Royal Caribbean's next great adventure, Anthem of the Seas, has arrived. The world's most technologically advanced ship is now sailing from her homeport in Southampton, UK., through October where she will sail to the Mediterranean and Canary Islands.
Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley sent an email to all past guests that have sailed on Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas with an offer of $100 onboard credit towards a future cruise on Anthem of the Seas.
Bayley's email was sent in response to the negative feedback surrounding Dynamic Dining on Quantum of the Seas in the ship's first few months. Since that time, Royal Caribbean has worked to refine Dynamic Dining and the general Quantum-class experience.
Here is the content of the email to past passengers:
Thank you for being one of the first to sail onboard Quantum of the Seas. As the newest ship in our fleet, Quantum introduced many new concepts—which, I'm sure, is part of the reason you wanted to be among the first to experience it all. I know that things were not perfect, especially in the first few months of the inaugural season as we worked to refine the experience we set out to deliver. We listened to your feedback and it was clear we had some room to improve, especially with Dynamic Dining.
Many of you liked the flexibility of Dynamic Dining, but encountered issues with making reservations. Others simply wanted the more traditional dining experience to which they were accustomed on other ships. I assure you that we learn more with every sailing and with every comment we receive, and I'm pleased to announce that we've come up with a way to satisfy diners in either camp. Now, our more traditional diners can choose Dynamic Dining Classic, a new option that gives you the familiarity of traditional main dining by having the same dining times nightly, same waiters and same table companions throughout the cruise. And those of you who liked Dynamic Dining can enjoy even more flexibility and improved service throughout the experience, with Dynamic Dining Choice. We've already received a lot of positive feedback about these new options, and I can't wait to hear how you like it once you experience it for yourself.
As a gesture of goodwill and a thank you for your loyalty to Royal Caribbean, I invite you to come back and try the new and improved Dynamic Dining on our newest ship, Anthem of the Seas, and enjoy a gift of $100 in onboard credit per stateroom when you secure your booking in May. Again, thank you for being our guest. We hope to welcome you aboard soon.
Cruise must be booked April 13 - May 31, 2015. Offer applies to all Anthem of the Seas sailings. Offer includes $100 OBC and applies to all stateroom categories. Promo Code ANTHEM must be entered to receive onboard credit.
Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas is finally here and she's arrived in Southampton, England to begin her service in the fleet. The 167,800 gross registered ton ship packs a lot to see, do, eat, and experience. Here's what you need to know about Royal Caribbean's impressive new cruise ship.
Thrills and adventure
Anthem of the Seas is packed with thrills, starting off with North Star, the innovative glass observation capsule that takes passengers more than 300 feet above the ocean to give amazing views that were never before possible.
Ripcord by iFly offers the first skydiving simulator at sea. Passengers get the change to have the sensation of skydiving without the whole jumping out of a perfectly good airplane fear.
The SeaPlex area of the ship offers the largest indoor active space at sea, where during your cruise there will be activities like bumper cars, circus school, roller skating, basketball and more offered.
The FlowRider surf simulator isn't new to Anthem of the Seas, but it's yet another fun opportunity for you to try as you give surfing a try.
All four of these experiences are complimentary to passengers , but there are some private rental time available for North Star, Ripcord and the FlowRider if you want a more intimate experience.
Entertainment across the ship
Spanning two decks, the Music Hall lives up to its name with bands, musicians and DJs playing music for all to enjoy.
Music Hall spans two decks (decks 3 and 4) and was inspired by "the spirit of rock and roll". There's rich tones and lots of leather and mirrors.
Photos by Royal Caribbean.
If you are looking for entertainment on Anthem of the Seas, there are some really interesting shows to catch.
The Two70 venue at the aft of the ship offers a multi-deck arena that offers some really innovative and provocative shows where technology and live performers come together to deliver some very impressive shows.
The Royal Theater offers two brand new shows for guests to enjoy, "We Will Rock You" and "The Gift".
If you prefer some live music, check out the Music Hall, where there is usually live performances being held for your enjoyment. It's a great spot to hear some good tunes and to get out there and dance.
Brand new dining options
Anthem of the Seas will offer Royal Caribbean's new Dynamic Dining program, where passengers get to choose among 18 restaurants (including 5 complimentary restaurants) but without the formality of ship-wide dress codes or set dining times.
On Anthem of the Seas, passengers can choose between Dynamic Dining Choice and Dynamic Dining Classic.
Dynamic Dining Choice: Each evening, guests choose which restaurant to eat at, as well as when and with whom they want to dine with. You can make reservations in advance online or onboard the ship.
It's just like going out to a restaurant in your hometown: you can choose to call ahead and make a reservation or walk in and see if you can be seated.
Dynamic Dining Classic: For guests that prefer a more traditional dining experience, this brand new option will have a schedule of restaurants you will dine at each evening while retaining the same waiters and table mates. Each evening you will change the restaurant that you dine at but your tablemates and wait staff will be there too.
Tech, tech and more tech
Anthem of the Seas is literally packed with brand new technology that offer guests the easiest cruise experience yet.
The ship offers the fastest internet at sea, with super high fast WiFi onboard that in many cases is just as fast as the internet you have at home. Onboard Anthem of the Seas, you can stream movies from NetFlix, Facetime with friends back home and share photos very quickly.
