Karryon’s MARK HARADA hops on board Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas in Singapore to discover you can still have an intimate experience on a ship with a capacity of nearly 5,000 passengers. And what’s best for Aussie cruise aficionados is that the Quantum class vessel is due to arrive in Australia for the first time in 2025.
The most memorable moment of my first Royal Caribbean cruise is one that I have no photos of. Rather, it’s a simple and unexpected moment of connection. But isn’t that incongruous with mega-oceanliner cruising, where it’s all about the giant slides, 22-station buffets, spectacular shows and other BIG action? Not aboard the Anthem of the Seas, where size matters, but connections and crew count.
It’s 9.30pm on the final evening of my three-night Singapore-George Town-Singapore cruise. I’ve just hoofed it up to level 14, after enjoying the musical We Will Rock You, for a late-night open game of indoor soccer on the ship’s Seaplex arena.
When I arrive, there are more than twice as many players as there should be for a field this size, even though Seaplex is the biggest indoor active space at sea. But what transpires is an hour and a half (and it would’ve gone even longer had it not been past 11pm) of pure joy. Of coordinating attacks on the opposition’s goal, fist-pumping strangers and backslapping people I’ve never met. Because cruising, like travelling generally, is about creating memories – and memories are best formed through connection – sometimes with a place, and sometimes with people.
As an admittedly novice cruiser, I’ve quickly discovered that a cruise aboard a ship even as big as Anthem can be full of such intimate moments, among its awesome adventures.
Crew & cuisine
Rewind to my first night, during dinner at one of Anthem’s premium dining experiences, Wonderland.
A play on Alice in Wonderland, this venue is an experimental eatery that pushes the boundaries of dining in a fun, but not snooty, way. However, the meal is made even more enjoyable by Zaq, my waiter, who announces each course with pride before explaining the components and even delivery of each dish, like a crispy bird’s nest (with eggs) that lies concealed under a plume of cinnamon smoke; or a hot chocolate poured over a sweet sphere to reveal an even more decadent dessert underneath.
The experience and service are similarly outstanding at the other premium dining on board Anthem of the Seas – like at Jamie’s Italian, where Tuscan Italian food is delivered in a delicious yet unpretentious way (think aubergine parmigiana, ’ultimate garlic buns’ and Almafi lemon cheesecake) and Japanese sushi bar and restaurant, Izumi, which serves up fine fare that would be at home in Shinjuku. And then there’s Chef’s Table, Anthem’s most formal eatery, for that special occasion.
On top of the numerous specialty dining experiences, there are stacks of complimentary eateries from which to choose – from breakfast buffets at Silk and The Solarium to deli-style snacks at Le Promenade and Two70 Cafe to late-night pizza at Sorrento (a hive of activity even after midnight). There’s even the retro-themed Johnny Rockets, offering burgers, shakes and other American-inspired fare.
But one of my culinary highlights, to my surprise, is the Western a la carte breakfast in the Main Dining Room, which is more charming than its name suggests. On white-clothed tables, overlooking a sparkling sea, I’m served a wonderful platter of fruit, followed by blueberry pancakes dusted in icing sugar, freshly squeezed OJ and a frothy cappuccino. It’s the ideal way to start a big day.
Later, at the North Star Bar, I chat with two bartenders about where they’ve been and where they’d love to go – Australia being on the list. It’s yet another instance of connection aboard a ship the length of three football fields. Of course, the crewmembers can pour a nice whisky sour and mean mocktail too.
Elsewhere, there are numerous places to whet one’s whistle on the ship, from an English pub to a jazz club, and laid-back lounges to the Bionic Bar, where two robots prepare and serve your drinks.
My ‘Deluxe Package’ gives me unlimited drinks on most beverages (including cocktails), but the ‘Refreshment Package’ also offers great value, giving guests unlimited non-alcoholic drinks. In any case, your thirst will be quenched.
Thrills & (a few) spills
But what’s a mega-ship without the mega experiences? And they don’t come much bigger (or better) than RipCord by iFly.
Royal Caribbean offers the only skydiving simulator at sea, and it does feel surreal to be “skydiving” on a cruise ship. But it’s as high octane as you can get on a cruise, so it’s hard to pass up.
