You've seen them. Those glossy, high-contrast photos of a giant ship cutting through the North Atlantic or docked in a tropical port like Nassau. They look perfect. Maybe too perfect. If you’re hunting for Anthem of the Seas pics to decide if this Quantum-class beast is worth your PTO, you’re probably seeing a lot of the same stuff: the North Star pod dangling over the side and the RipCord by iFLY wind tunnel. But honestly, most of those promotional shots don't tell the real story of what the ship looks like when there are 4,000 other people on board trying to grab a slice of Sorrento’s pizza at 11:30 PM.
It's a massive vessel.
Launched in 2015, Anthem isn't the newest kid on the block anymore, but she’s still one of the most photogenic ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet. She’s built for the cold, which is why her layout is a bit different from the Oasis-class ships you might be used to seeing in commercials. Most of the action is "inside," but that creates some unique lighting challenges for your own photos.
The Reality of the North Star View
Let's talk about that big glass capsule. The North Star is basically a mechanical arm that lifts you 300 feet above sea level. It’s the crown jewel for anyone trying to capture iconic Anthem of the Seas pics. When the arm swings out over the edge of the hull, the view is dizzying. You get this perspective of the ship's length—1,141 feet of steel—stretching out beneath you.
But here’s the thing people don't mention: the glass is often streaked with salt spray. If you’re shooting with a smartphone, the autofocus is going to keep trying to lock onto the tiny dried salt spots on the window instead of the ocean below. To get that crisp, professional-looking shot, you have to press your lens directly against the glass. This eliminates reflections from the other passengers inside the pod with you. It’s a cramped space. You’re sharing it with about a dozen people, all of whom are also trying to get their "I'm on top of the world" selfie.
Timing is everything here. If you book your North Star slot for high noon, the sun is going to wash everything out. The colors of the pool deck—that vibrant Caribbean blue and the yellow of the lounge chairs—flatten out. Try for a port day departure. Capturing the ship from above as it pulls away from the colorful docks of Bermuda or the rugged coastline of New Jersey provides a much better sense of scale than just blue water.
Two70: The Most Photogenic Spot You Aren't Using
Most people head straight to the pool deck for photos. That's a mistake. The real visual magic of Anthem is at the stern in a venue called Two70. It’s got these massive, floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a 270-degree view of the ship's wake. Watching the churning white water against the deep blue of the ocean from the comfort of a multi-level lounge is... well, it’s why people buy cruises.
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At night, this space transforms. Those windows become "Vistarama" screens. They use 18 projectors to create an ambient surface that’s over 100 feet wide. It’s incredibly hard to photograph because of the low light, but if you have a phone with a decent "Night Mode," the contrast between the digital projections and the live performers on the "roboscreens" (six giant robot arms with LED screens attached) is insane.
If you want a shot that looks like it's from a sci-fi movie, stand on the upper balcony of Two70 during the "Spectra’s Cabaret" show. The way the light hits the audience and the performers creates a depth that the flat, outdoor pool shots just can’t match. It feels moody. It feels expensive.
The Solarium's Secret Lighting
While the main pool deck is usually a chaotic mess of splashing kids and "Wipeout" replays on the big screen, the Solarium at the front of the ship is a sanctuary for grown-ups. It’s also a goldmine for Anthem of the Seas pics. Because it's fully enclosed in glass, the light is diffused.
Think of it as a giant softbox.
The tiered pools and the lush greenery (mostly real, some fake, but who’s checking?) create a tropical vibe even if you’re sailing past a glacier or through a rainy New York morning. The best angle is from the very front, looking through the glass over the bow. You get the curvature of the ship's structure framing the horizon. It’s one of the few places where you can get a "peaceful" shot that doesn't have a stray hairy chest or a half-eaten burger in the background.
Real Talk: The Royal Esplanade
Instead of a Royal Promenade, the Quantum class has the Royal Esplanade. It’s two decks of shops, bars, and restaurants. It looks more like a high-end mall in Dubai than a traditional ship interior.
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- The Gigi the Giraffe Factor: You cannot take photos of this ship without mentioning Gigi. She’s a 32-foot tall yellow giraffe wearing a pink hula hoop and a swimsuit. She lives on the top deck near the rock climbing wall. It’s quirky, it’s weird, and it’s the ultimate "proof I was there" photo.
