Anthem of the Seas vs Spectrum of the Seas comes down to where you want to sail and who you want to sail with. The two ships are close to identical in size and share Royal Caribbean’s headline Quantum features (North Star, RipCord by iFLY, the Bionic Bar and bumper cars). Spectrum is four years newer, adds a gated suite area, the Sky Pad and Asian-focused dining, and sails only in Asia. Anthem is the easier pick for most North American cruisers: it sails from Sydney in the southern summer and has spent recent northern summers in Alaska.
Free: the Anthem of the Seas ship guide: cabins, dining, shows and where she sails →
Below we compare the two ships on specs, cabins, dining, entertainment, bars, pools and itineraries, and then pick a winner in each category. The deployment details are current for the 2026-27 season.
Anthem of the Seas vs Spectrum of the Seas at a glance
Anthem of the Seas belongs to the original Quantum class, alongside Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas. Spectrum of the Seas was the first ship in the Quantum Ultra sub-class, and Odyssey of the Seas followed it. Royal Caribbean stretched the Quantum Ultra design slightly to make room for a dedicated suite neighborhood and a much bigger casino. Otherwise the layout will feel familiar to anyone who has sailed a Quantum ship.
| Spec | Anthem of the Seas | Spectrum of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Class | Quantum | Quantum Ultra |
| Entered service | 2015 | 2019 |
| Most recent dry dock | March to April 2025 (Singapore, maintenance and technical work) | No major public-area refit announced |
| Gross tonnage | About 168,700 | About 169,400 |
| Length | About 1,141 ft | About 1,139 ft |
| Guests (double occupancy) | About 4,180 to 4,200 | About 4,250 |
| Guests (maximum) | About 4,900 | About 5,600 |
| Crew | About 1,500 | About 1,550 |
| 2026-27 base | Sydney, Australia | Shanghai and Hong Kong |
Royal Caribbean and cruise industry sources round these figures slightly differently, so treat them as close approximations. The point that matters is that the hulls are almost the same size, but Spectrum can carry far more people when every third and fourth berth is filled. Family-heavy sailings in Asia often fill those berths, so Spectrum’s public spaces can feel busier at peak times. If you want to see how both ships compare with the rest of the fleet, our guide to Royal Caribbean ships by size puts them in context.
Age and condition
Anthem turned ten in 2025 and spent about a month in dry dock in Singapore from late March 2025. Reports described the work as routine maintenance, technical upkeep and the class inspections due at ten years. It was not a major redesign, so the ship’s venues are largely as they were. In January 2026 Anthem also missed one Sydney sailing during about ten days of unscheduled maintenance, then went back into service.
Spectrum, delivered in 2019, is the younger ship and still among the newer large ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. Neither ship has had a large Royal Amplified-style makeover. Our list of Royal Caribbean ships by age shows where each one sits in the fleet.
Winner: Spectrum of the Seas, for being four years newer.
Cabins and suites
The everyday cabins are very similar on both ships. Each has plenty of balcony cabins, studio cabins for solo travelers, and the Quantum-class virtual balcony. On an interior cabin this is a floor-to-ceiling screen that shows a live view from outside the ship.
The big difference is at the top end. The Quantum Ultra design gives Spectrum a self-contained suite area on Decks 13 to 16 with its own elevator, a private restaurant (Coastal Kitchen), a lounge and a private sun deck with a pool. Royal Caribbean says Spectrum’s top Golden suites also get access to The Balcony, a private outdoor terrace, and The Boutique, a space that can be booked for private shopping or tea ceremonies.
Spectrum also has an Ultimate Family Suite. It is a multi-level suite that sleeps up to 11, with an in-suite slide and a private cinema that doubles as a karaoke room. Anthem’s suite guests also get Coastal Kitchen and suite perks, but without a separate gated area of the ship.
Winner: Spectrum of the Seas for suites, and a tie for standard cabins.
Dining: Western classics vs Asian specialties
Each ship has around 16 places to eat, but the mix reflects who each ship is built for.
Anthem of the Seas dining
- Included: the main dining rooms, Windjammer buffet, Solarium Bistro, Cafe Promenade, Sorrento’s Pizza and Two70 Cafe.
