First-Time Cruise on Anthem of the Seas: A Guide

What does a first-time cruiser actually need to know before sailing on Anthem of the Seas? In short: book a cabin that matches how you like to sail (a Virtual Balcony interior is the smart-value pick), get to the Sydney cruise terminal with time to spare, download the Royal Caribbean app before you leave home, and reserve the marquee experiences like North Star and RipCord by iFly the moment booking opens. Everything else — dining, shows, money, and packing for both tropical islands and cool New Zealand fjords — falls into place once you understand how the ship runs. This guide walks you through it step by step.

Anthem of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-Class ships: a mid-size megaship of around 168,000 gross tons across roughly 16 guest decks, carrying about 4,180 guests at double occupancy and up to nearly 4,900 when full. What makes her well suited to Australia and New Zealand is the sheer amount of indoor space. Sailing into the South Pacific you want sunshine and pools; crossing the Tasman Sea to New Zealand you want somewhere warm and dry to enjoy the view. Anthem gives you both, and that dual personality shapes almost every decision a first-timer makes.

Booking and choosing a cabin

Your first real decision is where you sleep, and it matters more than newcomers expect. Anthem offers a clear ladder of categories: the value Virtual Balcony interior, Ocean View rooms, true Balcony cabins, Studio cabins for solo travelers, and suites up to the two-deck Royal Loft Suite. Match the room to how you plan to spend your days.

Why the Virtual Balcony interior is the value pick

Interior cabins are traditionally the cheapest way to cruise, but the old drawback was waking in a windowless box with no sense of time or weather. Anthem solves that with the Virtual Balcony: a floor-to-ceiling, real-time screen that streams the ocean and sky outside the ship. You get natural light cues and a feel for the day without paying for a true balcony. For a first sailing where you plan to be out exploring most of the time, this is the best value on board.

When to step up to a real balcony

If you value quiet mornings with a coffee and fresh air, or you are sailing the New Zealand route where scenic cruising is a highlight, a true Balcony cabin earns its cost. The best all-round choice is a midship Balcony on the mid-decks: the shortest walk to almost everywhere and the steadiest ride, since the ends of a ship pitch and roll more than the middle on open stretches like the Tasman crossing. You get space, light, and your own spot to watch Milford Sound slide past.

Cabins to think twice about

Before you confirm, pull up the deck plan and check what sits above, below, and beside your room. A few rules of thumb save regret:

• Rooms directly under the pool deck or SeaPlex can suffer from noise — scraping deck chairs early in the morning, or the buzz of the active space.
• Cabins near Two70 or the Music Hall sit close to the ship’s nightlife, which is lively past your bedtime.
• Forward, high-deck rooms feel the most motion, so anyone prone to seasickness should avoid them.
• Lower-deck balconies can have their sea views partly blocked by lifeboats — check the deck plan carefully.

None of these are dealbreakers if the price is right, but choose them with eyes open. Our guide to the best cabins on Anthem of the Seas breaks down each category by deck and location.

Getting to the Sydney cruise terminal

In her Australia and New Zealand season, Anthem sails round-trip from Sydney. She also sails other regions in other seasons, so always confirm your specific voyage — but for a South Pacific or New Zealand cruise, Sydney is your starting point. It is a magnificent place to begin: the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, The Rocks, and Bondi Beach are all within easy reach, and the harbour setting makes sail-away special.

Arrive a day early if you are flying in

This is the single most important logistics tip for anyone travelling from interstate or overseas: do not fly in on embarkation day. A delayed or cancelled flight can mean watching your ship leave without you, and the cruise line will not hold departure. Fly in at least the day before, book a hotel near the harbour, and treat that extra night as a buffer against travel chaos and jet lag.

Before you go: the app, check-in, and packing

The Royal Caribbean app runs your entire cruise, so treat it as step one. Download it and log in before you leave home, while you still have reliable Wi-Fi. Complete online check-in as soon as it opens: you upload documents, add a payment card, choose an arrival time, and receive your boarding pass. Doing this early is not just tidy — some experiences and dining slots open for booking through the app, and the early birds get the prime times.

