RipCord Closed on Anthem of the Seas—The Real Impact for Guests
RipCord is closed on Anthem’s Sept. 19 cruise. Refunds are issued for bookings—here’s what to expect and the best alternatives to lock in now.
Royal Caribbean is taking the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator offline for scheduled maintenance on the September 19, 2025 sailing of Anthem of the Seas, and prebooked sessions will be canceled and refunded. According to Cruise Industry News on September 18, 2025, guests received notice ahead of embarkation, minimizing last‑minute surprises.
What’s closed—and why it matters
RipCord by iFly is one of Anthem of the Seas’ signature thrills: a vertical wind tunnel that simulates the sensation of freefall without jumping from a plane. When a marquee feature like RipCord goes down, it hits two pressure points at once—expectations and time. Many guests plan their sea days around hard‑to‑get activity slots, and RipCord sits near the top of the “book it early” list.
According to Cruise Industry News, Royal Caribbean told booked guests that all RipCord reservations for the September 19 sailing would be canceled and refunded. There’s no indication of a safety incident; the line characterized the shutdown as scheduled maintenance—industry‑speak for preventative work designed to keep equipment reliable long‑term.
From a risk standpoint, this is the responsible move. Cruise lines keep complex attractions running at sea, and proactive maintenance beats an unplanned mid‑cruise outage. The trade‑off: fewer headline activities on a ship that sells itself on options.
What Royal Caribbean says you’ll get
Per the Cruise Industry News report, RipCord reservations will be canceled and refunded for this sailing. If you paid for a session, expect the charge to be reversed. If your booking was complimentary, there’s nothing to refund—just the lost slot.
Royal Caribbean’s ticket terms reserve the right to modify or withdraw onboard amenities and features, a standard clause across the industry. In plain English: attractions aren’t guaranteed every sailing, and maintenance windows can land on your week. That language protects the line from broader compensation obligations beyond refunding what you specifically purchased for the affected activity.
- Source for closure notice: Cruise Industry News (September 18, 2025)
- Terms backdrop: Royal Caribbean notes that amenities may be modified or withdrawn in its guest terms
Smart Plan B moves on Anthem
If RipCord was your must‑do, you still have plenty to fill the adrenaline quota. Anthem of the Seas remains one of Royal Caribbean’s most activity‑packed ships.
- Try North Star, the glass observation capsule that rises above the ship for high‑vantage views. Book early on sea days. Ship features
- Hit the FlowRider surf simulator and the rock‑climbing wall—both deliver that “I‑did‑it” feeling without a reservation.
- Head to SeaPlex for bumper cars and court time, or catch production shows in the Royal Theater.
Practical tip: If you haven’t set your Cruise Planner yet, jump in as soon as you board. When a headliner attraction closes, demand shifts to the next tier of activities. Early birds get the most flexible time slots.
By the numbers
- Ship: Anthem of the Seas (Quantum class)
- Guests: 4,180 at double occupancy (up to 4,905 max)
- Affected feature: RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator
- Notice sent: September 18, 2025
- Sailing date: September 19, 2025
- Source: Royal Caribbean ship facts, Cruise Industry News notice
The upside and downside for guests
There’s no sugarcoating the disappointment if RipCord was the reason you chose Anthem. That said, the closure won’t wreck most itineraries, and some travelers may find surprise upsides.
Pros
- Proactive fix reduces the chance of mid‑cruise breakdowns and cancellations later in the season.
- Demand may shift, occasionally shortening lines for other open‑deck attractions at off‑peak hours.
Cons
- Fewer “wow” options, especially for thrill‑seekers and teens.
- Increased competition for North Star time slots and SeaPlex activities.
Will this ripple into future sailings?
There’s no public timeline for when RipCord returns to service on Anthem, and Royal Caribbean hasn’t announced closures beyond the September 19 sailing. Historically, scheduled maintenance windows are limited and staggered so ships can maintain their full slate of attractions as much as possible.
It’s worth noting that activity closures aren’t unique to Royal Caribbean; high‑load attractions across the industry—from water coasters to observation pods—require maintenance and, sometimes, weather‑related pauses. If your upcoming cruise hinges on a single attraction, set expectations accordingly and build a backup plan.
Quick timeline
- September 18, 2025: Guests notified that RipCord will be closed for scheduled maintenance on the next sailing.
- September 19, 2025: Anthem of the Seas departs with RipCord offline; reservations canceled and refunded.
How to salvage your schedule (and mood)
- Rebook alternatives immediately: Lock in North Star on sea days or aim for a port‑day slot when demand dips.
- Shift to experiences with throughput: FlowRider, rock wall, trivia, shows—less likely to bottleneck than single‑slot attractions.
- Watch the app for pop‑up availability: Cancellations happen, and venues sometimes extend hours when demand spikes.
The broader takeaway: a single closed attraction shouldn’t define your cruise. Anthem’s depth—shows, dining variety, SeaPlex, and sea‑day staples—can more than fill a week.
Bottom line
- RipCord is closed for scheduled maintenance on the September 19, 2025 Anthem sailing.
- Booked sessions will be canceled and refunded, per the notice.
- Expect heavier demand for North Star, SeaPlex, and open‑deck activities—reserve early and stay flexible.
Summary
- Royal Caribbean proactively paused a headline attraction for maintenance.
- Refunds are expected for affected RipCord reservations.
- Anthem still offers a deep bench of activities; plan around crowds.
- No announced timeline beyond the September 19 sailing.