Royal Caribbean International’s Anthem of the Seas has returned to the UK as it prepares to start a series of British Isles cruises from 7 July.
The ship, which made its debut in Southampton in 2015, will be operating four-night Ocean Getaways alongside British Isles itineraries of between five and eight nights this summer.
Anthem of the Seas will be the first of Royal Caribbean’s ships to resume operations in Europe following the stoppage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ben Bouldin, vice-president EMEA at Royal Caribbean, said: “Anthem of the Seas has always been a firm favourite for UK guests, and we have seen incredible demand for our sailings since announcing our return in March.
“With a jaw-dropping line-up of onboard activities, restaurants and entertainment, Anthem presents the perfect getaway this summer. We can’t wait to welcome families back onboard one of the most revolutionary ships in our fleet for a summer of adventure.”
Anthem will be calling at ports such as Liverpool, Belfast and Kirkwall in Scotland’s Orkney islands during its UK summer season.
The ship features North Star, billed as the “world’s tallest observation capsule at sea”, which extends 300 feet above sea level with 360-degree views.
Meanwhile Royal Caribbean has also announced that Rhapsody of the Seas will be sailing around the Mediterranean in summer 2022 with a range of itineraries departing from Greece, Italy, Spain and Israel from May 2022.
Rhapsody, which will join Anthem of the Seas and new ship Odyssey of the Seas in Europe next summer, will offer “open jaw” seven-night trips from Rome and Ravena in Italy, as well as Athens and Barcelona.
The ship will then homeport in the Israeli city of Haifa between August and 31 October from where it will sail a range of three- to eight-night round-trip itineraries to Greece and Cyprus. It will be the first time a Royal Caribbean ship has homeported in Haifa.