Royal Caribbean Blog

There's always something new and different happening with Royal Caribbean that it's hard to cover it all, but there were a few things over the last few days that I've summed up in a new post.

There are smaller updates from across the fleet that I think are kind of interesting, neat, or otherwise good to know.

If you ever have a news tip, feel free to email it to [email protected] for possible inclusion in a future update!

Royal Caribbean cancels Mariner of the Seas cruises in early 2023 to allow more dry dock time

Royal Caribbean informed guests with a Mariner of the Seas cruise booked in early 2023 their cruises have been cancelled.

Guests received emails today informing them that the ship will need more time for her scheduled dry dock, which impacts cruises between January and March 2023.

The specific dates cancelled are sailings between January 7, 2023 and March 27, 2023.

"Mariner of the Seas will need some extra time during its scheduled dry dock next year," the email said. "We known this news is disappointing and apologize for the impact."

Guests booked on a now cancelled cruise have the choice of rebooking to Jewel of the Seas sailings during the same time period:

• Nassau, Bahamas, Falmouth, Jamaica, and Labadee, Haiti on January 14th, February 11th, or March 11th
• Costa Maya, Mexico, Roatan, Honduras, and Cozumel, Mexico on January 28th or February 25th
• Nassau, Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay of February 7.

If guests choose a Jewel of the Seas sailing, they'll receive their original stateroom price protected, as well as $50 onboard credit for interior, ocean view and balcony staterooms. $100 for suites.

Royal Caribbean will also cover up to $200 in change fees for non-refundable transportation costs.

Guests also have the choice to re-book on any other cruise, or a full refund if they decide to cancel.

Mariner of the Seas was last refurbished in 2018 when she received her Royal Amplification updates.

Typically, cruise ships go in every 5 years for a dry dock. Older ships can sometimes go in more often than that.

UPDATE: The plot thickened when people booked on Independence of the Seas received a similar email that they are being moved to Mariner of the Seas.

What does it mean and how can two ships be cancelled for same timeframe? Share your ideas in the comments.

Royal Caribbean trademarks something related to Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean filed a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office that sounds like it could be related to the new Icon Class cruise ships.

Two trademarks were filed on February 10 for:

• This is not a cruise
• This is Icon

Trademark applications are notoriously vague, and simply filed to cover the category of cruise ship services.

Canada drops PCR test requirement for fully vaccinated

It just got easier for someone that is fully vaccinated to travel into Canada.

The Canadian government announced this week it fully vaccinated travelers entering Canada will not need to take a PCR test, beginning February 28.

Instead, fully vaccinated people entering the country can take an authorized rapid antigen test taken no more than one day before their flight or arrival at the land border.

Currently, travelers entering Canada must show proof of a negative molecular test taken within 72 hours of their departing flight or planned arrival at the land border. 

Deciding between Harmony of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas means choosing between two cruise ships with lots of of fun things to do.

Whether you’re planning your first cruise or fiftieth, Royal Caribbean’s newest and biggest ships are likely to be of interest to you. The Quantum and Oasis Class ships are among the biggest in the world and come with seemingly endless dining venues, entertainment choices, and activities.

How do the two classes of ships compare, though? Let’s take a look at Anthem of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas to see how the ships compare and contrast in layout, itineraries, and offerings for guests.

Overview

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Harmony of the Seas is the 3rd ship in Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class, the largest class of cruise ships. She has a capacity of 6,687 guests, length of 1,188 feet, and measures 226,963 in gross tonnage. Her maiden voyage was in May of 2016.

Anthem of the Seas is the 2nd ship in Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class. She has a capacity of 4,905 guests, length of 1,141 feet, and measures 168,666 in gross tonnage. Her maiden voyage was in November of 2014.

Ship Layouts

As an Oasis Class ship, Harmony of the Seas is split into seven main neighborhoods. These are designed to help break up crowds by spreading guests around the ship, and all are quite distinct from each other:

• The Boardwalk neighborhood is located on Deck 6 in the aft of the ship. This neighborhood is designed like a nostalgic boardwalk near the sea, with an arcade, carousel, souvenir shops, and dining options. The Aquatheater entertainment venue is also located here, where guests can enjoy aqua shows involving diving, synchronized swimming, and slack lining.
• Central Park is a neighborhood unlike any other on a Royal Caribbean ship. With over 10,000 plants and flowers, guests might feel as if they are walking through a park on land as opposed to being onboard a cruise ship. Dining and shopping venues are in Central Park as well.
• The Pool and Sports Zone is where guests will find pools, jacuzzis, water slides, and several signature activities.
• The Royal Esplanade is the main thoroughfare on Oasis Class ships, with dining, shopping, bars, guest service areas, and more.
• Entertainment Place is where guests go to watch signature entertainment and live music onboard.
• The Vitality Spa and Fitness neighborhood is where guests can work on wellness, whether at a massage, hair appointment, or fitness class.
• The Youth Zone is the hub of Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean programming, offering activities for guests aged 6 months to 17 years.

Anthem of the Seas does not have the same neighborhood concept as an Oasis Class ship. However, the ship can still be broken into a few distinct areas:

• The Via is on Deck 5 as you walk toward the aft of the ship. Here guests will find artwork, dining, shopping, Next Cruise, and the Two70 entertainment venue.
• The Royal Esplanade is similar to the Royal Promenade on Harmony of the Seas. This is a two-story hub of dining venues, bars and lounges, shopping, and guest services areas.
• The Pool Deck area is where you will find all of the pools on Anthem of the Seas as well as the Solarium
• The Sports/Seaplex area is where many of the main signature activities are offered on Anthem of the Seas

Food & Dining

Both Harmony of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas share many of the same dining venues:

• Main Dining Room
• Windjammer Cafe
• Solarium Bistro
• Coastal Kitchen
• Cafe Promenade
• Sorrento’s
• Chef’s Table
• Wonderland
• Jamie’s Italian
• Chops Grille
• Izumi (sushi)
• Johnny Rockets
• Dog House

As an Oasis Class ship, Harmony of the Seas has several more dining options than Anthem of the Seas.

• Park Cafe is a complimentary dining option in the Central Park neighborhood on Harmony of the Seas. Open for breakfast and lunch, Park Cafe offers an assortment of breakfast sandwiches, pastries, a bagel station, sandwiches, a salad bar, soups, and more.
• 150 Central Park is a specialty venue located in the Central Park neighborhood focused on sourcing local ingredients. Menu highlights include lamb wellington, roasted tenderloin, and fried cheesecake.
• Mini Bites is located near the Sports area onboard and offers quick, complimentary grab-and-go options such as quesadillas and hamburgers. Breakfast is also available with made-to-order omelets, bacon, and more.
• Sabor is a Mexican specialty restaurant offering small plates, build-your-own tacos, quesadillas, and more. Menu highlights include spicy beef empanadas, red snapper ceviche, grilled cobia tacos, steak quesadillas, and cinnamon churros. Sabor also features a tequila bar and margarita menu.
• Izumi on Harmony of the Seas also has a hibachi option, whereas the venue is only for sushi on Anthem of the Seas.
• Vitality Cafe is a casual venue featuring grab-and-go sandwiches and pastries. Freshly made smoothies are also available here as well as protein shakes. The food options are complimentary at Vitality Cafe while drinks come at an extra cost.
• Harmony of the Seas also has a Starbucks location on the Boardwalk.

One venue that is offered on Anthem of the Seas but not on Harmony is Cafe @ Two70. Located inside the Two70 entertainment venue found only on Quantum Class ships, Cafe @ Two70 has a similar selection of food to Park Cafe on Oasis Class ships.

There is also a coffee bar located in Cafe @ Two70 where guests can order specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic coffee drinks. Cafe @ Two70 is a complimentary venue aside from specialty beverages.

