Passengers aboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas got an unexpected surprise this week when an Anthem of the Seas sprinkler malfunction sent water pouring across part of the ship.
The incident happened on Thursday, September 10, while the ship was sailing its current Alaska itinerary.
Instead of the usual activity around the Royal Esplanade, passengers suddenly found themselves watching what looked like a heavy indoor rainstorm.
Fortunately, the Anthem of the Seas sprinkler malfunction appears to have caused only limited disruption to the cruise.
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Sprinklers Suddenly Turn the Royal Esplanade Into a Water Show
The Anthem of the Seas sprinkler malfunction occurred in the Royal Esplanade, Royal Caribbean’s name for the central public promenade on its Quantum-class ships.
The video shared online on (Reddit) shows a significant amount of water spraying across the area between Decks 4 and 5.
The short clip captures water falling through the public space near La Patisserie, creating an unexpected misty spectacle for passengers nearby.
The scene looked dramatic, but the incident appears to have been relatively minor in terms of its effect on the rest of the ship.
Most Passengers Apparently Had No Idea It Happened
Despite the amount of water visible in the video, the incident apparently went largely unnoticed by the majority of guests.
One passenger reportedly said that around 99% of people onboard did not even know the sprinklers had gone off.
That gives a good indication of how quickly the situation was contained.
The main operational consequence appears to have been the temporary closure of Casino Royale.
Why Was the Casino Closed?
Casino Royale is located on Deck 3, directly below the section of the Royal Esplanade where the sprinklers activated.
Because the areas are connected by an open staircase, water may have reached the casino below.
The casino was therefore closed for the evening while the affected area could be cleaned and dried.
There is no indication that the closure was connected to a wider problem with the ship.
The Cruise Itinerary Continued as Planned
The good news for passengers is that there appears to have been no significant impact on Anthem of the Seas’ itinerary.
The ship departed Seattle on September 7 for a seven-night Alaska cruise, with scheduled visits including Sitka, Skagway, Juneau, and Victoria before returning to Seattle.
On September 10, the day of the sprinkler incident, Anthem of the Seas was scheduled to spend the day in Skagway before continuing to Juneau the following morning.
The ship subsequently continued to its scheduled visit to Juneau on September 11. If you’re planning to sail on Anthem of the Seas, it’s worth knowing which cabins may be best avoided before you book. Read our guide on the Anthem of the Seas cabins to avoid.
In other words, there is currently no sign that the sprinkler malfunction caused a missed port or a change to the cruise schedule. The incident occurred while the ship was operating normally, with shops and other public areas open and passengers nearby.
Royal Caribbean Has Not Announced a Major Disruption
Royal Caribbean had not publicly commented on the incident at the time of reporting.
There is also no indication that the ship was taken out of service or that passengers were required to leave the vessel.
The available evidence instead suggests that crew members dealt with the water, the affected areas were cleaned, and normal operations continued.
What Happens Next After Anthem of the Seas Sprinkler Malfunction
Anthem of the Seas is continuing its Alaska season from Seattle.
The ship’s current September 7 sailing is scheduled to return to Seattle on September 14 after visiting Alaska and Victoria.
The ship is scheduled to continue Alaska cruises through September before beginning its next deployment.
For passengers currently booked on Anthem of the Seas, the sprinkler incident therefore appears to be more of an unusual onboard story than a reason to expect major changes to their cruise.
The Bottom Line: Anthem of the Seas Sprinkler Malfunction
The Anthem of the Seas sprinkler malfunction certainly created an unusual scene on the Royal Esplanade.
Water poured through one of the ship’s busiest public areas, and Casino Royale was temporarily closed as a result.
But despite the dramatic-looking video, there is currently no indication of a major incident, serious passenger disruption, or change to the ship’s itinerary.
For most guests, it appears the unexpected indoor rainstorm was simply a strange moment during an otherwise normal Alaska cruise.
