Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas will be the next new cruise ship that is currently under construction. Quantum of the Seas will start sailing in Fall 2014 and her sister ship, Anthem of the Seas, will sail in 2015.

Royal Caribbean reveals prices for new fast Quantum of the Seas Wi-Fi

In:
04 Dec 2014

Royal Caribbean revealed prices for its new Wi-Fi aboard Quantum of the Seas that promises to deliver the same kind of speed you would find on land.

On a recent 8-night sailing, cruiser Emily Schaffer took notice of the internet packages that were available.

The internet packages are broken down into three tiers for the duration of your cruise:

  • Basic cruise plan
    • Useful for checking in for flights, checking email and other scenarios where speed isn't important
  • Premium cruise plan
    • Four times the speed of the basic plan and ideal for social media, email, Skype, and more
  • Premium Plus cruise plan
    • Fastest speeds that let you do it all - live video calls, stream movies, download large files and more.

Here are the prices for this particular cruise:

  • Basic cruise plan
    • Hourly plan (60 minutes used anytime): $20
    • Daily plan (24 hours of continuous access): $65
    • Unlimited for 1 device: $183
    • Unlimited for 2 devices: $229
  • Premium cruise plan
    • Hourly plan (60 minutes used anytime): $25
    • Daily plan (24 hours of continuous access): $76
    • Unlimited for 1 device: $224
    • Unlimited for 2 devices: $280
  • Premium Plus cruise plan
    • Hourly plan (60 minutes used anytime): $35
    • Daily plan (24 hours of continuous access): $114
    • Unlimited for 1 device: $320
    • Unlimited for 2 devices: $400

Photos by Emily Schaffer

Royal Caribbean does offer discounts to Crown and Anchor Society members that are automatically applied to any package purchased.

The new internet speeds are made possible by a partnership with O3b, which have low-orbitting satellites that provide targeted internet directly at each ship, rathern than blanketing an area with access.

Quantum of the Seas makes inaugural call to Nassau, Bahamas

In:
30 Nov 2014

Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas made her first visit ever to Nassau, Bahamas on Thanksgiving Day last week.

Photo by The Bahamas Weekly

To commemorate the occasion, a special ceremony was held on the ship.  

Director General of Tourism Joy Jibrilu commented on the long history between The Bahamas and Royal Caribbea, "Royal Caribbean has been docking out shores for 44 years, beginning in 1970 with the Song of Norway just six years following the establishment of Tourism as the primary industry for economic development within The Bahamas."

“As time progressed, The Bahamas became the model and leader in the Western Hemisphere, and Royal Caribbean has stayed with us throughout these years. Our Tourism sector has grown by leaps and bounds and similarly, so have you – your first ship, the Song of Norway at 18,000 tons in 1970 and now the Quantum of the Seas weighing in at 169,000 tons, a mere increase of 151,000 tons."

"The expanse and the vested interest Royal Caribbean has maintained in The Bahamas assures that Royal Caribbean has its place in The Bahamas Tourism archives and we are happy that you are our friend and partner."

The ship’s master Captain Srecko Ban said officials of the ship are very proud to bring the unique to Nassau.

“We thank you for your great hospitality,” he said. “We will be coming to your fine port throughout the winter until May. We look forward to a successful partnership in the future,” he said.

Carnival launches new TV commercial that take a jab at Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas

In:
25 Nov 2014

One of Royal Caribbean's biggest competitors is Carnival Cruise Line and they recently kicked off a multi-brand promotion that is taking aim at Royal Caribbean.

Carnival is asking its web site visitors to view some new TV commercials, one of which is entitled, "No Robots", where the video talks about how robots aren't something you want on your cruise vacation.  

The robots on a cruise they the ad alludes to is a pretty clear reference to Quantum of the Seas, which recently launched with a number of new innovations, including robot bartenders and robot screens.

Top 10 Quantum of the Seas hidden secrets

In:
24 Nov 2014

If you're going on Royal Caribbean's brand new Quantum of the Seas, there's a lot to see and do but we found our list of the best hidden secrets that can be easily overlooked on Quantum of the Seas.  

10. Roast beef sandwich from Cafe @ Two70

I love eating on a Royal Caribbean cruise and I'd be remiss if I did not mention a Royal Caribbean classic food, the roast beef sandwich.

