Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class ships mix trendy facilities with technological wonders for a improbable cruising expertise.
The Quantum Class was first launched in 2014, pioneering 5 marvelous ships with distinctive itineraries.
Many cruisers really feel that Royal Caribbean bought loads proper with this class, so I used to be excited to expertise my first cruise on a Quantum Class ship.
I took my first cruise on Anthem this previous month, selecting a 7-night crusing out of Cape Liberty and stopping at Port Canaveral, Good Day at CocoCay, and Nassau.
After crusing on Anthem of the Seas, I completely agree that this can be a top-tier ship.
With 2,090 staterooms and 16 visitor decks, the ship has ample area for all 4,095 passengers on board.
She’s a big ship, 1,138 ft in size and 136 huge.
Not solely was my Anthem cruise my first on a Quantum Class ship, nevertheless it was additionally my first time crusing out of Cape Liberty in New Jersey.
Primarily based on this expertise, I’ve written a complete evaluation of what crusing on Anthem of the Seas is like in 2024.
Learn extra: Anthem of the Seas Information and Overview
Capability
Anthem comfortably holds 4,905 passengers and 1,500 crew members. Nonetheless, you’ll by no means have the ability to inform that over 6,000 persons are onboard whereas strolling across the ship.
Every venue was spacious, with sufficient room to accommodate all of the cruisers. I loved how separated and closed-off a few of the venues have been.
For instance, regardless that the Royal Esplanade is an extended, open area, it’s separated into two flooring, which unfold out the area.
Not solely that, however every venue situated close by (the Music Corridor, Boleros, and the Royal Theater) is absolutely closed off from the Esplanade.
This ensures which you could’t see or hear everybody on the identical time, which I actually recognize.
And sure, whereas there have been chair hogs on sea days, I by no means skilled a second the place I couldn’t discover a chair the place I wished one. There have been all the time no less than one or two out there.
As a matter of reality, I discovered rather more seating than I anticipated!
It appeared like a lot of the cruisers onboard Anthem for a 7-night cruise have been households with children, or massive teams of prolonged relations.
Unusually sufficient, it was simpler for me to get misplaced onboard than it normally is on Oasis-class ships, regardless that Anthem is smaller.
My principle is that the technique of dividing the ship into neighborhoods, like Royal Caribbean does in its Oasis and Icon-Class ships, actually does assist you comprehend and keep in mind the area you’re in.
Leisure
Anthem of the Seas had all kinds of thrilling performances, video games, and occasions.
Even over the seven-day cruise, I barely had sufficient time to see all the things.
Learn extra: I am new to Royal Caribbean and tried 4 totally different sorts of cruise ships, this is what I like about every
Two70
The primary present I noticed onboard was Spectra’s Cabaret, a surprising combination of music, dance, and know-how.
I cherished the track choices and the colourful, flamboyant costumes.
Two70 impressed me with its six shifting LED screens and huge, comfy seating.
I additionally thought it was an incredible venue for occasions like the Captain’s Nook and “Are You Smarter Than a Crew Member?” trivia.
The huge glass partitions introduced in daylight and lovely sea views, whereas entry to the library on the high of the venue made for loads of area.
Royal Theater
Video games and exhibits additionally performed within the Royal Theater, corresponding to the favored “We Will Rock You” musical.
Whereas I used to be wanting ahead to seeing this efficiency, apparently I waited too lengthy.
On the final two days of the cruise, which have been each sea days, I made a decision to go and see the present.
Days 6 and seven every had two performances scheduled, and I tried to go to the final three.
Nonetheless, all performances have been canceled as a result of heavy waves and excessive winds. For the protection of the performers, they selected to not do the performances.
I fully perceive why, however this was my first time experiencing such dangerous crusing circumstances that the indoor exhibits needed to be canceled!
The Royal Theater was additionally house to one of the complicated musicals I’ve ever seen: “The Present.”
The singing and dancing have been unbelievable, however I struggled to attach the plot with the songs chosen.
Eating
Whereas Anthem of the Seas has a broad number of delectable specialty eating places, I selected to concentrate on the complimentary eating choices for this cruise.
There’s a big selection of meals included within the cruise fare on Anthem: the Principal Eating Room, the Windjammer, the Cafe at Two70, Cafe Promenade, Sorrento’s Pizza, SeaPlex Canine Home, and Solarium Bistro.