- The Bionic Bar: This is where two robotic arms mix your drinks. It's a bit of a gimmick, sure, but the neon lighting and the fluid motion of the robots make for great video or "burst" photos. The trick is to get low. Shoot from the bar counter level looking up at the arms to make them look more imposing.
- Art Everywhere: Anthem has a multi-million dollar art collection. There's a piece called "Pulse Spiral" in the main elevator lobby that features 200 light bulbs that flicker in sync with your heartbeat if you touch the sensor. It’s a killer shot if you can capture the light trails.
What Most People Get Wrong About Outdoor Shots
When you’re looking at Anthem of the Seas pics online, you’ll notice many of them look grainy or "off." That’s usually because people are shooting into the wind. The North Atlantic—where Anthem spends a lot of her time—is windy. Like, "lose your hat and your dignity" windy. This creates camera shake.
If you’re out on the running track trying to get a shot of the FlowRider or the RipCord by iFLY, tuck your elbows into your ribs. Use your body as a tripod. Also, the SeaPlex—the indoor sports court—is notoriously difficult to shoot because of the overhead fluorescent-style lighting mixed with natural light from the windows. It creates a weird color cast. If your photos look too yellow or too blue, you might need to manually adjust your white balance.
The Cabin View: Is it Worth the Extra Cash?
You’ll see a lot of photos of "Virtual Balconies." This was a big deal when Anthem launched. Basically, if you have an interior room, you get a high-def floor-to-ceiling screen that shows a live feed of the outside.
Honestly? They’re okay. In photos, they look like real windows. In person, you can tell it’s a screen.
If you want the real deal for your "morning coffee on the balcony" photo, you need a high-category balcony or a suite. The aft-facing balconies are the prize. They offer a 180-degree view of the wake. While most people are fighting for space on the top deck, you’re sitting there with a private view of the ocean trailing behind you like a white lace ribbon. Those are the photos that get the most engagement because they feel exclusive.
Practical Insights for Your Cruise Gallery
Don't just take pictures of the ship. Take pictures of the details. The way the light hits the "Anthem of the Seas" lettering on the hull. The brass fixtures in the Schooner Bar. The intricate plating of the food at Wonderland (the imaginative dining venue where the menu is blank until you "paint" it with water).
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Actionable Steps for Your Next Gallery:
- Clean your lens. Seriously. Between the salt air and the finger food, your phone lens is probably greasy. A quick wipe with a microfiber cloth changes everything.
- Go Wide. Anthem is too big for a standard 35mm equivalent lens. Use the 0.5x ultra-wide setting on your phone to capture the scale of the SeaPlex or the Esplanade.
- The "Golden Hour" is Real. About 20 minutes before sunset, go to the top deck. The ship’s white paint acts like a reflector, soaking up those oranges and pinks.
- Edit for Contrast. Cruise ship interiors are often "tan on tan." Increasing the contrast and slightly bumping the saturation makes the wood grains and the blue carpets pop, giving your Anthem of the Seas pics that professional "travel magazine" look.
If you’re worried about the ship looking dated, don’t be. The maintenance on the Quantum class is top-tier. You won't see rust buckets or peeling paint in your photos. Just remember that the best shots aren't always of the biggest things; sometimes it's the quiet moment in the Vintages wine bar or the reflection of the sunset in the glass of the Solarium that truly captures what being on this ship feels like.
Pack a portable charger. You’re going to be taking more photos than you think, especially when you realize just how many weird and wonderful corners this ship has to offer. Whether it’s the steampunk vibe of the "We Will Rock You" theater or the futuristic glow of the Bionic Bar, you’re going to need the battery life to capture it all.
Skip the standard "standing in front of the funnel" shot. Everyone has that. Instead, head to the glass-walled walkways that cantilever over the side of the ship. Look down. That’s the shot that will make your friends back home a little bit jealous. And isn't that half the point of taking cruise photos anyway?
Check your storage space before you board. The Wi-Fi on board—Voom—is fast, but uploading a thousand 4K photos to the cloud can still be a slog when everyone else is doing the same thing. Get your local storage sorted so you don't have to delete old memories to make room for new ones while you're standing in front of a pod of dolphins.