The second venue found on Anthem of the Seas but not Harmony is La Patisserie. Guests can order specialty coffee and tea beverages here as well as French delicacies including macarons, cheesecake, and eclairs. La Patisserie is an extra-cost venue.

Outdoor dining on Anthem of the Seas includes a section of the Windjammer which offers views of the aft and an outdoor area of Jamie’s Italian on the Promenade Deck.

Outdoor dining on Harmony of the Seas can be found at dining venues located at the Boardwalk and Central Park neighborhoods, including Jamie’s Italian, Chops Grille, 150 Central Park, Park Cafe, Sabor, and Johnny Rockets.

Bars & Lounges

Both Harmony of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas share many of the same bars and lounges:

• Vintages 
• Pool Bars
• English-style pub
• Schooner Bar
• Bionic Bar
• Boleros
• Solarium Bar

Several bars and lounges feature excellent views of the pool deck and ocean, such as the North Star Bar on Anthem of the Seas and Mast Bar on Harmony of the Seas.

Harmony of the Seas has several smaller bar areas located throughout the ship as well, including Wipe Out Bar on the Sports Deck and Trellis Bar in the heart of Central Park.

Perhaps the most unique bar on Harmony of the Seas is the Rising Tide Bar. This is a bar that moves up and down three stories between the Royal Promenade and Central Park neighborhoods. The bar is adults-only and free to ride.

There are a few more lounges to note on Harmony of the Seas:

• On Air, a karaoke bar where guests can put their vocal skills to the test as they sing their favorite songs.
• Jazz on 4, an intimate jazz club which offers live music each evening
• The Attic, a comedy club where guests can listen to a selection of comedians each cruise

Guests looking for a nightclub lounge experience onboard have options on both Anthem and Harmony of the Seas. On Anthem of the Seas guests can go to the Music Hall, a two-story venue with a stage, dance floor, two bars, comfy seating, and pool tables.

On Harmony of the Seas, guests will enjoy Dazzles. This is another two-story music and dance venue which overlooks the Boardwalk neighborhood.

Entertainment

Both Anthem and Harmony of the Seas offer top-notch entertainment options. Both ships have a Royal Theater with a full-length Broadway musical performance, but each ship has a selection of other shows in the diverse entertainment venues found onboard.

Anthem of the Seas is home to Two70, a signature venue found only on Quantum Class ships. This is a venue in the very aft of the ship with floor-to-ceiling windows offering 270 degree views of the ship’s aft. The venue incorporates technology through moveable television screens and light effects into its performances. Both live and “virtual” concerts are available here.

Anthem of the Seas offers the following signature shows:

• Broadway musical: We Will Rock You
• Two70 show: Spectra’s Cabaret
• Other: The Gift (Royal Theater)

In addition to the Royal Theater, Harmony of the Seas has an Aquatheater and Studio B ice skating rink. The Aquatheater is unique to Oasis Class ships and is where Royal Caribbean’s signature aquatic shows are performed.

Harmony of the Seas offers the following signature shows:

• Broadway musical: Grease: The Musical
• Studio B: iSkate and 1887: A Journey in Time
• Aquatheater: The Fine Line and Hideaway Heist
• Other: Columbus: The Musical (Royal Theater)

Pool Deck

Harmony of the Seas features three main pools: the Main Pool, the Beach Pool, and the Sports Pool. The pools are all very similar to each other, with pool games being offered in the Sports Pool and a beach-style design at the Beach Pool.

Anthem of the Seas has two main pools: one indoor pool and one outdoor pool. As Quantum Class ships were designed to function in both cold and warm weather, Anthem of the Seas has plenty of indoor pool deck space, with indoor jacuzzis and an indoor pool bar as well.

The Solarium on Harmony of the Seas does not have a pool, but instead has four jacuzzis throughout the space. The Solarium is not an enclosed space, but offers plenty of shade. The Solarium on Anthem of the Seas is fully enclosed, and features a series of cascading pools as well as jacuzzis.

Both ships offer plenty of activities for kids on the pool deck, too. Harmony of the Seas has a large Splashaway Bay area with kid-sized water slides, splash pad areas, water dump buckets, and water sprayers.

Anthem of the Seas has the H20 Zone, which features shallow pool areas for young children. There is also a small kids pool here as well that is not as shallow as the splash pad areas.

Harmony of the Seas has three water slides: the Cyclone and Typhoon slides, where guests can race each other, and the Supercell slide, where guests spin around a “champagne bowl” to make their way to the bottom.

Being a Quantum Class ship, Anthem of the Seas does not have water slides.

Onboard Activities

With Anthem of the Seas being a Quantum Class ship and Harmony of the Seas being an Oasis Class ship, many of their signature activities onboard differ from each other.

Harmony of the Seas offers several signature activities that are included in your cruise fare. The majority of these activities take place on the sports deck or Boardwalk:

• The zipline, where guests can fly nine decks over the Boardwalk neighborhood
• A carousel
• The Ultimate Abyss, a dry slide where guests slide 9 stories down from the Sports Deck to the Boardwalk neighborhood
• Ice skating in Studio B
• Mini golf
• Sports court (outdoors)
• Water slides
• Escape room

Likewise, Anthem of the Seas offers several activities only found on Quantum Class ships:

• The North Star, an observation pod that rises from the pool deck to offer 360 degree views from 300 feet above sea level
• RipCord by iFLY, an indoor skydiving simulator
• Bumper Cars
• Roller skating
• Circus school
• Xbox gaming area

The hub of activity on Anthem of the Seas is in the SeaPlex. The SeaPlex is the only indoor sports center in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, where guests can enjoy indoor soccer, volleyball, pickleball, dance classes, and more. This is where signature activities such as bumper cars, roller skating, and circus school are located.

Most signature activities on both ships are complementary. On Anthem of the Seas, though, there may be both a complementary and extra fee option for the North Star and RipCord by iFLY. Guests should make reservations for these activities via the Royal Caribbean app as soon as they get onboard, as complementary reservations can fill up quickly.

Both ships offer the Flowrider and rock climbing wall. Because Harmony of the Seas has a higher capacity, there are two Floriders and two rock climbing walls available. There are also two arcades on Harmony, whereas Anthem of the Seas has one arcade.

Itineraries

Harmony of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas offer itineraries that differ from each other in length, departure port, and region of the world.

Anthem of the Seas itineraries

Anthem of the Seas splits her time sailing from Southampton, England, and Cape Liberty, New Jersey. She sails from Southampton from May to October, offering a variety of European cruises. Highlights include:

• 7-night Norwegian Fjords Cruises visiting destinations such as Bergen, Alesund Olden, Haugesund, Kristiansand, and Geiranger
• 7-night Spain & France cruise visiting La Rochelle, La Coruna, Bilbao, and Paris (Le Havre)
• 12-night Discovery The Canaries Cruise visiting ports including Madeira, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Tenerife, Lisbon, La Coruna, and Vigo
• 9-night Spain & Portugal Cruise visiting Bilbao, La Coruna, Vigo, Lisbon, and Seville
• 14-night Mediterranean Cruises with cruise options including destinations such as Lisbon, Barcelona, Nice, Rome, Naples, Gibraltar, Malaga, Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, and Ibiza

For the rest of the year, Anthem of the Seas sails from Cape Liberty, New Jersey offering cruises to the Caribbean. Cruise selections include:

• 7-night Bahamas & Perfect Day Cruise visiting Port Canaveral, Nassau, and Perfect Day at CocoCay
• 8-night Bahamas & Perfect Day Cruise visiting Port Canaveral, Miami, Nassau, and Perfect Day at CocoCay
• 11-night Southern Caribbean Cruise visiting San Juan, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia, and St. Kitts

Transatlantic cruises are also offered on Anthem of the Seas when she sails to and from Europe.