- Specialty (extra cost): Chops Grille, Izumi, Wonderland, an Italian restaurant (Jamie’s Italian at last report), Chef’s Table and Johnny Rockets. Anthem is the only Quantum-class ship with Johnny Rockets.
Spectrum of the Seas dining
- Included: one large main dining room spread over three levels, the Windjammer with an expanded noodle bar, Sorrento’s Pizza and Two70 Cafe.
- Specialty (extra cost): Sichuan Red, Hot Pot, a teppanyaki restaurant, Izumi, Chops Grille, Wonderland and Chef’s Table, plus the Leaf and Bean tea venue.
If you love Asian food, Spectrum is the more interesting ship to eat on. If you want a menu that feels familiar to US cruisers, with burgers, steakhouse classics and Italian, Anthem is the safer choice. Specialty restaurant line-ups do change, so check the ship’s current dining page before you book.
Winner: a tie. Spectrum suits food lovers who want something different, and Anthem suits those who want familiar favorites.
Activities and entertainment
Most of the headline features appear on both ships:
- North Star: a glass capsule on an arm that lifts guests about 300 feet above sea level.
- RipCord by iFLY: a skydiving simulator on the top deck.
- FlowRider surf simulator, rock-climbing wall and the SeaPlex indoor sports hall with bumper cars, a basketball court and roller skating.
- Two70: a multi-level lounge with huge windows at the stern that turns into a digital entertainment venue at night.
Spectrum adds the Sky Pad, a bungee trampoline with virtual reality headsets at the back of the ship, a karaoke venue and a far larger casino. Its shows were created for an Asian audience, and Spectrum has hosted productions such as Silk Road in Two70.
Anthem has the more Broadway-style line-up in its Royal Theater, which tends to suit English-speaking audiences better. Specific shows rotate, so check the current entertainment list for your sailing date.
Winner: Spectrum of the Seas for thrill-seekers and casino fans, and Anthem of the Seas for US theater fans.
Bars and lounges
Both ships have the Bionic Bar, where robot arms mix your cocktail, as well as Schooner Bar, the Music Hall, Vintages wine bar, Sky Bar and pool and Solarium bars. Anthem has a couple more bars, including Boleros, a Latin bar, and an English-style pub. Spectrum gives more of its space to the casino and karaoke.
Winner: Anthem of the Seas, for its wider choice of bars.
Pools, Solarium and spa
Each ship has a main pool area, an indoor-outdoor adults-only Solarium with a glass roof that can be closed, a kids’ splash zone, a Vitality Spa and a large gym. A glass roof is handy on cool days in Tasmania, New Zealand or northern Japan.
Spectrum adds a private pool in its suite area, and its Splashaway Bay kids’ zone has its own cafe. Anthem lists more hot tubs, including adults-only hot tubs in the Solarium.
Winner: a tie for most guests, and Spectrum if you are booking a suite.
Where they sail in 2026-27: homeports and itineraries
This is the biggest difference between Spectrum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, and for most readers it will decide the choice.
Anthem of the Seas: Sydney, with recent summers in Alaska
Anthem sailed from Sydney in the 2025-26 southern summer. It then repositioned in April 2026 for a summer of seven-night Alaska cruises from Seattle, and returns to Sydney for the 2026-27 season. Royal Caribbean’s Sydney program starts at the end of October 2026 and runs into early 2027. It includes:
- 3-night sampler cruises and a 4-night Hobart, Tasmania sailing
- New Zealand voyages of about 9 to 11 nights, with calls such as Wellington, Napier, Picton, Christchurch (Lyttelton), Dunedin and scenic cruising in Dusky or Milford Sound
- 8-night Queensland cruises to Airlie Beach, Cairns and Willis Island
Royal Caribbean had not confirmed Anthem’s summer 2027 deployment in the sources we checked. Look at the official site for the latest schedule if you are hoping to sail from North America.
Spectrum of the Seas: Shanghai and Hong Kong
Spectrum has sailed in Asia since it launched. For 2026-27 it moves between two homeports:
- Hong Kong (from early November 2026): 2- to 9-night cruises, including short cruises to nowhere and 4-night Vietnam itineraries with a call at Da Nang.
