We're counting down the days until Quantum of the Seas debuts later this year with our 99 days of Quantum blog series. Each day we will post something about Quantum of the Seas to share with all of you!

Michael’s Genuine Pub

The idea behind Michael's Genuine Pub is simple: fresh food and drink without complication.  

Michael’s Genuine Pub will be the first American gastropub at sea, brought to you by James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz.

Michael Schwartz created the restaurant with the concept of taking simple ingredients from the best artisanal producers and combining them in a friendly setting passengers will want to go to.  You will also find craft beers, such as the chef’s own classic American ale, Michael’s Genuine Home Brew.

If beer isn't your thing, you will also find a finely curated list of wine, cocktails and spirits, including bourbon whiskey flights.

Michael's Genuine Pub was created to feel cozy, yet lively.  It's the kind of place to stop in for a midday bite or have a few drinks in the evening while feeling relaxed all the time.

Of course, Royal Caribbean fans should recognize the chef's name.  Michael Schwartz first pioneered the seasonal, farm-to-table menu for the signature 150 Central Park restaurants onboard the Oasis-class ships.

Chef Schwartz is the chef/owner of The Genuine Hospitality Group, with restaurants including Michael's Genuine Food & Drink Miami (Est. 2006), Michael's Genuine Food & Drink Grand Cayman (Est. 2010), Harry’s Pizzeria (Est. 2011), The Cypress Room (Est. 2013), and Restaurant Michael Schwartz (Est. 2013).

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Quantum!

Each day we are posting a brand new blog post to countdown until Royal Caribbean launches its newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas. There's a lot to get excited about on this amazing ship and we're highlighting it all.

Quantum of the Seas navigates the River Ems

As she nears completion, Quantum of the Seas makes her way from the shipyard where she is built to the North Sea via the narrow River Ems. To tackle the challenge and ensure a successful conveyance, shipbuilder Meyer Werft and Royal Caribbean International follow some important criteria including waiting for ideal tidal conditions, shrinking power lines and removing bridges.

We have a new video to share showcasing what it took to move Quantum of the Seas on the River Ems.

There's less than 99 days until Royal Caribbean's brand new Quantum of the Seas debuts and we're counting down each day with a brand new blog post all about this amazing ship. Check into the blog every day for something new to read about Quantum of the Seas.

Conveyance timelapse video

What happenes when you combine a timelapse video and Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship? The coolest 30 second video ever!

Royal Caribbean released a timelapse video of Quantum of the Seas' conveyance and is pretty cool to watch. Enjoy!

We're counting down to the 99 days until Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas, launches with a brand new blog post every day. Be sure to check back for something new everyday here.

Hybrid scrubbers

Royal Caribbean has been committed to reducing its cruise ships global footprint and laws around the world are requiring cruise ships to be more eco-friendly so Quantum of the Seas will be able to meet both needs.

Onboard Quantum of the Seas are new hybrid scrubbers that were built by Wärtsilä Hamworthy.  Quantum of the Seas will be outfitted with two hyrbid scrubber systems.

The choice of scrubbers for Royal Caribbean's new Sunshine class vessels will enable the new ships to travel anywhere in the world, because the scrubbers will be compliant with the 2015 Emission Control Area (ECA) 0.1% sulfur limit, as well as the worldwide 0.5% limit from 2020 and the impending North American ECA, by removing sulfur emissions and harmful particulates from the vessel's exhaust. 

Royal Caribbean and Meyer Werft chose this solution not just because it ensures universal compliance with sulfur limits, allowing maximum choice over voyage routes and destinations; it also allows significant flexibility in the operation of the scrubber itself. The hybrid approach allows switching between open-loop and closed-loop scrubbing. This means that at sea, scrubbing using only sea water can be enabled but while maneuvering or in port the system can be closed, re-circulating the water already within the scrubber.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Quantum!

There's less than 99 days until Royal Caribbean's brand new Quantum of the Seas debuts and we're counting down each day with a brand new blog post all about this amazing ship. Check into the blog every day for something new to read about Quantum of the Seas.

Dhani Jones

Royal Caribbean is known for its onboard activities like the FlowRider, rock climbing wall, ice skating rink and more.  With Quantum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean wants to continue that tradition by bringing in athlete and adventurer Dhani Jones.

Dhani was selected to be a Quantum Experience Advisor for all things sports & fitness onboard Quantum of the Seas.  This means Dhani is bringing his expertise in the latest fitness trends to Royal Caribbean.

Jones has provided insight into what to offer in the SeaPlex, as well as new experiences throughout the ship and the destinations she visits that will ensure heart pumping fun for everyone.

Besides being a part of the Quantum team, Jones hosts a show on the Travel Channel, Dhani Tackles the Globe, where he travels the world and plays sports that Americans may not be so familiar with.