What to carry on yourself

When you hand your main luggage to the porters at the terminal, it can take a few hours to reach your cabin. Pack a small carry-on with everything you need for that first afternoon: any medication, travel documents, a swimsuit, a change of clothes, and chargers. That way you enjoy the ship while your suitcase catches up.

Packing for two climates at once

This is where Anthem’s itineraries catch first-timers out. A single cruise can swing from tropical South Pacific islands, where you want light clothing, swimwear, sunscreen, and a hat, to cooler New Zealand days where a fjord morning can be genuinely chilly. The answer is layers: pack breathable summer clothing as your base, then add a warm mid-layer, a waterproof jacket, and comfortable closed shoes for New Zealand port days. Even the islands bring rain, and the ship’s air conditioning runs cool.

Also throw in a portable battery pack and any motion-sickness remedies — more on that below. For a fuller rundown of what the ship offers, our overview of what to expect on Anthem of the Seas is a useful companion read.

Embarkation day: what actually happens

Embarkation is smoother than most first-timers fear, provided you arrive within your assigned window. At the terminal you drop your checked bags with the porters (a small tip is customary), pass through security much like at an airport, check in against the details you already entered in the app, and walk aboard. Timed well, the whole process can take under an hour.

Once on board you collect your SeaPass card, which is your room key, your ID at the gangway, and your onboard payment method in one — keep it on you. Somewhere in the first afternoon there is a mandatory safety drill, the muster, which you must complete before the ship sails; the app tells you your station and when to check in. Get it done early and you are free to explore.

Your first hours aboard

Resist the urge to sit down and wait for your cabin, which usually is not ready the moment you board — this is prime time to get your bearings. Head to the Windjammer buffet or Café Promenade for a relaxed first lunch, then take a slow lap of the ship: find the Royal Esplanade indoor promenade, the pools (both the outdoor deck and the glass-roofed indoor pool), the theatre, and Two70.

Reserve North Star, RipCord, and shows early

The Quantum-Class thrills are the reason many people choose Anthem, and the popular ones fill up. Book them the moment your booking window opens in the app.

North Star

North Star is a jewel-shaped glass observation capsule on a mechanical arm that lifts you around 300 feet above the sea for 360-degree views. It is one of the most memorable things you will do on board, and on sea days it is often complimentary — but slots are limited. Reserve it early so you never have to gamble on standby availability.

RipCord by iFly and the other thrills

RipCord by iFly is a skydiving simulator — a vertical wind tunnel that lets you experience freefall safely, no aircraft required. It is hugely popular and books out fast. Alongside it, Anthem packs in a FlowRider surf simulator, the rock wall, and SeaPlex, the largest indoor active space at sea, with bumper cars, roller skating, basketball, and an arcade, plus the Bionic Bar, where robotic arms mix your drink. Our guide to North Star and RipCord covers how to make the most of them.

Shows and Two70

Anthem’s entertainment is a genuine highlight, and the headline shows in the main theatre and the immersive productions at Two70 need reservations. Two70 is a multi-story venue with a wall of glass by day that transforms at night into a stage for Vistarama and Roboscreen shows, where screens and robotic arms combine into performances unlike anything else at sea. Book your show times early.

Dining and shows through the week

Your fare includes plenty of food, so nobody goes hungry without spending extra. The included venues are the Main Dining Room for a proper sit-down experience, the Windjammer buffet as the flexible come-as-you-are option, and Café Promenade and Sorrento’s pizza for quick bites and late-night cravings. You can eat well morning to night at no additional charge.

If you want to treat yourself, the specialty restaurants carry an extra charge. Wonderland serves imaginative dishes, Jamie’s Italian is relaxed and family-friendly, Chops Grille is the classic steakhouse, Izumi handles Japanese, and there is a Chef’s Table and Johnny Rockets. You do not need to book every night — one or two specialty dinners across a week give you variety without blowing the budget.

