Anthem of the Seas Cruise Compass (2026 Alaska) – Guide & Daily Planner
Looking for an Anthem of the Seas Cruise Compass?
One of the best ways to prepare for a cruise is by reviewing a recent Cruise Compass before you sail.
These daily planners give passengers a preview of onboard activities, entertainment schedules, dining hours, bar hours, sailaway events, and important embarkation day information.
This Cruise Compass comes from Day 1 aboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas, departing from Seattle on a 2026 Alaska cruise.
While activities and times can change from sailing to sailing, many cruisers find these planners useful for understanding what embarkation day is typically like onboard.
Anthem of the Seas Day 1 Overview
The ship departed Seattle with an onboard time of 3:00 PM.
Some of the highlights from embarkation day included:
- Sail Away Dance Party
- First-Time Cruiser Talk
- Name That Tune: The Beatles
- Classic Karaoke
- Spectra’s Cabaret
- Welcome Aboard Variety Show
- Pool deck music and activities
- Sports Court events
- Casino opening
- Spa and shopping promotions
For guests boarding Anthem of the Seas for the first time, embarkation day offered plenty of opportunities to explore the ship before sailaway.
Dining Hours on Embarkation Day
According to the Cruise Compass, guests could enjoy:
Included Dining
Windjammer Marketplace
- 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM
- 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Main Dining Room
- Early Dining: 5:00 PM
- Late Dining: 8:45 PM
- My Time Dining: 6:45 PM – 9:00 PM
Specialty Dining
Guests also had access to:
- Chops Grille
- Jamie’s Italian
- Izumi
- Chef’s Table
- Johnny Rockets
- Wonderland
Reservations were recommended for specialty restaurants.
Entertainment Highlights
One thing that immediately stood out while reviewing this Cruise Compass was how much entertainment was available on the very first day.
Some notable events included:
Welcome Aboard Variety Show
A comedy and variety performance featuring comedian Dylan Mandlsohn.
Spectra’s Cabaret
One of Anthem of the Seas’ signature productions inside Two70.
Name That Tune: The Beatles
A themed music trivia event.
Classic Karaoke
Held later in the evening for guests wanting to take the stage.
Live Music Throughout the Ship
Multiple lounges hosted musicians throughout embarkation day.
Sports & Activities
Guests looking for active entertainment could enjoy:
- FlowRider
- Rock Climbing Wall
- SeaPlex
- Roller Skating
- Sports Court activities
- Dodgeball
- Pickleball
- Basketball
Weather permitting, many outdoor activities remained available throughout the afternoon and evening.
Spa & Shopping Promotions
Like most embarkation days, Royal Caribbean offered numerous spa and shopping specials.
Some promotions included:
- Spa raffles
- Complimentary wellness consultations
- Jewelry events
- Watch promotions
- Duty-free shopping offers
- Art gallery events
If you’re someone who enjoys onboard shopping, embarkation day tends to feature some of the largest promotional activity of the cruise.
Cruise Compass Photos
Below you’ll find all pages from the Day 1 Anthem of the Seas Cruise Compass. The photos below include the cover page, dining and venue hours, and the full Day 1 activity schedule.
What Stood Out
After reviewing this Cruise Compass, the biggest takeaway was how much Royal Caribbean packed into embarkation day. Between SeaPlex activities, live music, production shows, dining venues, and sailaway events, guests had very little downtime after boarding.
What surprised me most was how quickly the schedule filled up after guests stepped onboard. Many of the ship’s signature attractions, entertainment venues, and social events were already operating within hours of embarkation.
My Thoughts
One thing I always enjoy about Cruise Compass archives is seeing how much activity cruise lines pack into embarkation day.
Many first-time cruisers assume the first day is simply about unpacking and attending the safety drill. In reality, Anthem of the Seas had dozens of activities available almost immediately after boarding.
Looking through this planner also reminds me why Royal Caribbean continues to be one of the strongest options for families and active cruisers. Between the entertainment, dining options, sports activities, and nightlife, there was something happening nearly every hour of the day.
If you’re sailing aboard Anthem of the Seas soon, hopefully this Cruise Compass helps give you a better idea of what to expect on embarkation day.
