Royal Caribbean International (RCI) has been at the forefront of the evolution of cruising and first achieved the title of the world’s largest cruise ship in 1987 when the 73,529gt Sovereign of the Seas (Sovereign Class) was launched. (Now Pullmantur’s Sovereign). The 137,276gt Voyager of the Seas (Voyager Class) took that title in 1999 with the “largest” of this quintet of ships, the Explorer of the Seas boasting a gross tonnage of 138,194gt due to differing facilities on board, including a laboratory area. The trio of Freedom Class ships claimed the title when the 154,407gt Freedom of the Seas was delivered in 2006 with the boundaries being pushed considerably further in 2009 when the 252,282gt Oasis of the Seas took to the water.

RCI can trace its roots back to 1968 when it was founded as Royal Caribbean Cruise Line by Norwegian shipping operators Anders Wilhelmsen & Company, I.M. Skaugen & Company and Gotaas Larsen. The new line debuted its first ship, the Song of Norway, two years later. The Nordic Prince joined the fleet in 1971 followed by the Sun Viking in 1972. Four years later passenger growth demanded more capacity so the Song of Norway became their first passenger ship to be lengthened. RCI has also placed itself at the cutting edge of cruise ship technology with new innovations to attract a new generation of cruisers. The wow factor is a top priority, so much so that WOW has become one of the company’s trademarks.

Bring Me Sunshine

The latest class of ship designed to wow was announced on 11th February 2011 when an order was placed for the first Project Sunshine ship at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, for delivery in the autumn of 2014. This Sunshine ship became the first member of the Quantum Class, the 168,666gt Quantum of the Seas. A second such ship was ordered on 29th February 2012 with the steel cutting for the Quantum of the Seas beginning on 31st January 2013. The latter occasion also saw the new ship class and names being revealed with the second ship to be christened Anthem of the Seas.

These names were among a series that Royal Caribbean filed for trademarks on in late 2012, including Ovation of the Seas (to be applied to the third Quantum Class ship ordered on 30th May 2013) and Harmony of the Seas (the third Oasis Class ship). The steel cutting for the Anthem of the Seas commenced on 2nd August 2013 and the keel laying ceremony followed on 19th November. The Quantum of the Seas made her debut at Southampton in late October 2014 before repositioning to Port Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey in early November. After the 2015 season the ship will be redeployed to China. When the Quantum of the Seas was floated out of her building dock on 13th August 2014, two sections of the Anthem of the Seas were floated out first to clear the way for the Quantum. These then went back into the building hall and re-emerged as part of the completed ship on 21st February 2015. Once outside the funnel was lifted in to place and the fitting out continued.

The conveyance along the River Ems seaward, stern first under the control of tugs, from Papenburg commenced at 1100 local time on 10th March 2015 and at 0305 the next morning the ship finally slipped through the Ems Barrier at Gandersum. The entire journey covered 20 miles and took 17 hours, 7 hours longer than planned. Sea trials then commenced followed by a routine visit to dry dock at Blohm + Voss, Hamburg on 23rd March, and the completion of the fitting out alongside at Bremerhaven. Prior to delivery the ship gained a 10m tall giraffe, named Gigi by the ship’s crew, that now resides on Deck 15 starboard side, The 4 tonne beast that is the work of Jean-Francois Fourtou, wears a large inflatable ring and is 38.2m above sea level. The Quantum Class boasts the second largest cruise ships in the world, at 168,666gt.

The 348m long, 41m beam and 8.50m draught Anthem of the Seas was delivered to RCI by Meyer Werft during a ceremony at Bremerhaven on 10th April and departed for Southampton on 14th April, arriving there in sunshine the next morning. After her first twonight shakedown cruise on 18th April the Anthem of the Seas was named alongside the City Cruise Terminal during a ceremony that began at 1700 in the 1281 seat Royal Theatre where invited guests assembled. The proceedings were also relayed to the Two 70° entertainment lounge located over decks 4 to 6 on the stern. This is a spacious area offering a 270 degree panoramic view of the sea. The facility combines entertainment and technology which allows guests to travel smoothly from day to night. This hi-tech venue includes random performances by an agile troupe of six Roboscreens during every cruise, creating scenes while soaring and twisting solo, or uniting as one. Guests also experience Vistarama, floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooking the stern that transform into an expansive ambient surface that projects any scene, real or imagined, including the multidimensional performance spectacle of Spectra’s Cabaret.

