Royal Caribbean 'Anthem Of The Seas' review

Sailing from Sydney for the first time, Anthem of the Seas is an award-winning ship.

Looking for thrills, spills and a good dose of chilling? Let the adventure begin on Anthem of the Seas. The ship features ‘first-at-sea’ experiences, including the RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator, the FlowRider surf simulator and SeaPlex, which has a full basketball court, bumper cars and roller skating. Add to this, the best vantage point at sea on the North Star observation capsule, as well as an incredible line-up of entertainment and dining, and you’re in for a voyage to truly savour.

Anthem Of The Seas North Star observation capsule — Capture 360-degree sea views on top of the North Star observation capsule.

Key dates: This season Anthem of the Seas sets sail into Sydney on 31 October, and will make its final trip from Sydney to Honolulu on 1 May 2026 before returning to Australia next season.

Capacity: 4905 guests

Best suited to: Families and multi-gen cruisers. The Adventure Ocean kids’ programme is located on decks 11 and 12 and offers an array of activities and entertainment for children and teens aged three to 17. While they’re having supervised fun, Mum and Dad, and Nan and Pop might want to spend time at the Vitality Spa, the Solarium or dine at a specialty restaurant.

Where does Anthem of the Seas sail to?

Summit of Kunanyi / Mount Wellington in tasmania — Summit Mount Wellington. (Image: Samuel Shelley)

Upcoming itineraries (from three to seven days) on Anthem of the Seas head to Eden (NSW), Hobart and the Whitsunday Islands. Spot whales, hike through stunning national parks or relax on pristine beaches in Eden. Experience Hobart’s famous culinary scene, ride horses to Mount Wellington and enjoy up-close encounters with Tasmanian devils. Or snorkel the Great Barrier Reef around the stunning Whitsunday Islands.

Further afield, it will also be heading out on seven- to nine-night itineraries to the South Pacific and nine- to 12-night itineraries to New Zealand.

Sustainable practices

aerial of Anthem Of The Seas — Embark on a cruise from Australia on board *Anthem of the Seas*.

The Royal Caribbean Group has a Blue Green Promise, embracing its responsibility to protect the oceans it sails. The Blue Green Promise is a commitment to support sustainable and resilient ocean communities all over the world by working to ensure their health and vitality for generations to come by protecting and restoring ecosystems, reducing marine pollution, advancing sustainable seafood and supporting biodiversity.

Royal Caribbean has also partnered with the ocean communities it visits to ensure their continued cultural and economic vibrancy by supporting small businesses and local entrepreneurs. Royal Caribbean also invests in educational resources, supporting conservation education and providing skills training. For example, Royal Caribbean International has partnered with Amaro Primary School on Lelepa Island, Vanuatu, to provide needed educational resources to local students. The cruise line worked with the school and the local community to provide renovation and repair support to the school, new desks and chairs for the students, equipment such as computers and printers, and teaching resources such as books and stationery supplies.

Dining on Anthem of the Seas

Anthem Of The Seas Izumi Sushi — Stop into Anthem Of The Seas’ many dining options.

With a choice of over 18 dining options, there’s a vast array of flavours from around the globe to sample aboard Anthem of the Seas. Complimentary dining options include the main dining room for a la carte service, Windjammer Cafe for an assortment of global cuisines, Sorrento’s for New York-style pizza, the Dog House for a choice of hot dogs, the Solarium Bistro for lighter options, and cafes. For a special occasion, book into a specialty restaurant. Below are some of the highlights onboard.

Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver

Sit down to a delicious meal in this specialty restaurant where the menu, devised by celeb chef Jamie Oliver, features handmade Italian favourites using fresh produce and free-range meats. Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing, so each ship or sailing may see different pricing for specialty restaurants. Expect to pay around US$30 for lunch and US$45 for dinner.

Wonderland

Be prepared for a feast for all the senses at this Alice in Wonderland-inspired dining experience, where Royal Caribbean chefs twist their culinary kaleidoscopes to invent a dreamscape of never-before-seen fare. Choose dishes based on five natural elements – Earth, Sea, Fire, Ice and Sun. The dishes (and cocktails) here are designed to tantalise your taste buds. Save room for the dreamy desserts. It’s priced from around US$60.

