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Royal Caribbean's Quantum-class cruise ships appeal to go beyond families

In:
18 Jun 2014

Royal Caribbean director of sales for the UK and Ireland, Ben Bouldin, told Travel Weekly at a recent trade event that the company has been "great for families" historicaly but the Quantum-class of cruise ships will give the line greater appeal across many markets.

“Royal Caribbean will redefine the cruise experience as we know it,” he said.

“You take our best ships today, Allure and Oasis, and Quantum will feel very different to that.”

Anthem of the Seas will be based out of Southampton, UK in 2015 after sister ship Quantum of the Seas debuts in November 2014 in the United States.

Anthem of the Seas inside layout revealed

In:
15 Jun 2014

A new Royal Caribbean brochure was released showing the most in-depth look at the layout of Anthem of the Seas we have seen yet.

The cut-away image shows the insides of the Quantum-class cruise ship and gives guests a good indication of how this ship is laid out, especially venues that are new to this class.

Thanks to Lloyd for alerting us to this find!

Royal Caribbean officially announces Dynamic Dining for Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas

In:
26 Mar 2014

Royal Caribbean announced on Wednesday a brand new dining innovation coming to its newest class of cruise ships, the concept of dynamic dining.

Brand new for Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas and the yet-to-be-named third Quantum-class ship, the main dining room is being replaced with five complimentary restaurants that offer distinct flavors, cuisines and tastes to choose from.

In fact, there will be 18 restaurants aboard these new ships, with the aim to offer its guests the most variety and choice they've ever had at sea.

The new complimentary restaurants include

  • American Icon Grill, a take on the classic American road trip, pulling together best-loved regional favorites into one comfort-style menu

  • Chic, where the height of contemporary cuisine is realized and the freshest ingredients, such as proteins that pack a punch and sauces made from scratch, are evolved for a modern palate

  • Silk, a vibrant and exotic destination where the spices of the Far East bring new flavor to adventurous palates through a Pan-Asian menu

  • The Grande, a luxuriant nod to a bygone era of classic European ocean liners when dining was a time honored ritual, featuring timeless dishes, and where every night is formal night.

  • Coastal Kitchen, a concept created exclusively for suite guests, fusing Mediterranean influences with the unmatched riches of California’s bountiful farmlands.

In addition, Royal Caribbean is adding several new specialty resurants that offer more choice for an additional cost.

  • Wonderland, an elaborate feast for the senses in a setting where Royal Caribbean chefs twist their culinary kaleidoscopes to invent a dreamscape of never-before-seen fare

  • Jamie’s Italian, featuring rustic Italian favorites, handmade - using seasonal ingredients and Jamie’s tried-and-tested crowd pleasers

  • Michael’s Genuine Pub, the first American gastropub at sea and the next evolution of Royal Caribbean’s relationship with James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz, offering simply-prepared food and drinks made with quality ingredients from the best artisanal producers

  • Devinly Decadence at Solarium Bistro, Royal Caribbean’s fittest dining destination, serving the foods you love all under five-hundred calories, designed by Devin Alexander, media personality, New York Times bestselling author and chef of highly-rated television show, “The Biggest Loser”

​Royal Caribbean will also offer well known specialty restaurants on the Quantum-class of ships, such as Chops Grille, Izumi, Johnny Rockets and Chef's Table.

There will also be more complimentary restaurants that Royal Caribbean fans will recognize in the Windjammer Marketplace, The Cafe @ Two70 and SeaPlex Dog House.

To make the dining experience easier and simpler, Royal Caribbean is offering dining reservations well in advance with lots of options to book. Using a special new online booking tool, guests can make reservations starting May 15, 2014 and compare restaurants and book reservations.  Guests will still have the option of booking restaurants onboard the ship or opting for a walk-up table.

Royal Caribbean skips option to build fourth Quantum class cruise ship

In:
27 Jan 2014

During Royal Caribbean's fourth quarter financial results conference call, Royal Caribbean Chairman Richard Fain announced the company would not invest in the option to build a fourth Quantum class cruise ship in 2017.

"We remain committed to improving our shareholder returns, returning to an investment grade credit and maintaining moderate growth," said Fain.  "We think that the ships we have on order for our wholly-owned brands will serve us well and we do not anticipate an additional newbuild for delivery in 2017." 

The option Royal Caribbean had in 2017 was for either a fourth Quantum class cruise ship or a Celebrity Reflection cruise ship.

Currently, Royal Caribbean has plans for its first Quantum class ship, Quantum of the Seas, to debut this fall with sister ship Anthem of the Seas following in spring 2015 and a third unnamed Quantum class ship in 2016.

Royal Caribbean receives financing for third Quantum class cruise ship

In:
03 Dec 2013

Royal Caribbean has secured a financial loan to subsidize the cost of its third Quantum class cruise ship. The loan is for EUR637 million.

