New cruise ships for 2015: Anthem of the Seas
Four cruise lines that market to North Americans are rolling out new ocean-going ships this year. Here, Paste BN profiles one of the new offerings: Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas. For information on the year's other new vessels, click HERE to return to the main page of Paste BN's Guide to the New Cruise Ships of 2015.
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ANTHEM OF THE SEAS
Line: Royal Caribbean
Maiden voyage: April 22
Home ports: Southampton, UK; Bayonne, N.J.
Size (in tons): 167,800
Passengers: 4,180
The buzz: After rolling out the hottest new ship of 2014, Royal Caribbean is doubling down just six months later with a nearly identical sister vessel. Like the much-ballyhooed Quantum of the Seas, unveiled in October, Anthem of the Seas will boast such innovative new features as a skydiving simulator and a glass capsule on a mechanical arm that will rise high above the ship for bird's-eye views. Also on board will be Two70, an unusual, multilevel entertainment space with floor-to-ceiling windows that will feature live aerial performances as well as digital performances projected on moving screens.
Anthem also will be only the second cruise ship to feature a bar with robot bartenders. The first is on Quantum of the Seas.
Like Quantum, Anthem won't be quite as big as Royal Caribbean's two Oasis class vessels — the world's largest cruise ships. But it still will rank among the five largest passenger vessels afloat and feature all of the signature amenities Royal Caribbean fans have come to love, from a 30-foot-high rock climbing wall to a FlowRider surf simulator to an H20 Zone kids water park. Look inside an Oasis class vessel
Itineraries: Seven- to 12-night Bahamas and Caribbean sailings starting at $813 per person; 10- to 22-night Mediterranean and Canary Island sailings starting at $2,293; seven- and eight-night France and Spain sailings starting at $1,405.
Information: 866-562-7625; royalcaribbean.com.
Paste BN Cruise reported live from Quantum's maiden voyage from Southampton to New York. Click on the carousel below for a glimpse at some of the ship's swankiest suites. For more of our coverage of the ship's debut, including a dozen videos, follow the links at the bottom of this page.
Live from Quantum of the Seas
New giant cruise ship begins sailings from New York
Actress Kristin Chenoweth christens Quantum in New York
New giant cruise ship arrives in New York
Five things to love about the new Quantum of the Seas
Video: First look at Quantum's two70 lounge
Love craft beers? This new ship is for you
Video: Michael's Genuine Pub brings artisanal flavors to sea
Bumper cars on a cruise ship? This one has them
Video: Bumper car fun on a cruise ship
Latest gee-whiz cruise attraction: skydiving
New giant cruise ship sets sail on maiden voyage
Living large: New cruise ship's swanky mega-suites
Video: The coolness of 'virtual balconies' on Quantum of the Seas
Video: The epic mega-suites of Quantum of the Seas
Photos: Inside the super suites on Quantum of the Seas
First look: Inside the year's hottest new cruise ship
Photos: Inside our exclusive first ride on North Star
Video: Jamie Oliver brings 'neighborhood Italian' to Quantum
Robot bartenders? This cruise ship has them
Video: Quantum's Bionic Bar mixes perfect drinks
Video: Time-lapse view as Quantum of the Sea sets sail
Video: Soaring on Quantum's skydiving ride
Video: Watch Quantum's Bionic Bar mix a drink
Photos: First look at Quantum of the Seas
Video: Experience Quantum's North Star in 60 seconds
Exclusive: Inside the hottest new ride at sea
Video: Quantum's North Star gives sky-high views