Cruise line's second Quantum-class newbuild heads to the UK to prepare for christening
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Royal Caribbean International officially took delivery of its 23rd cruise ship, Anthem of the Seas, on 10 April 2015.
The line’s second Quantum-class newbuild was built by Meyer Werft and delivered to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s chairman and CEO Richard Fain during a ceremony in Bremerhaven, Germany. Bernard Meyer, the yard’s managing partner, also attended the ceremony.
“I am very happy to receive Anthem of the Seas from Meyer Werft Yards,” said Fain. “We’ve always broken the mould with each successive ship we build, and Anthem of the Seas is no different. I would like to thank Bernard and the Meyer Werft team for its ongoing partnership in designing and building awe-inspiring ships with us.”
Anthem of the Seas will be christened by British travel agent and godmother Emma Wilby at the port of Southampton, UK, on 20 April. Wilby, who is also part of the Military Wives Choir in Kinloss, Scotland, will perform a song at the launch, which will be attended by 1,300 invited guests.
The ship will homeport at Southampton until October, offering cruises to the Mediterranean and Canary Islands, before repositioning to her permanent homeport of New York, US, in November. From here, she will sail regular voyages from Cape Liberty Cruise Port to Bermuda, the Caribbean and Canada and New England.
“It’s wonderful to welcome Anthem of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family of ships,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “Just like every Royal Caribbean ship, Anthem of the Seas will deliver to guests its own distinctive set of amazing adventures, whether sailing in the Mediterranean or the Caribbean.”
Anthem of the Seas is the second of Royal Caribbean’s 167,800gt Quantum-class ships, which will debut new industry firsts, such as synchronised Roboscreens in the Two70 entertainment venue, robotic bartenders in Bionic Bar and Sea-Plex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, a full-size basketball court, a floating DJ booth, roller skating and more. In addition, the vessels will feature the RipCord by iFLY indoor skydiving experience, and the North Star glass observation pod, which is inspired by the London Eye and transports guests 300 ft above the ocean and over the side of the ship.
The 4,180-guest ship will also have Royal Caribbean’s largest and most advanced staterooms offering the industry’s first-ever Virtual Balcony staterooms, which offers expansive, real-time views of the ocean for those sailing in interior staterooms.