Quantum Of The Seas

Launched in 2014, Quantum of the Seas cruise ship is the first Quantum-class Royal Caribbean vessel, with sisterships Anthem OTS (2015) and Ovation OTS (2016). Similarly designed are the "Quantum-Ultra Class" Spectrum OTS (2019) and Odyssey OTS (2020). Next is shown a Quantum-class ship as looked from above.

History - construction and ownership

Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is a US company, trademarked brand and subsidiary owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL, shipowner). RCI was established in 1968 and currently has over 1/5 of the worldwide cruise market. RCI also has RCCL's largest fleet as both numbers of vessels and GT tonnage (ship sizes and capacities). All Royal Caribbean liners have names ending with "of the Seas".

The 167,800-ton, 4,905-passenger cruise ship Quantum of the Seas is a next-generation Quantum Class ship. The new class of ships was known in the past under the name "Project Sunshine". The Quantum-Class is larger than the earlier Freedom by 13,000 GT. With these new dimensions, the class became the second largest in the fleet of the cruise company after the Oasis class.

Cruise itinerary program

Quantum of the Seas itinerary program is based on 4- and 5-day short Asia roundtrip cruises from Shanghai and Hong Kong. During her Inaugural season, Quantum operated on Caribbean voyages out of Bayonne (Cape Liberty) New Jersey.

During winter 2019,-2020 (November through April) the Quantum ship was homeported in Singapore for a total of 34 itineraries to Penang Malaysia, Phuket Thailand and Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon Vietnam. This deployment increased the Royal Caribbean's passenger capacity in Singapore by 30%.

Starting on December 1, 2020, the homeported in Singapore Quantum OTS became RCI's ever-first ship in operation since the fleet paused operations on March 14. The mini-season had scheduled only Cruises to Nowhere (3-night and 4-night roundtrips) available for Singapore residents only and with no call ports along the route. The liner's max passenger capacity (4819) was limited to just 1000.

During summer 2021 (May through September), RCI planned to deploy Quantum OTS in Alaska - joining there the fleetmate Ovation OTS. Both liners were scheduled to operate 7-night roundtrips from homeport Seattle WA (leaving on Mondays). RCI's Alaskan season 2021 also had itineraries planned for Radiance OTS and Serenade OTS - both homeported in Vancouver BC and Seward AK (7-night one-ways). However, in late-January, RCI cancelled Quantum's Alaskan 2021 season (April 25 through October 14) and the ship remained in Southeast Asia. Ovation-Serenade-Radiance ships' Alaskan schedules remained unchanged.

Cabins

Quantum Of The Seas staterooms (a total of 2090) include 1447 Balcony, 156 Oceanview, 367 Inside (Virtual Balcony), 28 Studios (single occupancy cabins) in 43 grades. Most Quantum OTS cabins are sized 185 ft2 (17 m2). The largest passenger accommodation is the Royal Loft Suite (152 m2 plus terrace 57 m2).

The new “Royal Suite Class” booking category (suite accommodations only) provides Quantum's highest paying passengers with the ultimate all-inclusive cruise experience of Royal Caribbean, marked by Coastal Kitchen exclusive access, 24-hour personal butler service, included gratuities, all-inclusive drinks, free Internet and thermal suite unlimited access. Quantum of the Seas was also designed with 34 wheelchair-accessible cabins and virtual balconies (the interior features real-time views of the ocean and destinations).

Compared to the Oasis-class ships, guests can enjoy larger staterooms, more family-connected cabins and new studio staterooms (for solo travellers).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Passengers on Quantum of the Seas are offered plenty of dining options to choose from (25 onboard dining options, of which 14 are complimentary), with multiple choices for light bites as well. Reservations for all restaurants can be made online ahead of the cruise. Though not required, reservations are definitely recommended to ensure guests get to eat where they want, when they want. Food and service at the main restaurants, Silk, Chic, American Icon and The Grande, is varied and offers an array of experiences.

Follows the complete list of Quantum of the Seas restaurants and food bars.