Harmony of the Seas itineraries

Harmony of the Seas sails from Cape Canaveral until October 2022, when she will begin offering cruises from both Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, Florida. Regardless of the embarkation port, Harmony of the Seas offers Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean cruises. Highlights include:

• 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruises visiting destinations such as St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Nassau, St. Kitts, Labadee, Puerto Plata, and Perfect Day at CocoCay
• 7-night Western Caribbean cruises visiting destinations including Roatan, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Falmouth, Nassau, and Perfect Day at CocoCay
• 8-night Southern Caribbean cruises visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay, Aruba, and Curacao

Staterooms

As Quantum and Oasis Class ships, both Anthem of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas offer everything from the most basic interior rooms to exquisite loft suites. Both ships offer the Virtual Balcony for interior rooms as well.

In addition, Anthem and Harmony of the Seas offer the Royal Suite Class. Depending on the suite, guests will be in either Sea Class, Sky Class, or Star Class, all of which bring exclusive benefits, including access to the Coastal Kitchen restaurant.

Star Class is the most exclusive suite class and includes a Royal Genie, who is a personalized concierge during your time onboard.

A difference between the two ships are the neighborhood rooms available on Harmony of the Seas. Oasis Class ships offer both Central Park and Boardwalk balcony rooms, which look down into their respective neighborhoods.

Central Park rooms do not have an ocean view, but Boardwalk balcony rooms will have a partial ocean view to the side. There are a few interior “Central Park view” staterooms available as well, which have a porthole looking into Central Park.

Harmony of the Seas also has Aquatheater suites which overlook the ship’s aft and Aquatheater area. 

Which ship should I choose?

Harmony of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas will both provide an excellent, modern cruising experience. There is no shortage of things to do and places to eat on either ship, but there are a few key things to consider before choosing one over the other.

First, the itineraries on the ships are totally different. For those living in the northeast, Anthem of the Seas can be a nice option for a Caribbean cruise that does not require flying to Florida. Anthem of the Seas is also a good option for those based in Europe, due to her wide range of European itineraries.

Harmony of the Seas offers more traditional Caribbean cruises. Because she departs from Florida, there are fewer sea days required to reach Caribbean destinations. Therefore, guests can see a wider range of Caribbean islands on Harmony of the Seas than they can on Anthem of the Seas.

Second, Anthem of the Seas has more of a traditionally-built cruise ship layout whereas Harmony of the Seas, being an Oasis Class ship, has a completely different layout to other Royal Caribbean ships.

Both ships offer plenty to do for families. Harmony of the Seas may have a slight edge toward toddlers and young children with a full sized Splashaway Bay on the pool deck, whereas Anthem of the Seas has many activities for older children like bumper cars and RipCord by iFLY.

Ultimately, whichever ship you choose will lead to a fantastic Royal Caribbean cruise, and you will definitely not run out of things to do and see on either ship.

Australia hasn't seen a cruise ship in over two years, and Royal Caribbean is looking to ease their pain with extra loyalty points.

Royal Caribbean informed Australian residents that they would be able to take advantage of the Double Points promotion due to their government's halt of cruising.

In an email to Crown and Anchor Society guests, Royal Caribbean said any bookings made by Australian members through 31st March 2022 for sailings departing prior to 30th April 2023 will qualify for double points.

Australians don't need to do anything special to qualify for the promotion, as it will automatically apply the benefit.

Royal Caribbean said part of the reason it brought back the promotion was because many Australians were unable to go on cruises they had booked in the past, "Over the last year, we’ve received many comments and feedback on our Double Points promotion which you were unable to participate in due to the halt on domestic and international cruising for Australians."

"We also know Australians simply can’t wait to get back to enjoying the world class experiences onboard our ships."

Here is the breakdown of the points you will receive under the Double Points offer:

The Double Points promo was initially offered to everyone during the height of the pandemic in 2020-2021 as a means to spur new bookings and compel customers from cancelling cruises well into the future.

The program cut off new bookings that qualified for double points on September 30, 2021, but ever since guests have been clamoring for its return.

The reason why cruise fans loved the aura of double points is because it allowed them to move up the loyalty program tier significantly faster.

By earning more points, you can reach the higher tiers of Crown and Anchor Society faster, and there are some really lucrative benefits for reaching the Diamond and Diamond Plus tiers.

Complimentary alcoholic drinks, balcony discounts, complimentary photos, and reserved seating at shows are just some of the great freebies guests who reach the top tiers of Crown and Anchor Society can expect.

Moreover, this type of offer has rarely been seen.  Previous extra point offers were much more restrictive and have not been made available for a while.

In November 2021, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley said the Double Points offer would return someday, but only "strategically".

"You'll see more of that coming, but it's not going to be a blanket open book."

As hinted at over the last few weeks, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) lowered its warning for going on a cruise ship.

The warning has gone from Level 4 to a Level 3 warning of "Very High" to "High".

A level 3 warning means those not fully vaccinated for Covid-19 should avoid cruise ship travel, but does not go as far as warning against cruise ship travel for everyone.

The four warning levels are as follows: 

Level 4: Very high level of COVID-19
Level 3: High level of COVID-19
Level 2: Moderate level of COVID-19
Level 1: Low level of COVID-19

It made the change based on its Travel Health Notice Level based on two factors:

1. Cumulative new COVID-19 crew case counts over the past 14 days
2. If cases among crew members are increasing, decreasing, or remaining the same.

A level 3 warning means cumulative new Covid-19 case counts over the past 14 days are between 1,000 - 2,000, and cumulative new symptomatic Covid-19 case counts over the past 14 days are between 500 - 999.

The CDC lowering the warning level was hinted at by Royal Caribbean executives in an earnings call with Wall Street investors on February 4.

At the time, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley said he expected the change, "We also believe that in the not too distant future, the CDC Level four will be downgraded to Level three, and I think that will also be another positive step in the right direction."

Cruise industry reaction

Immediately after the warning was lowered, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) issued a statement supporting the change.

CLIA was extremely vocal in its criticism of the CDC's policies towards the cruise industry recently, but said this new change is a "step in the right direction".

"The decision by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to lower the Travel Health Notice threat level for cruise ships is a step in the right direction and recognizes the leadership and effectiveness of the cruise sector’s health and safety protocols that are unmatched by virtually any other commercial setting."

CLIA pointed to the fact the lowering of the warning is a direct result of the effective health protocols the cruise industry has employed to mitigate the spread of Covid-19, "Cruise ships  have medical, isolation and quarantine facilities on site, implement extensive response plans using private shoreside resources, and have created an environment where almost every single person is fully vaccinated.

"As a result, cases of COVID-19 are very low with the vast majority mild or asymptomatic—making cruise unequaled in its multi-layered approach to effectively mitigating COVID-19."

A change after harsher words

The CDC lowered its warning for travel on a cruise ship less than a week after the cruise industry slammed the CDC's guidance update.

On February 9, the CDC unveiled the terms of its voluntary Covid-19 program for cruise ships to follow. It was met almost immediately by backlash from cruise lines that viewed it as out of touch with society's approach to Covid currently.

Despite Covid numbers falling precipitously on ships (and on land), the agency continued to urge the public against cruise ship travel for the fully vaccinated because in their view, the chances of getting COVID on a cruise ship is "very high".

CLIA went as far as to call out the CDC for being "unnecessarily discriminatory" against the cruise industry.

CLIA also said Covid-positive cases on cruise ships have seen a dramatic drop lately, and that Covid cases on cruise ships are 80 times lower than on land in the United States.

Royal Caribbean is known for being a family cruise line, so which family-friendly cruise cabin should you pick for your vacation?

From time to time, I answer questions our readers have sent in here on the blog so that everyone can benefit from the advice.

We want to book a cruise for my family of 5, but we can't fit in one room. What's our best choice for a cruise ship cabin for my family? - Christy D.

The best cabin for any family will depend on a few factors in order to narrow down the choices.

