This past October, I was invited to attend the launch weekend for Royal Caribbean’s newest ship the Anthem of the Seas.  It was my first time on a cruise so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I can tell you it was way beyond any of my preconceptions.

First of all, when it came to the room I was expecting something closer to a closet with a porthole, instead it was actually quite spacious.  My room actually had enough space for a large sofa.  The attached balcony was definitively my favorite part and it was lovely to sleep on the first night with the sliding door open listening to the waves.  I even saw a pod of dolphins swimming by!

For the foodie in me, I’m happy to report that Royal Caribbean has made sure to offer plenty of options while on board.  The Anthem of the Seas in particular has 17 restaurants and dining options from casual options to more sophisticated fine dining.  I only had time to explore a handful of them, including the pan-asian inspired cuisine of Silk which was definitively my favorite.  Another spot I frequented was The Café which served gourmet sandwiches and desserts, but most importantly, great coffee.  I ended up visiting there several times a day to maintain a steady dose of caffeine.

Being a fashion blog, you know I have to talk about the on board retail spaces.  While I didn’t do any shopping, they did have some nice venues which included Tom Ford perfume, Bobbi Brown Makeup, Bvlgari, Regalia, and Hublot.  A girl could do some serious damage if she isn’t careful.  Which reminds me, also located on the ship is the Casino Royale, a fully equipped casino with everything from slots to roulette.  If only there had been more time to try my luck at the tables!

If you’re more into music or special entertainment, you can check out the Music Hall, the Royal Theater, or the high-tech Two70, all offering different and unique performances from Cabaret to their Roboshow featuring performances from agile robotic arms.  And speaking of robots, one of the more crazy features found on the Anthem of the Seas is their Bionic Bar.   You can actually order your cocktails and have them prepared in front of you by fully automated robotic arms.  There’s even a little conveyor belt that then delivers the drink right to you.  The entire production is controlled by a tablet on your table which lets you order up pre-programmed drinks or you can experiment with their spirits and mixers.  It was certainly a fun futuristic display!

The biggest standout feature you’ll immediately notice upon boarding the ship has to be the North Star observation crane.  This towering 300 foot tall arm juts up out from the center of the ship and allow passengers to get an unobstructed 360 degree view.  I have to admit I couldn’t bring myself to do it.  It looked like a really neat experience but my fear of heights got the better of me.

If you’ve never been on a cruise before, like me, I can definitively recommend checking out this ship.  There’s plenty to do while on board that should keep every part of your family happily entertained.  Side note, the WiFi was wonderful which in today’s age makes it really great to stay in touch with family and friends while vacationing.  It’s a cutting edge vessel that makes it a good choice for your first trip cruising.

Thank you for Royal Caribbean for allowing me to experience your amazing ship!

Outfit details /// Yumi Kim Split it up maxi c/o /// Bag — Saint Laurent Monogram Matelasse Shoulder Bag ///  Sandals — Stuart Weitzman ‘Nudist’ Sandal (also available in other colors) ///

Trip provided by Royal Caribbean, opinions are my own.