The naming ceremony was hosted by RCI’s Deputy Entertainment Director Nick Weir and attended by Richard D. Fain (Chairman & CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.), Michael Bayley (President & CEO, Royal Caribbean International), Emma Wilby (Godmother, Anthem of the Seas) and Ship’s Master, Captain Claus Andersen. A salute followed, led by the Reading Scottish Pipe Band. The national anthems of the U.S.A and U.K. were then performed by Allyson Daniel and Kevin Kennedy respectively. The latter stars in the We Will Rock You shown on board and is perhaps better known as Curly Watts in Coronation Street. Speeches by Richard Fain and Michael Bayley followed, plus the Blessings and a performance by Welsh Boys’ Choir Only Boys Aloud of Britain’s Got Talent fame. A performance of the Katy Perry song Firework then followed by Emma Wilby with an accompanying light show involving flashing wristbands worn by all the guests. After this, Emma performed her Godmother duty and named the ship, sending a bottle of champagne on a zip wire from the North Star to smash on the ship’s name written on the side of the pool stage on Deck 15. Emma, 27, works for Thomson Travel in Elgin, Scotland, and sings in the Military Wives’ Choir in Kinloss. She has family ties to the shipbuilding industry as her Grandfather was once Head Foreman Shipwright for Austin & Pickersgill shipbuilders. The second VIP, media and travel trade cruise departed at 2000 that evening.

Playing the Anthem

It is true to say that nowadays several different cruise ship types have similarities in design with the Britannia bearing a resemblance in aft end design and twin funnels to that of Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice Class. The Quantum Class also bears a resemblance to the Solstice Class in terms of superstructure profile, and even internal layout in some areas. The superstructure has 8 decks of balconies and, like the Solstice Class, the lines of the structure include two recessed areas. Alas the Quantum Class lacks a wrap-around promenade deck along with designs such as the Royal Princess/Britannia examples. The lifeboats (8 plus a fast rescue boat each side) do obstruct some balconies plus the overhanging of Deck 14, and the associated support struts, affect the balconies on Decks 12/13 (another similarity with the Solstice Class and others). The overhang is of course necessary to accommodate the facilities and sun deck on Deck 14. The aforementioned Two70° venue on the stern of Decks 4-6 is responsible for the wrap-around tinted glass belt on the stern of the Quantum/Anthem of the Seas, a larger version of that on the Solstice Class which houses the Tuscan Grille. It is difficult to know where to start with what the Anthem of the Seas has to offer as there is so much of it. Royal Caribbean ships have benefitted from divided exhaust uptakes since the Voyager Class, in preference to all exhausts leading directly to the funnel via a central casing within the ship. This allows a greater utility of space on board for the plethora of facilities.

The hi-tech nature of the ship is noticeable even before you embark as RCI employs a Smart Check-In system where you can check-in online in advance, fill out all the necessary information and even provide your own I.D photo for the on board security system. Upon arrival in the cruise terminal passengers are then checked-in by a staff member via a hand held tablet, the health and hygiene questions are completed and off you go to the security check and departure lounge. Guests can never lose track of their luggage either thanks to RFID luggage tags that allow real time tracking from a smartphone. Bags are tagged upon arrival at drop-off and guests can monitor their progress through key points en route to the stateroom, eliminating any cause for worry. On departure, the process is reversed. Passengers have WOWband wristbands awaiting them in their staterooms to be worn during the time aboard. This smart technology permits easy access to the cabins and simplifies on board purchases without needing to use the Seapass Card.

