That middle ground is part of her appeal. She has the range of restaurants, bars, entertainment and activities you would expect from a big modern cruise ship, without feeling as sprawling as the largest vessels afloat. You can learn the layout in a day or two rather than spending your whole cruise finding your way.

In her Australia and New Zealand season she is based in Sydney, sailing out under the Harbour Bridge and past the Opera House on departure day. That is one of the most photogenic sail-aways anywhere, so plan to be on an open deck as the ship leaves. She also sails other regions and home ports at other times of year, so if you are reading this while comparing itineraries, treat Sydney as her seasonal base rather than a permanent one and confirm your specific voyage before you book flights.

The reason her design matters so much here comes down to climate. A voyage from Sydney can mix hot, humid island days in the tropics with cooler, changeable weather around the New Zealand coast and the southern fjords. A ship with lots of comfortable indoor space handles that variety far better than an older vessel built mainly around open sun decks. When the weather turns, Anthem simply moves the fun inside, and there is a lot of inside to move it to.

What makes Quantum-Class different

If you have sailed an older ship, the Quantum-Class features are what will feel new. They are also the features people talk about for years afterward, so it is worth knowing what they are before you step aboard.

North Star

North Star is a jewel-shaped glass capsule mounted on a long mechanical arm. It lifts you roughly 300 feet above the sea and swings out over the side of the ship for 360-degree views. On a clear day it is one of the best vantage points at sea, and it is spectacular when the ship is somewhere scenic. It is popular, so reserve a slot; it is often complimentary on sea days, while some special sailings or port-side rides may carry a charge. Check the app once you are aboard.

RipCord by iFly and FlowRider

RipCord by iFly is a skydiving simulator: a vertical wind tunnel that lets you experience the sensation of freefall with an instructor and no aircraft required. FlowRider is a surf simulator where you can try bodyboarding or stand-up surfing on a sheet of fast-moving water. Both are the kind of thing you would never expect on a ship, and both are included in your fare, though you sign up for time slots. First-timers should book early in the cruise so there is room to try again later.

SeaPlex

SeaPlex is billed as the largest indoor active space at sea, and it is the clearest example of why an indoor-focused ship works so well on this route. Under one roof it hosts bumper cars, roller skating, basketball and an arcade, with the activity rotating through the day. On a cool or wet sea day near New Zealand, this is where families end up, and it keeps energetic kids and teens happily occupied regardless of what the weather is doing outside.

Two70 and the indoor venues

Two70 is a multi-story venue at the back of the ship with a wall of glass that fills the room with daylight and ocean views by day. At night it transforms: immersive Vistarama projections wrap the space and moving Roboscreens combine with performers for shows that are among the most memorable at sea. Beyond it, the ship gathers a striking amount of life indoors — the Royal Esplanade indoor promenade, the Music Hall, and the Bionic Bar, where robotic arms mix your drink. There is also a glass-roofed indoor pool and a glass-domed adults-only Solarium, both of which are a real boon on cooler New Zealand days when an open-air pool would be no fun at all. Add a rock wall, the Vitality Spa, and Adventure Ocean for younger children, and you have a ship engineered to stay comfortable whatever the sky is doing.

For a deeper look at how these venues fit into a typical day, our companion piece on what to expect on Anthem of the Seas is a useful next read.

Getting around the ship

Anthem is easy to navigate once you understand her basic geography. The Royal Esplanade runs through the middle of the ship as a central spine of shops, bars and cafes, and it is the landmark most people orient themselves around. Head forward and you reach the main theater and the two-story dining rooms; head aft and you find Two70. The pool decks and SeaPlex sit high up, while the spa, fitness center and many of the specialty restaurants are spread across the mid-to-upper decks.

A few practical habits make life easier. Learn which bank of elevators is nearest your cabin, because on a ship this size the wrong lift can add a long walk. Note that some venues run forward-to-aft rather than side-to-side, so you occasionally need to change decks to get around a blocked-through space. And download the Royal Caribbean app before you sail: it holds the deck plans, the daily schedule, dining reservations and your account, and it becomes the fastest way to find anything once you are aboard.

Where she sails: South Pacific and New Zealand

From Sydney, Anthem runs two broad styles of voyage, and both are round-trip. Which one suits you depends on whether you want warm tropical beaches or dramatic coastline and culture.

