Royal Caribbean Reveal Anthem's Southampton Voyages

By Editor Simon Veness

The big question (in every sense) about what itineraries Royal Caribbean will be offering from Southampton with their new Anthem of the Seas next year has been answered - with a bold array of different cruises from April to September.

As we have already noted here at Time Spent At Sea, Royal Caribbean will be going head-to-head next spring and summer with P&O Cruises out of Southampton, with P&O debuting their all-new Britannia at the same time as the Anthem arrives for her inaugural season.

Anthem is Royal Caribbean’s second Quantum-class ship and will offer 20 Mediterranean sailings beginning on April 22, 2015, before heading to Fort Lauderdale in the autumn, and her itineraries range from three to 16 nights, with a strong focus on ‘taster’ cruises designed to attract British holidaymakers who haven’t previously considered a cruise holiday.

Quantum and Anthem will mark another step forward for the cruise industry, introducing more unique facilities at sea, such as a skydiving experience called RipCord by iFLY and the North Star (above), an engineering marvel featuring a capsule that extends 300ft above the ocean and over the side of the ship to deliver 360-degree views for guests.

Additional cutting-edge venues include SeaPlex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, roller-skating and more; and the cruise line’s largest and most advanced staterooms ever. These new, larger rooms enable innovation in design, storage and comfort, including the industry’s first 'virtual balconies.'

Royal Caribbean's managing director for UK and Ireland, Stuart Leven, explained: “The unveiling of the Anthem of the Seas itineraries is another major milestone in our exciting year. We have significant confidence in the strength of pent-up demand for the Royal Caribbean holiday product from UK and Ireland."

Anthem's cruise options from Southampton next year are as follows:

• Four 3-night taster cruises and one 4-night taster cruise calling at Bruges and Paris (Le Havre).
• One 7 and one 8-night 'France & Spain' cruise calling at Bilbao and Paris (Le Havre).
• One 16-night 'Mediterranean Cities of Distinction' cruise including Barcelona, Nice, Rome Seville and Lisbon.
• Three 13-nights, one 10-night and one 12-night 'Sunshine in the Canaries' cruise.
• One 7-night 'Norwegian Fjords' sailing.
• Two 14-night 'Italian Mediterranean' sailings.
• One 14-night 'Spain & Mediterranean Beaches' sailing, including an overnight in Palma de Mallorca and a call into Ibiza, not departing until 8pm in the evening.

Peak summer holiday cruises include the 14-night Italian Mediterranean cruise and the 14-night Spain & Mediterranean Beaches sailings to appeal to family travellers. In addition, the three-night taster cruise operating over August Bank Holiday weekend is expected to be popular.

A 14-night cruise from Southampton starts from £1,599 per person, based on a July 2015 departure. The taster three-night cruises start from £449 per person, based on a May 2015 departure, and the programme goes on sale on March 4. 

More info: call 0844 493 4005 or visit www.royalcaribbean.co.uk.

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