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Royal Caribbean will adopt new rotational dining program for Anthem of the Seas

In:
31 Jan 2015

We've received reports that Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley announced to a group of travel agents aboard Freedom of the Seas that the company's ambitious Dynamic Dining program will be augmented with a new rotational dining program.

Under the new program, guests will dine at different complimentary restaurants each night of their cruise based on their rotational schedule.  At each restaurant, guests will have the same wait staff and table mates each evening.

The new rotational dining program will begin with Anthem of the Seas, but there is no indication yet if it will spread to Quantum of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas and/or Allure of the Seas.

Back in March 2014, Royal Caribbean had previously announced its Quantum-class cruise ships would usher in a radically new dining program called Dynamic Dining, where there would be no main dining room and instead would offer a combination of complimentary and specialty restaurants for guests to choose from.  

Then in August 2014, Royal Caribbean announced Dynamic Dining would spread to Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.

When Quantum of the Seas launched in November 2014, there were a great deal of negative reports from cruisers that Dynamic Dining was troubled by long lones and poor service.  Then in December, Royal Caribbean postponed Dynamic Dining on Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas indefinitely.

If the reports are true, it appears the flow of negative reviews online and to Royal Caribbean have forced the company to try something different from Dynamic Dining that is more like traditional dining.

UPDATE: Video of Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley announcing the rotational dining option called "Classic".

Video by Gina Smythe

Anthem of the Seas float out scheduled for February 8

In:
08 Jan 2015

Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, Anthem of the Seas, will leave ship builder Meyer Werft's covered building for its official float out on Saturday, February 8, 2015

Cruise expert Stewart Chiron confirmed the February date for the new ship's float out.

The 167,800gt vessel will be floated out of Meyer Werft's building dock II on the date.  Float out dates are subject to weather conditions and can be delayed if the weather does not meet requirements.

Anthem of the Seas is the second Quantum-class cruise ship built for Royal Caribbean and follows sister ship Quantum of the Seas, which was launched just a few months ago.

 

Anthem of the Seas cruise director will be Joff Eaton

In:
04 Jan 2015

Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship that is under construction, Anthem  of the Seas, has its cruise director picked out and will be Joff Eaton.  

As the ship's cruise director, Eaton will oversee entertainment onboard the ship and will manage the activities team that include dancers, musicians, youth and activities staff.

Joff is from Chichester, West Sussex in the South of England. He has worked in an entertainment industry for 20 years, initially for holiday companies in the UK and Europe.

Anthem of the Seas' inaugural cruise is set for April 2015 from Southampton, England.

Anthem of the Seas is the sister ship of Quantum of the Seas, which launched in November 2014. There is still yet a third Quantum-class cruise ship, Ovation of the Seas, that will also be built.

Anthem of the Seas musical will be "We Will Rock You"

In:
29 Aug 2014

Royal Caribbean has been informing travel agents and others that the Broadway musical on Anthem of the Seas will be "We Will Rock You".

We Will Rock You is based on the music of Queen and will be the Broadway show available on the second Quantum-class cruise ship.

In addition to the show, there will be an after-show party with the cast of the musical for guests to experience, similar in nature to the Mamma Mia! after-party on Quantum of the Seas.

Anthem of the Seas blocks back in dry dock

In:
14 Aug 2014

Following the successful float out of Quantum of the Seas yesterday, Meyer Werft shipyard returned the blocks that will eventually make up Anthem of the Seas back to dry dock to finish construction.

Photo by Christoph Assies

Anthem of the Seas' blocks had to be floated out first to make way for Quantum of the Seas since they were position in front of Quantum.  

The first block had been moved out of the shipyard in June and the second block was moved Tuesday evening.

Three tugs helped maneuver the blocks back into the dock.  

Photo by Christoph Assies

Shipyard spokesman Guenther Kolbe says Anthem of the Seas' shell will be completed with the next two months.

Anthem of the Seas is the second Quantum-class cruise ship and will debut in spring 2015 for Royal Caribbean.

Anthem of the Seas inside layout revealed

In:
15 Jun 2014

A new Royal Caribbean brochure was released showing the most in-depth look at the layout of Anthem of the Seas we have seen yet.