South Pacific island weeks

The South Pacific sailings head north into the warm islands of New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Typical calls include Nouméa, the French-Melanesian capital of New Caledonia with lagoon beaches such as Anse Vata and lively markets; the Isle of Pines, known for pristine beaches, the natural pool at Oro Bay and its towering pines; and Lifou in the Loyalty Islands, where the draw is snorkeling, sea cliffs and vanilla plantations. In Vanuatu the ship visits Port Vila, gateway to the Mele Cascades waterfalls, and Mystery Island, a tiny uninhabited islet ringed by white sand and clear water made for snorkeling. Several of these are tender ports, meaning the ship anchors offshore and small boats ferry you in, so plan to start your day early if you want maximum beach time.

New Zealand voyages and Milford Sound

The New Zealand itineraries trade tropical beaches for coastline, history and culture. Calls can include the Bay of Islands, home to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, historic Russell, dolphin cruises and the famous Hole in the Rock; Auckland; Tauranga, a gateway to Rotorua’s geothermal parks and Maori culture as well as Hobbiton; Wellington, with the Te Papa museum, the cable car and Weta Workshop; and Picton. The highlight for many guests is the scenic cruising of Milford Sound and the wider Fiordland. Here the ship does not dock — she cruises slowly through the fjord itself, gliding past Mitre Peak and towering waterfalls while you watch from an open deck or a forward-facing spot. It is a genuinely special morning, and North Star, if you can reserve it, gives an unforgettable view of it.

Ports and voyage lengths vary from sailing to sailing, and not every New Zealand cruise includes Fiordland. If Milford Sound is a priority, confirm that your specific itinerary lists it before you book. Our detailed rundown of her New Zealand and South Pacific itineraries goes port by port if you want to compare options.

When to sail

Anthem’s Australia and New Zealand program runs during the southern-hemisphere warmer months, which is the practical window for these routes. Within that season there are trade-offs. Sailings around the school holidays and the peak of summer bring the warmest weather and the busiest ships, with families out in force and the highest fares. Shoulder dates on either side of the peak tend to be quieter and better value, though weather in the far south can be more changeable — which, again, is exactly where the ship’s indoor spaces earn their keep.

Because dates and deployment shift from year to year, always check the current schedule in the Royal Caribbean app or with your travel agent rather than assuming last season’s pattern repeats. If you have flexibility, comparing a few departure dates often reveals a noticeably lower fare for a near-identical itinerary.

What to book before you sail

Anthem rewards planning. The most popular experiences and the best dining times go quickly, and some sell out entirely before the cruise even begins. A little preparation online, before you board, is the difference between doing what you want when you want and taking whatever is left.

• North Star — reserve a slot early, ideally for a sea day or a scenic-cruising morning when the views are best.
• Specialty dining — if you want Wonderland, Jamie’s Italian, Chops Grille or a Chef’s Table experience, book your preferred nights in advance; prime times fill up.
• Shore excursions — the marquee tours, especially in New Zealand, have limited capacity and are worth locking in early.
• Entertainment — reserve the headline shows, including at Two70 and the Music Hall, through the app.
• A drinks or Wi-Fi package — if either suits how you travel, pre-cruise pricing is usually better than buying aboard.

For a fuller checklist of what pays off ahead of time, our guide to Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas tips covers the details.

Dining and thrills in brief

Your fare already includes a wide range of food. The Main Dining Room offers a full sit-down dinner each evening, the Windjammer buffet handles casual meals across the day, and Café Promenade and Sorrento’s pizza are there for a quick bite. You could sail without spending a cent extra on food and eat very well.

The specialty restaurants cost extra and are worth budgeting for if you enjoy a standout meal. Wonderland serves imaginative, playful dishes and is a favorite for a special night; Jamie’s Italian brings relaxed Italian cooking; Chops Grille is the classic steakhouse; Izumi covers Japanese; the Chef’s Table is a multi-course tasting event; and Johnny Rockets does American diner fare. On the activity side, the headline thrills are North Star, RipCord by iFly, FlowRider, the rock wall and SeaPlex, most of which are included in your fare even if they need a reservation. Between the two, you can easily fill a sea day without ever leaving the ship.

Cabins in brief

Anthem’s cabins run from clever, value-focused interiors up to sprawling suites. The categories to know are the Virtual Balcony interior, the Ocean View, the Balcony, Studio cabins for solo travelers, and suites topping out at the two-deck Royal Loft Suite.

The Virtual Balcony interior is the signature value pick. It is an interior cabin, but one wall carries a floor-to-ceiling screen showing a real-time view of the ocean and sky outside, so you wake up to daylight and a sense of where you are without paying for a real balcony. It is a genuinely smart use of an interior room and often the best cost-per-night on the ship. For the best all-round experience, a midship Balcony on the mid-decks is hard to beat: you get outdoor space, natural light and the steadiest ride, which matters on open stretches like the Tasman Sea crossing between Australia and New Zealand.