• The Grande (offers DreamWorks themed breakfast, two fixed dinner seatings and "My Time Dining")
• Chic Restaurant (one of the four dining rooms)
• American Icon Grill (one of the four dining rooms)
• The Silk (Asian cuisine, one of the four dining rooms)
• La Patisserie (speciality coffee and teas bar; offers fresh-made pastries and sweets)
• Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine
• Windjammer Marketplace buffet restaurant (offers Early Breakfast at 6:30 a.m., Breakfast between 7:00-11:30 a.m., Lunch 11.30-3:30 p.m. and Dinner 6.30-9:00 p.m.)
• Chops Grille (steakhouse/seafood)
• Chef’s Table (14-guest capacity, gourmet private dining package)
• Sorrento’s (Italian restaurant)
• Jamie's Italian Restaurant (menu, deck 5) is a 132-seat speciality trattoria restaurant (at surcharge USD 30 pp dinner, USD 20 pp lunch/sea days only) via a partnership with British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver,
• Izumi (73-seat Asian/Japanese restaurant)
• The Cafe @ Two70° (casual dining marketplace)
• Coastal Kitchen (Suite passengers only restaurant)
• Solarium Bistro (healthy dining menu, ex-“Devinly Decadence”)
• SeaPlex Dog House (complimentary).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Guests on Quantum of the Seas are free to enjoy 16 decks, with a top deck featuring solarium for adults, an outdoor pool, a new indoor pool with a roof system and H2O Zone kids' aqua park. Additional facilities aboard the cruise ship include a surf simulator, a rock climbing wall measuring 40ft above the deck, a spa, a casino, and an outdoor movie screen.

Quantum OTS (and all Quantum-Class liners) feature as unique facilities "iFly by RipCord" (skydiving simulator at a fee, reservations are required) and "North Star" (jewel-shaped glass capsule) rising 300 ft (92 m) above sea level for 360-degree views above the ship. North Star is at a fee and also can be privately booked (for special events). At "iFly by RipCord", each passenger is fitted with goggles, helmet and jumpsuit before jumping into the chamber (1-min sessions). These vessels also have Bionic Bar where "bartending robots" mix up cocktails ordered via a tablet.

The Royal Theater hosts the major production show onboard the Quantum, "Mamma Mia!," which features ABBA's greatest hits. The result is an exceptional show and spectacular event that makes everyone want to sing and dance along. The Quantum cruise ship boasts with the DreamWorks Experience - a themed programming in partnership with the Walt Disney Company. This new entertainment program is aimed at families and offers movies-themed DreamWorks activities on select RCI ships within the fleet. The list of special activities includes characters meet and greets (of course, plus photo ops).

Additional amenities include: Complimentary 24-hour Room-Service, Supervised Youth programs (Adventure Ocean, Royal Babies, Royal Tots, Dream Works experience), Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry.

Follows the complete list of Quantum of the Seas lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Royal Theater (1299-seat, features 3D Movies, aerial acrobatic performances and Broadway-style productions)
• Music Hall (2-deck high live entertainment venue)
• Two70° Lounge (3-deck high relaxation observation lounge with live entertainment)
• Photo Gallery and Shop; SeaTrek Shop (diving equipment)
• Diamond Club Lounge and Bar (past guests only); Concierge Club and Lounge (suite- and past guests only); Card Room
• Harp and Horn Pub (former Michael’s Genuine Pub), Bionic Bar, NorthStar Bar, Schooner Bar (piano bar); Sky Bar
• Royal Esplanade (an area between the boutique shops and restaurants on decks 4 and 5; part of it is “The Via” with the Vintages wine bar, Port Merchants and Jamie’s)
• Casino Royale; Casino VIP
• Boleros (Latin night bar)
• Outdoor Movie Screen
• Cafe Promenade (24-hour; serves snacks and drinks, as well as Starbucks speciality coffee)
• Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center; 10 jacuzzis (2 cantilevered); 4 pools
• Solarium lounge (includes Solarium Cafe, pool bar and adults only pool area); Solarium Bar
• Video Games Arcade; The Living Room and Night Club teen areas; Royal Babies and Tots Nursery; Adventure Ocean kids lounge area; Workshop (family venue); H2O Zone family and kids area; Kung Fu Panda
• SeaPlex (sports complex, with roller skating, bumper cars, circus school, full-sized basketball court); North Star; FlowRider (surf simulator); RipCord by iFly; Jogging Track; Rock-climbing Wall.

