Anthem of the Seas to Return with an Old Friend in 2020.

It has recently been announced that the Anthem of the Seas will return to Southampton in 2020 with the ever so popular Independence of the Seas, affectionally known as ‘Indy’.

Anthem of the seas first made her UK Debut back in 2015 when she spent the Summer season sailing from the UK, but RCI upset many loyal fans but making the decision to remove Independence from the UK that year so I am pleased to see that the two will be side by side out of Southampton.

Although Royal Caribbean have some strong competition and I can see a little Deja vu in this as when Anthem first came to the UK she was a new ship up against the Britannia joining the P&O Fleet. Although Anthem is not new, she is up against the Iona from P&O.

The Anthem is 168,00 gross tons, the Independence is 154,000 gross tons but the layout of the two ships are very different, lots have said that Anthem has a smaller more exclusive feeling in the layout of the dining areas and the lounges, whereas Independence is more open plan. Perhaps this gives up a reason to get on both in 2020.

However back in 2015 when the Anthem and Britannia had been on sale, there was a big difference in the prices and this is the same again, for a week on the Anthem, you can have nearly two weeks on the Iona. Is Royal Caribbean to expensive? Are they pricing themselves out of the Market?

Royal Caribbean has a very unique product and has lead the way over the years with innovation from the Cantilevered whirlpools on the Independence and other Freedom Class Ships, to Surf simulators, Rock Climbing walls, Bumper Cars at Sea, Ice Skating Rinks, Trampoline parks, Escape Rooms and of course the North Star and Sky Diving Simulator on the Quantum Class including Anthem.

But for me, who one might say is a little boring, I would not use half of the things on board, so I am paying a very premium price for facilities I would not use. Should Royal Caribbean perhaps drop the prices and charge for using these facilities – I know for me that would be a definite benefit but not for families, so I guess you are never going to keep everyone happy!

So 2020! Who boat are you going to be in?