Chef’s Table

Join up to 14 guests at a private table for the ultimate intimate dining experience: a five-course wine-pairing dinner hosted nightly by an Executive Chef and Sommelier. Dinner with wine pairings comes at around US$120.

Bars on Anthem of the Seas

Anthem Of The Seas Two 70 Lounge — Stay hydrated at 11 bars and lunges on board.

There are 11 bars and lounges onboard Anthem of the Seas. Find a few highlights below.

Bionic Bar

Be prepared for a unique mixology experience. The two robotic bartenders at the Bionic Bar know how to shake, stir and mix your cocktail to perfection.

Boleros

This Latin-themed club is perfect for an after-dinner mojito or caipirinha. Sip on cocktails while enjoying the sound of a six-piece band playing salsa, cumbia, merengue and samba.

Schooner Bar

Sing along to your favourite tunes by the grand piano at this nautical-themed lounge. Perfect for a nightcap, Schooner Bar offers live entertainment and an impressive drinks menu.

Activities and entertainment on Anthem of the Seas

Anthem Of The Seas Flowrider surf simulator — Try your hand at the FlowRider surfing simulator.

Expect extreme highs aboard Anthem of the Seas; ascend 91 metres above sea level with the iconic North Star observation capsule. Then there’s RipCord by iFLY simulated skydiving, and the FlowRider surfing simulator. The 12-metre-long wave machine allows you to carve like a pro.

Come evening, enjoy unique shows and revues in the Royal Theatre. More one-of-a-kind experiences come to life for guests in transformative venues, such as Two70, offering 270-degree views of the ocean by day and transforming into a theatre at night.

Cabins

interior cabin on Anthem Of The Seas — Wake up to sweeping sea views from your superior room.

There’s a stateroom to suit every cruiser’s adventure with a choice of interior, ocean view, balcony or suite. Quantum of the Seas has 2094 staterooms. Located in the middle of the deck, interior cabins are a great budget-friendly option. Royal Caribbean came up with the genius idea to introduce a ‘virtual balcony’ with floor-to-ceiling HD display screens that show live-action footage of the sea.

To get a feel of the ocean, choose an ocean-view stateroom, and for extra space and the perfect perch to enjoy the view, choose a balcony stateroom. Those staying in the spacious Royal Suite Class staterooms have access to complimentary services and amenities, plus personalised attention.

Deck plan

Anthem of the Seas docked in Sydney harbour — Set sail from Sydney.

The cruise ship features 16 passenger decks with a top deck featuring a solarium for adults, an outdoor pool, an indoor pool featuring an operable roof system and an H2O Zone kids’ aqua park.

For more cruising inspiration, tips, and news, visit our Cruising in Australia guide.

The ultimate road trip begins and ends on NSW’s stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

Whales, charming villages, fine wine and stunning natural vistas: there’s a lot to love about a road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive in New South Wales. Winding from the Royal National Park through Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven before heading inland to the Southern Highlands, this scenic drive makes for an unforgettable road trip.

But like all great road trips, it’s not just about the drive but the stops made along the way. From incredible farm-to-plate (and grape-to-glass) dining options to unbeatable natural vistas and quaint towns with beautiful accommodation, there’s plenty to explore en route.

Where to eat

What is a road trip without incredible food? Whether you’re after fresh seafood, slow-cooked paddock-to-plate feasts or delicious wines, you’ll find something around every bend along Grand Pacific Drive.

Restaurant Santino is a local Wollongong secret we can’t keep quiet any longer. With a fresh take on Italian cuisine, servings are hearty and flavours are comforting. The chitarra with blue swimmer crab, garlic, chilli, parsley and crustacean oil is a crowd favourite.

Keep it local in Shellharbour with a menu all about fresh local produce at Relish on Addison . From South Coast oysters and blue swimmer crab linguine to crispy pork belly, surf and turf takes on an elevated meaning here.

Kiama’s neighbourhood wine and cocktail bar, Little Betty’s , is just as good for a tasty share plate as it is for creative cocktails. The signature Grilled Octopus with burnt honey, garlic confit and sautéed Asian greens is worth a trip on its own.

Only the best will do in Shoalhaven, where multi-award-winning Bangalay Dining uses native Australian ingredients to bring its dishes to life. Start with the Smoked trout croquette before moving on to the sautéed potato gnocchi. Don’t forget the white chocolate mousse for dessert.