A few locations are worth avoiding, though always confirm against the current deck plan. Cabins directly under the pool deck or SeaPlex can be noisy; rooms near Two70 or the Music Hall sit close to late-night entertainment; forward high-deck cabins feel motion the most, which matters if anyone in your party is prone to seasickness; and some lower-deck balconies have views partly obstructed by lifeboats. If you want help weighing specific decks and numbers, our breakdown of the best cabins on Anthem of the Seas goes further.

What’s included and budgeting

Understanding what your fare covers keeps the final bill from surprising you. Your cruise fare includes your cabin, main dining and buffet meals, most entertainment, and the majority of the signature activities such as North Star on sea days, FlowRider, the rock wall and SeaPlex. That is a lot of value before you spend anything more.

The main extras to plan for are specialty dining, alcoholic and some specialty non-alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, spa treatments, shore excursions, and shopping. Your onboard account works through the SeaPass card, which is your cashless key and room key in one; everything you buy is charged to it and settled at the end. Daily gratuities are automatically added to your account, and Wi-Fi is a separate paid plan rather than a freebie. If you like a predictable total, consider a drinks package and a Wi-Fi plan bought before the cruise, and set a rough budget for excursions and specialty meals. Prices for all of these move around, so check current rates in the app rather than relying on figures from a past sailing.

Who she’s for

Anthem of the Seas is a strong fit for a wide range of travelers, but she has a clear sweet spot. Families love her because the activity list is enormous and much of it stays fun in any weather, from SeaPlex to the pools to Adventure Ocean for younger kids. Couples and first-time cruisers do well too, drawn by the variety of dining, the shows and the balance of things to do against places to relax. Anyone nervous about a rainy day at sea will appreciate how much of the experience lives indoors.

She is less of a match if you want a small, quiet, intimate ship, or a purely adults-only atmosphere, or an ultra-luxury all-inclusive where nothing ever carries an extra charge. This is a big, busy, activity-packed mainstream cruise, and that is precisely what most people want from a Sydney-based South Pacific or New Zealand voyage. If you are booking your very first cruise, our guide to a first-time cruise on Anthem of the Seas is a good place to start.

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Frequently asked questions

Where does Anthem of the Seas sail from?

In her Australia and New Zealand season, Anthem of the Seas is based in Sydney and sails round-trip from there to the South Pacific and New Zealand. She sails other regions and home ports at other times of year, so always confirm your specific voyage in the Royal Caribbean app before booking travel.

Does the ship visit Milford Sound?

Many of her New Zealand voyages include scenic cruising of Milford Sound and the wider Fiordland, where the ship cruises slowly through the fjord past Mitre Peak and its waterfalls rather than docking. Not every itinerary includes it, so check that your particular sailing lists Fiordland if this is a priority for you.

What makes Anthem of the Seas different from other cruise ships?

She is a Quantum-Class ship built around a large amount of indoor space and signature features you rarely find at sea: the North Star observation capsule, the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, the FlowRider surf simulator, SeaPlex, the Two70 venue, and glass-roofed indoor pool areas. That indoor focus makes her especially well suited to the mixed climates of an Australia and New Zealand cruise.

What is a Virtual Balcony cabin?

A Virtual Balcony interior is an inside cabin with a floor-to-ceiling screen on one wall showing a real-time view of the ocean and sky outside. It gives you daylight and a sense of the passing scenery at a lower price than a real balcony, which makes it the best value pick on the ship for many travelers.

What is included in the cruise fare?

Your fare includes your cabin, meals in the Main Dining Room and the Windjammer buffet plus casual spots like Café Promenade and Sorrento’s, most entertainment, and the majority of signature activities such as FlowRider, the rock wall, SeaPlex and North Star on sea days. Specialty restaurants, most alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, the spa, shore excursions and shopping cost extra, and daily gratuities are added to your onboard account.

What should I book before I sail?

Reserve North Star early, book any specialty dining nights you want, lock in the marquee shore excursions, and reserve the headline shows through the app. If a drinks package or Wi-Fi plan suits how you travel, buying before the cruise is usually cheaper than buying aboard. The most popular experiences can sell out, so plan ahead rather than waiting until you are on board.

Who is Anthem of the Seas best suited to?

She suits families, couples and first-time cruisers who want a big, activity-packed ship with lots of dining, entertainment and things to do in any weather. She is less ideal if you want a small, quiet, adults-only or ultra-luxury all-inclusive experience. For a Sydney-based South Pacific or New Zealand voyage, she is one of the most capable ships you can choose.