It was hard not to miss… at a length of around 350 metres and with a capacity of nearly 5,000 passengers, the Anthem of the Seas knows how to make an entrance.
One of Royal Caribbean’s five Quantum Class ships, the Anthem arrived in Sydney on Friday, marking its Australian debut – and according to Gavin Smith, Vice President and Managing Director of Royal Caribbean Australia/New Zealand, the vessel is a perfect fit for the Aussie cruise season.
“Anthem is obviously one of five sisters in a class that was really designed for summertime sailing,” he tells Karryon at an intimate breakfast at Sydney’s MCA, celebrating the arrival of Anthem Down Under.
“She has expansive open deck spaces, which take advantage of the Aussie-South Pacific weather – and then she has tonnes of amenities.
“So from a family perspective, there are plenty of things for kids to do, and plenty of things for adults to do.”
Despite being new to the region, Smith says there will be a “continuity and familiarity” with the vessel locally, given it’s a sister ship to Ovation of the Seas, which many Aussie cruisers are already familiar with.
“We really want Aussies to know what they’re buying, be very clear and transparent about it, and then deliver what we’re saying we’re going to deliver,” he remarks.
“So we’re very focused on NPS and our repeat rates, because that’s an illustration of how true to our promise we are in what we’re delivering.”
One market Royal Caribbean will be paying particular attention to is the multi-generational demographic, which Smith says is currently booming.
“What we’re seeing in terms of this emerging trend is larger families, siblings… taking all of their kids, and grandkids, and grandparents, so multi-gen,” he explains.
“And so what that allows is that family gathering for dinner, but everybody’s off doing their exciting things during the day. And I think this ship caters to that super well.”
Whether it’s the skydiving or surf simulators, or just lazing by the pool or hitting the spa, Smith says Anthem offers “a great platform because of the diversity of opportunities on board”.
First in the Pacific
Despite Anthem’s breadth of offerings and sheer size, Royal Caribbean has an even bigger attraction ahead for its Aussie passengers: its first ‘Royal Beach Club’ – a private destination exclusively for the cruise line’s guests – in the Pacific region, right on Australia’s doorstep in Vanuatu.
The Vanuatu project is one of eight destinations coming up shoreside by 2028, says Smith, including the most recently announced Santorini resort.
While there’s no opening date yet, the private island resort promises to be big, literally.
“We’ve been working on our Vanuatu project for a little over 10 years,” Gavin says over breakfast.
“We’ve been working with the people and the government of Vanuatu… and we’ve leased a large custom land area.
“It’s about the size of Centennial Park here in Sydney. It’s an enormous piece of land, and we are designing to construct a day experience – and we’re going to create a great family day at the beach.”
While Smith isn’t at liberty to divulge any more details, he goes into the philosophy behind the concept, which will make its global debut in Nassau, The Bahamas, next month.
“What I’m interested in is the ‘why’, the essence of it. It’s that curation of experience,” he says.
“What we’re trying to do is bring that [Royal Caribbean] experience ashore, and have that familiarity and safety and security and convenience of coming ashore and enjoying your beverage package, the wi-fi off the ship, being greeted by a Royal Caribbean employee, and having a food and beverage offering that is familiar and welcoming.”
In other words, giving guests a home at sea and an equally homely feeling – with a Royal Caribbean flavour – on land.
“And then it’s about giving access to the local community. So, making sure that we’re in partnership, in lockstep with the local community in Vanuatu, as we are in the Bahamas, Mexico – which we’ve announced – and now in Santorini,” Smith states.
According to Smith, it’s all about “going through that journey from cruise company to vacation company”.
“We’ve stopped dedicating ourselves to the sea-going experience and just talking about that broader experience. So, it’s super exciting.”
Anthem attractions
Back on board the Anthem, and Smith highlights some of the standout experiences as well as some of his personal highlights on the ship.
Along with iFly by Ripcord, there’s the Seaplex basketball arena, “where we then do rollerblading… circus trapeze” and bumper cars, along with the West End award-winning show, ‘We Will Rock You’.
“[This is a] phenomenal experience on board, really the first time in Australia that we’ve got a show of this magnitude.”
Then there’s Jamie’s Italian, “and then my personal favourite… Johnny Rockets, because I do like a sneaky late night shake through a paper straw”.
And they’d better have a lot of paper straws ready.
Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas will sail Down Under during the 2025/26 cruise season, offering journeys from two to 12 nights.
For more information on the ship, click here.
Read our full review of Anthem during its debut sailing in Asia.
All images (except render) by Mark Harada.