Meanwhile, the Southern Highlands are full of culinary highlights. From dining on incredibly fresh, local fare (we’re talking ingredients plucked from the team’s on-site kitchen garden or sourced through local producers) at Eschalot Restaurant in Berrima to creating gin blends at Millsheds Distillery .

bangalay dining shoalhaven — Taste native flavours at Bangalay Dining.

Exploring nature

Scenery is everything when hitting the road, and Grand Pacific Drive serves it up in spades. Drivers don’t even have to leave the car to enjoy the iconic ocean views from Seacliff Bridge (but several lookouts make it easy to stop).

Seaside Kiama boasts stunning beaches and famous blowholes. But travellers can also swap ocean for rainforest when taking the Minnamurra Rainforest walk, culminating in a picturesque waterfall. Or soar overhead at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures .

The scenic coastal drive along Sea Cliff Bridge, Clifton. — Cruise along the stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

Between May and November, 30,000 whales make their way passed the South Coast between May and November. Spot them from the coastal shores or join a whale-watching cruise from Shellharbour Marina or Jervis Bay. Dive in with Woebegone Freedive .

Shellharbour’s Killalea Regional Park is home to a traditional bush tucker and medicine walk with Aboriginal tour group, Gumaraa . Learn Indigenous healing practices and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage and wisdom of the land’s Traditional Owners.

Wollongong is the perfect place for hikers, with the 6.5-kilometre Wodi Wodi track serving up views, settler history and a variety of landscapes in one loop. If you prefer, skip the walk and pull up at Bald Hill Lookout for expansive views south towards Wollongong (and a hang-glider or two).

For something truly unique, join the Highland Cow experience at The Swallow’s Nest in the Southern Highlands. In a brand-new offering, get a taste of farm life and help groom and feed these gorgeous creatures.

kiama coast walk people with dog — Wander the Kiama Coast Walk.

Unique experiences

No need to choose between an adrenaline rush or a culture fix, Grand Pacific Drive serves up both.

Soar into aviation history at Shellharbour’s HARS Aviation Museum . Tour the museum, then join a guided walk onto the wing of the record-breaking Qantas Boeing 747 and see the significant historic aircraft up close.

If ever there was a place to skydive, it’s in Wollongong. Dive from 15,000 feet (tandem, of course) with Sky Dive Wollongong and see the coastal beauty of this region from above.

Shoalhaven’s Bundanon Art Museum has to be one of the most unique offerings in the country. The legacy of artist Arthur Boyd and more than just a gallery, find eco-accommodation, fine dining, award-winning architecture and community here.

Kiama’s Crooked River Estate is about more than just delicious wine. Grab a picnic blanket and enjoy casual food and drinks with live music at Kick Back Fridays , every week.

Between June and August, the Southern Highlands’ Robertson attracts novice truffle hunters. Join the hunt at family-owned and operated Robertson Truffles (alternatively, you can order truffle treats online, if your sense of adventure isn’t up for it).

Freshly dug truffles at Terra Preta Truffles, Braidwood. — Discover hidden gems beneath the soil in the Southern Highlands. (Image: Destination NSW)

Where to stay

Road trips are the ultimate promotion for slow travel, encouraging visitors to take their time, enjoy the journey and stop along the way to really immerse themselves in local towns.

Find history and elegance at Berida Hotel in the Southern Highlands. Intimately set amongst gardens, but still close to the main street of Bowral, this 1920s private residence turned boutique hotel is the perfect stay.

Stay in one of Barranca’s private villas with views of rolling farmland overlooking the dramatic escarpment at Kangaroo Valley or be surrounded by native bushland (a short walk from the beach) in Jervis Bay.

Speaking of beachside escapes, Headlands Hotel Austinmer Beach delivers unrivalled access to Wollongong’s beaches. These serviced apartments enjoy coastal views from spacious balconies.

For something completely different again, check in at Cicada Luxury Camping . Stay in safari-style or large bell tents, each with a private fire pit and top-notch kitchen facilities. Outside, enjoy spectacular countryside views.

Discover more and plan your ultimate road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive and beyond at grandpacificdrive.com.au/grand.

Everything you need to know about Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas