A first look at Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas

Anthem of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s second Quantum-class ship, has completed its inaugural sailing in a two-night cruise around the Isle of Wight. 

The 4,905 passenger vessel was christened by Emma Wilby, a travel agent for Thomson Holidays on April 20 inside the ship’s Royal Theatre. The ceremony included a performance by choir act Only Boys Aloud and, in typically innovative style, a point-of-view video link of the bottle smash.

Before the sailing, Stuart Leven, managing director at Royal Caribbean International, said: “Anthem of the Seas is designed to deliver what today’s holidaymakers want – new kinds of experiences and adventures, whether you’re travelling alone or as a family. Ships like Anthem of the Seas will help attract new groups of people and build the future of cruising.

Click here to see Cruise Adviser’s video tour of Anthem of the Seas

“The UK and Ireland is our second largest market and with over 1.7m Brits now taking a cruise every year it has huge importance for our business. So we’re over the moon that our latest Quantum-class ship is arriving today for the summer season.”

Anthem of the Seas is expected to carry 80,000 holidaymakers during its summer season.

Dominic Paul, senior vice president international, Royal Caribbean International, added: “We’re growing our capacity and expanding all over the world, with two new ships launched in the last six months and three on order. Anthem of the Seas will move cruising into a new era of growth.”

Scroll down to see Cruise Adviser’s pictures from the sailing.