New RFID technology in the form of WOWbands offer guests silicone bracelets that get you access to the entire ship without having to bring those SeaPass cards along with you anymore. Now all your dining reservations, activities and purchasing power is on your wrist.
Royal Caribbean also developed a brand new smartphone app for iOS and Android users called Royal iQ, where you can book entertainment and dining, track your luggage as it comes onboard the ship and communicate with other passengers seamlessly.
Then there's the Bionic Bar, where robots will take your drink orders and create your favorite concoction right in front of you.
If you book an inside stateroom on Anthem of the Seas, you will still have a great view thanks to the virtual balcony. Inside each inside stateroom is an 80-inch LED UHD television that shows real-time views from the ship. It's just like having a real balcony, but without the price!
Where will Anthem of the Seas be?
Anthem of the Seas will sail out of Southampton, UK for her inaugural season before departing for her new homeport of Cape Liberty, New Jersey later this fall.
Anthem of the Seas will spend the summer in the UK and then move across the Atlantic to the New York City area to offer cruises to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda and Canada.
As of the posting of this blog post, she will remain in Cape Liberty for the foreseeable future.
The world's third-largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas, arrived today in Southampton, England in advance of her grand debut in just a few days.
Photos by Royal Caribbean
Anthem of the Seas' naming ceremony will take place on April 20th but the ship arrived today in port to be ready for the media onslaught that is expected to announce her arrival in the UK market.
Royal Caribbean managing director, Stuart Leven, said, "Anthem of the Seas is designed to deliver what today's holiday makers want - new kind of experiences and adventures. Ships like Anthem of the Seas will help attract new groups of people and build the future of cruising. The UK and Ireland is our second largest market and with over 1.7 million Britons now taking a cruise every year, it has huge importance for our business.'
Royal Caribbean indicated they expect the ship to deliver around £50 million to the Southampton economy during the upcoming season.
Ship builder Meyer Werft delivered Anthem of the Seas to Royal Caribbean today in Bremerhaven, Germany.
Anthem of the Seas is the second in Royal Caribbean's Quantum-class and is equipped with the latest and greatest features onboard from technology, to safety, to environmental friendly features to entertainment.
Anthem of the Seas will depart from Bremerhaven to Southampton, UK on April 14, 2015. More than 1,300 invited special guests and dignitaries will be present at the ship’s inaugural ceremony in Southampton, U.K., on April 20, 2015.
Photo by Royal Caribbean
Anthem of the Seas will sail its inaugural season from Southampton before the ship repositions to its permanent homeport of New York in November.
Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas has a new giant piece of art, named Gigi the Giraffe. Check out Gigi's addition to Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship.
Royal Caribbean is installing a larger-than-life art piece on its newest cruise ship, Anthem of the Seas, that is a giant giraffe.
The giraffe is wearing a swimsuit and has an inflatable tube around its waist.
Sister cruise ship Quantum of the Seas features a giant 30-foot-tall magenta bear onboard its ship (which the crew has nicknamed Felicia) and so on Anthem of the Seas, there will be a giant giraffe instead.
These large animal art pieces are part of the ship-wide art collection that is meant to incite wonder among guests, encouraging them to admire the giraffe from afar, as well as interact with it on a more intimate, yet whimsical level.
Royal Caribbean announced that Emma Wilby, a 27-year-old travel agent from Sunderland, U.K., is the godmother for Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, Anthem of the Seas.
It's a maritime tradition for cruise ships to have a godmother and Wilby will officially christen Anthem of the Seas and perform a special song for more than 1,300 invited special guests and dignitaries at the ship’s inaugural ceremony in Southampton, U.K., on April 20, 2015.
In addition to being a travel agent for Thomson, Ms. Wilby is a military wife and budding singer who performs in the Military Wives Choir in Kinloss, Scotland, where she is based with her husband, a Royal Engineer for the British Army. To help her prepare for inaugural day, Craig Yates, Team Captain from British choir group Only Boys Aloud will be Ms. Wilby’s vocal coach, and Royal Caribbean is treating her to a full makeover.
“Emma’s inaugural song will herald in a ship that will be a new anthem for the cruise industry,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “I am very much looking forward to Emma’s performance and launchingAnthem of the Seas with her. I know she will be simply spectacular.”
Traditionally, Godmothers have celebrity status or even royal connections, such as Royal Caribbean Godmothers Gloria Estefan, Jane Seymour, Whoopi Goldberg and Steffi Graf, to name a few.
“I still can’t believe I won,” said Ms. Wilby after being informed of her new title earlier this week. “I am really honored to have been chosen. I am hugely excited to be taking on the role of Godmother for Anthem of the Seas – it will be incredible to sing in front of all these people and a real honor to give the ship the best sendoff possible.”
Puzzle Break has announced it is partnering with Royal Caribbean to offer a new shipboard escape room experience aboard Anthem of the Seas called, "Escape from the Future".
Puzzle Break specializes in live interactive escape-the-room games and currently offers similar experiences in Seattle and San Francisco.
Puzzle Break is thrilled to announce we are partnering with @RoyalCaribbean on a shipboard escape room experience "Escape from the Future!"
Royal Caribbean Blog is an unofficial fan blog written for other fans of Royal Caribbean International. The Royal Caribbean Blog is not affiliated with Royal Caribbean International
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