ANTHEM OF THE SEAS is a large Quantum-class cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean International, built by Meyer Werft in Germany and delivered in April 2015.
The second vessel of Royal Caribbean's groundbreaking Quantum class, after QUANTUM OF THE SEAS, ANTHEM OF THE SEAS introduced a combination of large passenger capacity, advanced diesel-electric propulsion and innovative attractions including the North Star observation capsule, RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator, SeaPlex indoor activity complex and Two70 panoramic entertainment venue.
With a gross tonnage of 168,666 GT, a length of approximately 348 metres and accommodation for more than 4,900 passengers at maximum occupancy, she was among the world's largest cruise ships when delivered.
ANTHEM OF THE SEAS also has a particularly unusual connection with Piraeus. Her first calls at the Greek port took place not during normal passenger cruises, but during the extraordinary worldwide crew-repatriation operation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Vessel Details
Name: ANTHEM OF THE SEAS
IMO: 9656101
MMSI: 311000274
Call Sign: C6BI7
Type: Cruise Ship
Class: Quantum class
Operator: Royal Caribbean International
Owner / Group: Royal Caribbean Group interests
Flag: Bahamas
Port of Registry: Nassau
Built: 2015
Builder: Meyer Werft, Papenburg, Germany
Yard Number: S.698
Ordered: 2011
Keel Laid: November 2013
Floated Out / Launched: 21 February 2015
Delivered: 10 April 2015
Christened: 20 April 2015
Maiden Voyage: 22 April 2015
Godmother: Emma Wilby
Gross Tonnage: 168,666 GT
Deadweight: approx. 12,000 t
Length Overall: approx. 347.1–347.8 m
Moulded Beam: 41.4 m
Maximum Beam: approx. 49.4 m
Draught: approx. 8.5–8.8 m
Passenger Capacity: 4,180 at double occupancy
Maximum Guest Capacity: approx. 4,905
Passenger Cabins: 2,090
Crew: approx. 1,500–1,550
Shipyard Deck Count: 18
Total Engine Power: 67,200 kW
Propulsion Power: 41,000 kW
Main Generating Engines: 2 × Wärtsilä 12V46F + 2 × Wärtsilä 16V46F
Propulsion: Diesel-electric
Propulsors: 2 × ABB Azipod XO units
Propulsion Power: 2 × 20.5 MW
Bow Thrusters: 4 × Brunvoll units
Speed: approx. 22 knots
Class: DNV
Current Status: Active
Built at Meyer Werft
ANTHEM OF THE SEAS was constructed at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, one of the world's leading builders of large passenger vessels.
She was assigned yard number:
S.698
and became the second ship in Royal Caribbean's new Quantum-class programme.
The ceremonial keel-laying took place in November 2013, when the first of approximately 74 large prefabricated blocks was lowered into Meyer Werft's covered building dock.
The first block alone weighed approximately 620 tonnes.
Construction continued inside the enormous enclosed shipbuilding hall at Papenburg before ANTHEM OF THE SEAS was floated out on:
21 February 2015
The vessel was subsequently moved down the River Ems toward the North Sea for final fitting-out and sea trials.
Delivered in April 2015
Meyer Werft delivered ANTHEM OF THE SEAS to Royal Caribbean in April 2015.
After delivery, she sailed from Bremerhaven toward Southampton, which became her initial operating base.
Her formal naming ceremony took place at Southampton on:
20 April 2015
with British travel agent Emma Wilby serving as the ship's godmother.
The maiden passenger voyage followed on:
22 April 2015.
ANTHEM OF THE SEAS initially operated from Southampton before repositioning across the Atlantic later in 2015.
Quantum Class
ANTHEM OF THE SEAS was the second member of Royal Caribbean's Quantum class.
