What to Expect on Anthem of the Seas

What can you actually expect on Anthem of the Seas? A mid-size megaship that leans indoors more than most, with a glass-roofed pool and a domed adults-only Solarium that keep the fun going on grey New Zealand days, plus a set of genuinely unusual thrills you won’t find on many cruise ships: a glass observation capsule that lifts you 300 feet over the water, an indoor skydiving tunnel, and a surf simulator. It carries a lot of people, so busy days happen, but the layout spreads them out well. Here’s a grounded, honest look at what the ship is really like day to day, from the food and bars to the crowds and the things that tend to surprise first-timers.

The mid-size Quantum feel

Anthem of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-Class ships, coming in at around 168,000 gross tons across roughly 16 guest decks. That makes her a genuine megaship, but she sits a notch below the giant Oasis-Class vessels in size. In practice, that middle ground is a big part of her appeal. She’s large enough to pack in headline attractions and a wide choice of restaurants and bars, yet compact enough that you learn your way around within a day or two and rarely feel like you’re hiking a quarter mile to dinner.

She carries roughly 4,180 guests at double occupancy, and closer to 4,900 when every berth is filled with families and extra bodies in the room. That’s a lot of company. But Quantum-Class ships were designed with clever flow in mind, and the crowd tends to disperse across the many indoor venues rather than piling into one central atrium. During her Australia and New Zealand season she sails round-trip from Sydney, and the design suits that part of the world beautifully: the weather down there swings from South Pacific heat to cool, blustery days off the New Zealand coast, and this ship gives you plenty to do no matter what the sky is doing. If you want the broader picture of how she’s built and what she offers, the full Anthem of the Seas cruise guide covers it in depth.

An indoor-forward design built for changeable weather

The single most defining thing about this ship is how much of the good stuff lives indoors. Many cruise ships are built around a sprawling outdoor pool deck and a lounge-chair scramble under the sun. Anthem flips that emphasis. Her signature spaces are enclosed, climate-controlled, and just as enjoyable when it’s 15 degrees and drizzling as when it’s blazing hot.

The centrepiece of this thinking is the glass-roofed indoor pool. It’s a proper swimming pool with loungers around it, all under a soaring glass canopy, so you can float and relax while watching rain streak across the roof outside. On a cool crossing of the Tasman Sea or a grey morning approaching Wellington, this is where a lot of guests end up. There’s also a glass-domed, adults-only Solarium — a calmer, warmer retreat with its own pool and hot tubs, shielded from wind and weather. Both spaces are a real boon on the cooler New Zealand legs of a voyage, and they’re a big reason the ship works so well in this region. You get the sensation of being outdoors, bathed in daylight, without actually being exposed to the elements.

Beyond the pools, the indoor promenade known as the Royal Esplanade runs through the heart of the ship, lined with bars, cafés, and shops. It becomes the natural gathering point — a place to grab a coffee, watch the world go by, and duck into an event. This indoor-forward layout is why so many repeat cruisers rate Anthem for cooler-climate itineraries specifically.

Crowds and a typical day aboard

Let’s be honest about the crowds, because that’s the question first-timers ask most. With up to nearly 4,900 people aboard, there are pinch points. The buffet at peak breakfast, the main show at prime time, the gangway on a busy port morning — these get busy, and you’ll queue at moments. The good news is that the ship’s design and a bit of timing strategy defuse most of it.

A typical sea day might run like this. You wake and grab an early, quieter breakfast at the buffet or a sit-down option before the rush. Mid-morning you reserve a North Star ride or line up for the skydiving simulator while everyone else is still eating. Around lunch you drift to the indoor pool or the Solarium. The afternoon might mean bumper cars in the SeaPlex, a drink from the robot bartenders, or simply a book on a lounger. Evening brings dinner — early or late seating in the Main Dining Room, or a specialty restaurant if you’ve booked one — followed by a show. Late night, the Music Hall and bars keep going.

The trick to beating the crowds is simple: eat and ride off-peak, book what you can in advance through the app, and use the ship’s sheer variety to your advantage. When one venue is heaving, three others nearby are half-empty. Port days feel dramatically quieter aboard because thousands of guests are ashore, so if you crave the pool or the spa in peace, a port day at sea is your window.

The signature thrills

This is where Anthem earns her reputation. Quantum-Class ships carry a lineup of attractions that genuinely stand out, and most of them are things you simply can’t do on the majority of cruise ships.

North Star

North Star is the ship’s showpiece: a jewel-shaped glass observation capsule mounted on a giant mechanical arm that swings you out over the side and lifts you about 300 feet above the sea for 360-degree views. It’s smooth and gentle rather than thrilling, and the views are extraordinary — over the ship, the wake, and the horizon. It’s often complimentary on sea days, and it’s spectacular when cruising somewhere scenic like Milford Sound, where the fjord’s walls and waterfalls stretch out around you. Reserve a slot; the best times fill up. For a deeper dive into this and the wind tunnel, see the guide to North Star and RipCord.

