Anthem of the Seas Cruise Ship: Key Facts & Itineraries

There’s something reassuring about a ship that’s been sailing for nearly a decade and still manages to surprise passengers with onboard skydiving and a glass capsule that lifts you 300 feet above the ocean. Anthem of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s second Quantum-class vessel, has been cruising from Cape Liberty, New Jersey since 2015, offering a mix of Bermuda, Bahamas, and Alaska itineraries, and we’ve gathered the data to help you decide.

Class: Quantum-class ·
Passenger capacity: 4,180 (double occupancy) ·
Year built: 2015 ·
Length: 1,141 feet (348 m) ·
Tonnage: 167,800 GT ·
Homeport (2025): Cape Liberty, New Jersey (winter); Seattle (summer)

Six key specifications, one pattern: Anthem of the Seas is a midsize option that prioritizes entertainment over pure passenger volume.

Is Anthem of the Seas a Good Ship?

Overall passenger satisfaction

Cruise review aggregators give Anthem of the Seas a solid 4 out of 5 stars based on post-2023 sailings (CruiseMapper (review aggregation)). The ship consistently scores high for its entertainment lineup — the North Star observation pod and RipCord by iFly indoor skydiving are top draws. Families appreciate the broad age-range kids’ clubs, while couples tend to favor the adults-only Solarium and specialty dining at Jamie’s Italian and Wonderland.

Key amenities and drawbacks

The trade-off for a 4,180-passenger ship is a large, sometimes busy layout. The Royal Esplanade on Deck 6 can feel congested on sea days, and the Music Hall draws crowds late into the evening. Staterooms are well-sized, but some cabins near entertainment venues report noise bleed (Cruise Booking (cabin advisory)).

The implication: this ship rewards those who embrace its activity-packed design, not those looking for quiet relaxation.

Where Is Anthem of the Seas Ship Now?

Current position and itinerary (2025)

According to AIS data from CruiseMapper (real-time vessel tracking), Anthem of the Seas is currently en route to Cape Liberty after a summer run in Alaska. As of late 2025, the ship sails 7- to 9-night itineraries from Seattle to Alaska’s Inside Passage, and from Cape Liberty to Bermuda and the Bahamas.

How to track live location

• Use CruiseMapper for real-time AIS positions and port calls.
• Royal Caribbean’s website publishes scheduled arrival and departure times for each sailing.
• MarineTraffic offers free live tracking of all commercial vessels including Anthem of the Seas.

The pattern: the ship’s schedule shifts between two homeports, so travelers should verify seasonal routes before booking.

Is Anthem of the Seas the Biggest Ship?

Quantum-class size vs. Oasis-class

No. Anthem of the Seas is the second ship in the Quantum class, which tops out at 167,800 GT and 4,180 passengers. That’s roughly 60,000 GT smaller than the smallest Oasis-class ship (Allure of the Seas at 225,282 GT). The sheer scale of Oasis-class ships — with 7+ neighbourhoods — dwarfs Anthem’s 18 decks.

Tonnage and passenger comparison

Anthem of the Seas is still large by absolute standards: it is bigger than 90% of all cruise ships afloat. But among Royal Caribbean’s own fleet, it sits as a “medium-large” option, smaller than Oasis-class and larger than Freedom-class (CruiseMapper (fleet comparison)).

One number, one takeaway: at 1,141 feet long, Anthem of the Seas is roughly the length of three football fields. For context, an Oasis-class ship is 20% longer and carries 40% more passengers.

What this means: size alone isn’t the deciding factor — the ship’s unique attractions make it a distinct choice within Royal Caribbean’s fleet.

What Happened to Anthem of the Seas Cruise Ship?

The 2016 storm incident

On February 1, 2016, Anthem of the Seas sailed into a severe winter storm off the North Carolina coast while en route to the Bahamas. Waves reached 30 feet and sustained winds exceeded 100 mph. The ship sustained damage to balconies, a pool deck structure, and interior furnishings. It returned to Cape Liberty under its own power two days later with no serious injuries (Cruise Snooze (incident report)).

Subsequent safety improvements

Royal Caribbean modified its weather-routing protocols after the incident. The vessel now carries enhanced weather monitoring equipment, and the fleet’s procedures for avoiding severe weather have been updated. No similar incident has occurred since (CruiseMapper (safety updates)).

What Cabins Should I Avoid on Anthem of the Seas?

Cabins above entertainment venues

According to Cruise Booking (cabin noise guide), cabins on Deck 6 directly above the Music Hall and Casino Royale experience persistent loud music and crowd noise until late. Similarly, Deck 13 cabins beneath the Adventure Ocean kids’ club can hear running and play noise during the day.

Cabins near elevator banks

Staterooms adjacent to the main elevator lobbies — particularly on Decks 6, 10, and 13 — are flagged as less desirable because of foot traffic and door noise (Cruise Snooze (noise advisory)).

The takeaway: careful deck selection can dramatically improve the onboard experience, especially for light sleepers.

Anthem of the Seas Itinerary 2026 and 2027

2026 summer Alaska cruises

Royal Caribbean has confirmed that Anthem of the Seas will operate 7-night Alaska Inside Passage voyages from Seattle in summer 2026, with port calls including Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan (Royal Caribbean (2026 schedule)).

2027 transatlantic and Caribbean

For 2027, the ship is scheduled for a transatlantic repositioning from Seattle to Cape Liberty, followed by a winter season of 9-night Southern Caribbean itineraries. Exact dates are posted on Royal Caribbean’s booking portal (CruiseMapper (future itineraries)).

Six core stats, one number that matters most: 167,800 GT — large enough for a week of activities, small enough to dock at most Caribbean ports.

The pattern: these specs confirm Anthem is a mid-sized ship with a high activity-to-space ratio, ideal for families wanting variety without overwhelming scale.

Timeline

What Others Say

At 4,180 passengers, Anthem of the Seas is a Quantum Class ship with a large, busy layout and many onboard venues.

— CruiseCritic (cruise review platform)

Experience a luxury cruise holiday on board Anthem of the Seas, for our Sydney Getaway.

— Sunway Travel (specialist agency)

For a prospective cruiser deciding between Anthem of the Seas and a newer ship, the choice comes down to expectations. If you want a high-tech, activity-packed week with strong kids’ programs and the best indoor skydiving at sea, Anthem delivers. If your priority is a quiet, traditional cruise with long promenade decks and fewer queues, you’ll be happier on an Oasis-class or Radiance-class ship. For families booking Alaska 2026, the price-to-experience ratio is among the best in the fleet.

Om du är intresserad av Anthem of the Seas, kanske du också vill läsa om Icon of the Seas, som är världens största kryssningsfartyg och ett annat imponerande fartyg från Royal Caribbean.

Frequently asked questions

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