It’s official: Anthem of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s second Quantum-class cruise ship, will make its home in Southampton when it is launched in spring 2015.
After weeks of speculation, which began in early September when I first reported that European ports of call had been booked for the 4,180-passenger vessel, the company made the official announcement in London this evening.
Radio personalities Stuart Maconie and Lauren Laverne, together with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, were the appropriate musical connection joining Royal Caribbean president and CEO Adam Goldstein.
Anthem will replace the 3,600-passenger Independence of the Seas, which has been sailing from the UK since 2008. Adventure of the Seas will continue to operate from Southampton and Royal will also be operating cruises to northern Europe from Harwich.
“Our business has a long history with Southampton and over the last 10 years we have annually increased the number of cruise opportunities from the port,” said Goldstein. “Anthem is our next big step in our commitment to the UK market.”
He was reluctant to accept that Anthem will be in head-to-head competition with P&O Cruises’ Britannia, which will be launched in Southampton in March 2015.
“We have a responsibility to place our 21 ships where they will earn the highest revenues. We are in competition with other major operators wherever we are in the world. The UK market is important to us and there are some great destinations to cruise to.”
Sister ship Quantum of the Seas, with signature features including a sky-diving simulator, the North Star observation pod, and dodgem cars, launches in November 2014 and will be based in New York. A third ship of the same design will follow and the company is also building a third Oasis-class vessel. Both will launch in 2016.
At 167,800 GRT the Quantum class ships are 1,141 feet (348 meters) long, 134 feet (41 meters) wide, and carry 4,180 guests at double occupancy in 2,090 staterooms on 16 guest decks.
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