Every cabin on a cruise ship has a capacity limit to it, which means a family of five or six will have less choices if you want to stay in the same room.

In addition, your budget will play a role in picking the right room for you.

A good starting point is to decide if you want to have everyone in the same cabin, or get separate cabins.

Family cabins

Royal Caribbean offers family-sized staterooms on many of its ships, usually with the word "family" as a prefix to the stateroom category title.

These rooms are designed for 5 or 6 guests, and come with more living space.

With extra beds and square footage, these family cruise ship cabins have what you would need to fit everyone in, and will cost less than a suite.

There can be two major downsides to these family rooms: the location tends to be at the very front or very back of the ship, which makes for longer walks to the elevators, as well as potentially a higher sensation of movement during rocky sea conditions.

In addition, many of these cabins only have one bathroom. Not every ship offers family cabins, and there are only a few to begin with.

Family-Connected Staterooms

Whereas family cabins are essentially larger standard cabins, the family-connected staterooms are individual rooms that can be booked together and have common doors removed to create a larger room.

Family-connected staterooms were introduced on the Quantum Class cruise ships, allow you connect three different staterooms to form one large shared space.  That also means three bathrooms for one space.

If this sounds like a great option, the issue may be simply finding them. As far as I can tell, they are only available on Quantum Class ships.

Suites

Suites are always going to be the biggest rooms on any cruise ship, and that extra living space can be very attractive for families.

Not only can suites accommodate 5 or 6 people, some of the larger suites can fit even more. The most expensive suite on Royal Caribbean can fit as many as 11 guests.

Of course, we're talking about suites, so this will not be an economical choice for many families.

Suite prices can vary significantly, but they are rarely a cheap option. Some families will split the cost to save on costs.

Connecting cabins

Rather than putting everyone in one room, why not get multiple cabins?

Booking more than one room is usually not as expensive as it sounds, especially compared to a suite.

Royal Caribbean offers connecting cabins that have a common door inside, which means you can open or close that door as you see fit.

Even if you don't book a connecting room, on some ships you can open up the balcony divider and get a common walkway between the rooms at that juncture.

If you don't need a connecting door, booking two (or more) cabins near each other without a common door opens up all sorts of possibilities that can really save money. Parents can book a balcony cabin, while their older children stay in an inside cabin across the hall.

Connecting cabins can be more economical, and provide one full bathroom per cabin.

Another advantage is there can be more separation between each cabin, since the connecting door can be closed. This is is especially helpful with young children who need quiet and darkness to sleep.

The downside to booking more than one room is connecting rooms are limited, especially if you book close to the sailing date.

In addition, booking more than one room will not get you the benefits of a suite.

Which should you pick?

Often the decision is made for you depending your budget and ship you sail on, but assuming you have a wide budget and lots of room choices, there are pros and cons to each option.

I generally recommend families get two connecting cabins because it provides separation between the rooms, and two full bathrooms. It's usually cheaper than a single-cabin approach, and gives parents what they want: to be in the same room as their kids, without having to sleep in the same room as their kids.

If you have older kids, or traveling on a multigen trip, being able to book multiple rooms that do not have to be connecting/adjoining will save a great deal of money.

Suites are fantastic, and if you can afford one, it's difficult to not enjoy all those wonderful amenities, especially on Royal Caribbean's Oasis or Quantum Class ships. Those ships have the Royal Suite Class amenities for suite guests, which means a higher level of service and perks.

As the number of Omicron cases has begun to decrease worldwide, the cruise industry is looking at updating regulations, including those that apply to its crew members.

Martina, a Royal Caribbean crew member onboard the Serenade of the Seas has provided an update on her YouTube channel regarding crew shore leave, vaccination requirements and quarantine rules.

A relaxation of crew rules, especially as it relates to onshore visits, is good news for crew members who have faced restrictions during the pandemic.

Martina has been providing updates from the Serenade of the Seas, as its sails from its current homeport of Tampa. The ship takes on fuel, food and mail in Tampa before it voyages out to pick up and transfer crew members in Cozumel, Roatan and Belize.   

Serenade of the Seas was designated as a hospital ship for those crew members who have tested positive for Covid-19 but are largely asymptomatic.

Caring for the crew on one ship was deemed to be much better for the overall care of crew members without the worries of cruise guests on board.

Relaxing protocols

In her latest Youtube video,  Martina shared some recent positive changes in terms of the easing of certain rules and protocols for crew members and guests, "This is one of the most exciting and for sure one of the most positive videos that I am able to share".

In the fall, there was some loosening of rules however, the sudden uptick in Omicron in December delayed any further progress, and in some cases, took a few steps back, especially for mask protocols.

In describing the move toward less stringent rules, Martina describes the changes as the “sunset of the heightened protocols”.

Shore Leave

One of the most significant hardships for crew members has been the cancelation of shore leave. Much appreciated time on land gives them the opportunity to relax a little, purchase personal items, or simply just enjoy being off the ship for a couple hours.

Shore leave had been canceled during the resumption to service, but now it is restarting but the rules vary by port and country. Martina sums up the crew's sentiment by saying "It has been rather frustrating for crew members"  as guests are allowed in port, while the crew are not. 

At this time, Royal Caribbean has provided the new regulations for sailings with port stops in the United States and the Caribbean.

Shore leave in the United States

Starting February 12th, U.S ports will allow for the free flow of shore leave. This only applies to ships that are currently in service. Serenade of the Seas would not qualify for this as it is presently serving as a hospital ship.

There are specific conditions that apply to this as it pertains to the number of Covid-19 cases onboard. Some additional details:

• This will cover major ports such as  New York, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Port Canaveral. San Juan, Los Angeles, Baltimore, and Galveston
• It will start with a 3-week trial, first 100 crew members,  increasing in groups of 50 thereafter
• Crew members have to be fully vaccinated, including a booster
• They must wear a KN95
• Private transportation is encouraged
• Crew members will need to carry their most recent test results with them

Caribbean shore leave

The Caribbean is much more complicated given the number of countries involved. Regardless, Royal Caribbean crew members must be fully vaccinated to go onshore and must wear a KN95 mask, no matter which port they are visiting.

Countries fall into three categories for shore leave. Free flow (no restrictions), bubbles, which are restricted groups, and no shore leave.

• Free flow ports include St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. Kitts, Mexico, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Jamaica, Antigua, Columbia and Haiti
• Bubble countries consist of Curacao, Aruba, Barbados,  Roatan (Honduras), Bonaire, St. Lucia, Dominica, St. Vincent, Grenada, and the Dominican Republic
• Crew members will be unable to go onshore in the Central American countries of Belize and Costa Rica

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Covid-19 vaccine requirements for crew members

A third vaccine dose, or booster as it is commonly referred to, is now part of the mandatory vaccination program for crew members. Royal Caribbean began a booster campaign for its crew several months ago.

Crew members have the option to get their booster in their home countries prior to rejoining the ship. Or they will be given the opportunity onboard.

For those staff members who do not get a booster, they will be sent home as this contravenes Royal Caribbean’s policy.

Crew member quarantine

Sign-on, the return of crew members to the ship, has required varying lengths of isolation periods during the pandemic. It started at 14 days, then decreased to 10 days, then 7, and now 3 days. A great improvement.

Staff no longer require day 3 or day 7 tests if vaccinated, are asymptomatic and tested negative on their embarkation test.

This is undoubtedly a great benefit to crew members, as they don't need to spend as much time alone in a room, waiting to get back to work.

Guest protocols

In addition to several crew-related rules, Royal Caribbean has recently announced the relaxation of mask rules for guests onboard. 

During the height of Omicron, the cruise line had imposed more stringent mask rules, even in vaccinated-only areas. They also banned smoking in the casino.

Prefacing the rules change, Martina adds " I am sure some people will be relieved to hear this"...as of February 15th, masks will be optional in vaccinated-only venues (although encouraged) and smoking will be allowed in the casino. No change for vaccination rules as guests ages 12 and over will still be required to be fully vaccinated (2 doses) to sail, in addition to pre-departure testing.