The following sentences will attempt to detail some of the ship’s highlights and innovations. Starting at the top, Deck 16, we have the North Star observation gondola. This engineering marvel was delivered by MacGregor and takes guests to new heights with a jewel-shaped, glass capsule (similar to those on the London Eye), transporting them on a spectacular journey more than 91m above the ocean and over the sides of the ship to deliver awe-inspiring 360-degree views. Installed at Bremerhaven, the electro/hydraulically-driven crane has an outreach of 41m and the 7.1-tonne viewing gondola accommodates 14 guests and one crew member. The gondola is fitted with a stabilising system to ensure that it remains level with respect to the vessel’s deck. It will also damp gondola movements, providing a comfortable ride for the guests. The system is designed for 100% redundancy with two separate power units, each large enough to drive the crane in reduced speed mode. It is also provided with a diesel-driven emergency generator. Additional safety features include automatic cut outs and safety valve overload protection on all crane motions. The crane is designed to standards set by German technical certification company. The North Star is controlled using a separate PLC safety system in addition to a MacGregor CC3000 crane control system providing quiet and smooth operation. Passenger access to/from the North Star is via two spiral staircases and a lift from Deck 15. Looking down upon your own ship whilst 41m above the upper decks at sea is quite something. The North Star Bar is also situated beneath where the capsule comes to rest.

The fitness centre is forward of the North Star and aft of the funnel can be found another first, the SeaPlex. Here, the mezzanine level has four activity zones, two each side, that jut out above the sun deck/running track below with floor to ceiling picture windows. These areas offer table tennis, Xbox gaming etc. The centre of the Seaplex on Deck 16 makes up the upper area of the cutting-edge sports zone with full size basketball court, roller skating, a floating DJ booth, a circus school and, a first ever at sea, bumper cars. The bumper cars are state-of-the-art, no sparking electric pick-ups or staff members riding on the back here! They are stored either side of the multipurpose court when not in use. There is also a hot dog “van” (Doghouse) here with its front end simulated on the outside sun deck. Aft of the Seaplex on Deck 16 is the RipCord by iFLY, the first (simulated) skydiving experience at sea. Powerful fans provide the lift for participants to feel the unparalleled exhilaration of skydiving for one minute each in the care of an instructor, all within what can be best described as a 7m high transparent tube (wind tunnel). Jump suits, crash helmets and goggles are of course mandatory. Before taking flight, guests are required to register and participate in a training course where they are shown an overview video and taught correct flight position and hand signals from trained instructors.

Immediately astern of the RipCord is the Flowrider surf simulator. Deck 16 has so much to offer that when seated in the observation area of the Flowrider it is also possible to watch those in the RipCord and the North Star as it peeps above the funnel. Forward on Deck 14, located above the front of the ship, is the impressive Solarium complete with sea views, gently cascading lagoons through the centre of the forward section, a vast glass rooftop, indoor pool with retractable glass cover, two bars and the Devinly Decadence healthy eating restaurant. The outdoor pool, aft of the Solarium, features a wave making machine and is overlooked by an outdoor movie screen. Located aft on Deck 14 is the Windjammer Marketplace self-service restaurant, a noticeable improvement on this area on the Voyager/Freedom Class ships and similar in layout to the Solstice Class. Nearby is the 130 seat Coastal Kitchen restaurant, exclusively for suite guests, offering a fresh new fusion of California cool and Med-inspired taste. By contrast, adjacent is the trademark 1950s Diner Johnny Rockets. Descending down through 8 decks of staterooms and suites we come to Deck 5 that offers restaurants, the Schooner Bar, boutiques and another wow factor, the Bionic Bar located amidships on the port side. Powered by Makr Shakr, this venue fuses robotics and mixology and is a hot spot for fun and photo opportunities, with two robotic bartenders that shake and mix cocktails ordered via tablets placed on stands around the bar area. Orders and waiting times are displayed beside the bar. Interestingly a gratuity is still charged on these bionic drinks, but the funds from this are divided among the crewmembers. An in-house DJ also performs beside this area creating a party feel. Overlooking The Royal Esplanade on Deck 5 is a large chandelier, the Heartbeat Light, consisting of 200 light bulbs. You place your hands on a metal plinth beneath it and visually “hear” your heartbeat and the chandelier flashing in time. The technology also extends to the Photo Gallery on Deck 5. Face recognition technology sorts images to your cabin number and you can view them on screen and order your prints. Nothing is printed speculatively so hundreds of unwanted images are no longer destroyed on each cruise.

