We're still over a year away from Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas, sailing on her inaugural journey but already there's a lot to talk about.  And when it comes to new cruise ships, Royal Caribbean's mission is to "wow" its customers and we've found the top five ways Royal Caribbean is going to do just that once Quantum of the Seas starts sailing.

Virtual Balconies

Until now, inside staterooms were always regarded as the least-desirable accommodations for a cruise because, among other reasons, there was no view to enjoy.  On Quantum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean is adding 80-inch LCD screens to some inside staterooms that will display images from outside the ship and give passengers the feel of having a view.

The screens will be broadcasting real time images of the ocean or port so passengers can feel like they are experiencing what their fellow passengers in balcony staterooms do as well.  In addition, the room will feel a little bigger with the optical illusion of the virtual balcony.  All that's missing is the ocean breeze!

North Star

Just looking at Quantum of the Seas, one of the first things everyone notices is the large pod attached to a giant arm on top of the cruise ship.  This observation pod, known as North Star, will allow passengers to go up in the sky above the cruise ship 300 feet above the sea.

First, North Star is something we've never seen on any other cruise ship, Royal Caribbean or otherwise.  Second, being able to survey the area around your ship, especially in port, will really add another dimension of fun to your vacation.  From now on, no set of vacation photos will be complete without the obligatory photos from high atop North Star.

Bumper Cars

When it comes to doing things on a cruise ship you never thought possible, riding on bumper cars was probably one of them.  Well, Royal Caribbean is taking care of that by offering bumper car rides in their new entertainment complex known as SeaPlex onboard Quantum of the Seas.

In addition to roller skating and sports throughout the day, bumper cars will be the highlight activity available to passengers who want to try something new on a cruise ship.  While bumper cars on land are fun, riding bumper cars at sea is bound to be even more fun just because it's something new.

RipCord

Speaking of things you never thought were going to be possible on a cruise ship, how about sky diving?  Since I would never have the guts to try the real thing (airplanes are for flying, not jumping out of), the new RipCord skydiving simulator sounds like the perfect way to experience the sensation of skydiving without the risk.

Powered by iFly, RipCord promises to let the rest of us feel like we're 10,000 feet in the air.   Following the success of the surf simulator known as FlowRider, RipCord will add another sports thrill for guests to try out and I'm really looking forward to taking the plunge.

Two70

When Royal Caribbean announced their multi-purpose venue called Two70, I imagined a meeting of ideas for what to add to Quantum of the Seas and the two best ideas were a great lounge with a beautiful view and the other was an onboard entertainment show that we've never seen before but there was only space for one. So the idea for Two70 was born; during the day, it's a hip lounge with great views of the ocean while at night, it transforms into a stage for some great acrobatic entertainment.

Transforming one space to offer two very different forms of entertainment is pretty darn cool and if you look at the concept art for Two70, this area is not going to be just another room onboard Quantum of the Seas.  It looks beautiful during the day and night and it also looks quite massive.  I'm excited already to have a drink in the afternoon here and then plan on returning at night to see the show.

Royal Loft with Balcony

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and after seeing concept art for the Royal Loft on Quantum of the Seas, I'm ready to start saving my pennies for a chance to stay here.  The loft stateroom was first introduced on Oasis and Allure of the Seas and now we're seeing just how amazing a loft idea can be.

There's something to be said about having a stateroom with multiple floors, a massive window and a really large balcony.  I'm not a one-percenter by any means, but I could really get used to cruising in a cabin like this because, well, it just looks amazing.  I guess the only problem with staying in a Royal Loft suite is you'd be tempted to never leave your room!

Experience it with us!

These cool additions to Quantum of the Seas sound pretty cool, right?  Why not experience them for yourself aboard Quantum of the Seas with the Royal Caribbean group cruise aboard Quantum of the Seas!  We're planning a special sailing on March 21, 2015 and we're inviting you to join us.  Get more information right here and see all these cool things for yourself!

Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas godmother Kristen Chenoweth performed on Monday night at the Sydney Opera House for Royal Caribbean and guests.

''It was a dream come true to perform the special material that I created just for my Australian tour last night at Sydney's Opera House and it was a thrill to have special guests of Royal Caribbean in the audience," Chenoweth said.

Chenoweth recently co-hosted the grand reveal of Quantum of the Seas in New York and has become associated with Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship.

"I am so excited to be godmother of Quantum of the Seas and hope to see lots of my Aussie fans on board when she launches in the US next year," Chenoweth said.

Chenoweth took time to pose with Royal Caribbean commercial director for Australia, Adam Armstrong, backstage.

Royal Caribbean's brand new Quantum of the Seas will offer an inaugural transatlantic cruise on November 2, 2014 out of Southampton, England.

The eight-night cruise was announced today by Royal Caribbean and will go leave from Southampton on its way to Bayonne, New Jersey, where it will arrive on November 10.

The cost for the transatlantic first starts at $1049 per person and is on sale now.

Quantum of the Seas will be the first of three Quantum-class ships, none of which are built yet.  Quantum of the Seas will make her debut in November 2014, with sister cruise ships Anthem of the Seas following in spring 2015 and a third, unnamed Quantum class ship in mid-2016.

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 officially opened booking for it's newest cruise ship that is still under construction, Quantum of the Seas, to the general public.  Last week members of Royal Caribbean's loyalty program were given special access to book the new ship ahead of everyone else.