The cut-away image shows the insides of the Quantum-class cruise ship and gives guests a good indication of how this ship is laid out, especially venues that are new to this class.

Thanks to Lloyd for alerting us to this find!

Fire breaks out on under construction Royal Caribbean cruise ship

In:
06 Jun 2014

One of Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ships that is under construction, Anthem of the Seas, had a fire break out that caused about $68,000 in damage according to CruiseCritic.

Anthem of the Seas is under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany when a fire broke out on deck 3.

The production area was immediately evacuated and the fire was controlled and extinguished by onsite and regional fire services.

A Royal Caribbean statement said the only injuries were two people who were treated for "slight smoke poisoning".

There is no indication yet what started the fire or if the fire will affect delivery of the ship to Royal Caribbean.

Anthem of the Seas to be based in New York for winter 2015-2016

In:
16 Apr 2014

Following Royal Caribbean's big news that Quantum of the Seas will go to China in 2015, sister ship Anthem of the Seas is going to also be moving in 2015.  She will replace Liberty of the Seas in Bayonne, New Jersey for the winter 2015-2016 cruise season.

Anthem of the Seas is the second in the Quantum-class of cruise ships Royal Caribbean is building and will debut in Southampton, England in April 2015 first and then move to New York for the winter.

This is a change for Anthem of the Seas since she was previously planned to be sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida in winter 2015.

Royal Caribbean officially announces Dynamic Dining for Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas

In:
26 Mar 2014

Royal Caribbean announced on Wednesday a brand new dining innovation coming to its newest class of cruise ships, the concept of dynamic dining.

Brand new for Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas and the yet-to-be-named third Quantum-class ship, the main dining room is being replaced with five complimentary restaurants that offer distinct flavors, cuisines and tastes to choose from.

In fact, there will be 18 restaurants aboard these new ships, with the aim to offer its guests the most variety and choice they've ever had at sea.

The new complimentary restaurants include

  • American Icon Grill, a take on the classic American road trip, pulling together best-loved regional favorites into one comfort-style menu

  • Chic, where the height of contemporary cuisine is realized and the freshest ingredients, such as proteins that pack a punch and sauces made from scratch, are evolved for a modern palate

  • Silk, a vibrant and exotic destination where the spices of the Far East bring new flavor to adventurous palates through a Pan-Asian menu

  • The Grande, a luxuriant nod to a bygone era of classic European ocean liners when dining was a time honored ritual, featuring timeless dishes, and where every night is formal night.

  • Coastal Kitchen, a concept created exclusively for suite guests, fusing Mediterranean influences with the unmatched riches of California’s bountiful farmlands.

In addition, Royal Caribbean is adding several new specialty resurants that offer more choice for an additional cost.

  • Wonderland, an elaborate feast for the senses in a setting where Royal Caribbean chefs twist their culinary kaleidoscopes to invent a dreamscape of never-before-seen fare

  • Jamie’s Italian, featuring rustic Italian favorites, handmade - using seasonal ingredients and Jamie’s tried-and-tested crowd pleasers

  • Michael’s Genuine Pub, the first American gastropub at sea and the next evolution of Royal Caribbean’s relationship with James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz, offering simply-prepared food and drinks made with quality ingredients from the best artisanal producers

  • Devinly Decadence at Solarium Bistro, Royal Caribbean’s fittest dining destination, serving the foods you love all under five-hundred calories, designed by Devin Alexander, media personality, New York Times bestselling author and chef of highly-rated television show, “The Biggest Loser”

​Royal Caribbean will also offer well known specialty restaurants on the Quantum-class of ships, such as Chops Grille, Izumi, Johnny Rockets and Chef's Table.

There will also be more complimentary restaurants that Royal Caribbean fans will recognize in the Windjammer Marketplace, The Cafe @ Two70 and SeaPlex Dog House.

To make the dining experience easier and simpler, Royal Caribbean is offering dining reservations well in advance with lots of options to book. Using a special new online booking tool, guests can make reservations starting May 15, 2014 and compare restaurants and book reservations.  Guests will still have the option of booking restaurants onboard the ship or opting for a walk-up table.

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