Gastronomy of the Seas

The Quantum Class, of which the Anthem of the Seas is the second representative, is charting a new course for dining at sea, with a robust culinary experience tailored to meet guests’ varying palates. Whether they opt to control their epicurean journey by following their appetite each day and night, or prefer a traditional dining style with a choice of early or late seating, guests will enjoy a delectable selection of complimentary and specialty restaurant options. Dynamic Dining gives guests onboard Anthem of the Seas a landscape of 18 restaurant concepts as vast and varied as dining in the world’s most cosmopolitan cities. At the forefront of the program is a fresh approach to the traditional main dining room, which has been remodelled as five complimentary, full service restaurants, each with its own distinctive cuisine and immersive ambience with seating for around 430 each. So, gone is the vast 2-3 tier restaurant space in favour of distinctive venues featuring rotating menus that deliver delectable new selections.

Guests can choose from two Dynamic Dining options to best suit their preferences: Dynamic Dining Choice, which allows guests to decide when, where, and with whom to dine each evening, and Dynamic Dining Classic, which is designed for those who prefer a more traditional experience. Classic accommodates diners in a choice of early or late seating, and rotates them through a preset lineup of the complimentary main dining restaurants along with the same companions and wait staff throughout their cruise. Dynamic Dining Classic is available on a first come, first serve basis. In addition a tasty array of specialty restaurants, ranging from multi-sensory venues to concepts from award-winning chefs including Jamie’s Italian, the hugely popular restaurant from Britain’s most famous chef, Jamie Oliver. The Complimentary Dining Restaurants are as follows: American Icon Grill and Silk (Deck 4), Chic and The Grande (Deck 3) and Devinly Decadence (Deck 14). The Next-Level Specialty Dining offers the sensory overload of Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine, Chops Grille Steakhouse, Izumi (Japanese Cuisine) and Jamie’s Italian (Deck 5) and Michael’s Genuine Pub (Deck 4). The more casual dining options include the aforementioned Windjammer Marketplace, The Grill (24hrs), The Café @ Two70° (Deck 5), Sorrento’s (pizzeria), Café Promenade (both Deck 4) and Johnny Rockets (Deck 14 – cover charge applies).

Bar areas not already mentioned from the 12 bars/lounges include the Music Hall Bar, featuring a menu with music as its muse plus classic favorites like the Vintages and Boleros. Thanks to the previously mentioned divided funnel uptakes the Anthem of the Seas offers a two deck Royal Esplanade in the centre of the ship, with less of an emphasis on a street (unlike the Voyager/Freedom Class for example) but still with shops, boutiques, cafes and a hair salon etc. This area is extended aft on Deck 5 with The Via linking the Royal Esplanade with Two70° and features a large sculpture outside of Vintages/Jamie’s Italian. Further boutiques are also sited here. The Royal Esplanade continues forward on the port side beyond Michael’s Genuine Pub on Decks 4/5 offering further boutiques leading to the upper level of the Royal Theatre. Another notable facility is The Music Hall on Decks 3 & 4 where guests can enjoy intimate and exclusive access to live performances. Rebellious and edgy, the two story design is inspired by the spirit of rock and roll, with décor in deep, rich tones, velvet and touches of leather and mirrors. During the day, the venue offers activities ranging from dance classes to game shows. At night, Music Hall comes alive as the heart of the ship’s entertainment, with shows, billiard tables and two bars. It is reminiscent of the Bliss Ultra lounge on NCL ships décor wise.

Such is the efficiency of the ship, all lighting is provided by low-energy LED or fluorescents. Motion sensors even dim hallway lighting when no one is present. The staterooms aboard are 9% larger than those of the Oasis-Class ships with 2,090 in total of which 1,570 have a balcony, 147 are outside, 373 have a virtual balcony and 34 are wheelchair accessible. The Smart theme continues to the interior staterooms as all are outfitted with Virtual Balconies consisting of 80-inch, high definition LED screens that display real-time sights and sounds of the sea via cameras on the ship’s sides The time delay is a mere two seconds.