The third Quantum class cruise ship will be finished sometime in mid-2016 and getting the loan is the next important step in building the new ship.

Hermes, a German credit firm, has agreed to guarantee 95% of the loan.

This will be the third Quantum-class ship, behind Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas.  The third ship has no name yet officially announced.

Royal Caribbean to begin work on Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas today

In:
02 Aug 2013

We've gotten word that later today construction will begin on Royal Caribbean's two newest cruise ships, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas.

These two Quantum-class cruise ships will take steps forward in becoming a reality when at 1:00pm, Anthem of the Seas will have her steel cutting ceremony.  This will be followed by the official keel-laying for Quantum of the Seas at 2:00pm.  (We aren't sure if these times are local or eastern)

Both events will take place at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.

Quantum of the Seas' keel-laying has been expected for some time now, as photos of what appears to be her keel popped up online.  Meanwhile, Anthem of the Seas' steel cutting will be the first substantial news we've heard regarding her since her name was announced.

Quantum of the Seas is scheduled for her first cruise in November 2014, with Anthem of the Seas offering her inaugural cruise sometime in Spring 2015.

Royal Caribbean preparing its cruise ships for new air pollution laws

In:
22 Jul 2013

Royal Caribbean has been working hard, along with the rest of the cruise industry, to prepare its cruise ships for new air pollution rules set to go into effect in 2015.  The fear is these new laws will make North American cruises more expensive and so Royal Caribbean has been slowly rolling out a solution to its cruise ships that will aim to be compliant without being too expensive.

The new rules are part of the North American Emissions Control Area (ECA), which surrounds the United States and Canada and extends up to 200 miles offshore.

Royal Caribbean's plan is to add "scrubbers" to their ships.  Scrubbers remove pollutants from engine exhaust as a kind of filter.  The downside to scrubbers is the technology is still a work in progress and requires a variance permit from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Royal Caribbean is planning on installing scrubbers on Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas when they are built.  They've already been testing scrubbers on Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas and the EPA has granted trial exemptions for six Royal Caribbean ships.   In addition, it has authorized an “emissions averaging” solution in certain subregions of the ECA in which Royal can use fuels with differing sulfur levels, as long as the average equivalent sulfur emissions meet the ECA limits.

Steiner Leisure Limited will bring new personal fitness innovations to Quantum of the Seas

In:
06 Jun 2013

Royal Caribbean has reached an agreement with Steiner Leisure Limited to be the exclusive provider of spas, salons and fitness centers and related beauty, wellness and medi-spa services and products on Royal Caribbean vessels currently sailing, as well as the Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, scheduled to enter service in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

Steiner Leisure President and Chief Executive Officer Leonard Fluxman spoke about some of the new innovations that will debut on Quantum of the Seas that will be "environment of firsts". Among these firsts is Vitality Powered by Technogym®, the first fitness center on board Royal Caribbean to feature the modern professional equipment from this industry leader.

Quantum of the Seas will feature a two-level, state-of-the-art Vitality at Sea Spa & Fitness Center that offers two private fitness consultation rooms and a dedicated Flywheel™ indoor cycling studio, as well as our Smile Spa, barber shop, Thermal Suite, and relaxation lounge. Passengers will have the opportunity to choose from a comprehensive array of Elemis® face and body therapies, Bliss® treatments, and medi-spa services, performed in one of our 19 serene treatment rooms.

Fluxman commented on the new agreement, "For many years, we have enjoyed offering Royal Caribbean's guests our growing variety of healthful options for decompressing, revitalizing and luxuriating.  We look forward to being a memorable part of the vacation experience of Royal Caribbean travellers, and continuing our collaboration with this conceptually and stylistically innovative brand."

In addition to Quantum and Anthem of the Seas, Royal Caribbean extended their original agreement with Steiner for all of its cruise ships through 2017. 

Royal Caribbean signs contract to build third Quantum Class cruise ship

In:
30 May 2013

Royal Caribbean announced today that it has signed an agreement to build a third Quantum class cruise ship with the Meyer Werft shipyard. This will new ship will be the sister ship to Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, both of which are set to be built as well.

Royal Caribbean expects the third Quantum class ship, which is yet unnamed, to be delivered sometime in mid-2016.

Quantum of the Seas will debut in November 2014 with Anthem of the Seas following in 2015.  Royal Caribbean also has a third Oasis class ship that will be delivered in 2016 as well.

Today @royalcaribbean confirms 3rd Quantum-class ship to be built at Meyer Werft Shipyard.

— Royal Caribbean PR (@RoyalCaribPR) May 30, 2013

Aside from the announcement that a third Quantum class ship is being built, there are no further details at this time.  There's been speculation about names and it's very likely this third ship's name will come from a pool of unused names Royal Caribbean trademarked last year.  The unused names are Passion of the Seas, Vantage of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas and Pulse of the Seas.

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