Anthem of the Seas felt less like a ship and more like a floating little city that we got to call home for a while. From the moment we walked on board, it was obvious this wasn’t going to be a “sit by the pool and do nothing” sort of cruise. There’s always something happening, somewhere, and we happily leaned into that. In the end, we didn’t spend much time by the pool. There was too much to do and too much to see.
Our home on Deck 6
We were in a balcony cabin on Deck 6, forward, starboard, and it was the perfect base. Close enough to everything to nip back and change for dinner or drop bags, but far enough from the main venues to stay quiet at night.
Stepping out onto the balcony each morning, watching the ocean slide past set the tone for the day. Inside, the cabin felt thoughtfully designed: plenty of storage, a decent-sized bathroom, and a bed that did a very good job of convincing us to sleep in “just a bit longer”. Although it was a little hard, something we weren’t used to, but given our days were so full, it didn’t stop us from getting a great night’s sleep.
Flying without jumping: iFly
One of my personal highlights was RipCord by iFLY, the skydiving simulator at the back of the ship. You suit up, get your safety briefing, and then suddenly you’re standing at the entrance of a wind tunnel, wondering why on earth you volunteered to be blasted into the air in front of strangers.
The moment I leaned forward and the air lifted me, everything else disappeared. It was loud and a bit chaotic, but also strangely peaceful. You’re weightless, trying to remember all the hand signals while also thinking, “I’m flying… on a cruise ship.” It was over too quickly, but it’s one of those experiences that sticks with you long after you’ve handed back the jumpsuit.
Dodgem chaos at SeaPlex
SeaPlex became a bit of a second home. It’s this big, bright indoor space that changes personalities during the day: sports court, roller skating, circus school… and, most importantly for our friends Nejat and Natalie, bumper cars.
Nejat and Natalie took the lead with the dodgem cars. Watching them tear around the floor, laughing and crashing into anything that moved, was entertainment in itself. The music, the lights, the squeal of tyres on the floor… it felt like being at a funfair, but you’re at sea. We didn’t always drive; sometimes we just stood above and watched the chaos from the viewing level, which was almost as much fun.
Evenings in the bars: cocktails and trivia
Evenings on Anthem quickly found a rhythm for us: pick a bar, order something interesting, and then drift into whatever activity was on. From jazz to piano to trivia to just the company of good friends, we found our groove.
We spent time wandering between the different bars and lounges, each with its own personality. From the more relaxed pub-style spots to the livelier venues with live music and people singing along, there was always a place that matched our mood. Sampling cocktails became a gentle little mission: classics, ship specials, and a few “let’s-just-try-it” choices that became new favourites.
Trivia nights were another highlight. There’s something very bonding about sitting around a table, drinks in hand, arguing over song lyrics or obscure facts while the quiz host keeps things moving. Win or lose, it was all about the shared laughs and the odd moment where you surprised yourself and actually knew something useful.
West End at sea: We Will Rock You
Seeing We Will Rock You on board felt like a proper theatre night out, just with more sea involved. The production was big, polished and loud, in the best possible way. The music, of course, is familiar, but seeing Queen’s songs wrapped into a full stage show with lights, sets and a very enthusiastic audience gave it a special energy.
There were moments where you could feel the whole theatre moving together: everyone clapping along, singing quietly (or not so quietly), and getting swept up in it. It’s easy to forget you’re on a ship at all when the curtain goes up.
Name That Tune – live on stage
We also went along to the live, TV-style adaptation of Name That Tune. It had all the elements of the classic game show: contestants, buzzers, catchy music snippets and a host keeping everyone on their toes.
Sitting in the audience, playing along, is half the fun. You find yourself blurting out answers under your breath and then laughing when someone else beats you to it. It was nostalgic and a bit silly, in the best way, and it added to that feeling that there is always some form of entertainment waiting just around the corner.
Dining: from main dining rooms to snacks on the go
Food is a big part of any cruise, and Anthem of the Seas really leans into that. We dipped into as many options as we reasonably could without needing to be rolled off the ship.
Main dining rooms
Anthem’s main dining rooms have their own identities – venues like American Icon Grill, Chic, Silk and The Grande each bringing a slightly different atmosphere and menu style. (thecruisingblog.com)
Dinners there felt like “proper” evenings out: multi-course meals, attentive service and the chance to try dishes we wouldn’t usually cook at home. It was nice to dress up a little, settle in at our table and let the courses just arrive.
Casual favourites
When we wanted something more relaxed, the Windjammer Marketplace buffet was our go-to. The variety makes it easy to wander around, build your own plate and sit wherever the view looked best that day.
We also made good use of grab-and-go spots like Café Promenade and Sorrento’s Pizza when we just needed a quick bite between activities. (cruises.united.com) A slice of pizza or a coffee and pastry can be exactly what you need when you’ve lost track of time in trivia or SeaPlex.
Specialty dining
Anthem also has a strong line-up of specialty restaurants. There’s Jamie’s Italian with its comforting pastas and rustic dishes, Chops Grille for a proper steak, Izumi for sushi, and Wonderland if you’re in the mood for something theatrical and a bit whimsical on the plate. (Royal Caribbean)
We couldn’t try everything in one sailing, but just knowing there were so many options made the ship feel like a small food district at sea. You can tailor each evening to how you feel: relaxed, special-occasion, or “let’s just wander and see what we find”.
Other facilities that filled our days
Beyond the headline-grabbing activities, Anthem has a long list of spaces that quietly become part of your daily rhythm:
- SeaPlex itself, when it’s not bumper cars, turns into a sports court, roller-skating rink and multi-use play space. (Royal Caribbean)
- The pools and Solarium, where you can choose between lively and quiet, sun and shade, and just let the day drift by. (Royal Caribbean)
- North Star, the glass capsule that gently lifts you high above the ship for panoramic views over the sea and ports. (Royal Caribbean)
- FlowRider for the brave (and coordinated) who want to surf on board. (Royal Caribbean Incentives)
- Two70 and Music Hall, where tech, live music and performances blend into some very memorable evenings. (www.cleancruising.com.au)
Every time we thought we’d “seen it all”, we’d stumble across something else: a quiet corner to read, a new trivia session, a different style of live music, or a venue we somehow hadn’t noticed before.
Looking back
What stays with me most from Anthem of the Seas isn’t just one big moment, but the mix of them: flying in the iFly tunnel, watching Nezhat and Natalie laugh their way around the dodgem track, raising a glass at yet another bar while trying to remember the name of a song in trivia, and sitting in a dark theatre as We Will Rock You roared around us.
From our balcony on Deck 6 to the very top of the North Star, the ship gave us plenty of space to play, relax and just be together. It’s the kind of cruise where you can do as much or as little as you like, and either way, you come home with a head full of memories.