Hi-Tech on the High Seas

Technology and connectivity are constantly being improved so as to lure a new generation of Cruisers on to the ships, and the “Smart Ship” Anthem of the Seas is a prime example of this. She pushes the frontiers in terms of communication facilities with the level of connectivity offered to passengers, measured by bandwidth, claimed to be unrivalled throughout the world’s cruise fleet with more capacity than the rest of the cruise ships put together, as with the Oasis Class. Should they wish, guests can be on-line and connected ‘24/7’, with super-fast wireless speeds matching broadband connections ashore. Satcoms specialist O3b Networks provided the system, which works by pairing a new generation of medium-Earth-orbit (MEO) satellites with sophisticated shipboard antenna arrays.

Harri Kulovaara, Royal Caribbean’s Executive Vice President, over saw the design of a fine ship optimised for efficiency and reduced environmental impact. RCI’s goal is to make each new class of ship 15% more fuel efficient than its predecessor. This is achieved by a myriad of adjustments in different areas, such as air conditioning, lighting, and hull design. A large portion of this advance on the Quantum Class can be attributed to the hydrodynamic benefit conferred by an under-hull air bubbling system. Air lubrication technology honed and tested over a period of three years by Royal Caribbean in co-operation with Meyer Werft and Finland-based companies Foreship and Process Flow Solution has its first full-scale application on the Quantum Class ships. The air lubrication system generates a stream of micro-bubbles under the hull, reducing friction to the extent that a net reduction of some 7-8% is anticipated in fuel consumption at speed. The air layer also dampens excitation from the propellers, cutting noise and vibration levels in the ship’s aft section. Compressed air is forced out of vents in the hull to produce the desired effect.

The Anthem of the Seas is powered by four main engines, the first F-version of the Wärtsilä 46 (2x 12V & 2x and 2x16V – 67,200kW total output) that are equipped with twin pump and twin needle technology to optimise performance and minimise fuel consumption when operating at different loads. ABB was contracted to supply the integrated electrical power and propulsion system, including the generators, switchboards, transformers, propulsion drives, podded electric propulsors and controls, plus the for bow thruster motors. The Quantum Class is also the first vessel class to use the larger Azipod XO2300 propulsion units. The increased hydrodynamic efficiency of the design, the successor to the V23 type, derives from the new, ABB-developed X-tail and asymmetric fin. The revised fin structure receives water flow from the propeller at a less acute angle, with the curved design redirecting the flow in a more beneficial manner, while the X-tail pod cap structure straightens the water flow on ejection from the Azipod, minimising water swirl. A stainless steel propeller has been employed as a fuel efficiency measure; fabricating in stainless steel enables the propeller blades to be cast thinner than would otherwise be the case.

The ship adheres to the “Safe Return to Port” and machinery redundancy regulations and the Quantum Class Safety Command Centre design is an award winner. A large and complex exhaust gas purification system has been adopted in the shape of two Wartsila open-/closed-loop hybrid scrubbers, enabling the vessel to meet requirements in all areas and ports imposing a 0.1% sulphur cap. The scale and scope of the plant affords both flexibility and redundancy, ensuring the requisite standard of environmental compliance whether operating at sea or in waters with low alkalinity, or in port. The AEP system injects water into the exhaust stream and removes about 98% of sulphur dioxide emissions (SOx), 60 to 80% of particulate matter, and some nitrogen oxides (NOx). Between 500 and 1,500 tonnes of water pass through the cleaning towers which measure 16m high and 4m in diameter. This system can operate as either an open or a closed loop. The closed loop mode allows the system to be used in port without discharging into the harbour. The infrastructure framework is not yet available for the ships to use LNG and general problems with this fuel could prove to be a “showstopper” at present as legislation is not yet in place regarding bunkering (with or without passengers aboard) to name but one factor. However, designs are in place for the moment when LNG becomes a major player in the shipping industry. The Anthem of the Seas certainly has the WOW factor and, as intended, takes the cruise experience to a whole new level.