“Not good”, the burly gentleman laughed, “[because] I don’t get to eat my char koay teow.” A cruise member of the Anthem of the Seas had stopped by Sorrento’s Pizza and asked how he and his family were doing.
Only an hour earlier, it had been announced that we wouldn’t be disembarking in Penang. The night before, a guest had fallen sick and the ship had to call at Port Klang for several hours so he could seek medical attention.
As we were behind schedule, the captain decided to proceed directly to Phuket. Whatever displeasure this disruption had caused my fellow guest, well, it was quickly put out by another round of classic cheese and margherita pizza.
But first, some stats about Anthem of the Seas: it has 16 decks, 2,090 staterooms, and accommodates over 4,000 people.
This first season in Asia, which leaves from Singapore, takes you to different destinations ranging from as close as Penang to as far as Tokyo. My 4 Night Penang & Phuket Cruise included seven-hour and 12-hour stops at each island, with guided tours available.
As it turned out, however, I skipped the shore excursion to Phuket.
For those not into “a magical adventure at sea” filled with “beloved characters”, Anthem of the Seas was the perfect getaway.
Using the Royal app, which can be downloaded from the Apple or Google Play stores, I had everything I needed, from boarding passes to restaurant opening hours to activity reminders. I enjoyed how easy it was to plan my vacation; the efficiency it offered was also empowering.
Anthem of the Seas’ North Star was the most fun thing to do, and rightfully so. The observation capsule on this ship holds the Guinness World Record for being the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship.
Step inside this capsule that rises more than 91m, and take in the magnificent expanse of turquoise. As far as we could tell, there was nothing else to see—were you expecting mermaids?—but that was the beauty of it.
Prepare yourself for some measure of reluctance when the capsule descends to its deck. It was quite the experience.
More activities on Anthem of the Seas
I had to give the RipCord by iFly a miss, and I blamed the Royal app for making it so easy to book. The skydiving simulator supposedly lifts you off your feet and lets you float weightless, giving you a sense of freedom. Everyone was smiling.
Disappointment had no place in a playground like Anthem of the Seas. Dopamine boosts were everywhere, including the Bionic Bar.
Watch robot bartenders prepare your (classic or custom) cocktail. Even though my drink was just okay, the performance, accompanied by an upbeat BGM, was entertaining nonetheless. Other counters, such as Schooner and Vintages, were manned by real people.
Finally, the food. I was pleasantly surprised by the meticulously curated buffet spread—greens, cheeses, meats, carbs, fruits, and sweets—at Windjammer. Tip: the Indian section’s chicken marsala and scrambled egg bhurji are worth trying.
In addition, I stumbled upon the Coca-Cola freestyle machines, dispensing one or a combination of sodas into a “magic” cup throughout the day.
Depending on your palate, speciality dining was a hit or a miss. Wonderland, for instance, was an immersive dining experience with whimsical creations to tickle your taste buds and your imagination.
For my meal, I had to dip a paintbrush into water and swipe it over the paper menu to reveal its contents. Dishes were categorised according to the five natural elements of Earth, Sea, Fire, Ice, and Sun, based on their flavours.
For example, Ice featured an exquisite Crispy Crab Cones with Avocado Mousse. Sea, meanwhile, offered a scrumptious Liquid Lobster with Bone Marrow and Caviar.
If you’re not very adventurous, try Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver. I appreciated the friendly service and sensible recommendations—“you may prefer to share this generous portion”, the wait staff suggested—and the hearty homestyle flavours.
The truffle tagliatelle with nutmeg-infused truffle cream lingered in my mouth, while parmesan mash and horseradish gremolata accompanied the chianti-braised short rib, making for perfect comfort food.
“So good!” I couldn’t help exclaiming at the end of my dinner. The wait staff laughed as she encouraged, “Come back tomorrow?”
Remember we mentioned cruising from Singapore to Tokyo? Book here.