As you stroll along the pool deck or promenade on a sea day, you’re bound to see people stretched out with a thick novel, engrossed in some kind of story.

There’s something about a cruise that brings out the readers in so many of us. Most likely, it’s because we are away from the distractions of reality:  no work, no stress. We aren’t vegged out in front of the television or running kids from soccer practice to Girl Scouts.

Suddenly, all that time we’ve been planning to “make” to read is in front of us. There’s no better time than a cruise, when you can kick off your shoes, grab a drink of choice, and settle in with whatever book you’ve been saving for just this opportunity.

Sound like a good idea to you? We have some recommendations perfect for all you February cruisers (and everyone else, too)! Pack one or two of these books in your suitcase or on your tablet for your next vacation.

The link for each book contains an affiliate link, which means I get a commission for purchases made. There is no additional cost to you

Fiction

• River, Cross My Heart by Breena Clarke:  A young girl tragically drowns in the Potomac River, 1925, and shapes the rest of her sister’s life.
• Rebel by Beverly Jenkins:  Looking for romance? Head on down to New Orleans for a good old fashioned love story. When Valinda’s school is destroyed, an architect (and a captain!) steps in to help her as part of his mission to rebuild the city. 
• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas:  16-year-old witnesses her best friend killed in a police shooting, and it’s up to her to speak up about what happened. Angie Thomas has also written two other incredible novels:  On the Come Up and Concrete Rose
• Binti by Nnedi Okorafor:  For those who prefer SciFi! Binti has been accepted into a prestigious university in space, but it means leaving everything she knows behind, and entering a war with an alien race.
• Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat:  If you’re going to the Caribbean, especially Haiti, I highly recommend something by Edwidge Danticat. This one is about a girl who immigrated to New York with her mother, but then returns to native Haiti, and witnesses the strength and power of the women there.

Nonfiction

• The Black Count by Tom Reiss:  If you love The Count of Monte Cristo, then you should read this one. The biography of General Alex Dumas tells the story of the man that his son, Alexandre Dumas, used as a muse to write some of the most classic heroes of all time.
• Just as I Am by Cicely Tyson:  Autobiography/Memoirs of Actress Cicely Tyson. She details her childhood, her early career, her love affair and eventual marriage to Miles Davis, and much wisdom that she’s gained in 96 years.
• Redefining Realness by Janet Mock:  Memoirs of Janet Mock, detailing her experiences of her youth. Mock grew up poor, multiracial, and trans, and provides great insight on how vulnerable it can be as a marginalized person in America.
• All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M Johnson:  Personal Essays from LGBTQIA+ activist George M Johnson, as he explores coming of age while being Black and queer.
• You Can’t Touch My Hair by Phoebe Robinson:  Comedy Superstar Phoebe Robinson shares an essay collection about what it's like being a Black woman in America.

Are you someone who likes to read when you get on board your vacation cruise? How many books do you usually pack? What are you reading for Black History Month? I'd love to hear all about it in the comments below!

Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class cruise ships are some of the newest and most modern ships in the fleet. They are packed with signature activities, diverse dining options, and technology integrated throughout the ships.

Of all the Royal Caribbean ship classes of cruise ship, the Quantum Class was designed to take a step forward with its modern design and onboard activities.

Let’s take a look at everything the Quantum Class has to offer, and how the ships within the class differ from each other.

Quantum Class cruise ships

Royal Caribbean has five Quantum Class cruise ships.

• Quantum of the Seas is the first ship of the class, and she sails from Seattle, Vancouver, and Brisbane, offering Alaska, South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia, and transpacific cruises.
• Anthem of the Seas is the second ship of the class, and she sails from Cape Liberty and Southampton, offering both Caribbean and European cruises.
• Ovation of the Seas is the third ship of the class, and she sails from Seattle, Vancouver, and Sydney, offering Alaska, Australia, South Pacific, New Zealand, Hawaii, and transpacific cruises.
• Spectrum of the Seas is the fourth ship of the class, and she sails from Shanghai and Singapore, offering cruises throughout both Southeast Asia and Japan.
• Odyssey of the Seas is the fifth and last ship of the class, and she sails from Fort Lauderdale and Rome, offering Caribbean, European, and transatlantic cruises.

Quantum Class ships were designed to function in both warm and cold weather conditions, and the ships feature more indoor areas than other Royal Caribbean ships. Because of this, you can find Quantum Class ships doing a range of itineraries around the world, from Norway to England, Alaska, Thailand, China, Japan, and the Caribbean.

The ships are all of a similar length, gross tonnage (GT), and capacity (at double capacity):

• Quantum of the Seas: capacity of 4,905 guests, 1,141’ long, 168,666 GT
• Anthem of the Seas: capacity of 4,905 guests, 1,141’ long, 168,666 GT
• Ovation of the Seas: capacity of 4,905 guests, 1,138’ long, 168,666 GT
• Spectrum of the Seas: capacity of 5,622 guests, 1,139’ long, 169,379 GT
• Odyssey of the Seas: capacity of 5,498 guests, 1,138’ long, 169,300 GT

Quantum Ultra Class

Spectrum of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas are technically in the Quantum Ultra Class. Quantum Ultra Class ships are very similar to the regular Quantum Class, and should be looked at more as a subset of the Quantum Class as opposed to an entirely different class of ship.

There are a few differences to note between Quantum and Quantum Ultra Class ships:

• The Sports Deck in the aft of a Quantum Ultra Class ship also has a SkyPad. The Skypad jets out over the side of the ship with a glass floor walkway of the ocean below.
• Quantum Ultra Class ships have a unified Main Dining Room as opposed to the separate dining rooms on the Quantum Class ships.
• They are slightly larger than the original Quantum Class ships.
• Quantum Ultra Class ships feature a Teppanyaki restaurant in addition to Izumi Sushi.

Activities and Things to Do

SeaPlex

A unique feature of the Quantum Class ships is the SeaPlex. Unlike on other Royal Caribbean ships where the sports court area is outdoors, Quantum Class ships have an indoor sports arena called the SeaPlex.

The SeaPlex is a hub of activity throughout the cruise. During the day it’s common to see complimentary dance and exercise classes available as well as pickleball, soccer, roller skating, and volleyball.

One of the most popular activities at the SeaPlex are bumper cars. Each Quantum Class ship has select times available throughout the cruise for bumper cars. As this is a highly anticipated activity a line usually forms, so be sure to go to the SeaPlex early.

Another unique activity in the SeaPlex is Circus School, where guests can try their best acrobatic skills on a flying trapeze.

On the upper level of the SeaPlex is an arcade as well as areas for activities like video games and table tennis.

RipCord by iFLY

Quantum Class ships are the only ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet to offer RipCord by iFLY, an indoor skydiving simulator. To participate in RipCord by iFLY, guests must first watch an introductory safety video to learn proper body positioning and hand signals.

Following the video, guests dress in proper attire and try to fly in the skydiving chamber.

On most sailings, there is both a complementary and extra cost option for RipCord by iFLY. The complementary option includes a one minute flight time whereas the fee for a longer flight of two minutes is usually around $49.99.

Advanced flying lessons may be available as well for an extra charge.

North Star

The North Star is one of the most popular activities on Quantum Class ships. It is an observation capsule that rises from the pool deck to 300 feet above sea level to provide 360-degree views of the ship at sea or in port.

On most sailings the North Star is complementary when the ship is in port and comes with a fee of around $29.99 when the ship is at sea. The North Star is weather-dependent and if it is too windy or rainy, it will likely not be operating.

Skypad

The Skypad is available on Spectrum and Odyssey of the Seas. This is a bungee trampoline where guests can jump on trampolines while attached to a harness. There is also a virtual reality experience available with the Skypad, where guests put on a virtual reality headset to play games while jumping.

