Anthem of the Seas is the second ship in Royal Caribbean's Quantum Class. The 4,180-passenger cruise ship features innovations like RipCord by iFly, a skydiving simulator; North Star, a jewel-shaped glass capsule that rises 300 feet above sea level, providing 360-degree views from high above the ship; and the SeaPlex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea, with attractions ranging from bumper cars, roller skating and video gaming to a circus school, complete with flying trapeze classes.

Anthem has 2,090 cabins, which include several cabin categories that debuted on sister Quantum of the Seas. The ones that have garnered the most headlines are the 375 rooms with virtual balconies (floor-to-ceiling ultra-HD screens with real-time views of the ocean and destinations visited). The ship also features interconnected family staterooms, which prove more accommodating for large groups, and studio staterooms with balconies that spoil solo travelers. Onboard entertainment is exceptional, highlighted by West End musical, "We Will Rock You," which rivals anything you'd see on Broadway. At night, the ship's innovative Two70 venue blends technology with live performance, including aerialists, singers and dancers. Art throughout the ship is whimsical, fun and beautiful. It's epitomized by Gigi, a two-deck giraffe wearing an inner tube. We took the time to walk up each set of staircases onboard just to see as much of the art as possible. You can't miss the multi-deck crystal-and-gold cherry blossom piece that begins on the ship's promenade (called the Esplanade) on Deck 4. Another fun piece is an interactive work that allows passengers to place their hands on a podium. Plates on the podium measure your heartbeat, which is then "shown" on a huge chandelier that beats in time. It stores 200 heartbeats, so when someone doesn't have their hands on the podium, the 200 lights blink to reflect each one. The ship's Esplanade and its adjacent area, called The Via, are the ship's hub of nighttime activity, with bars and restaurants throughout. (The two areas are separated by a stairwell and bank of elevators, and The Via houses high-end shops, as well as bars and restaurants.) In total, the ship features 18 dining venues, including one -- Jamie's Italian -- created in association with a celebrity chef. Also onboard is a restaurant called Wonderland, which is the cruise line's first real foray into molecular gastronomy. You'll pay for a number of the restaurants, but the extra-fee venues by far offer the best food onboard. Technology-wise, Anthem raises the bar for the cruise industry. Not only does it offer superfast Internet, but it also uses iPad check-in, RFID bracelets, online bookings for restaurants and activities, and robot bartenders -- and the good news is that it all seems to work. Uncover the best deals with a Royal Caribbean expert Muffett Grubb Specialities : River Cruises and All Inclusive 181 reviews Contact Agent Anita Thompson Specialities : River Cruises and All Inclusive 81 reviews Contact Agent Barbara Lawrence Specialities : All Inclusive and Family Vacations 38 reviews Contact Agent Danny Fisher Specialities : River Cruises and All Inclusive 33 reviews Contact Agent Jody Piotter Specialities : River Cruises and Luxury Cruises 27 reviews Contact Agent Heather Rosing Specialities : All Inclusive and Beach Vacations 19 reviews Contact Agent Josh Oretsky Specialities : Luxury Cruises and River Cruises 18 reviews Contact Agent Lori Hischke Specialities : River Cruises and Honeymoons 16 reviews Contact Agent Emily Forsberg Specialities : Destination Weddings and Disney Vacations 11 reviews Contact Agent Amy Stambaugh Specialities : River Cruises and National Parks 11 reviews Contact Agent Anthem is a big, bold, beautiful ship, with more restaurants, bars and entertainment onboard than you can hope to experience in a week. It's entertaining and flashy, and it reminds us of being in a Las Vegas hotel for a week. The atmosphere is equal parts modern sophistication and straight-up fun. In general, our one gripe about Anthem of the Seas is that you could spend a lot of money onboard, and the cruise fares are already pretty expensive. But if you're looking to have a blast on your cruise, and you like a choice of dining, bars and mind-blowing entertainment, this is the ship for you.

Inclusions Included with your cruise fare: Meals in three main dining rooms, Windjammer Marketplace buffet; Cafe @Two70, Solarium Bistro, SeaPlex Dog House, Sorrento’s Pizzeria, Cafe Promenade, and Coastal Kitchen for Grand Suite Guests and above, plus Pinnacle members, only Shows in the main theater Most daily activities and entertainment events, except those noted below Use of the fitness center (excluding fitness classes) Use of the sports center, Flowriders, mini-golf, Ripcord by iFly and rock climbing wall North Star rides (except in Alaska and on China sailings) Activities in the SeaPlex, including bumper cars The Adventure Ocean Kids Program (ages 6 months to 17 years) until 10 p.m. Gratuities, only if you booked your cruise in Australia and New Zealand in AU and NZ dollars Not included with your cruise fare: Gratuities ($14.50 per person, per day for Junior Suites and below; $17.50 per person, per day, for passengers in Grand Suites and above) Auto-gratuities of 18 percent on dining, beverage, salon and spa purchases Drinks excluding water, tea (including iced tea), coffee and select juices from the Windjammer Marketplace buffet Room Service (except continental breakfast, which is free of charge) Specialty dining Spa and salon services and treatments Fitness classes, training sessions Activities including bingo, Arcade games, arts and crafts classes, alcohol tastings and shopping events Kids programs after 10 p.m. in Adventure Ocean Shore excursions Internet packages Photos and artwork