How different is Anthem of the Seas from Oasis of the Seas?
Both Royal Caribbean ships come from different classes, but are similar in that they've become cruiser favorites.
Both ships have been known to sail similar itineraries, both offering a host of exciting activities onboard.
So which one is better, and how do the two compare?
The most obvious difference is that the two ships are from different Royal Caribbean classes. Think of it ship classes like car models in how they are grouped together.
Oasis of the Seas, launched in 2009, was the first ship in the famous Oasis Class.
Read more: Royal Caribbean Oasis Class Ships by Age
Anthem of the Seas, in contrast, was released later, in 2015, as the second vessel in the Quantum Class.
Oasis is larger, with the capacity for more passengers
Although Oasis of the Seas was released before Anthem of the Seas, the oldest ship still wins out as more spacious.
Anthem has a capacity for 4,905 passengers, while Oasis of the Seas carries almost 2,000 more guests at 6,780 passengers.
Oasis of the Seas also measures 1,187 feet long to Anthem's 1,141 feet and 225,282 gross tons versus Anthem's 168,666 gross tons.
The Oasis Class as a whole, is one of Royal Caribbean's biggest classes of ships (rivaled only by the Icon Class).
While the Quantum Class features innovative and large ships, Anthem's size doesn't compare to Oasis.
Oasis of the Seas even has distinct neighborhoods to break up a large amount of space. The seven neighborhoods onboard are The Boardwalk, the Pool and Sports Zone, the Royal Promenade, Central Park, Entertainment Place, Youth Zone, and Vitality Spa and Fitness.
Oasis' age isn't necessarily a downside. She was Amplified in 2019, and now has new dining venues, waterslides, and a re-designed pool deck.
Dining venues and bars abound on both ships
Both ships have a variety of options when it comes to dining venues and bars.
Although the two share a few venues, some vary between them.
Anthem of the Seas has the following complimentary dining venues onboard:
- The Main Dining room
- Windjammer
- Seaplex Dog House
- Solarium Bistro
- Cafe @ Two70
- Sorrento's
- Cafe Promenade
- Coastal Kitchen (for suite guests only)
In contrast, Oasis of the Seas has a few more complimentary venues:
- The Main Dining Room
- Windjammer Buffet
- Solarium Bistro
- Park Cafe
- Cafe Promenade
- Sorrento’s Pizza
- Boardwalk Dog House
- El Loco Fresh
- Vitality Cafe
- Coastal Kitchen (suites only)
If specialty dining is a priority for you, it's important to know that Anthem has fewer options than Oasis of the Seas.
Anthem has the following specialty venues:
- Chops Grille
- Chef's Table
- Jamie's Italian
- Wonderland
- Izumi Sushi
- Johnny Rockets (lunch and dinner)
- La Patisserie
Both ships feature cruiser favorites in the dining arena, such as Chops Grille and Chef's Table.
However, if you're looking for something more unique, venues such as Wonderland and Jamie's Italian put a special spin on the Royal Caribbean dining experience.
Oasis of the Seas has a multitude of specialty dining onboard, making it a great option if you're considering purchasing a specialty dining package onboard.
Oasis has 12 specialty venues:
- 150 Central Park
- Chef’s Table
- Chops Grille
- Giovanni’s Table
- Izumi Sushi & Hibachi
- Johnny Rockets (lunch and dinner)
- Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade
- Portside BBQ
- Vintages Wine Bar
- Starbucks
- Sugar Beach
- Johnny Rockets
Bars abound on both ships. Nearly every pool area and lounge will have a bar nearby, as well as many of the restaurants.
Both ships have the popular Bionic Bar, featuring robot bartenders.
There are 14 bars on Anthem of the Seas:
- Schooner Bar
- Music Hall
- Boleros
- Pool bar
- North Star bar
- Solarium Bar
- Casino bar
- Bionic Bar
- Two70 Bar
- Vintages
- Brass & Bock Pub
- Diamond Club
- Suite Lounge
- Sky bar
Oasis of the Seas has 16 bars:
- Casino bar
- Jazz on 4
- Blaze Comedy
- Diamond Club
- Spotlight Karaoke
- Boleros
- Globe & Atlas Pub
- Rising Tide Bar
- Bionic Bar
- Schooner Bar
- Playmakers
- Trellis Bar
- Vintages Wine Bar
- Music Hall
- Solarium Bar
- Wipeout Bar
Anthem features tech-savvy virtual balcony cabins
Because Anthem is a newer ship, she features technological innovations that outshine Oasis of the Seas.
Anthem has dozens of unique stateroom categories.
One innovative stateroom onboard is the virtual balcony, an HD screen that brings a live ocean view to all windowless cabins onboard.
This budget-friendly method gives cruisers the price of an interior cabin, combined with the views of a balcony cabin.
Anthem also has great staterooms for families, and even for solo travelers, such as her studio balcony cabins.
However, Oasis of the Seas has 706 more cabins onboard, with 2796 cabins to Anthem's 2090.
If you're looking at popular sailings on each ship, your preferred stateroom category on Anthem of the Seas could sell out faster.
Read more: Oasis of the Seas Cabins to Avoid
What activities are available on each ship?
When it comes to activities and pool areas, both ships have a lot to offer.
Anthem of the Seas features the SeaPlex (an indoor sports court), the Ripcord by iFLY skydiving simulator, and the North Star observation capsule.
Oasis of the Seas has gained notoriety for its range of activities. Cruisers can ice skate, play mini-golf, ride on a zipline, use dry and water slides, play laser tag, and ride a carousel while onboard.
Both ships also have multiple pools and hot tubs, as well as the FlowRider surf simulator.
Anthem of the Seas makes for a much better ship for cold-weather sailing, thanks to its indoor facilities and activities.
On the other hand, Oasis of the Seas is a popular ship for Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries. Its size ensures that there's no end to the fun onboard.
Both vessels have Broadway musicals but differ in entertainment venues
Both Anthem of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas feature high-quality, non-stop entertainment.
However, the two ships have very different entertainment venues onboard.
Anthem's main entertainment venues are the Royal Theater, Two70, and the Music Hall.
The Royal Theater is a two-deck venue that hosts popular production shows, such as "We Will Rock You," a tribute to Queen's biggest hits.
The two-hour Broadway musical first debuted in London and has toured all over the world.
Two70 is located on Deck 5, covering the entire aft wall with panoramic windows. Six LED screens above the stage are controlled by robots to add to the visual effects.
"Spectra's Cabaret" plays inside the Two70 venue, as well as various trivia, events, and games.
The Music Hall serves as a two-deck venue suitable for live music, nightclub events, and karaoke.
On Oasis of the Seas, the main entertainment venues are the Royal Theater, the AquaTheater, and the Studio B ice-skating rink.
CATS shows in the Royal Theater. The ship’s Broadway musical tells the famous story of a tribe of cats.
The Royal Theater also hosts comedians, game shows, and guest performers during any Oasis of the Seas sailing.
The outdoor AquaTheater features Aqua80, a thrilling water show with high diving, swimmers, acrobats, and aerialists performing to 80s era music.
