Five things to love about the new Anthem of the Seas
ABOARD THE ANTHEM OF THE SEAS -- Like big ships that are chock full of activities? You'll love Anthem of the Seas, the new floating mega-resort from Royal Caribbean.
Packed full of gee-whiz attractions such as a giant mechanical arm that takes passengers into the sky for bird's eye views, the second vessel in Royal Caribbean's much-ballyhooed Quantum Class series is just as big and bold as its five-month-old sister, Quantum of the Seas.
As can be seen in the carousel above, the third largest cruise ship ever built boasts an array of lounges, bars and restaurants to rival the biggest resorts of Las Vegas and Orlando; thrilling deck-top attractions such as a skydiving simulator; and innovative technology that makes checking in, reserving shows or even surfing the Internet a breeze.
USA TODAY was one of a handful of U.S. media outlets this week to get early access to Anthem of the Seas, and here we highlight five things we love about the vessel.
1. Two70. Prepare to be dazzled in this two-deck-high, multi-purpose entertainment and lounge space at the back of the ship. Featuring wraparound, floor-to-ceiling windows that offer stunning, 270-degree views (hence the name Two70), cozy seating areas and an adjacent cafe, it serves as giant family room during the day. But it is at night when it really shines, transforming into a high-tech showroom. The panoramic windows morph into a giant wraparound screen that is filled with visual delights, while periodic performances bring aerialists who descend from the ceiling, images projected on moving robotic screens and more.
2. Michael's Genuine Pub. Finally, there are bars on cruise ships serving real craft beers -- and with quality food to boot! Created by James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz, this is a sequel to the wonderful pub of the same name on Quantum, which was billed as the first gastropub at sea. But while Quantum's Michael's stocks an all-star list of eclectic American brews from the likes of Dogfish Head, Bear Republic and Stone, Anthem's outlet is filled with British beers from such breweries as Badger, Thwaites, Adnams and Brewdog -- a nod to the ship's summer base in Southampton, UK.
3. SeaPlex. This giant, multi-use activity area at the top of the vessel offers everything from bumper cars and roller skating to basketball and even trapeze lessons. Two levels high, it also has upstairs nooks for playing Xbox, ping pong and foosball, and there's even a food truck, called the SeaPlex Dog House, that serves up hot dogs, bratwurst and sausages.
4. Bionic Bar. Sure, it sounds gimmicky. But the second bar with robot bartenders at sea (the first is on Quantum) is a hoot. The high-tech venue features two drink-slinging robotic arms that take orders from passengers via tablets located around the bar. They then mix up the drinks by drawing liquor from dozens of bottles hanging from above and adding just the right amount of mixers and ice. Will they get it right? Will they spill? Who can resist sticking around to find out!
5. New flexible dining. The days of being herded into a cavernous dining room for a banquet-style dinner (often at a giant table with strangers) are coming to an end at Royal Caribbean -- and none too soon. On Quantum, the traditional main dining room was replaced by four smaller, no-extra-charge restaurants that passengers can visit when and with whom they choose. Now on Anthem, the formula has been tweaked yet again with a second, more traditional fixed seating option available as well at the four eateries. Each of the restaurants offers a different cuisine, from contemporary American to pan-Asian. A fifth no-extra-charge restaurant is reserved for passengers in suites, and there's also a wide array of extra-charge eateries on board from a steakhouse to a sushi outlet.
USA TODAY Cruise reported live all week from the new Anthem of the Seas. For a peek inside some of Anthem's swankiest suites, click through the carousel below. For more of our coverage, including nearly a dozen videos, follow the links at the bottom of this page or head to USA TODAY's Cruise Hub.
Live from Anthem of the Seas
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