The roast beef sandwich originated in Park Cafe on Oasis of the Seas and has spread to other ships too.  On Quantum of the Seas, you can get a Roast Beef sandwich from Cafe @ Two70 and it's well worth your time.  And it's free!

9. Swing in Two70

Anyone can sit in a chair or bench in the amazing new Two70 but swings are where it's at!

Off on the side of Two70, you can find these special little swings that you can sit, rock and enjoy the view or a show.  After you find the swing, no other form of sitting will suffice!

8. Wing viewing area

Quantum of the Seas features a lot of access to seeing the ocean from all over the ship, but by far the best place to see the ocean and the outside of Quantum of the Seas is found just outside the Solarium.

If you walk into the Solarium and then proceed all the way forward, you will find doors on opposite sides of the ship that offer small wings for guests to go outside and get unobstructed views of the ocean and even the ship herself.  Great photo opportunities here!

7. "Glass" floor

Sometimes it's easy to forget Quantum of the Seas is a pretty tall ship in addition to being large in other respects.  If you want a good reminder, check out the "glass floor" view.

Okay, it's not really made of glass (it's plastic) but this small panel allows you look down about 10 decks to the Royal Esplanade.  Bring your camera with you!

6. Elevator and stairway artwork

I'm no art critic but it's my understanding art is meant to evoke a reaction to the person looking at it and on Quantum of the Seas, there's a lot of art onboard.  I really found the art in the stairways and elevators to really be interesting to see.

It's not to say the art is amazing or the best I've seen, but everytime I found a new one, I would look at it to get the idea.  Some are pretty, some have a message and some are just funny (don't miss the money with lipstick).

5. Fresh baked cookies from Windjammer

It's probably not surprising to find another food related entry in this list, but if you tried one of the the freshly baked cookies from the Windjammer, you'd know why it makes this list.

I'm probably not breaking any new ground by telling you freshly baked cookies taste really, really good.  But I can't ever recall finding freshly baked cookies available on a Royal Caribbean ship.  Until now!

In the breads section of the Windjammer, you will find crew members putting out their latest creations but you really need to ask them for some fresh cookies because they are absolutely amazing.  Like beat your own grandmother to get one amazing. 

4. Art drawing art

At one point in my cruise, my friends asked, "Hey, did you see the muppets drawing stuff?" and I had no idea what they were talking about.  

Located on Deck 5 near the Schooner Bar, are three screens that have characters that do bear a resemblence to Muppets and will draw things on the screen you're looking at, erase it, and then draw something else.  It's pretty neat to watch even if I have no idea what the message is behind them.

3. Kids' Wave pool

Royal Caribbean says this is the first wave pool at sea and for kids (heck, I'm going in once the weather warms up) there's a fun time waiting for them up on the pool deck.

The wave pool features Dreamworks characters from the Madagascar films and it's just another really cool aspect of this new ship that you have to see.  I know my daughter will never want to leave!

2. The guy driving the car

The first two times I walked by this display I didn't really pay much attention but when I saw people watching it and laughing, I stopped to check it out and I'm glad I did.

You'll find a large plastic yellow car on the wall with the driver's window a LCD screen that shows a guy just driving around.  What makes it amusing is what you will see as this guy drives. Elephants, dinosaurs, fish, chickens, sideways driving and more.  There's always something happening in the background and it's worth a minute or two to catch it all.

1. Solarium chairs in the pool

If you're looking for the best place to relax on Quantum of the Seas, how about these chairs in the Solarium that are in the pool?

You know how it's great at the ocean to drag your chair to the edge of the ocean surf so you can stay cooled down but remain sitting?  Royal Caribbean has done that with the pool and I can only imagine how tough it will be to grab one of these chairs on a regular cruise when the weather is warmer but I cannot think of a better place to sit back, have a drink and enjoy the experience.

Quantum of the Seas inaugural merchandise roundup

In:
22 Nov 2014

Buying something to commemorate your Royal Caribbean cruise is always a popular idea and with Quantum of the Seas, it's brand new to the fleet and Royal Caribbean is commemorating it's inaugural year with a line of merchandise available to purchase.

The merchandise listed here was available on our recent Quantum of the Seas cruise and we've heard the inaugural merchandise will be available for the first year the ship is in service (translation: you still have time to buy it).