The broader Meyer Werft-built family developed as:
QUANTUM OF THE SEAS – 2014
ANTHEM OF THE SEAS – 2015
OVATION OF THE SEAS – 2016
followed by the evolved:
SPECTRUM OF THE SEAS – 2019
and
ODYSSEY OF THE SEAS – 2021
Royal Caribbean developed the ships around a combination of high passenger capacity and technological innovation.
ANTHEM OF THE SEAS was therefore part of a major change in modern cruise-ship design rather than simply another enlargement of an existing Royal Caribbean class.
North Star
One of the ship's most recognisable features is the:
North Star
A glass observation capsule is attached to a long hydraulic arm that raises passengers high above the upper decks.
The system can elevate the capsule to approximately 90 metres above sea level, providing panoramic views around the ship.
When extended outward, the North Star's arm gives ANTHEM OF THE SEAS a distinctive silhouette and became one of the signature features of the Quantum class.
SeaPlex
Another important innovation was:
SeaPlex
Royal Caribbean promoted the facility as one of the largest indoor activity spaces ever installed aboard a cruise ship.
Depending on its configuration, SeaPlex can accommodate activities including:
Bumper cars
Basketball
Roller skating
Sports
and other entertainment events.
The concept represented a significant departure from the traditional open-deck recreation areas previously associated with large cruise ships.
RipCord by iFLY
ANTHEM OF THE SEAS was also among the first cruise ships to offer a shipboard:
skydiving simulator
through RipCord by iFLY.
The vertical wind tunnel allows passengers to experience simulated freefall while remaining aboard the vessel.
Together with North Star and SeaPlex, it helped establish the Quantum-class ships as some of the most technologically distinctive passenger vessels of their generation.
Two70
At the stern is another signature Quantum-class space:
Two70
The multi-deck venue features large glass windows providing approximately 270-degree panoramic views during daylight.
At night, the area can be transformed into a technologically advanced entertainment venue using projection systems, moving screens and robotic equipment.
The extensive glazing is also responsible for the distinctive appearance of the aft superstructure.
Machinery and Propulsion
ANTHEM OF THE SEAS uses diesel-electric propulsion.
Electrical power is generated primarily by four Wärtsilä diesel engines:
2 × Wärtsilä 12V46F
and
2 × Wärtsilä 16V46F
with total installed generating power of approximately:
67,200 kW
Propulsion is provided by two:
ABB Azipod XO units
each rated at approximately:
20.5 MW
giving approximately:
41 MW total propulsion power.
The azimuthing propulsion units can rotate beneath the vessel, providing considerably greater manoeuvrability than a traditional shaft-and-rudder arrangement.
Four Powerful Bow Thrusters
Manoeuvring assistance is provided by four large bow thrusters.
Each is rated at approximately:
3,500 kW
giving the vessel substantial lateral manoeuvring capability.
The combination of Azipod propulsion and bow thrusters allows a ship almost 350 metres long to perform surprisingly tight manoeuvres inside large cruise ports.
This capability was clearly demonstrated during the vessel's departure from Piraeus in July 2020, when ANTHEM OF THE SEAS turned within the harbour before proceeding toward the entrance.
Air Lubrication System
ANTHEM OF THE SEAS also incorporates an air lubrication system.
Air is released beneath parts of the hull, creating a layer of bubbles between the ship and the surrounding water.
The intention is to reduce hydrodynamic friction and consequently reduce the energy required to propel such a large vessel.
Meyer Werft highlighted the system as one of several efficiency technologies incorporated into the Quantum-class design.
Southampton and New York
After entering service, ANTHEM OF THE SEAS initially operated from:
Southampton
during her first European season.
Later in 2015, she repositioned across the Atlantic and began operating from the New York region, principally from:
Cape Liberty Cruise Port, Bayonne, New Jersey
From there she became strongly associated with cruises from the northeastern United States to destinations including:
The Bahamas
Caribbean
Bermuda
Canada
and
New England.
For several years Cape Liberty effectively became the ship's main home.
The COVID-19 Pandemic
The most unusual period in ANTHEM OF THE SEAS' career began in March 2020.