On February 11, 2011, under “Project Sunshine”, the shipowner RCCL announced the order of a new vessel. It represents a new passenger ship class of all three units, the first of which (Quantum) was delivered in 2014. On February 29, 2012, RCCL announced the order of the second “Sunshine” ship – Anthem (launched in 2015).

On January 31, 2013, the new vessel class was officially named “Quantum Class”. On this day were also officially announced the names of the first two vessels – Quantum and the Anthem OTS. The third vessel of this class (Ovation) was scheduled for launch in April 2016.

Quantum OTS is Royal Caribbean's first Quantum-class vessel, with "WOW" sisterships Anthem of the Seas (2015) and Ovation of the Seas (2016). There is a possibility the RCCL cruise company to order a fourth Quantum-class ship, as such an option was included in the contract.

Ship's godmother is Kristin Dawn Chenoweth (1968-bornUS actress and singer). It was delivered to RCI on October 28, 2014. Quantum OTS was initially homeported at Bayonne's Port Cape Liberty (New Jersey). The Inaugural Cruise (maiden voyage) was on November 2, 2014. The itinerary was a Transatlantic crossing from the UK to USA (Southampton to NYC / Bayonne NJ). In 2016, Quantum was homeported in Shanghai China for roundtrips to ports in Japan and South Korea,

Quantum OTS refurbishment 2019 review

The ship's first drydock refurbishment was in 2019 (October 19 - November 16) done in Singapore (at Sembcorp Marine Shipyard). The USD 65 million drydocking project included general maintenance works, technical overhauls, refreshed interiors and new attractions. Deckplan changes include adding two new team gaming experiences - a Laser Tag and an Escape Room.

Ship Facts

• vessel width: 162 ft (49 m), waterline width 136 ft (41 m)
• virtual balcony's LED screen is 80-inch 4K (ultra high-definition)
• jogging track length 436 ft (133 m)
• North Star's height is 300 ft (92 m) and turns every 15 min.
• SeaPlex' bumper cars are 15
• On each voyage, the ship is loaded with fresh fruit (25 tons), fresh vegetables (36 tons), fish (10 tons), eggs (79,000), still water (22,200 L), sparkling water (12,000 L).
• In the vessel's construction were used 37,000 tons of steel, 346 tons of glass. It took 41,600 man hours to build it.
• Engines/power: two Wartsila diesel (type 12V46F, power output 14400 kW each), two Wartsila diesel (type 16V46F, power output 19200 kW each), two Caterpillar engines (type 3516C HD (power output 2500 kW each)
• Diesel-electric propulsion: two ABB thrusters (type Azipod XO, power output 20,5 MW each), plus four Brunvoll bow thrusters (type FU115, power output 3500 kW each)
• A signature feature of the vessel is the top-deck located giant Polar Bear statue (named Felicia).

All Quantum-class liners don't have the top-deck Viking Crown observation lounge and the ice skating rink. There are also differences in the Royal Promenade (shopping mall area). Entertainment options are brand new, with many "firsts at sea" present in the line's brochures.

The list of ship's revolutionary new (WOW) features includes:

• "virtual balcony cabins" - all the Inside cabins feature a floor-ceiling 80-inch HDTV screen (203-cm) for real-time views (live camera feed showing the passing scenery). All Quantum cabins are ~9% larger than on Oasis-class ships.
• Bionic Bar (capacity 2 drinks per minute) uses 2 robotic arms to prepare mixed beverages (muddled, stirred, shaken and strained). Those can be ordered via an app (tablets or smartphones). Orders are displayed on large LED screens around the bar. The robotic bartenders use 30 different spirits and 21 mixers (8 sodas, 6 juices, 3 syrups, sugar, mint, limes, lemons).
• Two70° (located decks 5-7 stern, 3-story-high with a 270° panoramic view) - this lounge includes a cafe, an ice bar, at night it becomes a venue for nouveau-cirque-style production and a disco club.
• SeaPlex complex (deck 15 mid) - full-size basketball court, a roller-skating sports arena, bumper cars, table tennis, "food truck" (casual dining).
• "RipCord by iFLY" - it's the RCCL's new skydiving simulator (reservations to be made online prior to sailing).
• "NorthStar" - the sensational and absolutely complimentary observation tower (forward of the top deck) - a glass-walled capsule on a long rotating arm will lift small groups of passengers over the ship's edge (up to 300ft/91m above sea level).