Anthem of the Seas

Anthem of the Seas is a Quantum-class cruise ship operated and owned by Royal Caribbean International. Built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, it was the second vessel in Royal Caribbean's Quantum class and was designed to combine large-ship cruising with technology-led attractions, flexible entertainment spaces, and a broad range of indoor and outdoor activities. The ship entered service in 2015 after being developed under Royal Caribbean's earlier Project Sunshine program. Royal Caribbean announced the underlying new-ship program in February 2011, with Meyer Werft selected to construct the first vessels. A second ship was ordered in February 2012, and the company formally announced the Quantum class and the names Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas in January 2013. The keel for Anthem of the Seas was laid in November 2013. The vessel was delivered to Royal Caribbean on 10 April 2015 and reached Southampton five days later in preparation for its first European season. The ship was christened in Southampton on 20 April 2015. Emma Wilby, a British travel agent and member of the Military Wives Choir in Kinloss, Scotland, served as the ship's ceremonial godmother after a Royal Caribbean search. The ceremony took place in the Royal Theatre before approximately 1,300 guests and included musical performances, Wilby's rendition of Katy Perry's "Firework," and a champagne launch involving the ship's North Star gondola and a zipline-style presentation. Anthem of the Seas has 16 passenger-accessible decks and 2,090 passenger cabins. Its onboard proposition includes a FlowRider surf simulator, rock-climbing wall, skydiving simulator, swimming pools, solarium, spa and fitness facilities, theatre, casino, restaurants, bars, and other entertainment venues. One of its signature attractions is North Star, a viewing gondola that extends above the ship, while the vessel's design also emphasizes weather-protected public areas and technologically enabled entertainment. The ship's service history includes several weather-related disruptions. In February 2016, while sailing from Bayonne, New Jersey, toward Port Canaveral, Florida, it encountered severe conditions near Cape Hatteras, including very high winds and waves. The event caused damage in cabins and public areas and disabled one of the ship's two Azipod propulsion units; four passengers were reported to have suffered minor injuries. Royal Caribbean returned the ship to the New York area, refunded the affected cruise fare, and provided a future-cruise credit. In September 2016, the ship encountered rough conditions associated with Hurricane Hermine, although the reported impact was less severe. In February 2020, Anthem of the Seas was temporarily quarantined after a passenger from an earlier sailing had traveled through mainland China during the early coronavirus outbreak. Testing later reported a negative result, and the ship was cleared to sail. The disruption nevertheless required passengers scheduled for a subsequent sailing to make alternative lodging arrangements and resulted in a revised itinerary. Anthem of the Seas remains a recognizable example of Royal Caribbean's Quantum-class approach to large-scale cruise holidays.

Anthem of the Seas emerged from Royal Caribbean International's Project Sunshine program, a shipbuilding initiative announced in 2011. Royal Caribbean commissioned Meyer Werft of Papenburg, Germany, to build a new class of large cruise ships, with the first delivery initially planned for 2014. The program incorporated advanced propulsion technology, including ABB Azipod XO units. In February 2012, Royal Caribbean confirmed that a second ship would be built for delivery in spring 2015. The company publicly named the new class Quantum in January 2013 and identified its first two ships as Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas. Anthem's keel was laid on 19 November 2013. Construction was completed at Meyer Werft, and Royal Caribbean accepted delivery on 10 April 2015. The ship arrived in Southampton on 15 April to prepare for its inaugural European operating season. Anthem was officially christened in Southampton on 20 April 2015. Royal Caribbean selected Emma Wilby, a British travel agent associated with the Military Wives Choir in Kinloss, Scotland, as ceremonial godmother. The event took place in the ship's Royal Theatre and included performances by the Reading Scottish Pipe Band and the Welsh boys' choir Only Boys Aloud. Wilby performed "Firework" by Katy Perry, after which a large Perrier-Jouët champagne bottle was sent along a zipline presentation from the North Star area toward a naming display. The completed ship has 16 passenger-accessible decks and 2,090 passenger cabins. Its design reflects Royal Caribbean's emphasis on attractions that can differentiate a ship from conventional resort accommodation. Facilities include the North Star observation gondola, a FlowRider surf simulator, a rock-climbing wall, a RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator, pools, a solarium, spa and fitness facilities, a theatre, and casino areas. These features support a product model in which the vessel itself is a major destination in addition to being transport between ports. Anthem's early operating history also included notable disruptions. On 7 February 2016, while sailing south from Bayonne toward Port Canaveral, the ship encountered exceptionally rough conditions off the coast of North Carolina. Reports described waves of approximately 30 feet and apparent winds of about 125 miles per hour. Passengers were advised to remain in their cabins as furniture and other fixtures moved, some ceilings and public areas were damaged, and one Azipod became inoperable. Four passengers were reported to have minor injuries. The ship returned to the New York area to avoid additional forecast weather. Royal Caribbean refunded the affected cruise fare and offered a future-cruise credit equal to half of the fare. On 4 September 2016, Anthem encountered another period of severe weather linked to Hurricane Hermine, with reported gusts reaching about 90 miles per hour. Passengers were again restricted to their staterooms, but the event produced less damage than the February incident. In February 2020, the ship was temporarily quarantined amid concerns related to the emerging coronavirus outbreak. A passenger from a 27 January sailing had traveled through mainland China, prompting testing and operational restrictions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention testing result was reported as negative on 8 February, and the ship was cleared on 10 February. The episode disrupted a later sailing, with passengers needing alternative lodging and an itinerary change from an eight-day Bahamas cruise to a four-day Bermuda voyage.

1. 2020Coronavirus-related quarantine

   The ship was temporarily quarantined after a passenger-travel history concern during the early coronavirus outbreak; testing was negative and the vessel was cleared several days later.

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2. 2016Severe weather incident off North Carolina

   Extreme sea and wind conditions caused damage and disabled one propulsion unit while the ship was traveling toward Florida.

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3. 2015Delivery and Southampton arrival

   The ship was delivered to Royal Caribbean on 10 April and reached Southampton on 15 April for preparations before its European season.

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4. 2015Southampton christening

   Anthem of the Seas was christened on 20 April in a ceremony featuring Emma Wilby as godmother.

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5. 2013Quantum class and ship names announced

   Royal Caribbean formally introduced the Quantum class and announced Anthem of the Seas as the second vessel alongside Quantum of the Seas.

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6. 2013Keel laid

   The keel of Anthem of the Seas was laid at Meyer Werft on 19 November.

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7. 2012Second Project Sunshine ship ordered

   Royal Caribbean confirmed a second ship for the new class, scheduled for delivery in spring 2015.

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8. 2011Royal Caribbean announces Project Sunshine

   Royal Caribbean announced an order for a new class of ships from Meyer Werft, launching the program that later became the Quantum class.

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A large, technology-oriented Royal Caribbean cruise ship positioned around active recreation, family entertainment, varied dining, and all-weather onboard experiences.

• Cruise vacationsCruise travel2015

  Anthem of the Seas sells the core Royal Caribbean cruise proposition: multi-day ocean travel combining scheduled port visits with accommodation, dining, entertainment, recreation, and onboard services. The ship has operated itineraries associated with European, North American, and Caribbean cruising, with the onboard resort experience forming a central part of the product.

• Onboard recreation and entertainmentShipboard attractions2015

  The vessel's attraction portfolio includes a FlowRider surf simulator, rock-climbing wall, skydiving simulator, swimming pools, solarium, spa and fitness center, theatre, casino, and the North Star observation gondola. Together these facilities position the ship as a destination with activities beyond traditional deck-based cruising.

• 2015Anthem of the Seas christening

  United Kingdom · Europe

  Royal Caribbean staged a Southampton christening ceremony to introduce the new Quantum-class ship to the European market. The event used live music, a celebrity-style naming ceremony, and a theatrical champagne launch involving the ship's North Star attraction.

  Outcome. The ceremony formally launched Anthem of the Seas into service and highlighted its entertainment-oriented design.

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• 2020Operational response to coronavirus concernOther

  A passenger from an earlier sailing had traveled through mainland China during the early coronavirus outbreak.

  What changed. The ship was temporarily quarantined while testing was conducted, and a subsequent sailing was disrupted and given a revised itinerary.

  Aftermath. The passenger tested negative, the ship was cleared on 10 February, and affected travelers had to arrange temporary lodging before sailing on a shortened Bermuda itinerary.

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• 2016Compensation after severe-weather disruptionOther

  A February voyage encountered extreme wind and wave conditions that damaged parts of the ship and disrupted the itinerary.

  What changed. Royal Caribbean returned the affected ship to the New York area, refunded the cruise fare, and offered passengers a future-cruise credit worth 50 percent of the fare.

  Aftermath. The ship resumed sailing after the weather event while avoiding additional forecast storms.

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• 2013Quantum-class naming and product launchProduct launch

  Royal Caribbean publicly defined the identity of its new ship class and its first two vessels.

  What changed. The company announced the Quantum class and named the second vessel Anthem of the Seas.

  Aftermath. The ship entered service in 2015 as a prominent example of Royal Caribbean's technology- and attraction-led cruise design.

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• 2011Launch of Project SunshineStrategy

  Royal Caribbean sought a new generation of large ships with advanced propulsion and a differentiated onboard experience.

  What changed. The company ordered a new ship class from Meyer Werft and began developing the vessels that became the Quantum class.

  Aftermath. Anthem of the Seas became the second ship produced under the program.

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• 2020Anthem of the Seas temporarily quarantined during coronavirus outbreak

  Royal Caribbean temporarily quarantined the ship after a passenger from an earlier sailing had traveled through mainland China. The passenger later tested negative, and the ship was cleared to sail, although a scheduled voyage was disrupted and rerouted.

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• 2016Severe storm damages Anthem of the Seas

  The ship encountered extreme wind and sea conditions near Cape Hatteras, causing damage to parts of the vessel and disabling one Azipod propulsion unit. Royal Caribbean reported four minor passenger injuries and compensated affected travelers.

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• 2016Anthem of the Seas encounters Hurricane Hermine conditions

  The ship was placed under restricted onboard movement while experiencing strong gusts associated with Hurricane Hermine. The reported damage was less extensive than during the February storm.

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• 2015Anthem of the Seas delivered to Royal Caribbean

  Meyer Werft delivered the second Quantum-class ship to Royal Caribbean International in April 2015.

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• 2015Anthem of the Seas christened in Southampton

  The ship held its official christening ceremony in Southampton, with travel agent Emma Wilby serving as ceremonial godmother.

  CampaignProduct launch
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1. Anthem of the Seas