Our expert guide/instructor Yaz tells us not to expect to do the tumbling you see seasoned skydivers do in the tunnel, but the experience of just floating is still pretty special. And then Yaz shows us how it’s done with a lot of practice.
Directly in front of iFly is the FlowRider surf simulator, where guests can try their hand at bodyboarding or, if they’re game, stand-up surfing. Expect to fall (with a soft landing) and expect a lot of fun, even if you’re not into surfing.
Then there’s SeaPlex, the biggest indoor active space at sea, where you can bump along in bumper cars, try roller skating and even hit a trapeze school. Yeah, trapeze. Or you can take part in some indoor football, of course.
First-time cruiser (and adept goalkeeper!) Rohan Sigg says he wasn’t sure if a mega cruise ship, which is often geared towards families, would appeal to the thrill seeker in him, but admits that Anthem’s adrenaline-fuelled action won him over.
“The iFly experience was a first for me – and obviously I’d not expected my first ‘skydiving’ experience to be aboard a cruise ship!” said Sigg, an Australian from regional NSW.
“And the FlowRider experience was just as cool, and took me back to my wave-riding days. Again, not where I thought that would happen!”
Elsewhere, there’s a 12-metre rock climbing wall, sports court, running track, gym, pickleball, table tennis, and even gyroscopic pool tables for when the sea gets rough (though not a problem on this cruise).
Throw in multiple pools and spas, a games arcade, special zones for kids (from toddlers to teens), and everything from salsa dancing to sushi making, and there’s literally something for everyone – you just have to look for it, and narrow your options because you’re never going to fit it all in during a three or even five-night cruise.
Rising above everything is the ship’s famous North Star viewing deck – a glass observation pod that lifts you over 90 metres above sea level for views usually reserved for drones. If you’re worried about heights, this mightn’t be for you. But if you do opt for this experience, you’re in for the best views at sea aboard the tallest observation deck on a cruise ship.
That’s entertainment
Forget your average cruise show. Aboard Anthem, we’re talking Broadway-level productions, live music in multiple venues, and the Two70 lounge, which transforms into a high-tech performance space with floor-to-ceiling windows.
The cruise’s headline show We Will Rock You indeed rocked us – and particularly appealed to the muso in me, with an intimate look at the band and stage in the main theatre.
But there’s entertainment everywhere, from outdoor film nights at the main pool to a late-night DJ set in the music hall. There are even dance parties in the main atrium, which are hard to avoid en route to your cabin.
Room with a view
Admittedly, I don’t spend a lot of time in my cabin while on board Anthem, but my Balcony Stateroom proves an oasis when I need a comfy place to rest.
The bed is easily long enough for my six-foot frame, while the tastefully-appointed room also makes efficient use of its space, which is always a challenge aboard a ship where you’re not paying an arm and a leg – and you’re not doing that here, with Balcony Staterooms going for just over a grand per person (give or take a little) on average for a three-night cruise.
There’s ample storage, a sofa (albeit a small one), a nice balcony and even a desk for anyone looking to squeeze in a spot of work amid all the fun. To this end, Anthem of the Seas’ free VOOM wi-fi – dubbed the fastest internet at sea – comes in handy.
The bathroom, meanwhile, functions well and is, most importantly, clean.
Those wanting a more luxurious experience can also check out the Royal Suite Class accommodation, massive abodes perfect for families looking to take their comfort level up a notch.
But on a big ship full of ‘biggest’ things, you might find even the “smallest” experiences satisfying enough.
Details
- Ship: Anthem of the Seas
- Cabin: Balcony Stateroom
- Trip: Three-night Penang Cruise (Singapore-George Town-Singapore)
- Tip: Downloard the RCI app before you board. It’s the only way, really, of navigating the countless experiences on board.
- Fun fact: The godmother of the Anthem is British travel advisor Emma Wilby, who won a talent contest for the honour. The budding singer even performed a song for over 1,300 guests at the ship’s inauguration in 2015.
The writer was a guest of Royal Caribbean International, however, RCI did not review or approve the content before publishing. For more information on Anthem of the Seas, click here.
All images by Mark Harada.
