Anthem of the Seas arrives in new Southampton homeport

Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship, Anthem of the Seas, arrived at her new UK homeport on 15 April in preparation for her christening on 20 April.

The Quantum-class ship, which was delivered to Royal Caribbean at the Meyer Werft yard in Germany on 10 April, will be officially launched during a ceremony at Southampton Cruise Port by British travel agent and godmother Emma Wilby. Wilby, who is also part of the Military Wives Choir, will perform a song during the ceremony, which will be attended by 1,300 invited guests.

Anthem of the Seas will be based at Southampton throughout her inaugural spring and summer season and will sail European and Mediterranean itineraries. This autumn, she will head to her permanent homeport of Cape Liberty Cruise Port in New York Harbor, US. From here, she will sail regular voyages to Bermuda, the Caribbean and Canada and New England.

Anthem of the Seas is the second of Royal Caribbean’s three 167,800gt Quantum-class ships, which will debut new industry firsts, such as synchronised Roboscreens in the Two70 entertainment venue, robotic bartenders in Bionic Bar and Sea-Plex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, a full-size basketball court, a floating DJ booth, roller skating and more. In addition, the vessels will feature the RipCord by iFLY indoor skydiving experience, and the North Star glass observation pod, which transports guests 300ft above the ocean. Guests can also enjoy the Dynamic Dining concept, which comprises 18 restaurant concepts and speciality restaurants created with partner-chefs Jamie Oliver, Devin Alexander and Michael Schwartz.

In addition, the 4,180-guest ship will have Royal Caribbean’s largest staterooms with the industry’s first-ever Virtual Balcony staterooms, which offer guests in interior staterooms real-time views of the ocean.