Beyond the reserved shows there is live music in the venues, the Music Hall, and the quiet glass-domed adults-only Solarium. The Solarium and the indoor pool are especially welcome on cooler New Zealand days, a warm place to swim when the deck is brisk.

Money, gratuities, and the SeaPass

Anthem runs cashless. Everything you buy on board — drinks, specialty dining, spa treatments, shop purchases — goes onto your SeaPass account, linked to the card you registered at check-in, and you settle up at the end of the cruise. That convenience makes it easy to lose track, so check your balance in the app every day or two.

Two costs first-timers routinely overlook: daily gratuities are automatically added for each guest, covering the crew who look after you, and Wi-Fi is a separate paid plan. If you want to stay connected, buy an internet package — often cheaper before you sail. Budget for both so your onboard spending matches what you expected. For more planning wisdom, our collection of Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas tips is worth a look.

Seasickness and comfort on the Tasman crossing

The stretch of open water between Australia and New Zealand — the Tasman Sea — can be lively, and it is the part of the itinerary most likely to test anyone prone to motion sickness. A big ship like Anthem handles swell far better than a small one, so most people feel very little, but it pays to prepare rather than hope.

Choose a midship, mid-deck cabin if motion worries you, since that is where the ship moves least, and bring your preferred remedy from home rather than counting on the shop stocking it. If you start to feel off, head to the middle of the ship, fix your eyes on the horizon, get fresh air, and eat something plain like crackers. Any queasiness usually passes within a day, and once you reach the sheltered waters of Milford Sound, the ride is calm and the scenery does the rest.

What to wear

Daytime on Anthem is relaxed: shorts, swimwear, and casual clothes are fine around the pools, active venues, and buffet. For port days, dress for the destination — light for the islands, layered and waterproof for New Zealand.

Evenings are a little more structured. Most nights are smart-casual: a collared shirt, a nice top, or a sundress. There are usually one or two more formal evenings where guests dress up if they wish, though it is never compulsory, and the Windjammer stays casual every night. Pack one smarter outfit and you are covered without hauling a full formal wardrobe.

Port days and Milford Sound

The ports are the heart of these itineraries. Anthem’s South Pacific weeks visit the islands of New Caledonia and Vanuatu, while her New Zealand voyages work down the coast — ports and lengths vary, so confirm your itinerary in the app.

South Pacific islands

In New Caledonia, Nouméa is a French-Melanesian capital with lagoon beaches like Anse Vata; Isle of Pines is known for pristine beaches, the natural pool at Oro Bay, and towering pines; and Lifou offers snorkeling, sea cliffs, and vanilla plantations. In Vanuatu, Mystery Island and Port Vila bring white-sand snorkeling islets, markets, and the Mele Cascades waterfalls. Several are tender ports, where the ship anchors offshore and small boats ferry you in, so start early — tender queues build fast and time ashore is precious.

New Zealand ports

New Zealand sailings can call at the Bay of Islands — home to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, historic Russell, dolphins, and the Hole in the Rock — plus Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, and Picton. Tauranga is the gateway to Rotorua’s geothermal parks, Maori culture, and Hobbiton; Wellington brings the Te Papa museum, the cable car, and Weta Workshop. Book the ship’s shore excursions or plan your own, but decide in advance what you most want to see so you are not wandering with limited hours.

Milford Sound and the Fiordland

The scenic highlight of many New Zealand cruises is Milford Sound and the Fiordland, where the ship cruises the fjord rather than docking. You watch from the deck as Anthem glides past Mitre Peak and towering waterfalls — no excursion to book, just a morning to keep clear. Dress warmly, claim a good forward-facing spot or your own balcony, and be up early. This is exactly the day where North Star, if you reserved it, gives you an unmatched vantage point. Our guide to Anthem across New Zealand and the South Pacific maps out what each itinerary delivers.