The global COVID-19 pandemic brought international passenger cruising to an unprecedented halt.
Royal Caribbean suspended commercial cruise operations, leaving thousands of crew members aboard vessels around the world while international travel restrictions made normal repatriation extremely difficult.
The company developed a large-scale plan using some of its own cruise ships to transport crew members back toward their home countries.
ANTHEM OF THE SEAS was assigned one of the most extraordinary voyages.
From America to India
Royal Caribbean selected ANTHEM OF THE SEAS to transport large numbers of Indian crew members toward India.
Instead of operating a passenger cruise, the 168,666-GT vessel departed the Caribbean region and began a long repositioning voyage across the Atlantic.
Her route took her toward:
Gibraltar
and then:
Piraeus
before proceeding through the:
Suez Canal
toward India.
Crew members from other Royal Caribbean vessels were also transferred as part of the wider repatriation operation.
The voyage demonstrated one of the unusual logistical consequences of the worldwide shutdown of passenger cruising.
First-Ever Call at Piraeus
During this eastbound repatriation voyage, ANTHEM OF THE SEAS made her first-ever visit to Piraeus in early June 2020.
The ship arrived without normal cruise passengers.
Instead, the call formed part of Royal Caribbean's complicated international crew-repatriation programme.
After leaving Piraeus she continued east, passed through the Suez Canal and proceeded toward India.
This made her maiden Piraeus call radically different from the normal inaugural visit of a cruise ship filled with thousands of tourists.
Repatriating Indian Crew
ANTHEM OF THE SEAS subsequently reached Mumbai, where Indian authorities assisted with the repatriation process.
Approximately 3,000 people were aboard the ship during this stage of the operation.
A group of approximately:
912 Indian crew members
who needed to reach Goa could not simply disembark there from ANTHEM OF THE SEAS because of the ship's size and port restrictions.
Instead, arrangements were made involving the smaller Royal Caribbean Group vessel:
CELEBRITY INFINITY
which assisted in completing the transfer.
The operation formed part of one of the largest maritime crew-repatriation efforts of the pandemic.
Return to Piraeus
After completing the Indian phase of the repatriation voyage, ANTHEM OF THE SEAS began the long journey back toward Europe.
Her first European destination on the return voyage was once again:
Piraeus
On 3 July 2020, approximately one month after her maiden call, ANTHEM OF THE SEAS returned to the port.
She arrived at approximately:
06:30
in the morning.
The ship remained in Piraeus throughout the day and departed shortly after:
20:00
that evening.
The Spectacular Piraeus Departure
The July 2020 departure became particularly memorable.
Despite measuring almost 348 metres in length, ANTHEM OF THE SEAS carried out a large turning manoeuvre within the Port of Piraeus before proceeding toward the harbour entrance.
The manoeuvre showcased the considerable capability provided by the vessel's:
two azimuthing Azipods
and
four powerful bow thrusters.
The departure was filmed by PiraeuShips / PireasPiraeus and became one of the most widely viewed PiraeuShips recordings of a large modern cruise vessel.
Greek media subsequently reproduced the footage while reporting on the extraordinary Piraeus call.
Four Quantum-Class Ships at Piraeus
By 2020, Piraeus had already received an unusual collection of Royal Caribbean's Quantum-family ships.
Contemporary reports noted that:
QUANTUM OF THE SEAS
ANTHEM OF THE SEAS
OVATION OF THE SEAS
and
SPECTRUM OF THE SEAS
had all called at Piraeus.
At the time, these vessels ranked among the largest cruise ships ever to enter the port.
ANTHEM OF THE SEAS was particularly unusual because in 2020 she became the first of the group to return for a second call during the same extraordinary period.
Return to Passenger Service
Following the prolonged cruise-industry shutdown, ANTHEM OF THE SEAS eventually returned to passenger operations.
During 2021, she operated from Southampton on voyages initially focused on the British market as Royal Caribbean gradually restored service.
