Royal Caribbean·Anthem of the Seas

Anthem of the Seas - Queensland & Great Barrier Reef

4.2(2,485 reviews)
via U.S. News & Cruiseline.com · Jul 2026
|8 Nights|3 Ports|4 Sea Days

Anthem of the Seas heads north from Sydney into the Coral Sea on this 8-night Queensland run, cruising past remote Willis Island before calling at Yorkeys Knob for Cairns and the Whitsundays gateway of Airlie Beach. It's Royal Caribbean's Great Barrier Reef itinerary on its biggest Australia-based ship.

Adventure SeekersNature LoversFamiliesSnorkeling Enthusiasts

Price Range

$$

Mid-Range

DepartureSydney, Australia
Dress CodeFormal Nights
MealsIncluded
WiFiPaid

*Prices vary by cabin type, sailing date, and availability. Confirm rates with Royal Caribbean before booking.

Ship Details — Anthem of the Seas

View full Anthem of the Seas details

Year Built

2015

Tonnage

168,666 GT

Passengers

4,180

Crew

1,500

Decks

16

Class

Quantum Class

Itinerary & Route Map

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Onboard Amenities

North Star observation capsule 300 ft above the sea
RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator
FlowRider surf simulator
SeaPlex with bumper cars and roller skating
Two70 multimedia venue with robotic screens
We Will Rock You production show
Indoor pool and adults-only Solarium
Bionic Bar robot bartenders
Wonderland imaginative dining
Chops Grille steakhouse
Giovanni's Italian Kitchen
Izumi Japanese
Music Hall
Rock-climbing wall
Vitality Spa and Fitness Center
Adventure Ocean kids and teen clubs

Cruise Highlights

Scenic cruise-by of remote Willis Island in the Coral Sea
Great Barrier Reef pontoon and Kuranda rainforest trips from Yorkeys Knob (Cairns)
Whitehaven Beach and Whitsundays catamaran day from Airlie Beach
Warm-water Coral Sea sea days with the North Star capsule over the reef coast

About the Ship

What Travelers Say About Anthem of the Seas

Reviews of the ship itself — the same for every Anthem of the Seas sailing. Based on 1,450 discussions.

Anthem of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's globe-trotting Quantum-class veteran - the longtime New Jersey favorite that now splits its year between Alaska summers from Seattle and South Pacific seasons from Sydney. Its identity is 'the indoor ship': the North Star capsule, iFLY skydiving, SeaPlex sports arena, indoor pool and Two70's tech-heavy shows were designed for cool-weather cruising, which is exactly why it thrives on the routes it sails today. Ten years of reviews average out remarkably steady - around 4.2 - for a ship that has hauled millions of passengers.

What People Love

  • The North Star capsule - a glass pod rising 300 feet over the sea - is free on sea days and repeatedly called the best view in cruising, especially on scenic routes
  • RipCord by iFLY indoor skydiving and the FlowRider give it a thrill lineup no similarly-priced ship in its markets matches
  • Weather-proof design: the indoor pool, Solarium and SeaPlex make it the rare big ship that stays fun on cold or rainy days - a huge plus in Alaska

Common Complaints

  • The Windjammer buffet is undersized for 4,180 guests and turns into a scrum at breakfast on port days
  • Signature attractions (North Star on port days, iFLY, FlowRider lessons) can carry fees or long waitlists - book immediately or miss out
  • Pool deck is smaller and more enclosed than Oasis-class ships; on warm-weather itineraries outdoor space gets tight
See the full Anthem of the Seas ship page — all 16 pros & cons, review & FAQs

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