Royal Caribbean has cruises available from November 2014, when the ship debuts, through April 2015.  Quantum of the Seas' inaugural cruise is not listed as available for sale on the Royal Caribbean web site, which may indicate the inaugural cruise has sold out already.

On the Bahamas cruises, the ship will call at Port Canaveral, Fla., Nassau and CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas. The Eastern Caribbean cruises will include San Juan, Puerto Rico; Samana, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas; St. Kitts; and St. Maarten. The Southern Caribbean cruises will call at San Juan, St. Maarten, Martinique, Barbados and St. Kitts. On most sailings, the ship also will visit Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private beach on the north coast of Haiti.

If you're interested in booking your spot on one of the first cruises Quantum of the Seas embarks on, you can call Royal Caribbean directly, consult a travel agent or book online.

Royal Caribbean is allowing its Crown and Anchor Society members the first chance to book their spot aboard Quantum of the Seas.

Quantum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship that is under construction, will have her inaugural cruise in November 2014.  The ship features a number of ammenities new to the cruise industry such as an observation pod and skydiving simulator.

Those interested in booking can call Royal Caribbean directly, consult a travel agent or book online.

The general public will be able to book their cruise on Quantum of the Seas starting on June 4.

Royal Caribbean is set to put cruises on its newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas, on sale on May 28, 2013 and today they announced the first cruises onboard the ship.

Quantum of the Seas' inaugural voyage will take place on November 23, 2014.  This will be the official inaugural voyage for the ship, although shorter cruises for the media and travel agents are likely to precede it.

Quantum of the Seas will offer seven- and eight-night Bahamas, eight- to 11-night Eastern Caribbean, and 11- and 12-night Southern Caribbean itineraries.  As previously announced, Quantum of the Seas will sail out of Bayonne, New Jersey.  The first round of itineraries that Royal Caribbean has announced today extend through April 2015.

Bookings will be available to Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program members beginning May 28, 2013 before opening to the general public on June 4.

“Royal Caribbean is proud to partner with some of the Caribbean’s premier destinations for the inaugural season of Quantum of the Seas,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “The Quantum class of ships will combine a new set of truly exciting and first-at-sea innovations that can only be found on Royal Caribbean, with some of the most incredible destinations in the region. We can’t wait to WOW vacationers with Quantum cruising.”

On the Bahamas cruises, guests call at Port Canaveral, Fla., Nassau and CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private tropical island paradise. The Eastern Caribbean cruises will include ports of call among San Juan, Puerto Rico; Samana, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas; St. Kitts; and St. Maarten. Guests on the Southern Caribbean cruises will call at San Juan, St. Maarten, Martinique, Barbados and St. Kitts. On most Caribbean sailings, Quantum of the Seas also will visit Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s very own highly-rated private beach paradise on the north coast of Haiti.  

Royal Caribbean announced that it will add a brand new float to the 87th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

Royal Caribbean's participation in the parade will be part of its celebration of the upcoming fall 2014 debut of Quantum of the Seas.

"Royal Caribbean cruise vacations are known as the ultimate in family entertainment at sea, so it's fitting that they will join us this Thanksgiving as we kick off the holidays for millions of families nationwide," said Amy Kule, executive producer of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. "Designed by the artists of Macy's Parade Studio, the new Royal Caribbean float promises to astonish audiences as it makes its maiden voyage down the streets of Manhattan this November."

Royal Caribbean executive vice president of Global Sales and Marketing, Lisa Bauer, also commented on the news, "As the leading global cruise line offering families incredible vacations only found with Royal Caribbean, we are thrilled to be partnering with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and to participate in an iconic event that brings friends and family together.We hope that our float will WOW Parade spectators and those watching at home just like our ships WOW guests all over the world."

The 87th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade airs nationwide on NBC, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013 from 9 a.m. - Noon in all time zones.

Portland, Maine officials announced on Monday that the city will welcome Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas, in 2015.  In fact, Quantum of the Seas will visit Maine's largest city four times in 2015.

The 4,000+ passenger ship will be the largest cruise ship to ever dock in Portland.

Quantum of the Seas’ arrival in Portland is made possible by the additional deeper water access provided by the city’s 1,200-foot Ocean Gateway Terminal Pier II, which opened two years ago, city spokeswoman Nicole Clegg confirmed.

The city will receive nearly $700,000 in revenue from hosting cruise ships. A 2008 economic impact study found that passengers typically spend $80 to $110 in Greater Portland during their stay, which adds up to $5.8 million to $8 million each season.

Royal Caribbean is busy finishing plans to build its next cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas, and it has tapped design firm 5+design Studio to help create the cutting-edge venues aboard the ship.

Tim Magill, partner of 5+design, commented on designing Quantum of the Seas' venues, "There has never been anything like Two70 on land, let alone sea. It exemplifies our idea of transformational environments – creating the framework for wide range of activities and uses within one space.”

Royal Caribbean has tapped 5+design to create Two70 and Vistarama venues aboard Quantum of the Seas.

During the day, Two70 takes on the ambiance of a grand living room, perfect for games, lounging, reading or early morning coffee. An organic topography of elliptical spaces create a variety of intimate social spaces for friends, families and small groups. At night, Two70, aptly named for its breathtaking 270-degree panoramic sea views through vast, floor-to-ceiling glass walls, gradually transforms into a beacon of spectacular, mysterious and unbarred entertainment for guests to enjoy.

5+design sought to make Two70 an "outside" experience for an inside venue, so the area will also become a place for live performances.  The space was designed with multiple purposes in mind.