Disembarkation

The last morning is straightforward once you know the drill. Most guests place their main luggage outside the cabin door the evening before, tagged with the colour and number the ship provides, and collect it in the terminal. If you would rather carry everything yourself, opt for self-assist walk-off, which usually lets you disembark earliest.

Have a proper breakfast, keep your SeaPass card until you are through the terminal, and do not book a tight onward flight — clearing the ship and customs takes time. A late flight leaves room for one more look at the harbour before you head home.

Common first-timer mistakes to avoid

A handful of avoidable errors trip up newcomers again and again. Steer clear of these and you are ahead of most of the ship:

• Booking a same-day flight to Sydney instead of arriving a day early — the biggest risk to your whole trip.
• Waiting until you are aboard to reserve North Star, RipCord, shows, and specialty dining, by which point the best slots are gone.
• Skipping the app before you leave home, then scrambling to check in on shaky terminal Wi-Fi.
• Packing for only one climate and freezing on a New Zealand fjord morning, or cooking in the South Pacific sun.
• Forgetting that gratuities and Wi-Fi are extra, then getting a shock on the final bill.
• Arriving late to tender ports and losing hours to the queue.
• Trying to do everything and burning out — pick your highlights and leave room to relax.

Get the big rocks right — cabin, flights, app, early reservations — and the rest of your first Anthem cruise takes care of itself.

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Get the complete Anthem of the Seas playbook

Ready to sail with confidence? “The Ultimate Guide to Sailing on Anthem of the Seas” walks you through every decision from cabin to disembarkation. It is part of the Ultimate Ship Guides series by Leo Sotropa, with clear action steps in every chapter.

Frequently asked questions

Where does Anthem of the Seas sail from?

In her Australia and New Zealand season, Anthem of the Seas sails round-trip from Sydney to the South Pacific and New Zealand. She also sails other regions in other seasons, so always confirm your specific voyage and its ports in the Royal Caribbean app before booking flights.

What is the best cabin for a first-timer?

For value, a Virtual Balcony interior is hard to beat: a floor-to-ceiling real-time ocean screen for a fraction of the cost of a true balcony. If you prefer fresh air and the steadiest ride, choose a midship Balcony on the mid-decks, the best all-round option, especially for the Tasman crossing.

Do I need to book North Star and RipCord in advance?

Yes. North Star, the glass observation capsule, and RipCord by iFly, the skydiving simulator, are the most popular experiences on board and fill quickly. Reserve them through the app the moment your booking window opens. North Star is often complimentary on sea days, but slots are limited.

How should I pack for an Anthem cruise?

Pack in layers. A single cruise can move between tropical South Pacific islands and cooler New Zealand days, so bring light summer clothing, swimwear, sunscreen, and a hat, plus a warm mid-layer, a waterproof jacket, and closed shoes. Add one smarter outfit for the dressier evenings, and keep essentials in a carry-on since checked bags take a few hours to arrive.

Are meals and drinks included?

Plenty of dining is included: the Main Dining Room, the Windjammer buffet, Café Promenade, and Sorrento’s pizza. Specialty restaurants such as Wonderland, Chops Grille, and Izumi carry an extra charge. Everything goes on your cashless SeaPass account, and note that daily gratuities are added automatically and Wi-Fi is a separate paid plan.

Will I get seasick on the Tasman Sea?

Most people feel very little, as a ship the size of Anthem handles swell well. The Tasman crossing is the liveliest stretch, so if you are prone to motion sickness, choose a midship, mid-deck cabin, bring your preferred remedy from home, and if you feel off, get fresh air and watch the horizon. Any queasiness usually passes within a day.

How early should I arrive in Sydney before the cruise?

If you are flying in, arrive at least the day before embarkation and stay near the harbour. A delayed flight on the day itself can mean missing the ship, since departure will not wait. Arriving early also lets you start rested and enjoy Sydney’s highlights before you sail.