RipCord by iFly and FlowRider

RipCord by iFly is a skydiving simulator — a vertical wind tunnel that suspends you on a column of air so you float as if in freefall. An instructor is with you the whole time, and complete beginners do it. FlowRider is a surf simulator, a sheet of fast-moving water where you can try bodyboarding or stand-up surfing while spectators watch from the sidelines. Both are the kind of once-in-a-holiday experiences that give you a story to tell, and both are the sort of thing you’d never expect to find in the middle of the ocean.

SeaPlex and Two70

SeaPlex is billed as the largest indoor active space at sea, and it’s a workhorse of the ship — bumper cars, roller skating, basketball, and an arcade all under one roof. Because it’s indoors, it runs full tilt regardless of weather, which is exactly what you want on a cool day. Two70 is the other star: a soaring multi-story venue with a wall of glass that floods it with daylight and ocean views by day. By night it transforms, the glass wall becoming a canvas for immersive Vistarama projections and moving Roboscreens for one of the most inventive shows at sea. There’s also a rock climbing wall for anyone wanting one more challenge.

Dining: what’s included and what costs extra

Food is one of the areas that surprises first-time cruisers most, because there’s so much of it and the line between “free” and “extra” isn’t always obvious until you’re aboard. Here’s the honest breakdown.

Your cruise fare already includes a lot. The Main Dining Room serves a proper multi-course dinner every night, with a rotating menu, at no extra charge. The Windjammer buffet handles casual breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Café Promenade offers grab-and-go snacks and coffee, and Sorrento’s serves pizza. You can eat very well without spending a cent beyond your fare.

The specialty restaurants cost extra, and this is where Anthem gets interesting. Wonderland is the wildcard — a whimsical, imaginative menu built around surprise, where dishes don’t look like what they turn out to be. Jamie’s Italian is Jamie Oliver’s rustic Italian restaurant, strong on pasta and sharing plates. Chops Grille is the classic American steakhouse, arguably the most reliable splurge on board. Izumi covers sushi and Japanese cooking. For a real occasion there’s the Chef’s Table, an intimate wine-paired tasting dinner, and for a casual treat there’s Johnny Rockets doing burgers and shakes.

Included in your fare	Specialty (extra charge)
Main Dining Room	Wonderland
Windjammer buffet	Jamie’s Italian
Café Promenade	Chops Grille
Sorrento’s pizza	Izumi
	Chef’s Table and Johnny Rockets

My honest take: you don’t need the specialty spots to eat well, but one or two well-chosen dinners genuinely add to the trip. Prices are best confirmed in the Royal Caribbean app, where you can also pre-book — the best tables go early, especially for sea days. For more on making the most of the food and the venues, the Anthem of the Seas tips guide is worth a read.

Bars and entertainment

The nightlife and entertainment lean into the same indoor-forward, variety-first thinking as the rest of the ship. You’re never short of somewhere to spend an evening.

The Music Hall is the two-deck live music and nightlife hub, with bands, DJs, and a party atmosphere that runs late. The Bionic Bar is pure novelty and a genuine crowd-pleaser: robotic arms mix your cocktail from an overhead rack of spirits, and you order from a tablet and watch the machines work. It’s a gimmick, sure, but it’s a fun one and the drinks are real. Around the ship you’ll find quieter spots too — the Esplanade bars, a pub, and lounges where you can actually hear a conversation.

For shows, Two70 is the crown jewel, with its nightly Vistarama and Roboscreen productions blending projection, robotics, and live performance in a way that feels ahead of its time. The main theatre carries big-scale production shows, and across the ship there are smaller acts, live music sets, and events most nights. Between the pool, the SeaPlex, the Music Hall, and Two70, the evening entertainment is one of the ship’s real strengths. Check the app each morning for the day’s schedule, because it changes daily and the best events are worth planning around.

Pools, the Solarium, and relaxing spaces

I touched on the pools already, but they deserve their own mention because they shape how the ship feels. The glass-roofed indoor pool is the heart of the wet-and-relax scene — warm, sheltered, and open in any weather. The adults-only Solarium under its glass dome is the grown-up sanctuary, with its own pool and hot tubs and a calmer mood away from the family splashing.

There’s also the Vitality Spa for treatments, a thermal suite, and a well-equipped gym for anyone keeping a routine on holiday. The point is that “relaxing” on Anthem doesn’t depend on the sun cooperating. On a warm South Pacific sea day you’ll want to be outdoors; on a cool day off New Zealand you retreat under glass and barely notice the difference. That flexibility is exactly why the ship matches this corner of the world so well.

The Australia and New Zealand passenger mix

Sailing round-trip from Sydney, Anthem draws a genuinely international crowd, but the core is Australian and New Zealand travellers, with a good number of Americans, Brits, and other nationalities mixed in. It’s a friendly, easygoing mix, and the onboard vibe reflects it — relaxed, sociable, and unpretentious. Families are common, especially in school holidays, and the ship caters to them with Adventure Ocean for kids alongside all the active attractions.