Other activities

Quantum Class ships also have a rock climbing wall and FlowRider. There is no mini golf available. The only water slides on Quantum Class ships are the kids-only slides at Splashaway Bay on select ships.

Pool Deck

The pool deck on a Quantum Class cruise ship has both an outdoor pool, indoor pool, kids splash area, and an adults-only Solarium.

Because Quantum Class ships were designed to function in all types of weather conditions, they have an indoor pool with a retractable roof. This area is climate controlled to allow for swimming even on the most chilly mornings when cruising to places like Alaska.

In addition to the indoor pool is the adults-only Solarium. This is a space for guests 16 and older. The Solarium on Quantum Class ships is totally enclosed with a see-through sunroof. It features hot tubs, a multi-level pool, and plenty of seating opportunities. The Solarium Bistro is also found here.

The Solarium is a complementary venue with the exception of China sailings, where it is reserved for Gold and Silver suite guests.

The kids area at the pool is the older H20 Zone on Quantum and Anthem of the Seas, whereas Ovation, Spectrum, and Odyssey of the Seas have the upgraded Splashaway Bay. The H20 zone is more of a splash pad area with water sprayers.

Splashaway Bay, one the other hand, has several small water slides and play areas, including a large bucket that dumps water over the area every few minutes.

The pool deck on each Quantum Class features a casual dining venue, plenty of seating, and several bars.

Entertainment and Venues on Quantum Class ships

There is no shortage of entertainment options on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class cruise ships. Whether live latin music at Boleros, acoustic guitar at the English style pub, or comedians in the theater, guests will always find something to enjoy.

The primary entertainment venues on Quantum Class ships are the Royal Theater and Two70.

Two70 is an entertainment venue unique to Quantum Class ships. With floor-to-ceiling windows spanning 270 degrees, Two70 offers dramatic views of the ship’s aft. The venue is open to guests throughout the day and can be a great place onboard to relax and watch the world go by.

Two70 features technology in all of its performances. With six television screens that can be programmed to move in many directions, Two70 even hosts some virtual concerts with performers on the screen instead of in person.

Right near Two70 is Cafe @ Two70. This is a complementary, casual grab-and-go restaurant open for breakfast and lunch, usually closing around 5PM. Cafe @ Two70 offers breakfast pastries, bagels, soups, salads, sandwiches, and more.

The main entertainment lineup on Quantum Class ships is as follows:

• Quantum of the Seas: Starwater Show in Two70; Sequins & Feathers and Sonic Odyssey in the Royal Theater
• Anthem of the Seas: Spectra’s Cabaret in Two70; We Will Rock You and The Gift in the Royal Theater
• Ovation of the Seas: Pixel’s Cabaret in Two70; The Beautiful Dream and Live. Love. Legs in the Royal Theater.
• Spectrum of the Seas: The Silk Road in Two70; The Effectors and Showgirl in the Royal Theater
• Odyssey of the Seas: The Book in Two70; The Effectors and Showgirl in the Royal Theater

Technological Features

Technology is at the forefront of the Quantum Class ships and is evident in the ships’ designs, activities, and guest experience.

The art on Quantum Class ships features technology, with some art pieces consisting of screens which can change color through touch. On Ovation of the Seas, for example, is a butterfly art piece. As guests walk by, butterflies “fly” away on screen.

A fun activity to try on Quantum Class ships is Expedition Two70. By using the Royal Caribbean app, guests can participate in a “scavenger hunt” in Two70. As you walk through the venue, virtual obstacles appear.

You must point your phone at the object and destroy it before moving to the next level. By completing each level, guests receive a virtual mask, and once all masks have been found, the game is complete. This can be a fun activity for kids or adults while onboard.

Spectrum and Odyssey of the Seas have a digital key option, where guests can open their stateroom door by using the Royal Caribbean app. Instead of fumbling around pockets and purses to find your SeaPass card, guests can simply open the Royal Caribbean app on their phone and hold it to the key on the door.

Quantum Class ships were also the first class of ships to offer a Virtual Balcony. Passengers staying in an interior cabin can book a room with a virtual balcony, which is a floor-to-ceiling television screen offering real time views from the outside.

All Quantum Class ships have the Bionic Bar, a venue where robot bartenders mix your favorite drinks. Guests can create a custom drink using an iPad ordering system or choose from a menu of featured drinks.

Differences between the Quantum Class cruise ships

Quantum Class ships share the following dining and bar venues:

• Chef’s Table
• Solarium Bistro (excluding Spectrum of the Seas)
• Windjammer Marketplace
• Izumi Sushi
• Wonderland
• Chops Grille
• Sorrento’s Pizza
• Cafe @ Two70
• Main Dining Room
• Schooner Bar
• Sunshine Bar
• Bionic Bar
• Two70 Bar
• Vintages (excluding Odyssey of the Seas)
• Coastal Kitchen (excluding Spectrum of the Seas)
• Jamie’s Italian (excluding Odyssey of the Seas)
• English-style pub (excluding Spectrum of the Seas)
• North Star Bar (excluding Odyssey of the Seas)
• Boleros (excluding Spectrum of the Seas)

One benefit of sailing on a Quantum class ship is the amount of outdoor dining space available. On Quantum, Anthem, and Ovation of the Seas, there are a couple outdoor dining options.

First is at the WIndjammer, with a patio at the very back offering views of the ship’s aft. This is especially a nice area on sailings through scenic areas such as the Alaska Inside Passage.

Second is the outdoor patio available at Jamie’s Italian. Guests can choose to eat indoors or at the covered patio outdoors. As the restaurant is on Deck 4, guests can enjoy close-up views of the ocean as they sail.

Quantum of the Seas

Other than the dining and beverage venues shared on all Quantum Class ships, Quantum of the Seas has Noodle Bar, La Patisserie, and the SeaPlex Dog House.

Noodle Bar is the pool deck dining venue on Quantum of the Seas, and has both complementary and extra cost options. Complementary options include chicken tenders and mini-hot dogs, and specialty items include chicken satay, Taiwanese spicy beef, and noodle soup.

As Quantum of the Seas will transition to a North American and Australian market following the conclusion of its Singapore sailings, some onboard dining and venues may change. However, due to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, this may not be happening in the near future.

For example, currently located on the Royal Esplanade is a Japanese pharmacy. Here, guests can shop for Japanese beauty and wellness products. This is something that could change when the ship moves to the American and Australian market.

Likewise, the extra casino space on Quantum of the Seas may be turned into different venues. There is also no Diamond Club currently, and in its place is the Golden Room reserved for VIP Casino Royale guests.

Quantum of the Seas has has a total of 2,094 staterooms:

• 375 interior (including those with a virtual balcony)
• 148 oceanview
• 1446 balcony
• 125 suites

Anthem of the Seas

Other than the dining and beverage venues shared on all Quantum Class ships, Anthem of the Seas has La Patisserie, Johnny Rockets Express, and the SeaPlex Dog House.

Anthem of the Seas is the only Quantum Class ship to have Johnny Rockets Express. Located on the pool deck, guests can order classic American cuisine including milkshakes, hamburgers, french fries, and chicken tenders. Johnny Rockets Express is priced a la carte on Anthem of the Seas, with prices around $8 for a hamburger and $5.50 for a milkshake.

Anthem of the Seas is also the only Quantum Class ship with a full length Broadway musical. We Will Rock You is performed on Anthem of the Seas, which features some of Queen’s best hits including Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, and Killer Queen. The Broadway show is complimentary for guests.

Anthem of the Seas has has a total of 2,091 staterooms:

• 378 interior (including those with a virtual balcony)
• 148 oceanview
• 1436 balcony
• 129 suites

Ovation of the Seas

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Other than the dining and beverage venues shared on all Quantum Class ships, Ovation of the Seas has La Patisserie, Fish & Ships, and SeaPlex Dog House.

