Anthem of the Season will make her hugely anticipated return to Southampton for the first time since 2015, where she will join Independence of the Seas to sail a number of exciting new itineraries.
For Independence of the Seas, this includes sensational new Baltic cruises – a first for a Freedom class ship. Together the impressive Quantum and Freedom class ships will host the largest number of guests Royal Caribbean has ever accommodated from Southampton before, meeting the growing appetite for cruising directly from the UK.
Back for the first time in five years, Anthem of the Seas will reposition from North America to Southampton in May 2020 on a 12-night transatlantic crossing. From there she’ll be the talk of the town, making a Quantum class debut in new coastal ports in Northern Europe, the Canary Islands and throughout the Mediterranean – including an overnight stay in Cadiz. What’s more, guests can witness the breathtaking views of these beautiful ports from 300 feet above sea level in Anthem of the Seas’ gravity-defying North Star, a signature jewel-shaped, glass observation capsule.
Anthem of the Seas will be offering a selection of 14-night sailings in the Mediterranean, varying from two weeks of total bliss along the Mediterranean’s finest beaches to a journey of discovery and adventure in Italy’s best loved cultural hotspots.
Onboard, Anthem of the Seas boasts world-class dining including speciality restaurants, Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine for a delicious feast for all the senses and Chops Grille for quality hand cut steaks, as well as incredible entertainment and state-of-the-art technology. If that’s not enough, guests can also challenge themselves on the 43-foot rock climbing wall or enjoy SeaPlex: the largest indoor active space featuring a circus school, full-size basketball court, and the first-ever roller rink and bumper cars at sea.
Independence of the Seas will also be back in the UK in 2020, returning to her popular UK home for another year. Voted the UK’s favourite cruise ship, Independence of the Seas had an incredible multi-million pound makeover in 2018, and boasts a host of extraordinary features including Sky Pad, a virtual reality, bungee trampoline experience; Perfect Storm waterslides; Escape Room: The Observatorium; and delicious eateries, Fish & Ships and Izumi, both taste sensations in their own fields.
The wonder of Independence of the Seas spans far beyond the ship itself and she will be back with a bang in 2020 with all new destinations on offer. Wanderlust-fueled adventures include a 14-night Scandinavia and Russia expedition with an overnight stay in Copenhagen and two full nights in St. Petersburg – the first time ever for a Freedom class ship – to all new adventures in Morocco and Portugal. Itineraries range from three nights to 14-nights and the icing on the cake is that all this can be enjoyed by UK holidaymakers with the added convenience of sailing from Southampton.
Guests’ holidays onboard both Anthem and Independence will also be enhanced by the intuitive Royal Caribbean mobile app that enables guests to sign up for shore excursions, make restaurant reservations and explore the ship through incredible interactive maps and guides without ever leaving their chairs by the pool.
Ben Bouldin, Managing Director, Royal Caribbean International UK and Ireland, said, “It’s important for us to make our cruises as easy and enjoyable for guests as soon as their holidays begin, so we’re elated that we have not one, but two, of our much-loved ships coming home for us to show-off and celebrate. 2020 is set to be a spectacular season with more overnight stays and fantastic new itineraries; we look forward to welcoming our guests aboard for truly extraordinary holidays.”
