Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas offers a lot of things to see and do onboard, and today we are highlighting one of the more impressive visual elements on this brand new ship, the Vistarama.

What is Vistarama

Photo by Moment Factory

Vistarama is a show in Two70, where Two70's iconic floor-to-celing glass windows are transformed into a "digital canvas", where pretty much any scene, real or imagined, can be displayed on them.

Two70 is a two-deck high, multi-purpose entertainment venue is located at the rear of the ship. It features wraparound, floor-to-ceiling windows that give an amazing 270-degree view of the passing landscape.

Check out this preview of Vistarama for a good example of what this show is all about.

How does it work?

Royal Caribbean utilizes 12K resolution projects (that means it is 12 times high definition) and the result is some stunning views for guests to enjoy.

Before the show starts, the sun shields that serve as the projection surfaces are rolled down to cover the windows.

Eighteen projectors are used to create an ambient surface that is 120 feet wide by 23 feet tall, in a 5:1 aspect ratio.  This is an industry first in terms of this kind of projection technology.

The slope, curvature, and surface textures of the Vistarama system require the image content of the projections to be geometrically adapted to the circumstances. The result is a projection with a total resolution of 12,480 x 2,280 pixels and a projection size of 36 x 6 meters.

The Vistarama show content was developed by Moment Factory, while the hardware set up was made possible by Amptown System Company.

What are the Vistarama shows?

Royal Caribbean routinely offers different kind of shows throughout any given Anthem of the Seas cruise and is regularly adding new ones with each new Quantum class ship launch.

In our own experience, we have spotted these shows onboard

• Cityscape
• Leonardo's Dreams
• Tropical waterfall
• The Library
• Moon
• Drawings
• Under the Sea
• Test Pattern

Why is Vistarama worth your time?

Photo by Moment Factory

What makes Vistarama so impressive a show is the visuals that can only be found here.

Vistarama's ultra-high definition displays transform the entire Two70 space and it is one of those things you have to see to appreciate.  

Simply put, Vistarama is a stunning display that is as beautiful as it is immense in scale.  

Our newest podcast episode is out to help give you a quick "audio escape" to a Royal Caribbean cruise!

Episode 119 is available for downloading where Matt shares his thoughts on his recent 2-night cruise aboard Anthemof the Seas.

Matt experiences a lot onboard Anthem of the Seas, and this week, he dives into what makes Anthem of the Seas unique and discusses the aspects of dining, entertainment and accomodations that stood out and why.

Here’s the podcast page for Episode 119. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Stitcher or on iTunes!

Take a listen and as always, let us know what you think! Please rate and review the podcast on iTunes and leave your comments below!

Royal Caribbean UK released a new infographic that shows off how Harmony of the Seas will be the "ultimate sports" destination.

We created the 1st-ever live infographic. Unleash your ultimate sports adventure with #HarmonyoftheSeas in 2016!https://t.co/p54GzLI87W

— Royal Caribbean UK (@MyRoyalUK) November 11, 2015

Just in terms of physical activities, Harmony of the Seas will feature

• Fully equipped gym
• Play areas for children and infants
• Zip line
• Full-sized sports court
• Mini golf course
• Splashaway Bay kids water park
• Full deck running track
• Ice rink
• Daily exercise classes
• 2 FlowRider surf simulators
• The Abyss
• 3 water slides
• Rock climbing wall
• Over 30 different sports and activities

Harmony of the Seas will be Royal Caribbean's third Oasis class cruise ship, and debuts in 2016.

Take a look as Good Morning America's Ginger Zee and Rob Marciano tour the world's most advanced cruise ship. 

Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas has a lot to offer, including a number of staterooms.  Today, we will look at the category D3 balcony stateroom and take you through the cabin to give you an idea of what to expect if you book this category.

On Anthem of the Seas, we reviewed stateroom 6266, which is located on Deck 6 forward, fairly close to the elevator bank. Entry to the room is by RFID scanner, which is above the door handle.

Walking into the room, you will immediately see the light from the balcony shining ahead of you.

The bed is joined together but can be split apart if need be. There's a large, flat screen television across from it and two night stands on opposite sides of the bed. Access to the balcony is also on the other side of the bed.

Across from the bed is a widescreen, high definition television.

