Anthem of The Seas Christened in Southampton

 

U.K. travel agent godmother  Emma Wilby named the 4,180-passenger ship with the words: "I name this ship Anthem of the Seas. May God bless her and all who sail on her," before pressing the button to release a bottle of Perrier Jouet Champagne - which smashed.

 

She sang Katy Perry's hit, 'Firework.' The ceremony opened with high-energy rock music, flashing lights and video, and a live performance of "We Will Rock You," part of an onboard show by that name devoted to the music of Queen.

 

The 168,667-ton Anthem of the Seas, a sister ship to Royal Caribbean's much-ballyhooed Quantum of the Seas, will sail its inaugural spring and summer season from its home port of Southampton, U.K., through October where she will sail to the Mediterranean and Canary Islands.

 

Anthem and Quantum are the third and fourth largest cruise vessels ever built, smaller in size only to two other Royal Caribbean ships: Four-year-old Allure of the Seas and five-year-old Oasis of the Seas. 

 

The ships are claimed to be the most technologically advanced cruise vessels ever. They boast super speedy Internet (a first for the cruise industry) and an all-digital check-in process that is cutting sidewalk-to-ship boarding times to under 10 minutes. 

 

Anthem of the Seas spans 18 decks, encompasses 167,800 gross registered tons, carries 4,180 guests at double occupancy and features 2,090 staterooms.

 

It has such eye-popping features as a sky-dive simulator, the North Star glass capsule that carries 15 people about 300 feet above the sea, bionic arm bartenders, and bumper cars.

 

Royal Caribbean Chairman and CEO Richard Fain heaped praise on the ship - and also on the crew: "I believe this ship is so extraordinary because Royal Caribbean, Meyer Werft, the architects and contractors have taken a design and turned it into this masterpiece.