- Shanghai (from late January 2027): short 2- to 5-night cruises to Japan and South Korea, with ports such as Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Okinawa and Busan, plus longer Japan cruises in some months.
Royal Caribbean has said Spectrum will keep this Shanghai and Hong Kong pattern for 2027-28, with holiday sailings from Hong Kong. Voyager of the Seas is due to join it in Hong Kong in early 2028.
Winner: Anthem of the Seas for US travelers, because it is easier to reach and has had a North American season. Spectrum is the better choice if you specifically want Japan, Korea or Vietnam.
Who each ship suits best
Top comparisons usually stop at listing venues, so here is the practical side of the decision.
- Atmosphere and language: Spectrum was designed mainly for guests from mainland China and Asia. Expect Mandarin and Cantonese announcements alongside English, Asian-focused shows, a big casino and many multigenerational family groups. Some Western guests enjoy this and others find it is not what they expected. Anthem’s guests in Australia are mostly Australians and New Zealanders, with English as the main language.
- Cruise length: many Spectrum sailings are only 2 to 5 nights, which makes a long flight from the US hard to justify unless you add a land stay in Japan or Hong Kong. Anthem’s Sydney season has more 8- to 11-night options.
- Getting there: both ships mean a long-haul flight from the US in their 2026-27 seasons. Sydney flights from the West Coast are usually more direct for US travelers than getting to Shanghai.
- Want the Quantum Ultra design closer to home? Its sister Odyssey of the Seas has spent recent seasons in Europe and the Caribbean. Our Royal Caribbean ship classes compared guide explains the main differences between the classes.
Spectrum of the Seas vs Anthem of the Seas: the verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Age | Spectrum |
| Size and space per guest | Anthem (more space per guest at full occupancy) |
| Standard cabins | Tie |
| Suites | Spectrum |
| Dining | Tie (Spectrum for Asian food, Anthem for familiar favorites) |
| Thrills and casino | Spectrum |
| Theater shows for English speakers | Anthem |
| Bars | Anthem |
| Pools and spa | Tie |
| Itineraries for US travelers | Anthem |
If you are booking from the US, Anthem of the Seas is usually the more practical choice. It offers an English-speaking atmosphere, longer itineraries and a homeport that is easier to reach. Spectrum of the Seas is the better ship on paper, especially for suites, but it makes most sense if you want an Asia trip built around Japan, Korea, Vietnam or Hong Kong. Prices change often, so compare fares on the official Royal Caribbean site and our roundup of cruise deals for 2027 before you decide.
If you are sailing on the Quantum-class flagship, our guide to Quantum of the Seas cabins to avoid explains which decks to skip and where the best balconies are.
If you settle on Spectrum, see our guide to Spectrum of the Seas cabins to avoid before you choose a room.
To see where the rest of the fleet sails and how their features differ, read our guide to all five Quantum Class ships.
FAQs
Is Spectrum of the Seas bigger than Anthem of the Seas?
Only slightly. Spectrum measures about 169,400 gross tons, compared with about 168,700 for Anthem, and the two are almost the same length. The real difference is capacity: Spectrum can carry about 5,600 guests at maximum, compared with about 4,900 on Anthem.
When was Anthem of the Seas last refurbished?
Anthem was in dry dock in Singapore from late March to April 2025. The work was routine maintenance, technical work and ten-year inspections, not a major redesign of public areas.
Where does Spectrum of the Seas sail in 2026-27?
Spectrum sails from Hong Kong from early November 2026, with short cruises and Vietnam itineraries. It returns to Shanghai in late January 2027 for cruises to Japan and South Korea.
Where is Anthem of the Seas based?
For the 2026-27 season Anthem sails from Sydney, Australia, from late October 2026 into early 2027. It visits Tasmania, New Zealand and Queensland. It spent summer 2026 sailing Alaska cruises from Seattle.
What is the difference between Quantum and Quantum Ultra class?
Quantum Ultra ships such as Spectrum and Odyssey are slightly larger versions of the Quantum design. They add a dedicated suite neighborhood and a much bigger casino, but keep signature features like North Star, RipCord by iFLY and SeaPlex.