Beyond the bed is a large sofa, with desk and chair opposite it.  This is where the bulk of the indoor living space is located and the room offers a good amount of space to navigate between objects and other guests.

A D3 stateroom features a full bathroom as well with stand up shower.

Of course, the reason to book this stateroom is the balcony.  

At 55 square feet, the balcony is average for a Quantum class ship and it has enough room for two chairs and a table.  It's enough space for two people to comfortably enjoy the view and ocean air.

Royal Caribbean was named the Best Cruise Line for the Money in the 2016 Best Cruise Lines Rankings by U.S. News & World Report.

The annual report covers a number of categories, and Royal Caribbean came out at the top of the pack in considering the best "bang for your buck."

In winning the top spot, Royal Caribbean was noted as, "one of the largest lines, setting sail hundreds of times each year to destinations around the world. And having the ability to accommodate thousands of guests per ship allows Royal Caribbean to keep rates low: Cruisers won't have trouble finding itineraries costing less than $150 per person per night. Prices cover lodging, meals in the Main Dining Room and a wealth of onboard activities ranging from swimming and rock climbing to Broadway-style performances."

Royal Caribbean also did well in other categories:

• Second place for Best Cruise Lines for Families
• Second Place for Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean
• Ninth place for Best Cruise Lines in the Mediterranean

US News and World Reports rankings are based on an expert evaluation of the line's level of luxury, as well as an assessment of user reviews and health ratings.

Royal Caribbean is proud to welcome Anthem of the Seas to her new homeport in Cape Liberty, NJ. Now anchored in America, Anthem of the Seas will provide New Yorkers with a new way to come seek adventure.

“Dancing with the Stars” couples Carlos PenaVega & Witney Carson and Alek Skarlatos & Lindsay Arnold were recently onboard a 2-night sailing of Royal Caribbean's brand new ship, Anthem of the Seas.

Anthem of the Seas recently arrived in the New York City area to begin offering cruises year-round to destinations in the Caribbean, Bermuda and Canada/New England.

The couples were onboard to learn a dance from “We Will Rock You,” for the Nov. 9 episode of DWTS, airing 8/7 Central on ABC.

The celebrities were spotted taking a ride in the North Star, skydiving at RipCord by iFly, riding bumper cars in SeaPlex and catching a wave on the FlowRider surf simulator.

It’s been an exciting week as we have a front row seat to all the Royal Caribbean news from this week!

Earlier this week, Royal Caribbean announced it ordered a fifth Quantum class cruise ship.

The new and unnamed cruise ship will be ready for deliver in the fall of 2020.

There is also no word yet on where this ship be based out of or any real details other than the ship will be built.

Royal Caribbean News

• Read our Anthem of the Seas live blog, which took place this weekend onboard New York's newest ship.
• It looks like Grease will be the Broadway show on Harmony of the Seas.
• Harmony of the Seas will have Jamie's Italian specialty restaurant.
• Royal Caribbean added three new Majesty of the Seas sailings after the refubishment.
• Royal Caribbean's BOGO GETTER sale was announced.
• Royal Caribbean will be broadcasting live from Anthem of the Seas on Periscope.
• Royal Caribbean spoke about the possibility of returning to the west coast.
• Photos of Anthem of the Seas arrival in New York Harbor.
• Our in-depth shore excursion review of Nachi Cocom in Cozumel.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas arrived in New York this week and Matt has the chance to cruise on her.

In this episode, Matt offers an in-depth preview of his Anthem of the Seas cruise, including what he has planned to do onboard and why this ship's arrival is so exciting.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

Let's cruise together on Allure of the Seas

I want you to join me on Allure of the Seas!

The Royal Caribbean Blog staff are going on Allure of the Seas and we are inviting all of our blog readers to join us!

We will be sailing on Allure of the Seas on February 21, 2016 and there are some fabulous rates available.  Interior staterooms start at only $850 per person (double occupancy)!

Read all the details (and the fun meets we already have planned).  This will be an amazing week with plenty of surprises and exclusive events for those that book into our group!

Royal Caribbean Around the Internet

MEI Travel posted a tour of a Family Junior Suite on Anthem of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean has a list of the top 10 amazing zip lines on the planet.