What Dhani brings to the Royal Caribbean team is an opportunity to take the great activities program the cruise line has built up and take it to the next level by offering activities guests can do other than on Quantum of the Seas.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Quantum!

We're counting down the days until Quantum of the Seas debuts later this year with our 99 days of Quantum blog series. Each day we will post something about Quantum of the Seas to share with all of you!

Tribute

The next best thing to seeing your favorite band or singer perform is someone that sounds nearly the same.  On Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas, you will have a new show called Tribute that will feature great acts that sound just like the real thing.

Located in Music Hall, Tribute will bring the best tribute bands and let you enjoy music from every era.

Music Hall will offer performances by tribute bands that might include The Beatles, the Bee Gees, Journey and Bon Jovi. 

While the bands are playing, guests can enjoy a drink or get up and dance to the music as well.

We've already found a few bands that are scheduled to perform on Quantum of the Seas

• Lazy Bonez (80's Rock Tribute band)
• Wanted (Bon Jovi)
• Slippery When Wet (Bon Jovi)
• Wild Boys (80's rock tribute band)
• DSB (Journey)

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Quantum!

Royal Caribbean will kick off a five-day WOW sale starting September 27, 2014 that will run through October 1.  The sale offers up to $200 onboard credit and 50% off deposits.

The WOW sale is valid on all sailings except Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas.

The onboard credit breakdown is as follows

• 5 nights or less
  • $50 onboard credit (per stateroom) & 50% reduced deposit
• 6-9 nights
  • $100 onboard credit (per stateroom) & 50% reduced deposit
• 10 nights or longer
  • $200 onboard credit (per stateroom) & 50% reduced deposit

LISTEN TO OUR ADVICE ON WOW SALES AND IF THEY ARE A GOOD DEAL

Offer is combinable with standard/full fare rates and restricted rates (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military, BOGO, Kids Sail Free, ChoiceAir Specials, etc.)

Offer is not combinable with any other offer or promotion, including, but not limited to, Interline, Travel Agent, Travel Agent Friends and Family, weekly Sales Events, Net Rates, Crown & Anchor Discount programs or rates, Shareholder Benefits or Next Cruise offers, promotions, or benefits.

What is a WOW Sale? Are WOW Sales good deals?  Read our Cruise 101: WOW Sale post to get information on what this deal is all about.

We're just weeks away from Royal Caribbean launching its newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas, and each day we are showcasing something different about this amazing ship to get everyone ready for its debut.

Cape Liberty Quantum of the Seas construction photo update

While Quantum of the Seas is slowly making her way from her shipyard in Germany, Royal Caribbean is quietly working on expanding the port facility that will Quantum will call home.

Cape Liberty cruise port in Bayonne, New Jersey will be home to Quantum of the Seas and the port facility is being expanded to meet the needs of this massive new ship.

Our friend Mike Sobbell of Autism on the Seas sent in these photos from just a few days ago of how the port is looking.  

Many thanks to Mike for these photos and especially all he does with the Autism on the Seas organization.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Quantum!

To countdown the launch of Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas, we're blogging about one aspect of the ship each day for 99 days. Check back each day for something exciting to read about this new ship.

Windows Tablets

There's so much exciting things coming for guests to experience on Quantum of the Seas but there is a really big chance coming on Quantum of the Seas that benefits the people that make Quantum of the Seas function.

Royal Caribbean is rewarding each crew member on Quantum of the Seas with a free, personal Microsoft Windows 8.1 tablet with a suite of services and apps that is theirs to keep.

In fact, as the technology upgrades make their way across Royal Caribbean's fleet, every shipboard employee will get their own free Windows tablet.  In total, Royal Caribbean will give out 40,000 tablets.

All of this ensures crew members will stay conneceted with friends and family as well as have an opportunity to have one of the best technology options out there.

The tablets are 8-inch Windows-based tablets built by HEXA special for Royal Caribbean.

The tablets will feature services such as Bing, Skype, Office 365 and OneDrive. Rollout will begin in October and is expected to be completed by the end of December with every shipboard employee in the Royal Caribbean fleet receiving a tablet.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Quantum!

Each day we are posting a brand new blog post to countdown until Royal Caribbean launches its newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas.  There's a lot to get excited about on this amazing ship and we're highlighting it all.

H2O Zone

Royal Caribbean first introduced the kid-friendly pool area known as the H2O Zone back on Freedom-class and it's been a staple of all its new cruise ships going forward. On Quantum of the Seas, the H2O Zone has been completely redesigned.

Quantum of the Seas will feature the first wave pool at sea in its H2O Zone where guests can splash in the waves along with their favorite Dreamworks characters.

Also returning to the H2O Zone is the large "vortex" whirlpool to swim around in.

The wave pool is the focal point of the H2O Zone and its introduction is yet another "WOW" factor Royal Caribbean is banking on impressing customers to try the ship out.  There's no question kids will love playing in the wave pool (and adults too).

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Quantum!