I’ve cruised on four of Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class cruise ships, and they are by far my favorite ships in the fleet.
Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class, which debuted in 2014, is famous for its technologically advanced design and modern amenities. There are five ships in the class, all of which fit around 5,000 passengers. They sail around the world, offering some of the cruise line’s most extraordinary itineraries.
While there’s no right or wrong ship to book for a cruise vacation, I find myself returning to Quantum Class ships more than other ships in the fleet. The atmosphere, amenities, and layout of these ships match everything I’m looking for in a cruise vacation.
Here are 7 things Royal Caribbean got right with Quantum Class cruise ships that keep me booking these ships again and again.
Modern design
Quantum Class ships were built to be technologically advanced, modern vessels, and Royal Caribbean certainly succeeded with this goal.
I find Quantum Class ships to be the classiest, most elegant ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. The design and decor of Quantum Class ships is more akin to what I would expect to see on a more premium line like Celebrity Cruises.
From the bright, art-covered walkway of The Via to the panoramic Two70 lounge, every space on Quantum Class ships has been thoughtfully designed.
I also appreciate how family-friendly activities, including the indoor SeaPlex and FlowRider surf simulator, are all centered at the aft of the ship. Having kid-focused activities in one place makes the rest of the ship feel like an adult-focused getaway.
Related: 50 best cruising with kids tips & secrets
Compared to Royal Caribbean’s oldest ships, which have outdated decor and poorly implemented layouts, Quantum Class ships are a breath of fresh air.
Indoor pool
All Quantum Class ships, with the exception of Odyssey of the Seas, have an indoor pool for guests of all ages.
Because most Quantum Class ships sail to both cold and warm destinations, Royal Caribbean wanted to design the ship so that pools could be enjoyed in any type of weather. One of the ways they did this was to make a portion of the pool deck indoors and climate-controlled.
While you’ll still find an outdoor pool on Quantum Class ships, the indoor pool is perfect when cruising to destinations like Alaska or Norway. Although the roof is technically retractable and can be opened in warm weather, the ships almost always keep the area enclosed.
Related: Everything you wanted to know about Royal Caribbean's pools
Other Royal Caribbean ships sailing in cold climates, such as the Radiance Class ships, only have an indoor pool in the adults-only Solarium. Even though the ships usually open the adults-only area for kids to swim during certain hours, there’s much more flexibility on Quantum Class ships because the indoor pool is for all ages.
Climate-controlled Solarium
While all Royal Caribbean ships have an adults-only Solarium onboard, the Solarium on Quantum Class ships is the best designed in the fleet.
Royal Caribbean’s Solarium is a pool space for guests sixteen and older and features pools, hot tubs, a bar, and pool chairs. On many ships, the Solarium is located outside, meaning guests cannot enjoy the space in unfavorable weather conditions.
On all Quantum Class ships, however, the Solarium is climate-controlled. Regardless of the weather outside, guests can enjoy the Solarium’s amenities, which include two large jacuzzis, a cascading pool, and in-pool lounge chairs.
Related: Everything about Royal Caribbean's Solarium
Even if they are not swimming, many guests use the Solarium as a hangout space on Quantum Class ships. Its large, floor-to-ceiling windows and comfortable seating make the Solarium a popular spot to watch the scenery outside, play a game of cards, or catch up with friends and family.
Hungry passengers will also enjoy dining at the Solarium Bistro, a complimentary venue located in the Solarium. Guests of all ages can dine at the bistro, which features standard buffet fare for breakfast and lunch and Mediterranean cuisine for dinner. The venue is typically far less crowded than the Windjammer buffet, making it a quieter meal option.
2-story Royal Esplanade
Many Royal Caribbean ships have a Royal Promenade, but Quantum Class ships have a Royal Esplanade.
The two concepts are more similar than different. Both the Promenade and Esplanade are indoor thoroughfares that run through the middle of the ship. Inside you’ll find bars, lounges, shops, restaurants, and service-based areas like Guest Services and the shore excursions desk.
Unsurprisingly, these areas can become uncomfortably busy during the cruise as thousands of passengers attend activities around the ship.
Therefore, one of the things Royal Caribbean got right with the Quantum Class ships was a 2-story Royal Esplanade. Instead of having everything on one floor, they split the Esplanade into two stories.
Not only did this enable Royal Caribbean to add more venues to the Esplanade, but it helped spread out crowds. To get from one side of the ship to the other, you can choose to cross through the Esplanade on either deck 4 or deck 5.
This is far more effective than all passengers walking through the same area, and it helps to cut down on crowds within the space.
Virtual balconies
Virtual balconies debuted with the Quantum Class, which are floor-to-ceiling television screens acting as a “balcony” in an interior cabin. These balconies provide a live feed from outside the ship, allowing guests to "see" outdoors.
Before my recent cruise on Quantum of the Seas, I wasn’t sold on Royal Caribbean’s virtual balcony idea. I had tried a virtual balcony twice previously—once on Ovation of the Seas and once on Anthem of the Seas—but I wasn’t entirely impressed.
On Ovation of the Seas, my virtual balcony had a broken screen, rendering it useless for the sailing. And on Anthem of the Seas, I found I was hardly in my room, and the scenery was not particularly interesting outside while in the open ocean.
Related: Royal Caribbean Virtual Balcony: Everything you wanted to know
Nonetheless, I kept an open mind when I boarded Quantum of the Seas, and I found myself enjoying the virtual balcony much more than my previous cruises.
While sailing through Alaska, I appreciated being able to see outside not only to check the weather, but to see whether or not we were sailing through a scenic area. I don’t like to miss out on any of the scenery while cruising to Alaska, so the virtual balcony helped me prepare for the weather conditions and know when I should leave my cabin to head outdoors.
Although a virtual balcony will never be equal to a real balcony, it’s definitely something Royal Caribbean got right with Quantum Class ships.
Large Windjammer
Dining at the Windjammer buffet is a must on any Royal Caribbean cruise, and the Windjammer location on Quantum Class ships is an impressive, well-designed space.
The Windjammer on these vessels is large and spacious. The buffet stations are designed with significant space between each cabin, which helps to cut down on crowding while filling your plate.
Related: Guide to Royal Caribbean's Windjammer Cafe buffet
Aside from the buffet stations, there is ample seating around the Windjammer, so it’s never too hard to find a table. The seating extends all the way to the ship’s aft and even includes outdoor seating. If it’s too cold to dine outdoors, you can enjoy the scenery from the Windjammer’s expansive windows.
On some Royal Caribbean ships, the buffet design leads to the space feeling exceptionally crowded, but it never feels that way on Quantum Class ships.
Dreamy itineraries
As a destination-focused traveler, I love the diverse itineraries offered on Quantum Class ships.
Many of Royal Caribbean’s ships—especially the Oasis Class—stay in the Caribbean year round. While there’s nothing wrong with a Caribbean cruise, the itineraries on Quantum Class ships are far more exciting.
Quantum Class cruise ships were built to sail in a wide range of weather conditions, making them suitable for itineraries around the world.
Related: 15 countries you didn't know you could cruise to on Royal Caribbean
Quantum and Ovation of the Seas split their year between Alaska and Australia, whereas Odyssey of the Seas sails both the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Spectrum of the Seas offers cruises in Asia year round, and Anthem of the Seas will soon transfer to Singapore.
Whether you’re interested in visiting Tahiti, New Zealand, Japan, Norway, or Israel, a Quantum Class ship can take you there.