In subsequent seasons she again operated a mixture of European, North American and later Pacific deployments.
From Europe to the Pacific
The vessel's operational geography changed significantly during the mid-2020s.
After years closely associated with Southampton and Cape Liberty, ANTHEM OF THE SEAS was deployed to the Pacific region.
Her programmes expanded to include:
Australia
New Zealand
South Pacific
and
Alaska
cruises.
This represents a very different operating environment from the North Atlantic and European services that dominated the first decade of her career.
Alaska in 2026
ANTHEM OF THE SEAS is fully active in 2026.
During the northern summer she has been operating seven-night Alaska cruises from Seattle.
As of 23 September 2026, the vessel is scheduled on a cruise that departed:
Seattle – 21 September 2026
with calls at:
Ketchikan – 23 September
Icy Strait Point – 24 September
Juneau – 25 September
Victoria – 27 September
before returning to:
Seattle – 28 September
The deployment confirms that, more than eleven years after entering service, ANTHEM OF THE SEAS remains an important frontline vessel in Royal Caribbean's fleet.
From Alaska to Australia
Following completion of her 2026 Alaska season, ANTHEM OF THE SEAS is scheduled to begin a major Pacific repositioning.
On 29 September 2026, she is scheduled to depart Vancouver toward:
Hawaii
After reaching Honolulu, she will continue across the Pacific during October, visiting destinations including:
Tahiti
Moorea
Raiatea
and
Tauranga
before arriving at:
Sydney, Australia
on 30 October 2026.
From Sydney she is scheduled to begin another programme of Australian and New Zealand cruises.
The ship has therefore evolved from a vessel primarily associated with Southampton and New York into one operating across an increasingly global network.
Still Active in 2026
More than eleven years after delivery, ANTHEM OF THE SEAS remains in active Royal Caribbean service.
Although newer and significantly larger Royal Caribbean ships have subsequently entered service, the Quantum-class design remains relatively modern and highly versatile.
Its enclosed recreation areas, indoor pool facilities and extensive interior entertainment spaces make ships such as ANTHEM particularly suitable for cooler-weather routes including:
Alaska
Northern Europe
and
New Zealand.
The ship therefore continues to occupy an important position within one of the world's largest cruise fleets.
Piraeus Connection
ANTHEM OF THE SEAS has one of the most unusual Piraeus stories in the PiraeuShips archive.
Her first-ever arrival at Piraeus took place in early June 2020, while she was sailing from the Americas toward India as part of Royal Caribbean's emergency crew-repatriation operation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
After travelling through the Suez Canal and completing the Indian stage of the mission, the ship returned west.
On 3 July 2020, ANTHEM OF THE SEAS arrived at Piraeus for the second time in approximately one month.
She entered at around 06:30 and departed shortly after 20:00, performing an impressive turning manoeuvre inside the port.
PiraeuShips filmed this departure, preserving an unusual moment in both the vessel's history and the history of Piraeus during the global cruise shutdown.
PiraeuShips Record
ANTHEM OF THE SEAS was recorded at Piraeus by PiraeuShips in July 2020 during one of the most extraordinary periods in the history of the global cruise industry. Built by Meyer Werft and delivered to Royal Caribbean International in April 2015, the 168,666-GT Quantum-class cruise ship had made her first-ever Piraeus call only weeks earlier while sailing from the Americas toward India as part of a massive operation to repatriate crew members stranded by the COVID-19 pandemic. After completing the Indian stage of the voyage, ANTHEM OF THE SEAS returned to Piraeus on 3 July 2020, where PiraeuShips recorded her spectacular evening departure and turning manoeuvre. Still fully active in 2026, the vessel now operates extensively in Alaska and the Pacific, making the Piraeus footage a record of a unique chapter in the career of one of Royal Caribbean's most distinctive modern cruise ships.
Original video footage © PiraeuShips. All rights reserved.
