LONDON- Royal Caribbean International set sail from the UK today, welcoming guests on board Anthem of the Seas for the first time in more than a year. The highly anticipated sailing is just the beginning of an adventure-filled summer for UK families who have long missed making memories while on holiday with their loved ones. UK residents will be reunited on Anthem's 4-night Ocean Getaways and 5- to 8-night British Isles cruises that tour the UK coastline, from Liverpool, England and Belfast, Northern Ireland, to Kirkwall, Scotland.
The world's largest cruise line also celebrates its return to the UK with the honour of hosting 999 emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces employees on board multiple sailings this summer. These professionals were offered an opportunity to sail aboard Anthem in recognition of their tremendous efforts over the last year.
Ben Bouldin, vice president, EMEA, Royal Caribbean commented: 'We are delighted to once again sail from the UK, and it's an honour to host some of the country's many key workers on board our first sailings. It's thanks to these individuals, who have worked so hard to see our country through this tough time, that this moment is finally here. I have no doubt they will have an incredible and well-deserved break aboard our UK-favourite, Anthem of the Seas.'
Royal Caribbean guests can experience some of the most thrilling activities aboard the award-winning ship this summer, including Anthem's North Star, an all-glass observation capsule that offers unrivalled 360-degree views of the open ocean from 91 metres (300 feet) above sea level. Back on deck, holidaymakers can sink some hoops or let loose on the dodgems at SeaPlex - the largest indoor active space at sea - learn to freefall with RipCord by iFly, the world's first sky diving experience at sea, or surf the waves from the comfort of the ship on FlowRider, the cruise line's popular surf simulator.
Guests can refuel and recharge at one of the 26 restaurants or bars on board before taking in one of several unique, showstopping performances. Anthem's playbill offers holidaymakers live entertainment from bow to stern, including world-leading, full-scale show productions that blur the line between technology and entertainment at Royal Caribbean's game-changing multidimensional venue, Two70, and West End smash hit 'We Will Rock You' in the Royal Theater.
Anthem's triumphant return to UK shores comes after six years of delivering cruises in the U.S. and Caribbean. Sailing with fully vaccinated crew, the limited summer itineraries are open for bookings and only available to UK residents 18 years and older who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and children under the age of 18 with negative test results. The many layers of health and safety measures, including the vaccination policy and testing requirements, can be viewed here.
For more information on Anthem's series of summer cruises, visit the Royal Caribbean website.
About Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today's adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to more than 270 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean's private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted 'Best Cruise Line Overall' for 18 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers' Choice Awards.
Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.
Royal Caribbean International is applying the recommendations of its Healthy Sail Panel of public health and scientific experts to provide a safer and healthier cruise vacation on all of its sailings. Health and safety protocols, regional travel restrictions and clearance to visit ports of call, are subject to change based on ongoing evaluation, public health standards, and government requirements. U.S. cruises and guests: For more information on the latest health and travel alerts, U.S. government travel advisories, please visit www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/itinerary-updates or consult travel advisories, warnings or recommendations relating to cruise travel on applicable government websites.
*Note: For the complete details on Royal Caribbean's vaccine policies, click here.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN GROUP 