Ovation of the Seas is one of two Royal Caribbean ships to have Fish & Ships. This is a casual venue located on the pool deck. Recently on Ovation of the Seas, Fish & Ships has offered both complementary and extra cost items, although the complimentary options are subject to change. Menu highlights included fish and chips, lobster roll, fried calamari, and a deep-fried candy bar.

Ovation of the Seas has a total of 2,091 staterooms:

• 378 interior (including those with a virtual balcony)
• 148 oceanview
• 1436 balcony
• 129 suites

Spectrum of the Seas

Spectrum of the Seas is based out of Asia, so the onboard restaurants and venues are geared toward the Chinese market. Because of this, there are more differences to note on Spectrum of the Seas compared to other Quantum Class ships.

You will find more casino space on Spectrum of the Seas, including the Golden Room and VIP Casino located in the Royal Esplanade. These rooms are in addition to the Casino Royale on Deck 3.

As opposed to Boleros, as you will find on other Quantum Class ships, Spectrum of the Seas has Star Moment. Star Moment is a karaoke venue where guests can sing karaoke in front of other guests or rent out a private karaoke room with up to ten other passengers.

Dining & Beverage on Spectrum of the Seas

Other than the dining and beverage venues shared on all Quantum Class ships, Spectrum of the Seas has Teppanyaki, SeaPlex Dog House, Splashaway Cafe, La Patisserie, Noodle Bar, Sichuan Red, Leaf & Bean, The Hot Pot, and the North Star Bar.

Many of these dining venues are found on other Royal Caribbean ships, whereas a few are unique to Spectrum of the Seas.

Leaf and Bean is a tea and coffee shop specializing in both Chinese and western beverages and pastries. Menu selections include a Hong Kong Milk Tea, Thai Tea, Dragonfruit Cheese Tea, and a Blue Mojito.

Splashaway Cafe is located right next to Splashaway Bay on the pool deck and offers kid-friendly cuisine including mini-hot dogs, chicken tenders, and sesame fried chicken. Asian-inspired cuisine is also available, such as spicy Kung Pao chicken over rice and hot soup.

Another restaurant unique to Spectrum of the Seas is Sichuan Red. Inspired by the diverse and spicy cuisine from the Sichuan region in central China, Sichuan Red is a specialty restaurant found only on Spectrum of the Seas.

Menu highlights include Hoisin duck salad, tender beef with tofu, Kao Yu simmer pot, steamed Maine lobster tail, and Royal sea cucumber. Sides include spicy Sichuan noodles, wontons with spicy sauce, and fried rice. For dessert be sure to try the crispy black sesame balls.

Noodle Bar is a complimentary venue located within the Windjammer Marketplace. Here guests can enjoy a buffet selection of fresh noodle soup. Also located near the Windjammer is The Hot Pot. This is a specialty dining venue where guests can cook their meals right at their table inside a steaming pot of stock.

Unlike on other Quantum Class ships, Sorrento’s is located next to the Windjammer Cafe.

Spectrum of the Seas has a total of 2,137 staterooms:

• 366 interior (including those with a virtual balcony)
• 142 oceanview
• 1487 balcony
• 142 suites

Spectrum of the Seas is the only Quantum Class ship to have the Ultimate Family Suite. This is a massive, 2809 square foot suite that can accommodate up to eleven guests. Inside the suite are three master bedrooms, one kids room, an in-suite slide, recreation room, balcony with a jacuzzi, and a master bathroom that extends over the side of the ship.

The Suite Club is another unique feature found only on Spectrum of the Seas. Located on the upper decks of 13 through 16, this was the first suites-only area in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. Spectrum has two suite tiers: Gold, with 36 suites available, and Silver, with 106 suites available.

Gold is the most exclusive suite tier on Spectrum of the Seas. Gold guests can choose to dine in the Gold Dining and Lounge restaurant on the ship’s top deck. They can also access The Balcony, which is an exclusive outdoor area also located on the top deck of Spectrum of the Seas.

Silver guests also have their own private restaurant and lounge as well on Deck 13. There is also The Boutique, a room that can be used for Gold and Silver guests for private shopping, wine tastings, and small parties.

Odyssey of the Seas

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Other than the dining and beverage venues shared on all Quantum Class ships, Odyssey of the Seas has Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Teppanyaki, Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, Starbucks, El Loco Fresh, and The Lime & Coconut.

El Loco Fresh is a casual pool deck lunch option that serves grab and go burritos and quesadillas as well as a taco and nacho bar. A topping station is available with a selection of salsas, guacamole, and hot sauce.

Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen is the newest Italian restaurant in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. Menu highlights include a meat and cheese platter, selection of traditional pizzas, spaghetti carbonara, and steak muffuletta. Located next to Giovanni’s is Giovanni’s Wine Bar, where guests can enjoy a variety of Italian wines and small bites.

The SeaPlex on Odyssey of the Seas differs from other Quantum Class ships. Located within the SeaPlex is Playmakers, a sports bar complete with televisions, table games, and even a private room that can be reserved to watch sporting events.

Playmakers serves sports bar food such as hamburgers, chicken fingers, onion rings, nachos, and fries.

The SeaPlex is also home to Zone Zero. This is a 4D virtual-reality experience where guests physically roam and interact with the world around them while wearing a full virtual reality suit. This activity comes at an extra cost and is accessible by reservation only.

Odyssey of the Seas Pool Deck

The Pool Deck on Odyssey of the Seas has a totally different design than the other Quantum Class ships. While it follows the same layout, Odyssey of the Seas has the new Caribbean style pool deck also found on ships like Freedom and Navigator of the Seas.

The Caribbean style pool deck features tropical decor and colors. It has several casitas, which are covered, padded day beds available to reserve at an extra cost. Outside of the casitas are standard pool chairs as well as comfy loungers throughout the pool deck.

As opposed to the Pool Bar and North Star Bar on other Quantum Class ships, Odyssey of the Seas has The Lime & Coconut. Following the pool deck’s tropical color pattern and vibe, The Lime & Coconut features island-inspired drinks such as the Rum Runner and Goombay Smash.

One important difference is that Odyssey of the Seas has no indoor pool like the other Quantum Class ships. Instead, there are two outdoor pools.

There are also several hot tubs on the running track deck overlooking the pool deck.

Odyssey of the Seas has 2,105 staterooms:

• 366 interior (including those with a virtual balcony)
• 132 oceanview
• 1482 balcony
• 125 suites

Who is the Quantum Class best for?

The Quantum Class offers activities and amenities for every type of cruiser. As the second biggest class of ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, Quantum Class ships are definitely not small, but they are not as large as the Oasis Class ships, either.

Families will especially enjoy the Quantum Class. With activities like RipCord by iFLY, bumper cars, rock climbing, trapeze, roller skating, the North Star, and the FlowRider, it will be difficult for kids to be bored while on a Quantum Class ship.

Those who enjoy unique entertainment options will especially like watching original productions in Two70. Two70 is a venue unlike any other in Royal Caribbean’s fleet and the use of technology, music, dancing, and acrobatics is especially impressive.

Lastly, because Quantum Class ships were built for many types of weather, they can be a great option for sailings that may encounter bad weather. If it is raining while onboard a Quantum Class ship, there are still a plethora of activities to enjoy, whether in the SeaPlex, indoor pools, or Royal Esplanade.

Quantum Class Tips & Secrets

Making reservations on the Cruise Planner is important for any Royal Caribbean cruise, but is especially important when sailing on a Quantum Class ship. Activities like the North Star and RipCord by iFLY often have select complementary reservations available. Once those are fully booked, the only options left usually have a fee.

A “secret” about Quantum Class ships is the animal statue located near the rock climbing wall on the Sports Deck. These are also known as the ships’ mascots, and each ship has a different massive animal statue.

