Cruising Into the Long Weekend: My 4-Night Anthem of the Seas Adventure

25 January – Australia Day Weekend | Sydney → Eden → Sydney

If you’re going to spend a long weekend anywhere, it may as well be in the middle of the ocean with 4,000 of your newest friends, clear skies, calm seas, and a piña colada in hand. Anthem of the Seas delivered all that—and a few surprises—on my 4-night Australia Day sailing.

Below is the full run-down, from my mid-ship balcony cabin (with prime views of the tender boats’ rooftops) to the shows, the food, and everything in between.

Accommodation: Deck 7, Mid-Ship Balcony Life

Strategically located above the tender boats—perfect if you’ve ever wanted to get intimately acquainted with the tops of lifeboats—my Deck 7 balcony cabin turned out to be the ideal home base for a quick getaway.

The cabin itself was spacious, modern, and surprisingly storage-friendly. Think: clean lines, Royal Caribbean’s signature blue palette, and enough drawers to make Marie Kondo weep with joy.

Noise levels? Impressively low. Despite being mid-ship, I heard nothing except the occasional whoosh of someone else’s balcony door and my internal monologue reminding me to stop raiding the minibar. Motion? Minimal. With seas this calm, even a rubber duck could have balanced on the balcony railing without falling off.

Bonus: being mid-ship meant effortless access to everything—north to the pool, south to the Royal Esplanade, and east to… well, the bathroom.

Entertainment: Big Stage, Big Screens, Big Energy

Anthem is a ship that simply refuses to let you be bored.

“We Will Rock You”

The full Broadway-style production is onboard for longer sailings, but even the condensed version on this cruise absolutely delivered. The cast committed—vocally, physically, and emotionally—while the audience clapped, stomped, and tried not to sing louder than the performers. A win for humanity.

The Two70 Shows

Part acrobatics, part digital wizardry, part “wait… how did they do that?”, the Two70 venue remains an Anthem highlight. The Vistarama screens transformed the entire back of the ship into immersive worlds—from aerial fantasy sequences to kaleidoscopic projections

Live Music Everywhere

Whether it was the pub singer belting out ‘80s hits in the English-style bar or the smooth jazz troupe in the Schooner Bar, the soundtrack of the entire cruise felt like being dropped into a live Spotify playlist curated for good vibes.

Pool Deck Parties

Australia Day celebrations at sea? Absolutely. Flags, cocktails, dancers, DJ sets—plus a sea of sunburnt enthusiasm. Only on a cruise.

Food & Drinks: From Jamie’s to Buffet Bliss

Lunch at Jamie’s Italian

Let’s start with the star: Jamie Oliver’s onboard restaurant.

I arrived hungry, hopeful, and ready to carb-load. Jamie’s did not disappoint.

We started with the antipasti platter to share - has it got smaller over time or were we just really hungry?

The Famous Prawn Linguine was indeed famous for a reason. And the Epic Brownie? I’m convinced it could single-handedly maintain international diplomacy.

Portions were generous, flavours were vibrant, service was cheery—and I left thinking that Jamie can cook for me anytime, anywhere, on land or sea.

Lunch at 270 Cafe

It's a Day 1 favourite of mine. A great alternative to the super busy Windjammer, with my go to's being the toasted Reuben and the Thai Noodle salad.

There's plenty of light bites to keep you going for the day and the food is all included.

Main Dining Room

The MDR delivered—as it always does—with a mix of classics and rotating specials. Lobster lovers had their moment. Steak enthusiasts had theirs. And I enjoyed the ritual of multiple-course dinners that make you forget how much you’ve already eaten that day.

Windjammer Buffet

The Windjammer was its usual chaotic, comforting self. Breakfasts were solid (hello, hash browns), lunches were varied, and somehow I always found myself at the dessert station “just having a look.” Famous last words.

Bars & Lounges

From wine at Vintages to frozen cocktails poolside and of course the design your own cocktail offering at the Bionic Bar on level 5 - drink service was consistently friendly and speedy—even during peak holiday madness. Shoutout to the bartender who remembered my order by night two: you’re a hero.

Eden, NSW: The Token Stop

Eden was Eden. Quaint, coastal, and sunny—perfect for a wander, a whale history lesson, or a long lunch ashore. The new wharf means no tenders - and offered excellent views of Anthem looking majestic in the harbour.

Onboard Experience: The Verdict

With perfect weather, calm seas, a festive Aussie crowd, and endless entertainment, this was the kind of cruise that reminds you why short sailings are a brilliant idea. Anthem of the Seas is big, bold, fun, and full of surprises—ideal for anyone wanting a mix of relaxation, indulgence, and enough activities to fill a two-week holiday, let alone four nights.

Would I sail her again?In a heartbeat. Preferably with another reservation at Jamie’s.