Anthem of the Seas

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.

The daily experience is classic big-ship Royal: energetic, activity-stacked, and reservation-driven. Food is the perennial middle ground - the buffet crowds and average main-dining fare draw the most complaints, while Wonderland and Chops satisfy those willing to pay. Cabins are functional and well-laid-out, with studio solo cabins a rarity worth noting. The crew's polish is a genuine strength; this is a mature operation without the shakedown issues of new builds.

Anthem fits families and first-timers who want maximum onboard activity on scenery-first routes - it's among the best big-ship choices for Alaska because glacier days are spent in the North Star or behind glass in Two70 rather than shivering on deck. Against Ovation of the Seas, its near-twin on the same Seattle and Sydney circuits, differences are cosmetic; against newer Icon/Oasis-class ships it trades waterparks and open-air neighborhoods for indoor versatility and noticeably lower fares - 7-night Alaska sailings regularly lead in under $1,000 per person.