• Quantum of the Seas: Felicia the Bear, a 30-foot, eight-ton pink bear
• Anthem of the Seas: Gigi the Giraffe, a 32-foot, four-ton colorful giraffe wearing a bright pink inner tube
• Ovation of the Seas: Panda Family, a 6.5-ton mama panda helping her baby panda climb the side of the ship
• Spectrum of the Seas: A pile of five small pandas handing balloons to a small panda on the top of the ship
• Odyssey of the Seas: A pink cat playing with a ball of yarn

Some hidden secrets of Quantum Class ships include the following:

• Solarium bridge wings that hang over the side of the ship, which are fantastic viewing areas for sailaway
• Glass floor between decks 13 and 14 looking 9 decks down to the Royal Esplanade
• Solarium Bistro, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant within the Solarium that is usually less crowded than other dining venues

Love is in the air… and at sea!

Have you ever thought about the possibility of meeting the love of your life on a cruise ship? Laura and Jarrod West of New Braunfels, Texas did just that while on a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2004.

However, the two lost touch after the cruise. It wasn’t until several years later that they reconnected, started dating, and decided to tie the knot.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we talked with Laura and Jarrod West to learn more about their Royal Caribbean Love Story.

How did you two meet?

Laura and Jarrod: On Explorer of the Seas in March 2004, I (Laura) was traveling with my family and some friends and Jarrod was traveling with his family. Jarrod approached me and my friends on the pool deck.

What was the rest of the cruise like after you met each other?

Laura and Jarrod: During the first cruise we met on, we hung out and got to know each other, along with other spring breakers on the boat.

At that time, guests 18 and up could drink beer and wine and access all the clubs and bars that guests 21 and up could. My group of friends and I told everyone we were 21 at the time instead of 18. Jarrod was 22 at the time.

I had lost my ship card on one of the last days of the cruise and Jarrod walked down with me to get a new one. After they printed my new SeaPass card, Jarrod noticed that customer service punched a hole in my card. He asked why and that’s when Jarrod first learned that I was only 18!

As a result, Jarrod (22) realized that he had been lied to about our ages, but we exchanged numbers anyway.

Did you stay in touch after the cruise?

Laura and Jarrod: Jarrod was living in Illinois and I was living in Texas, and we talked a lot on the phone through August of that year, but it became every once and a while after that (Jarrod was bad about losing his phone).

We never committed to dating or anything because of the long distance and I think Jarrod thought I was too young. So we would randomly talk on the phone every once in a while for 7 years without ever seeing each other.

We both were casually dating other people during that time, but I would always answer his calls. My friends would ask who I was talking to and I would casually respond with “the man I’m going to marry.” Of course my friends and family thought it was a pipe dream!

I even invited Jarrod to come to sorority formal but his work got in the way and he didn’t come. My mom told me to forget about him and that it was never going to happen. 

Meanwhile Jarrod began his successful career being the manager of Walmart.

How did you two end up reconnecting after such a long time apart?

Laura and Jarrod: Seven spring breaks later from when we first met, in 2011, Jarrod and I realized through social media that we were going to be on a cruise the same week and same itinerary but on different ships. I was on Allure with my family and Jarrod was on Freedom with his family. 

After our cruises were over, Jarrod had a 4 hour layover in Dallas and that is where we first saw each other again and reconnected (Jarrod gave me a kiss as soon as he got into the car).

We both agreed it was really special that we both reconnected and before he got on his flight back to Illinois, he asked if he could come back to Dallas and take me on our first official date.

A few weeks later, April fools weekend 2011, Jarrod flew in not knowing anything about Dallas. I made him take me to a nice/expensive surf and turf dinner, the Dallas Aquarium, and we went to a Texas pool party with friends. I mean… I had to wait for 7 years for this guy; the least he can do is take me somewhere nice!

Before flying home, Jarrod asked me to be his girlfriend, told me he loved me the same day, and we agreed to give the long distance relationship a try and did so for about a year.

I heard Jarrod proposed onboard a Royal Caribbean ship. Can you tell me more about that?

Laura and Jarrod: In March of 2012, Jarrod scheduled a cruise and invited me to come along with his family on Freedom of the Seas. The cruise was going to the Virgin Islands and stopped in St. Thomas.

While in St. Thomas, Jarrod and I booked a midday catamaran excursion. That morning, we got off the ship early and did one of Jarrod’s parents' favorite things to do: shop for diamonds at Diamonds International.

While there, I pointed out a few designs that I really liked and settings… and little did I know that Jarrod had taken my feedback and pointed out what ring and setting he wanted for an engagement ring.

Jarrod and I rushed to our excursion and his parents stayed behind to ensure the ring was put together just right. After a great day on the catamaran and a few *cough cough* drinks to boot, we got back on the ship to get ready for dinner.

While I was in the shower, Jarrod’s parents came to the room and gave Jarrod the ring he had purchased. They were excited and wanted him to propose that night at dinner.

Jarrod took me to Chops Grille and wined and dined me, but thought he needed more time to relax and let our food settle after a big day out on the island.

That night, one of the activities on ship was the Dancing Under The Stars party on the pool deck where a band was playing. During that dance party I stepped away to the restroom, and Jarrod asked the band if he could propose while using the stage.

The lead of the band told Jarrod to dance our way to the front and come on stage so he could propose. So we did just that, and at the end of the song, the band handed Jarrod the mic. He pulled me up on stage to which I replied “What are you doing?”

Jarrod was nervously going to his pocket to locate the ring. He told me to hang on a minute, and he found the ring and pulled it out of his pocket. Then he said into the microphone on one knee that he loved me and met the girl of his dreams on a cruise ship and couldn’t think of a better place to propose. And he proposed.

Jarrod moved to El Paso, Texas that next week, then I moved down there in May. We got married that next August in San Antonio, Texas. 

Are the two of you still cruising?

Laura and Jarrod: Cruising remains a big part of our life and something that we enjoy. Prior to covid we were cruising 5-6 times per year and we recently went on our first cruise since Covid. We are planning our 10 year anniversary cruise out of Italy to the Greek isles on the Odyssey of the seas and looking forward to that.

We have 2 kids, Autumn (8) and Carter (6), and they love to cruise too! We currently live in New Braunfels, Texas, where I am a teacher and Jarrod is still a store manager for Walmart. 

When we are not cruising we are busy with sports and extracurricular activities, but cruising remains our favorite getaway.

Our last day on Brilliance of the Seas is also Super Bowl Sunday.

While we had excellent weather the first three days of the cruise, today started off notably worse. Clouds, wind, and a lot of ship movement.

I guess the motion got to me, because I woke up feeling nauseous. I tried my best to fight it off by getting up and walking around to get some food and fresh air.

Unfortunately, I was still not feeling great, so I went back to my room to sleep it off.  Finally, I gave in and took dramamine, which did the trick. There's no shame in knowing your limits.

Luckily, the weather improved steadily as the day progressed. By the afternoon, the sun had come out and it warmed up nicely.

If you're wondering what it's like to be on a cruise ship for the super bowl, there's a few different super bowl themed events onboard, such as trivia.

The bulk of the events are really around game time, where the game is shown in various venues:

• Royal Theater
• Pool deck
• Pub
• Schooner Bar (one television in there)

Royal Caribbean bought the rights to the game and halftime show, but not the commercials.

In the theater there is dry snacks, such as popcorn and potato chips. 

Park Cafe offers its usual assortment of food, plus popcorn, hot dogs, tacos and more.

Most people were in the pub or Royal Theater. The chillier weather outside made the pool deck less popular, although there were blankets you could borrow.

It was fun seeing all the fans getting into the game, although I think most people were watching since it was the super bowl.

After the game, we had a few drinks around various bars before calling it a night since we have to get up early.

It was a fun cruise, and I think Brilliance shines with good live entertainment and lots of pool deck space.