Principal Eating Room
The Principal Eating Room was very hit-or-miss. Some nights, the meals was chic. Different instances, it tasted bland or wasn’t heat sufficient.
Our waitstaff was all the time keen to assist out, making ideas or getting us every other dishes we most popular. I can’t blame them in any respect for the standard of the meals!
But it surely was a bit of irritating to take a look at a menu and by no means know if I might take pleasure in what I ordered.
The service and environment of the Principal Eating Room, nonetheless, blew me away.
Our waiters have been pleasant and useful. They served us to the purpose of just about predicting our wants.
And I cherished the gentle, jazzy digital music that performed every night time.
My good friend and I have been seated at a big desk, so it appeared that one other occasion was meant to affix us. Regardless of us hopefully ready every night time, we ended up eating alone for the size of the cruise.
Windjammer
I can hardly imagine it, however—after six cruises—I really feel sick of the Windjammer buffet.
Possibly that is simply because I have been to the Windjammer so usually, not solely on my previous cruises but in addition over the seven days I spent on Anthem. Or maybe the meals was subpar in comparison with the opposite Windjammers I’ve been to on Royal Caribbean ships.
Very similar to the Principal Eating Room, I felt that the meals have been hit and miss.
For instance, I normally love all of the Indian meals served on the Windjammer. On Anthem, nonetheless, I solely loved a 3rd of the Indian dishes I attempted.
Exemplary Visitor Service
Throughout meals on Anthem of the Seas, head waiters introduced that the ship’s customer support has been the best-rated within the fleet for the previous eight weeks.
Primarily based on cruiser survey scores, the ship’s waitstaff has the perfect service out of all the opposite ships.
This will likely sound like a simple ranking to seize, however I actually agree.
Anthem’s employees, from head waiters to bartenders to cooks, have been endlessly charming and attentive.
I positively felt that it was a few of the greatest service I’d skilled on a Royal Caribbean ship.
Learn extra: I’ve cruised on 4 Quantum Class ships. Listed below are 7 issues Royal Caribbean bought proper with these mega ships
Bars
The service on the bars on Anthem of the Seas was simply as superb as on the remainder of the ship.
It was fast and the bartenders have been fairly pleasant, wanting to have a dialog once they bought the prospect.
I additionally bought to make use of the Bionic bar for the primary time. The expertise was pleasant, however I solely bothered to make use of it as soon as; it felt extra like a classy sensation than a spot to sit down down and persistently order.
I additionally observed that the robots have been down for upkeep very often, so it will have been exhausting to order there continuously.
The Vintages bar, situated on deck 5, rapidly turned my favourite spot to seize a drink.
It was open till midnight every night time, rising darkish and comfortably quiet with speedy service.
Additionally they have an unbelievable Mint Berry Delight, which tastes like a glowing blueberry mojito.
Ports of Name
For a seven-day cruise, Anthem’s itinerary was extra sea-day centered.
We solely made stops at three ports: Port Canaveral, Good Day at CocoCay, and Nassau, Bahamas.
As somebody who already resides in Florida, a cease at Port Canaveral was fully uninteresting.
We stayed onboard as a substitute and loved the facilities with fewer visitors round.
I did go discover on the times we visited Good Day at CocoCay and Nassau.
Nonetheless, given how sea-intensive this cruise was, I might solely suggest this itinerary to cruisers who’re assured they’ll take pleasure in all the things Anthem has to supply.
I cherished this ship and the actions onboard, however in the event you desire extra thrilling ports, I might advise you to decide on a distinct cruise.
In comparison with her sister ships, corresponding to Ovation of the Seas, which travels to Alaska, Anthem had one of many extra uninteresting itineraries on the time of my crusing.
Learn extra: Anthem of the Seas 7-night Bahamas and Good Day Cruise Compass – February 25, 2024
Stateroom
This was my first time staying in a digital balcony inside stateroom—an idea that debuted on Quantum of the Seas, Anthem’s sister ship.
I loved having the ability to take a look at what was happening across the ship whereas nonetheless contained in the stateroom. Simply having a small view of the skin world was value it!
Our stateroom felt clear and really trendy, with navy blue and gold decorations. The design was additionally upgraded, however some modifications have been extra environment friendly than others. I disliked how the storage was break up up over a number of locations within the cabin.