Inaugural Season Quantum of the Seas shirt

Quantum of the Seas inaugural season tumbler

Quantum of the Seas long sleeve shirts.  These aren't inaugural but they are a Royal Caribbean tradition.

Quantum of the Seas Inaugural Season t-shirt

Kids "I love Quantum of the Seas" shirt

Men's Quantum of the Seas "Cruising King" t-shirt

Women's Quantum of the Seas "Cruising Queen" t-shirt

Best places to party on Quantum of the Seas

In:
18 Nov 2014

If I may quote an under-appreciated Dutch eurodance group from the late 1990s, "We like, we like to party".  If those lyrics strike a chord with you, then this blog post is for you.

Finding a good party on Royal Caribbean is something a lot of people look to do and hey, who doesn't want to have a good time while at sea? 

Perhaps you want to meet someone special or just get your groove on (do people actually say that still?) and get down and the good news is, there are places on Quantum of the Seas to dance, sing and just plain party on this brand new cruise ship.

Best place for club dancing and music: Music Hall

If you want to jump into a crowd of people and raise your hands into the air like you just don't care, then Music Hall is for you.

This hip spot features live music in the evenings to get things started and that gets a crowd in of itself.  But after the band is done, the DJ comes out and then Music Hall really comes alive.

We've seen crowds on Royal Caribbean cruise ships before at various dance locations but Music Hall really gets the people going.  So if you want to dance to your favorite dance hits, Music Hall is the place to go.

Honorable mention: Bionic Bar & SeaPlex

Best place to sing along to music: Schooner Bar

If you love great bar music and you even like joining in singing from time to time, then check out the Schooner Bar on Quantum of the Seas.

The Schooner Bar has been a staple of Royal Caribbean cruise ships for a while and on Quantum of the Seas, there's a prominent piano where live music is played and it always draws a good crowd.

Unlike the Music Hall, people are usually sitting at the tables, booths and the bar and it's calmer but there's still a great time to be had here.  We loved hearing "Piano Man", "Sweet Caroline" and other classics and after a few drinks, who doesn't feel like singing along too?

Best place for live lounge music: Boleros

Like the Schnooner Bar, Boleros has become a fan favorite on Royal Caribbean ships. This latin-themed lounge is the perfect place for a live band to play some toe-tapping tunes.

There's something about latin music that just appeals to everyone.  Maybe it's the smooth melodies or the intoxicating will to dance but Boleros is always full and always a good spot for an evening drink while you enjoy the band play.

Yo amo Boleros!

Photo tour of D8 Superior Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony on Quantum of the Seas

In:
17 Nov 2014

Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas has a lot to offer, including a number of staterooms.  Today, we will look at the category D8 balcony stateroom and take you through the cabin to give you an idea of what to expect if you book this category.

On Quantum of the Seas, we reviewed stateroom 6244, which is located on Deck 6 just outside the aft elevator bank.  Entry to the room is by RFID scanner, which is above the door handle.

Walking into the room, you will immediately see the light from the balcony shining ahead of you.  The stateroom is rather long and narrow.

The bed is joined together but can be split apart if need be.  There's a large, flat screen television across from it and two night stands on opposite sides of the bed.  Access to the balcony is also on the other side of the bed.

The bathroom features a stand up shower, toilet and sink.  One thing we noticed immediately with this bathroom is there is far less of the white plastic you typically find on other Royal Caribbean ship restrooms.  Instead, there's far more glass and tile, which we found a welcome change.

Another change to the restroom is the shampoo and soap options.  On older Royal Caribbean ships, passengers would find a shampoo dispenser on the wall.  On Quantum of the Seas, the dispenser has been removed and instead small bottles of shampoo, soap and conditioner are available.  

Back out to the stateroom, you will find two armoires that allow you to hang clothing as well as store other clothing.  These seem larger to us than closets on other ships.

Of course, the reason to book this stateroom is the balcony.  At 55 square feet, the balcony is on the small side but it has enough room for two chairs and a table.  It's enough space for two people to comfortably enjoy the view and ocean air.

This stateroom does also include a sofa that opens into a bed.  Frankly, any more than two passengers in this stateroom would feel confined quickly. For a couple looking for the a balcony stateroom, the D8 category is perfect for them.