Itineraries vary, but from Sydney she typically runs South Pacific weeks to the islands of New Caledonia and Vanuatu — think Nouméa, the Isle of Pines, Lifou, Port Vila, and Mystery Island — and longer New Zealand voyages calling at the Bay of Islands, Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, and Picton, with scenic cruising through Milford Sound and the Fiordland. Ports and lengths change by sailing, so always confirm your exact itinerary. If you’re weighing up which route suits you, the breakdown of her New Zealand and South Pacific itineraries lays out the differences.

The app runs your day

The Royal Caribbean app is close to essential on this ship, and first-timers who ignore it end up frustrated. It holds the daily schedule, lets you book restaurants, shows, and attractions, shows deck maps, and keeps the whole trip organised in one place. Download it before you sail and get familiar with it. Onboard, it generally works over the ship’s Wi-Fi even if you haven’t bought an internet plan, though a paid Wi-Fi plan is separate if you want to stay connected to the outside world.

Your other constant companion is the SeaPass card. It’s your room key, your ID at the gangway, and your cashless payment for everything onboard — every drink, meal, and shop purchase goes on the card and settles at the end. Daily gratuities are added automatically to your account, which catches some people out, so factor that in. Between the app and the SeaPass, the practical side of the cruise runs smoothly once you understand how they work together.

What might surprise a first-timer

A few things routinely catch new cruisers off guard, and knowing them in advance smooths the whole trip.

• The best experiences need booking. North Star, the skydiving simulator, specialty dinners, and prime show slots fill up. Reserve through the app early rather than hoping to walk up.
• How much is indoors. If you’re picturing a traditional sun-soaked pool-deck cruise, Anthem’s centre of gravity is different — the highlights are enclosed, and that’s a feature, not a flaw, in this climate.
• The Tasman crossing can be lively. The open stretch between Australia and New Zealand can get bouncy. A midship cabin on a mid-deck gives the steadiest ride if you’re prone to motion.
• Extras add up. Specialty dining, drinks packages, Wi-Fi, and shore excursions are separate from your fare, and daily gratuities are automatic. Budget for them.
• Port days can mean tenders. Some stops involve tendering ashore by small boat rather than docking, so give yourself extra time on those mornings.
• The ship is a destination in itself. On scenic cruising days like Milford Sound, staying aboard to watch from North Star or an open deck can beat any excursion.

None of these are drawbacks so much as things to plan around. Go in knowing them and the ship rewards you. If it’s your very first cruise, the dedicated first-time cruiser guide to Anthem walks through the rest of the basics.

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Get the complete Anthem of the Seas playbook

Want every attraction, restaurant, cabin, and port worked out before you board? “The Ultimate Guide to Sailing on Anthem of the Seas” is part of the Ultimate Ship Guides series by Leo Sotropa, with clear action steps in every chapter so you sail like a seasoned pro from day one.

Frequently asked questions

Is Anthem of the Seas a good ship for New Zealand cruising?

Yes, and arguably she’s one of the best-matched ships for it. Her indoor-forward design, glass-roofed pool, and domed Solarium mean cool, grey New Zealand days barely dent the experience — you have a full day of attractions, dining, and relaxing whatever the weather does. That flexibility is a real advantage over more sun-dependent ships.

How big is Anthem of the Seas and how many passengers does she carry?

She’s a Quantum-Class megaship of around 168,000 gross tons across roughly 16 guest decks. She carries about 4,180 guests at double occupancy and up to nearly 4,900 when full. That makes her a mid-size megaship — big enough for headline attractions, small enough to feel manageable within a day.

What’s included in the fare versus what costs extra?

Included dining covers the Main Dining Room, the Windjammer buffet, Café Promenade, and Sorrento’s pizza. Specialty restaurants like Wonderland, Jamie’s Italian, Chops Grille, Izumi, the Chef’s Table, and Johnny Rockets cost extra. Drinks packages, Wi-Fi, and shore excursions are also separate, and daily gratuities are added automatically. Confirm current prices in the Royal Caribbean app.

Do I need to book the North Star and other attractions in advance?

It’s strongly recommended. North Star, RipCord by iFly, and the specialty restaurants all take reservations, and the best times go quickly. Book through the app before you sail and again once aboard. North Star is often complimentary on sea days, but a reservation still secures your slot.

Is Anthem of the Seas good for families and kids?

Very much so. The SeaPlex with its bumper cars and roller skating, the FlowRider surf simulator, the indoor pool, and the Adventure Ocean kids’ program give children plenty to do in any weather. The active attractions and variety of dining make it an easy ship for families, particularly during school holidays when families make up a big share of the crowd.

How crowded does the ship get?

With up to nearly 4,900 guests aboard, there are busy moments — peak buffet times, prime shows, and busy port mornings. But the Quantum-Class layout spreads people across many indoor venues, so it rarely feels overwhelming. Eating and riding off-peak, booking in advance, and using port days for a quiet ship all keep the crowds well in check.

Where does Anthem of the Seas sail from in Australia and New Zealand?

In her Australia and New Zealand season she sails round-trip from Sydney, running South Pacific voyages to New Caledonia and Vanuatu and longer New Zealand itineraries taking in the Bay of Islands, Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Picton, and scenic cruising through Milford Sound. She sails other regions in other seasons, so always confirm your specific voyage and ports in the Royal Caribbean app.